Abstract:
An outdoor electrical outlet stand with a control device including a housing, a support, at least one outlet, and a control device. The control device is one of a timer module and a light module. The control device is electrically connected to a power supply and each of the at least one outlet. The control device controls power supplied to the at least one outlet to selectively provide power to appliances connected to each of the at least one outlet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of outdoor electrical outlets and, more particularly, to an outdoor electrical outlet having a control device located therein, a stand for supporting and anchoring the electrical outlet and a housing that is waterproof and dustproofs. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Outdoor power outlets that are used for garden or yard applications according to the prior art have at least one electrical outlet. Outdoor outlets are typically positioned in a garden or yard regardless of weather conditions including rain, snow or sun. According to the prior art, the outdoor electrical power outlets do not prevent dust or water from intruding into the outlet, which could result in a short circuit that could be dangerous or cause damage. The conventional outdoor power outlet does not include a control device that controls the power outlet by turning on and off electrical power to the power outlet at a predetermined time. Therefore, an outdoor electrical power outlet with a cover, and a control device is needed for protecting the user who uses the electrical power outlets outdoor. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an outlet with a support for protecting the outlet and providing safety from short circuits. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an electrical outlet stand includes: a housing, a support, a plurality of electrical outlets, and a control device. The housing has a upper housing, and a lower housing including a first opening and at least one second opening. The upper housing is located over the lower housing to form an interior within the housing. The support is coupled to the lower housing through the first opening for anchoring the electrical outlet stand in a predetermined location. The support includes a third opening located in one side through which wires can be connected to the control device and the electrical outlets. The control device can include a timer module or a dusk to dawn photo switch that turns on at dusk and off a dawn. The plurality of electrical outlet are positioned in the interior of the housing above the second opening. Each of the plurality of outlets includes a outlet base, a first contact portion, a second contact portion and an outlet cover. The outlet cover is positioned to extend outwardly from the outlet base and be accessible from an exterior of the second opening of the housing. The outlet cover is flexibly connected at a first end to a first end of the outlet base and removably connected at a second end to a second end of the outlet base. The control device is positioned within the interior of the housing and electrically connected to each of the plurality of outlets for turning off and on electrical power to the outlets. The wire can be inserted through the third opening and the first opening, and electrically connected the control device that is electrically connected to the first and second contact portions of the electrical outlets to conduct power to the outlets. Appliance plugs can be inserted into the electrical outlets to receive power. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in, conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1(   a ) is a front view of an electrical outlet stand with a control device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 1(   b ) is a side view of an electrical outlet stand with a control device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 1(   c ) is a bottom view of an electrical outlet stand with a control device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 1(   d ) is a top view of an electrical outlet stand with a control device according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2(   a )–( b ) are exploded views of an electrical outlet stand with a control device according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1(   a )– 2 ( b ) illustrate an electrical outlet stand with a control device according to the present invention. The electrical outlet stand includes a housing  10 , a support  20 , a plurality of electrical outlets  30 , and a control device  40 . The electrical outlet stand with the control device can include a wire (or wires) inserted through an opening  21  of the support  20  and electrically connected to the control device  40  that is electrically connected to the plurality of electrical outlets  30  within the housing  10 , so that an apparatus can be plugged into each of the plurality of electrical outlets  30 . The support  20  includes a stake portion  22  for anchoring the electrical outlet stand in the ground. 
   The control device  40  is a timer module or a lighting module. The lighting module can be a dusk to dawn photo switch that turns the power on at dusk and off at dawn. The timer module controls each of the plurality of electrical outlets  30  by turning on and off power flowing thereto at a predetermined times. The timer module can be an electronic timer module or a mechanical timer module. The lighting module controls each of the plurality of electrical outlets  30  by turning on and off power flowing thereto at a predetermined times. The control device can include a lamp to provide lighting. 
   The housing  10  of the present invention has an upper housing  11  and a lower housing  12 . The upper housing  11  is located above and covers the lower housing  12  forming a housing interior  13 . The lower housing  12  includes a first opening  121  and at least one second opening  122 . The upper housing  11  includes a fourth opening  111  and a cover  14 . The cover  14  is preferably made of a transparent material and removably covers the fourth opening  111  to protect the wires  50  and the control device  40  within the housing interior  13 , as well as provide access for setting and adjusting the control device  40  (for example the timer module and the lighting module). The upper housing  11  also includes a plurality of location poles  112  beneath and around the fourth opening  111  to which the control device  40  is connected. The upper housing  11  includes at least one assembly locking base  113  around an edge of the upper housing  11  and the lower housing  12  includes at least one assembly locking hole  123  around an edge of the lower housing  12  corresponding to the assembly locking base  113  to connect the upper housing  11  and the lower housing  12  with at least one screw (not shown). The at least one screw is inserted through each of the at least one assembly locking hole  123  into each of the at least one assembly locking base  113 . 
   The support  20  is coupled to the lower housing  12  through the first opening  121  for anchoring the electrical outlet stand. The support  20  has a hollow-round shape and includes a third opening  21  positioned at one side into which the wire  50  is inserted. Wherein, the support  20  also includes a stake portion  22  for anchoring the device in the ground. 
   A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes six electrical outlets  30 , but is not limited thereto. Each of the electrical outlets  30  is positioned inside the housing interior  13  and aligns with one of the second openings. Each of the plurality of electrical outlets  30  comprises a outlet base  31 , a first contact portion  32 , a second contact portion  33  and an outlet cover  34 . The first contact portion  31  and the second contact portion  32  are connected to the wire  50  or control device  40 . 
   The outlet cover  34  is positioned to extend outwardly from the outlet base  31  and be accessible from an exterior of the second opening  122  of the housing. The outlet cover  34  is flexibly connected at a first end to a first portion  341  of the outlet base  31  and removably connected at a second end to a second portion of the outlet base  31 . 
   The control device  40  is positioned inside the housing interior  13  and electrically connected to and controls the electrical outlets  30 , such that the control device  40  turns on and off power to the electrical outlets  30  at predetermined times. For example, when the control device  40  is a timer module, the timer module will cut off and turn on the power to the electrical outlets  30  when the predetermined times of the timer module  40  are reached. 
   The control device  40  can have an upper portion that has a round shape that aligns with and is inserted into the fourth opening  111  and a lower portion that is square for aligning with and connecting to the plurality of location poles  112  in the upper housing  11 . 
   The wire(s)  50  is inserted through the third opening  21  and the first opening  121  and electrically connected to the control device  40 , which is, in turn, electrically connected to the contact portions  32 , 33  of the electrical outlets  30 . Electrical plugs of appliances can be connected to the outlets  30  to receive power. 
   The housing  10 , the support  20 , the outlet base  31 , the outlet cover  34 , and a housing of the control device  40  are made of an insulating material. 
   The description of the present invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated. While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims.