Patent Publication Number: US-2011076880-A1

Title: Method of managing excess appliance power cord length within an electrical power supplying device while containing a plurality of appliance power plugs and appliance power adapters associated with electrical appliances supported an environment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to new and improved methods of and apparatus for supplying electrical power to electrical appliances and managing the power cords and concealing the power adapters associated therewith in diverse environments, such as desktop workstations, countertop workstations, retail point of sale (POS) stations, and the like. 
     2. Brief Description of the State of Knowledge in the Art 
     The use of electrical appliances having power cords and adapters is well known in the contemporary period. In any given work environment, such as a home office desk, countertop workstation or retail POS station, electrical power cords and associated power adapter plugs and mid-line type modules are often strewn about, creating a “rats&#39; nest” type of environment, which is not only aesthetically unpleasant, but potentially hazardous, posing all sorts of risks to human beings inhabiting the environment. 
     Hitherto, numerous efforts have been made to manage the power cords and conceal the power adapters of electrical appliances employed in diverse environments. Examples of devices for this purpose are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,518,265; 7,501,580; 7,442,090; 7,436,087; 7,435,901; 7,399,199; 7,397,654; 7,361,050; 7,335,053; 7,329,152; 7,324,334; 7,318,567; 7,247,799; 7,247,798; 7,242,577; 7,239,892; 7,233,086; 7,223,122; 7,167,372; 7,083,421; 7,077,693; 6,966,791; 6,573,617; 6,486,407; 6,410,855; 6,315,604; 6,011,221; 5,589,718; 5,382,172; 4,731,029; 4,373,761; 2007/0235222; 2007/0111585; 2004/0160150; 2003/0121742; 2003/0066936; 20080113563; 20080111013; 20080302687; 20080194139; 20070180665; 20070111585; 20070295529; 20070039755; 20060196995 and D588,000; D560,609; D547,486; D542,123; D533,063; D520,951; D504,112; D502,924; D467,879; D467,877; D467,552; D467,246; D447,119; D446,504; D446,503; D446,189; D445,401; D445,400; D444,450; D443,591; wherein each said patent publication above is incorporated herein by reference. 
     While the above US patents disclose various kinds of devices for the purpose of supplying electrical power to appliances and managing the power cords and power adapters thereof, the designs of the devices disclosed and proposed in such patents do not make power cord management and power adapter concealment easy, and, in contrast, oftentimes impossible, when working with a relatively large number of electrical appliances in a given work environment. Consequently, the “rats&#39; nest” problem is not sufficiently resolved in most applications, and results in power cable lengths which are not minimized along their designated routes in the workspace or environment, and many power adapters and unused electrical receptacles are not concealed in an aesthetically pleasing manner. 
     Therefore, there is a great need in the art for a new and improved method of and apparatus for supplying electrical power to electrical appliances, managing the excess length of appliance power cords, and concealing their power plugs and adapters in diverse environments, while overcoming the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methods and apparatus. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of and apparatus for supplying electrical power to electrical appliances and managing the power cords and concealing the power adapters associated therewith and unused electrical receptacles deployed in diverse environments, such as workstations, playstations, entertainment stations, retail POS stations, hotel rooms, guest rooms, cubicles, kitchens, traditional offices and wherever a multitude of power outlets are required, while overcoming the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methods and apparatus. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus in the form of an electrical power supplying device (i) adapted for either floor, wall, shelf or inverted mounting, (ii) having a ring-like power supplying structure provided with a central aperture and supporting a plurality of electrical power receptacles for supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical appliances, (iii) containing power plugs, power adapter plugs and/or mid-line type power adapter modules, and (iv) managing the excess length of power cords associated therewith. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, wherein a power cord management dowel is disposed within the aperture of the ring-like power supplying structure, for taking up the excess length of power cords associated with such electrical appliances, while allowing the remaining portion of such power cords to pass through a power cord portal, and extend along a route to their corresponding electrical appliances. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, wherein a power plug is integrated with the housing, for plugging directly into a standard electrical power outlet mounted in a wall surface, and receiving electrical power therefrom to supply to a plurality of electrical appliances whose power cords are plugged into the power receptacles mounted on the ring-like structure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, wherein electrical power plugs, power adapter plugs and power adapter modules/blocks are completely concealed behind a removable cover housing portion, to restrict unauthorized access thereto by children. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, which safely conceals and protects electrical power plugs, power adapter plugs and mid-line type power adapter modules/blocks, from liquid spills in diverse environments, such as at workstations, playstations, retail POS stations, hotels, guest rooms, cubicles, kitchens, traditional offices and wherever a multitude of power outlets are required. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, which allows excess power cords to be easily managed about a centrally located dowel structure, passing through a ring-like power supplying structure supporting a plurality of electrical power receptacles within a concealed 3D interior volume, while permitting power cords to exit/enter the housing through a power cord portal formed through the housing structure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, which employs a ring-like power supplying device within a concealed space for receiving the electrical power plugs of electrical appliances, and within which excess power cord length is neatly managed. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, which manages the excess length about a centralized dowel structure concealed within a concealed housing, and within which the battery component of a UPS unit is mounted and operably connected to a power-ring subassembly encircling the dowel structure, and supports a plurality of electrical receptacles for supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical appliances deployed in an environment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical power supplying device, wherein a passive-type system of thermal management is employed to maintain the interior temperature within safe limits during operation. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method of supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical appliances, and managing appliance power cords using a single device that may be mounted on the floor, wall or other counter-top surface. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method of managing the length of excess power cords of electrical appliances that are routed from a power supply device within an environment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical power supplying device having a ring-like subassembly for receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and a housing design for containing and concealing the same during power supply operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical power supplying device having a ring-like subassembly for receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and managing excess power cord length therewithin in a concealed manner. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical power supplying device having a ring-like power assembly for receiving electrical power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and an un-interrupted power supply (ups) unit having a battery component mounted within a centrally-disposed structure passing through a central aperture in a ring-like power assembly. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical power supplying device having a lower deck housing region for containing and concealing a plurality of electrical power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, as well as unused electrical receptacles, and an upper deck housing region for supporting a ring-like power assembly having a central aperture and receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters of electrical appliances, while managing excess power cord length within a 3D volume passing through said central aperture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall-mountable electrical power supplying device having a ring-like structure for receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and a housing for containing and concealing the same during power supply operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall-mountable electrical power supplying device for mounting to a wall surface about a standard wall-mounted power receptacle, using a mounting bracket arranged between the housing and wall surface and an electrical power supply plug integrated with the housing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a ring-like electrical power supplying structure for receiving the electrical power plugs of a plurality of electrical appliances and powering the same. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical power supplying device which employs a ring-like electrical power supplying structure, and is adapted for mounting vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or in an inverted position, as the application requires or end-user desires. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical power supplying device having a ring-like structure for receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and thermal management system integrated within the device, for maintaining the temperature within the 3D interior volume of the device within safe operating limits during power supplying operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such electrical power supplying device, wherein the thermal management system is realized as an electrically-passive type air ventilation system for passively cooling the 3D interior volume of the device during power supplying operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such electrical power supplying device, wherein the thermal management system is realized as an electrically-active type air circulation system for actively forcing cooler air from the ambient environment to flow the device to maintain the temperature within the 3D interior volume thereof within safe operating limits during power supplying operations. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket system for mounting an electrical power supplying device about a power outlet in a wall-surface, or supporting the electrical power supplying device on a horizontal support surface. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of managing excess appliance power cord length within an electrical power supplying device while containing a plurality of appliance power plugs and appliance power adapters associated with electrical appliances supported in an environment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of mounting an electrical power supplying structure to a standard wall-mounted electrical power receptacle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of cooling the 3D interior volume of a concealed electrical power supplying device containing power adapters for a plurality of electrical appliances deployed in diverse environments. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical appliances in an environment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating an electrical power supplying device in an environment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of assembling an electronic power supplying device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for snap-fit mounting electrical power receptacles and printed circuit boards on a power supplying structure for use in an electrical power supplying device. 
