Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a receptacle provided with
a cover that covers a pin insertion port.
Background of the Invention
Conventionally, an outdoor receptacle attached to such as
an outer wall of a house is known. Such outdoor receptacle, for
example, has been used for an outdoor lighting device or the like,
and is increasingly used for charging an electric car in recent
year.
In order to prevent water such as rain water from
infiltrating into a pin insertion port of such outdoor receptacle,
there is provided a receptacle cover disclosed in, e.g. , Patent
Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-158345), in which the pin insertion port ("a plug-in port"
as described in Patent Document 1) is closed with the cover ("a
lid" as described in Patent Document 1) while no plug is connected
to the outdoor receptacle.
In the above conventional structure, the receptacle is
accommodated in a case ("a cover body" as described in Patent
Document 1) in such a way that a pin insertion port thereof is
exposed, and a cover covers the pin insertion port of the
receptacle, the cover being pivotally attached to the case
through a pivot shaft. Further, the cover is biased to a cover
closing direction (a direction of covering the pin insertion
port) by a biasing member such as a spring, so that the cover
is automatically closed while no plug is connected to the
receptacle. Furthermore, a convex sliding contact part is
provided in the cover and a planar sliding contact part is
provided in the case. Since such sliding contact parts are in
friction with each other just before the cover is closed, the
pivot speed of the cover can be reduced. Accordingly, it is
possible to suppress the damage of the cover and a loud noise
due to an impact caused by closing of the cover.
Summary of the Invention
In the above conventional structure, however, the sliding
contact parts need be provided in both of the case and the cover,
which makes the case and the cover bulky disadvantageously.
Further, to make the pivot speed of the cover reduced to an
appropriate speed when the cover is being closed, it is required
to align the positions of the cover and the case such that the
sliding contact parts come into slight contact with each other,
which makes the manufacture thereof difficult.
In view of the above, the present invention provides a
receptacle capable of being manufactured easily and reducing an
impact caused by closing of a cover.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a receptacle includes:
a receptacle body having a plug-insertion surface with pin
insertion ports, plug pins of a plug being detachably inserted
into the respective pin insertion ports;
a receptacle cover pivotable between a closed position in
which the plug-insertion surface of the receptacle body is
covered and an opened position in which the plug-insertion
surface of the receptacle body is exposed to the outside;
a supporting part pivotally supporting the receptacle
cover with respect to the receptacle body about a pivot shaft
provided at one end of the receptacle cover, the pivot shaft being
fixed to the receptacle cover to pivot with the receptacle cover
together; and
a biasing member biasing the receptacle cover to the closed
position,
wherein the supporting part is provided with a damper
member having a shaft hole through which the pivot shaft is to
be inserted, the damper member weakening a biasing force applied
to the receptacle cover from the biasing member by adding a
sliding resistance when the receptacle cover pivots with respect
to the supporting part.
In accordance with such configuration, the receptacle
cover biased to the closed position is attached to the pivot shaft,
and to the pivot shaft, the damper member is attached so as to
come into contact with the pivot shaft. Accordingly, the closing
force of the receptacle cover when the receptacle cover pivots
to the closed position is weakened by the sliding resistance
generated between the pivot shaft and the damper member. Thus,
an impact caused by closing of the receptacle cover can be reduced.
Further, since the damper member for adding the sliding
resistance is provided integrally with the supporting part,
neither the receptacle body nor the receptacle cover increase
their sizes, unlike the conventional receptacle. Furthermore,
there is no need to align the damper member, unlike the
conventional receptacle, thereby enabling to assemble the
receptacle with ease.
In the state where the receptacle body is installed on a
wall surface such that its plug-insertion surface faces
approximately downward and in the state where the receptacle
cover is in the closed position, the supporting part supports
a lower end portion of the receptacle cover. In the receptacle
cover, there may be provided a drain hole that defines a gap
between the receptacle cover and the supporting part, the water
flowing along a surface of the receptacle cover opposed to the
receptacle body being drained through the drain hole to the
outside.
In accordance with such configuration, in the state where
the receptacle body is installed on a wall surface, the supporting
part supports the lower end portion of the receptacle cover when
the receptacle cover is closed. In the receptacle cover, the
drain hole is formed to define a gap between the receptacle cover
and the supporting part. Even if rain water, for example,
infiltrates into a space defined by the receptacle cover and the
receptacle body (in this space, there is provided the pin
insertion ports of the receptacle), the infiltrated water is
discharged through the drain hole to the outside. Accordingly,
undesirable accidents such as a short circuit between pin
receivers due to the infiltration of the water into the pin
insertion ports of the receptacle can be avoided. Further, among
the infiltrated water into this space, the water flowing
downwardly along the surface of the receptacle cover opposed to
the receptacle body is discharged through the drain hole to the
outside without reaching the supporting part. Therefore, the
water can hardly infiltrate into the supporting part, and the
damper member provided in the supporting part is prevented from
deteriorating due to the water.
