DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a power socket device and more particularly, to a power socket device having bar assemblies for establishing internal electrical contacts.

BACKGROUND

There are several socket devices having multiple power sockets to enable plugging of multiple appliances to derive operating power therefrom. Each of these socket devices usually includes connecting wires for establishing internal electrical contacts, for example, to direct the mains supply to a power socket, which receives a plug of an electrical appliance.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a base plate 100 of an existing power socket device having wired connections. First, presence of such connecting wires 102 poses certain challenges, particularly, from the perspective of maintenance. For example, such wires 102 may sometimes get entangled, particularly, in power socket devices having a large number of power sockets, causing inconvenience during the maintenance. Also, installation of the wires 102 is also a cumbersome task. In addition, manufacturing cost of these wires 102 is also high.

Further, for accommodating these wired connections, the existing power socket devices include a particular type of contact parts 104. Figure 2A illustrates various contact parts 104 being used in the existing power socket devices for accommodating the wired connections. Particularly, 104-1 indicates a Live and Neutral contact part for a 2-pin power socket. Further, 104-2 indicates a Live and Neutral contact part for a 5-pin power socket. Similarly, 104-3, indicates an Earth contact part for the existing power socket devices. The contact parts 104 are usually machined parts and therefore require heavy machinery for manufacturing.

Further, Figure 2B illustrates an internal contact assembly 200 of an existing power socket device. The contact assembly 200 includes a plurality of single unit bus bars 202 and contact parts 204 connected to the single unit bus bars 202. Each single unit bus bar 202 is connected with a respective contact part 204, for example, by riveting. As shown, the contact assembly 200 includes three single unit bus bars 202, referred to as, 202-1, 202-2, and 202-3, and seven contact parts 204, referred to as 204-1, 204-2, 204-3, 204-4, 204-5, 204-6, and 204-7. Further, the single unit bus bars 202 and the contact parts 204 are formed by sheet metal, which leads to unnecessary material wastage and in turn to high cost of manufacturing.

As shown, the construction of these contact parts 104, 204 and the single unit bus bars 202 is complex and therefore involves significant manufacturing cost. As a result, an overall constructional and the operational cost of the power socket devices is also high. Moreover, owing to their large size, an overall size of the existing power socket device is also large.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a power socket device is disclosed. The power socket device includes a plurality of power sockets. Each power socket includes a first receiver and a second receiver. Each of the first receiver and the second receiver is adapted to receive a pin of a plug of an electrical appliance. The power socket includes a first bar assembly adapted to be disposed in a base plate and having a number of nodes corresponding to a number of first receivers. The first bar assembly electrically connects the first receivers. The power socket device includes a second bar assembly adapted to be disposed in the base plate and having a number of nodes corresponding to a number of second receivers. The second bar assembly electrically connects the second receivers. The first bar assembly and the second bar assembly are positioned on the base plate on different planes and adapted to overlap at a bridge portion of the base plate. Further, the base plate includes a first slot formed at a bottom surface to provide access to the first bar assembly for respective electrical connections. The base plate also includes a second slot formed at the bottom surface to provide access to the second bar assembly for respective electrical connections.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a base plate of an existing power socket device having wired connections;
Figure 2A illustrates perspective views of various contact parts being used in existing power socket devices for accommodating the wired connections;
Figure 2B illustrates a schematic view of an internal contact assembly of an existing power socket device;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a power socket device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a base plate and a cover plate of the power socket device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of a portion of the power socket device depicting several constituent components, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the base plate depicting internal connections established through a first bar assembly, a second bar assembly, and a plurality of contact parts, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates various views of contact parts being used in the power socket device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8A and Figure 8B illustrate various stages of assembly to form the power socket assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 9 illustrates a back view of the assembly of the base plate and the cover plate depicting a first slot and a second slot of the base plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a power socket device 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power socket device 300 may include a housing 302 encapsulating an assembly of a base plate (shown in Figure 4) and a cover plate 304. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly 400 of the base plate 402 and the cover plate 304, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4, the power socket device 300 may also include a plurality of power sockets 306. In the illustrated embodiment, at one time, the power socket device 300 can accommodate two 2-pin power sockets 306 and one 3-pin power socket 306.

