Abstract:
An electric plug system includes a stabilizing base constructed to stand on a horizontal floor surface, a vertical support element supported by and extending from the base and defining a vertical axis, and an electrical socket block coupled to a top portion of the vertical support element and supported thereby. The electrical socket block has a plurality of electrical sockets constructed to receive the plugs of the devices. Also, the system includes an electrical wire extending from the horizontal electrical socket block, down the vertical support element, and along or through the base and there-beyond, the electrical wire terminating in an electrical plug constructed to plug into the wall or floor electrical outlet. The system can include a device holder removably attached to the vertical support element. The base can include a first base portion and a second base portion removably attached to one another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/849,621 filed on Mar. 25, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject disclosure relates to multi-outlet electrical power source connections. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to electrical plug systems that are easily usable by users whose flexibility and/or strength has been impaired by handicap, age, illness, or injury. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Power strips having a plug, a power cord, and block of electrical sockets (outlets) are ubiquitous in the modern home, office, and other facilities where multiple plug-in electrically powered devices, machines or equipment are utilized. The electrical sockets of the power strip are typically arranged in one or two rows. A power strip generally includes a circuit breaker or surge (overload) protector that safely limits the electric current flowing through the strip and prevents surges of current that can damage the equipment which receives power through a power strip outlet. The power strip also generally includes an on-off switch that turns the power strip on and off, thereby preventing current from reaching the outlets. If desired, each outlet may have its own switch. The switch is often illuminated. Many power strips also include sensor circuits that can detect the level of current flowing through a socket, and if the socket is not “active”, will place the socket in standby mode in order to reduce current consumption. 
     Power strips are used by plugging the plug into a convenient wall or floor outlet, and by plugging the plugs of multiple devices into the electrical sockets of the power strip. In order to make the connection between the devices and the power strip outlets, the user often must crawl under a desk, table, or other furniture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, an electric plug system is provided and includes a stabilizing base constructed to stand on a horizontal floor surface, a vertical support element supported by and extending from the base and defining a vertical axis, and an electrical socket block coupled to a top portion of the vertical support element and supported thereby. The electrical socket block has a plurality of electrical sockets constructed to receive the plugs of the devices. The system also includes a device holder removably attached to the vertical support element. The holder is constructed to hold at least one of the powering electrically powered devices. Also, the system includes an electrical wire extending from the horizontal electrical socket block, down the vertical support element, and along or through the base and there-beyond, the electrical wire terminating in an electrical plug constructed to plug into the wall or floor electrical outlet. 
     According to a second aspect, an electric plug system is provided that includes a reconfigurable stabilizing base constructed to stand on a horizontal floor surface. In a first configuration the stabilizing base includes a first base portion and a second base portion removably attached to one another and in a second configuration the stabilizing base consists of the first base portion detached from the second base portion. The system also includes a vertical support element supported by and extending from the first base portion of the base and defining a vertical axis. Also, the system includes an electrical socket block coupled to a top portion of the vertical support element and supported thereby, the electrical socket block having a plurality of electrical sockets adapted to receive the plugs of the devices. Further, the system includes an electrical wire extending from the horizontal electrical socket block, down the vertical support element, and along or through the base and there-beyond, the electrical wire terminating in an electrical plug constructed to plug into the wall or floor electrical outlet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical plug system viewed from the top and rear side. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the electrical plug system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the electrical plug system shown in  FIG. 1  with a device holder shown detached from the system. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top perspective view of the device holder shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the electrical plug system of  FIGS. 1 and 3A  shown without the device holder and shown with a portion of a base of the system disassembled. 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom perspective view of a lower portion of the system shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the electrical plug system of  FIG. 1  with the device holder and portion of the base disassembled. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded assembly view of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical plug system  100  viewed from the top and rear side. The system includes a preferably weighted round base  102 , a vertical support  104  centrally disposed in and extending from the base  102 , and a socket block  106  extending from an upper end  108  of the vertical support  104 . The upper end  108  of the vertical support  104  flares outwards laterally and upwardly and defines a space in which the socket block  106  is received. 
