Expanding Space Saving Power Strip

Abstract

An electrical outlet strip is disclosed, the outlet strip comprised of a power source, such as a power cable, and a plurality of socket modules. At least one socket module includes at least one electrical socket electrically interconnected with the power source. Each socket module is mechanically and adjustably engaged with at least one other socket module, whereby the outlet strip is expandable and compressible such that both small power plugs and larger AC adapters may be plugged into the electrical socket of each socket module.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical outlet strip of the invention, illustrating a plurality of socket modules;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical outlet strip of the invention, illustrating the plurality of socket modules in a collapsed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical outlet strip of the invention, illustrating the plurality of socket modules in an expanded position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1, illustrating internal wiring of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially cut-away, of a socket module of the invention, illustrating an embodiment having rigid, conductive bus bars and sliding conductive contacts; and

FIG. 6 is a top-plan view, partially cut-away, of a socket module of the invention, illustrating the embodiment having bus bars.

Claims

1. An electrical outlet strip comprising: a power source; anda plurality of socket modules, at least one of the socket modules including at least one electrical socket electrically interconnected with the power source, each socket module mechanically and adjustably engaged with at least one other socket module.

2. The electrical outlet strip of claim 1 wherein the power source is a power cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the power cord including an electrical plug, the proximal end of the power cord fixed to at least one of the socket modules.

3. The electrical outlet strip of claim 2 wherein one of the socket modules is a base module, the proximal end of the power cord being fixed and electrically connected thereto, the base module adapted for mechanically adjustable engagement with at least one of the socket modules and electrically interconnecting the power cord to the at least one socket module.

4. The electrical outlet strip of claim 3 further including an end socket module that is adapted for mechanically adjustable engagement to exactly one other adjacent socket module.

5. The electrical outlet strip of claim 1 wherein the electrical socket of each socket module is electrically connected to the electrical socket of each adjacent socket module with a plurality of electrical conductors therein.

6. The electrical outlet strip of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors is a rigid, conductive bus bar.

7. The electrical outlet strip of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors is a flexible wire.

8. The electrical outlet strip of claim 1 wherein each socket module is mechanically prevented from complete disengagement from each adjacent module with a stop means.

9. An electrical outlet strip comprising: a power cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the power cord adapted for receiving a power input at the distal end thereof and conducting it to the proximal end thereof;a base module including a housing fixed to the proximal end of the power cord at a distal end thereof, and including a mutual adjustment means, the base module adapted for conducting power from the power cord through the housing;a plurality of socket modules each including a substantially hollow housing, each socket module including the mutual adjustment means, and at least one socket module including at least one electrical socket electrically interconnected to each next adjacent module, each socket for receiving a power plug and providing power thereto;an end module including a substantially hollow housing having the mutual adjustment means;whereby each socket module or end module may be pulled away from its next adjacent module to manually select the distance between adjacent electrical sockets by manually adjusting any of the mutual adjustment means.

10. The electrical outlet strip of claim 9 wherein each mutual adjustment means is a rigid neck of one socket module slidably retained within an aperture of an adjacent socket module.

11. The electrical outlet strip of claim 9 further including a conventional power plug fixed at the distal end of the power cord and electrically connected thereto.

12. The electrical outlet strip of claim 9 wherein each socket module is electrically connected to each adjacent socket module with a plurality of electrical conductors therein.

13. The electrical outlet strip of claim 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors is a rigid, conductive bus bar.

14. The electrical outlet strip of claim 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors is a flexible wire.

15. The electrical outlet strip of claim 10 wherein each socket module is mechanically prevented from completely disengaging from each adjacent module with a stop means.

16. The electrical outlet strip of claim 9 wherein each socket module is mechanically nestable with each adjacent module when each adjacent module is in a collapsed position therewith.

17. The electrical outlet strip of claim 10 wherein the neck portion of each socket module, when in an expanded position with relation to an adjacent module, forms a cable management channel therebetween.

18. The electrical outlet strip of claim 9 wherein the base module further includes a power switch for selectively supplying power to the sockets.

19. The electrical outlet strip of claim 9 further including a surge-protection circuit electrically connected in parallel to each electrical socket.

20. The electrical outlet strip of claim 9 further including a circuit-breaker electrically connected in series with the power source.

21. The electrical outlet strip of claim 18 further including at least one status light indicator on the base module for indicating the status of the power switch.