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WO2006040634A2 - Dispositif de connexion de circuit comprenant un support de connexion rotatif - Google Patents

Dispositif de connexion de circuit comprenant un support de connexion rotatif Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006040634A2
WO2006040634A2 PCT/IB2005/002943 IB2005002943W WO2006040634A2 WO 2006040634 A2 WO2006040634 A2 WO 2006040634A2 IB 2005002943 W IB2005002943 W IB 2005002943W WO 2006040634 A2 WO2006040634 A2 WO 2006040634A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carrier body
connection device
circuit
circuit connection
connector
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2005/002943
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2006040634A3 (fr
Inventor
Simon Davies
Kam Yui Yip
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.)
Clipsal Asia Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Clipsal Asia Holdings Ltd
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 Clipsal Asia Holdings Ltd filed Critical Clipsal Asia Holdings Ltd
Publication of WO2006040634A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006040634A2/fr
Publication of WO2006040634A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006040634A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased 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
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/04—Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/04—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for network, e.g. LAN connectors

Definitions

  • This invention relates to circuit connection devices, and more particularly, to a circuit connection device with a movable connector carrier. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to circuit connection devices with a movable connector carrier for making circuit connection, for example, electrical, electronic, and/or optical circuit connection.
  • Circuit connectors are commonly used to make temporary or permanent circuit connections and circuit connection is typically made by the coupling or mating of a pair of complementary connectors, such as, for example, a "male” connector and a "female” connector.
  • a pair of complementary connectors such as, for example, a "male” connector and a "female” connector.
  • one of the male or female connectors is mounted on a rigid housing and attached to a fixed surface while the other complementary connector is on a flexible lead.
  • data or telephone sockets are commonly mounted on a wall-mount plate and attached to a wall so that a complementary plug on cable lead can be inserted into the socket along the axis of the socket, which is usually orthogonal to the plane of the wall-mount plate.
  • a complementary plug on cable lead can be inserted into the socket along the axis of the socket, which is usually orthogonal to the plane of the wall-mount plate.
  • it will be advantageous if the mating relationship between a pair of complementary connectors is not confined to a specific predetermined orientation with respect to the supporting surfaces. Since, otherwise, a cable lead may have to be excessively bent in order to mate with a socket on a wall-mount plate.
  • circuit connection devices which provide enhanced mating flexibility.
  • US patent No. 6,544, 069 teaches an electrical socket mounted on a universal joint within a wall-mount box. A rather complicated assembly is required while the freedom of movement of the socket is very limited.
  • US Patent No. 6,273,734 describes a circuit connector with a pivotally movable connecting plug.
  • the pivotally movable plug requires substantial free space in its vicinity for its swivel movements.
  • the protruding metal plug is unsightly and its protruding sharp edges may cause personal injury.
  • circuit connection devices which alleviate shortcomings of conventional circuit connection devices.
  • a circuit connection device which comprises a main housing, a circuit connector and a carrier body, the carrier body is rotatably connected to the main housing and comprises a pair of partial cylindrical surfaces with a common axis of rotation, the circuit connector is mounted on the carrier body intermediate the pair of partial cylindrical surfaces and is rotatable about the common axis of rotation.
  • the carrier body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis so that the carrier body can move between first and second angular positions for connector coupling while at the same time its curved surfaces mitigates the risks of intrusion of foreign objects into the circuit connection device.
  • the main housing comprises an aperture
  • the carrier body is rotatably movable relative to the aperture and the circuit connector is exposed through the aperture.
  • the pair of partial cylindrical surfaces maintains a substantially constant separation with the edges of said aperture when the carrier is rotated about the common axis of rotation and between a first angular position and a second angular position which correspond respectively to first angular position and a second angular position of the circuit connector.
  • the pair of partial cylindrical surfaces are part of a cylinder with the common axis of rotation as its cylindrical axis.
  • the cylindrical symmetry provides symmetry for both clock-wise and anti-clockwise rotation of the carrier body.
  • portion of the cylinder between the pair of the partial cylindrical surfaces is axially truncated and the circuit connector is mounted on the truncated portion.
  • the carrier body is substantially hollow, the circuit connector is mounted on the hollow carrier body with a contact end surface of the circuit connector flushed wit the truncated cylindrical surface.
  • the carrier body is movable about the common axis of rotation in a plurality of discrete steps.
  • Each discrete step of rotation of the carrier body about the common axis of rotation corresponds to rotation of a specific angle of the circuit carrier about the common axis of rotation.
  • each specific angle of rotation of the circuit connector is constant.
  • a movement assembly comprising a teethed wheel and a resilient stud separately is disposed on the carrier body and the main housing is provided to define a plurality of discrete catch positions when the carrier body moves between the first and second angular positions.
  • stop means are provided on the main housing to confine rotation of the carrier body between a first angular position and a second angular position, the first and the second angular positions correspond respectively to extreme angular positions of the circuit connector so that the circuit connector is always accessible from outside for coupling with a complementary connector.
  • the main housing comprises a snap-fit front cover
  • snap-fit front cover defines an aperture which follows the outline of the carrier body so that a substantially constant proximity is maintained between the carrier body and the edges of the aperture of the front cover during the rotation of the carrier body.