     These and other objects of invention will become apparent hereinafter and in the Claims to Invention appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to more fully understand the Objects of the Present Invention, the following Detailed Description of the Illustrative Embodiments should be read in conjunction with the accompanying figure Drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a first perspective view of a first environment in which a first illustrative embodiment of the electrical power supplying device of the present invention is deployed on the floor surface to supply electrical power to a number of electrical appliances present within the environment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a second perspective view of the first embodiment in which the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 1A  is deployed; 
         FIG. 2A  is a first exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a second exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a third exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , shown from a different perspective to reveal other aspects of the device, including rubber feet provided on the wall-bracket/unit base to prevent sliding on floor surfaces and the like; 
         FIG. 3A  is a first slide view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2C ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a second slide view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , showing the external power receptacle, USB power port, and cable portal; 
         FIG. 4  is a first perspective view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown with its cover housing portion lifted off the power-ring housing portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown with its cover housing portion removed and without any electrical appliances being powered by the device; 
         FIG. 6A  is a plan view of the power-ring subassembly of the device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , showing its components mounted on its upper surface; 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic representation of the electrical and electronic components supported on the power-ring subassembly shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown arranged and configured during a first step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown arranged and configured during a second step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown arranged and configured during the third step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown arranged and configured during the fourth step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown arranged and configured during the fifth step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7F  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown arranged and configured during the sixth step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C , shown supported on a pedestal or shelf structure, rather than on a floor surface; 
         FIG. 9A  is a first perspective view of a second environment in which an electrical power supplying device according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a wall surface, and used to manage the power cords and concealing the power adapters of electrical appliances employed in the environment; 
         FIG. 9B  is a second perspective view of the second environment in which the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 9A  is deployed; 
         FIG. 10A  is a first exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B ; 
         FIG. 10B  is a second exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 10A , shown from a different perspective to reveal other aspects of the device; 
         FIG. 10C  is a third exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , shown from a different perspective to reveal other aspects of the device; 
         FIG. 10D  is a first elevated side view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C ; 
         FIG. 10E  is a second elevated side view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C ; 
         FIG. 11  is a first perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C , shown with the cover removed from the power-ring housing portion, and supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical appliances, and managing the length of a plurality of power cords which extend out from the power cord portal of the device; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 10A through 10C , shown with its cover housing removed, and without any electrical power cords connected to the device; 
         FIG. 13A  is a plan view of the power-ring subassembly of the device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C , showing electrical and electronic components mounted on its upper surface; 
         FIG. 13B  is a schematic representation of the electrical and electronic components supported on the power-ring subassembly shown in  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a front perspective view of the wall-mounting bracket designed for wall-mounting the device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C  onto a wall surface, near a standard wall-based electrical power receptacle; 
         FIG. 14B  is a rear perspective view of the wall-mounting bracket designed for wall-mounting the device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C  onto a wall surface, near a standard wall-based electrical power receptacle; 
         FIG. 15A  is a first perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C , shown being mounted on the wall-mounting bracket affixed to wall surface above an electrical power receptacle formed therein; 
         FIG. 15B  is a second rear perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIG. 15A , shown mounted on the wall-mounting bracket and supplied with electrical (AC120 Volt) power from the wall receptacle, via its flexible coiled power cord; 
         FIG. 16  is a frontal perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIG. 15B ; 
         FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIG. 14A , shown arranged and configured during a first step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17B  is a perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIG. 14A , shown arranged and configured during a second step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17C  is a perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIG. 14A , shown arranged and configured during a third step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17D  is a perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIG. 14A , shown arranged and configured during a fourth step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17E  is a perspective view of the wall-supported power supplying device of  FIG. 14A , shown arranged and configured during the first step of the method of supplying electrical power to a group of appliances and managing the length of electrical power cords in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18A  is a first perspective view of a third environment in which an electrical power supplying device according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention is designed to plug directly into, and mount about a standard wall-based electrical receptacle or power outlet (120 VAC); 
         FIG. 18B  is a second perspective view of the third environment in which the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 18A  is deployed; 
         FIG. 19A  is a first exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B ; 
         FIG. 19B  is a second exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , shown from a different perspective to reveal other aspects of the device; 
         FIG. 19C  is a third exploded view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , shown from yet a different perspective to reveal other aspects of the device; 
         FIG. 20A  is a frontal perspective view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 19A through 19C ; 
         FIG. 20B  is a first rear perspective view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 19A through 19C ; 
         FIG. 20C  is a second rear perspective view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 19A through 19C ; 
         FIG. 21  is a plan view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 19A through 19C , with its cover removed, and without any power plugs or power adapters plugged into electrical power receptacles supported on the power-ring subassembly of the device; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic representation of the electrical and electronic components supported on the power-ring subassembly shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the wall-mounting bracket of the present invention, mounted to a wall surface about an electrical power outlet; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the wall-mounting bracket for the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 19A through 19C , being mounted to a wall surface; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 19A through 19C , shown with its cover removed, and a plurality of power plugs and power adapter plugs, plugged into electrical power receptacles supported on the power-ring subassembly of the device; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a fourth illustrative embodiment of the electrical power supplying device of the present invention, shown mounted on countertop surface with its cover housing portion removed, and revealing a plurality of power plugs and adapters plugged into the power-ring subassembly of the device (with power cords truncated for clarity of exposition), and a centrally disposed dowel structure encasing the backup battery component of an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit integrated into the device; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic representation showing the electronic and electrical components supported within the power-ring subassembly and dowel structure of the device shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28A  is a first perspective view of a fifth illustrative embodiment of the electrical power supplying device of the present invention, having a rectangular-shaped form factor; 
         FIG. 28B  is a second perspective view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 28A ; 
         FIG. 28C  is a third perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIG. 28A ; 
         FIG. 29A  is a first perspective view of a sixth illustrative embodiment of the electrical power supplying device of the present invention, having a triangular-shaped form factor; 
         FIG. 29B  is a second perspective view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 29A ; 
         FIG. 29C  is a third perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIG. 29A , shown with its cover housing portion removed off from its base tray housing portion; 
         FIG. 30A  is a first perspective view of a seventh illustrative embodiment of the electrical power supplying device of the present invention, having a disc-shaped form factor; 
         FIG. 30B  is a second perspective view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 30A ; 
         FIG. 30C  is a third perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIG. 30A ; 
         FIG. 31  is an exploded perspective view of an eight illustrative embodiment of the electrical power supplying device of the present invention for deployed on a floor surface to supply electrical power to a number of electrical appliances present within an environment; 
         FIG. 32A  is a plan view of the power-ring subassembly of the device of  FIG. 31 , showing its components mounted on its upper surface; 
         FIG. 32B  is a perspective view of the cable management dowel tray employed in the device of  FIG. 35 , shown removed from the device housing, supporting the electric powered fan within its hollow central region (i.e. air shaft), and illustrating the flow path of cool air from a first region in the external ambient environment, along through its central region and past the turbo-fan blades, and out the a second region in the external ambient environment during device operation; 
         FIG. 32C  is a schematic representation of the electrical and electronic components supported on the power-ring subassembly shown in  FIG. 32A ; 
         FIG. 33  is a first perspective view of the electrical power supplying device of  FIG. 31  shown with its cover housing portion lifted off the power-ring housing portion; 
         FIG. 34  is a plan view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIG. 33  shown with its cover housing portion removed and without any electrical appliances being powered by the device; and 
         FIG. 35  is a first slide view of the electrical power supplying device shown in  FIGS. 33 through 34 , illustrating the use of a DC-type electrical motor driven fan embodied within the cable management dowel structure, to enable forced air circulation through the device, so as to automatically control the interior temperature of the 3D interior volume thereof, within safe operating limits. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In general, the present invention provides a new and improved method of and apparatus for supplying electrical power to electrical-energy consuming appliances, and managing the power cords and concealing the power plugs and power adapters thereof, and unused receptacles, when employed in diverse environments, such as workstations, playstations, entertainment stations, retail POS stations, hotel rooms, guest rooms, cubicles, kitchens, traditional offices and wherever a multitude of power outlets are required, and the like. 
