DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure broadly relates to switchboards, and in particular discloses a modular switch plate with a metal strip around the screw holes to protect the modular switch plate from cracking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the electric power systems, power is sent from the utility provider which then in line moves through an electric switchboard. This switchboard then relays the electricity throughout a number of circuits. The power is then moved to feeders and then distributed to locations throughout the reach of the power grid.
[0003] An electric switchboard (also referred to as “switch plate” hereinafter) is a device that directs electricity from one or more sources of supply to several smaller regions of usage. A switchboard is an assembly of one or more panels, each of which contains switches that allow electricity to be redirected. A switchboard is divided into different interconnected sections, generally consisting of a main section and a distribution section. These two sections are sometimes replaced by a combination section, which is a section that can fulfil the roles of both aforementioned sections.
[0004] A switch plate is mounted on a wall using screws passing through holes provided on surfaces of the switch plate. Generally, switch plates are made of a plastic material or a metal. In switch plates made up of plastic material, a possibility arises of cracking of a surface of the switch plates in vicinity of the screw mounting hole due to pressure exerted by the screw on the plastic material. In switch plates made up of metal, current leakage is a general phenomenon
[0005] US2606233 discloses that arrangement of the mounting means for circuit breakers on the switch board is done in such a manner so that the mounting means may readily be adjusted to any slight variations in the surfaces or dimensions of any circuit breaker housing or part.
[0006] Some manufactures develop switch plates with a plastic material moulded over a metal plate to compensate for the above-mentioned deficiencies. However, such technique of moulding a plastic surface over a metal plate increases complexity of the manufacturing process and increases the costs associated therewith. Moreover, such techniques use an entire metal plate and are very cumbersome.
[0007] Electrical Box Screw Repairs (InspectApedia 2013, https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_Box_Repair.php) discloses how to repair the mounting screw or screw opening at an electrical box used to mount a receptacle, switch, or other device. Although switch plate manufacturers provide fitment screws with the switch plates which perfectly fit with the switch plate but in many cases the electrician/technician who is installing the switch plate has to buy new longer screws because of the depth of the metallic wall box. The cracking of the modular plates from the screw holes was not a big problem earlier. But now, when the electricians and technicians started using the drywall screw (for metal box mounting) and the wood screw (for wooden wall mounting) then the problem increased. As the upper part of the screw which is not flat (it is in taper form) will put an unnecessary pressure on the plate which will in turn crack after some time. Actually the screw which should be used should be flat from the back of the head. But due to unavailability of these screws the plates are cracking. The manufacturer of the plates provide similar flat screws but, when the metal boxes are fitted deep inside the wall then these screws don't work and the technician has to use these drywall screws. The most common screws available in the market are DryWall screws which tend to bend and crack the switch plate due to their conical profiles.
[0008] There are 3 types of modular plates or frames available in the market: (1). Plastic Frame; (2). Metal Frame; and (3). Metal Frame with Plastic reinforced. The normal plastic plates have this problem of cracking at screw holes. The metal plates solve the above problem but they have another problem of current leakage and hence, they are not safe. The third process which a few companies have developed is that they take the metal plate and mould plastic on them, which solves the above both problems but is very time consuming, difficult, costly. Moreover it uses an entire metal plate and is very cumbersome. The plates become very expensive and not everyone is able to afford it.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop a switchboard that is capable of catering to the deficiencies associated with the conventional switchboards. The present disclosure has been made in view of the need for overcoming such deficiencies. The present invention proposes a novel switchboard, more preferably, a modular switch plate
[00010] The modular plates are generally mounted on walls on the metal boxes. They are attached to the walls with the help of screws with every plate; the manufacturer of the plate provides screws for mounting which fit the plate. But in most of the cases the technician has to buy new screws because the regular ones do not fit because of the following reasons 1. Sometimes the depth metal box is more; 2. Sometimes the threads of the metal box do not work; and 3. Sometimes the thread of the metal box do not sync with the screws as they both are from different manufactures. So the technician has to buy new screws. The screws which they prefer are either drywall screws of wood screws. As working with them is very easy and quick. This is the reason they are widely available in the market. The drywall screws rests at an angle due to the taper in the bottom of the screw head. The pressure is concentrated on a single point and is not divided over a surface of the modular plate. This creates a tension point and eventually after some time, the modular plate cracks at its screw mounting structure. The problem lies in the manufacturing design of the plate. The plate hole area should be designed in such a way that any type of the screws could be accommodated without any harm to the plate. If a flat bed is created for screw in the screws hole area then only the screws with flat head fits properly and a V groove area is created for the screw in the screw hole area then only tapered head screw fits properly.
[00011] The present disclosure is a switchboard with a provision of a metal plate in the screw area, which has more strength than the plastic plate. The proposed metal plate helps in protecting the modular switch plate from cracking as it takes the entire load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00012] In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard comprising of: (a) at least one screw mounting structure (100), comprising of a mounting surface (102) and a screw hole (104); wherein a metal strip (106) is inserted on said mounting surface (102) over said screw hole (104); and (b) at least one socket structure for switch (201).
