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EP3204993A1 - Casing for electric/electronic device for coupling with a socket, in particular a wall socket - Google Patents

Casing for electric/electronic device for coupling with a socket, in particular a wall socket

Info

Publication number
EP3204993A1
EP3204993A1 EP15801234.4A EP15801234A EP3204993A1 EP 3204993 A1 EP3204993 A1 EP 3204993A1 EP 15801234 A EP15801234 A EP 15801234A EP 3204993 A1 EP3204993 A1 EP 3204993A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movable element
housing
electric
main body
hole
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15801234.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Raimondo PIRAS
Elisabetta SARRITZU
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
R & S Solutions SRLS
Original Assignee
R & S Solutions SRLS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by R & S Solutions SRLS filed Critical R & S Solutions SRLS
Publication of EP3204993A1 publication Critical patent/EP3204993A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/60—Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/66—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
    • H01R24/68—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall mounted on directly pluggable apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R27/00—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
    • H01R31/06—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0042—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction
    • H02J7/0044—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R27/00—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H01R27/02—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a housing for supporting an electric/electronic device and hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular a to wall-mounted electric outlet. More in detail, the present invention relates to a particular kind of connection between the housing and a power plug or an electric charger, in particular of the electric/electronic device itself.
  • a personal electric/electronic device e.g. a mobile phone (also known as “smartphone”), a tablet, a battery charger (also known as “power bank charger”), electric shavers and toothbrushes, portable lamps, and other electric tools and objects of common use
  • a personal electric/electronic device e.g. a mobile phone (also known as “smartphone”), a tablet, a battery charger (also known as “power bank charger”), electric shavers and toothbrushes, portable lamps, and other electric tools and objects of common use
  • a battery charger also known as “power bank charger”
  • a flexible plastic rack for mobile phones which comprises a hook to be hung to a charger when the latter is connected to a wall-mounted electric outlet (see the description at the Internet link http://www.amazon.com/Bondi-Unique-Flexible-Quality-
  • Patent documents CN 203225535 and CN 203225535 are also known, which illustrate a multipurpose holder for mobile phones equipped with a folding shelf constrained to a plate having at one end a ring that can be hooked to the charger when the latter is plugged into the wall outlet.
  • a second object of the present invention is to provide a housing for an electric/electronic device for hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular to a wall- mounted electric outlet, which allows hooking the electric/electronic device to the plug of its power supply or of its charger when the latter is inserted in a wall outlet, without having to resort to objects that cannot be integrated into said housing.
  • a housing for an electric/electronic device for hooking it to an electric outlet in particular to a wall-mounted electric outlet, will be described herein as applying to any object of suitable dimensions and weight, which comprises a main body adapted to receive and hold the device to be supported, such as, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, and a movable element associated with the main body.
  • the movable element is provided with at least one hole sized for receiving a terminal pin of an electric power plug or of the electric charger of the electronic/electric device; in a first operating position, the hole is outside the perimeter of the main body, thus allowing the insertion of at least one terminal pin of the power plug or charger into the hole, whereas in a second retracted position the hole remains inside the perimeter of the main body.
  • the movable element can therefore be extracted from the main body, and the hole(s) in the movable element has (have) a size compatible with that of the terminal pins of a common power plug or of the external electric charger available for use.
  • FIG. 1A and IB illustrate, respectively, a front view and a rear view of a first embodiment of a housing according to the invention
  • FIG. 3A and 3B illustrate, respectively, a front view and a rear view of a third embodiment of a housing according to the invention