     In a first illustrative embodiment, depicted in  FIGS. 1A through 8 , the apparatus is realized in the form of a floor-supported electrical power supplying device  1  that is supplied with electrical power through a flexible coiled power supply cord  2 , plugged into a standard 120 Volt power receptacle  4  by power plug  3 . In a second illustrative embodiment, depicted in  FIGS. 9A through 17E , the apparatus is realized in the form of a wall-supported electrical power supplying device  1 ′ that is supplied with electrical power through a flexible coiled power supply cord  2 , also plugged into a 120 Volt power receptacle  4  by its power plug  3 . In a third illustrative embodiment, depicted in  FIGS. 18A through 25 , the apparatus is realized in the form of a wall-supported electrical power supplying device  1 ″, that is provided with an integrated electrical power plug  65  designed to plug directly into a standard 120 Volt wall-supported power receptacle  4 , about which the device is mounted using a wall-mounting bracket. In a fourth illustrative embodiment, depicted in  FIGS. 26 through 27 , the apparatus is realized in the form of a floor/desk/wall-supported electrical power supplying device  1 ′″ that is supplied with electrical power through a flexible coiled power supply cord  3  that is plugged into a standard 120 Volt power receptacle  4 , and also includes an integrated uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit  70  having a backup battery component that is integrated within the central power cord management dowel or post provided in the device. Additional embodiments and uses of the devices of the present invention are disclosed in  FIGS. 25A through 30C , described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to a First Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a first environment is shown in which a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown realized in the form of a floor-supported power supplying device  1  that is supplied with electrical power through a flexible power cord  2  whose electrical plug  4  is plugged in a standard electrical power receptacle  4 . As shown, a number of different electrical power consuming appliances (e.g. lamp  5 , phone  6 , LCD  7 , WIFI hub  8 , backup hard-drive  9 , printer  10 , and computer CPU  11 ) are powered by device  1  through a plurality of power cords  12 , routed through the environment into the device  1  via its power cord portal  13 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , the electrical power supplying device  1  comprises an assembly of components, namely: a power-ring subassembly (or ring-like power supplying structure)  14  having a central aperture  14 A supporting electrical receptacles  15  and electronic circuits  16 , an ON/OFF switch and indicator  17  provided with a glowing LED ring that indicates the state of the device using different glow colors (e.g. Green=READY, Red=NOT READY), and a coiled-type electrical power cord  2  for supplying primary electrical power to the device, and all electrical appliances connected to it, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; a deep-type base tray housing  19  adapted for supporting the power-ring assembly  14  via a set of screws or like fasteners  20 , and having geometrical dimensions suitable for holding a group of mid-wire power transformer blocks  21 A and  21 B, as shown, and provided with air circulation vents  55  on the base panel to allow air currents to flow therethrough during device operation and facilitate cooling of its interior space; a wall-bracket/unit-base  23  having a pair of arms  23 A and  23 B, and a foot portion  23 C, each disposed at 120 degrees from each other, and having a slot  23 D for receiving a post portion  58  provided on a rear surface of the base tray housing portion  19 ; a power-ring housing portion  25  for covering the power-ring subassembly  14  and attaching to the deep base tray housing portion  19 , and provided with a set of plug apertures  26  for passing the electrical plugs  45  of power cords associated with appliances to electrical receptacles  15  mounted directly behind the plug apertures, and a power cord portal aperture  13  allowing a group or bundle of electrical power cords associated with a set of electrical appliances, to enter/exit the device, as shown; a dowel tray  27  insertable through the central aperture  14 A of the power-ring subassembly  14 , and positioned in the central portion of the base housing portion  19 , and having a central cord management dowel  27  provided with a set of concentric flanges  27 B about its outer surface, for the purpose of taking up and managing in an orderly fashion excess lengths of electrical power cords associated with the appliances receiving power from the device (e.g. by winding the excess length of power cord about the dowel), and also a tray portion  27 C disposed about the central dowel and having a pair of apertures  27 D 1  and  27 D 2  formed therein for passage of electrical power cord from above the tray portion (upper deck) to below the tray portion  27 C (lower deck) where power adapter blocks  21 A,  21 B are stored in a safe and concealed manner; and a top cover housing portion  28  adapted to slide onto the upper portion of the power-ring housing portion  25  and snap into position, and having (i) air vents  29  for passage of air and providing ventilation to the interior volume of the device, (ii) a set of gripping threads  30  provided along the circumference of the cover housing portion to aid in the lifting the cover as required, and (iii) a first side wall aperture  31  for the passage of electrical cords through the cable portal  13  formed in the power-ring housing cover  25 , and (iv) second, third, fourth and fifth side wall apertures  32 ,  33 ,  34  and  35  for providing access to the exterior power receptacle  36 , USB power port  37 , power cord connector  38  and ON/OFF power switch and indicator  17 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , the pair of apertures  27 D 1  and  27 D 2  are formed in the dowel tray portion  27 C to allow cables to travel between a bottom deck level in the central interior volume  41  of the device where power adapter blocks are stored, and an upper deck level where excess cable length of electrical power cords are wound around the central dowel, to neatly manage electrical cord length in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The port openings  33  and  32  are formed in the sidewall of the power-ring housing portion  25 , to provide access to a USB power port  37 , and an externally-accessible electrical receptacle  36 . As shown, the electrical receptacles  15  and electronic circuit boards  16  are snap-fit mounted into mounting brackets  42  provided on the upper surface of the power-ring assembly  14 , along with electrical wiring  43  among electrical and circuit board components, making the necessary interconnections as specified in  FIG. 6B . As shown in  FIG. 2C , rubber feet  45  are provided on the wall-bracket/unit base  23  to prevent sliding on floor surfaces and the like. Also, the five primary components assemble easily along a common axis, lending the design to easy and cost effective product manufacture, testing, and maintenance. