Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Improvements in and relating to Electrical Power, Communication and .
Data Cable Management Systems
This invention relates to cable management and cabling systems for use
in installations where electrical power, communication and data cabling is
required, such as in offices, domestic housing and portable buildings.
It is known to provide dedicated trunking systems for cabling which is
hidden from view, the outside of the trunking being disguised as e.g. skirting
board around the perimeter of a room and having sockets for providing mains
electrical power for use within the room, telephone and television receiving
sockets and other data exchange sockets for e.g. modems. Such conventional
trunking, whilst providing a neat and safe alternative to the use of
individual
wires to individual sockets placed on or in wall surfaces or even floor
surfaces
~~QUiui.:t~_.roQla,:.rtev~itl~I~ss suf~r: from a: numbe>- ~of:.disad~u~tages,
.ttie-f~sx
and most obvious being that once installed it is difficult to correct any
faults
which may arise or to add to or easily change the location of any given socket
should the need arise. This problem is addressed in part in US Patent No.
6,309,229 which describes an electrical track and adaptor assembly in which
the
adaptor, or socket, can be moved linearly along an insulating track which
carries
e.g. three ~exible linear electrical conductor tracks of generally "u-shape"
in
cross section, each adaptor or socket having °L" shaped connector pins
which
engage with a respective conductor track on the insulating track to provide
mains power to the adaptor or socket by the latter being rotated about a
generally horizontal axis with respect to an upright track e.g. wall mounted,
so
that the free ends of the pins come into electrical contact with the
respective
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conductors, whereafter the adaptor/socket can be retained in place with snap-
fit
covers on either side of the insulating track, to thereby mimic the appearance
of
an adaptor or socket flush-fitted to e.g. a skirting board. As such, it is a
relatively
simple matter to thereafter change the location of the adaptors/sockets within
a
room to a preferred position by removing the snap-fit covers, rotating the
adapters/sockets so that their electrical contacts become disengaged with the
electrical conductor tracks, withdrawing them and thereafter repositioning
them
to a desired position, followed by cutting to length and fitting snap-fit
covers in
place so that no gap exists between adjacent adapters/sockets.
However, a disadvantage with this system is that the connector pins are
adapted to rotate into and out of engagement with the electrical conductor
tracks
canying the mains electricity. As such, they are regarded for safety standards
purposos- _~ m~n~_ ~s~tr~r~.s _a . L~eing: tfi~ : ~eq.:of o~nar~c plugs. whi~_
linearly plug into ordinary mains sockets by means of a push fit. Accordingly,
in
order to satisfy such safety standards the connection typically has to be
tested to
withstand e.g. 15,000 insertion and removal cycles without failure in order to
achieve compliance therewith. In practice, this is difficult to achieve and
may
therefore mean that such a system has to be manufactured to very fine
tolerances with the highest quality materials and at otherwise greater expense
than may be practical.
The present invention is derived in part from the realisation that the
convenience of a track cabling system for use with an electrical conductor
track
in which the adaptors or sockets can be easily moved from one position to
another can still be achieved through the use of an alternative connection
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mechanism between the conductor track and the adaptor/socket, which does not
require any rotation.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical
distribution system comprising or including an insulating track for insulating
an
electrically conducting track connectable to an electric power supply, one or
more electric power take off sockets, each for receiving in electrical contact
therewith an electric plug when inserted therein, characterised in that the or
each socket has electrical contacts engageable via a push fit with a carriage
electrically connectable to the electrically conducting track, the carriage
being
adapted to be selectively positioned therealong, and means whereby the or each
socket may be selectably locked in place along the electrically conductive
track,
thereby permitting positioning and re-positioning as required of said the or
each
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Preferably, the carriage is adapted to be slideable along the track,
although it may instead simply be placed at an appropriate position along the
track and thereafter secured thereto, or there may be discrete formations on
or
in the insulating track and/or the electrically conducting track permitting
the
placement of the carriage at a required position therealong. The carriage
itself
may also be permanently or semi-permanently secured to a respective power
take off socket or a holder for such socket if the socket is supplied
separately.