  • the circuit connector can comprise a signal connector which can be a telephone plug or socket, a data plug or socket, or an optical connector.
  • a plurality of connectors can be disposed on the carrier body.
  • the plurality of connectors are distributed longitudinally on the carrier body.
  • the circuit connection device is a wall-mount socket with the main housing adapted for wall mounting.
  • the circuit connector is mounted on the carrier body so that the direction of mating is substantially orthogonal to the common axis of rotation of the partial cylindrical surfaces.
  • a plurality of connectors can be disposed longitudinally or circumferentially on the carrier body.
  • the circuit connection device can be in other physical forms, such as a wall-mount box or as part of an apparatus, or any other appropriate forms known to persons skilled in the art.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing the various components of a wall socket of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the main housing taken along the section line A-A
  • Fig. 2B shows the end view of the carrier body of the wall socket of Fig. 1 ,
  • Fig. 2C is a perspective view showing the carrier body of Fig. 1 from the other end
  • Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing the circuit connector and the carrier body in a first arbitrary alternative position
  • Fig. 3B is a perspective view showing the circuit connector and the carrier body in a second arbitrary alternative position
  • Fig. 4A is a plan elevation view of the wall socket of Fig. 1 showing the circuit connector in its first alternative position
  • Fig. 4B is a bottom elevation view of the wall socket of Fig. 4A,
  • Fig. 4C is a perspective view showing the wall socket of Fig. 4A from behind;
  • Fig. 4D is an elevation view of the wall socket of Fig. 4Afrom the left side
  • Fig. 5A is a top plan view showing the wall socket with the connector in its second alternative position
  • Fig. 5B is a bottom elevation view of the wall socket of Fig. 5A
  • Fig. 5C is a perspective view of the wall socket of Fig. 5A
  • Fig. 5D is an elevation view from the left side of the wall socket of Fig. 5A
  • Fig. 6 is an exploded view showing a stand-alone circuit connector of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line B-B
  • Fig. 7B is a side view of the carrier body of Fig. 6 taken from the other side
  • Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 6 when assembled and with the circuit connectors in a first arbitrary alternative position
  • Fig. 8B is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 6 when assembled and with the circuit connectors in a second alternative position.
  • a first preferred embodiment of this invention in the form of a wall socket 1 which comprises a pair of circuit connectors 200 mounted on a rotatable carrier body 300.
  • the term 'circuit connector' in this specification means a connecting device (both female or male) for making circuit connection and includes, for example, telephone connector, data connector, optical connect and/or power connector.
  • the connection means 1 comprises a main housing 100, a circuit connector 200 and a carrier body 300.
  • the carrier body 300 comprises a main body which comprises a pair of partial cylindrical surfaces separated by an intermediate surface on which a circuit connector 200 is mounted.
  • the carrier body is rotatably mounted on the main housing 100 wherein the partial cylindrical surfaces and the connector mounting surface share a common axis of rotation.
  • the carrier body resembles a truncated drum and comprises a pair of drum ends 310 each with a truncated circular cross section interconnected by a partial cylindrical curved surface 320.
  • the main body is substantially hollow so that a circuit connector can be mounted on the hollow main body with the external contact surface exposed on the partial cylindrical surface for external coupling or connection.
  • the carrier body 300 comprises a pair of partial cylindrical surfaces with a common cylindrical axis between which the circuit connector 200 is mounted, exposed and accessible for external connection.
  • the carrier body 300 is mounted in the main aperture 110 of the main housing 100 with the pair of truncated drum ends 310 rotatably supported on the opposite ends of the main aperture so that the circuit connector can be rotatable between first and second angular positions defined by the limiting means disposed on the carrier body and the main housing.
  • the limiting means comprises a protruding stud member 330 which is formed on the truncated drum ends and which defines the maximum angular range of movement of the carrier body when co-operating with a corresponding stopping means 130 formed on the main housing.
  • a pair of teethed wheels 340 is disposed on the truncated drum ends for co-operative engagement with the corresponding engaging means disposed on the main housing to be explained below.
  • the teethed wheels 340 are substantially coaxial with the longitudinal cylindrical axis of the partial cylindrical surface so that when the carrier body is mounted on the main housing via the teethed wheels, the carrier body will rotate coaxially with the teethed wheels which are mounted at the longitudinal ends of the truncated drum-shaped carrier body.
  • a plurality of teeth are distributed on a portion of the circumference of the wheel and the remaining portion of the wheel circumference is untoothed as the carrier body is designed to rotate with a predetermined angular range.
  • the main housing 100 comprises a rigid mounting frame with a main aperture 110 which is adapted to receive the carrier body 300 rotatably.
  • a pair of receptacles 120 are formed on the main housing 100 and at opposite sides of the main aperture 110 so as to receive the corresponding teethed wheels in a close- fitted manner with the axis of the carrier body being substantially orthogonal to the planes of the pair of recesses formed on the receptacles.
  • a resiliency biased stud member 140 protrudes from the main housing into the recessed portion of the receptacle. The protruding end of the stud is dimensioned so that it can be received in the depression between an adjacent pair of teeth on the teethed wheel.
  • the free end of the stud member is round-headed so that when an additional force which is sufficient to overcome the spring biasing resistance is applied to the carrier body and about its cylindrical axis, the spring urge resistance can be overcome and the carrier body can be moved into the next discrete position as set by the combination of the stud member and the teeth formed on the carrier body.
  • an engaging means is exemplified by combination of the spring urged stud member and the plurality of teeth.
  • the pair of the teethed wheel and the resiliently biased stud member also ensures the possibility of a continuous angular movement about the cylindrical axis as long as a sufficient turning force is applied to the carrier body and about the cylindrical axis.
  • a user can readily feel the discrete changes of resistive force during the course of rotation and the corresponding repetitive clicking sounds generated due to the reciprocal movements of the resiliently urged stud members.