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the electrical power supplying device  1  is designed for support on a floor surface, and provides external access to an external power receptacle  36  and a USB power port  37 , while a bundle of power cables from electrical appliances enter/exit the cable portal  13  provided on the side of the device of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cover housing portion  28  can be easily lifted off the power-ring housing portion of the floor-supported power supplying device to reveal a number of features, namely: (i) electrical power provided to a number of electrical appliances supported at the workstation of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; (ii) several power adapter blocks supported both above and below the dowel-tray deck; and (iii) the length of a plurality of electrical cords, associated with the electrical appliances, being neatly managed about the cable management dowel  27 A in accordance with the principles of the prevent invention, and ultimately extending out the power cord portal  13 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cover housing portion  28  is removed from the electrical power supplying device, and there are no electrical appliances connected to and powered by the device. Also,  FIG. 5  reveals a number of features: (i) that the electrical receptacles  15  are arranged in orthogonal ways to optimize space within the interior volume of the device, to accommodate the storage of power adapter plugs that are formed at the terminal portion of appliance power cords, in contrast with the power adapter blocks formed mid-way along a length of power cord, as shown in  FIG. 7A ; (ii) the pair of apertures  27 D 1  and  27 D 2  formed in the dowel tray deck provide for passage of electrical cord to power adapter blocks stored beneath the dowel-tray deck, in the base tray housing portion  19 , as shown in  FIG. 7A ; and (iii) the cable portal  13  for the passage of all power chords exiting/entering the device; and (iv) the flexible electrical power cable  2  and power plug  3  adapted for connection to any suitable electrical power socket provided within the space of the workstation. 
     Taken together, air circulation vents  55  formed in the base portion of housing  19  and air vents  29  formed in the cover housing  28 , and air vents formed in dowel post  27 A provide a passive-type of thermal management system embodied within the device so that all power adapters contained therein are maintained within safe interior operating temperature limits. In  FIG. 3A , illustrative cool and warm air flows are shown moving through the thermal management system. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the power-ring subassembly  14  comprises: a substantially planar structure  14 B, having a central aperture  14 A for passage and location of the dowel tray deck  27 C a plurality of mounting brackets  42 , formed or provided on planar surface  14 B, for snap-fit mounting of electrical receptacles  15 , as well as electronic PC circuit boards  16  and other electrical components  17 ,  36 ,  37  and  38  specified in the electrical circuit diagram of  FIG. 6B ; and grooves, tracks or projections  43  provided on the surface of planar structure  14 B, for the mounting and routing of electrical conductors  44  that interconnect together the electrical components in the circuit of  FIG. 6B , and supply electrical power thereto, during device operation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A through 7F , a method of using the floor-supported power supplying device of  FIGS. 2A through 2C  will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A , the first step of the method involves removing the cover housing portion  28  from the base housing, and then lifting the dowel tray  27  out from the interior volume of the device to allow several power adapter blocks  21 A and  21 B to be stored within the base housing portion  19 , as shown. Then, the electrical power plug ends of the electrical cords  83 A and  83 B associated with the power adapter blocks  21 A and  21 B are passed/routed through the first aperture  27 D 1  formed in the dowel tray deck  27 C, while the other free ends of the electrical cords are passed/routed through the second aperture  27 D 2  in the dowel tray deck  27 C. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7B , the dowel tray  27  is placed back into position, through the central aperture  14 A in the power-ring subassembly  14  and associated power-ring housing portion  25 , collectively, referred to as a “power-ring structure” or “ring-like power supplying structure”  46 , shown in  FIG. 2A . Then, the excess length of the electrical power cords of these electrical plugs is managed about a first set of sections formed on the dowel tray post  27 A. This is achieved by routing each power cord from its electrical appliance, along an intended route within the workstation environment, back to the power cord portal  13  on the device, and then wrapping any excess length of power cord (beyond the power cord portal to its power adapter) about a selected available section on the dowel  27 A to take up any and all excess cord (i.e. cord slack), so that the excess power cord is neatly managed within the interior volume of the device, about a designated section on the dowel post  27 A, as shown in  FIG. 7B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7C , several additional power plugs  83 C and  83 D are plugged into electrical receptacles about the power-ring subassembly  14 , and excess power cord is wrapped about an available section of the dowel post  27 A, and routed out to its electrical appliance, as shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7D , a pair of power adapter plugs  48 A and  48 B associated with another pair of electrical appliances are plugged into a pair of power outlets or receptacles provided by the power-ring subassembly  14 , and the associated power cord routed from the power cord portal  13  to the appliance in the environment, along a predetermined route. Then any excess length of electrical power cord, associated with these electrical adapter plugs, is wrapped about an available section on the dowel tray post  27 A, as described above, to neatly manage excess power cord within the device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7E , the next step of the method is to replace the cover housing portion  28  onto the floor-supported power supplying device. Thereafter, the USB power plug  50  can be plugged into the USB power port  37  provided on the exterior of the device, as shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7F , a power adapter plug  28  associated with an appliance in the workstation environment can be plugged into the external power receptacle  36  supplied on the device. 