Conveniently, the carriage has locking formations co-operable with the
insulating track and/or the electrically conducting track which are moveable
between an open position in which the or each carriage is e.g. slideable
therealong and a closed position in which respective actuating pins have been
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engaged therewith via a push fit, cam surfaces associated with said locking
means and/or actuating pins enabling locking of the carriage with respect to
the
insulating track and electrically conducting track.
Conveniently, the or each power take off socket includes a corresponding
socket for receiving an electric plug although, alternatively, the power take
off
socket may simply be provided with e.g. electrical contacts to which wires may
be connected which lead to a socket into which a plug .may be fitted, which
socket may itself be adapted to be connectable directly to the power take off
socket.
Preferably, the electrically conducting track is of generally flat or ribbon-
like construction so that it may be wound on a reel and thereafter lengths
thereof
cut off as required. Preferably, the electrically conducting track is composed
of a
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metallic or otherwise electrically conducting strips in generally parallel
configuration, such as three strips of flat copper representing, respectively,
mains positive, mains neutral and mains earth, the earth conductor preferably
being positioned between the positive and neutral conductors.
Advantageously, the insulating track may include an insulating cover to
prevent accidental access to the electrically conducting track after the
electrical
distribution system has been installed and may also include means for mounting
other types of electrical sockets, such as sockets for use with telephones,
televisions and data exchange sockets for e.g. modems, the wiring for which
being stored within one or more dedicated conduits in the insulating track
parallel to the main electrically conducting track.
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In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an
insulating track for insulating an electrically conducting track connectable
to an
electric power supply, the insulating track including a guide rail or slot
onto or
into which is receivable a carriage, preferably slideable, for electrically
5 connecting electrical contacts mountable on or in the insulating track with
one or
more primary sockets mountable by a push fit on or in the track. Conveniently,
locking formations ace provided co-operable with corresponding locking
formations on or in the carriage when mounted thereto to thereby releasably
lock
the carriage in place. An insulating track may also be provided which includes
a
separate conduit for receiving additional wiring associated with the or each
secondary socket.
In a third embodiment of the invention there is provided an electrically
~~~~y: fr_act~_~r~e~tabl~. tQ._:an ele~ffic_ poieeer _siipPl~~ aod..adapfed.
ta. be...
mounted on an insulating track, the electrically conducting track being
adapted
to receive electrical contacts associated directly or indirectly with an
electrical
socket, the electrically conducting track being of generally flat or ribbon-
like
construction and, preferably, windable on a reel. Conveniently, the
electrically
conducting track is composed of a flexible insulating substrate on which is
mounted the electrically conducting track.
In a fourth embodiment of the invention there is provided a, preferably,
siideable carriage electrically connectable to an electrically conducting
track
when mounted on an insulating track having guide means thereon along, the
carriage also being connectable to an electric plug or adaptor by a push fit.
In a fifth embodiment of the invention there is provided an electric power
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take off socket for receiving in electrical contact therewith an electric plug
when
inserted therein or thereon, the electric power take off socket being adapted
to
be engageable with a carriage electrically connectable to an electrically
conducting track mounted on an insulating track. Conveniently, the electric
power take off socket includes means co-operable with the carriage when
mounted on the insulating track to lock the carriage in place when the power
take off socket is engaged therewith.
Conveniently, the means to lock the carriage in place comprises pins
extending from the power take off socket, the pins being insertable within the
carriage to bear up against cam surfaces on slideable locking tabs which
thereafter engage with and lock against locking formations on or in the
electrically conducting track and/or insulating track.
ConvPtii~rltLy. ~_: ~afa~ inøut ansllQi .output. bnx .is.: also. adapted to.
:l~
received upon the insulating track.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a general arrangement drawing of part of an electrical power
distribution system in accordance with the invention,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an insulating track base plate used in the
system of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a conductor track and associated
backing strip,
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate cover for the track of
Figure 3,
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Figure 5 is a perspective top view the top half of a slideable carriage used
in the system of the invention,
Figure 6 is a perspective underneath view of the half of the carriage of
Figure 5,
Figure 7 is a perspective inside view of the half of the carriage of Figure
5,
Figure 8 is another perspective inside view of the half of the carriage of
Figure 5,
Figure 9 is a perspective underneath view of a primary electric power take
off socket in accordance with the invention,
Figure 10 is a perspective top view of the power take off socket of Figure
9,
_ t use. tt~i~~~~~~p.~c~iv~=yiepec_o~:tt~=p~t~ce:soct~efs:.of-F'~gui~sv:_.
