Abstract:
The present invention provides an assembly for providing electrical power to an electrical device. The assembly includes a receptacle including an electrical connector for connection to a power supply, a length of an electrical cable that is contained within the receptacle and that is coupled to the electric connector, wherein the length of electrical cable is retractably extendable from within the receptacle. In an embodiment, the electrical cable is electrically connectable to a mains power supply to transmit electrical power from the supply to one or more electrical connectors mounted to the receptacle. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a releasably connectable power distribution board and in another embodiment the assembly includes a releasably connectable light emitting device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application based on PCT Patent Application No. PCT/AU2011/000210, filed Feb. 25, 2011, whose priority is claimed on Australian Patent Application Nos. 2010900808 filed Feb. 25, 2010, 2010900807 filed Feb. 25, 2010, 201000809 filed Feb. 25, 2010, 2010900831 filed Feb. 26, 2010 and 2010905259 filed Nov. 29, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors. In particular, the present invention relates to a power distribution board assembly for supplying power to a plurality of electrically powered devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor&#39;s knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein. 
         [0004]    Existing power boards or power distribution boards typically include a housing having a plurality of electrical connectors associated with a plurality of electrical sockets that are configured to respectively electrically connect to an electrical plug attached to an end of a power cord extending from an electrically powered device. The power board typically includes a power cable attached to the housing and having an electrical plug for connection to an electrical supply outlet. The electrical cord typically enters the housing and is connected to each of the plurality of electrical connectors of the plurality of electrical sockets in the housing. Accordingly, when the electrical cord of the power board is connected to a mains electrical supply the electrical connectors of the electrical plugs of one or more electrically powered devices can be plugged into a respective one of the electrical sockets of the power board to thereby supply electrical power to the one or more electrically powered devices. 
         [0005]    It is often desirable to be able to provide a means for providing an electrical power supply to one or more electrical devices at locations that are remote from a power supply outlet. This is often the case where the electrically powered device is a hand held power tool where work to be carried out by the power tool may be located at a position that is quite remote from any power supply outlet. Furthermore, in circumstances in which a user wishes to perform work, such as with a hand held power tool but not necessarily so, at a position remote from a power supply outlet it is often desirable for the user to have other means at their disposal for assisting in carrying out such work. For example, where work is to be carried out in a poorly lit environment a user may require some means of providing light in the area in which work is to be carried out. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present invention seeks to ameliorate the problems set out above by providing, in a first aspect, an carry cabinet for providing electrical power to an electrical device, the carry cabinet including:
       a receptacle including an electrical connector for connection to a power supply;   a length of an electrical cable that is contained within the receptacle and that is coupled to the electrical connector,   wherein the length of electrical cable is retractably extendable from within the receptacle.       
 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the electrical cable being electrically connectable to an electrically powered device to transmit electrical power from the power supply to the device. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the length of electrical cable is wound around a reel contained within the receptacle wherein the cable can be unwound from the reel to extend from the receptacle and wound around the reel to thereby retract the cable into the receptacle. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the carry cabinet further includes a power distribution board including a housing having a plurality of electrical connectors for connection with one or more electrically powered devices and a length of electrical cable including an electrical connector for connection to a power supply. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the power distribution board and the receptacle are releasably connectable together and the receptacle includes an electrical connector that is connectable to the length of electrical cable of the power distribution board to supply electrical power thereto. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the receptacle includes one or more locking members that are configured to releasably lock the housing of the power distribution board to the receptacle. 
         [0015]    In yet another embodiment, the locking member includes a rotatable abutment surface that is receivable through an opening in the housing of the power distribution board and is rotatable relative to the opening to a position in which the abutment surface abuts against a portion of the housing immediately adjacent to the opening to thereby lock the housing to the receptacle. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the carry cabinet further includes an electrically powered light emitting device that is releasably connectable to the receptacle and includes a length of electrical cable including an electrical connector for connection to a power supply. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the carry cabinet further includes an electrical connector that is connectable to the length of electrical cable of the electrically powered light emitting device to supply electrical power thereto. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the light emitting device includes a housing having a base member containing a light source and a transparent cover member connected to the base member for covering the light source and allowing light to pass therethrough. 