     At any time, the cover housing portion  28  can be easily removed from the power-ring housing portion  25 , and power plugs, power adapter plugs and/or power adapter blocks can be easily removed, added or reconfigured within the power supplying device to meet requirements of electrical appliances deployed in the work, living and/or play environment, as the case may be. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the electrical power supplying device  1  can also be supported on a variety of surfaces other than floor surfaces, such as, for example, countertop surfaces, shelf surfaces, pedestals, table surfaces, kitchen countertop surfaces, and the like, where electrical appliances are deployed for use and require electrical power for operation. Also, while the device is shown in an interior workspace in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , it is understood that the device of the present invention can also be used safely outdoors, provided it is protected from the natural elements, to protect from electrical shock and shorting. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to a Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     In  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a second workstation environment is shown in which a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown realized in the form of a wall-supported electrical power supplying device  1 ′ that is supplied with electrical power through a flexible coiled power cord  2  plugged into a standard electrical power receptacle  4 . The primary difference between device  1  and device  1 ′ is that the base housing portion  19 ′ is not designed deeply, but rather with a low-profile design. Also device  1 ′ does not have a dowel tray portion  29 C, creating upper and lower decks, as provided in device  1 ′, but rather employs a cord managing dowel or post  27 A that is integrated with the bottom surface of the base housing  19 ′. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10A through 10C , the wall-mounted electrical power supplying device  1 ′ comprises an assembly of components, namely: a power-ring subassembly  14  having a central aperture  14 A, and adapted to support electrical receptacles  15  and electronic circuits  16 , an ON/OFF switch and indicator  17  provided with a glowing LED ring that indicates the state of the device using different glow colors (e.g. Green=READY, Red=NOT READY), and cable connector  38  for the coiled-type electrical power cord  2  for supplying primary electrical power to the device, and all electrical appliances connected to it; a low-profile base tray housing  19 ′ adapted for supporting the power-ring assembly  14  via a set of screws or like fasteners  20 , and having geometrical dimensions suitable for mounting close to a wall surface, as shown; a cord management dowel  27 A secured to and positioned in the central portion of the base housing portion  19 ′, and having provided a set of concentric flanges  27 B about its outer surface, for the purpose of neatly taking up and managing excess lengths of electrical power cords associated with the appliances; a wall-bracket/unit-base  23 ′ attachable to the bottom of the base tray housing  19 ′ for mounting the device to a wall surface as shown, or horizontal mounting on a countertop or desktop surface as shown in  27 A through  27 C; a power-ring housing portion  25  for covering the power-ring subassembly  14  and attaching to the base housing portion  19 ′, and provided with a set of plug apertures  26  for passing the electrical plugs of power cords associated with appliances to electrical receptacles  15  mounted directly behind the plug apertures  26 , and a power cord portal aperture  13  allowing a group or bundle of electrical power cords  12  associated with a set of electrical appliances  5  through  11 , to enter/exit the device, as shown; and a top cover housing portion  28  adapted to slide onto the upper portion of the power-ring housing portion  25  and snap into position, and having (i) air vents  29  for passage of air and providing ventilation to the interior of the device, (ii) a set of gripping threads  30  provided along the circumference of the cover housing portion to aid in the lifting the cover as required, (iii) a first side wall aperture  36  for the passage of electrical cords through the power cord portal  13  formed in the power-ring housing cover  25 , and (iv) side wall apertures  32 ,  33 ,  34  and  35  for providing access to the exterior power receptacle  36 , USB power port  37 , power cord connector  38  and ON/OFF power switch and indicator  17 , respectively. 
     Taken together, air circulation vents  55  formed in the base portion of housing  19  and air vents  29  formed in the cover housing  28 , and air vents formed in dowel post  27 A provide a passive-type of thermal management system embodied within the device so that all power adapters contained therein are maintained within safe interior operating temperature limits. In  FIG. 16 , illustrative cool and warm air flows are shown moving through the thermal management system. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10A through 10C , the port openings  33 ,  32  formed in the sidewall of the power-ring housing portion  23 , to provide access to a USB power port  37 , and an externally-accessible electrical receptacle  36 . As shown, the electrical receptacles  15  and electronic circuit boards  16  are snap-fit mounted into mounting brackets  42  provided on the upper surface of the power-ring assembly  14 , along with electrical wiring  44  among electrical and circuit board components, making the necessary interconnections as specified in  FIG. 13B . As shown in  FIG. 10C , rubber feet  45  are provided on the wall-bracket/unit base  23 ′ to prevent marring of wall floor surfaces, and sliding on floor or desktop surfaces and the like. Also, the five primary components assemble easily along a common axis, lending the design to easy and cost effective product manufacture, testing, and maintenance. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10D and 10E , the electrical power supplying device  1 ′ is designed for support against a wall surface, and provides external access to an external power receptacle  36  and a USB power port  37 , while a bundle of power cables  12  from electrical appliances enter/exit the cable portal  13  provided on the side of the device of the present invention. However, device  1 ′ can be mounted on a floor surface, or on a horizontal surface as shown in  FIG. 10A   
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the cover housing portion  28  can be easily lifted off the power-ring housing portion of the electrical power supplying device  1 ′ to reveal a number of things, namely: (i) electrical power provided to a number of electrical appliances supported at the workstation of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; (ii) several power plugs and power adapter plugs supported about the cord management dowel  27 A; and (iii) the length of a plurality of electrical cords  12 , associated with the electrical appliances, being neatly managed about the cord management dowel  27 A in accordance with the principles of the prevent invention, and ultimately extend out the power cord portal  13 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cover housing portion  28  is removed from the electrical power supplying device, and there are no electrical appliances connected to and powered by the device.  FIG. 12  reveals a number of features: (i) that the electrical receptacles  15  are spaced apart and arranged in orthogonal ways to optimize space within the interior volume of the device, in order to accommodate the storage of different sized power adapter plugs that are formed at the terminal portion of appliance power chords; and (ii) the flexible electrical power cable  2  and plug  3  is adapted for connection to any suitable electrical power socket provided within the space of the workstation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the power-ring subassembly  14  comprises: a substantially planar structure  14 B having a central aperture  14 A for passage and location of the cord management dowel  27 ′; a plurality of mounting brackets  42 , formed or provided on planar surface  43 , for snap-fit mounting of electrical receptacles  15 , as well as electronic PC circuit boards  16  and other electrical components  17 ,  36 ,  37  and  38  specified in the electrical circuit diagram of  FIG. 13B ; and grooves, tracks or projections  43 C provided on the surface of planar structure  14 B for the mounting and routing of electrical conductors  43  that interconnect together the electrical components in the circuit of  FIG. 13B , and supply electrical power thereto, during device operation. 