Besides, on the surface of the receptacle cover opposed
to the receptacle body, there may be provided a rib for guiding
the water flowing along the surface to the drain hole in the state
where the receptacle cover is in the closed position.
In accordance with such configuration, on the surface of
the receptacle cover opposed to the receptacle body, there is
provided the rib for guiding water to the drain hole. Such
configuration is allowed to guide water flowing along the surface
to the drain hole. Accordingly, it becomes difficult for the
water to infiltrate into the supporting part, and the damper
member provided in the supporting part is reliably prevented from
deteriorating due to the water.
Further, a waterproof seal packing may be provided on a
portion being in contact with receptacle body in the receptacle,
cover, in the state where the receptacle cover is in the closed
position.
In accordance with such configuration, since the
waterproof seal packing is provided on the receptacle cover, the
infiltration of the water into the space defined by the receptacle
cover and the receptacle body can be avoided.
Furthermore, on at least one of opposed surfaces of the
receptacle cover and the receptacle body, there may be provided
a buffer member for reducing the impact occurred when the
receptacle cover pivots to the closed position.
In accordance with such configuration, since the buffer
member is provided on at least one of the opposed surfaces of
the receptacle cover and the receptacle body, the impact caused
by closing of the receptacle cover is reduced more than a
receptacle cover with no buffer member.
Further, in the receptacle cover, there may be provided
a holding part for holding the plug to keep a state in which the
plug pins are being inserted into the pin insertion ports when
the plug pins of the plug are inserted into the pin insertion
ports.
In accordance with such configuration, since the
receptacle cover is provided with the holding part for holding
the plug, the plug is prevented from disengaging automatically
even when a user removes his/her hand from the plug in the state
where the plug pins are being inserted into the pin insertion
port, thereby enabling to keep the state where the plug blades
are being inserted into the pin/blade insertion port.
Accordingly, the invention is allowed to provide a
receptacle capable of being manufactured easily and reducing an
impact caused by closing of the receptacle cover.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of embodiments,
given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle 1
in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the
receptacle viewed from a different direction from that of Fig.
l;
Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a receptacle cover
and a supporting part, and Fig. 3B is a perspective right front
view showing a biasing spring 34;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the receptacle
of which a receptacle cover is in a closed position;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the receptacle
of which the receptacle cover is in an opened position;
Fig. 7 is a side view showing a plug before being inserted
into the receptacle;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the plug after being
inserted into the receptacle;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a receptacle cover
and a supporting part in accordance with a second embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a receptacle cover
and a supporting part in accordance with a third embodiment of
the present invention; and
Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a receptacle
of which a receptacle cover is in an opened position in accordance
with a fourth embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
(First Embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. Note that up-down,
left-right, and front-rear directions described below
correspond to directions of orthogonal coordinates shown in Figs.
1 and 4.
A receptacle 1 of the first embodiment includes a
receptacle unit, a receptacle cover 2 and a supporting part 3.
The receptacle unit includes a body 4; a receptacle block 5
accommodated in the body 4 in such a way that a pin insertion
port 51a is exposed from a bottom surface of the body 4; and a
decorative cover 6 covering front, left, right and top surfaces
of the body 4 . The receptacle cover 2 is pivotally attached to
the body through the supporting part 3 to cover the pin insertion
port 51a that is exposed from the bottom surface of the body 4.
A rear surface of the body 4 is covered with a seal packing 7
and an insulating fixing frame 8.
The body 4 has a frame-shaped base 41 to which the seal
packing 7 is attached, and a protruding section 42 protruding
forwardly from the base 41. At a central upper end portion and
a central lower end portion in a front surface of the base 41,
mounting holes 41a and 41b into which mounting screws (not shown)
are to be inserted are formed therethrough. Around the lower
mounting hole 41b, there are provided locking holes 41c for
locking locking parts 43a of a screw cover 43. Further, in the
upper portion of the base 41, a fitting groove 41d is formed along
a boundary of the protruding section 42 in the left-right
direction, and locking grooves 41e are provided on both sides
of the base 41 in the left-right direction.
The protruding section 42 includes: an upper wall part 42a
with an approximately semicircular shape; a front wall part 42b
with an approximately semi-cylindrical shape that is inclined
so as to be more protruded forward as it goes downward and extended
successively from the left and right side walls of the base 41;
and a lower wall part 42c with an approximately semicircular shape.
