Modular Outlet Strip

Abstract

A modular surge protector is provided where only the number and types of modules needed are purchased and connected together by a fixed line current or a removable power supply outlet. Generally, the modular surge protector includes a power distribution module, which is connected to a source of line current and one or more power supply modules, which may be connected via an additional line current or may be attached by the use of a power supply outlet. Each of the power supply modules will have at least one power supply outlet and may also have a modem surge protector.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention deals with outlet strips, and more particularly, with an outlet strip which may be in the form of a surge protector of the type commonly used to protect sensitive electrically operated equipment from line current surges. Most particularly, the invention deals with a modular outlet strip or surge protector having several types of sections which are fixedly connected via an extension line cord or connected and disconnected by virtue of an extension line cord means provided on the modules for mating with the outlet strip.

2. Description of the Art

Electrically operated equipment, practically since its inception, has been subject to surges of current over the power lines to which it is connected. These current surges can be caused by naturally occurring phenomenon, such as lightning strikes during thunderstorms, which induce power surges in the power lines, or by man-made causes, such as sudden variations in the power being output from a generating station due to failures of components or other generators going on- or off-line.

Some types of electrical equipment have been developed which are more sensitive to line current surges than other types. Equipment which is particularly sensitive is in the nature of television sets, stereos, answering machines, and more recently, computer equipment. Ever since the advent of this sensitive electronic equipment, those in the art have sought a convenient and economical way to protect such electrical equipment from power surges. Many surge protectors are known in the prior art, and all operate by generally well-known principles, such as by capacitors connected between live and earth conductors which discharge in the presence of a sudden surge of power and effectively short out that surge of power before it can reach the power supply cords plugged in to such surge protectors.

However, the outlet strips and surge protectors available in the prior art are generally of one type. They consist of a line cord with the surge protection, where used, connected across many outlets connected in parallel. Normally, the surge protectors have an on/off switch, an indicator light, and from six to ten receptacles. In many cases, only one or two receptacles are needed at a particular location, and the excess of receptacles provides for a bulky and inconvenient appliance.

Also, with the advent of computers with built-in telephone modems, a modem surge protector is many times needed in conjunction with a line current surge protector so that both the phone modem and the computer are protected from surges of current which may occur simultaneously. Modem surge protectors, in combination with line current surge protectors, have not been available until the time of the present invention. Thus, those skilled in the art have continued to search for solutions to the problems of how to provide a convenient, compact, and yet adaptable, surge protector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above described problems of longstanding in the art, a first modular outlet strip or surge protector is provided and includes several connectors and modules, including a power distribution portion having at least two female portions provided along separate planes of the outlet strip and may include a satellite outlet strip having at least one female portion connected by an extended line cord to the first modular outlet strip for use in an area distant from the where only the number and types of modules needed are purchased and connected easily together by quick connect means. Generally, the outlet strip or surge protector consists of a power distribution portion, which is connected to a source of line current, and one or more modules of a power supply type which snap to each other, and the power distribution module, by the use of quick connect means. This provides the needed functions without, at the same time, providing a large and bulky surge protector.

In one modification of the present invention, a power distribution module has a line cord having a standard and well-known three prong plug for connection to a source of line current. Connected to the line cord, seriatim, may be such as a circuit breaker, an on/off switch, an indicator light and a power transfer receptacle. A female portion of a quick connect means is also provided by which a power supply module having first and second power transfer connectors, and a male portion of the quick connect means is quickly snapped into place. The power supply modules may have as, few as one power supply receptacle, or may have as many as desired. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply modules come with either two or four power supply receptacles, and either have a female portion of a quick connect means on the other end to provide for connection of additional modules, or terminate with a modem surge protector having an RJ 11 connector in the end thereof.

In another modification of the present invention, the female portion of the quick connect means consists of an elongated slot at the base of a shroud, and the male portion of the quick connect means consists of an elongated ridge on a tab, said elongated ridge fitting into the slot in the female portion of the quick connect means.

In a third modification of the present invention, the quick connect means consists of a male portion comprising a shroud surrounding a male power transfer connector, and having an opening therein at a predetermined position, and of a predetermined shape, to accept a portion of a female quick connect means. The relevant portion of the female quick connect means comprises a female power transfer connector contained within a reduced housing portion and having a tab with a like shaped protuberance to said opening formed thereon.