  • the stud member is shown to be biased by a coiled spring.
  • the spring urged protruding stud member can be formed by a simple hook-shaped member similar to that of Fig.
  • the elongated arm portion of the hook-shaped member will have sufficient stored energy to resemble the effect of a spring, provided that the elongated arm is made of a rigid and resilient material such as polycarbonate.
  • the carrier body When the longitudinal ends of the truncated cylindrical carrier body is mounted onto the main housing, for example, by mounting the teethed wheels into the corresponding recess portion of the receptacles, the carrier body can be rotatable about the cylindrical axis.
  • the connecting surface of the circuit connector As the connecting surface of the circuit connector is exposed on the partial cylindrical surface of the carrier body, the connection surface of the circuit connector will also follow the locus of the partial cylindrical surface during the course of rotation between the extreme angular positions of the carrier body.
  • the separation between the curved cylindrical surface of the carrier body and the corresponding part of the main housing is substantially constant during the entire rotation of the carrier body.
  • the overall cross-sectional outline of the connection means remains substantially unchanged during the various phase of transition between the extreme angular positions of the circuit connector.
  • a front cover 150 with an aperture substantially following the plan outline of the carrier body is provided.
  • This front cover is preferably snap-fitted into the main housing and forms part of the main housing.
  • the close-fitted aperture of the front cover surrounding the outline of the carrier body ensures a substantially constant and close proximity between the curved cylindrical surface and the surrounding main housing so as to mitigate the risk of inadvertent finger insertion into the wall socket and to alleviate the risk of external or foreign objects from entering the wall socket through the apertures between the carrier body and the main housing.
  • the circuit connector may even be concealed behind the front cover or the main housing when necessary.
  • a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a stand-alone circuit connector unit 2. Similar to the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment also comprises a main housing 100, a circuit connector 200 and a carrier body 300. However, as this preferred embodiment is a stand-alone unit, the main housing is a self-contained unit made of a rigid and preferably insulated material such as hard plastics.
  • the main housing 100 comprises a main aperture 110 with a pair of receptacles 120 disposed on the sides of the main aperture 110 corresponding to the longitudinal ends of the carrier body so that the carrier body 300 can be rotatably mounted on the main housing 100 via the pair of receptacles 120.
  • each receptacle 120 comprises a recess portion and the pair of recess portions being substantially parallel to each other while their respective planes being substantially orthogonal to the cylindrical axis of the carrier body 300.
  • the carrier body also comprises a main body which resembles the shape of the truncated drum.
  • the truncated drum is substantially hollow so that circuit connectors can be mounted with the connecting surfaces exposed on the curved partial cylindrical surface 320.
  • the truncated bottom side of the carrier body 300 provides access to the underside of the circuit connector to facilitate necessary connection or wirings.
  • a pair of teethed wheels 340 are also formed on the outside of the longitudinal ends of the carrier body and the teeth wheels are coaxial with the cylindrical axis of the partial cylindrical surface 320 of the carrier body.
  • the carrier body is coaxially mounted on the receptacles so that it is rotatable between the lateral edges 160 of the main aperture 110 of the main housing 100.
  • the carrier body is coaxially mounted on the parallelly disposed receptacles on the main housing, it will be appreciated that the curved cylindrical surface of the carrier body maintains a substantially constant separation with the edges 160 of the main aperture.
  • a substantially constant close proximity can be maintained between the curved cylindrical surface of the carrier and the edges of the main aperture, thereby alleviating the formation of a large gap which may allow inadvertent entry of foreign articles, such as fingers or conductors.
  • a similar teethed wheel and resiliently biased stud is also disposed for forming a plurality of discrete catch positions as mentioned in the description relating to the first embodiment.
  • a pair of limiting means comprising a protruding stud 330 and a pair of stopping members 130 are respectively disposed on the carrier body and the main housing so that the carrier body can be rotated with a predetermined angular range defined by the limiting means.
  • limiting means may not be necessary for some applications.
  • circuit connectors For convenience sake, it will be appreciated that similar or equivalent parts are identified with the same numerals in the Figures.
  • a pair of circuit connectors is shown in the Figures to illustrate the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that a single circuit connector or a plurality of circuit connectors, whether of the same type or otherwise, and whether disposed axially or circumferentially, can be mounted on the carrier body without loss of generality.
  • more than a single carrier body can be mounted on a main housing and the carrier body can be of an axially truncated drum shape, a longitudinally truncated barrel shape or other appropriate shapes which are known to persons skilled in the art.
  • circuit connectors such as, for example, optical connectors, data-communication connectors, wireless connectors including sensors and detectors, without loss of generality.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un moyen de connexion qui comprend un logement principal, un connecteur et un corps support. Ledit corps support comprend une surface partiellement cylindrique qui permet d'accéder audit connecteur afin d'établir une connexion. Ledit corps support est monté rotatif par rapport audit logement principal et est monté sur ledit logement principal qui comprend une surface partiellement cylindrique en maintenant une séparation sensiblement constante avec ledit logement principal pendant la rotation. Ledit connecteur est monté rotatif entre une première et une deuxième position angulaire autour de l'axe de rotation.
PCT/IB2005/002943 2004-10-14 2005-10-04 Dispositif de connexion de circuit comprenant un support de connexion rotatif Ceased WO2006040634A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HK04107957 2004-10-14
CN04107957.2 2004-10-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006040634A2 true WO2006040634A2 (fr) 2006-04-20
WO2006040634A3 WO2006040634A3 (fr) 2006-06-22