and 10 with a generally conventional mains socket mounted thereon,
Figure 12 is a perspective top view of a data outlet socket for use with the
electrical distribution system of the invention with its front cover removed,
Figure 13 is a perspective underside view of the data outlet box of Figure
12,
Figure 14 is an exploded side view of a power take off socket and
associated slideable carriage showing the locking mechanism by which the
carriage is locked to the insulating track (not shown),
Figure 15 is a perspective rear view of the power take off socket and
associated slideable carriage of Figure 14 in their partially assembled
condition,
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of insulating
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track to that shown in Figure 1 including primary and secondary sockets, and
Figure 17 is an end view of the insulating track of Figure 16.
Figure 1 is a general arrangement drawing of part of an electrical power
distribution system comprising an insulating track shown generally at 1 for
providing electrical power to a primary electric power outlet socket 2 and,
optionally, for providing access cabling to a secondary socket 3 for
connection to
e.g. a telephone or television aerial. The insulating track 1 includes a track
base
plate 4 for mounting on e.g. a wall 'in substitution for skirting board and
onto
which is mounted a flexible electrically conductive track shown generally at 5
(only part of which can be seen), over which is disposed an insulating front
cover
6. An inclined top cover 7 is also secured to the base plate 4, affording a
gap
between it and the front cover 6 through and into which electrical connector
pins
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In Figure 2 the track base plate 4 is shown in more detail and comprises
three main regions, a caniage receiving region 8, an electrical conductor
track
receiving region 9 and a secondary cable receiving region 10. The slideable
carriage receiving region 8 has side walls 11, 12 of which part of the latter
is
inclined inwardly relative to the former, thereby defining a locking formation
for a
slideable carriage operable in a manner to be described.
In Figure 3 there is shown an electrically conducting track shown
generally at 13 which includes a flexible insulating substrate in the form of
a
backing strip 14 having insulating channels 15, 16 and 17, each for receiving
respective strips of metal, e.g. copper, conductors 18, 19 and 20
representing, in
sequence, mains positive, mains earth and mains neutral, respectively,
although
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it wiN be understood that the particular sequence and use of each such
conductor is dependent upon the requirements of the electrical distribution
system.
As will be apparent, the electrically conducting track 13, being generally
flat or ribbon-like, can therefore be mounted flush against the electrically
conducting track receiving region 9 of the back plate 4 shown in Figure 2 and
retained thereon by any suitable means, such as e.g. locking strips co-
operable
with formations on the back plate 4 in order to releasably lock the flexible
backing strip 14 in place. As will be further appreciated, an advantage of
this
configuration is that it is easily bent about its transverse axis relative to
the major
plane of the electrically conducting track 13 such that it is easily
insertable within
e.g. a slot representing a change of direction of the insulating track 1, for
exam~tethTO~fi;90_°_if '~n~statl-ecf ~et.~ia.a:~P~ ttin _ar Cci~rri
oi.:a~c~.
In Figure 4 there is shown an intermediate cover 21 adapted to insulate
the otherwise exposed electrically conducting track 13 and includes an
integrally
moulded flexible lip 22 so as to be deformable about a neck portion of a
carriage
electrically connected to the electrically conducting track 13 in a manner to
be
described.
Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 there are shown outside front and inside
front views of one half of a slideable carriage 23 adapted to be electrically
connected to the electrically conducting track 13 of Figure 3 and to slide
along
the carriage. receiving region 8 of the back plate 4 of Figure 2. In Figure 5
the
carriage 23 has a head portion 24 which includes a set of three sockets 25, 26
and 27 into which may be inserted, in use, electrical contact pins from a
primary
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electric power take off socket to be described. Each socket 25, 26 and 27 is
covered by a shutter plate 28 spring biased to the position shown and being
openable by virtue of having cam surtaces 29 at respective ends in register
with
shutter opening sockets 30, 31 into which can be inserted the correspondingly
5 shaped leading ends of shutter opening pins 51, 52 (shown in Figures 9, 14
and
15) extending from the electric power take off socket to be described. When
this
happens they extend through the shutter opening sockets 30 and 31 and bear
up against and cause slideable locking tabs 32, 33 (shown in Figure 6) to move
in the direction arrowed so as to engage with and lock against the locking
10 formation 12 of the back plate 4 as shown in Figure 2.