  • FIG. 4A and 4B show some examples of embodiment of an element of a housing according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5A and 5B illustrate a first example of a mechanism for opening an element of a housing according to the invention
  • FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate a second example of a mechanism for opening an element of a housing according to the invention
  • FIG. 7A and 7B illustrate a third example of a mechanism for opening an element of a housing according to the invention
  • FIG. 8 shows a further example of a housing with multiple integrated elements according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1A shows a front view of the housing 1
  • Fig. IB shows a rear view of the housing 1.
  • the housing 1 comprises a main body 2 and a movable element 3.
  • the housing 1 may be the case of the device, in particular of any electric/electronic device, or a so-called case cover (removable protective case) of a mobile phone or a portable tablet.
  • housing 1 for electric/electronic devices such a mobile phones and tablets, but said housing 1 may also be designed for accommodating other electric/electronic devices or other objects, whether or not of electric/electronic nature, without however departing from the inventive concept of the present invention.
  • the main body 2 is adapted to house and hold the electric/electronic device.
  • the movable element 3 has the peculiarity of being provided with at least one hole 5, said hole 5 being suitably sized for receiving a terminal pin of a power plug or of an electric charger (not shown) of the electric/electronic device, or other available plugs commonly in use.
  • Figures 1 A and IB show a movable element 3 with a single hole 5.
  • the movable element 3 is configured for taking a first operating position, in which the hole 5 is outside the perimeter of the main body 2, thus allowing the insertion of at least one terminal pin of a power plug or charger into the hole 5, and a second retracted position, in which the hole 5 is inside the perimeter of the main body 2.
  • the movable element 3 can therefore be extracted from the main body 2, and the hole 5, or the holes 5, of the movable element 3 has (have) a size which is compatible with that of the terminal pins of a power plug or an electric charger.
  • at least one hole 5 may have a circular shape, or a rectangular shape like that of the terminal pins of British-type power plugs and electric chargers.
  • the hole 5 may have any size and the movable element 3 may have as many holes as necessary for adapting it at best to the size and number of terminal pins of the different plugs for electric outlets available on the world market.
  • the most important ones being the European (CEE 7/16), American, French and German (the latter being also known as "schuko"), and Chinese types, taking into account only ranges of voltage up to 240V and current up to approx. 16 A. Therefore, the size and shape of at least one hole 5 can be easily made to adapt to all types of terminal pins of power plugs and electric chargers, as well as to multi-way sockets and power adapters.
  • Figures 2A and 2B show a movable element 3 provided with two holes 5 arranged longitudinally relative to the same movable element 3, whereas Figures 3 A and 3B show a movable element 3 provided with three holes 5 arranged longitudinally relative to the same movable element 3, i.e. suitable for also receiving the "ground" central safety pin.
  • at least two holes 5 may be arranged transversally relative to the movable element 3 to better adapt, for example, to horizontally-mounted outlets. It is clear that, depending on the arrangement of the terminal pins of the power plug or charger of the electric/electronic device (generally considering those plugs which are available in combination with the outlets in use in a given country), various configurations of the holes 5 are possible.
  • FIG. 4 A shows a movable element 3 comprising five holes arranges in a cross pattern, into which the terminal pins of a power plug or a charger can be inserted even transversally relative to the movable element 3;
  • Fig. 4B shows three rectangular holes 5 arranged in such a way as to be able to receive the terminal pins of a British-type power plug or charger.
  • the following will illustrate a first embodiment of the movable element 3, in particular the one pertaining to a mechanism for opening, i.e. extracting, the same.
  • the movable element 3 can be slidable relative to the main body 2. Therefore, in the first operating position of Fig. 5 A the hole 5 stays outside the perimeter of the main body 2, whereas in the second retracted position of Fig. 5B the hole 5 stays inside the perimeter of the main body 2.
  • the opening mechanism that allows the movable element 3 to slide relative to the main body 2 comprises an internal or external guide (not shown in the drawings), which is mounted on the main body 2, and the movable element 3 is a band with adequate rigidity and flexibility, rectangular in shape in this explanatory example, inserted in the guide and adapted to slide therein.