Family

ID=36036088

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2005/002943 Ceased WO2006040634A2 (fr) 2004-10-14 2005-10-04 Dispositif de connexion de circuit comprenant un support de connexion rotatif

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Country Link
WO (1) WO2006040634A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008047161A3 (fr) * 2006-10-16 2008-08-07 Graeme Mark Purdy Système de douille électrique
WO2008093143A1 (fr) * 2007-02-02 2008-08-07 George Tomaropoulos Cylindre ou sphère rotatifs avec plus de deux ouvertures pour des prises et une possibilité de choix multiples

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9640908B2 (en) * 2015-01-05 2017-05-02 Mizco International Inc. Alignment apparatus and a method for manufacturing thereof

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5087208A (en) * 1991-05-13 1992-02-11 Chang Gong Hwa Movable telephone adapter
US6750410B2 (en) * 2000-09-05 2004-06-15 Jae Ha Lee Electric outlet with rotatable receptacles
US6755695B1 (en) * 2003-01-08 2004-06-29 Tsay-E International Inc. Shunting socket for telephones
US6780038B1 (en) * 2003-07-14 2004-08-24 Atom Technology Inc. Multiple socket having rotatable receptacles

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008047161A3 (fr) * 2006-10-16 2008-08-07 Graeme Mark Purdy Système de douille électrique
WO2008093143A1 (fr) * 2007-02-02 2008-08-07 George Tomaropoulos Cylindre ou sphère rotatifs avec plus de deux ouvertures pour des prises et une possibilité de choix multiples

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006040634A3 (fr) 2006-06-22

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