In the upper wall part 42a of the protruding section 42, there
is provided a groove 42d through which to pass the mounting screw
to be inserted into the upper mounting hole 41a. At a central
lower end portion of the front wall part 42b, there is provided
a flexible part 42e that is elastically bendable in the front-rear
direction by forming two slits extending approximately parallel
upwardly from the lower wall part 42c. Further, from the lower
wall part 42c of the protruding section 42 to the front surface
of the base 41, an insertion opening 42f through which an exposed
surface 51b of a receptacle case 51 to be described below is to
be exposed and an insertion opening 4If through which a stepped
portion 31c of a supporting body 31 to be described below is to
be exposed are opened successively in a substantially L-shape
when being viewed from the left-right direction.
The receptacle block 5 includes, in the receptacle case
51 serving as an outer frame, plug-pin receivers 52 for receiving
plug pins 91a of a plug 9 (see Fig. 7) , locking springs (not shown)
for holding electric wires (not shown) drawn out from a wall
surface, and release buttons (not shown) for releasing the lock
of the locking springs. The plug pins 91a of the plug 9 may have
a flat shape, a round shape and/or a semicircular shape, for
example.
The receptacle case 51 includes: pin insertion ports 51a
formed in a bottom surface 51el of a recess 51e to be described
later in the exposed surface 51b, the plug pins 91a of the plug
9 being to be inserted thereinto; and wire insertion holes 51c
for inserting electric wires into the locking springs.
The pin insertion ports 51a include: a pair of, e.g.,
flat-shaped pin insertion ports 51al with, for example, an
approximately rectangular shape into which a pair of a
voltage-side and an earth-side plug pins 91al among the plug pins
91a of the plug 9 are to be inserted; and a semicircular-shaped
pin insertion port 51a2 with, for example, an approximately
semicircular shape into which a ground plug pin 91a2 among the
pins 91a of the plug 9 is to be inserted.
A fixing flange 51d to be fixed on the lower wall part 42c
of the protruding section 42 is formed around the exposed surface
51b to provide a step from the exposed surface 51b. In the state
where the fixing flange is fixed on the lower wall part 42c, the
exposed surface 51b is exposed through the insertion opening 42f .
Besides, in the exposed surface 51b, there is provided the recess
51e recessed backwardly in a direction of inserting the plug pins
91a of the plug 9 (hereinafter, referred to as "plug-insertion
direction"); i.e., the recess 51e is recessed upwardly in Fig.
1, and has a circular shape when being viewed from the lower side.
The recess 51e includes: a bottom 51el having the pin
insertion ports 51a; and a side wall 51e2 surrounding a periphery
of the bottom 51el and extending opposite to the plug-insertion
direction (i.e., downwardly) . A plug case 92 of the plug 9 is
partially inserted into the recess 51e as described below.
The receptacle case 51 is fixed to the protruding section
42 in such a way that mounting screws (not shown) are inserted
through body fitting parts 51f located on the left and right sides
of the receptacle case 51 and the mounting screws are screwed
into mounting holes-42g formed in a rear surface of the protruding
section 42.
The decorative cover 6 is made of a synthetic resin into
a hollow shape, and attached to the body 4 to cover the top, front,
left and right surfaces of the body 4. The decorative cover 6
includes: an upper wall part 6a with an approximately
semicircular shape covering the upper wall portion 42a of the
protruding section 42; a front wall part 6b with an approximately
semi-cylindrical shape covering the front wall portion 42b with
the approximately semi-cylindrical shape of the protruding
section 42; and side wall parts 6c covering the side walls of
the base 41.
On an inner surface of the upper wall part 6a of the
decorative cover 6, as shown in Fig. 2, there are provided fitting
pieces 6d protruding downwardly. Further, on inner surfaces of
both sides of the side wall parts 6c of the decorative cover 6,
fitting pieces 6 e with an approximately T shape, when being viewed
from the left-right direction, are formed to protrude inwardly.
Furthermore, at a lower portion of the inner surface of the front
wall part 6b of the decorative cover 6, a plurality of, e.g.,
four claw-like locking portions 6f are formed to protrude
backwardly (see Fig. 4) . The decorative cover 6 is fixed
detachably to the body 4 by fitting the claw-like locking parts
6f to a lower portion of the flexible part 42e, in such a way
that the fitting pieces 6d are slidingly engaged with the fitting
groove 4Id in the upper portion of the base 4 and the fitting
pieces 6e are slidingly engaged with the locking grooves 41e in
the side surfaces of the base 41. When the decorative cover 6
is removed from the body 4, a jig is inserted between the flexible
part 4 2e and the front wall part 6b of the decorative cover 6
from its lower side. This makes the flexible part 42e deformed
backwardly to unlatch the claw-like locking portions 6f from the
flexible part 42e, so that the decorative cover 6 can be easily
detached from the flexible part 42e.