  • the movable element 3 comprises an upper portion (a "tab" of different shapes/materials) comprising the holes 5 according to one of the above-described hole pattern solutions, and a lower portion consisting of a single or double cable shaped like a buttonhole (of different shapes/materials/rigidity/elasticity).
  • the cable is connected to the main body 2 and can be repositioned or wound therein.
  • the movable element 3 is made of flexible material, i.e. the movable element 3 can become longer than its normal idle length, i.e. it is extensible when subjected to traction.
  • a user can pull the movable element 3 to extend its length (Fig. 7A), so that the hole 5 will come out of the perimeter of the main body 2.
  • the housing 1 comprises more than one movable element 3, which can be extracted from the main body 2 with different hole patterns 5.
  • the housing 1 is a cover with a folding lid for mobile phones, wherein the part of the cover which is generally adapted to cover the display of the mobile phone, i.e. in this case the movable element 3, comprises one or more holes 5, or groups of holes, or a partially or totally perforated surface, in any pattern considered desirable.
  • the part of the cover acting as a (typically flexible) closing tab, if present, may also be used as a movable element 3.
  • the concept of Fig. 8 applies to any type of cover and can be extended to other solutions, in that the movable elements 3 can be positioned on the right or left side, at the top or at the bottom, or in any other useful position.
  • the movable element 3 can be fastened to or released from the main body 2, in which case it will be used as an accessory of the housing 1, which can however be integrated therein.
  • the movable element 3 may be fastened to or released from the main body 2 through different fastening/releasing means, in particular ties, common hooks, pins, one or more pair of positive/negative attractive magnets, velcro strips, press stud, repositionable chemical adhesive (e.g. 3M special glues), and so on.
  • the movable element 3 may be made of flexible material, e.g. rubber, or rigid material, e.g. plastic, or a combination of different materials, or, for safety purposes, a non-conductive material, especially near the holes 5.
  • the movable element 3 may comprise fluorescent, reflective or illuminating material, i.e. a material that allows visibility even in dark conditions. Let us think, for example, of a user wanting to charge his/her phone at night when the lights in the house are off, and wanting to be able to easily find it in case of need.
  • the movable element 3 may thus comprise illuminating material and also other things, such as, for example, a (rewritable) strip with useful information and notes (even in relief), and may be useful even in other cases and applications of the invention, that is, for more extended use, i.e. multipurpose.
  • illuminating material such as, for example, a (rewritable) strip with useful information and notes (even in relief), and may be useful even in other cases and applications of the invention, that is, for more extended use, i.e. multipurpose.
  • a first advantage of the housing according to the present invention is that an electric/electronic device can be easily hooked to its power plug or to the plug of its electric charger when the latter is inserted in an electric outlet, in particular a vertical wall outlet.
  • a second advantage of the housing according to the present invention is that an electric/electronic device can be hooked to its power plug or to the plug of its charger when the latter is inserted in a wall-mounted electric outlet without requiring the use of any objects that cannot be integrated with said housing.
  • the housing 1 for an electric/electronic device according to the present invention may be subject to many possible variations without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea; it is also clear that in the practical implementation of the invention the illustrated details may have different shapes or be replaced, in the actual design and manufacturing processes, with other technically equivalent elements.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for hooking electric/electronic devices to an electric outlet, in particular to a wall-mounted electric outlet, which comprises a main body adapted to house and hold said device, and comprises a movable element associated with said main body; said movable element being provided with at least one hole sized for receiving a terminal pin of a power plug or of an electric charger of said electric/electronic device, and having a first operating position, in which at least one hole of said movable element is outside the perimeter of said main body, thus allowing the insertion of the at least one terminal pin of a power plug into said hole of the movable element, and a second retracted position, in which the at least one hole of said movable element is inside the perimeter of said main body or is contained therein.