[00013] In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a process to produce a switchboard, with steps comprising of providing at least one screw mounting structure (100), comprising of a mounting surface (102) and a screw hole (104); wherein a metal strip (106) is inserted on said mounting surface (102) over said screw hole (104); to improve strength when a screw (108) is passed through at least one screw hole (104) to protect the mounting surface (102) from cracking.
[00014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[00015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[00016] In the figures (Fig.), similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[00017] Fig.1 depicts an exemplary schematic view of a switchboard, preferably a plastic modular plate having the screw mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00018] Fig.2 depicts an exemplary exploded view of the switchboard, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00019] Fig. 3 (A to D) depicts an exemplary view of (A) a screw with flat head, (B) a screw with tapered head, (C) a screw with flat head rests over the proposed metal strip of the mounting surface, and (D) a screw with tapered head rests over the proposed metal strip of the mounting surface, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00020] Those skilled in the art will be aware that the present disclosure is subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes all such variations and modifications. The disclosure also includes all such steps, features, products referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any or more of such steps or features.
Definitions
[00021] For convenience, before further description of the present disclosure, certain terms employed in the specification, and examples are delineated here. These definitions should be read in the light of the remainder of the disclosure and understood as by a person of skill in the art. The terms used herein have the meanings recognized and known to those of skill in the art, however, for convenience and completeness, particular terms and their meanings are set forth below.
[00022] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00023] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[00024] The terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included. It is not intended to be construed as “consists of only”.
[00025] The term “including” is used to mean “including but not limited to” “including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.
[00026] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[00027] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[00028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard comprising of: (a) at least one screw mounting structure (100), comprising of a mounting surface (102) and a screw hole (104); wherein a metal strip (106) is inserted on said mounting surface (102) over said screw hole (104); and b) at least one socket structure for a switch (201).
[00029] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein said switchboard is a plastic modular switch plate.
[00030] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein metal strip (106) comprises of a hole (106A) identical and symmetrical to the screw hole (104).
[00031] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein said metal strip (106) is fixed with plastic notches to said mounting surface (102) in said screw mounting structure (100).
[00032] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein said metal strip (106) is 1mm thick.
[00033] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein said metal strip (106) is an iron strip.
[00034] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein said metal strip (106) and the plastic mounting surface (102) are not glued.
[00035] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein there is provided a process to produce a switchboard, with steps comprising of providing at least one screw mounting structure (100), comprising of a mounting surface (102) and a screw hole (104); wherein a metal strip (106) is inserted on said mounting surface (102) over said screw hole (104); to improve strength when a screw (108) is passed through at least one screw hole (104) to protect the mounting surface (102) from cracking.
[00036] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process to produce a switchboard, wherein said metal strip (106) bends and uniformly spreads pressure over the entire strip area and protects the mounting surface (102) from cracking.
[00037] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein said metal strip (106) for fitment of said switchboard (300) with the wall metallic box prevents usage of large metallic plates for supporting the switchboard (300).
[00038] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the switchboard is a plastic modular switch plate (200) as shown in Fig. 1, and an exploded view of the screw mounting structure (100) with the metal strip component (106) is shown in Fig. 2.
[00039] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein said mounting surface has high durability, increased service life and prevents current leakage thereof
[00040] The Fig 3 shows the types of screws (108) used for the modular switch plates (200). In screw type A (108A) as shown in Fig. 3(A), the metal strip component (106) is flat and the head bottom of the screw (108A) is flat, so the screw (108A) rests properly when it is screwed in the screw mounting structure (100) as depicted in Fig. 3(C). In this case, the screw (108A) does not put the pressure on a particular point and spreads the pressure over an area. In screw type B as shown in Fig. 3(B), the screws pushes and push pressure on the corner of the metal strip holes (106A). Now this pressure is transferred to the metal strip component (106) and the metal strip component (106) spreads pressure across its surface area, as depicted in Fig. 3(D). So the effect of the pressure is reduced considerably. Now the pressure is very low and with this pressure over the years also, the metal strip component (106) doesn’t cracks hence increasing the life of the modular plate (200).
[00041] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard including a screw mounting structure which includes a mounting surface having at least one screw hole for fitment of the switchboard on a metallic/wooden wall box or directly on a wall surface, and a metal strip mounted with the mounting surface to improve strength when a screw is passed through the at least one screw hole in order to protect the mounting surface from cracking, thereby improving durability of the switchboard whilst preventing current leakage.
