Rotatable power strip outlet assembly

A rotatable power strip outlet assembly that includes a power strip housing, a plurality of electrical sockets formed on a front surface of the power strip housing, and a rear plug support member rotatably coupled to the power strip housing, that includes a front surface, a rear surface, and an electrical plug disposed on the rear surface of the rear plug support member and with electrical prongs extending outwardly away from the rear surface of the rear plug support member and electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical sockets, wherein the power strip housing is operably configured to selectively rotate at least 270° with respect to the rear plug support member to reorient the power strip housing while plugged into an electrical outlet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electrical outlets and, more particularly, relates to a power strip outlet assembly operably configured to be rotatable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electrical outlet is a socket that connects an electrical device to a supply of electricity, albeit directly or indirectly. Most electrical sockets are installed in the wall, or floor, or even ceiling. Some power cords terminate at a plug that typically mates with an electrical socket. The power cord temporarily connects an electrical device to the electrical socket, so as to supply a current and power thereto. In most electrical outlets, namely those that are attached to a wall, the female electrical sockets are oriented in a fixed position. This fixed orientation reduces the flexibility of the electrical outlet. A “power strip” is also commonly referred to an extension block, extension box, power board, power bar, plug board, pivot plug, trailing gang, trailing socket, plug bar, trailer lead, multiple socket, multi-socket, multiplug, multigang, multi-box, multibox, socket board, super plug, multiple outlet, polysocket and by many other variations), but is generally considered a block of electrical sockets that attach to the end of a flexible cable (typically with a mains plug on the other end), allowing multiple electrical devices to be powered from a single electrical socket. Power strips are often used when many electrical devices are in proximity, such as for audio, video, computer systems, appliances, power tools, and lighting. Power strips often include a circuit breaker to interrupt the electric current in case of an overload or a short circuit. Some power strips provide protection against electrical power surges. Typical housing styles include strip, rack-mount, under-monitor and direct plug-in, but most known power strips are unable to be rotated or configured effectively and efficiently for many users' specifications or design applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a rotatably power strip outlet assembly that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that enables users to couple a power strip to a wall outlet and rotate (and lock) the power strip in various angular positions while connected to the wall outlet.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a rotatable power strip outlet assembly having a power strip housing with a rear surface, a front surface opposing the rear surface of the power strip housing, and encapsulating a housing cavity, a plurality of electrical sockets formed on the front surface of the power strip housing and each at least partially disposed within the housing cavity, and a rear plug support member rotatably coupled to the power strip housing, having a front surface, having a rear surface opposing the front surface of the rear plug support member, and having an electrical plug disposed on the rear surface of the rear plug support member and with electrical prongs extending outwardly away from the rear surface of the rear plug support member and electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical sockets. The power strip housing is operably configured to selectively rotate at least 270° with respect to the rear plug support member.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a rear support spindle operably configured to couple the plug support member to the power strip housing and an electrical connector defined by the power strip housing and axially aligned with the rear support spindle, wherein the electrical connector is operably configured to enable electrical coupling of the electrical prongs to the plurality of electrical sockets.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the electrical connector being a wire aperture and having a plurality of electrical wires electrically coupling the electrical prongs to the plurality of electrical sockets and disposed within the wire aperture.

In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a ratchet gear and pawl assembly operably coupled to the rear surface of the power strip housing and the rear surface of the rear plug support member, wherein the ratchet gear and pawl assembly is operably configured to enable the power strip housing to selectively rotate the at least 270° and in a plurality of locked angular positions with respect to the rear plug support member.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a sidewall surrounding the rear surface of the rear plug support member and with an inner sidewall surface having at least one pawl member projecting therefrom and a ratchet gear of the ratchet gear and pawl assembly coupled to the rear surface of the power strip housing and operably coupled with the at least one pawl member to enable the power strip housing to selectively rotate in the plurality of locked angular positions with respect to the rear plug support member.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the ratchet gear is operably coupled with the at least one pawl member to enable the power strip housing to selectively rotate at least 360° and with the plurality of locked angular positions solely lockable in one direction of rotation.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a circular housing recess defined by opposing inner walls of the power strip housing and the rear surface of the rear power strip housing and the rear plug support member of a circular shape and disposed within the circular housing recess, wherein the circular shape of the rear plug support member is contouring a shape of the opposing inner walls of the power strip housing.

