Abstract:
An enclosure for housing a multi-way cable connector, includes an accessible interior for connecting appliances to the connector. The enclosure provides separate apertures for input cables and output cables to the associated appliances. The enclosure can be a box with a lid. Associated cables may pass through a recess formed at an edge of the lid. In one embodiment, the enclosure is placed on the floor, and whenever the lid is closed, the enclosure forms a footrest.

Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to multi-way electrical adaptors, and particularly, although not exclusively, to adaptors for connecting a plurality of appliances having mains plugs, to a single socket outlet. 
     It may also be usefully applied to other types of “multi-way” adaptors, such as those required to connect a number of telecommunication devices, to a single telephone socket. 
     In a typical office or home environment, where it is necessary to use such multi-way adaptors because of the large number of electrical and electronic appliances such as computers, TV, Hi Fi, etc which are to be connected to the mains, there typically results an unsightly and possibly dangerous tangle of cables, which is difficult to control. Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide an arrangement which facilitates the control of such cables, and is very simple to put into effect, without requiring any specialised electrical equipment. 
     Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides an enclosure adapted to house a multi-way cable connector, including means for accessing the interior of the enclosure to connect appliances to the multi-way connector, exit means for an input cable and for appliance connector cables, and internal storage space for surplus cable. 
     The exit means for cables may comprise a single aperture or slot, or may comprise separate apertures for the input and output cables. 
     The enclosure may be adapted to perform additional functions, as well as simply housing the multi-way connector. In addition to the facility for storing surplus cable, the interior may also be adapted to act as a general purpose container or carrying case for portable appliances requiring the use of the multi-way connector themselves, for example, power tools, lap top computers, or other such portable appliances. In such cases, the interior of the enclosure may include recesses or pockets adapted to receive such items and the exterior is preferably provided with a carrying handle. 
     According to a further feature of the invention, the exterior of the enclosure may be adapted to perform an additional function, for example to act as a foot rest, stool, or small table. 
     In a preferred form of the invention the enclosure comprises inner and outer shells which are releasably connected by means of “snap-fit” fasteners, for example of the plug and socket type. Preferably, the inner shell is reversible, relative to the outer shell, between a first position in which the assembly is adapted for use in horizontal, floor standing mode (for example as a footrest) and a second position in which it is adapted for use in a vertical, suspended mode (for example attached to the edge of a desk). 
     Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable enclosure according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the lid in an open condition for access to the interior; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 1 in a closed condition; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section through the device of FIG. 1, with cables connected to the mains; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an enclosure according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a closed condition; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 4 in an open condition; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third type of enclosure according to the invention, in an open condition; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth type of enclosure, in a closed condition; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 7 in an open condition; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth type of enclosure according-to the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the invention, shown in a first working orientation; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10, in a second working orientation; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 10, in a third working orientation; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the invention, in an open condition; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 in a working position; and 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 in a partly disassembled condition; 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevation of an eighth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 17 is an underneath plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a partial front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 19 is a rear elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 20 is a schematic side elevation showing an alternative arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 16 in a closed condition; and 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevation of the arrangement of FIG. 20, in an open condition. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an enclosure comprising a flat shallow box  2 , with a hinged cover  4 , which can be opened out flat as illustrated in FIG. 1, to allow access to the interior. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer surface  6  of the top of the enclosure takes up a sloped position, when it is closed, so as to form a foot rest, when the device is used in a typical application in an office. 
     The interior  8  of the enclosure is adapted to house a multi-way mains connector  10 , which as shown in FIG. 1, is mounted at a convenient angle for the easy insertion of mains plugs. It may, for example, be held in position by screws or other suitable attachment means such as “hook-and-loop” fasteners, press-studs or the like. 
