External electrical power distribution apparatus

An external electrical power distribution apparatus and method for adding electrical power distribution to the exterior of a building are disclosed. The external electrical power distribution apparatus includes a base configured to be mounted to a support structure on one side and further configured such that an electrical device can be mounted on a different side than the side mounted to the support structure. The base includes electrical power distribution outlets housed within it, and the housing also includes electrical wiring for providing electrical power to the electrical device and electrical power distribution outlets.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of outdoor electrical power distribution and in particular to adding outdoor electrical power distribution capability through existing outdoor electrical power connections, such as external light fixtures, which do not have electrical power distribution capabilities.

BACKGROUND

Many buildings have outdoor electrical power connections for specific purposes such as external light fixtures. However, often additional uses of electrical power are needed but there may not be a corresponding connection or outlet readily available. For example, homeowners will often add external decorations requiring electrical power during holiday periods. In many cases, there are not close enough or sufficient electrical outlets to support convenient use of these items and the homeowner is required to use long extension cords or pay for expensive, additional wiring and outlets to be added to their home.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,317 discloses external power outlets that are integrated into an external light fixture. However, this solution does not address the need when a different external light fixture is more desirable. For example, if a homeowner already has a set of light fixtures without outlets that they prefer to use due to the look or style, or they prefer not to replace an entire light fixture assembly to get the functionality they need, the prior art is not viable. Additionally, the existing solution does not address the need to provide more flexibility in the types of electrical power and connectors or outlets since these integrated light fixtures and outlets only provide AC power through standard outlets.

Another option for adding AC connections to external light fixtures includes adapters that screw into the light fixture light socket and provide an outlet through a series connection in between the light fixture and light bulb. These address the need for adding electrical power distribution capability without replacing the light fixture, but are often not a viable option because the light fixture is enclosed or otherwise not physically convenient to plug a large exterior style electrical plug into. Furthermore, these adapters do not typically provide a safety ground connection and would not on their own provide Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (GFCI) protection.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, an external, electrical power distribution apparatus is disclosed. The distribution apparatus includes a base that is configured to be mounted to a support structure such as a wall. Additionally, the base is configured to have one or more items mounted to it on one or more sides. In some embodiments, the item(s) include external light fixtures that are electrically powered through the base of the distribution apparatus instead of directly from wiring in the wall or other support structure. Furthermore, the base is configured to include one or more outlets and/or connectors for distributing electrical power signals. In one embodiment, the outlets and/or connectors are standard AC power connections for plugging tools, lights, decorations, or other devices power by AC electricity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of outdoor electrical power distribution and in particular to adding outdoor electrical power distribution capability through existing outdoor electrical power connections.

It will be understood that the specific shapes and configurations are not confined to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. As is commonly known, there are a variety of styles and configurations for external light fixtures, and the embodiments shown would only be one possible shape and configuration for differing external light fixture styles and configurations.

FIG. 1depicts an embodiment in which a base100is configured to provide AC electrical power distribution through electrical outlets102and to be mounted between a standard external light fixture104and support structure (not shown). In an example use of this embodiment, a homeowner removes the standard external light fixture104from its mounting on a wall or support structure, and disconnects the electrical power from the external light fixture104. The base100is then mounted in the location where external light fixture104was previously located, and the electrical power that was connected to the external light fixture104is connected to the base100instead. This electrical power is then available at the electrical outlets102so the homeowner can power other items with convenience.

Base100is typically mounted to an electrical box or other fitting at an elevated location on an exterior wall or support structure. The manner of mounting is well established in the art, and base100uses the standard connections and fittings. Accordingly, it will be understood that base100is ordinarily connected to a source of single phase alternating current, typically 120 volts, or such other standard electrical power provided to residences in the United States and other countries. Wires (not shown) located within base100connect to the wires available within the wall or support structure to which base100is being connected.

In the embodiment described above, the external light fixture104that was disconnected and removed may then be mounted on the base100. The electrical power for external light fixture104then comes through the base100. In this manner, the homeowner can add the functionality of external power distribution while maintaining the external lighting functionality, without having to replace existing light fixtures or add separate wiring and circuits for external outlets.

The embodiment depicted inFIG. 1further shows that the base100made up of base housing108and rear plate106is mounted using the rear plate106, which is configured to be mounted to the wall or support structure with the electrical wiring routed through the rear plate106to the base housing108for the electrical outlets102and external light fixture104. Once electrical power is connected to the base housing108through screw terminals, push terminals, or the like, any slack electrical wiring will be pushed back through the hole into the wall or support structure, and/or stored in the base100. The base housing108is then mounted to the rear plate106so that the base housing108and rear plate106create a substantially sealed enclosure. By using a separate rear plate106and base housing108, installation of the wiring into the base100can be easier since the base housing108is more open for connecting the electrical wires to the connections in the base100. In some embodiments, the rear plate106is integrated into the base100or is not included for cost-savings purposes.