As shown in Figure 6, respective pairs of electrical contacts 34, 35 and 36
extend from a slideable body portion or plate 37 of the slideable carriage 23
and
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which.. ..m._ :.use_ ..._be~ u~ against
corresponding electrical contacts 18, 19 and 20 of the flexible electrically
conducting track 13 shown in Figure 3, the contacts, 34, 35 and 36 extending
within the body of the carriage 23 to the sockets 25, 26 and 27.
In order to allow for retention of an electric power take off socket on the
slideable carriage 23 a pair of apertured ears 38, 39 are provided at opposite
ends of the head portion 24, the apertures allowing for insertion of
correspondingly shaped capture pins extending from an electric power take off
socket in a manner to be described.
In Figure 7 and 8 are shown respective views of the slideable body
portion or plate 37 and inside front of the slideable carriage 23, Figure 7
showing
in particular the arrangement of the electrical connection between the
contacts
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34, 35 and 36 through to their socket ends 25, 26 and 27.
In Figure 8 is shown in more detail the manner in which the shutter 28
operates. The shutter 28 is biased to the closed position shown by springs 40
and can move in the direction arrowed following insertion of the pins of an
electric power take off plug and associated shutter opening pins described
with
reference to Figures 9 and 10, shutter 28 being moved to thereby open the
sockets 25, 26 and 27.
Similarly, slideabie body portion 37 and hence its respective locking tabs
32, 33, is biased to the position shown by springs 41 and may move in the
direction arrowed in a manner to be explained with reference to Figures 14 and
15.
Figure 9 shows the underside view of an electric power take off socket
stwwn .3enerall~c... ai ' 43 haviag..a . central . body .porn .44, a' head ._
partioa - 45-, .a_.
neck portion 46 and a bottom cover 47 adapted to, in use, cover the secondary
cable receiving conduit 10 shown in Figure 2. Extending from the neck portion
46 are respective electrical contact pins 48, 49 and 50 shaped to be
insertable
within the contact sockets 25, 26 and 27 of the sGdeable carriage 23 shown in
Figures 5 to 8. Also extending from this neck region 46 of the socket 43 are a
pair of longer shutter actuating pins 51, 52, the free ends of which have cam
surfaces by which they may bear up against correspondingly shaped cam
surfaces 29 on the shutter 28 (shown in Figure 5) to thereby cause it to open
against the bias of the springs 40.
Figure 10 shows the outside view of the socket 43 and it will be seen that
the ends of the contact pins 48, 49 and 50 are provided with screws with
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associated apertures into which individual wires may be inserted e.g. mains
positive, mains earth and mains neutral wires which may thereafter be
connected to a generally conventional socket plate (not shown) mountable on
hollow studs 53, 54 extending from and within a hollow cavity 55 defined
substantially by the walls of the electric power take off socket 43.
In Figure 11 a generally conventional mains socket 56 is shown mounted
on and in the cavity 55 of the power take off socket 43 via screws 57, 58
driven
therethrough and into respective studs 53, 54 as shown in Figure 10. The
socket 56 includes an on-off switch 59 and socket terminals 60, 61 and 62, of
which terminals 60 and 62 are covered by a respective shutter 63 when not in
use i.e. in the condition shown. Although thus far conventional, the socket 56
nevertheless includes in accordance with this embodiment of the invention a
pair
of oppositely disposed side wings 64 (only one of which is shown) terminating
in
flexible angled tongue 65, each insertable within the gap afforded by the
apertured ears 38, 39 of the carriage 23 shown in Figures 5 and 6.