     Mounting the electrical power supplying device  1 ′ on a wall surface is simple using the wall-mounting bracket  23  shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , which comprises: (i) a pair of arm portions  23 A′ and  23 B′ each provided with screw anchors  62 A and  62 B, respectively, that screw into the wall surface and fasten the arm portions securely thereto to prevent movement of the mounting bracket relative to the wall surface, and capable of supporting the weight of the device; (ii) a foot portion  23 C′, arranged at about 120 degrees from each arm portion, and provided with a rubber non-slip pad  63  for safely contacting the wall surface; and a slot  23 D′ formed between arm portions  23 A′ and  23 B′ for receiving the centrally located mounting post  58  provided on the rear surface of the base housing portion  19 ′. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15A  the first step of the mounting method involves installing the mounting bracket  23 ′ to a wall surface near a standard electrical power outlet  4 . This is achieved by holding the mounting bracket  23 ′ against the wall surface where mounting is to take place, and then screwing the pair of anchor screws  62 A and  62 B into the wallboard material in a manner known in the art. Then as shown in  FIG. 15B , the mounting post  58  provided on the rear surface of the base housing portion  19 ′ is slid into the mounting slot  23 D′ in a snap fit manner, which will bear the weight of the device while the foot portion makes contact with the wall surface, in a stable manner. Then the electrical power cord  2  of the device is plugged into the standard electrical power receptacle  4 . When mounting is completed, the device will be supported on the wall surface as shown in  FIG. 16 . Now the device  1 ′ is ready for supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical appliances and managing the excess cord length thereof in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17A through 17F , a method of supplying electrical power to appliances and managing excess power cord length in an environment, will now be described in connection with the wall-supported power supplying device  1 ″ described above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17A , the first step of the method involves removing the cover housing portion  28  from the base housing, and then routing one or more electrical power cords  2  from their respective electrical appliances, through the environment, to the power supplying device and through its power cord portal  13 . The electrical plugs  83 A,  83 B are then plugged into available power receptacles  15  provided about the power-ring subassembly  14 . With the electrical power cords routed neatly through the environment, the excess length of power cord between the power cord portal  13  and the electrical receptacle is wound up about an available section of the cord management dowel  27 ′ disposed in the central volume of the device, so as to neatly management excess length of power cord therein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17B , another power cord  2  is then routed from its appliance through the environment, to the device  1 ′ and through the power cord portal  13 , and its electrical plug  83 C is plugged into an available power receptacle provide about the power-ring subassembly. Then, the excess length of power cord between the power cord portal  15  and the power receptacle  15  is wound about an available section on the cord management dowel  27 ′. Then, another power cord is routed from its appliance, through the environment, to the device and through the power cord portal  13 , and its power adapter plug  48 A is plugged into an available power receptacle on the power-ring subassembly  14 , adapted for accommodating the power adapter plug, as shown. Then the excess length of the power cord between the power cord portal  13  and the electrical receptacle  15  is wound about an available section on the cord management dowel  27 ′, as shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17C , the power cords from another pair of electrical appliances are routed through the environment, to the power supplying device and through the power cord portal  13 . The associated power adapter plugs (or mid-line type power adapter modules)  48 B,  48 C are then plugged into available electrical receptacles on the power-ring subassembly  14 , as shown. Then, for each power cord, the excess power cord between the power cord portal  13  and the electrical receptacle  15  is wrapped about an available section of the dowel post  27 ′, as shown, in accordance with the power cord management principles of the present invention. As shown, the power cord bundle  12  extends out power cord portal  13  towards destination appliances deployed in the environment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17D , the next step of the method is to replace the cover housing portion  28  onto the floor-supported power supplying device  1 ′. Thereafter, a USB power plug  50  can be plugged into the USB power port  37  provided on the exterior of the device, as shown. As shown in  FIG. 17E , a power adapter plug  51 ′ or standard power plug associated with an appliance in the environment can be plugged into the external power receptacle  36  supplied on the device. 
     At any time, the cover housing portion  28  can be easily removed from the power-ring housing  25 , and power plugs, power adapter plugs and/or power adapter blocks can be easily removed, added or reconfigured within the power supplying device to meet requirements of electrical appliances deployed in the work, living and/or play environment, as the case may be. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to a Third Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     In  FIGS. 18A and 18B , a third environment is shown in which a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown realized in the form of a wall-supported electrical power supplying device  1 ″ that is supplied with electrical power from an electrical wall receptacle  4 , that receives an electrical power plug  65  that is integrated with the rear portion of the base housing  19 ″ of the device. The primary difference between device  1 ″ and device  1 ′ is that device  1 ″ does not have a flexible coiled power cord  2 , and receives electrical power through its integrated power plug  65 , when plugged directly into a standard 120 Volt electrical receptacle  4 . In all other respects, devices  1 ″ and  1 ′ are essentially the same. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19A through 19C , the wall-mounted electrical power supplying device  1 ″ comprises an assembly of components, namely: a power-ring subassembly  14 ′ (essentially the same as subassembly  14  except not provided with a power cord connector  38 ) and having a central aperture  14 A and adapted to support electrical receptacles  15  and electronic circuits  16 , an ON/OFF switch and indicator  17  provided with a glowing LED ring that indicates the state of the device using different glow colors (e.g. Green=READY, Red=NOT READY), and other electrical components  36 , and  37 , and connect to integrated power plug  65  via a jumper-type wiring connector; a low-profile base tray housing  19 ″ adapted for supporting the power-ring assembly  14 ″ via a set of screws or like fasteners  20 , and having (i) low-profile geometrical dimensions suitable for mounting close to a wall surface, (ii) electrical power plug  65  integrated with the rear portion of the base housing  19 ″, and fitting into a square-shaped slot  23 D″ formed a wall-mounting bracket  23 ″, that is attachable to a wall surface, and (iii) a mounting screw  66  that projects from the rear portion of the base tray housing below the electrical power plug  65  and can be turned into threaded hole  23 E″ formed below the slot  23 D″ in the wall-mounting bracket by turning a knob  67  accessible in the front side of the base tray housing, on top of a cord management dowel  27 ″ shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 ; a power-ring housing portion  28  for covering the power-ring subassembly  14 ″ and attaching to the base housing portion  19 ″, and provided with a set of plug apertures  26  for passing the electrical plugs of power cords associated with appliances to electrical receptacles  15  mounted directly behind the plug apertures  26 , and a power cord portal aperture  13  allowing a group or bundle of electrical power cords associated with a set of electrical appliances, to enter/exit the device, as shown; a cord management dowel  27 ″ secured to and positioned in the central portion of the base tray housing portion  19 ″, and having been provided with a set of concentric flanges  27 B″ about its outer surface, for the purpose of neatly taking up and managing excess lengths of electrical power cords associated with the appliances receiving power from the device (e.g. by winding the excess length of power cord about the dowel); and a top cover housing portion  28  adapted to slide onto the upper portion of the power-ring housing portion  25 ″ and snap into position, and having (i) air vents  29  for passage of air and providing ventilation to the interior of the device, (ii) a set of gripping threads  30  provided along the circumference of the cover housing portion to aid in the lifting of the cover as required, (iii) a side wall aperture  31  for the passage of electrical cords through the cable portal  13  formed in the power-ring housing cover  25 ″, and (iv) side wall apertures  32 ,  33 , and  35  providing access to the exterior power receptacle  36 , USB power port  37 , and ON/OFF power switch and indicator  17 , respectively. 