In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the rear plug support member with a retention flange member radially extending therefrom and defining a retention aperture thereon and with a fastener operably configured to be received therethrough. The retention flange member is disposed proximal to the rear surface of the rear plug support member, wherein the power strip housing operably configured to selectively rotate with respect to the rear plug support member and have a rotation position along a housing rotation path with the rear surface of the power strip housing in at least a partially overlapping and adjacent configuration with the retention flange member.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the power strip housing having a plurality of socket apertures independently defined thereon and each having one of a plurality of socket housings disposed therein. The plurality of socket housings each are at least partially disposed within the housing cavity, each retained on the power strip housing with at least one spring-loaded clip, and define the plurality of electrical sockets formed on the front surface of the power strip housing.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the plurality of socket housings are each coupled to the power strip housing in a tongue-and-groove configuration on two opposing sides of the plurality of socket housings.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the power strip housing having a first end, a second end opposing the first end of the power strip housing, a housing length separating the first and second ends of the power strip housing, and a sidewall surrounding the housing cavity and including an LED strip coupled thereto, spanning at least 75% of the housing length, longitudinally oriented, and electrically connected to a driver and the electrical prongs.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user's perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the power strip housing or in a direction spanning from the first end of the power strip housing to the second end of the power strip housing. The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a novel and efficient rotatably power strip outlet that includes a power strip housing that is operably configured to selectively rotate at least 270°, but preferably 360°, with respect to a rear plug support member having electrical prongs configured to be received in an wall or other electrical outlet, thereby enabling a user to rotate and reorient the power strip housing while plugged into the electrical wall outlet.

Referring now toFIGS.1-2andFIG.7, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective view. The figures herein show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a rotatable power strip outlet assembly100, as shown inFIG.1and the other figures, includes a power strip housing102, a plurality of electrical sockets106a-n, and a rear plug support member108, wherein “n” represents any number greater than one. The power strip housing102may be of a substantially rigid and electrically resistive material, e.g., PVC, ABS, etc. and is beneficially formed with two or more pieces to encapsulate or define a housing cavity902where components are housed. The power strip housing102may also be formed with one or more pieces that are injection molded or cast. Beneficially, however, the power strip housing102does not have any power cord and is operable to couple with one or more electrical outlets on a wall or other structure, while simultaneously enabling the user to rotate the power strip housing102to a desired orientation and angular position along a housing rotation path housing rotation path (represented with arrows200,714inFIG.2andFIG.7, respectively).

The power strip housing102also has a rear surface300, a front surface104opposing the rear surface300of the power strip housing102, a first end122, a second end124opposing the first end122of the power strip housing102, and, with reference toFIG.5, a housing length500separating the first and second ends of the power strip housing102. The housing length500may be approximately 9-10 inches in length, may be approximately 1-3 inches separating the rear and front surfaces300,104of the power strip housing102, and approximately 2-3 inches separating the surface that defines the plurality of electrical sockets106a-n. It should be understood that terms such as, “front,” “rear,” “side,” top,” “bottom,” and the like are indicated from the reference point of a viewer viewing the power strip housing102or other referencing structure, typically when installed or coupled to an electrical outlet.

With reference toFIG.1andFIG.9, the power strip housing102includes a plurality of electrical sockets106a-nformed on the front surface104of the power strip housing102, wherein each are at least partially disposed within the housing cavity902. In one embodiment, the electrical sockets106a-nare integrally formed in and by the power strip housing102and includes the required electrical contacts to transfer energy, e.g., a live/hot, neutral, and earth/ground contact. In another embodiment, the power strip housing102defines a plurality of socket apertures900a-nindependently defined thereon, i.e., the socket apertures900a-nare enclosed or defined apertures on the power strip housing102. Each of the socket apertures900a-nhas one of a plurality of socket housings920a-ndisposed therein.

The plurality of socket housings920a-nare each at least partially disposed within the housing cavity902and may be fully disposed within the housing cavity901. The plurality of socket housings920a-nare also each retained on the power strip housing102with, for example, at least one spring-loaded clip922and define the plurality of electrical sockets106a-nformed on the front surface104of the power strip housing102. As seen inFIG.8as well, each of the socket housings920a-nmay include a channel formed therein that is shaped and sized to receive the spring-loaded clip922, wherein the clip922inhibits or prevents the socket housings920a-nfrom being easily pulled out of the power strip housing102.

In another embodiment, the socket housings920a-nmay be adhesively coupled to the power strip housing102as well. In one embodiment, the plurality of socket housings920a-nare each coupled to the power strip housing102, namely the inner sidewalls thereon, in a tongue-and-groove configuration on two opposing sides of the plurality of socket housings920. Said another way, the tongue-and-groove configuration may be a male-female coupling configuration or other coupling configuration that The tongue-and-groove configuration between the socket housings920a-nand the power strip housing102inhibits or prevents rotational movement of the socket housings920a-n.

