Patent Publication Number: US-2004053535-A1

Title: Multi-function socket combination

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a socket, and more particularly to a socket combination for providing both alternative current (AC) and direct current (DC) power supplies.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] Typical sockets are coupled to the electric power sources of the family housings, for supplying or providing the AC currents to the electric facilities, and for energizing the electric facilities. The typical sockets may not supply the DC currents, such that an additional adapter is required to be plugged to the socket and is then coupled to the other electric facilities, and for energizing the other electric facilities that are energized by DC current.  
       [0005] In addition, the typical sockets may not be used for plugging or for coupling the telecommunication lines with each other.  
       [0006] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional sockets.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a socket combination for providing both alternative current (AC) and direct current (DC) power supplies.  
       [0008] The other objective of the present invention is to provide a socket combination for providing the sockets and/or plugs for telecommunication lines or systems.  
       [0009] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a socket combination comprising a housing, at least one first socket disposed in the housing, and coupled to electric power source for receiving AC current therefrom, a first switch coupled to the first socket for controlling the first socket, and an AC/DC converter coupled to the first switch, for converting the AC current to DC current, and including at least one second socket for outputting the DC current, and for allowing the DC electric facilities to be easily energized by the DC electric power with the second socket.  
       [0010] A second switch may further be provided and coupled to the first socket, for controlling the first socket. A further switch may be provided and coupled to the converter and the second socket, for controlling the second socket and the converter.  
       [0011] One or more telecommunicating couplers may further be provided and disposed in the housing, for coupling to telecommunication systems, such as the telecommunicating network systems or the like.  
       [0012] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a socket combination in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the socket combination; and  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the circuit of the socket combination. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0016] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a socket combination in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing  11  including a chamber  11  formed therein, and including one or more seats  12  disposed in the chamber  11  thereof for receiving one or more pairs or sets of conductor members  13  therein.  
     [0017] A socket or a coupler  14  is disposed in the housing  10 , and coupled to the electric power sources of the family housings, with such as plugs or couplers and electric wires, for receiving the AC current power source therefrom. A switch  15  is coupled to the coupler  14 , for switching on and off or for controlling the electric power to the socket combination.  
     [0018] A face panel  20  is secured on top of the housing  10  with such as fasteners, latches, adhesive materials, or by welding processes, and includes one or more openings  21  formed therein for receiving one or more sockets  22  or socket caps therein respectively. The sockets  22  or the socket caps are disposed above the seats  12  and the conductors  13  respectively for forming the typical sockets  22  to which the electric facilities may be coupled thereto.  
     [0019] One or more knobs or switches  23  may be coupled to the conductors  13  of the sockets  22  respectively for switching on and off the electric power to the conductors  13  of the sockets  22  respectively. The face panel  20  includes one or more orifices  24  formed therein for receiving the switches  23  respectively, and for allowing the switches  23  to be operated or actuated by the users, in order to control the electric power to the conductors  13  of the sockets  22  respectively.  
     [0020] The socket combination further includes an AC/DC converter  30  (FIGS. 2, 3) disposed in the chamber  11  of the housing  10 , and coupled to the coupler  14  and/or to the switch  15  and/or the sockets  22 , for converting the AC current to DC current. The converter  30  includes one or more couplers or sockets  32  provided thereon or coupled thereto for outputting the DC currents. The sockets  32  may be engaged in the apertures  16  of the housing  10 .  
     [0021] A knob or a switch  31  is further provided and coupled to the converter  30 , for switching on and off the electric power to the converter  30 . The switch  31  may be extended outwardly through an aperture  26  of the face panel  20 , for allowing the switch  31  to be operated or actuated by the users, in order to switch on and off the converter  30 . The sockets  32  may include different output voltages, such as 3V, 4.5V, 5V, 6V, 9V, 12V, etc., for supplying different DC voltages to different electric facilities.  
     [0022] The socket combination further includes one or more sockets or couplers  33  disposed in the chamber  11  of the housing  10 , for coupling to the telephone or telecommunication systems, such as the telecommunication networks; and one or more further sockets or couplers  34  disposed in the chamber  11  of the housing  10 , and coupled to the couplers  33 , for telephone or telecommunication purposes, or for receiving or calling telephones. The couplers  33  may be engaged in the orifices  17  of the housing  10 , and the other couplers  34  may be engaged in the apertures  27  of the face panel  20 .  
     [0023] In operation, as shown in FIG. 1, various kinds of the computer facilities may be coupled to the AC sockets  22 , and/or the DC sockets  32 , without providing further converters or the like. In addition, the computer facilities may also be directly coupled to the telecommunication network systems with the couplers  33 ,  34  for easily communicating with the telecommunication network systems. The socket combination is thus excellent for being used with the computer systems or facilities.  
     [0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cover  37  may further be provided and directly and pivotally coupled to the housing  10  or the face panel  20  with a live hinge  39 . Alternatively, the cover  37  may include a longitudinal flange  38  engaged in a corresponding channel (not shown) of the housing  10  or of the face panel  20 , and/or with adhesive materials or by welding processes, for allowing the cover  37  to be rotated relative to the housing  10  or the face panel  20  about the live hinge  39 , and for allowing the cover  37  to cover the sockets  22 , the switches  23 ,  31 , and the couplers  34 .  
     [0025] Accordingly, the socket combination in accordance with the present invention may be used for providing both alternative current (AC) and direct current (DC) power supplies, and for providing the sockets and/or plugs for telecommunication lines or systems.  
     [0026] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.