Description

CASING FOR ELECTRIC ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR COUPLING WITH A SOCKET, IN PARTICULAR A WALL SOCKET
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a housing for supporting an electric/electronic device and hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular a to wall-mounted electric outlet. More in detail, the present invention relates to a particular kind of connection between the housing and a power plug or an electric charger, in particular of the electric/electronic device itself.
It is commonly known that when a user wants to recharge or power a personal electric/electronic device, e.g. a mobile phone (also known as "smartphone"), a tablet, a battery charger (also known as "power bank charger"), electric shavers and toothbrushes, portable lamps, and other electric tools and objects of common use, he/she often does not know where to lay down the device because no support surfaces might be available near electric outlets, especially wall outlets.
Moreover, mobile phone manufacturers, in particular power supply unit manufacturers, make very short power cables, which are even shorter than the distance between a normal wall outlet and the first usable shelf or the floor (approx. 1-1.20 metres). It is clear that in such case, in the absence of a place to lay the phone on, if the latter were connected to the terminal of the charger cable it would oscillate at a variable height above the floor, resulting in a high risk that it might become disconnected from the power supply and fall violently on the floor. In other recurrent but non-limiting cases, the outlets are mounted about 30 cm above the floor and the phone must necessarily be laid on the floor, which is often not perfectly clean, resulting in much discomfort for the user.
Aiming at solving these problems, in particular for electric/electronic devices for mobile telephony, a number of solutions are known in the art. For example, a flexible plastic rack for mobile phones is known which comprises a hook to be hung to a charger when the latter is connected to a wall-mounted electric outlet (see the description at the Internet link http://www.amazon.com/Bondi-Unique-Flexible-Quality-
Silicon/dp/B0072XTASG), or a cover for mobile phones equipped with a rubber buttonhole constrained to the cover body (see the Internet link http ://www. ebay .it itm/like/291163740028?lpid:=:96), which are both not very practical and/or useful.
Patent documents CN 203225535 and CN 203225535 are also known, which illustrate a multipurpose holder for mobile phones equipped with a folding shelf constrained to a plate having at one end a ring that can be hooked to the charger when the latter is plugged into the wall outlet.
However, the problem of such solutions is that the means currently known for hooking and supporting a phone when no suitable surface is available are bulky and/or cannot be easily integrated with the electric/electronic device to be hung to the electric outlet. Considering the last solution mentioned above, in fact, the phone holder cannot be integrated into the phone at all, being a cumbersome article that must be carried separately.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a housing for an electric/electronic device for hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular to a wall- mounted electric outlet, which allows an electric/electronic device to be easily and quickly supported at the plug of its power supply or of the charger, or other plugs commonly used for this purpose, such as, for example, "T-shaped multi-way sockets" or "adapters" between plugs and outlets having different shapes and dimensions, when this is inserted in a wall-mounted electric outlet.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a housing for an electric/electronic device for hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular to a wall- mounted electric outlet, which allows hooking the electric/electronic device to the plug of its power supply or of its charger when the latter is inserted in a wall outlet, without having to resort to objects that cannot be integrated into said housing.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a housing for an electric/electronic device for hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular to a wall- mounted electric outlet, as claimed in the appended claims, which are an integral part of the present description.
In brief, a housing for an electric/electronic device for hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular to a wall-mounted electric outlet, will be described herein as applying to any object of suitable dimensions and weight, which comprises a main body adapted to receive and hold the device to be supported, such as, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, and a movable element associated with the main body. The movable element is provided with at least one hole sized for receiving a terminal pin of an electric power plug or of the electric charger of the electronic/electric device; in a first operating position, the hole is outside the perimeter of the main body, thus allowing the insertion of at least one terminal pin of the power plug or charger into the hole, whereas in a second retracted position the hole remains inside the perimeter of the main body. The movable element can therefore be extracted from the main body, and the hole(s) in the movable element has (have) a size compatible with that of the terminal pins of a common power plug or of the external electric charger available for use.
The above objects will become more apparent in the light of the following detailed description of a housing for an electric/electronic device for hooking it to an electric outlet, in particular to a wall-mounted electric outlet, according to the present invention, with particular reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:
- Figures 1A and IB illustrate, respectively, a front view and a rear view of a first embodiment of a housing according to the invention;