The receptacle cover 2 has a semicircular shape
approximately the same as the lower wall part 42c of the
protruding section 42, and a handle part 2a is formed to protrude
from the front end of the receptacle cover 2. In the center of
a surface (top face) opposed to the pin insertion ports 51a in
the receptacle cover 2, a recess portion 2b is formed. Further,
in the center of the recess portion 2b, there is provided a holding
part 2c for hooking and holding the plug 9 when plug pins 91a
of the plug 9 are inserted into the pin insertion ports 51a.
Furthermore, in a rear end of the receptacle cover 2, two pivotal
supporting parts 21 with an approximately cylindrical shape are
protruded from the receptacle cover 2 and arranged in a same
straight line such that their axial directions extend in the
left-right direction. In the pivotal supporting parts 21,
insertion holes 21a having a diameter approximately the same as
that of a shaft 32 to be described below and locking holes 21b
into which a straight part 34c of a biasing spring 34 to be
described below is to be inserted (see Fig. 3A) are formed
therethrough in the left-right direction.
The supporting part 3 has: a supporting part body 31 screwed
on the lower front portion of the base 41; the shaft 32 pivotally
held at the supporting part body 31; a damper member 33 made of
such as an urethane and having an insertion hole 33a with
approximately the same diameter as that of the shaft 32; and two
biasing springs 34. The biasing spring 34, as shown in Fig. 3B,
includes: a spiral spring part 34a having an inner diameter
slightly larger than that of the shaft 32; an L-shape portion
3 4b with an approximately L shaped figure extending tangentially
from one end of the spring part 34a; and the straight part 34c
extending axially from the other end of the spring part 34a.
The supporting part body 31 has a substrate step 31b with
an approximately rectangular shape protruded forwardly on an
upper half of a supporting substrate 31a. On a center portion
of the substrate step 31b, a supporting step 31c with an
approximately U-shaped cross-section is protruded forwardly.
In the supporting step 31c, an insertion hole 3Id with a diameter
slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 32 is formed
therethrough in the left-right direction. In both sides of the
supporting step 31c, holding holes 31e with a diameter slightly-
larger than an outer diameter of the biasing spring 34 and a depth
approximately the same as a length of the spring part 34a of the
biasing spring 34 are formed successively. Namely, in the both
sides of the supporting step 31c, there are formed the cylindrical
holding holes 31e in which the two biasing springs 34 are
accommodated respectively, and the insertion hole 31d into which
the shaft 32 is to be inserted is formed to allow centers of the
two holding holes 31e to communicate with each other. Further,
in a rearward of the holding hole 31e in the substrate step 31b,
a groove 3If with a width approximately the same as a lateral
length of the spring part 34a of the biasing spring 34 is formed
successively from the holding hole 31e (see Fig. 3A) . Namely,
the biasing spring 34 is inserted into the holding hole 31e in
such a way that the spring part 34a is slid into the groove 31f
from a lower part of the substrate step 31b and further is slid
forwardly. Further, in a rear surface of the supporting part
body 31 (see Fig. 2) , an accommodation hole 31g with an
approximately same shape as that of the damper member 33 is
provided. The damper member 33 is accommodated in the
accommodation hole 31g, and then fixed to the supporting part
body 31. In the state where the damper member 33 is accommodated
in the accommodation hole 31g, the insertion hole 3Id of the
supporting part body 31 and an insertion hole 33a of the damper
member 33 are aligned such that the shaft 32 is inserted
therethrough.
The seal packing 7 made of elastic materials such as a
flexible polyvinyl chloride is attached in the rear side of the
base 41. The seal packing 7 has outer dimensions approximately
the same as those of the base 41 and prevents water, such as rain
water, from infiltrating into an inside of the receptacle 1 from
between a wall surface and the body 4 by contacting the wall
surface and the body 4 closely. In upper and lower ends of center
portion of the seal packing 7, the mounting holes 7a and 7b into
which the mounting screw for attaching the body 4 to the wall
surface is to be inserted are drilled, respectively. In the
front surface of the seal packing 7, there is provided a fitting
groove 7c into which a fitting rib 41g formed in the rear surface
of the body 4 is to be inserted, and in the upper center portion
of the seal packing 7, an insertion hole 7d is formed to pass
the electric wire drawn from the wall surface therethrough.