In the illustrated embodiment, the power socket device 300 is shown to include three power sockets, namely, 306-1, 306-2, and 306-3. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, in other embodiments, the power socket device 300 may include more or less number of power sockets 306, for example, based on constructional and operational requirements of the power socket device 300, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the number of power sockets 306 in the power socket device 300.

Each power socket 306 may include a first receiver 404 and a second receiver 406. Each of the first receiver 404 and the second receiver 406 is adapted to receive a pin of a plug of an electrical appliance. In an embodiment, the first receiver 404 and the second receiver 406 may establish a live contact and a neutral contact, respectively. In an alternate embodiment, the first receiver 404 and the second receiver 406 may establish the neutral contact and the live contact, respectively, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, each one of the first receiver 404 and the second receiver 406 has a planar structure adapted to establish a line contact with the pin of the plug. Further, the power socket 306 may also include a third receiver 408 adapted to establish earth contact.

In the present embodiment, the power socket 306-1 includes a first receiver 404-1 and a second receiver 406-1. Further, the power socket 306-2 includes a first receiver 404-2 and a second receiver 406-2. Similarly, the power socket 306-3 includes a first receiver 404-3 and a second receiver 406-3. Further, the third receiver 408 may be common for the power sockets 306-1, 306-2, and 306-3. Owing to the present construction, the power socket device 300 can accommodate two 2-pin power sockets 306 and one 3-pin power socket 306.

Further, the power socket device 300 may include a switch 308 disposed on the cover plate 304 adapted to control the mains supply to the power sockets 306. The power socket device 300 may also include an indicator 310 adapted to indicate whether the mains supply is being provided to the power sockets 306. For example, when the indicator 310 is illuminated, it is indicative of the mains supply being provided to the power sockets 306.

Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly 400 depicting several constituent components, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power socket device 300 may include a first bar assembly 502, a second bar assembly 504, and a plurality of contact parts 506 adapted to be disposed in the base plate 402. Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the base plate 402 depicting internal connections established through the first bar assembly 502, the second bar assembly 504, and the contact parts 506, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At least for the sake of brevity, the subsequent description is explained by collectively referring to the Figures 3 to 6.

Referring to Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6, the first bar assembly 502 may include a number of nodes 602 corresponding to a number of first receivers 404. The first bar assembly 502 electrically connects the first receivers 404. Further, the second bar assembly 504 may include a number of nodes 604 corresponding to a number of second receivers 406. The second bar assembly 504 electrically connects the second receivers 406.

Further, the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 may be positioned on the base plate 402 on different planes. The first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 may be adapted to overlap at a bridge portion 606 of the base plate 402.

In an embodiment, an overlapping portion 608-1 of the first bar assembly 502 is positioned at a plane above the bridge portion 606. Further, an overlapping portion 608-2 of the second bar assembly 504 is positioned at a plane below the bridge portion 606. This is to ensure reasonable distance between the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504.

In an embodiment, the overlapping portion 608-2 of the second bar assembly 504 forms an N layer and the overlapping portion 608-1 of the first bar assembly 502 forms an N+2 layer during assembly on the base plate 402. The overlapping portion 608-1 and the overlapping portion 608-2 may be positioned to have a predefined distance therebetween. In an embodiment, the overlapping portion 608-1 of the first bar assembly 502 and the overlapping portion 608-2 of the second bar assembly 504 are about 3 mm apart. The overlapping portions 608-1, 608-2 are sufficiently spaced, i.e., a predefined creepage distance is maintained to protect from undesirable events, such as shorting.

As mentioned earlier, the power socket device 300 may include a contact part 506 adapted to be disposed in each one of the first receivers 404 and the second receivers 406. Figure 7 illustrates various views of the contact parts 506 being used in the power socket device 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each contact part 506 is adapted to be in contact with a node 602, 604 of the respective first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504. Particularly, 506-1 indicates a contact part adapted to be disposed in the first receiver 404 and the second receiver 406. Further, 506-2 indicates a contact part adapted to be disposed in the third receiver 408.