         [0019]    In yet another embodiment, the light emitting device housing includes a stand member pivotally attached to the base member for maintaining the light emitting device in an upright position on a surface. 
         [0020]    In still yet another embodiment, the receptacle includes one or more locking members for releasably locking the light emitting device to the receptacle. 
         [0021]    In a further embodiment, the locking member includes a rotatable abutment surface that is receivable through an opening in the housing of the light emitting device and is rotatable relative to the opening to a position in which the abutment surface abuts against a portion of the housing immediately adjacent to the opening to thereby lock the housing to the receptacle. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle includes means for releasable attachment of the receptacle to a support fixed to an upright surface. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the receptacle includes an opposing pair of inwardly curved members for receiving a pair of outwardly curved surfaces of the support therebetween wherein the weight of the carry cabinet is substantially supported by engagement between an upper on of the inwardly curved surfaces of the receptacle and an upper one of the outwardly curved surfaces of the support. 
         [0024]    More preferably, the receptacle pivots about the engaged upper one of the inwardly curved surfaces and the upper one of the outwardly curved surfaces until a lower one of the inwardly curved surfaces of the receptacle engages the lower one of the outwardly curved surfaces of the support in a releasably locking arrangement. 
         [0025]    Where used herein the term ‘assembly’ is understood to by synonymous with the term ‘carry cabinet’. 
         [0026]    In a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a carry cabinet adapted for providing electrical power to a handheld power tool, the carry cabinet including:
       an electrical connector for connection to a power supply;   an electrical cable that is contained within the carry cabinet, the electrical cable having a first end for connection to the electrical connector and a second end that is electrically connectable to the handheld power tool to transmit electrical power from the power supply to the power tool;
 
wherein the carry cabinet includes a mounting mean for releasably mounting the cabinet on a frame.
       
 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment the carry cabinet is portable. Thus the carry cabinet may be stored on the frame, and can be readily released and carried to where it is needed. The carry cabinet may be releasably mounted by any convenient mounting means, such as a latch that allows the carry cabinet can be changed between a mounted and a demounted configuration respectively by engaging and disengaging the latch between the carry cabinet and the frame. 
         [0030]    In a particularly preferred embodiment the carry cabinet further includes an electrically powered light emitting device that is releasably connectable to the carry cabinet. Thus the carry cabinet is a mobile source of electricity and illumination that can placed in the most convenient location. 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the carry cabinet of the present invention may form part of a storage system for storing devices, the system typically including:
       a frame for demountably supporting multiple carry cabinets,   at least one carry cabinet according to the present invention,   at least one carry cabinet adapted to receive a handheld power tool, wherein said handheld power tools can be removably inserted through a port in their respective carry cabinet while said multiple carry cabinets are mounted on the frame,       
 
         [0035]    characterised in that,
       said devices can be transported in their respective carry cabinets when each of said carry cabinets are demounted from the frame and electrically connected to the electrical cable of the carry cabinet of the present invention.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. The following figures represent embodiments of the invention in the form of a power station assembly for connection with one more electrical devices and a power supply for supplying power to the electrical devices. 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the power station assembly including a receptacle containing a power board module, a light emitting device and a retractable power cord. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the power station assembly of  FIG. 1  with part of the receptacle removed to illustrate the light emitting device module and the retractable power cord located within the receptacle. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the power station assembly of  FIG. 1  with part of the receptacle removed and the light emitting device module removed to illustrate the retractable power cord and the power board module located within the receptacle. 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates a power board module of the power station assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a forward perspective view of the light emitting device module of the power station assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates a rearward perspective review light emitting device module of the power station assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  illustrates a forward perspective view of a support that is configured to be mounted to an upright surface, such as a wall, and that is configured for releasable attachment with the power station assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view the support of  FIG. 7  with the power station assembly of  FIG. 1  attached thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , there is shown a power station assembly  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The assembly  10  broadly includes a receptacle  20  that is configured for releasably attachment to a support, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , wherein the support  80  is attached to an upright surface such as a wall surface. The power station assembly  10  further includes a power board module  30  that is releasably connectable to the receptacle  20  and a light emitting device module  40  that is also releasably connectable to the receptacle  20 . The power station assembly  10  further includes a length of power cord  50  that is arranged to retractably extend from within the receptacle  20  of the power station assembly  10 . The power station assembly  10  further includes a power supply cord  12  in the form of a length of electrically conductive cable including a plug type electrical connector  14  that extends from the receptacle  20  for connection to a power supply outlet, such as a mains power supply outlet, wherein the power supply cord is electrically connected to a number of components of the power station assembly  10  to supply power thereto. 