     Taken together, air circulation vents  55  formed in the base portion of housing  19 ′ and air vents  29  formed in the cover housing  28 , and air vents formed in dowel post  27 A″ provide a passive-type of thermal management system embodied within the device to maintain power adapters contained therein with safe operating temperatures. In  FIG. 18B , illustrative cool and warm air flows are shown moving through the thermal management system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19B , port openings  33 ,  32  formed in the sidewall of the power-ring housing portion  25 ″, provide access to a USB power port  37 , and an externally-accessible electrical receptacle  36 . As shown, the electrical receptacles  15  and electronic circuit boards  16  are snap-fit mounted into mounting brackets  42  provided on the upper surface of the power-ring assembly  14 ″ along with electrical wiring  43  among electrical and circuit board components  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  36  and  37 , making the necessary interconnections as specified in  FIG. 13B . As shown in  FIG. 10C , rubber feet  45  are provided on the wall-bracket/unit base  23 ″ to prevent marring of wall floor surfaces, and sliding on floor or desktop surfaces and the like. Also, the five primary components assemble easily along a common axis, lending the design to easy and cost effective product manufacture, testing, and maintenance. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19B , the power-ring subassembly  14 ″ comprises: a substantially planar structure  14 B, having a central aperture  14 A for passage and location of the cord management dowel deck  27 ″ supported on the bottom portion of the base housing  19 ″; a plurality of mounting brackets  42 , formed or provided on planar surface  14 B, for snap-fit mounting of electrical receptacles  15 , as well as electronic PC circuit boards  16  and other electrical components  17 ,  36  and  37  specified in the electrical circuit diagram of  FIG. 19B ; and grooves, tracks or projections  43  provided on the surface of planar structure  14 B, for the mounting and routing of electrical conductors  44  that interconnect together the electrical components in the circuit of  FIG. 21B , and supply electrical power thereto, during device operation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20A through 20C , the electrical power supplying device  1 ″ is ideally designed for support against a wall surface, given its low-profile housing, and provides external access to an external power receptacle  36  and USB power port  37 , while a bundle of power cables  12  from electrical appliances enter/exit the power cord portal  13  provided on the side of the wall-mountable device. The device  1 ″ is capable of providing electrical power to a number of electrical appliances supported at the workstation of  FIGS. 18A and 18B , while concealing the power plugs and power adapter plugs of the appliances  5  through  11  deployed within its housing, and neatly managing the excess length of electrical power cords associated with the electrical appliances, in accordance with the principles of the prevent invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 21A , the cover housing portion  28  is removed from the wall-supported power supplying device, and there are no electrical appliances connected to and powered by the device.  FIG. 21A  reveals a number of features: (i) that the electrical receptacles  15  are arranged in orthogonal ways, and spaced apart from each other, to optimize space within the interior volume of the device, to accommodate the storage of different sized power adapter plugs that are formed at the terminal portion of appliance power chords; and (ii) that the integrated power plug  65  directly plugs into any suitable wall socket  4  provided within the space of the workstation. 
     The wall-mounted electrical power supplying device  1 ″ can be mounted to virtually any wall surface using the wall-mounting bracket  23 ″ shown in  FIG. 23 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , bracket  23 ″ comprises: (i) a pair of arm portions  23 A″ and  23 B″ each provided with screw anchors  62  and  63 , respectively, that screw into the wall surface and fasten the arm portions securely thereto to prevent movement of the mounting bracket relative to the wall surface, and supporting the weight of the device; (ii) a foot portion  23 C″, arranged at about a 120 degrees from each arm portion  23 A″ and  23 B″, and provided with a rubber non-slip pad  63  for safely contacting the wall surface; (iii) a square-shaped slot  23 D″ formed between arm portions  23 A″ and  23 B″ for passage of the integrated power plug  65  and into the wall receptacle  4 ; and (iv) a threaded mounting hole  23 E″ formed below the slot  23 D″ in the wall-mounting bracket, for receiving threaded mounting screw  66 , which is turned into mounting hole  23 E″ by turning knob  67  provided on top of a cord management dowel  27 ″, as shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the first step of the wall mounting method involves installing the mounting bracket  23 ″ to a wall surface near a standard electrical power outlet  4 . This is achieved by holding the mounting bracket against the wall surface where mounting is to take place, and then screwing the pair of anchor screws  62 A and  62 B into the wallboard material in a manner known in the art. Then, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the electrical power plug  65  is plugged into the wall receptacle  4 , and mounting screw  66  is threaded into the mounting hole  23 E″, by turning knob  67 , as shown in  FIG. 21A , to fasten the device to the wall-mounted bracket  23 ″. Once mounting screw  66  is fully threaded into its mounting hole  23 E″, the bracket will bear the weight of the device while its foot portion  23 C″ makes contact with the wall surface, in a stable manner. Now device  1 ″ is ready for supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical appliances and managing the excess cord length thereof in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , a method of supplying electrical power to appliances and managing excess power cord length in an environment will be now described in connection with the wall-supported power supplying device  1 ″ described above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , the first step of the method involves removing the cover housing portion  28  from the base housing, and then routing one or more electrical power cords from their respective electrical appliances, through the environment, to the power supplying device and through its power cord portal  13 . The electrical plugs are then plugged into available power receptacles provided about the power-ring subassembly. With the electrical power cords routed neatly through the environment, the excess length of power cord between the power cord portal  13  and the electrical receptacle is wound about an available section of the cord management dowel  27 ″ disposed in the central volume of the device, so as to neatly management excess power cord therein, in accordance with the present invention. 
     Another power cord is then routed from its appliance through the work environment, to the device and through the power cord portal  13 , and its electrical plug is plugged into an available power receptacle provided about the power-ring subassembly. Then, the excess length of power cord between the power cord portal  13  and the electrical receptacle  15  is wound about an available section on the cord management dowel  27 ″. Then, another power cord is routed from its appliance, through the work environment, to the device and through the power cord portal  13 , and its power adapter plug is plugged into an available power receptacle on the power-ring subassembly, adapted for accommodating the power adapter plug, as shown. Then the excess length of the power cord between the power cord portal  13  and the electrical receptacle  15  is wound about an available section on the cord management dowel  27 ″, as shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , power cords from other electrical appliances can be routed through the work environment, to the power supplying device and through the power cord portal  13 . The associated power adapter plugs (or mid line-type power adapter modules) are then plugged into available electrical receptacles on the power-ring subassembly, as shown. Then, for each power cord, the excess power chord between the power cord portal  13  and the electrical receptacle  15  is wrapped about an available section of the dowel post  27 ″, as shown, in accordance with the power cord management principles of the present invention. 
     Thereafter, a USB power plug  50  can be plugged into the USB power port  37  provided on the exterior of the device. Also, a power (adapter) plug  51  associated with an appliance in the workstation environment can be plugged into the external power receptacle  36  supplied on the device. 
     At any time, the cover housing portion  28  can be easily removed from the power-ring cover housing portion  25 ″, and power plugs, power adapter plugs and/or power adapter blocks can be easily removed, added or reconfigured within the power supplying device  1 ″ to meet the requirements of electrical appliances deployed in the work, living and/or play environment, however the case may be. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to a Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
       FIGS. 26 and 27  show a fourth illustrative embodiment of the electrical power supplying device  1 ′″ of the present invention, which is similar in all respects to the device of  FIG. 25 , except that it also includes an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit  70 , whose battery component  71  is mounted within the centralized cord management dowel  27 ′″. With this additional provision, the device  1 ′″ is capable of supplying conditioned AD and DC electrical power to electrical appliances at all times, i.e. even when power interruptions occur at the source electrical power receptacle supplying input power to the device. The ON/OFF power switch and indicator  17  will include a glowing LED ring that indicates the state of the device using different glow colors (e.g. Green=READY, Yellow=BATTERY POWERED, Red=NOT READY). Also, the duration in which device is capable of supplying uninterrupted AC and DC power to appliances will depend on the energy storage capacity of the battery component  71  provided within the device. The larger the energy storage capacity, the longer the available time duration of uninterrupted power from the device during power interruptions. 