     A device holder  110  is removably attached to the rear side  112  of the upper end  108  of the vertical support  104 . The device holder  110  includes one or more pockets  114  constructed to receive electric devices plugged (not shown) into the socket block  106 , such as mobile phones, cameras, and tablet computers. In one embodiment, an upper edge of the device holder  110  is aligned with the socket block  106 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the electrical plug system  100 , and shows additional detail of the socket block  106 , device holder  110 , and base  102 . The socket block  106  includes an on-off power switch  116  at the center of the socket block  106 . A small indicator light  118  ( FIG. 5 ) located on the front side  120  of the upper end  108  of the support  104  may be illuminated whenever the power switch  116  is in the on position or may be operated to light independently of the switch position. Alternatively, the light  118  is optionally integrated with the power switch  116 . An upper surface  122  of the socket block  106  slopes downward at each side relative to the power switch  116 , with e.g., two plugs  124  and one universal serial bus socket  126  on the top of each side. The device holder  110  has cord guides  127  formed as J-shaped hooks. The cord guides  127  define clips that can be resiliently deformed to capture one or more cords connected to devices that are plugged into the socket block  106 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows the device holder  110  detached from the upper end  108  of the support  104 . When the device holder  110  is detached, another cord guide  128  is exposed at the rear side  112  of the upper end  108  of the support  104 . The cord guide  128  defines clips  130  that can be resiliently deformed to capture one or more cords connected to devices that are plugged into the socket block  106 . 
     The device holder  110  has a rear pocket  136  that is defined generally by a T-shaped arrangement. A central vertical section  138  of the rear pocket  136  has open sidewalls  140  that curve upwardly to a horizontal section  142 , which has closed sidewalls  144  that form a rim at the upper end of the rear pocket  136 . The rear pocket  136  preferably has dimensions suitable to receive a tablet computer, such as an iPad® (manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.). The device holder  110  also has a front pocket  146  between the cord guides  127 . The front pocket  146  has enclosed sides and is vertically shallower than the rear pocket  136 , as shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3B . The front pocket  146  may be sized to accommodate devices, such as a cell phone or smart phone (e.g., an Iphone® (manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.)), held in the device holder  110  while the devices are connected to the plugs of the socket block  106 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows a view of the device holder  110  from a front and top side. The device holder  110  has a plurality of hooks  132  that are constructed to engage and lock in corresponding slots  134  ( FIG. 3A ) formed in the rear side  112  of the upper end  108  of the support  104 . The hooks  132  extend from flanges of a support rack  133  of device holder  110 . To attach the device holder  110  to the upper end  108  of the support  104 , the hooks  132  are introduced into the slots  134  and then the device holder  110  is moved downward until the hooks  132  lock into place in slots  134 . To detach the device holder  110  from the upper end  108  of the support  104 , the device holder  110  is moved upward relative to the upper end  108  of the support  104  to unlock the hooks  132  so that the device holder  110  can be separated from the upper end  108  of the support  104 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows the base  102  of the electric plug system  100  in one configuration in which the base  102  is separated into a front base  150  and a rear base  152 . The front base  150  is shown attached to the vertical support  104 , while the rear base  152  is separated from the front base  150  and the vertical support  104 . The front base  150  is weighted with weights or plates  184  ( FIG. 4B ) to support the vertical support  104  and the socket block  106  in their vertical orientation. With the rear base  152  detached, the remainder of the electrical plug system  100  can be placed closer to a wall than would be possible with the rear base  152  attached. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the rear base  152  is generally semicircular of a first diameter, but has a semicircular recess  154  of a second, smaller diameter formed in the center of a front side  156  of the rear base  152 . Tabs (connector elements)  158  extend from the front side  156  of the rear base  152 . The tabs  158  have a stepped profile that corresponds to a mating profile of slots  160  formed in a rear side  162  of the front base  150 . Owing to the stepped profile of the tabs  158  and slots  160 , the slots  160  are constructed to receive the tabs  158  in only one relative orientation of the rear base  152  and front base  150 . It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the tabs  158  and slots  160  prevents assembly of the rear base  152  upside down with respect to the front base  150 . The tabs  158  have holes  164  ( FIG. 4B ) that align with holes  166  in the notches  160  to receive screws  168  ( FIG. 6 ) to retain the front base  150  and rear base  152  together. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , the rear base  152  includes a plurality of rear base plates  170  and a rear base plate cover  172  that attaches to both of the rear base plates  170  with screws  174 . In one embodiment, the rear base plates  170  are formed from a heavy metal and act as a weight. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B , the rear base plates  170  generally form quarter circles. The rear base plates  170  are spaced from each other a sufficient amount to permit access to a base cord channel  176  formed in the rear base plate cover  172 . The base cord channel  176  recesses the cord  178  ( FIG. 6 ). The channel  176  also receives and directs the power cord  178  from the vertical support  104  radially outward to a rear cord opening  180  (as best seen in  FIGS. 4A and 6 ) in the rear base plate cover  172 . 