         [0047]    In use, the power station assembly  10  can facilitate supply of electrical power at a location remote from a power supply outlet, such as a mains power supply outlet, at which a user may require power for one or more electrical devices. To achieve this, the power supply cord  12  may be withdrawn from within the receptacle  20  and connected to a power supply located proximally to the power station assembly  10 . The retractable power cord  50  may then be withdrawn from within the receptacle  20  and brought to a location remote from the power station assembly  10 , and the power supply outlet, and can be electrically connected to an electrically powered device or to the power board module  30  which is thereby capable of connection to one or more electrically powered devices and for supplying power thereto. Furthermore, the light emitting device module  40  can be removed from the receptacle  20  and can be connected to the retractable power cord  50  or the power board module  30  for casting light in a work area or on a work surface. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ,  7  and  8 , the receptacle  20  includes a base portion  21  that includes a base wall  23 , a pair of opposite side walls  24 ,  26  upstanding from the base wall  23  and a pair of opposite end walls  25 ,  27  upstanding from the base wall  23  and extending between and to each of the side walls  24 ,  26 . Accordingly, the base wall  23 , side walls  24 ,  26  and end walls  25 ,  27  of the base portion  21  generally form a box shaped member including an internal cavity  29 . Edges of the end walls  25 ,  27  and the side walls  24 ,  26  located distally from the base wall  23  define an opening to the cavity  29 . The opening is covered by a fascia  22 . The receptacle  20  further includes a handle member  28  that is pivotally connected to the end walls  25 ,  27  of the base portion  21 . The handle member  28  is configured to be gripped by a user to transport the power station assembly  10  to a desired location. 
         [0049]    The power supply cord  12  is electrically connected to a main on-off switch  16 . The main on-off switch  16  is electrically connected to the retractable power cord  50  and to at least two more electrical connectors (not shown) mounted to the fascia  22  of the receptacle  20 . The main on-off switch  16  is manually operable for selectively supplying electrical power from a power outlet via the power supply cord  12  to the retractable power cord  50  and the at least two more electrical connectors (not shown) mounted to the fascia  22 . The assembly  10  further includes a manually resettable circuit breaker  18  that is operable for cutting the supply of electrical power from the power outlet via the power supply cord  12  to the retractable power cord  50  and/or the at least two more electrical connectors (not shown) mounted to the fascia  22  in the event that the current flow exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
         [0050]    The retractable power cord  50  includes a length of electrically conductive cable  52  including a plug type electrical connector  54  electrically connected to one end of the cable  52 . The cable  52  is wound around a reel  55  that is mounted to a bracket  56 . The reel  55  is fixed within the cavity  29  of the receptacle  20  by way of the bracket  56  being fixed to the base portion  21  of the receptacle  20 . The reel  55  is capable of rotating relative to the bracket  56  to enable the cable  52  to be unwound and drawn therefrom such that any desirable length of the cable  52  may be drawn from the receptacle  20  such that the connector  54  can be connected to an electrically powered device and/or to the power distribution board  30  at a location remote from the power station assembly  10 . The reel  55  is configured to selectively retract the cable  52  by rotating relative to the bracket  56  when it is required by a user to retract the cable  52 . The other end of the cable  52  is electrically connected to the power supply cable  12 . Accordingly, when the power supply cable  12  is connected to a power supply outlet electrical power can be supplied via the retractable power cord  50  to an electrically powered device and/or to the power distribution board  30  at a location remote from the power station assembly  10 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , the power board module  30  includes a housing  32  that is elongated and includes a first end  33 , a second end  35  and a face panel  34  extending between the first and second ends  33 ,  35 . The face panel  34  includes a plurality of electrical connector portions  36  mounted therein. An electrically conductive cable (not shown) extends from the housing  32  that can be electrically connected to an electrical connector (not shown) mounted in the fascia  22  of the receptacle  20  or to connector  54  of the retractable power cord  50 . The cable extending from the housing  32  of the power board module  30  is electrically connected to each of the electrical connector portions  36  such that when the connector  14  of the power supply cable  12  is connected to a power supply each of the connector portions  36  of the power board module  30  are operable for connection with an electrical connector of an electrically powered device and for suppling electrical power to the device. 