[00042] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of fixing of the metal strip component (106) a mounting surface (102) and a screw hole (104) accompanying within the screw mounting structure (100), in which the prime concern is to not glue the metal strip component (106) and plastic components of the screw mounting structure (100). The metal strip component (106) is fixed in the screw mounting structure (100) with plastic notches, and therefore, the metal strip component (106) is free to move in the screw mounting structure (100) to spread the pressure of the insertion of the screw (108B), uniformly across the surface area screw mounting structure (100). The metal strip component (106) is free to move a little so it acts like a shield above the screw (108B) and doesn’t let the screw mounting structure (100) crack. The metal strip component (106) and plastic components of the screw mounting structure (100) are independent and also, the metal strip component (106) protects the screw hole (104) from breakage.
[00043] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided, a switchboard with a screw mounting structure, wherein the mounting surface is made up of a plastic material.
[00044] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein the metal strip is mounted over the mounting surface to prevent current leakage in the switchboard.
[00045] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard having a screw mounting structure capable of improving durability of the switchboard by preventing cracking of surface in vicinity of screw holes from cracking.
[00046] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard having a screw mounting structure capable of preventing leakage of current in switchboard made up of metal.
[00047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided reliable switchboard having improved service life.
[00048] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a low cost switchboard with modular components.
[00049] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein when a screw is passed through the at least one screw hole of the mounting surface for fitment of the switchboard with the metallic/wooden wall box or directly with a wall surface, the metal strip withstands the pressure exerted by the screw, thereby protecting the mounting surface of the switchboard from cracking.
[0001] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the screw mounting structure (100) includes a mounting surface (102) made of a plastic material, a ceramic material or a material having electrical insulation property. The mounting surface (102) has a hole (104) to allow a passage for a screw to be passed there through.
[0002] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein the screw mounting structure (100) further includes a metallic strip (106) mounted over the mounting surface (102). The metallic strip (106) is mounted over the mounting surface (102) in a way that the metallic strip (106) is free to move to allow the pressure to spread across its surface area. The metallic strip (106) is mounted over the mounting surface (102) with the help of plastic notches. The metallic strip (104) has a hole having dimensions corresponding to the hole (104) of the mounting surface (102).
[0003] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, electrical wires and circuitry are disposed on a rear side of the switchboard which are prevented from coming in contact with the metallic strip (106) due to the presence of the mounting surface (102) of the switchboard. To this effect, leakage of current from the electrical wires and circuitry to the metallic strip (106) is prevented, thereby providing a safe and reliable switchboard.
[0004] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method to protect the mounting surface (102) of the switchboard from damage installation/repair, a metal insert/strip (106) of 1 mm thickness may be used which bends and uniformly spreads entire pressure over the entire strip area and protects the mounting surface (102) from cracking.
[0005] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switchboard (300) may include a plurality of panels, each containing switches that allow electricity to be redirected from one or more sources of supply to several regions of usage. The switchboard (300) may be divided into a main section and a distribution section. The switchboard (300) may be mounted on a metallic wall box or wooden box or directly on the wall with the help of the screw mounting structure (100) as described above.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard, wherein there is provided a method of using the miniaturized metal strip (106) for fitment of the switchboard (300) with the wall metallic box which prevents usage of large metallic plates for supporting the switchboard (300).
[0007] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard having a screw mounting structure capable of preventing cracking of surface in vicinity of screw holes from cracking.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a switchboard having a screw mounting structure capable of preventing leakage of current in switchboard made up of metal.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a safe and reliable switchboard having improved service life.
[00010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a low cost switchboard with modular components.
[00011] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.

CLAIMS:1. A switchboard comprising of:
(a) at least one screw mounting structure (100), comprising of a mounting surface (102) and a screw hole (104); wherein a metal strip (106) is inserted on said mounting surface (102) over said screw hole (104); and
(b) at least one socket structure for a switch (201).
2. The switchboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switchboard is a plastic modular switch plate.
3. The switchboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal strip (106) comprises of a hole (106A) identical and symmetrical to the screw hole (104).
4. The switchboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal strip (106) is fixed with plastic notches to said mounting surface (102) in said screw mounting structure (100).
5. The switchboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal strip (106) is 1mm thick.
6. The switchboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal strip (106) is an iron strip.
7. The switchboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal strip (106) and the plastic mounting surface (102) are not glued.
8. A process to produce a switchboard as claimed in claims 1-7, with steps comprising of providing at least one screw mounting structure (100), comprising of a mounting surface (102) and a screw hole (104); wherein a metal strip (106) is inserted on said mounting surface (102) over said screw hole (104); to improve strength when a screw (108) is passed through at least one screw hole (104) to protect the mounting surface (102) from cracking.
9. The process to produce a switchboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein said metal strip (106) bends and uniformly spreads pressure over the entire strip area and protects the mounting surface (102) from cracking.
10. The process to produce a switchboard as claimed in claim 9, wherein said metal strip (106) for fitment of said switchboard (300) with the wall metallic box prevents usage of large metallic plates for supporting the switchboard (300).