The power strip housing102may also include a circuit breaker for overload protection and against short circuits by automatically cutting off the power supply when the total current of connected devices exceeds a set amperage, e.g., 15A. Each of the plurality of electrical sockets106a-nmay be 3-prong alternating current (AC) outlets.

With reference toFIG.1,FIG.7, andFIGS.8-9, the rear plug support member108can be seen rotatably coupled to the power strip housing102using, for example, a centrally located spindle, or rear support spindle904. This selective rotation enables the user to position the power strip housing102in a desired orientation. The rear plug support member108may be of a monolithic structure or may be comprised with multiple components. The rear plug support member108has a front surface804, a rear surface110opposing the front surface804of the rear plug support member108, and an electrical plug112disposed on the rear surface110of the rear plug support member108and with electrical prongs, e.g., prongs702,704,706,708,710,712, extending outwardly away from the rear surface110of the rear plug support member108. The amount and configuration of electrical prongs are configured for insertion into conventional wall outlets. The electrical prongs are electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical sockets106a-nusing, for example, wiring800. Beneficially, the power strip housing102is operably configured to selectively rotate at least 270° with respect to the rear plug support member108.

To effectuate the rotation described herein, a rear support spindle904may be utilized and that is operably configured to couple the plug support member108to the power strip housing102. The rear support spindle904may be coupled to the front surface804of the rear plug support member108and/or the rear surface300of the power strip housing102. The rear support spindle904may serve as the support and axis of rotation for the power strip housing102and, as best seen inFIG.9, be formed with a key or a spline shaped and sized to be received within a keyway or recess formed in a gear910. The rear support spindle904may include a spring operably coupled thereto and retained by a flange that retains the power strip housing102to the plug support member108. The spring may also enable the user to pull back the power strip housing102to disengage the gear910from one or more pawl members912a-nutilized by the assembly100. Further, the rear support spindle904may also include an internal channel formed thereon for enabling the wiring802to pass therethrough.

In one embodiment, an electrical connector906is defined by the power strip housing102and is axially aligned with the rear support spindle904. The electrical connector906is operably configured to enable electrical coupling of the electrical prongs to the plurality of electrical sockets106a-n. To that end, the electrical connector906may be a wire aperture802shaped and sized to receive wiring (neutral, active/hot, and/or ground) or concentrically aligned electrically circles with metallic contacts forming the same (as depicted inFIG.11and described further herein). In other embodiments, the electrical connector906is an electrically conductive material that enables the electric communication between the electrical prongs and the plurality of electrical sockets106a-n.

In preferred embodiments, however, the electrical connector906is a wire aperture802that includes a plurality of electrical wires800disposed therein and electrically coupling the electrical prongs to the plurality of electrical sockets106a-nand disposed within the wire aperture802. To further enable the electrical coupling, the assembly100may also include a busbar disposed within the housing cavity902.

To effectuate the rotation of the power strip housing102, a ratchet gear and pawl assembly908is utilized and is operably coupled to the rear surface300of the power strip housing102and the rear surface804of the rear plug support member108. Said another way, the ratchet gear and pawl assembly908is coupled to the power strip housing102and the rear plug support member108to enable the power strip housing102to rotate in various positions (exemplified inFIG.7with fantom lines for the power strip housing102). The ratchet gear and pawl assembly908is operably configured to enable the power strip housing102to selectively rotate the at least 270°, but preferably 360°, and in a plurality of locked angular positions (exemplified inFIG.7) with respect to the rear plug support member108.

In one embodiment, the power strip housing102and/or the rear plug support member108has a rotation limiter, e.g., a structure that prevents movement passed a desired angle of rotation, e.g., 360°. The rotation limiter would prevent or inhibit the power strip housing102from being over-rotated and potentially damaging the wiring connection between the electrical prongs and the plurality of electrical sockets106a-n. In some embodiments, the power strip housing102may be operable to rotate in excess of 360°. In some embodiments, a sidewall914of the rear plug support member108is utilized to cover ratchet gear and pawl assembly908and to surrounds the rear surface804of the rear plug support member108. The sidewall914may include an inner sidewall surface916with one or more pawl member912a-nprojecting therefrom. The ratchet gear and pawl assembly908includes a ratchet gear910that may be coupled to the rear surface300of the power strip housing102and is operably coupled with the at least one pawl member912a-nto enable the power strip housing102to selectively rotate in the plurality of locked angular positions with respect to the rear plug support member108. Said another way, the one or more pawl members912a-nprevent rotation of the power strip housing102in one direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the at least one pawl member912a-nare integrally formed with the rear plug support member108, whether on the sidewall914or the front surface804. In other embodiments, the at least one pawl member912a-nmay be selectively movable to engage or disengage with the ratchet gear910. As used herein, the term “wall” is intended broadly to encompass continuous structures, as well as, separate structures that are coupled together so as to form a substantially continuous external surface. In some embodiments, the assembly100may include a safety lock that also prevents rotation in the direction opposite inhibited by the pawl member(s)912a-n.