         [0052]    The power board module  30  is configured to be received within a power board module receiving opening  30 A within the facia  22  of the receptacle  20 . The power board module  30  includes first and second openings  37 ,  39  respectively located at the first and second ends  33 ,  35  of the housing  32 . When the housing  32  is fitted within the power board module receiving opening  30 A of the facia  22  a pair of locking members  37 A,  39 A are respectively received within one of the openings  37 ,  39 . The locking members  37 A,  39 A are in the form of rotatable locking knobs that each include an abutment surface that is configured to abut against one of a pair of abutment surfaces  31 ,  38  located immediately adjacent to each of the openings  37 ,  39  when the locking knob is rotated to a appropriate position to thereby lock the power board module  30  within the module opening  30 A of the receptacle  20 . Rotation of the locking members  37 A,  39 A causes the abutment surfaces thereof to be disengaged from the abutment surfaces  31 ,  38  adjacent to the openings  37 ,  39  to enable the power board module  30  to be removed within the module opening  30 A. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 , the light emitting device module  40  includes a housing  42  comprised of a base housing  41  including a base panel  43  and four side panels  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  17  upstanding from the base panel  43  to define a cavity there within. Mounted within the cavity within the base housing  41  is light emitting device  49  that is in the form of a fluorescent lamp, also known as an electrical discharge lamp, such as a compact fluorescent lamp. The light emitting device  49  includes a gas filled tube  62  and an electronic ballast  64  that is electrically connected to a cable (not shown) extended from the housing  42  of the light emitting device module  40 . The electrically conductive cable is electrically connectable to the connector  54  of the retractable power cord  50  or to an electrical connector (not shown) mounted within the fascia  22  of the receptacle  20 . Thus, that when the connector  14  of the power supply cable  12  is connected to a power supply electrical power is supplied to the light emitting device  49  of the light emitting device module  40 . The light emitting device module  40  may include a switch to switch the light emitting device  49  on and off. The housing  42  of the light emitting device module  40  further includes a transparent cover  48  mounted to a free edge of the side panels  44 ,  45 , 46 ,  47  to thereby cover the light emitting device  49  and allow light to be transmitted there through. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the housing  42  of the light emitting device module  40  further includes a stand member  65  and a base panel  67 . The base panel  67  is mounted to one of the side panels  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  of the base housing  41  and the stand member  65  is pivotally connected to the base panel  43  of the base housing  41 . In use, the light emitting device module  40  is mounted on a surface in an upright position and rests upon the base panel  67 . The stand member  65  can be pivoted relative to the base housing  41  between a retracted position and an extended position wherein in the extended position the stand member  65  is operable for supporting the light emitting device module  40  in an upright position on a surface supported by the base panel  67 . When the light emitting device module  40  is in the upright position the transparent cover  48  is orientated substantially transversely to the surface upon which the base panel  67  rests such that light emitted by the light emitting device  49  is transmitted through the transparent cover  48  reaches and illuminates a work area or a work surface. 