An insulating mounting frame 8 is formed to have outer
dimensions smaller than those of the seal packing 7, and is
accommodated in the inside of the seal packing 7 from the rear
side of the seal packing 7. In upper and lower ends of a center
portion of the insulating mounting frame 8, mounting holes 8a
and 8b into which the mounting screws are to be inserted are
drilled, respectively. In the center portion of the insulating
mounting frame 8, an insertion hole 8c is formed to pass the
electric wire drawn from the wall surface therethrough.
Next, the internal structure of the present embodiment will
be described.
As shown in Fig. 4, the receptacle block 5 is accommodated
in the protruding section 42 of the body 4. A part of the
receptacle block 5 is inserted into the insertion opening 42f
serving as an insertion hole which is provided in the lower wall
part 42c of the protruding section 42. Specifically, the fixing
part 51d of the receptacle case 51 is placed on the lower wall
part 42c of the protruding section 42. In the state where a side
wall portion 51g connecting the exposed surface 51b and the fixing
part 51d are in stepwise contact with a periphery of the insertion
opening 42f, the receptacle block 5 is arranged relative to the
protruding section 42 such that the exposed surface 51b is exposed
through the insertion opening 42f. In this state, the bottom
surface of the lower wall portion 42c of the protruding section
42 and the exposed surface 51b constitute a plug-insertion
surface of the receptacle body.
The insertion opening 42f is configured to tilt upward as
it goes forward. Accordingly, the receptacle block 5 is attached
to the protruding section 42 so as to protrude and tilt forward
as it goes downward. The pin insertion ports 51a are formed on
the bottom 51el of the recess portion 51e in the receptacle case
51, so that the bottom 51el and the pin insertion ports 51a tilt
upward as it goes forward, as well as the insertion opening 42f.
The supporting part 3 is attached to the base 41 from the
rear side thereof such that the supporting step 31c protrudes
through the insertion hole 41f. The supporting part body 31 of
the supporting part 3 is fixed to the base 41 from the rear side
thereof with the mounting screws (not shown) which are inserted
through two mounting holes 31h (see Fig. 3A) drilled in the
supporting substrate portion 31a, and screwed with screw holes
41h (see Fig. 2) formed in the rear surface of the base 41.
Further, the three cover claws 43b protruding backwardly from
an upper portion of the screw cover 43 are inserted into three
locking holes 31i with an approximately rectangular shape formed
in the lower portion of the supporting substrate portion 31a and
into the locking holes 41i formed in the base 41.
The receptacle cover 2 and the supporting part 3 are
assembled integrally as follows. Firstly, the straight part 34c
of the biasing spring 34 is inserted into the locking hole 21h
formed in the pivotal supporting parts 21 of the receptacle cover
2. Secondly, the spring part 34a of the biasing spring 34 is
fitted in the holding hole 31e. Finally, the L-shape portion
34b of the biasing spring 34 is hooked on the supporting step
31c of the supporting part body 31 (see Fig. 3A), and then the
shaft 32 is inserted through the insertion hole 21a of the pivotal
supporting parts 23., the biasing spring 34, insertion hole 31d
of the supporting step 31c, and the insertion hole 33a of the
damper member 33. Since grease is injected into the insertion
hole 33a of the damper member 33, the shaft 32 is able to pivot
with friction against the damper member 33. On the other hand,
since the shaft 32 is press-fitted into the insertion hole 21a
of the pivotal supporting parts 21, the receptacle cover 2 and
the shaft 32 pivots together. With such configuration, in the
case where the receptacle cover 2 is pivoted from its closed
position, the spring part 34a of the biasing spring 34 is deformed
from its initial state, i.e. , a spring shape when the receptacle
cover 2 is in the closed position. In this state, since the
biasing spring 34 is recovered to the initial state by its elastic
force, the receptacle cover 2 is biased to the closed position.
Namely, the receptacle cover 2 is pivotable about the shaft
32 between the closed position, in which the insertion opening
42f and the pin insertion ports 51a are covered from the lower
side, and the opened position, in which the receptacle cover 2
is apart from the insertion opening 42f. Additionally, the
receptacle cover 2 is biased to the closed position side by the
biasing spring 34.
The seal packing 7 is provided in the rear side of the base
41 of the body 4 as mentioned above, and the insulating mounting
frame 8 is accommodated in a rear side of the seal packing 7.
Two mounting screws (not shown) are inserted through mounting
holes 41a and 41b formed in the base 41, mounting holes 7a and
7b formed in seal packing 7, and mounting holes 8a and 8b formed
in insulating mounting frame 8, respectively. Accordingly, the
seal packing 7 and the insulating mounting frame 8 are interposed
between the body 4 and the wall surface. Finally, these
components are fixed to the wall surface while keeping their
respective positions.
