Patent Abstract:
A universal multi-outlet power strip adapter having a series of removable power adapters in electro-mechanical communication with a respective series of receptacle assemblies. The receptacle assemblies are disposed within a casing, in electrical communication with a power input plug extending outward from the casing. Each removable power adapter includes an adapter body, an adapter receptacle, and an adapter contact configuration. Each adapter contact configuration is configured to mate with a power outlet receptacle of a different country outlet configuration. The adapter receptacle is configured to electro-mechanically engage with each of the various country outlet configurations. In use, an individual user removes the removable power adapter for a desired country and inserts the removable power adapter between the power input plug and the power supply outlet. The user connects power plugs from electrically operated devices to the series of removable power adapters connected to the respective receptacle assembly within the casing to distribute power to the devices.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for adapting a power strip to a power outlet of any country. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a plug strip comprising a series of removable adapters having a universal receptacle, each adapter comprising a unique plug configuration for mating to a specific power outlet. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A power strip (also known as an extension lead, power board and by many other variations) includes a series of sockets, which allows multiple devices to be plugged in. The series of sockets are in electrical communication with a flexible power cable. The series of sockets are disposed within a casing, wherein the flexible power cable extends from the casing. 
     As technology advances, the number of electronic devices requiring power increases. The power strip provides a means for distributing power from a single power outlet to multiple electronic devices. Therefore, the desire and applications for use of power strips continues to increase. 
     The need for multiple power outlets is not limited at one&#39;s home or office. The plug strips are designed to plug into a single power outlet configuration. The series of sockets are normally the same configuration as the plug, thus limiting the application to countries having the respective power outlet configuration. Travelers frequently encounter situations where a plug strip would be beneficial. Hotel accommodations, cruise ship cabins, and the like offer a limited number of power outlets. The traveler would benefit from having a plurality of power outlets available in a close proximity for such uses as a hair dryer, a curling iron, a razor power adapter, a computer power adapter, a cellular telephone power adapter, and the like. 
     Additionally, common plug strips include a series of sockets in a fixed configuration. Much of today&#39;s electronics require a transformer. Plug strips are not configured to accommodate a plurality of transformers. 
     Portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones utilise charging interfaces through a Universal Serial Buss (USB) interface. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a power strip capable of powering a series of electrically operated devices throughout the world. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to universal multi-outlet power strip adapter, the adapter comprising: 
     a casing; 
     a flexible power cable comprising a power input plug having a plurality of power input contacts; 
     a voltage A power distribution buss being assembled within the casing, the voltage A power distribution buss being in electrical communication with one power input contact; 
     a voltage B power distribution buss being assembled within the casing, the voltage A power distribution buss being in electrical communication with a second power input contact; 
     a series of receptacle assemblies disposed within the casing, each receptacle having a voltage A conduit providing electrical communication between a first power receptacle interface and the voltage A power distribution buss and a voltage B conduit providing electrical communication between a first power receptacle interface and the voltage B power distribution buss: 
     a series of removable power adapters, each power adapter comprising an adapter body, an adapter receptacle, and an adapter contact configuration, wherein a first adapter plug configuration of a first removable power adapter is arranged to engage with a first country outlet configuration and a second adapter plug configuration of a second removable power adapter is arranged to engage with a different country outlet configuration; and 
     the first and second power receptacle interfaces of each receptacle assembly of the series of receptacle assemblies are configured to receive one of the removable power adapters of the series. 
     In a second aspect, the adapter receptacle is configured to receive at least two different power plug configurations. 
     In yet another aspect, the receptacle voltage conduit is slideably assembled to the respective voltage power distribution buss. 
     In another aspect, the series of removable power adapters comprises at least four unique power plug configurations. 
     While, in yet another aspect, the series of removable power adapters comprise at least five unique power plug configurations. 
     In still another aspect, the power plug configurations of the series of removable power adapters is configured including at least two adapters having different contact configurations selected from a list of contact configurations including:
         a. a pair of flat blade contacts in an opposing parallel arrangement,   b. a pair of flat blade contacts in an opposing non-parallel arrangement,   c. a pair of larger diameter round contacts;   d. a pair of smaller diameter round contacts; and   e. a trio of rectangular contacts.       

     In a still further aspect, the universal multi-outlet power strip adapter further comprises a power conversion circuit, such as a transformer. 
     While another aspect provides at least one USB power connector integrated into the universal multi-outlet power strip adapter. 
     Whereas in another aspect, the universal multi-outlet power strip adapter further comprises a cover. 
     In another aspect, the cover is slideably attached to the casing. 
