Patent Description:
Electrical receptacles are interfaced devices for attaching power lines to electrical circuits. Typically, these receptacles include connectors and terminal blocks which contain a plurality of female contacts which receive pins connected to male connectors fitted to the ends of power cables. In one embodiment, the connection is temporary where the male connector is removably fitted into the female terminal block in the receptacle.

Terminal Blocks are connecting terminals, usually of the female type, that enable fastening of the pins of male connectors within generally removably. The terminal blocks usually comprise insulating frames and clamping components for securely holding the pins of the male connectors therewithin.

Generally the receptacles are designed as per the required voltage ratings and the number of pins. These voltage ratings can range between <NUM> volts to <NUM> volts. The power cable for each voltage rating requires the male connector to have a defined number and configuration of pins (for instance, <NUM> phase pins + <NUM> ground pin, <NUM> phase pin + <NUM> ground pin, or <NUM> phase pins + <NUM> neutral pin + <NUM> ground pin). By convention, for different voltage ratings, the pins are arranged on the male connector in accordance with a round clock numbering at fixed hourly positions for a particular voltage rating. To match these number and configuration of pins, the female terminal block in the receptacle also has to be configured to accommodate the pins therewithin. In the conventional method of manufacture, discreet receptacles are provided for each voltage rating to suit a particular requirement of a tool or an electric circuit to which an electric supply is required. This increases the inventory of receptacles for different tools and electric circuits.

Further, in the existing receptacle arrangement, the terminal block is integral with the switch connected to the electrical circuit or tool. In the case of a surge in power or a short circuit, the switch and the terminal block is damaged, and is required to be replaced.

<CIT> is directed to a plug that carries terminals which also act as switch contacts and which insert into a receptacle with essentially zero insertion force. The receptacle also carries terminals which similarily double as switch contacts. After insertion of the plug into the receptacle, the plug terminals and receptacle terminals are electrically bridged by electrical bridges driven forward by actuator means which also doubles as an integral part of an interlock arrangement. A first bayonet type of polarizing means ensures that the plug will only insert into the receptacle in a single orientation, whereas a second polarizing means permits keying a given plug to a given receptacle. The combining of switch and interlock into a minimum of parts provides simplicity and interlock protection as well as creates an exceptionally compact design.

<CIT> discloses an interlock mechanism for electrical switch and receptacle having a sliding latch which prevents a gear train from turning unless a plug is fully inserted so that a key can remove the latch from recesses in one of the gears.

<CIT> discloses an internally switched female receptacle or connector for use with IEC <NUM>-<NUM> configuration plugs and the like. Various plug-latching and plug-actuated safety interlock arrangements coordinate strictly axial plug movement relative to the receptacle with the closing and opening of sleeve contacts and terminal pressure contacts. A continuous ground feature ensures grounding of the primary electrical circuit throughout plug insertion and withdrawal. An optional low-current lighting control circuit powers an LED status indicator. A modular clocking design enables variable angular positioning of the terminals during manufacture.

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a receptacle assembly that can handle multiple voltages.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

When viewed from one aspect, the invention provides an electrical receptacle assembly as claimed in claim <NUM>.

An electrical receptacle assembly comprising a housing defined by a first compartment and a second compartment removably securable to each other by means of fasteners. The first compartment having an operative sidewall defining a first opening and an operative base defining a second opening. The first opening having hourly graduations with a corresponding first securing formation for each graduation on the operative front face of the sidewall facing the outside of the first compartment. A sleeve formation extending from said sidewall defining the first opening and surrounding the graduation. A terminal block configured to be securely fitted within said first opening defining said terminal block a plurality of female contacts separated by projecting fins and second securing formations complementary to the first securing formations on the first opening to enable the terminal block to be rotatably mounted in said first opening corresponding to a desired voltage rating. The second opening configured to receive the knob of a switch. The second compartment configured to receive a switch assembly securable to said knob and outlet for leading a supply cable out of the receptacle.