Next, with reference to Figs. 5 to 8, operations of
inserting and removing the plug pins 91a of the plug 9 into and
from the plug pin insertion ports 51a will be described.
Firstly, with reference to Fig. 5, a state of the receptacle
1 when the plug pins 91a of the plug 9 are not inserted into the
pin insertion ports 51a is described.
As shown in Fig. 5, in the case where the receptacle cover
2 is in a closed position, the receptacle cover 2 is held so as
to cover the lower surface of the protruding section 42 of the
body 4 and a lower edge of the decorative cover 6 . Specifically,
the receptacle cover 2 has approximately the same shape as a
bottom opening of the decorative cover 6, and its front portion
is in contact with the lower end surface of the decorative cover
6 and its rear portion is in contact with the side surfaces of
the decorative cover 6. Thus, the receptacle cover 2 covers the
decorative cover 6 from the lower side thereof with substantially
no gaps therebetween. In this state, the biasing spring 34
biases the receptacle cover 2 to the insertion opening 42f, so
that the receptacle cover 2 is prevented from pivoting downwardly
due to, e.g., its own weight and generating a gap between the
decorative cover 6 and the receptacle cover 2.
Generally, in case where a receptacle cover capable of
opening and closing a pin insertion port is provided, a user may
forget to close the receptacle cover after pulling out the plug.
In the case of washing a car near the receptacle, for example,
there is a possibility that water used for washing the car
infiltrates into the pin insertion port. In this embodiment,
however, the biasing springs 34 are provided in the supporting
part 3 to bias the receptacle cover 2 to the insertion opening
42f, thereby preventing an unintended open of the receptacle
cover 2.
Next, with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, an operation of
inserting the plug pins 91a of the plug 9 into the pin insertion
ports 51a is described.
When the plug pins 91a of the plug 9 is inserted into the
pin insertion ports 51a, at first, the handle portion 2a of the
receptacle cover 2 is held by a hand, and then receptacle cover
2 is pivoted downwardly to open the receptacle cover 2. From
this state, the plug 9 is pushed upwardly into the receptacle
case 51 until a front surface 92a of the plug case 92, on which
the plug pins 91a are provided, hits the bottom 51el of the
receptacle case 51, so that the plug pins 91a are inserted into
the pin insertion ports 51a.
Next, with reference to Fig. 8, a state ,of the receptacle
1 when the plug pins 91a of the plug 9 are inserted into the pin
insertion ports 51a is described.
The pin receivers 52 built in the receptacle block 5 are
provided corresponding to the respective plug pins 91a of the
plug 9. Specifically, the pin receiver 52 includes a
voltage-side pin receiver gripping the respective voltage-side
plug pins from its both sides, and an earth-side pin receiver
gripping a ground plug pin 91a2 from its both sides. Each of
the voltage-side pin receivers and the earth-side pin receiver
is elastically deformed to grip the respective plug pins 91al
and 91a2. The recovery force caused by the elastic deformation
makes the voltage-side pin receivers and the earth-side pin
receiver hold the respective plug pins 91al and 91a2.
Further, in the embodiment, when the plug pins 91a of the
plug 9 are inserted into the pin insertion ports 51a, the holding
part 2c holds the plug 9. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, when
plug pins 91a of the plug 9 are inserted into the pin insertion
ports 51a, the holding part 2c formed in the recess part 2b of
the receptacle cover 2 comes into contact with a rear surface
92b of the plug case 92 from the lower side thereof. Namely,
the holding part 2c is hooked on the rear surface 92b of the plug
case 92 to hold the plug 9 . Since the receptacle cover 2 is biased
by the biasing spring 34 so as to pivot clockwise as shown in
Fig. 8, the holding part 2c pushes the plug 9 upwardly, so that
the plug 9 can be held stably. With such configuration of holding
the plug 9 by the holding part 2c, it is difficult for the plug
9 to be removed from the receptacle 1. For instance, even if
a user's foot is caught by a cable of the plug 9, the plug 9 is
hard to be detached from the receptacle 1.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the recess part
51e is formed in the receptacle case 51 and the plug case 92 is
inserted thereinto. Therefore, in the state where plug pins 91a
of the plug 9 are inserted into the pin insertion ports 51a to
apply current to the plug 9, any gaps are not generated between
the front surface 92a of the plug case 92 and the insertion opening
42f. Accordingly, the plug pins 91a to which the current is
applied becomes hard to be touched by such as a hand.
Finally, with reference to Figs. 7 and 8, an operation of
detaching the plug pins 91a of the plug 9 from the pin insertion
ports 51a is described.