In a fourth modification of the present invention, a first modular outlet strip or surge protector is provided and includes several connectors and modules, including a power distribution portion having at least two female portions provided along separate planes of the outlet strip and may include a satellite outlet strip having at least one female portion connected by an extended line cord to the first modular outlet strip for use in an area distant from the first modular outlet strip where only the number and types of modules needed are purchased and connected easily together by a fixed line current or a line cord terminating in a plug for connection to the first modular outlet strip and its source of line current. Generally, the outlet strip or surge protector consists of a power distribution portion, which is connected to a source of line current, and one or more modules of a power supply type which connect to the power distribution module, by the use of a fixed land line or terminating plug. This provides the needed functions without, at the same time, providing a large and bulky surge protector.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular outlet strip or surge protector system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular outlet strip or surge protector having a power distribution module, and one or more types of power supply modules.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a power distribution module in a modular surge protector having a line cord connected seriatim to a source of power, a circuit breaker, an indicator light and a switch, terminating in a female power transfer receptacle cooperating with the female portion of the quick connect means.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a module for use in a modular surge protection system having a plurality of power supply receptacles formed in the top thereof, a male portion of a quick connect means formed on one end thereof, and a female portion of a quick connect means formed on the other end thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a module for use in a modular surge protection system having a plurality of power supply receptacles formed in the top thereof, at least one separate power supply receptacle fixedly attached to the module with a fixed line current, or removably attached with a plug for use with a receptacle provided with the module.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a module for a modular surge protector system having modem surge protection means and power supply surge protection means provided in the same module.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an outlet strip or surge protector of a modular nature providing for convenience to the user by being able to be assembled in various ways depending on the user's needs.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a modular outlet strip or surge protector of the foregoing nature which is easy to manufacture and is of a low cost and economical nature.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular surge protector of the present invention showing the different modules usable with the system of the present invention, and how they connect together.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the interior construction of some of the modules shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, similar in part to FIG. 1, but showing a modification of the present invention having different quick connect means.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along the section line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the quick connect means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is similar in part to FIG. 5, showing identical quick connect means, and showing a modified power transfer means.

FIG. 7 is a view similar in part to FIG. 6, but showing a modification of the invention having a different quick connect means.

FIG. 8 is a view similar in part to FIG. 5, but showing a further modification of the invention having a different quick connect means.

FIGS. 9-13 show several types of quick connect means which can be used with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an electrical schematic of the construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a modular surge protector of the present invention showing the different modules usable with the system of the present invention, and how they connect together.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and is capable of being practiced or carried out in various ways within the scope of the claims. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the modular surge protector of the present invention, generally designated by the numeral 20. The modular surge protector 20 consists of one or more modules 21, such as the power distribution module 22, the two receptacle module 23, the modem surge protector module 24, and the four receptacle module 25.

The power distribution module 22 typically has a line cord 26 terminating in a plug 27 for connection to a source of line current. The plug 27 may be a two-prong or three-prong plug or other plug as desired. For purposes of illustration, there is shown a standard, three conductor, polarized connector or grounding plug, although it is to be understood that whatever type of line current the surge protector is to be used on, will dictate the particular form of the plug.

Also found on the power distribution module 22 is a circuit breaker 28, an indicator light 29, and an on/off switch 30.

The line cord 26 is electrically connected seriatim to the circuit breaker 28 the indicator light 29 and the on/off switch 30 before terminating at the female power transfer connector or receptacle 31. The female receptacle 31 has a plurality of appropriately shaped receptors 32 to receive a plurality of like shaped male connectors 33 carried by the male power transfer connector 34. An electrical schematic of the power distribution module 22, two receptacle module 23, the modem surge protector module 24, and the four receptacle module 25 is shown in FIG. 14.

The various modules 21 of my improved surge protector are connected by quick connect means, generally designated by the numeral 40. Each of the quick connect means 40 contains a male portion 41 and a female portion 42. In the embodiment shown FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the male portion 41 has a retainer means 43 in the form of a tab 44 having an upstanding ridge portion 45, while the female portion 42 of the quick connect means 40 has a retaining means 47 in the form of a slot 48 which receives and retains the upstanding ridge 45 provided on the tab 44 forming a portion of the male portion 41 of the quick connect means 40. As will be seen in the further embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the position of the retainer means 43 and the retaining means 47 can be reversed, and they can take forms other than tabs 44 which fit in slots 48.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the male portion 41 of the quick connect means 40 generally takes the form of a reduced housing portion 50 surrounding the male power transfer connector 34 (FIG. 2), while the female portion 42 of quick connect means 40 takes the form of a shroud 51 formed on the end of housing 52. The reduced housing portion 50 of the housing 52 plugs into and is surrounded by the shroud 51. Each module 21, except the power distribution module 22, contains one or more power supply receptacles 53 into which the power line cord of the equipment being protected is plugged.