     The rear wall  12  of the enclosure is formed with a cut-out, or several cut-outs, so as to leave an opening when the lid  4  is closed, which allows cables to pass in and out of the enclosure in the closed condition, and may be provided with a brush  16  of the “draft excluder” type, in order to partly trap or locate the cabling in that position. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 3, this allows loose cable  18  to be stored inside the enclosure, with an input lead  20  for connection to the mains, and output leads  22  for connection to equipment, exiting from the rear of the enclosure. 
     In addition, padding  24  may be provided on the internal surface of the lid  4 , to allow a user to kneel on the lid, when inserting or removing mains plugs into or from the multi-way connector  10 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, in which the enclosure  2  comprises a tray-like base, enclosing a multi-way connector  10 , and in this case a generally comb-like configuration is provided at the rear edge of the base tray to form slots for entry and exit of cables. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a generally cube-shaped enclosure  28 , having a simple hinged rectangular lid  30 , and in this case, the multi-way connector  10  is mounted in the box in a relatively high position, leaving a lower container portion  32 , for excess cable or general storage purposes, in the front region of the box. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, in which the enclosure  34  is made in the form of a “tool box” with one side having shaped recesses  36  to receive a power tool and accessories, and the other side  38  forming a lid which is adapted to receive the multi-way connector  10 . The side  38  may also be provided with retaining straps  40  for loose cable or other articles, and the entire assembly closes together, as shown in FIG. 7, to form a carrying case with a handle  42 . It will be appreciated that this embodiment is particularly useful for power tools which will in any case require an electrical supply, and for devices such as battery chargers. A similar type of box construction (not shown) can also be used as a “child-proof” container for a multiway connector in combination with known types of child-proof closure devices. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, in which the enclosure  44  is combined with display packaging for a multi-way connector  46 , and comprises an elongate box having a handle  48  formed at one end, the entire structure being moulded in plastics material (for example). This handle allows the assembly to be hung up for display purposes in a store, as well as for carrying and later storage by the user. 
     A sliding lid  50 , which may be transparent, allows access to the multi-way connector  46  inside, and it will be appreciated that the connector may be fixed in position, for use in conjunction with the housing formed by the enclosure, or may be made removable. 
     One end  52  of the sliding lid is formed with a “comb-like” edge which cooperates with a corresponding comb-like or castellated edge  54  of the opening of the enclosure, when the lid is in the closed position, so as to form cable retaining slots, as illustrated more clearly in FIG. 9 a.  As can be seen from this FIG., the edges  52  and  54  are formed with cooperating, rounded teeth and slots, which hold exit cables  56  securely in position, when the lid is closed. A further slot in the opposite end of the lid  50  provides an exit point for the connector&#39;s own mains lead, which can of course be stored, together with its plug, inside the end region  60  of the housing, in the closed position. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, in which the enclosure  62  comprises a flexible bag of fabric material, which is closed by a zip or “hook and loop” fastener e.g. “Velcro” (R.T.M.). A simple folded aluminium shell  64  holds the bag  62  for example by means of “Velcro” (R.T.M.), so that the whole assembly can be used in a laid flat position on the floor, as illustrated in FIG.  10 . In this position the shell can be used as a foot rest. Alternatively, it can be used in a vertically standing position, as illustrated in FIG. 11, with the rear end  66  of the aluminium shell forming a base. 
     In addition, if the assembly is required to be kept off the floor, the arrangement may be such that the end  66  can be used as a “hanger”, as illustrated in FIG. 12, where the assembly is simply hung on the rear edge of a desk top  68 , table or shelf. Preferably the arrangement is also such that the bag can be separated for access or for use separately. 
     FIGS. 13-15 illustrate another variation of a construction comprising a rigid shell, combined with a flexible or semi-rigid inner bag or housing. The shell  64  in this embodiment is similar to that of FIGS. 10 to  12  and can be used in corresponding working positions, but the inner housing  70  in this case comprises a semi-rigid casing (for example of a rubberised canvas type material) compressing a first tray-like body  72  forming a cable housing and a second, flap-like lid  74 , connected together by an integral hinge (e.g. a line hinge)  76 . 