From the state (see Fig. 8) where the plug pins 91a of the
plug 9 are inserted into the pin insertion ports 51a, the handle
portion 2a is held by a hand to pivot the receptacle cover 2
backwardly. Now, since the holding part 2c is apart from the
rear surface 92b of the plug case 92, the plug pins 91a of the
plug 9 becomes detachable from the pin insertion ports 51a, if
the plug 9 is pulled in a direction (downwardly) opposite to the
direction of inserting the plug 9. In this state, when the plug
9 is pulled downwardly, the plug 9 can be detached easily.
When the hand is removed from the handle portion 2a of the
receptacle cover 2 after detaching the plug 9, the receptacle
cover 2 pivots to the closed position by the biasing force of
the biasing spring 34 (in the clockwise direction in Fig. 7 ) .
Since the shaft 3 2 is press-fitted into the pivotal supporting
parts 21 of the receptacle cover 2, the shaft 32 also pivots
together with the receptacle cover 2. In the state, the shaft
32 and the damper member 33 are in friction with each other to
generate a sliding resistance. Therefore, the sliding
resistance reduces a pivot speed of the shaft 32 and the
receptacle cover 2. In accordance with the present embodiment,
the pivot speed at which the receptacle cover 2 comes into in
contact with the decorative cover 6 can be reduced as compared
with that of a receptacle cover with no damper member.
Accordingly, the impact caused by closing of the receptacle cover
2 can be weakened. Further, in the present embodiment, since
the damper member 33 is fixed to the supporting body 31 so as
not to be moved, the shaft 32 pivots with a sliding resistance
larger than that of a shaft without the damper member 33.
As mentioned above, the provision of the damper member 33
weakens the impact caused by closing of the receptacle cover 2,
thereby preventing a loud noise caused by closing of the
receptacle cover 2 and damage of the receptacle cover 2 due to
the impact. Further, since the damper member 33 for adding the
sliding resistanceis formed integrally with the supporting part
3, neither the receptacle body nor the receptacle cover are
enlarged in size, unlike a conventional receptacle . Furthermore,
since there is no need to align the damper member 33, unlike a
conventional receptacle, the receptacle 1 can be assembled
easily.
(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to Fig. 9. Since the second embodiment
has the same structure as that of the first embodiment except
for providing a drain hole 22 and ribs 23 in the receptacle cover
2, detailed descriptions of other components than the receptacle
cover 2 will be omitted.
In the first embodiment, since the receptacle cover 2 is
provided to cover the bottom surface of the decorative cover 6,
water is hard to infiltrate into a space surrounded by the
receptacle cover 2 and the decorative cover 6 (the pin insertion
ports 51a are located in the space) . Even such configuration,
however, it is difficult to prevent the water from infiltrating
into the space completely. For instance, there is a fear that
rainwater may infiltrate through a slight gap between the handle
portion 2a of the receptacle cover 2 and the front wall part 6b
of the decorative cover 6. This water, for example, flows into
the supporting part 3 located in the bottom of the receptacle
cover 2 and may degrade the damper member 33 made of an urethane.
Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 9, in this embodiment, a drain
hole 22 is provided between two pivotal supporting parts 21 in
the receptacle cover 2, and ribs 23 are provided in front of the
pivotal supporting parts 21 (on the side of the handle portion
2a viewed from the pivotal supporting parts 21) . In the state
where the receptacle cover 2 is attached to the supporting part
3, the drain hole 22 is formed so as to generate a gap between
the holding step 31c and the receptacle cover 2. The ribs 23
are formed on the top surface of the receptacle cover 2 (the
surface opposed to the pin insertion ports 51a when the receptacle
cover 2 is in the closed position) so as to guide water flowing
from the handle portion 2a to the pivotal supporting parts 21
to the drain hole 22 . Besides, the ribs 23 are formed to protrude
from the top surface such that their side surfaces facing the
handle portion 2a are slanted to make a V-shape toward the drain
hole 22 and the pivotal supporting parts 21. Accordingly, the
water infiltrated into the above space flows to the drain hole
22 or the outside of the pivotal supporting parts 21 along the
ribs 23, and then is discharged to the outside. Therefore,
degradation of the damper member 33 due to the water flowing into
the pivotal supporting part 3 can be prevented.
(Third Embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to Fig. 10. Since the third embodiment
has the same structure as that of the first embodiment except
for providing a waterproof seal packing 24 in the receptacle cover
2, detailed descriptions of other components than the receptacle
cover 2 will be omitted.