The first securing formations may be in the form of protrusions, and the second securing formations may be in the form of notches, and vice-versa.

The outer wall of the contacts may also define axially extending flanges for securing the terminal block in the first opening.

The sleeve formation may be integrally moulded with the first compartment.

A hinged cover may be secured to the sleeve formation for covering the entry to the female contacts in the terminal block.

The sleeve is provided with a slot to securely receive a key formation on a male terminal connector assembly for precisely aligning the pins of the male connector assembly into the female contacts configured in the terminal block.

An electrical receptacle assembly, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which:.

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope of the invention which is solely defined by the appended claims. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. The embodiments disclosed herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

As discussed previously, the terminal block in the conventional switch assembly is integral with the switch assembly of the conventional electrical receptacle assembly. If the terminal block of conventional electrical receptacle assembly is damaged either by short circuits or by accidental sparks, the entire switch assembly along with the terminal block has to be replaced. Therefore, the conventional electrical receptacle assemblies are less economical. Furthermore, in cases where only the terminal block is damaged and the switch assembly is not damaged, the entire switch assembly along with the terminal block has to be replaced, which is not desirable, since the switch assembly that is in working condition also needs to be discarded.

In order to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks associated with the conventional electrical receptacle assemblies, the present disclosure envisages an electrical receptacle assembly comprising a modular terminal block. More specifically, in the electrical receptacle assembly of the present disclosure, the terminal block and the switch are not integral and are two separate components. As such, in case the terminal block is damaged, there is no need to replace the switch along with the terminal block, and only the terminal block can be replaced, thereby making the electrical receptacle assembly of the present disclosure more economical, as compared with the conventional electrical receptacle assembly.

An electrical receptacle assembly <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as receptacle assembly <NUM>) of the present disclosure is now described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The receptacle assembly <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> defined by a first compartment 101A and a second compartment 101B removably securable to each other. The first compartment 101A is defined by sidewalls and a base. A first opening 102A is defined on one of the operative sidewalls of the first compartment 101A, and a second opening 102B is defined on the base of the first compartment 101A. The first opening 102A has hourly graduations (not shown in figures) with a corresponding first securing formation for each graduation on the operative front face of the sidewall facing the outside of the first compartment 101A. The receptacle assembly <NUM> further comprises a sleeve formation <NUM> extending from the sidewall defining the first opening 102A and surrounding the hourly graduations. In an embodiment, the sleeve formation <NUM> is integrally moulded with the first compartment 101A.

The receptacle assembly <NUM> further comprises a terminal block <NUM> configured to be securely fitted within the first opening 102A configured on the first compartment 101A. The terminal block <NUM> is defined by a plurality of female contacts separated by projecting fins and second securing formations complementary to the first securing formations configured on the first opening 102A. The first and the second securing formations enable the terminal block to be rotatably mounted in the first opening 102A corresponding to a desired voltage rating. The first and the second securing formations are described elaborately in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

The first compartment 101A further comprises terminal block connections <NUM> secured therewithin such that the terminals of the terminal block connections <NUM> are received within the plurality of female contacts of the terminal block <NUM>. The first compartment 101A further comprises a locking mechanism <NUM> disposed and secured therewithin. The locking mechanism <NUM> facilitates the secure holding of male terminal connector assembly <NUM> within the sleeve formation <NUM>. The receptacle assembly <NUM> further comprises a hinged cover <NUM> secured to the sleeve formation <NUM> for covering the entry to the female contacts in the terminal block <NUM>. The hinged action of the hinged cover <NUM> is achieved by means of a spring 118A and a pin 118B.

