Patent Abstract:
The Improved electrical power distribution apparatus is an invention that because of its unique rotatable live female electrical connection type outlets, is able to accommodate the simultaneous insertion of male type electrical connection plugs of a wide variety and shape. The accommodation of such simultaneous insertion of such male type electrical connection plugs provides for the simultaneous powering of a wide variety of appliances wherein such appliances would not otherwise be able to be simultaneously powered by conventional power distribution apparatuses due to the inability of such male type electrical connection plugs of irregular size and shape to be simultaneously inserted into conventional non-rotatable female electrical connection type outlets of conventional power distribution apparatuses. Furthermore, the female electrical connection type outlets of the present invention may be rotated while having male type electrical connection plugs inserted therein, and yet still maintain an electrical connection.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to electrical power distribution devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to electrical power distribution devices that can be plugged into a standard wall electrical outlet and provide further multiple electrical outlets into which electricity using devices may be plugged.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is an improved electrical power distribution apparatus. The invention, having rotatable female type electrical connection outlets or devices, has particular application for use in connecting multiple electricity using appliances, wherein the male plug type electrical connecting member of such appliances would not otherwise simultaneously be connectable in a conventional electrical power distribution apparatus, due to the size and geometry of such male plug type electrical connecting members.  
         [0003]     It is well know that electrical connection outlets have long existed. Some samples of such electrical outlets include the common female two outlet wall mounted electrical connection apparatus in widespread use in the US and other countries, and the so-called “power strip” type electrical connection apparatus which typically includes some type of generally rigid housing having a plurality of female type electrical connection outlets, and an extension cord member including a male type electrical connection plug connected to the first end of the cord, and the second end of the cord being electrically connected to the plurality of female type electrical connection outlets. However, such conventional electrical connection outlets typically employ female type electrical connection outlets that are rigidly fixed to a housing and are not rotatable.  
         [0004]     At least one example of a “power strip” having rotatable female type electrical connection outlets is know and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,140 by Cheung et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,140 is expressly incorporated herein by reference. However, the electrical connection apparatus of &#39;140, in contrast to the subject invention, does not provide for electrical connection unless the female type electrical connection outlets are in a certain spring-loaded predetermined rotated orientation and only in the certain spring-loaded predetermined rotated orientation. The &#39;140 patent is intended to provide a safety apparatus that prevents children from inserting foreign objects into the female type electrical connection outlets, when the female type electrical connection outlets are in a nominal or non-rotated orientation.  
         [0005]     It is further known that the differences in size and geometry of male type electrical connection plugs has proliferated in recent years. This is due in part to the additional functions that have been added to such male type electrical connection plugs. For instance, many male type electrical connection plugs incorporate an electrical power transformer as an integral portion of the male type electrical connection plug. Such transforming function can cause the male type electrical connection plug to take on a large overall cubic shape. Thus for instance, it is not uncommon to encounter a physical interference between two such power transforming male type electrical connection plugs, due to the size and shape of such power transforming male type electrical connection plugs and due to the spacing of conventional or non-rotating female type electrical connection outlets.  
         [0006]     Because the subject invention provides rotatable female type electrical connection outlets that maintain electrical connectability regardless of the rotational orientation of the female type electrical connection outlets, the subject invention provides for simultaneous electrical connection of such otherwise non-simultaneously connectable male type electrical connection plugs by means of arranging the female type electrical connection outlets of the subject invention in a more connection friendly or physically non-interfering rotational orientation.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a substantially isometric view of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus. The female type electrical connection outlets of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus are shown in various random rotational orientations.  FIG. 1  includes a display of the top, front, and side surfaces of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a substantially isometric view of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus. The improved electrical power distribution apparatus is depicted in an orientation such that the improved electrical power distribution apparatus is rotated downward approximately 90 degrees from the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 . It is noted that such downward rotation defines a rotation about a theoretical axis defined by the intersection of the planes defined by the improved electrical power distribution apparatus top and right side substantially planer surfaces.  FIG. 2  includes a display of the bottom, front, and right side surfaces of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a substantially isometric view of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus, substantially similar to  FIG. 1  except that a portion of the upper and lower housing of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus are shown as being cut away to reveal inner portions of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus. The upper and lower housing members are shown cross-hatched at their respective cut away areas.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a random trimetric view of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus. The improved electrical power distribution apparatus is depicted as having the near side half of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus cut away to reveal inner portions of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus. The upper and lower housing members are shown cross-hatched at their respective cut away areas. For drawing clarity, other components of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus that are cut away are not shown as cross-hatched.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a substantially exploded isometric view of the improved electrical power distribution apparatus.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0014]     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.  