- Figures 2A and 2B illustrate, respectively, a front view and a rear view of a second embodiment of a housing according to the invention;
- Figures 3A and 3B illustrate, respectively, a front view and a rear view of a third embodiment of a housing according to the invention;
- Figures 4A and 4B show some examples of embodiment of an element of a housing according to the invention;
- Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a first example of a mechanism for opening an element of a housing according to the invention;
- Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a second example of a mechanism for opening an element of a housing according to the invention;
- Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a third example of a mechanism for opening an element of a housing according to the invention;
- Figure 8 shows a further example of a housing with multiple integrated elements according to the invention.
With reference to Figures 1A and IB, there is shown a housing 1 according to the present invention. In particular, Fig. 1A shows a front view of the housing 1, while Fig. IB shows a rear view of the housing 1. The housing 1 comprises a main body 2 and a movable element 3.
The housing 1 may be the case of the device, in particular of any electric/electronic device, or a so-called case cover (removable protective case) of a mobile phone or a portable tablet.
In the present description, reference will be made to a housing 1 for electric/electronic devices such a mobile phones and tablets, but said housing 1 may also be designed for accommodating other electric/electronic devices or other objects, whether or not of electric/electronic nature, without however departing from the inventive concept of the present invention.
The main body 2 is adapted to house and hold the electric/electronic device. The movable element 3 has the peculiarity of being provided with at least one hole 5, said hole 5 being suitably sized for receiving a terminal pin of a power plug or of an electric charger (not shown) of the electric/electronic device, or other available plugs commonly in use. Figures 1 A and IB show a movable element 3 with a single hole 5.
The movable element 3 is configured for taking a first operating position, in which the hole 5 is outside the perimeter of the main body 2, thus allowing the insertion of at least one terminal pin of a power plug or charger into the hole 5, and a second retracted position, in which the hole 5 is inside the perimeter of the main body 2. The movable element 3 can therefore be extracted from the main body 2, and the hole 5, or the holes 5, of the movable element 3 has (have) a size which is compatible with that of the terminal pins of a power plug or an electric charger. For example, at least one hole 5 may have a circular shape, or a rectangular shape like that of the terminal pins of British-type power plugs and electric chargers. In addition, the hole 5 may have any size and the movable element 3 may have as many holes as necessary for adapting it at best to the size and number of terminal pins of the different plugs for electric outlets available on the world market. As a matter of fact, several types of international standard exist for power plugs of common use, the most important ones being the European (CEE 7/16), American, French and German (the latter being also known as "schuko"), and Chinese types, taking into account only ranges of voltage up to 240V and current up to approx. 16 A. Therefore, the size and shape of at least one hole 5 can be easily made to adapt to all types of terminal pins of power plugs and electric chargers, as well as to multi-way sockets and power adapters.
Figures 2A and 2B show a movable element 3 provided with two holes 5 arranged longitudinally relative to the same movable element 3, whereas Figures 3 A and 3B show a movable element 3 provided with three holes 5 arranged longitudinally relative to the same movable element 3, i.e. suitable for also receiving the "ground" central safety pin. As an alternative, as shown in Figure 4A, at least two holes 5 may be arranged transversally relative to the movable element 3 to better adapt, for example, to horizontally-mounted outlets. It is clear that, depending on the arrangement of the terminal pins of the power plug or charger of the electric/electronic device (generally considering those plugs which are available in combination with the outlets in use in a given country), various configurations of the holes 5 are possible.
With reference to Figures 4 A and 4B, there are shown other shapes of the holes 5 of the movable element 3. In particular, Fig. 4 A shows a movable element 3 comprising five holes arranges in a cross pattern, into which the terminal pins of a power plug or a charger can be inserted even transversally relative to the movable element 3; Fig. 4B shows three rectangular holes 5 arranged in such a way as to be able to receive the terminal pins of a British-type power plug or charger.
With reference to Figures 5A and 5B, the following will illustrate a first embodiment of the movable element 3, in particular the one pertaining to a mechanism for opening, i.e. extracting, the same. As can be easily understood from Figures 5 A and 5B, the movable element 3 can be slidable relative to the main body 2. Therefore, in the first operating position of Fig. 5 A the hole 5 stays outside the perimeter of the main body 2, whereas in the second retracted position of Fig. 5B the hole 5 stays inside the perimeter of the main body 2. More in detail, the opening mechanism that allows the movable element 3 to slide relative to the main body 2 comprises an internal or external guide (not shown in the drawings), which is mounted on the main body 2, and the movable element 3 is a band with adequate rigidity and flexibility, rectangular in shape in this explanatory example, inserted in the guide and adapted to slide therein.
