Patent Application
20060126243
The present invention relates to electrical connectors, such as a power strips, having at least one receptacle, or outlet, for receiving electrical plugs of various tools or appliances.
Conventional power strips and surge protectors, which enable a number of electrical devices to be connected to a single power source, are well known. Power strips are frequently used where there are numerous electrical devices in close proximity that all demand power simultaneously. For example, power strips that include surge protectors are commonly used in households for electrical devices such as entertainment centers and computers. Power strips without surge protection are frequently used for lamps, tools, and small appliances. Common power strips include an elongated housing with a plurality of outlets aligned in rows along one or more surfaces of the strip. Each outlet is configured to receive an electrical plug of a tool or appliance. When coupled to the power strip, the plug typically extends upward from, and transverse to, the top surface of the housing. The strip further includes a power cord with one end fitted with a male electrical plug to obtain power from a traditional electricity source and the other end connected to the housing. Conventional power strips also sometimes include a switch which can be used to turn off power to the plurality of outlets when the power strip is plugged in to a power source.
Also, quite often on construction sites, the nearest electrical power supply can be a long distance from electric tools being used. This situation requires that extension cords be run to facilitate the use of electric tools on the site. Conventional power strips are used on these construction sites so that separate extension cords do not have to be used for each electric device. Power strips are placed on the construction site near the workers so that they have quick and convenient access to many electrical outlets. This enables numerous construction workers to plug in their electrical devices simultaneously without disrupting the power supply for other workers.
Recently, portable phones have become indispensable tools for many contractors. These contractors depend on their portable phones while working on construction sites for communications with architects, landowners, and other contractors. These communications are essential to the success of the contractor's business. This dependency on the portable phone often leads to a situation where the portable phone must be recharged during the day or while the contractor is otherwise on the construction site. In the past, contractors would return to their vehicle and plug their cell phone into a nominal 12 volt (which typically operates at approximately 12-14 VDC) charger that in turn plugs into the vehicle's cigarette lighter. This method is problematic for numerous reasons. First, the contractor has to return to the vehicle if the portable phone rings and often misses the call as a result. Second, the charger places a strain on the battery of the vehicle that, over an extended period of time (e.g. a weekend), can drain the vehicle battery, particularly if the vehicle battery is old or during winter weather. Third, the contractor has to return to the vehicle to drop off the phone if it runs out of battery power during the middle of the work shift.
To solve these problems, the contractor sometimes obtains a charger that can be plugged in to a conventional power strip at the construction sites. However, this means that an electrical outlet on the power strip is occupied by the cell phone charger and is thus unavailable for powering tools. Also, if all of the outlets had devices plugged in to them, the contractor must determine which of the devices was not currently in use and could be unplugged without interfering with the ongoing construction activity in order for the contractor to plug in the cell phone charger. Accordingly, mistakes are sometimes made and tools unplugged while in use.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device that will accept a construction worker's or contractor's portable phone and charger and is convenient to the construction site.
In a first preferred embodiment, the present invention provides electrical power strips with multiple electrical outlets for plugging in various electrical devices, one or more 12 volt outlets for plugging in a portable phone charger, and a cradle in which to place a portable phone.
In a second preferred embodiment, a power strip including a housing, an AC power source (e.g. a male plug or power cord), a power outlet, a power converter, and a 12 VDC outlet is provided. The power outlet and the converter receive power from the power source. The converter converts the AC power (from any of a variety of nominal voltages) to 12 VDC and supplies the converted power to the 12 VDC outlet. Preferably, the 12 VDC outlet is a cigarette lighter socket on the power strip. The housing may define a cradle to receive a 12 VDC device. Also, the outlets may be switched. In an alternative embodiment, the power strip may be adapted to receive multi-phase AC power with a frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. A handle may also be included on the power strip. In another embodiment, an AC power strip includes a cradle for receiving a 12 VDC device and may optionally include a 12 VDC outlet.
In a third preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a trouble light that includes a housing, a power source, a light, a power converter, and a 12 VDC outlet. The light and the converter receive AC power from the power source. Again, the converter converts the AC power to 12 VDC and supplies the converted power to the 12 VDC outlet. Optionally, the trouble light includes a power outlet that also receives AC power from the power source.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of powering a 12 VDC device. The method includes receiving AC power with a power strip and converting the AC power to 12 VDC. Also, the method includes plugging the 12 VDC device into a 12 VDC power outlet on the power strip and having AC power available on the power strip. As an option, the device may be received by a cradle on the power strip.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of providing power to a plurality of devices. The method of the current embodiment includes receiving AC power with a power strip and having the AC power available at an outlet of the power strip. The method also includes receiving a 12 VDC device with a cradle defined by the power strip. Optionally, the method of the current embodiment includes converting some of the AC power to 12 VDC and plugging the device into a 12 VDC power outlet on the power strip.