         [0015]     In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in reviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature table is provided below. It is noted that like features are like numbered throughout all of the figures.  
                                                   FEATURE TABLE            #   Feature                    10   Electrical power distribution apparatus in           general       20   Upper housing       21   Upper housing interface recess       22   Upper housing female electrical connection           device opening       23   Upper housing non-conductive male plug           retention flange       24   Upper housing recessed channel       25   Upper housing indication light opening       26   Upper housing fastener post       30   Lower housing       31   Lower housing interface flange       32   Lower housing electrical power supply           prong opening       33   Lower housing electrical power return           prong opening       34   Lower housing strap retention flange       35   Lower housing fastener post       36   Lower housing fastener post reception           recess       37   Lower housing electrical ground prong           opening       40   Female electrical connection device       41   Female electrical connection body       42   Female electrical connection device power           supply connection cavity       43   Female electrical connection device power           return connection cavity       44   Female electrical connection device ground           connection cavity       50   Female electrical connection device power           supply bracket       51   Female electrical connection device power           supply bracket upper connection surface       52   Female electrical connection device power           supply bracket lower connection surface       54   Female electrical connection device power           return bracket       55   Female electrical connection device power           return bracket upper connection surface       56   Female electrical connection device power           return bracket lower connection surface       60   Female electrical connection device ground           bracket       61   Female electrical connection device ground           bracket upper connection surface       62   Female electrical connection device ground           bracket lower connection surface       70   Power supply strap assembly       71   Power supply strap       72   Power supply strap connection ring       73   Power supply strap connection ring           interface surface       74   Power supply strap connection bar       75   Power supply strap prong       76   Power supply strap prong interface surface       80   Power return strap assembly       81   Power return strap       82   Power return strap connection ring       83   Power return strap connection ring interface           surface       84   Power return strap connection bar       85   Power return strap prong       86   Power return strap prong interface surface       90   Ground strap       91   Ground strap connection pad       92   Ground strap connection pad interface           surface       93   Ground strap connection bar       94   Ground strap connection prong       95   Ground strap connection prong interface           surface       96   Ground strap mounting flange       97   Ground strap mounting flange hole       98   Ground strap ground prong passage hole       100   Non-conductive male connection plug       101   Non-conductive male connection plug base       102   Non-conductive male connection plug           seating flange       103   Non-conductive male connection plug           simulated power supply prong       104   Non-conductive male connection plug           simulated power return prong       105   Non-conductive male connection plug           simulated ground prong       110   Indication light                  
 
         [0016]     Referring now to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 5 , the invention is improved electrical power distribution apparatus  10  comprising an upper housing  20  a lower housing  30 , a plurality of female electrical connection devices  40 , a power supply strap assembly  70 , a power return strap assembly  80 , a ground strap  90 , a non-conductive male connection plug  100 , and a plurality of indication lights  110 . Female electrical connection device  40  comprises the assembly of a body  41 , a bracket  50 , a bracket  54 , and a bracket  60 . Power supply strap assembly  70  comprises the assembly of a power supply strap  71  and a prong  75 . Power return strap assembly  80  comprises the assembly of a power return strap  81  and a prong  85 .  
         [0017]     Upper housing  20  defines a substantially radiused cubic shaped shell having an upper housing interface recess  21  (not shown), a plurality of cylindrically shaped upper housing female electrical connection device openings  22 , an upper housing strap retention flange  23 , an upper housing recessed channel  24 , a plurality of cylindrically shaped upper housing indication light openings  25 , and a plurality of cylindrically shaped upper housing fastener posts  26 . Upper housing  20  is formed of plastic and may be of any plastic that provides adequate structural and insulative properties, and is compatible with injection molding or like plastic fabrication processes.  