In one variant of the embodiment of the mechanism for opening/closing the movable element 3 of Figures 5A and 5B, it is envisaged that the movable element 3 comprises an upper portion (a "tab" of different shapes/materials) comprising the holes 5 according to one of the above-described hole pattern solutions, and a lower portion consisting of a single or double cable shaped like a buttonhole (of different shapes/materials/rigidity/elasticity). The cable is connected to the main body 2 and can be repositioned or wound therein.
With reference to Figures 6A and 6B, the following will illustrate a second embodiment of the mechanism for opening the movable element 3. In this second example, the movable element 3 is connected to the main body 2 through anchor means 7, in particular a pin 7, which allows said movable element 3 to rotate about the vertical axis of the pin 7 itself, whether fixed or removable. In particular, Fig. 6A shows the movable element 3 in the first operating position, in which the hole 5 stays outside the main body 2, whereas Fig. 6B shows the movable element 3 in the second retracted position, in which the hole 5 stays inside the perimeter of the main body 2, which may optionally be hidden within the external housing 1 of the case or cover, as in the above-mentioned cases.
With reference to Figures 7A and 7B, the following will illustrate a third embodiment of the mechanism for opening the movable element 3. In this third example, the movable element 3 is made of flexible material, i.e. the movable element 3 can become longer than its normal idle length, i.e. it is extensible when subjected to traction. In practice, starting from the idle condition of Fig. 7B, a user can pull the movable element 3 to extend its length (Fig. 7A), so that the hole 5 will come out of the perimeter of the main body 2.
With reference to Fig. 8, the following will illustrate a further example of the present invention, wherein the housing 1 comprises more than one movable element 3, which can be extracted from the main body 2 with different hole patterns 5. In this case, the housing 1 is a cover with a folding lid for mobile phones, wherein the part of the cover which is generally adapted to cover the display of the mobile phone, i.e. in this case the movable element 3, comprises one or more holes 5, or groups of holes, or a partially or totally perforated surface, in any pattern considered desirable. The part of the cover acting as a (typically flexible) closing tab, if present, may also be used as a movable element 3. The concept of Fig. 8 applies to any type of cover and can be extended to other solutions, in that the movable elements 3 can be positioned on the right or left side, at the top or at the bottom, or in any other useful position.
Furthermore, the movable element 3 may be made of transparent material, in symbiosis with the case or cover, and may even be placed in front of the electric/electronic device as in Fig. 8; it may also perform the common display protection function with the addition of the functions of the present invention.
It is also important to point out that the mechanism for opening/extracting the movable element 3 can be implemented in accordance with different forms and solutions; in the present description only a few preferred versions thereof have been mentioned.
In fact, it may also be envisaged that the movable element 3 can be fastened to or released from the main body 2, in which case it will be used as an accessory of the housing 1, which can however be integrated therein. For example, the movable element 3 may be fastened to or released from the main body 2 through different fastening/releasing means, in particular ties, common hooks, pins, one or more pair of positive/negative attractive magnets, velcro strips, press stud, repositionable chemical adhesive (e.g. 3M special glues), and so on.
According to further features of the invention, the movable element 3 may be made of flexible material, e.g. rubber, or rigid material, e.g. plastic, or a combination of different materials, or, for safety purposes, a non-conductive material, especially near the holes 5. Also, the movable element 3 may comprise fluorescent, reflective or illuminating material, i.e. a material that allows visibility even in dark conditions. Let us think, for example, of a user wanting to charge his/her phone at night when the lights in the house are off, and wanting to be able to easily find it in case of need.
The movable element 3 may thus comprise illuminating material and also other things, such as, for example, a (rewritable) strip with useful information and notes (even in relief), and may be useful even in other cases and applications of the invention, that is, for more extended use, i.e. multipurpose.
The features of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof, are apparent from the above description, in particular those concerning the various final user's needs. A first advantage of the housing according to the present invention is that an electric/electronic device can be easily hooked to its power plug or to the plug of its electric charger when the latter is inserted in an electric outlet, in particular a vertical wall outlet.
A second advantage of the housing according to the present invention is that an electric/electronic device can be hooked to its power plug or to the plug of its charger when the latter is inserted in a wall-mounted electric outlet without requiring the use of any objects that cannot be integrated with said housing.
The housing 1 for an electric/electronic device according to the present invention may be subject to many possible variations without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea; it is also clear that in the practical implementation of the invention the illustrated details may have different shapes or be replaced, in the actual design and manufacturing processes, with other technically equivalent elements.
It can therefore be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to a single shape and material of a housing for an electric/electronic device, but may be subject to many modifications, improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea, as clearly specified in the following claims.