In this embodiment, the waterproof seal packing 24 with
an approximately U shape made of elastic materials such as an
elastomer is provided on the top surface of the receptacle cover
2 (the surface opposed to the pin insertion port 51a when the
receptacle cover 2 is in the closed position) and a side surface
thereof. Accordingly, the receptacle cover 2 comes into contact
with the decorative cover 6 without any gaps when the receptacle
cover 2 is in the closed position, and this prevents water from
infiltrating into the space surrounded by the receptacle cover
2 and the decorative cover 6. •
In the present embodiment, the drain hole and the ribs may
be provided in the receptacle cover 2 as in the second embodiment.
(Fourth Embodiment)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to Fig. 11. The up and down direction
in the following explanation corresponds to the vertical
direction in Fig. 11. Since the fourth embodiment has the same
structure as that of the first embodiment except for providing
buffer members 100 in the lower wall part 42c of the protruding
section 42, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same
parts, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in Fig. 11, cylindrical buffer members 100 made
of a polyurethane are provided on the bottom surface of the lower
wall part 42c of the protruding section 42 to protrude therefrom.
In the case where the receptacle cover 2 pivots from the opened
position to the closed position, the receptacle cover 2 comes
into contact with the buffer members 100, so that the impact is
further reduced, in addition to the reduction of a pivot speed
of the receptacle cover 2 by the sliding resistance generated
between the damper member 33 and the shaft 32, like the first
embodiment. Accordingly, the impact is able to be reduced more
than that in the first embodiment.
Note that the buffer members 100 may be provided on the
exposed surface 51b of the receptacle case 51 or the top surface
of the receptacle cover 2, or may be provided on a plurality of
places.
In the present embodiment, the drain hole, the ribs, and
the waterproof seal packing may be provided like the second
embodiment or the third embodiment.
While the invention has been shown and described with
respect to the embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in
the following claims.
We Claim:
1. A receptacle- comprising:
a receptacle body having a plug-insertion surface with pin
insertion ports, plug pins of a plug being detachably inserted
into the respective pin insertion ports;
a receptacle cover pivotable between a closed position in
which the plug-insertion surface of the receptacle body is
covered and an opened position in which the plug-insertion
surface is exposed to the outside;
a supporting part pivotally supporting the receptacle
cover with respect to the receptacle body about a pivot shaft
provided at one end of the receptacle cover, the pivot shaft being
fixed to the receptacle cover to pivot with the receptacle cover
together; and
a biasing member biasing the receptacle cover to the closed
position,
wherein the supporting part is provided with a damper
member having a shaft hole through which the pivot shaft is to
be inserted, the damper member weakening a biasing force applied
to the receptacle cover from the biasing member by adding a
sliding resistance when the receptacle cover pivots with respect
to the supporting part.
2. The receptacle as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the
supporting part supports a lower end portion of the receptacle
cover in the state where the receptacle body is installed on a
wall surface such that the plug-insertion surface thereof faces
substantially downward and in the state where the receptacle
cover is in the closed position, and
wherein the receptacle cover is provided with a drain hole
that defines a gap between the receptacle cover and the supporting
part, the water flowing along a surface of the receptacle cover
opposed to the receptacle body being drained through the drain
hole to the outside.
3. The receptacle as set forth in Claim 2, wherein a rib for
guiding the water flowing along the surface opposed to the
receptacle body to the drain hole when the receptacle cover is
in the closed position is provided on the surface .
4. The receptacle as set forth in any one of Claims 1 to 3,
wherein a waterproof seal packing is provided on a portion being
in contact with the receptacle body in the receptacle cover in
the state where the receptacle cover is in the closed position.
5. The receptacle as set forth in any one of Claims 1 to 4,
wherein a buffer member for reducing an impact occurred when the
receptacle cover pivots to the closed position is provided on
at least one of opposed surfaces of the receptacle cover and the
receptacle body.
6. The receptacle as set forth in any one of Claims 1 to 5,
wherein the receptacle cover is provided with a holding part for
holding the plug to keep a state in which the plug pins are being
inserted into the pin insertion ports when the plug pins of the
plug are inserted into the respective pin insertion ports.

ABSTRACT

There is provided a receptacle capable of reducing an impact caused by closing of a receptacle cover and preventing
a breakage of the receptacle cover against a plurality of opening/closing motions. The receptacle cover 2 is attached to a shaft
32 and the shaft 32 is inserted through an insertion hole 33a of a damper member 33, so that the damper member 33 is provided
pivotally relative to the shaft 32. When the receptacle cover 2 pivots, the shaft 32 pivots with the receptacle cover 2 integrally. Accordingly,
the shaft 32 and the damper member 33 come into friction contact with each other. This provides sliding resistance between
the damper member 33 and the shaft 32 to reduce a pivot speed of the receptacle cover 2, thereby reducing an impact occurred
when the receptacle cover 2 comes into contact with a receptacle body.