         [0018]     lower housing  30  defines a substantially radiused cubic shaped shell having a lower housing interface flange  31 , a plurality of cubic shaped lower housing electrical power supply prong openings  32 , a plurality of cubic shaped lower housing electrical power return prong openings  33 , a plurality of cylindrically shaped lower housing strap retention flanges  34 , a plurality of cylindrically shaped lower housing fastener posts  35 , a plurality of lower housing fastener post reception recesses  36 , and a plurality of cylindrically shaped lower housing electrical ground prong openings  37 . Lower housing  30  is formed of plastic and may be of any plastic that provides adequate structural and insulative properties, and is compatible with injection molding or like plastic fabrication processes.  
         [0019]     Female electrical connection device body  41  defines a substantially cylindrically shaped body having a substantially cubic shaped power supply connection cavity  42 , a substantially cubic shaped power return connection cavity  43 , and a substantially cylindrically shaped ground connection cavity  44 . Body  41  is formed of plastic and may be of any plastic that provides adequate structural and insulative properties, and is compatible with injection molding or like plastic fabrication processes.  
         [0020]     Female electrical connection device power supply bracket  50  defines a formed substantially thin irregular shaped bracket having an upper connection surface  51 , and a lower connection surface  52 . Power supply bracket  50  is formed from a sheet of brass or like electrically conductive metal alloy.  
         [0021]     Female electrical connection device power return bracket  54  defines a formed substantially thin irregular shaped bracket having an upper connection surface  55 , and a lower connection surface  56 . Power return bracket  54  is formed from a sheet of brass or like electrically conductive metal alloy.  
         [0022]     Power supply strap  71  defines a formed substantially thin shaped strap having a connection bar  74  connected to a plurality of connection rings  72 , said connection rings  72  each having a connection ring interface surface  73 . Power supply strap  71  is formed from a sheet of brass or like electrically conductive metal alloy.  
         [0023]     Power supply strap prong  75  defines a formed substantially thin elbow shaped prong having a prong interface surface  76 . Power supply strap prong  75  is formed from a sheet of brass or like electrically conductive metal alloy.  
         [0024]     Power return strap  81  defines a formed substantially thin shaped strap having a connection bar  84  connected to a plurality of connection rings  82 , said connection rings  82  each having a connection ring interface surface  83 . Power return strap  81  is formed from a sheet of brass or like electrically conductive metal alloy.  
         [0025]     Power return strap prong  85  defines a formed substantially thin elbow shaped prong having a prong interface surface  86 . Power return strap prong  85  is formed from a sheet of brass or like electrically conductive metal alloy.  
         [0026]     Ground strap  90  defines a formed substantially thin strap having a plurality of connection pads  91 , a plurality of connection pad interface surfaces  92 , a plurality of connection bars  93 , a connection prong  94 , a connection prong interface surface  95 , a mounting flange  96 , a mounting flange hole  97 , and a ground prong passage hole  98 . Ground strap  90  is formed from a sheet of brass or like electrically conductive metal alloy.  
         [0027]     Non-conductive male connection plug  100  defines a plug having a base  101 , a seating flange  102 , a simulated power supply prong  103 , a simulated power return prong  104 , and a simulated ground prong  105 . Plug  100  is formed of plastic and may be of any plastic that provides adequate structural and insulative properties, and is compatible with injection molding or like plastic fabrication processes.  
         [0028]     Indication light  110  defines a substantially small colored lightable light and may be for instance a light emitting diode type light.  
         [0029]     Female electrical connection device  40  is assembled such that brackets  50 ,  54 , and  60  are retentatively and electrical conductively fastened into cavities  42 ,  43 , and  44  respectively. Power supply strap assembly  70  is assembled such that strap  71  is retentatively and electrical conductively fastened to prong  75 . Power return strap assembly  80  is assembled such that strap  81  is retentatively and electrical conductively fastened to prong  85 .  