Claims

I . Housing (1) for an electric/electronic device, comprising:
- a main body (2) adapted to house and hold said electric/electronic device;
- at least one movable element (3) associated with said main body (2), said element (3) being provided with at least one hole (5) sized for receiving a terminal pin of a power plug, or of an electric charger, of said electric/electronic device, and having a first operating position, in which at least one hole (5) is outside the perimeter of said main body (2), thus allowing the insertion of at least one terminal pin of a power plug into said hole (5) in said movable element (3), and a second retracted position, in which said at least one hole (5) is inside the perimeter of said main body (2).
2. Housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein said movable element (3) comprises at least two holes (5) arranged longitudinally relative to said movable element (3).
3. Housing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said movable element (3) comprises at least two holes (5) arranged transversally relative to said movable element (3).
4. Housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein said movable element (3) comprises five holes (5) arranged in a cross pattern (3).
5. Housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein said movable element (3) comprises three rectangular holes (5) arranged in such a way as to be able to receive the terminal pins of a British-type power plug or electric charger.
6. Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (3) is slidable over the surface of or inside said main body (2).
7. Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (3) is rotatable relative to said main body (2) about different axes and in various positions.
8. Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (3) can be connected to said main body (2) through fastening/releasing means comprised in the group including: ties, common hooks, pins, pair of positive/negative attractive magnets, velcro strips, press stud, repositionable chemical adhesive.
9. Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (3) is made of flexible material and can be extended from said main body (2). 10. Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (3) is made of rubber.
I I . Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (3) is made of plastic.
12. Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (1) is a case for mobile phones or tablets.
13. Housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (3) comprises illuminating material, in particular fluorescent or reflective material, allowing visibility even in dark conditions also of printed or rewritable contents provided on said movable element (3).
EP15801234.4A 2014-10-10 2015-10-09 Casing for electric/electronic device for coupling with a socket, in particular a wall socket Withdrawn EP3204993A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO2014U000123U ITTO20140123U1 (en) 2014-10-10 2014-10-10 ENCLOSURE FOR ELECTRIC / ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR LOCKING IN AN ELECTRIC OUTLET, IN PARTICULAR AN ELECTRIC WALL FOR WALL
PCT/IB2015/057736 WO2016055977A1 (en) 2014-10-10 2015-10-09 Casing for electric/electronic device for coupling with a socket, in particular a wall socket

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3204993A1 true EP3204993A1 (en) 2017-08-16

Family

ID=54705224

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15801234.4A Withdrawn EP3204993A1 (en) 2014-10-10 2015-10-09 Casing for electric/electronic device for coupling with a socket, in particular a wall socket

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3204993A1 (en)
CN (1) CN107112684A (en)
IT (1) ITTO20140123U1 (en)
WO (1) WO2016055977A1 (en)

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004110228A1 (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-23 Jorge Manzanares Bermudez Bracket for domestic-use articles
CN102232779A (en) * 2010-04-22 2011-11-09 陶映霓 Portable foldable mobile phone charging bracket

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CZ20009U1 (en) * 2009-07-31 2009-08-31 Cerný@Jaroslav Plug socket for charging cellular telephones
US8690600B1 (en) * 2011-12-10 2014-04-08 Giorgio Zeolla Electronic device shield and connector case
KR20130097954A (en) * 2012-02-27 2013-09-04 최상효 Case for mobile
CN203225535U (en) 2013-03-10 2013-10-02 李豆豆 Multifunctional charging support of mobile phone

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004110228A1 (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-23 Jorge Manzanares Bermudez Bracket for domestic-use articles
CN102232779A (en) * 2010-04-22 2011-11-09 陶映霓 Portable foldable mobile phone charging bracket

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2016055977A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2016055977A1 (en) 2016-04-14
ITTO20140123U1 (en) 2016-04-10
CN107112684A (en) 2017-08-29

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