In an embodiment, the overlapping portion 608-2 of the second bar assembly 504 forms the N layer, the contact parts 506 form the N+1 layer, and the overlapping portion 608-1 of the first bar assembly 502 forms the N+2 layer during assembly on the base plate 402.

In an embodiment, the first bar assembly 502 may include the overlapping portion 608-1 and a short portion 610-1. Similarly, the second bar assembly 504 may include the overlapping portion 608-2 and a short portion 610-2. While the illustrated embodiment depicts each bar assembly 502, 504 to have two portions, the bar assemblies 502, 504 may be formed of more or less than two portions as well in other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the bar assemblies 502, 504 having two portions.

Further, the power socket device 300 may include a number of screws 508 for fixing the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 on the base plate 402. In other embodiments, the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 may be fixed on the base plate 402 through any other mechanical means, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 8A and Figure 8B illustrate various stages of assembly to form the power socket device 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At stage 1, the short portion 610-1 of the first bar assembly 502 and the overlapping portion 608-2 of the second bar assembly 504 are disposed in respective slots on the base plate 402, forming a first layer, or the N layer as mentioned earlier. At stage 2, the contact parts 506 are disposed in the first receiving members 404, the second receiving member 406, and the third receiver 408, forming the second layer, or the N+1 layer as mentioned earlier. At stage 3, the short portion 610-2 of the second bar assembly 504 and the overlapping portion 608-1 of the first bar assembly are disposed in respective slots on the base plate 402, forming the third layer, or the N+2 layer as mentioned earlier.

At stage 4, the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 are fixed to the base plate 402, using the screws 508. At stage 5, the switch 308 and the indicator 310 are positioned on the cover plate 304. At stage 6, the base plate 402 and the cover plate 304 are fixed together, for example, through screws 510. At stage 7, extension cord is mounted on the assembly 400. At stage 8, the assembly 400 is encapsulated in the housing 302 to form the power socket device 300.

In an embodiment, the base plate 402 may include provisions for ensuring connection of the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 with the operating switch 308. In an embodiment, the base plate 402 may include one or more slots formed on a bottom surface 612 to accommodate the connection of the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 with the operating switch 308.

Figure 9 illustrates a back view of the assembly 400 of the base plate 402 and the cover plate 304 depicting a first slot 902 and a second slot 904 of the base plate 402, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the slots 902, 904 are adapted to expose the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 for establishing any electrical connection with any component for operating the power socket device 300, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The base plate 402 may include the first slot 902 formed at the bottom surface 612 to provide access to the first bar assembly 502 for establishing respective electrical connections. In an embodiment, the first slot 902 may facilitate direct connection of a live wire with the first bar assembly 502. In an embodiment, the base plate 402 may include a sliding cover 906 disposed on the first slot 902. The sliding cover 906 may be adapted to open different portions of the first slot 902 for exposing respective portions of the first bar assembly 502 positioned above. Particularly, the sliding cover 906 may be disposed such that the sliding cover 906 slides on the first slot 902 to open one of the ends of the first slot 902 to expose the first bar assembly 502 for respective electrical connections.

In an embodiment, the sliding cover 906 may be adapted to slide to open a first end 908 of the first slot 902 that aligns with a corresponding end of the overlapping portion 608-1 of the first bar assembly 502. In another embodiment, the sliding cover 906 may be adapted to slide to open a second end 910 of the first slot 902 that is formed to align with a corresponding another end of the overlapping portion 608-1 of the first bar assembly 502.

Further, the base plate 402 may include the second slot 904 formed at the bottom surface 612 to provide access to the second bar assembly 504 for respective electrical connections. In an embodiment, the second slot 904 is adapted to provide access to the second bar assembly 504 for electrical connection with the operating switch 308, for example, with a neutral connection. In an embodiment, the second slot 904 may be formed to align with the bridge portion 606 for accessing the second bar assembly 504.

In an embodiment, each of the ends 908, 910 of the first slot 902 may be formed at a distance of about 3 mm from the second slot 904. This would ensure that the connections are formed at a safe distance from each other to avoid any possibility of a short circuit.

In an embodiment, a depth of the first slot 902 may be different from a depth of the second slot 904 on the base plate 402. The different depths of the first slot 902 and the second slot 904 accommodate the electrical connections with the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504, respectively, that are positioned on different planes.