     While in yet another aspect, the cover is hingeably attached to the casing. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an exemplary universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly; 
         FIG. 2  presents an isometric view of the exemplary universal multi-outlet power strip adapter apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrated having each of a series of removable power adapters disengaged from the assembly; 
         FIG. 3  presents a top view of the universal multi-outlet power strip adapter apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrated having each of a series of removable power adapters removed from the assembly for clarity; 
         FIG. 4  presents an isometric view of another exemplary removable power adapter, the adapter comprising a contact configuration for use with an outlet configuration commonly used in countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, and the like; 
         FIG. 5  presents an isometric view of another exemplary removable power adapter, the adapter comprising a contact configuration for use with an outlet configuration commonly used in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, and the like; 
         FIG. 6  presents an isometric view of another exemplary removable power adapter, the adapter comprising a contact configuration for use with an outlet configuration commonly used in countries such as Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and the like; 
         FIG. 7  presents an isometric view of another exemplary removable power adapter, the adapter comprising a contact configuration for use with an outlet configuration commonly used in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and the like; 
         FIG. 8  presents an isometric view of another exemplary removable power adapter, the adapter comprising a contact configuration for use with an outlet configuration commonly used in countries such as United States, Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, and the like; 
         FIG. 9  presents an isometric view of two different removable power adapters providing an exemplary illustration of an engaging interface provided therebetween; and 
         FIG. 10  presents an isometric view of the exemplary universal multi-outlet power strip adapter apparatus of  FIG. 1 , introducing an exemplary adapter cover. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     An exemplary universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly  100  is presented in  FIGS. 1 through 10 . The universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly  100  distributes power from a wall power outlet assembly  400  to a series of power receptacles. The series of power receptacles provides power to a plurality of electrically operated devices. 
     The universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly  100  includes an adapter casing  110  providing a primary element for the assembly of the apparatus. An electrical circuit is provided to transfer electricity from a source, such as a wall power outlet assembly  400  to each of the series of power receptacles. The electrical circuit includes a plug assembly comprising a power input plug  134 , a voltage A power input contact  136  and a voltage B power input contact  138 , a flexible cable  132  and a pair of distribution busses  126 ,  128 . A voltage A power distribution buss  126  and a voltage B power distribution buss  128  are assembled within the adapter casing  110 . Electrical wires (not shown, but well understood) within the flexible cable  132  provide electrical communication between the electrical input contact  136 ,  138  and each respective distribution buss  126 ,  128 . A transformer  140 , or other power regulating circuit can be integrated into the electrical circuit to adjust the input power as needed. The transformer  140  can include a surge protection circuit. Power regulating circuits are well known by experts in electrical design. 
     A series of power receptacle assemblies  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  are integrated into the universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly  100 . Details of each power receptacle assembly are provided in  FIG. 3 . Using the first power receptacle assembly  310  as an example, the first power receptacle assembly  310  comprises one first power receptacle  314  in electrical communication with the voltage A power distribution buss  126  and a second first power receptacle  314  in electrical communication with the voltage B power distribution buss  128 . A first power receptacle body  312  is preferably of a molded plastic, supporting the first power receptacle  314 , the first voltage A conduit  316 , and the first voltage B conduit  318 . The first power receptacle  314  is configured for receiving a pair of flat blade contacts in an opposing parallel arrangement, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as United States, Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, and the like. A second power receptacle assembly  320  comprises the elements of the first power receptacle assembly  310 , where like features of second power receptacle assembly  320  and first power receptacle assembly  310  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘32’. The second power receptacle  324  is configured for receiving a pair of flat blade contacts in an opposing non-parallel arrangement, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and the like. A third power receptacle assembly  330  comprises the elements of the first power receptacle assembly  310 , where like features of third power receptacle assembly  330  and first power receptacle assembly  310  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘33’. The third power receptacle  334  is configured for receiving a receptacle for receiving a pair of larger diameter round contacts, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and the like. A fourth power receptacle assembly  340  comprises the elements of the first power receptacle assembly  310 , where like features of fourth power receptacle assembly  340  and first power receptacle assembly  310  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘34’. The fourth power receptacle  344  is configured for receiving a receptacle for receiving a pair of smaller diameter round contacts, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, and the like. A fifth power receptacle assembly  350  comprises the elements of the first power receptacle assembly  310 , where like features of fifth power receptacle assembly  350  and first power receptacle assembly  310  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘35’. The fifth power receptacle  354  is configured for receiving a receptacle for receiving a trio of rectangular contacts, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as United Kingdom, Singapore, and the like. The first voltage A conduit  316  can be rigidly or slideably coupled to the voltage A power distribution buss  126 . The slideable interface allows the user to adjust the position of each power receptacle assembly  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  to accommodate oversized plugs such as transformers. 
     At least one USB interface  360  can be incorporated into the universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly  100 . A power management circuit  370  can be integrated into the power distribution system to regulate, apportion, and convert the power to each of the at least one USB interface  360 . 