As can be seen, the live, earth, and ground female receptors in each female power transfer connector 31 are connected to the live, earth, and ground male connectors 33 in the male power transfer connector 34 by the live, earth, and ground connector strips 55 shown in FIG. 2. These are of a type well known in the art and need not be described in detail herein. The appropriate openings in the power supply receptacles 53 are in electrical communication with the appropriate ones of the live, earth, and ground connector strips 55 to properly supply power to the equipment plugged into the modules 21.

It is now possible by use of the improved modular surge protector of the present invention to provide a modem surge protector, generally designated by the numeral 60, as at least a portion of one of the modules 21. In this case, a standard RJ 11 connector 61 is provided at one end of the module 21, and is connected to printed circuit board 62 of a type well known in the art. The circuit board 62 is retained within slots 63 provided in the housing.

It can be understood that in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each housing 52, no matter what its particular shape, is divided into an upper portion 52a and a lower portion 52b. The upper housing portion 52a may be cemented, screwed or otherwise fastened to the lower housing portion 52b. In a further modification of the invention it will be shown how these housing portions can snap together.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a modification of the invention shown in FIG. 5 is provided. The male portion 41 and the female portion 42 of the quick connect means 40 of the construction shown in FIG. 6 is exactly identical to the construction shown in FIG. 5. However, the female receptors 32 and the male connectors 33 shown in FIG. 5 have been modified in the construction shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 5 shows a standard three-prong grounding connector familiar to many consumers. However, in certain applications, it is anticipated that it will not be desirable to have a female power transfer receptacle 31 capable of receiving a standard three-prong connector, and the modification of the invention shown in FIG. 6 has the grounding portion of the male connectors modified to be a flat strip rather than the cylindrical type of grounding prong normally used. To differentiate the female receptors and the male connectors in this modification of the invention, they have been designated 32a and 33a respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, a further modification of the present invention is shown. In this modification, the modular surge protector 20 also has a plurality of modules 21, such as the power distribution module 22, a four receptacle module 25, and a modem surge protector module 24. The power distribution module 24 is connected to a source of power with a line cord 26 terminating in a plug 27. As before, the line cord 26 is connected to a circuit breaker 28, an indicator light 29, and an on/off switch 30. However, several differences in the modification of the invention shown in FIG. 3 are also immediately apparent. In this modification, the modem surge protector module 60, having the RJ 11 connector 61 at the end thereof, has four power supply receptacles 53 instead of the two shown in the construction illustrated in FIG. 1. Also, it is to be noted that a different type of quick connect means 40 is provided which has essentially reversed some of the parts present in the construction of FIG. 1. While the male portion 41 and the female portion 42 still go together to form the quick connect means 40, the shroud 51 is now provided on the male portion 41 of the quick connect means 40, instead of on the female portion 42. The shroud 51 now completely covers the male connectors 33, which plug into the female receptors 32. The shroud 51 completely encloses the reduced housing portion 50.

In this embodiment of the invention, the retaining means 43 is in the form of a tab 44 formed integrally with the reduced housing portion 50 and having a protuberance 65 on the end thereof. The protuberance 65 fits in the opening 66 provided in the bottom of the shroud 51. It can be understood by one skilled in the art that the present invention has wide versatility as to the arrangement of the quick connect means. The modification of the invention just described has had not only the male and female portions of the quick connect means reversed, but the style and arrangement of the retainer means and retaining means.

To provide more stability to the invention, more than one retainer means 43 and retaining means 47 can be used. It can be seen that in FIGS. 3 and 7, the tab 43 and the opening 66 are provided in the bottom of the reduced housing portion 50 and shroud 51 respectively. Provided on the top of the reduced housing portion 50 in this modification of the invention, is dome 67 adapted to fit into circular recess 68 provided in the shroud 51. This gives the quick connect means additional stability. As with the modification of the invention described in FIG. 1, the modification of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 can also have the version of the male connectors 33a shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen how the upper housing portion 52a and the lower housing portion 52b “snap together.” In contrast to the method of attaching the upper housing portion 52a and the lower housing portion 52b in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the modification of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of posts 70 are provided in the upper housing portion 52a, which fit into mating post holes 71 provided in lower housing portion 52b. The posts 70 are designed by means well known in the art to “snap” into the post holes 71, such that the two housing halves cannot be removed without being broken.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, the large variety of quick connect means 40, which can be used with the present invention, can be seen. In FIG. 9, there is shown a “snap-lock” quick connect means, generally indicated by the numeral 75 and having a pair of protuberances 76 extending through mating openings 77 to a point just even with the shroud 51. This “snap-lock” quick connect means 75 requires a tool for removal of the female portion 42 of the quick connect means 40.