As would be gathered, the power socket device 300 of the present disclosure offers a simple and effective approach for establishing internal connections. The first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 are easy to position and maintain in the power socket device 300. Further, since the bar assemblies 502, 504 are formed of multiple portions, it offers an ease of installation to form the power socket device 300. Moreover, the constructional and operational cost of the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504 is also significantly low, at least in comparison to existing wired connections. In addition, the contact parts 506 that are adapted to accommodate the proposed bar assemblies 502 and 504 are flat, takes less space, and are cost-effective. Furthermore, the assembly to form the power socket device 300 is also not a time-intensive process and can be easily achieved without the need of a skilled personnel.

Furthermore, the slots 902, 904 formed on the base plate 402 ensure ease in establishing electrical connections with the first bar assembly 502 and the second bar assembly 504. The sliding cover 906 allows for establishing electrical connections with different portions of the first bar assembly 502 with significant ease. Therefore, the sliding cover 906 offers the flexibility to connect with different portions of the first bar assembly 502. Also, the user does not need to hire a skilled labor to make these connections as he/she can conveniently do it on their own. Moreover, the slots 902, 904 are formed at a predefined distance from each other to comply with safety standards. Therefore, the power socket device 300 is cost-effective, operation-effective, and easy to use.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. A power socket device (300) comprising:
a plurality of power sockets (306), each power socket (306) comprising a first receiver (404) and a second receiver (406), wherein each of the first receiver (404) and the second receiver (406) is adapted to receive a pin of a plug of an electrical appliance;
a first bar assembly (502) adapted to be disposed in a base plate (402) and comprising a number of nodes (602) corresponding to a number of first receivers (404), wherein the first bar assembly (502) electrically connects the first receivers (404);
a second bar assembly (504) adapted to be disposed in the base plate (402) and comprising a number of nodes (604) corresponding to a number of second receivers (406), wherein the second bar assembly (504) electrically connects the second receivers (406), and wherein the first bar assembly (502) and the second bar assembly (504) are positioned on the base plate (402) on different planes and adapted to overlap at a bridge portion (606) of the base plate (402); and
the base plate (402) comprising:
a first slot (902) formed at a bottom surface (612) to provide access to the first bar assembly (502) for respective electrical connections; and
a second slot (904) formed at the bottom surface (612) to provide access to the second bar assembly (504) for respective electrical connections.

2. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second slot (904) is adapted to provide access to the second bar assembly (504) for electrical connection with an operating switch (308).

3. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a contact part (506) adapted to be disposed in each one of the first receivers (404) and the second receivers (406), wherein each contact part (506) is adapted to be in contact with a node (602, 604) of the respective first bar assembly (502) and the second bar assembly (504).

4. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an overlapping portion (608-1) of the first bar assembly (502) is positioned at a plane above the bridge portion (606) and an overlapping portion (608-2) of the second bar assembly (504) is positioned at a plane below the bridge portion (606).

5. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second slot (904) is formed to align with the bridge portion (606).

6. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base plate (402) comprising a sliding cover (906) disposed on the first slot (902) such that the sliding cover (906) slides on the first slot (902) to open one of the ends (908, 910) of the first slot (902) to expose the first bar assembly (502) for the respective electrical connections.

7. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sliding cover (906) is adapted to slide to open a first end (908) of the first slot (902) that aligns with an end of the overlapping portion (608-1) of the first bar assembly (502).

8. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sliding cover (906) is adapted to slide to open a second end (910) of the first slot (902) that is formed to align with another end of the overlapping portion (608-1) of the first bar assembly (502).

9. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the overlapping portion (608-2) of the second bar assembly (504) forms an N layer and the overlapping portion (608-1) of the first bar assembly (502) forms an N+2 layer during assembly on the base plate (402).

10. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a depth of the first slot (902) is different from a depth of the second slot (904) on the base plate (402) to accommodate connection of the operating switch (308) with the first bar assembly (502) and the second bar assembly (504), respectively, that are positioned on different planes.

11. The power socket device (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the ends (908, 910) of the first slot (902) is formed at a distance of about 3 mm from the second slot (904).