     The rear side  162  of front base  150  is generally planar in the regions surrounding the slots  160 , but has a semicircular extension  182  formed at the center of the rear side  162  adjacent to the vertical support  104 . The semicircular extension  182  is constructed to be received in the semicircular recess  154  formed in the front side  156  of the rear base  152 . The front base plate  184  is generally semi-circular and has a semicircular portion  188  extending centrally from a rear edge  190 . The front base plate  184  is made from a heavy metal and acts as a weight. The notches  160  in the front base  150  are formed between grooves  192  formed in the front base cover  186  and the front base plate  184 . Also, a central cord opening  194  is formed in the semicircular extension  182  between the front base cover  186  and the front base plate  184 . When the front base  150  and the rear base  152  are attached to each other, the central cord opening  194  communicates with the base cord channel  176  to further route the power cord  178  through the front base  150 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an exploded assembly of the electrical plug system  100 . A support post  196  is attached at a lower end to an upper side  198  of the front base plate  184 . The support post  196  is attached at the semicircular portion  188  at a position on the front base plate  184  corresponding to the center of the base  102 . The support post  196  shown has a generally square cross section forming a channel through which the power cord  178  is routed. A slot  200  at the lower end of the support post  196  permits the power cord  178  to route over the semicircular detent  188  of the front base plate  184  and in the central cord opening  194  formed between the front base cover  186  and the front base plate  184 . Holes  202  are formed in at least one of the sides of the support post  196  for securing the support post  196  to the vertical support  104 , as described below. The front base cover  186  has a square opening  204  formed vertically therethrough to receive the power cord  178  and the support post  196 . The front base cover  186  nests over the front base plate  184  and attaches thereto with screws  206 . 
     The vertical support  104  includes a front support cover  208  and a rear support cover  210 . The front support cover  208  is attached to a side of the support post  196  with screws  210 , as noted above. The rear support cover  210  attaches to the front support cover  208  by snap fit connection. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other connection arrangements can be implemented to connect the rear support cover  210  to the front support cover  208 . The front and rear support covers  208 ,  210  have a plurality of ribs  212 , which are generally u-shaped. When the front and rear support covers are attached to each other, the ribs  212  surround the power cord  178  and the support post  196  to form a central channel from the upper end to the lower end of the vertical support  104 . The power cord  178  is thus routed from the base  102  to the upper end  108  of the vertical support  104  through the central channel formed in the vertical support  104 . 