         [0030]     Improved electrical power distribution apparatus  10  is assembled such that ground strap  90 , power return strap assembly  80 , and power supply strap assembly  70  are nested into lower housing  30  and in particular, are nested between the plurality of lower housing strap retention flanges  34 . Strap  90  and strap assemblies  80  and  70  are positioned such that each are electrically insulated from the other. Strap assembly  70  is further positioned such that power supply strap prong  75  passes through and protrudes from a power supply prong opening  32 . Strap assembly  80  is further positioned such that power return strap prong  85  passes through and protrudes from a power return prong opening  33 . Ground strap  90  is further positioned such that ground strap prong  94  passes through and protrudes from a ground prong opening  37 . Non-conductive male connection plug  100  is positioned adjacent to ground strap  90  such that plug base  101  is in contact with ground strap connection bar  93 , and such that plug prong  103  passes through and protrudes from a power supply prong opening  32 , and such that plug prong  104  passes through and protrudes from a power return prong opening  33 , and such that plug prong  105  passes through prong hole  98 , and such that plug prong  105  passes through and protrudes from a ground prong opening  37 . Female electrical connection devices  40  are snappingly engaged into upper housing  20  such that female electrical connection devices  40  are rotatably retained in upper housing openings  22 , and positioned such that cavities  42 ,  43 , and  44 , are outwardly exposed through upper housing openings  22 . Indication lights  110  are fastened to upper housing  20  such that lights  110  pass through and protrude from indication light openings  25 . At least one of said indication lights  110  is electrically connected to strap assembly  70  and to strap assembly  80  such that when apparatus  10  is electrically powered, indication light  110  is lighted. With the members of improved electrical power distribution apparatus  10  assembled as described above, upper housing  20  is assembled to lower housing  30  such that upper housing fastener posts  26  engage with reception recesses  36  of lower housing posts  35 , and such that male plug retention flange  23  is in retaining relationship to male connection plug  100 , and such that power supply bracket lower connection surface  52  is in spring loaded electrically conductive contact with power supply strap connection ring interface surface  73 , and such that power return bracket lower connection surface  56  is in spring loaded electrically conductive contact with power return strap connection ring interface surface  83 , and such that ground bracket lower connection surface  62  is in spring loaded electrically conductive contact with ground strap connection pad interface surface  92 . Upper housing  20  and lower housing  30  are secured together by means of threaded mechanical fasteners (not shown) such as those that are traditionally well known in the fastening art. Such fasteners are threaded through and secured into upper fastener posts  26  and lower fastener posts  35 . Improved electrical power distribution apparatus  10  may be adapted such that non-conductive male connection plug  100  may float a small amount with apparatus  10  so as to compensate for a small amount of production manufacturing tolerance in corresponding wall power outlets.  
         [0031]     In practice, with apparatus  10  assembled as described above, and protruding prongs  75 ,  85 , and  94  functioning in combination as a standard male electrical connection plug, prongs  75 ,  85 , and  94  of apparatus  10 , are inserted into an energized standard wall mounted electrical outlet or the like such that an electrical connection is made between prong interface surfaces  76 ,  86 , and  95  and corresponding electrical connecting surfaces of the wall mounted electrical outlet. Further, a male electrical connection plug of an electrical power consuming appliance is inserted into a female electrical connection device  40  such that upper connection surfaces  51 ,  55 , and  61  are placed in electrical connection relationship with corresponding surfaces of said male electrical connection plug, and such that regardless of the rotational orientation of female electrical connection device  40 , a completed electrical circuit is established, electrical power is distributed, and said appliance is electrically powered. Additionally, while said appliance is being powered, a rotation of female electrical connection device  40  will not interrupt said completed circuit. Because female electrical connection device  40  may be rotated while providing electrical power to said appliance, multiple appliances may be connected to apparatus  10  that would otherwise not be able to be connected to a conventional power distribution apparatus due to the non-rotatable power connection nature of female electrical connection devices of conventional power distribution apparatuses.  
         [0032]     In an alternated embodiment, prongs  75 ,  85 , and  94  of apparatus  10  are replaced with a conventional extension chord having a standard male electrical connection plug.  
         [0033]     In another alternated embodiment, male connection plug  100  is replaced by a second instance of prongs prongs  75 ,  85 , and  94 , with prongs  75 ,  85 , and  94  being electrically connected to straps  71 ,  81 , and  90  respectively, such that apparatus  10  includes two functional male type outlet plugs.  
         [0034]     In yet another alternate embodiment, apparatus  10  includes a ground fault circuit interruption means or short circuit prevention means.  
         [0035]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7