     A series of removable power adapters  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  are removably inserted into each respective power receptacle assembly  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The first removable power adapter  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  and comprises a pair of first removable power adapter contact  216 , wherein the pair of first removable power adapter contact  216  comprise a pair of flat blade contacts in an opposing parallel arrangement, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as United States, Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, and the like. A pair of first removable power adapter receptacle  214  is provided for receiving a plug from any of the five exemplary configurations. The five exemplary plug configurations are superimposed providing an outline to design one common receptacle capable of engaging with all five exemplary plug configurations. A first removable power adapter body  212  is preferably of a molded plastic, supporting the first removable power adapter receptacle  214  and the first removable power adapter contact  216 . The first removable power adapter receptacle  214  and first removable power adapter contact  216  are in electrical communication providing a means for conveying electrical power. 
     The second removable power adapter  220  is illustrated in  FIG. 7  and comprises a pair of second removable power adapter contact  226 , wherein the pair of second removable power adapter contact  226  comprise a pair of flat blade contacts in an opposing non-parallel arrangement, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and the like. A second removable power adapter  220  comprises the elements of the first removable power adapter  210 , where like features of second removable power adapter  220  and first removable power adapter  210  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘22’. 
     The third removable power adapter  230  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  and comprises a pair of third removable power adapter contact  236 , wherein the pair of third removable power adapter contact  236  comprise a pair of larger diameter round contacts, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and the like. A third removable power adapter  230  comprises the elements of the first removable power adapter  210 , where like features of third removable power adapter  230  and first removable power adapter  210  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘23’. 
     The fourth removable power adapter  240  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  and comprises a pair of fourth removable power adapter contact  246 , wherein the pair of fourth removable power adapter contact  246  comprise a pair of smaller diameter round contacts, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, and the like. A fourth removable power adapter  240  comprises the elements of the first removable power adapter  210 , where like features of fourth removable power adapter  240  and first removable power adapter  210  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘24’. 
     The fifth removable power adapter  250  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  and comprises a trio of fifth removable power adapter contact  256 , wherein the trio of fifth removable power adapter contact  256  comprise square contacts, the configuration being commonly associated with electrical interface configurations in countries such as United Kingdom, Singapore, and the like. A fifth removable power adapter  250  comprises the elements of the first removable power adapter  210 , where like features of fifth removable power adapter  250  and first removable power adapter  210  are numbered the same except incremented by the numeral ‘25’. 
     The removable power adapter receptacles  214 ,  224 ,  234 ,  244 ,  254  are designed to receive each of the various configurations of the removable power adapter contacts  216 ,  226 ,  236 ,  246 ,  256 . By utilizing the series of removable power adapters  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 , each removable power adapter  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  can receive any the five exemplary plug configurations. This allows the traveler to utilize the universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly  100  with any electrically powered device having any of the five exemplary plug configurations. The power input plug  134  comprises one contact configuration. When the user is traveling, and visiting a country having a source power outlet  402  that differs from the contact configuration of the power input plug  134 , the user would remove the respective removable power adapter  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 , and insert the selected removable power adapter  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  between the power input plug  134  and the source power outlet  402 . 
     The universal multi-outlet power strip adapter assembly  100  can include a cover, such as the exemplary cover assembly  500  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The cover assembly  500  is fabricated having a sliding cover  510 . The sliding cover  510  is can be of any shape to cover the series of removable power adapters  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  when assembled to the adapter casing  110 . The exemplary cover assembly  500  slideably engages with the adapter casing  110 . The sliding cover  510  includes a cover opening edge  512  and a coupling tab  514 . The cover opening edge  512  is shaped respective to the cross sectional shape of the sliding cover  510  and to sufficiently clear the removable power adapters  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  during closure. A coupling tab  514  slideably engages with the cover receiving slot  112 , providing a sliding motion for opening/closing the cover assembly  500 . 
     It is understood that the receptacle configuration of the power receptacle assemblies  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350  can be the same as the receptacle configuration of the removable power adapters  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 . 
     The removable power adapters  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  can be colored, color coded, or marked in any other manner to provide a unique identifier to aid in associated each removable power adapter  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  with a respective country. The packaging would include a table or other identifying reference associated with the unique identifier for the user. 
     The exemplary cover  500  presents a sliding interface. It is understood that the cover can be hinged, a snap on, or of any other mechanical interface configuration. The cover can be more complex, providing access to each individual removable power adapter  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 . 
     The adapter casing  110  can include a channel, hook, clips, or similar providing for storage of the power input cable assembly  130 . The power input cable assembly  130  would be wrapped about the adapter casing  110 , maintained in position by the channel, hook, clips, or similar. Alternately, the power input cable assembly  130  can be retractable into a cavity integrated into the adapter casing  110 . 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7