In FIG. 10, there is a modified “snap-lock” quick connect 80, wherein the protuberance 76, extending through the opening 77, has a tapered portion 78. Because of the tapered portion 78, the female portion 42 of the quick connect means 40 can be removed from the male portion 41 with a tool, or by the finger pressure of the operator.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an internal snap quick connect 81 is provided, wherein a pair of domes 67 snap into an opposed pair of circular recesses 68 to complete the connection. This type of quick connect depends upon the flexibility of the particular material being used to make the connection between the male portion 41 and the female portion 42 of the quick connect.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a locking type quick connect 82 is shown, wherein a pair of opposing fingers 82A provided on the female portion of the quick connect means fit into a pair of mating recesses 84 formed in the male portion 41. This lock type quick connect means is preferred when a permanent type connection is desired.

One of the easiest types of quick connects for the ordinary consumer to use is shown in FIG. 13 and is a true finger pressure removal quick connect 85. In this type of quick connect, a pair of opposing projections 86 are formed on the reduced housing portion 50 of the female portion 42 of the quick connect means 40. Since the opposing projections 86 extend past the outer wall of the shroud 51, it is easy for the operator to apply sufficient finger pressure to cause the projections 86 to move inwardly and release the female portion 42 of the quick connect means 40.

With reference to FIG. 15, a further modification of the present invention is shown. In this modification, the modular surge protector 20 also has a plurality of receptacle modules 88, including a lower tiered four receptacle module and an upper tiered two receptacle module, a two coaxial connector module 90, a four jack RJ-11 module 92, a two jack RJ-45 module 94 and a modem surge protector module 24. The modular surge protector 20 is connected to a source of power with a line cord 26 terminating in a plug 27. As before, the line cord 26 is connected to a circuit breaker 28, two indicator lights 29a and 29b where 29a is an indicator ground light and 29b is an indicator surge light, and an on/off switch 30. The indicator lights 29a and 29b are preferably protected by an LCD lens cover 96. To enhance the capabilities of the modular surge protector 20, the line cord 26 is preferably a ten foot power cord with a rotating right angle plug, allowing for a great distance between a room wall plug (not shown) and the modular surge protector 20.

To further enhance the capabilities of the modular surge protector 20, remote modules 98, 100 are provided and may be connected to the modular surge protector 20 with a fixed line cord 102 or a line cord 104 terminating in a plug 106 for connection with the modular surge protector at a power supply receptacle 108. The line cord 26 is electrically connected seriatim to the power supply receptacle 108 and/or to fixed line cord 102 thus providing surge protection and ground and surge light indication to each remote module 98, 102.

The remote modules 98, 100 may be equipped with a variation of electrical connectors such as a two co-axial module 104, a two jack RJ-11 module 106, a two jack RJ-45 module 108, and a two jack power supply receptacle module 110. The RJ-11 and RJ-45 jacks are connected to a printed circuit board 62 located within the respective module of a type well known in the art and illustrated in FIG. 2. Any combination of modules 104, 106, 108, 110 may be provided for a remote module and any amount of co-axial, RJ-11, RJ-45 and power supply receptacles may be provided in combination with a module 98, 100 dependent upon the needs of a user. Further, any arrangement for remote module connection 102, 104 to the modular surge protector 20 may be used, whether fixed 102 or removable 104 dependent upon the needs of the user. With either connection arrangement, a power cord having added length may be provided to further extend the useful area of the modular surge protector 20. Alternatively, the power cords may be stored underneath and attached to the base area 112 of the modular surge protector 20 when an extension cord is not needed.

The modular surge protector 20 preferably includes two upper tiers 114, 116 for supporting the various electrical connectors along the face 118. The two upper tiers 114, 116 are preferably angled downward toward the base 112 to provide access to each electrical connector without having the various plugs interfere with each other when plugged into the modular surge protector 20. Power line cords, 102, 104 are preferably attached to the modular surge protector 20 on either side 120, 122 and are electrically connected seriatim to the modular surge protector 20.

Each of the remote modules 98, 100 preferably include two upper tiers 124, 126 for supporting the various electrical connectors along the respective face 128. Like the modular surge protector 20, the two upper tiers 124, 126 are preferably angled downward toward the base 130 of each remote module 98, 100 to provide access to each electrical connector provided without having the various plugs interfere with each other when plugged into the remote modules 98, 100. The profile of each remote module 98, 100 preferably matches the profile of the modular surge protector 20 so that when aligned, the newly formed unit forms a uniform profile.