         [0055]    The base panel  67  of the light emitting device module  40  includes a first end  68  and a second end  69  and an opening  71 ,  73  at each of the respective first and second ends  68 ,  69 . Each of the openings  71 ,  73  includes an abutment surface  72 ,  74  located immediately adjacent to respective ones of the openings  71 ,  73 . The facia  22  of the receptacle  20  includes a light emitting device module receiving opening  40 A that is configured to receive the housing  42  of the light emitting device module  40  there through. When the housing  42  of the light emitting device module  40  is received through the opening  40 A a pair of locking members  71  A,  73 A are received through the openings  71 ,  73  and operate similarly to the locking members  37 A,  39 A described above for locking the power board module  30  to the receptacle  20 . Accordingly, each of these locking members  71  A,  73 A is a rotatable knob that is adapted to rotate to a position in which the locking members  71 A,  73 A abut against the abutment surfaces  72 ,  74  to lock the light emitting device module  40  within the opening  40 A of the receptacle  20  and another position in which the light emitting device module  40  can be removed from the opening  40 A of the receptacle  20 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  8 , the power station assembly  10  is configured for attachment to a support  80  that is fixed to an upright surface such as a wall. The support  80  includes an elongate base  81  that is adapted to be fixed to a wall surface by any suitable means. The base  81  includes a plurality of apertures  82  adapted to receive fasteners there through to fix the base  81  to the wall surface. The support  80  further includes an interface part  83  that extends from the base  81 . The interface part  83  includes a plurality of spaced apart upright members  84  that are upstanding from the base  81 . The interface part  83  further includes an upper cross member  85  and a lower cross member  86  wherein both the upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86  extend between and are fixed to adjacent pairs of the upright members  84 . The upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86  are spaced apart from the base  81 . Furthermore, the upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86  respectively include an upper outwardly curved or convex surface  87  and a lower outwardly curved or convex curved surface  88 . The receptacle  20  of the power station assembly  10  includes a pair of opposed inwardly curved, concave or hook shaped members  92 ,  94  within the base wall  23  of the base portion  21 . The inwardly curved, concave or hook shaped members  92 ,  94  are spaced apart and oppose each other and define a recess  96  there between. The receptacle  20  of the power station assembly  10  is releasably mountable to the interface part  83  of the support  80  to thereby releasably mount the power station assembly  10  to the wall to which the support  80  is fixed. This is achieved by placing a first one of the inwardly curved, concave or hook shaped members  92  over one of the outwardly curved or convex surfaces  87 ,  88  of the upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86  and subsequently positioning the other one of the inwardly curved, concave or hook shaped members  92 ,  94  over the other one of the upper and lower outwardly curved or convex surfaces  87 ,  88  of the upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86 . Thus, the inwardly curved, concave or hook shaped members  92 ,  94  abut against a respective one of the upper and lower outwardly curved or convex surfaces  87 ,  88  of the upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86  to thereby retain the upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86  within the recess  96  between the inwardly curved, concave or hook shaped members  92 ,  94 . The weight of the assembly  10  is substantially supported by engagement between an upper one of the inwardly curved surfaces  92  of the receptacle  20  and an upper one of the outwardly curved surfaces  87  of the support  80 . The receptacle  20  can pivot about the upper one of the inwardly curved surfaces  92  and the upper one of the outwardly curved surfaces  87  until a lower one of the inwardly curved surfaces  94  of the receptacle  20  engages the lower one of the outwardly curved surfaces  88  of the support  20  in a releasably locking arrangement such as in a snap fit manner. 
         [0057]    When a user wishes to remove the power station assembly  10  from the support  80  the user can grip the receptacle  20  or the handle member  28  and remove the hook shaped members  92 ,  94  from the upper and lower cross members  85 ,  86 . The user can then transport the power station assembly  10  to a location close to a power supply outlet where the user can connect the connector  14  of the power supply cord  12  to the power supply outlet. The user can then extend the retractable power cord  50  from the power station assembly  10  and bring the connector  54  of the retractable power cord  50  to a location at which the user wishes to use one or more electrically powered devices, such as hand held power tools, or where the user wishes to illuminate an area or work surface. The user can then connect the connector  54  of the retractable cable  50  to an electrically powered device at a location remote from the power station assembly  10 . The user can then, as required, remove the power board module  30  from the power station assembly  10  and connect the electrical cable of the power board module  30  to the connector  54  of the retractable power cord  50  and also connect one or more electrically powered devices to the connector portions  36  of the power board module  30 . The user can also remove the light emitting device module  40  from the power station assembly  10  and connect the power cord of the light emitting device module  40  to the connector  54  of the retractable power cord  50  or to a connector portion  36  of the power board module  30  and illuminate an area or a work surface. 
         [0058]    After use, the user can return either the power board module  30  to the power board module receiving opening  30 A of the receptacle  20  and/or can return the light emitting device module  40  to the light emitting device module receiving opening  40 A of the receptacle  20 . The user can then releasably lock the power board module  30  and the light emitting device module  40  thereto. The user can then return the power station assembly  10  to the support  80  and mount the power station assembly  10  to the interface part  83  of the support.  80   
         [0059]    Finally, it is to be appreciated and understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.