       FIG. 6  also details the construction of the upper end  108  of the vertical support  104 . Specifically,  FIG. 6  shows the construction of the socket block  106  and a housing  214  formed by a front cover  216  and a rear cover  218 . The front cover  216  connects to the rear cover  218  with a snap fit connection, although those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other connection types are possible. Connection flanges  220  extend from the lower ends of the front and rear covers  216 ,  218 . The outer surface of the connection flanges  220  has a stepped profile that corresponds to a stepped profile of notches  222  formed in the upper ends of the front and rear support covers  208 ,  210 . The notches  222  are constructed to receive the connection flanges  220 . The inner surfaces of the connection flanges  220  include a central groove  224  having u-shaped ribs  226 . The power cord  178  is routed in the central groove  224 . When the front cover  216  and the rear cover are connected to each other around the power cord  178 , the flanges  220  are secured to the front cover  208  of support  104  with screws  226 . Tightening the screws  226  presses the ribs  226  of the central grooves  224  into the power cord  178  to strain relieve the power cord  178 . 
     The housing  214  houses the socket block  106 . The socket block  106  includes a plug cover  236 . The switch  116  is located centrally in the plug cover  216 . The plug cover  216  has a plurality of openings to receive male electrical plugs and universal serial bus (USB) connectors. The socket block  106  also includes a USB printed circuit board  238 , which includes receptacles for electrically connecting to USB connectors. The socket block  106  further includes a bussbar holder  240  to electrically connect to the male electrical plugs. 
     Also housed in the housing  214  are various electrical components for distributing power from the power cord  178  to the bussbar holder  240 . In at least one embodiment, such various electrical components include a circuit board, power bussbars, a ground bussbar, and a USB bussbar. 
       FIG. 6  also shows details of the construction of the device holder  110 , described above. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the device holder  110  is constructed of a rear portion  222  and support rack  133  connected together with screws  225 . The support rack  133  has a generally rectangular notch  228  formed in a rear side  230 , which is otherwise generally planar. 
     In one embodiment, the support  104  is constructed to locate the socket block  106  at between twenty-four and forty-two inches above the horizontal floor surface. For example, in one embodiment the support  104  is constructed with a telescoping arrangement to adjust the height of the socket block  106  with respect to the horizontal floor surface. For example, the support  104  may employ one or more of the telescoping arrangements described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/849,621. 
     In use, a user may attach device holder  110  to the upper end  108  of support  104 . The user can, for example, plug a cord of a cell phone into the socket block  106  and insert the cell phone into front pocket  146 . Also, a user can, for example, plug a cord of a tablet computer into the socket block  106  and insert the tablet computer into rear pocket  136 . The cords of the cell phone and tablet computer can be retained in cord guides  126  while the devices are held in the device holder  110 . Also, the plugs of the cell phone and tablet computer can, depending on the configuration of the cord of the cell phone and tablet computer, can either be a male electrical plug or a universal serial bus plug, which are plugged into the respective female electrical plug or universal serial bus receptacle in socket block  106 . It should also be understood that depending on the available space in pockets  136  and  146 , and the sizes of the devices, one or more devices may fit in one of the pockets. For example, two or more cell phones may fit in the front pocket  146 . 
     Also, in use, a user may wish to configure electric plug system  100  so that the rear base  152  is detached from front base  150  and/or the device holder  110  is detached from the support  104 . For example, a user may wish to so configure the electric plug system  100  in order to locate the system  100  closer to a wall to save space. The front base  150  is weighted with plate  184 . The plate  184  weights the front base  150  sufficiently to prevent the system  100  from falling over even when the device holder  110  is attached to the support  104  and is holding devices in all of its pockets  136  and  146 . In one embodiment, the weight of plate  184  is between 1.5 and 1.75 pounds and the weight of each plate  170  is between 0.5 and 0.6 pounds. Thus, the combined weight of plate  184  and both plates  170  is between 2.5 and 3.0 lbs. In another embodiment, the weight of plate  184  and front base cover  186  is between 1.5 and 1.75 pounds and the weight of both plates  170  and rear base plate cover  172  is between 1.0 and 1.2 pounds. 
     There have been described and illustrated herein a preferred embodiment of an electric plug system. While a particular embodiment of the invention has been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Moreover, while particular configurations have been disclosed in reference to an electric plug system it will be appreciated that other configurations could be used as well. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.