Additionally, inFIG. 1a sensor unit110is depicted at the bottom of the base100. The sensor unit110may include a motion sensor, a light sensor, or a combination of both. A common desirable feature for external lights is that the lights will turn on and off automatically under certain conditions. For example, it is typically desirable that lights do not turn on during the day when it is already light out. A light sensor can detect this and when included with other circuitry can ensure that the lights remain off when they are not useful. In some embodiments, a light sensor is included in the sensor unit110for adding this functionality to the external light fixture.

Another useful feature is using motion detection to turn on lights. Since external lights are often near an entryway to a home or other building, a beneficial feature is to detect motion near the light and turn on the lights when motion is detected. This can be helpful, for example, when someone comes to an entryway in the dark and needs to find their keys to be able to unlock the door. Additionally, for security purposes using motion detection to turn on lights can provide some indication that an intruder is near a home, or will often scare away an intruder. In some embodiments, a motion sensor is included in the sensor unit110for adding this functionality to the external light fixture. In some embodiments, light and motion detecting sensors are included along with control circuitry in the sensor unit110to provide the additional functionality of both sensor types combined. In this manner, an external light fixture can have extra light and motion detection switching functionality added to it through the use of the base100and sensor unit110.

FIG. 2shows a partially exploded rear perspective view of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1. In this view, terminals202for connecting the electrical outlets102to the electrical wiring are depicted as screw-down terminals. However, the connections may be different type of connections such as push-in connectors or others that are well known in the art. Additionally,FIG. 2depicts the electrical outlets102having set and reset buttons204for operation of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). The electrical outlets102integrate the GFCI functionality for safety and to meet electrical safety codes.

InFIG. 2the electrical outlets102are shown as two three-prong receptacles arranged vertically. This is a typical configuration but other embodiments may include more or less receptacles, oriented in different arrangements depending on the needs and/or size of the unit. Additionally, in some embodiments, the electrical outlets102include integrated current limiting hardware such as a fuse or circuit breaker to prevent too much electrical current being drawn in the event of an electrical fault or other overcurrent situation.

Further depicted inFIG. 2is a hinged cover206for the electrical outlets102. The hinged cover206is shown in a partially open position, but is normally in a closed position covering the electrical outlets102if nothing is plugged into the outlets. In some embodiments, the hinged cover206includes a mechanism such as a spring to force the cover shut if there is nothing plugged into the electrical outlets102. In other embodiments, the hinged cover206relies on gravity to force the cover shut.

The hinged cover206is included to provide protection from possibly damaging external substances, such as moisture or dirt, getting into the electrical outlets102, and to comply with electrical safety codes. In some embodiments, the hinged cover206includes gasket material around its edges that mate with corresponding features on the base100to provide a more effective seal for the area covered.

FIG. 2also depicts a circuit board208located in the bottom of the base housing108and connected to the sensor unit110. In some embodiments, the circuit board208works in conjunction with the sensor unit110to provide the automated light switching described in previous paragraphs. For example, the circuit board208may provide electrical stimulus to portions of the sensor unit110that output and sense various signals used in detecting a property such as motion. Additionally, the circuit board208may convert signals from and into different forms (e.g., analog to digital) and provide logic circuitry for determining and setting the correct state of the electrical power to the external light fixture104(i.e., on or off state).

In some embodiments, the circuit board208additionally provides circuitry for other functionality not related to the sensor unit110. For example, the circuit board208may provide functionality to enable communication with other devices. Other devices may be a remote switch or a smart home controller, and the communication may be through wired or wireless means. In some embodiments, these additional functionalities are provided on a separate circuit board located in a different location within the base100.

FIG. 3depicts an embodiment in which a front plate304is included with an additional outlet302and hinged cover306. In this configuration, the additional outlet302provides further electrical power connections beyond the electrical outlets102being powered through the base100. For example, in a typical usage the additional outlets302are used to power Christmas lights or other decorative lighting or items, while the electrical outlets102provide power for electrical tools. A standard external light fixture will not be used directly with the base100if front plate304is in place, however, external light fixtures made to be plugged into the outlet can be used, or a mating adapter for standard external light fixtures can be provided.

The electrical outlets102and additional outlets302may also provide electrical power in different forms than the standard AC electricity indicated by the receptacle inFIG. 3. For example, one configuration includes alternate connector(s) for standard DC electrical power such as USB or Power over Ethernet (PoE). The standard DC electrical power connectors may be powered by additional power conversion circuitry within the base100that convert a standard AC electricity to a standard DC electricity (e.g., 120 VAC to 5 V DC for a USB connection).

