Patent GB-607297-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to interconnecting devices for electrical apparatus
IPC: H01R29/00
Filed: 1945-08-02
Abstract: 607,297. Two-part couplings. SERMONDADE, A. J. Aug. 2, 1945, Nos. 19895 and 19896. Convention dates, April 18, 1944, and March 10, 1945. [Class 38 (i)] The control of a current consuming system, e.g. heating resistances R1, R2 connected to a plug 1, is effected by inserting pins 3 in sockets 4 assembled on a base 2, interconnected to form ten different circuit combinations from a two-phase supply S. An assembly wired for a singlephase supply, Fig. 4 (not shown), has four combinations which allow the resistances R1, R2 to be in circuit singly, in series, or in parallel Three resistances R1, R2, R3 are used with a seven-circuit combination, Fig. 7, connected to a single - phase supply S. The sockets 4 are interconnected by preformed strips 15, having insulating holes 15a to avoid contact with the pins 3. In modification of this assembly (Fig. 6, not shown), the plug is moved horizontally to vary the combinations. Instead of strips, interconnecting wires may be used, thereby providing sixteen combinations, Fig. 8 (not shown). An assembly, as shown in Fig. 9, gives twenty-eight combinations in a three-phase supply. In another embodiment, Figs. 10, 11, for a single-phase supply to a three-element heater, one element is connected across the plug and one in each of the supply lines to the base sockets. The sockets 41, 42 have the same diameter and are axially disposed as shown in Fig. 11, the sockets 41 being on a bus-bar 105 and sockets 42 being interconnected in various combinations. , In a modification of the assembly of Figs. 10, 11, the sockets are mounted on strips secured to the opposite sides of an apertured insulator (Fig. 19, not shown). Where sockets on the same side are for different combinations, the strips are insulated from each other. In Fig. 12, the sockets are arranged in twenty-eight groups of four each on the base 2 which is protected by an interrupter 5 controlled by a switch 6 on the plug base. Plugs 7 connected to cooker hot-plates co-operate with relays R which have fuses 8. Bridging plugs 108 are provided to control the heating elements in the circuits of the plugs 7. Dummy sockets 61 are provided for the switch 6 to retain the interrupter control circuit 51 open or closed. Fig. 16 shows a base 51 for the unevenly spaced pins of a plug 52 and sockets 54a ... 54i are spaced so that the plug may be inserted vertically or horizontally. The base can be extended to enable two plugs to be used at once. A socket assembly may also comprise four groups of equi-angularly arranged contacts, each group being interconnected to give one circuit combination (Fig. 17, not shown). The sockets may also be mounted in circular andsemicircular bases (Figs. 13, 14, 15, not shown). The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also a three-pin plug having equi-angularly-placed pins and an indicator which shows in what combination the pins are inserted. In a modified construction, the sockets are arranged at the corners of a rhombus and the plug indicator has a projection to engage positioned recesses on the base. In a further arrangement, the plug is rotated about a socket to vary the combinations. In another embodiment, the sockets are at the corners of a pentagon, giving four combinations and one socket is shorter than the others, one pin being also shorter than the other two. Various modifications of the arrangement of equiangular-four-pin plug and socket are described for reversing three-phase motors, and other forms of triangular and straight line assemblies are also described. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.