Alternatively, power line cords 102, 104 and 26 may be located at any point along the respective profiles of the modules 20, 98, and 100. Further modifications to the profile of each module is envisioned including stadium tiered sections, rounded angles and alternative location configurations for the various electrical connectors that may be provided with each module.

Thus, by carefully considering the problem of how to supply a surge protection means which will meet the needs of the greatest number of purchasers at a minimum expense and meeting that need by providing a modular type surge protector, whereby the equipment owner needs only to purchase those modules actually needed, I have provided a new and novel modular surge protector.

Claims

1. A modular surge protection system including a power distribution module electrically connected with at least one surge protection module, comprising: the power distribution module having a housing; surge protection disposed in said housing; at least one receptacle module disposed on said housing; a power line cord connected at one end to said housing and electrically connected to said surge protection and said receptacle module; and a first remote receptacle module including a power line cord connected to said module and electrically connected to said surge protection.

2. The modular surge protection system of claim 1 and further comprising a second remote receptacle module including a power line cord connected to said second module and electrically connected to said surge protection.

3. The modular surge protection system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle module disposed in said housing is a plurality of electrical outlets.

4. The modular surge protection system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle module disposed in said housing is a plurality of co-axial connectors.

5. The modular surge protection system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle module disposed in said housing is a plurality of RJ-11 modules.

6. The modular surge protection system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle module disposed in said housing is a plurality of RJ-45 modules.

7. The modular surge protection system of claim 1, wherein said first remote receptacle module comprises at least one: an electrical outlet, a co-axial connector, an RJ-11 jack or an RJ-45 jack.

8. The modular surge protection system of claim 2, wherein said second remote receptacle module comprises at least one: an electrical outlet, a co-axial connector, an RJ-11 jack or an RJ-45 jack.

9. The modular surge protection system of claim 1, wherein said first remote receptacle module is fixedly attached to said modular surge protection housing with a power line cord and electrically connected seriatim to said surge protection.

10. The modular surge protection system of claim 2, wherein said second remote receptacle module is fixedly attached to said modular surge protection housing with a power line cord and electrically connected seriatim to said surge protection.

11. The modular surge protection system of claim 1, wherein said first remote receptacle module is removably attached to said modular surge protection housing with a power line cord terminating in a plug and electrically connected seriatim to said surge protection.

12. The modular surge protection system of claim 2, wherein said second remote receptacle module is removably attached to said modular surge protection housing with a power line cord terminating in a plug and electrically connected seriatim to said surge protection.

13. A surge protection system of a modular nature including, in combination: a power distribution module to receive and distribute power from a source of line current, said power distribution module including surge protection, a housing, and a line cord connectable at one end to a source of power, said line cord connected at its other end to a power transfer receptacle; and at least one power supply module removably connectable to said power distribution module to receive power from said power distribution module and to supply power to electrically operated equipment through at least one power supply receptacle provided thereon.

14. The surge protection system of claim 13, wherein said power transfer receptacle provided on said power distribution module comprises at least one: an electrical outlet, a co-axial connector, an RJ-11 jack or an RJ-45 jack.

15. The surge protection system of claim 13, wherein said power supply receptacle provided on said power supply module comprises at least one: an electrical outlet, a co-axial connector, an RJ-11 jack or an RJ-45 jack.

16. The surge protection system of claim 13, further comprising a second power supply module removably connectable to said power distribution module to receive power from said power distribution module and to supply power to electrically operated equipment through at least one power supply receptacle provided thereon.

17. The surge protection system of claim 16, wherein said power supply receptacle provided on said power supply module comprises at least one: an electrical outlet, a co-axial connector, an RJ-11 jack or an RJ-45 jack.

18. A surge protection system of a modular nature including, in combination: a power distribution module to receive and distribute power from a source of line current, said power distribution module including surge protection, a housing, and a line cord connectable at one end to a source of power, said line cord connected at its other end to a power transfer receptacle; and at least one power supply module fixedly connected to said power distribution module to receive power from said power distribution module and to supply power to electrically operated equipment through at least one power supply receptacle provided thereon.

19. The surge protection system of claim 18, further comprising a second power supply module fixedly connected to said power distribution module to receive power from said power distribution module and to supply power to electrically operated equipment through at least one power supply receptacle provided thereon.

20. The surge protection system of claim 19, wherein said power supply receptacle provided on said one of said power distribution module and said power supply modules comprising at least one of: an electrical outlet, a co-axial connector, an RJ-11 jack or an RJ-45 jack.