In some embodiments, the electrical outlets102and additional outlets302are of a single type of connector and form of electricity (e.g., AC outlets and electricity), while in some embodiments, the electrical outlets102and additional outlets302are a mixture of different connections and forms of electricity (e.g., AC and DC connections and electricity).

FIG. 4depicts the embodiment ofFIG. 3with a mating item402aligned for plugging into the additional outlets302(not shown inFIG. 4). The mating item402can be any item configured to operate using the electrical power provided through the additional outlets302. In the illustration ofFIG. 4, the mating item402is an item configured to use standard AC electrical power and connections. However, the mating item may in other cases be configured to use a standard (or non-standard) AC or DC electrical power connection (e.g., USB or PoE), and may provide one or more functionalities (e.g., a security camera, a light, or both).

Additionally,FIG. 4depicts mating item402with an opening404sized to house the hinged cover306. A typical process of plugging the mating item402into the additional outlet302requires aligning the hinged cover306with the opening404, and then plugging mating item402into additional outlet302. At the point that the mating item402is plugged into the additional outlet302, the hinged cover306is housed by opening404. The alignment of the hinged cover306, prior to mating item402being plugged into the additional outlet302, may be done manually or a separate mechanism for automatically aligning the hinged cover306with the opening404may be included.

FIG. 5depicts a typical installation of an embodiment, showing a base100with electrical outlets102mounted to a wall, the external light fixture104mounted to the base100, and pre-existing wiring504connecting the light fixture through the base100to a pre-existing light switch502. A typical installation procedure of an embodiment starts with the external light fixture104connected to AC electricity through a light switch502located indoors. A homeowner, for example, may want to add certain functionalities described in previous paragraphs, and will then temporarily remove the external light fixture104from the circuit so that the base100can be installed. Base100is then installed in the location that the external light fixture104was previously located and using the pre-existing wiring504that the external light fixture104was previously connected to. After the base100is installed, the external light fixture104is connected to wiring from base100, and then mounted to base100, either directly or through a mating adapter. The homeowner will then have added the extra functionality, with a simple addition of an embodiment of the invention.

Further functionality and options may be provided with additional minor additions to the installation described in the previous paragraph. For example, if the external light fixture switching is to be controlled separately from electrical power to the outlets, multiple options are available.

In one configuration, the pre-existing wiring504remains the same and the light switch502switches electrical power to the box100. To enable separate control of the external light fixture104and electrical power to the outlets102, a separate signal is provided to the box100, which combined with the state of the light switch, determines whether the external light fixture104is powered or not. The separate signal may be a wired or wireless signal sent from a signal source such as a remote switch, a smart home controller, or a combination of these. If the signal is wired, the signal source may utilize the pre-existing wiring504carrying the standard AC electricity to add another signal, which will pass in conjunction with the standard AC electricity to communicate what state the external light will be. Alternatively, the signal source may be connected to separate wires routed to the box100.

A wireless option provides more flexibility in the location and type of the signal source. For example, the wireless signal may be based on a standard wireless home automation communication protocol such as X10, Z-Wave, or others that are well known in the art. In typical operation, the signal source(s) (a smart home controller or other home automation device) will receive an activation or de-activation signal (e.g., from a corresponding application operating on a mobile device). The signal source(s) will then send out wireless signals using a specific protocol, and the box100receives the signals with a corresponding receiver designed for the specific protocol. The signal is then interpreted to determine whether the external light fixture104is to be switched on or off.

For configurations using the pre-existing light switch502and wiring504, power to both the electrical outlets102and external light fixture104will be switched off if the light switch502is off. If the light switch502is on, power will be provided to the box100, but the state of the external light fixture104will be determined by the wired or wireless controller as previously described.

Another configuration modifies the pre-existing wiring504and light switch502so that the external light fixture104can be controlled at the location of the light switch502, so the functionality appears to be the same as it was prior to the addition of the box100. In this configuration, the pre-existing wiring504at the light switch502is modified so that power is always applied to the box100(i.e., the light switch502is removed from the electrical power circuit). The light switch502is then replaced with another item, which may or may not resemble the original switch, but this replacement item does not directly switch the electrical power to the box100. Instead, this item provides a control signal, in the same manner as described above, that is received by a corresponding receiver in the box100to determine whether the external light fixture104is to be switched on or off. As previously described, the control signal can be sent by wired or wireless means, with the wireless option providing the additional functionality of being able to be controlled by multiple signal sources including the light switch replacement and/or smart home controllers.

While only a few embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that many variations are possible based on the disclosure herein. Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements. In view of all of the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.