In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a power strip including a housing and an electrical cord having a first end configured and adapted for coupling with an electrical power source and a second end connected to the housing. A plurality of conventional outlets and a 12 volt socket are formed in the housing to provide electrical power to connected elements, such as power tools, floodlights, etc. A cradle defined by the housing is configured and adapted to receive a portable device, such as a cellular telephone. The housing may be formed of metal, plastic or any other suitable material, and may further include a rubberized, protective overmold having a handle. In one preferred aspect, the power strip includes at least six conventional AC electrical outlets and a single 12-volt DC outlet.
An electrical power strip with a 12 volt power supply and cradle in accordance with the present invention is shown in
The power strip of
The housing 100 preferably supports a plurality of AC outlets, or sockets, 140 preferably arranged on the sides of the power strip and spaced apart sufficiently to accept plugs of different sizes. Internally, the power strip has wiring and other electrical components to electrically connect the power cord 10 with the AC sockets 140 so that the sockets are in electrical communication with the power cord. When the male end 20 of the cord 10 is connected to a power supply, it will supply power to the plurality of AC sockets. The power strip has a switch 150 to turn off power to the AC sockets 140. The switch 150 is preferably a 15 amp lighted switch which is connected to an internal circuit breaker as known in the art. The wiring and other electrical components of the power strip (or trouble-light) of the present invention will be discussed further with reference to
The housing 100 also preferably supports a 12 volt DC socket 160. The DC socket 160 is supplied power from a 12 volt converter that preferably includes a transformer, a rectifier, and appropriate filters. The converter is wired to the power cord so that the power cord supplies power to the converter. The DC socket 160 is also connected to the converter and configured and adapted to supply 12 VDC electrical power to electrical devices that require 12 VDC for operation, recharging, or otherwise. The 12 VDC socket 160 is preferably the type commonly found in automobiles for lighting cigarettes and powering devices within the automobile (e.g. cellular phones, radar detectors, CB radios, and the like). Accordingly, charging devices for these personal electronic devices are available with 12 VDC adaptors designed to fit into the DC socket 160. The 12 VDC socket 160 also has a cover 170 which keeps out unwanted debris when the DC socket 160 is not in use. The cover 170 may be permanently attached to the power strip so that it cannot be separated from the power strip. Otherwise, the cover 170 can be removed from the opening of the DC socket 160 to allow the DC socket 160 to receive a 12 VDC adaptor. The above mentioned switch 150 may also be configured and adapted to turn off power to the 12 VDC socket. In the alternative, separate switches may be provided for the 12 VDC socket and one, or more, of the AC sockets 140.
Adjacent to the 12 VDC socket 160 on the housing 100 is a cradle 180 configured and adapted to receive and hold a portable phone, or other 12 VDC device. The cradle 160 preferably comprises a recess in the housing 100 sufficiently large to accommodate most standard portable phones. The cradle 180 is preferably about 1.5 inches in width and about 1.5 inches in depth. The cradle 180 provides, inter alia, a place to leave the phone while it is charging without leaving the phone on the ground where it may be scratched or stepped on. Foam rubber, or other elastomeric materials, may line the cradle 180 to provide flexibility in the types of devices which may be received by the cradle 180. Although the 12 VDC socket 160 and cradle 180 are discussed in connection with a charger for a portable phone, one skilled in the art will recognize that they may be used with a variety of personal electronic devices such as pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless e-mail devices, Pocket PCs, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the power strip may include the AC sockets 140 and the cradle 180, without necessarily including the 12 VDC socket 160 and the 12 VDC converter.
Turning now to
Turning now to
Preferably, the AC portion of the circuit 300 is configured and adapted to accommodate at least, but not limited to, lights 312 that draw 100 watts and that fit in conventional light sockets. Also preferably, the switch 350 includes a power indicator to allow the user to visually determine whether external power is available to the circuit 300. Moreover, the switch 350 includes a fuse, a ground fault interrupter, or other current interruption device in preferred embodiments. The switch 350, as shown, is connected in a manner so that it controls the current flow to the remaining components of the circuit 300 although the switch 350 could control the current to a portion of the circuit 300 instead (e.g. the DC converter 304, the AC socket 340, the DC socket 360, or the light 312). Those skilled in the art will recognize that individual switches for portions of the circuit 300 may be provided instead of, or in addition to, the switch 350.
In one preferred embodiment, a trouble light is provided that includes the switch 350, the DC converter 304, the light 312, one or more 12 VDC sockets 360. Preferably, the trouble light of the current embodiment includes one or more AC outlets 340. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a power strip that includes the switch 350, the DC converter 304, one or more 12 VDC sockets 360, and six AC outlets 340.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained. More particularly, power strips and trouble lights have been provided that include a convenient 12 VDC power source for a variety of electronic devices. Likewise, methods of powering 12 VDC devices have been provided. In the construction industry, in particular, time and labor that would otherwise be expended trying to maintain a charge on portable devices is saved and made available for more profitable activities.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