     Taken together, air circulation vents  55  formed in the base portion of housing  19 ′ and air vents  29  formed in the cover housing  28 , and air vents formed in dowel post  27 A′ provide a passive-type of thermal management system embodied within the device to maintain power adapters contained therein with safe operating temperatures. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to a Fifth Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     As shown in  FIGS. 28A through 28C , the electrical power supplying device of the present invention does not need to have a circular or disc-like form factor, as described hereinabove, but can have other form factors, such as a rectangular-shaped form factor. 
     As shown in  FIG. 28C , the power-ring subassembly of this illustrative embodiment has a rectangular geometry with a rectangular shaped aperture for the positioning of elongated power cord management dowel or post structure, which otherwise performs the same functions that the dowel structure of  FIGS. 4 and 17B  performs. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to a Sixth Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29A through 29C , the electrical power supplying device of the present invention is provided with a triangular-shaped form factor. As shown in  FIG. 29C , the power-ring subassembly of this illustrative embodiment has a triangular geometry with triangular-shaped aperture for the positioning of cylindrical-shaped power cord management dowel or post structure, which otherwise performs the same functions that the dowel structure of  FIGS. 4 and 17B  performs. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to a Seventh Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     In  FIGS. 30A through 30C , the wall-supported electrical power supplying device of  FIGS. 10A through 10C  is shown being used in a floor or countertop mounted fashion, using its multi-purpose mounting bracket. The ways in which this device and other illustrative embodiments of the present invention can be mounted in diverse environments will only be limited by one&#39;s imagination. 
     The Electrical Power Supplying Device According to an Eight Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     Typically, most properly designed and manufactured appliance power adapter plugs and modules will generate relatively low levels of heat energy, allowing the integrated thermal management systems of the present invention to work adequately even under demanding operating conditions. Expectedly, however, defective, faulty or poorly design and/or manufactured appliance power adapter plugs and/or modules (i.e. power transformers) can and will typically generate high levels of heat energy, which is not desirable. In such rare situations, faulty or poorly designed/manufactured appliance power transformers can cause the temperature within the 3D interior volume of devices of the present invention to quickly attain unacceptable levels, outside a predetermined operating temperature range. 
     An eighth illustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 31 through 35 , addresses such problems above by providing an electrical power supplying device with an electrically-active type integrated thermal management subsystem that helps maintain the internal temperature of the 3D interior volume within safe operating temperature limits or desired operating temperature range, and generates user alarms which when the temperature within the 3D interior volume exceeds a predetermined operating temperature range or temperature threshold. Such electrically-active temperature control and detection will be particularly useful or desirable in any application where it is expected that inefficient, high-loss type power adapter plugs and modules will be plugged into and contained within the device, and thus generate excessive levels of thermal energy (i.e. heat), which will require efficient forced transfer to the ambient environment. 
     In general, the eighth illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 31 through 35  is similar in all respects to the first illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A through 7F , except that device of eighth illustrative embodiment further comprises a number of components, namely: an energy-efficient DC-type electrical motor  76 , rotating low-profile turbo-type blade  76 B, within power cord management dowel structure  27 A beneath fan protection cover/screen  76 A, provided in tray structure  27 , having a pair of electrical power connectors  77 A formed on the edge thereof as shown in  FIG. 31 ; a temperature sensing and motor control board  16 C designed for snap-fit mounting on the power-ring assembly  14 , along with other PC boards  16 A and  16 B, and supporting (i) temperature sensing circuitry (TSC)  77  employing one or more thermocouple-type sensors (or thermo-dependent resistors)  75  mounted within the interior of the device, (ii) motor drive circuitry (MDC)  78  for driving the DC-type electrical motor driven fan blades  76 B, and (iii) a microcontroller  79 , interfaced with the temperature sensing circuitry (TSC)  75  and the motor drive circuitry (MDC)  78 , and programmed to provide automatic temperature control within the interior 3D volume of the device, while electrical energy consuming components in the thermal management system  80  is powered by a 12 volt internal supply voltage supplied by the device itself, typically using one or more connectors  77 A formed on tray structure  27  and connectors  77 B formed on the ring-like subassembly  14 . Electrical power is supplied from the internal DC supply to the electrical motor  76 , via (i) contact-tape connectors  77 A and  77 B, which contact each other when tray  27  is installed in placed in the 3D interior volume, and (ii) a pair of electrical wires (not shown) that connect the electrical motor  76  with connectors  77 A. In alternative embodiments, one or more DC-type electrical motor driven fans  76  can be mounted elsewhere within the interior of the device housing, such as within the cover housing portion, within the base housing portion, and/or elsewhere within the interior of the device. 
     During operation, the fan blade  76 B is rotated by the DC-type electric motor  76  and draws in cooler ambient air through vents  55  from a first (cooler) region in the external ambient environment, and this drawn cooler air flows over any electrical power adapter plugs and modules supported in the upper and lower deck portions of the base housing portion and plugged into power-ring subassembly of the device. This forced cooler air flow absorbs heat energy generated from the electrical power adapter plugs and modules contained within the 3D interior volume, to warm the air flowing thereacross, which is then forced out through vents  29  in the cover housing portion  28  to a second (warmer) region in ambient environment, while cooler air is bring drawn through vents  55  into the 3D interior volume. This forced air flow process is carried out under the control of microcontroller  79 , which continuously monitors the temperature within the 3D interior volume, and drives the fan motor  76  at an angular velocity (in RPMs) required to automatically maintain the temperature of the 3D interior volume, within a predetermined range of safe operating temperatures. The desired operating temperature range, to be maintained within the interior of the device, is preset and calibrated at the factory, at the time of device manufacture, to ensure reliable automated temperature control within the device of the present invention. By virtue of control board  80 , the electric motor driven fan blade  76 B is driven at speeds required to transfer heat energy from the device and maintain the predetermined operating temperature range within the 3D interior volume. 
     When the programmed microcontroller  79  automatically detects high temperature conditions, that exceed a predetermined threshold level outside of the predetermined operating temperature range of the device, the microcontroller  79  will automatically (i) drive “High Temperature Warning” LED indicator  81  and piezo-electric buzzer  82  and produce visual and audible alarm signals to the end user of the device, and (ii) under particular detected conditions, might even terminate electrical power to the device, until it is checked and reconfigured by the end-user. In any particular embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller  79  will be programmed to react and respond to such detected conditions within the device of the present invention that depend on the particular applications in which the device is used, and to satisfy any safely criteria that might be applicable in particular jurisdictions where the device will be used by consumers. 
     Some Modifications that Readily Come to Mind 
     In the event that a significant electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are generated by 60 HS electrical currents flowing through appliance power cords wrapped around the appliance cable management dowel structure  27 A, during device operation, then EMF shielding measures or techniques known in the EMF shielding art can be practiced to reduce or eliminate the electromagnetic field strength outside the device during operation. Such EMF shielding measures might include applying metallic foil to the interior surfaces of the housing components, as well as other suitable measures known in the art. 
     Also, in general, the housing and other components of the electrical power supplying device of the present invention can be manufactured using injection molded plastics and/or other materials having suitable characteristics and properties which will be known to those skilled in the art. 
     While several modifications to the illustrative embodiments have been described above, it is understood that various other modifications to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention will readily occur to persons with ordinary skill in the art. All such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying Claims to Invention.