In Figures 12 and 13 there are shown respective front and rear views of
the data outlet box 3 as shown in Figure 1 but with its front cover removed to
reveal a cavity 67 into which may extend wires to or from the secondary cable
receiving region 10 of the track 4 through the use of an access window or
aperture 68 shown in Figure 13. The data box 3 also includes bendable fingers
69 having hook formations 70 at their extremities, which hook formations 70
are
received, in use, behind corresponding tipped portions 72 of the secondary
cable
receiving region or conduit 10 in the track 4 to initially be snap-fitted into
place,
foNowed by a more secure fixing through the use of screws 73 at the opposite
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end of the data box 3 securable into a correspondingly sized slot 74 in the
back
plate or track 4 of Figure 2.
In Figures 14 and 15 there is shown in more detail the mechanism by
which the power take off socket 43 cooperates with the slideable carriage 23
to
lock the latter in position on the track base plate 4 so that its electrical
contacts
34, 35 and 36 tightly engage with the copper conductors 18, 19 and 20 on the
electrically conducting track 13 (not shown). In Figure 14, the power take off
socket 43 is shown disengaged relative to the slideable carriage 23 and the
shutter opening pins 51, 52 are axially aligned with the shutter opening
sockets
30, 31 in the slideable carriage 23. Extending outwardly from the opposite
side
of the slideable carriage 23 are the pair of locking tabs 32, 33 (best seen
with
reference to Figure 15) which are slideable in the direction arrowed against a
spring bias as explained with reference to Figures 6 and 8. Accordingly, as
the
inclined leading ends of the shutter opening pins 51, 52 proceed past the cam
surfaces 29 on the shutter plate 28 (shown in Figure 5) to open the shutter
plate
28 they engage with the edges of the locking tabs 32, 33 to thereafter upon
further insertion of the power take off socket 43 into the shutter opening
sockets
30, 31 cause the tabs 32, 33 to move in the direction arrowed. As will be
appreciated, when this action occurs with the slideable carriage 23 positioned
on
the track base 4 directly over the electrically conducting track 13 the angled
leading edges 74, 75 engage behind the locking formation 12 on the track 4
(shown in Figure 2) to thereafter firmly lock the slideable carriage 23
thereagainst.
In a further refinement to the invention, separate locking means may be
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provided on or in the exposed electrical distribution system to ensure that,
when
installed, e.g. children cannot accidentally or deliberately gain access to
any
electrically live parts. In particular, locking means such as screws, pins or
catches may be incorporated on or in the primary outlet socket 2 in order to
prevent it from being easily removed, although it will be understood that
should
this happen the shutter 28 and the intermediate cover 21 combine to prevent
direct access to any electrically live parts.
Although the carriage 23 shown in the preferred embodiment of the
invention is intended to be slideable along the track base plate 4 and
associated
electrically conductive track 5 when the primary electric power take off
socket is
removed, partially or wholly, nevertheless it will be understood that the
carriage
3 may itself simply be adapted to be fixed at any given point along the
insulating
track 1 at any desired position by e.g. traditional fasteners, or instead the
insulating track 1 may incorporate discrete formations, such as projections
and/or recesses, to which the carriage 23 may be secured.
Similarly, although in a preferred embodiment of the invention the power
take off socket 43 incorporates its own mains socket 56 as shown in Figure 11,
nevertheless this may be provided as a separate item and in particular the
hollow cavity 55 of the power take off socket 43 may be shaped to receive
conventional mains sockets which may e.g. be sourced separately from the rest
of the electrical distribution system of the invention.
Turning now to Figures 16 and 17 there are shown respective perspective
and end views of a preferred embodiment of insulating track shown generally at
1 a together with a primary electric outlet socket 2 and secondary socket 3,
for
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example a telephone outlet. The insulating track 1 a in this preferred
embodiment comprises only four components, a track base plate 4a which
includes an integrally moulded inclined top cover 7a, an electrically
conducting
track 13 corresponding to that shown in Figure 3, an intermediate cover 21 a
5 adapted to insulate the electrically conducting track 13 and a front cover
6a. In
this embodiment the front cover 6a also includes an integrally moulded
flexible
lip 76 intended to abut a floor surface, such as a carpeted surface, to
thereby
provide a gap-free junction between the floor and the insulating track 1 a. It
will
therefore be seen that in this embodiment the track 1 a and associated sockets
10 2, 3 can be easily assembled and disassembled with relatively few parts and
the
sockets 2, 3 moved along the track 1 a as required with replacement or re-cut
intermediate or front covers 21a, 6a as required.