With reference briefly toFIG.11, overhead and fragmentary plan views of a rear surface1100of a power strip housing1102, namely the surface that is defined and configured to receive a rear plug support member1104, and a front surface1106of the rear plug support member1104. As discussed above, the assembly100may utilize wiring800to provide electrical connection between the electrical plug112disposed on the rear surface110of the rear plug support member108and the plurality of electrical sockets106a-n. In another embodiment, the electrical connection is provided through utilization of electrically conductive rails or paths1108defined by the rear surface1100of the power strip housing1102and specially configured electrically conductive prongs1110operably configured to engage or contact with the rails or paths1108when the power strip housing1102and rear plug support member1104are coupled together.

As shown, each of the electrically conductive prongs1110correspond to and are independently electrically connected to the one or more electrical prongs702,704,706,708,710,712utilized by the rear plug support member1104. As the power strip housing1102is configured to rotate with respect to the rear plug support member1104, the configuration and coupling of the electrically conductive prongs1110and electrically conductive rails or paths1108enables the electrical connectivity while the power strip housing1102is being rotated and/or when it is locked in the desired angular position. To accomplish the same and prohibit overlap in electrical connection, each of the electrically conductive prongs1110will have their own independent path of rotation and may be staggered in position (as shown in the figures) to accomplish the same. Fantom lines1112represent where the electrically conductive prongs1110would be located on the rails or paths1108when the power strip housing1102and rear plug support member1104are coupled together. As such, it can be seen that 360° rotation and electrically connectivity can be accomplished with the concentrically located rails or paths1108. To ensure connectivity, a tongue-and-groove configuration and/or materials for the rails or paths1108and electrically conductive prongs1110that are dipolar may be beneficially utilized.

With reference toFIG.1,FIG.3,FIG.7, andFIGS.9-10, the ratchet gear910is operably coupled with the at least one pawl member912a-nto enable the power strip housing102to selectively rotate at least 360° and with the plurality of locked angular positions solely lockable in one direction of rotation. To effectuate the rotation of the power strip housing102relative to the rear plug support member108, a circular housing recess918is defined by opposing inner walls1000,1002of the power strip housing102and the rear surface300of the rear power strip housing102and the rear plug support member108is of a circular shape and disposed within the circular housing recess918. The circular shape of the rear plug support member108contours a shape of the opposing inner walls1000,1002of the power strip housing102.

In one embodiment, the rear plug support member108also beneficially includes one or more retention flange member(s)114radially extending therefrom and defining a retention aperture924thereon and with a fastener116disposed therein. The fastener116is operably configured to be received therethrough the retention aperture924. The retention flange member114may be disposed proximal (i.e., at or near, with 1 inch) to the rear surface110of the rear plug support member108. The fastener116is configured to couple with the threading conventionally found in most junction boxes for electrical outlets, and beneficially prevents or inhibits detachment of the assembly100therefrom. The power strip housing102is operably configured to selectively rotate with respect to the rear plug support member108and have a rotation position along a housing rotation path (represented with arrows200,714inFIG.2andFIG.7, respectively) with the rear surface300of the power strip housing102in at least a partially overlapping and adjacent configuration with the retention flange member114. Said differently, the retention flange member(s)114is of a thickness or is otherwise offset from the thickness of the inner walls defining the circular housing recess918to permit the power strip housing102to pass thereby without contacting the retention flange member(s)114. Although one retention flange member114is depicted, another opposing retention flange member114may be utilized for coupling to a bottom threaded aperture in the junction box and through the plate cover of the wall outlet.

In one embodiment, the power strip housing102also includes a sidewall118surrounding and partially defining the housing cavity902, wherein the sidewall118includes an LED strip120coupled thereto. The LED strip120beneficially spans at least 75% of the housing length500, is longitudinally oriented, and is electrically connected to a driver and the electrical prongs702,704,706,708,710,712. The driver is operably configured to convert higher voltage, alternating current to low voltage, direct current, in addition to keeping the voltage and current flowing through the LED strip at its rated level. The electrical components, including USB ports accessible through the front surface104of the power strip housing102, can be seen best in the exploded view ofFIG.9. The LED strip120beneficially enables the user to tell the orientation of the power strip housing102in low light environments, e.g., while studying at a desk, and at night. In preferred embodiments, the power strip housing102includes two LED strips on opposing sides of the housing102.

Although a specific order of utilizing the assembly100has been described herein, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps described or shown as occurring in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted herein for brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps described herein can be combined into a single process.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.