     The body  72  has upstanding side walls  78  and is flanged around its edges as illustrated at  80 , so that when the two parts are closed together, the flanges  80  of the body engage with the edges of the inner surface of the lid part  74 . As illustrated the inner surface of the part  74  carries one component of a “hook-and-loop” fastening system, with strips  82  of the other component being attached to the surface of the flanges  80 , to keep the two parts releasably engaged with one another, and it will be appreciated that this enables cables to be passed between the mating edges in various alternative positions. 
     In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a location is provided adjacent the hinge  76  for a standard multi-way connector  34 , with a retaining device  86  comprising a flexible elasticated “sock” into which the free end of the connector can be inserted. A strap  88  is provided adjacent the other end, which also has a hook-and-loop fastening, so that it can be closed over the connector to hold it in position. In addition a “patch pocket”  90  may be provided inside the lid  74 , also retained by the “hook and loop” system, for storing small accessories. As shown in FIG. 15, the enclosure  70  is also held in the shell  64  by hook-and-loop fasteners  92 . 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a specially adapted dual-purpose version of the invention which can be used either as a footrest with surplus cable storage, or to provide desk mounted cable storage. As in the arrangement of FIGS. 13-15, the device has an outer shell  64  which forms a footrest, and an inner shell  70  which forms a cable housing. When the lid is shut on the body, and the body is positioned on a floor surface, the lid defines an acute angle in relation to the body in order to form a footrest. Such an arrangement is also shown in FIGS. 2,  10  and  14 . The inner shell  70  is releasably connected to the edges of the underside of the outer shell  64  by means of mating a “stud and socket” connectors  100 ,  102  so that it can be opened, the studs  100  projecting from the surface of the outer shell, as can be seen more clearly in the view of FIG.  21 . In addition the uppermost edge of the inner shell (as seen in FIG. 16) is provided with snap-fit projections which fit into apertures  104  in the corresponding inner surface of the outer shell, as shown in FIG.  16 . However, they can alternatively be fitted, with the shell in a reverse position as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, into another set of apertures  106  at the other inside edge of the outer shell, as will be explained in more detail below. 
     As best seen in FIG. 21, the inner shell which is preferably moulded from a semi-transparent, rubberised plastic, actually comprises three sections  108 ,  110  and  112  which are hingedly connected together by their edges. The section  108  comprises the main body forming the “cable dump”, and the section  110  forms the housing for the connector block, while the section  112  comprises a narrow flap carrying the snap-fit projections by means of which the inner shell is connected to the outer shell. It will be appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 16 and 20 that the profiles of the inner and outer shells are such that the inner shell can be fitted either with the projections of the flap  112  engaged in the apertures  104  as in FIG. 16, or in a “reversed” position, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, with the flap  112  connected into the apertures  106 . 
     The arrangement of FIG. 16 thus provides a relatively flat underside so that the device can be employed as a footrest. Alternatively, the “reversed” arrangement of FIGS. 20 and 21 shifts the inner shell and thus the centre of gravity in such a way that the assembly can be hung onto the edge of the surface of a desk  114  as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. 
     The three-part hinged arrangement then allows the assembly to be opened about its lower edge, as shown in FIG. 21 so that connections can be made to the connector block in section  110  and excess cable can be looped into the section  108 , before the assembly is again closed and the connectors  100 , 102  are re-engaged. 
     As indicated at  116  in FIG. 20, cables to equipment on the desk-top can be routed through a gap between the assembly and the desk surface which is formed by small suds  118 , preferably of flexible rubber material, which are fixed to the inside surface of the rear wall  120  of the outer shell so as to engage the desk surface when the assembly is hung on the edge of the desk. 
     In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the outside surface  122  of the rear wall, which is uppermost in the arrangement of FIGS. 20 and 21, may be formed with inset recesses forming trays  124 ,  126 , to receive pens, pencils and the like.