The second opening 102B is configured to receive the knob <NUM> of a switch assembly <NUM>. The switch assembly <NUM> is configured to be received within the second compartment 101B of the housing <NUM>. The switch assembly <NUM> is securable to the knob <NUM>. The receptacle assembly <NUM> further comprises an outlet <NUM> for leading a supply cable, configured in the second compartment 101B. Furthermore, the switch assembly <NUM> is in electrical communication with the terminal block connections <NUM>, whose terminals are received within the plurality of female contacts of the terminal block <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> explain the rotation mechanism of the terminal block <NUM> within the sleeve formation <NUM>. The terminal block <NUM> of the present embodiment is a female terminal block, i.e., it is adapted to receive the pins of the male terminal connector assembly <NUM>. The terminal block <NUM> has a plurality of female contacts 112A-112E. The female contacts 112A-112E are adapted to receive the pins of the male terminal connector assembly <NUM> from one end. The terminals of the terminal block connections <NUM> are received in the female contacts 112A-112E from the other end, thereby enabling electrical communication between the switch assembly <NUM> and the male terminal connector assembly <NUM>. The terminal block <NUM> further comprises second securing formations <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the second securing formations <NUM> are notches. However, the second securing formations <NUM> are not limited to being notches. In another embodiment, the second securing formations <NUM> can also be protrusions. The outer wall of the contacts defines axially extending flanges 114A-114E for securing the terminal block <NUM> within the first opening 102A.

The first opening 102A is clearly seen in <FIG>. The first securing formations <NUM> are configured along the periphery of the first opening 102A on the operative front face of the sidewall facing outside of the first compartment 101A. In the present embodiment, the first securing formations <NUM> are protrusions. However, the first securing formations <NUM> are not limited to being protrusions. In another embodiment, the first securing formations <NUM> can also be notches.

The first securing formations <NUM> are engageable with the second securing formations <NUM> configured on the terminal block <NUM>. In order to obtain a certain h-position (position corresponding to a certain graduation of the hourly graduations) of the ground terminal, the terminal block <NUM> is unfastened, disassembled, and removed from the first opening 102A. After removal from the first opening 102A, the terminal block <NUM> is rotated to obtain the desired h-position of the ground terminal and inserted again in the first opening 102A. Subsequent to this, the first securing formations <NUM> and the second securing formations <NUM> engage with each other, thereby obtaining the desired h-position of the ground terminal and locking any further rotation of the terminal block <NUM>. The terminal block <NUM> is then fastened to the first compartment 101A via the flanges 114A-114E to prevent the terminal block <NUM> from slipping out of the first opening 102A of the first compartment 101A.

As seen in <FIG>, the sleeve formation <NUM> is provided with a slot <NUM> that receives a key <NUM> configured on the male terminal connector assembly <NUM> to precisely align the pins of the male connector assembly into the female contacts 112A-112E configured in the terminal block <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electrical receptacle assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a first compartment (101A) and a second compartment (101B) removably securable to each other by means of fasteners,
said first compartment (101A) having an operative sidewall having a first opening (102A) and an operative base having a second opening (102B),
said first opening (102A) having hourly graduations with a corresponding first securing formation (<NUM>) for each graduation on the operative front face of the sidewall facing the outside of said first compartment (101A); and
the electrical receptacle assembly further comprising:
an outlet (<NUM>) for leading a supply cable out of said housing;
a sleeve formation (<NUM>) extending from said sidewall around the first opening (102A) and surrounding the graduation; and
a terminal block (<NUM>) configured to be securely fitted within said first opening (102A),
the electrical receptacle assembly characterised in that said terminal block (<NUM>) includes a plurality of female contacts (112A-E) separated by projecting fins and second securing formations (<NUM>) complementary to said first securing formations (<NUM>) on said first opening (102A) to enable the terminal block (<NUM>) to be rotatably mounted in said first opening (102A), relative to the hourly graduations, corresponding to a desired voltage rating, for accommodating pins of a male connector that has a configuration of pins arranged in accordance with a round clock numbering at fixed hourly positions for the desired voltage rating, and said second opening (102B) configured to receive the knob (<NUM>) of a switch assembly configured to be received within said second compartment (101B), said switch assembly securable to said knob (<NUM>).