Title of Invention

A DEVICE FOR INTERLOCKING AT LEAST TWO ELECTRICAL DEVICES

Abstract

Thies invention partains to an interlocking mechanism in electrical devices wherein the rectangular shaped devices viz. switches,plug and sockets aree interlocked tightly with each other by means of four interlocking clips situated on the edges of such device wherein the top left edge and the bottom right edge is an inverted U-shaped omterlocking clip whereas the top right edge and the bottom left edge is an upright U-shaped interlocking clip. The interlocking mechanism is such that the U-shaped clip on the rop right edge and the inverted U-shaped clip on the bottom right edge of one gets firmly interlocked into the inverted U-shaped clip on the top left edge and the U-shaped clip on the bottom left edge of the other. This interlocking mechanism is then press fitted unto the frame thereby leaving no gap between the two devices, ensuring uniform symmetry in the polarity of the electrical phase and the neutral terminal.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 OF 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13) A device for interlocking at least two electrical devices Legrand (India)Pvt.Ltd., of 314/317, Shah & Nahar Estate, Off.E.Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai-400 018. GRANTED The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. 1 02-08-2004 This invention relates to a device for interlocking electrical devices. More particularly it relates to a device for interlocking electrical devices like switches, sockets and plugs, which are then press, fitted on frame/plate without the use of screws. As we are aware under the prior art commonly known electrical devices like switches, sockets and plugs are placed adjoining each other and fixed onto a frame by means of screws or clips. Such known electrical devices do not have any kind of mechanism to hold them together other than screws and clips. These electrical devices are fixed onto the frame/plate either by means of clip located on -the inner side at its top and bottom respectively. Such clips get fitted into frame, thus holding the device. Object of present invention is to provide a device for interlocking electrical devices without the use of screws. Another object is to provide uni-directional mounting of the electrical devices interlocked by the device of present invention on frame/plate with no change in the polarity of the phase and neutral terminals. Yet another object of present invention is to provide a interlocking mechanism which ensures that the alignment of the two devices on the frame/plate is perfect without any gap between the two devices., This invention is in respect of an interlocking mechanism used in such electrical devices whereby such rectangular electrical devices get interlocked tightly with each other by means of an interlocking clip located on its four edges, thus ensuring tight gripage. The 2 . four interlocking clips situated at the edges of such device enable the adjoining device to get interlocked with each other. This mechanism of interlocking or interlinking of electrical devices is known as the link-lock mechanism. According to present invention there is provided a device for interlocking at least two electrical devices, said device having rectangular shape comprising of an interlocking mechanism having a U shaped extension situated at its four edges wherein the top left edge and the bottom right edge of the said device has an inverted U-shaped clip, whereas the top right edge and the bottom left edge has the upright U-shaped clip. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention two or more electrical devices are interlocked with each other whereby the U-shaped top right edge and the inverted U-shaped bottom right edge of one gets interlocked into the inverted U-shaped top left edge and the U-shaped bottom left edge of the other. A series of such devices could be interlocked with each other and then press fitted on to the frame/plate thus forming an interlocking mechanism. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention the electrical devices are mounted on frame/plate Unidirectionally with no change in the polarity of the phase and neutral terminals. These electrical devices are plugs, sockets or switches. Brief description of the drawings: Figure 1: Shows U shaped extension used in the device according to present invention. Figure 2: Shows a device for interlocking electrical devices according to present invention. 3 Figure 3: Shows the electronic device with device according to present invention. Figure 4: Shows two similar interlocking devices of present invention. Figure 5: Shows interlocking of two devices of present invention. Figure 6: Shows the two interlocked devices press fitted on the frame. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Referring to the drawings, figure 1 shows U shaped extension used in a device for interlocking electrical devices. This U shaped extension may be inverted or in upright position. As seen in figure 2, the interlocking mechanism of present invention consists of an U shaped extension (A) situated on four edges of the rectangular device (B) i.e. plug herein. The top left edge (Al) and the bottom right edge (A3) of the device has an inverted U-shaped clip, whereas the top right edge (A2) and the bottom left edge (A4) has the upright U-shaped clip as shown in figure 2. Two such similar rectangular devices (B) and (c) are shown in figure 4. The two devices are firmly interlocked with each other by means of this interlocking mechanism are shown in figure 5. As seen in figure 5, two similar rectangular devices (B) and (c) get interlocked with each other whereby the U-shaped top right edge (A2) and the inverted U-shaped bottom right edge (A3) of one getr interlocked into the inverted U-shaped top left edge (Al) and the U-shaped bottom left edge (A4) of the other. Then it is press fitted onto the frame/plate (F) as shown in figure 6. This interlocking mechanism ensures that the alignment of the two devices on the frame/plate is perfect without any gap between the two devices. This interlocking mechanism also ensures that the two devices are fitted in the same direction with their terminals mounted in the right direction thus ensuring symmetrical polarity of electrical phase and neutral terminal. 4 In fact it is novel feature of this invention, which ensures that the interlocking devices are fitted in one direction only. It is owing to the presence of this interlocking clips on the four edges of this rectangular device that the same remains firmly bonded to each other, does not move once interlocked and grips firmly onto the frame/plate when compared with such devices under the prior art. It is one of the basic features of this invention that it does not require the device to be screwed onto the frame. Similar examples, as the one illustrated in the paragraph immediately hereinabove of such similar rectangular devices in numbers of three or more can be interlocked in similar manner depending on ones requirements. Moreover switches, sockets and plugs can be intermingled with each other and can be lined up in a series on the frame/plate as per the need. The interlocked electrical devices when mounted on frame are tightly held to each other without there being any space in between the devices. 5 We Claim: 1. A device for interlocking at least two electrical devices, said device having rectangular shape comprises an interlocking mechanism having a U shaped extension situated at its four edges wherein the top left edge (Al) and the bottom right edge (A3) of the said device has an inverted U-shaped clip, whereas the top right edge (A2) and the bottom left edge (A4) has the upright U-shaped clip. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein two or more electrical devices are interlocked with each other whereby the U-shaped top right edge (A2) and the inverted U-shaped bottom right edge (A3) of one gets interlocked into the inverted U-shaped top left edge (Al) and the U-shaped bottom left edge (A4) of the other. 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a series of such devices could be interlocked with each other and then press fitted on to the frame/plate thus forming an interlocking mechanism. 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical devices are mounted uni-directionally with no change in the polarity of the phase and neutral terminals. 5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical devices are plugs, sockets or switches. Dated this 2nd day of August 2004. For Legrand (India)Pvt.Ltd., " By their advocates/Attorneys 6

Documents:

816-mum-2004-abstract(02-08-2004).doc

816-mum-2004-abstract(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-cancelled page(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-claims(granted)-(02-08-2004).doc

816-mum-2004-claims(granted)-(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-correspondence(14-3-2005).pdf

816-mum-2004-correspondence(ipo)-(19-10-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-drawing(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-form 1(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-form 19(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-form 2(granted)-(02-08-2004).doc

816-mum-2004-form 2(granted)-(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-form 3(21-2-2005).pdf

816-mum-2004-form 8(2-8-2004).pdf

816-mum-2004-power of attorney(24-2-2005).pdf

816-mum-2004-power of attorney(4-2-2005).pdf

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