Modular power outlet strip
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A user operable power distribution system comprising:
- an electrical outlet strip includinga case having top, side, bottom, and end walls to enclose a space;
a plurality of power receptacles on at least one of said top, side, bottom, and end walls;
a power cable extending from said case and adapted to be connected with a source of high voltage power;
a power circuit in said space including a switch electrically connected with said receptacles, said power cable and said input, said switch being responsive to a low voltage command signal to electrically interconnect said receptacles and said power cable in order to apply high voltage power to said receptacles; and
user command input module including a user responsive circuit that is adapted to receiving a user selection and producing an output that is latched in one of two alternate states for supplying said low voltage command signal, wherein said power control circuit responds to one of said state for interconnecting said receptacles and said power cable and responds to the other of said states for disconnecting said receptacles from said power cable.
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Abstract
A user operable power distribution system that is suitable for supplying switched power to an individual workstation, or to an entire office, includes a user command module, such as a touch panel, for supplying low voltage command signals and a plug strip, which responds to the low voltage command signal to interconnect a load with a supply voltage, such as an AC power outlet. An unregulated power supply is provided in the plug strip and supplies the low voltage requirements for the switching circuit in the plug strip. In addition, the unregulated low voltage is supplied to the user command module to provide its low voltage power requirements.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A user operable power distribution system comprising:
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an electrical outlet strip including a case having top, side, bottom, and end walls to enclose a space; a plurality of power receptacles on at least one of said top, side, bottom, and end walls; a power cable extending from said case and adapted to be connected with a source of high voltage power; a power circuit in said space including a switch electrically connected with said receptacles, said power cable and said input, said switch being responsive to a low voltage command signal to electrically interconnect said receptacles and said power cable in order to apply high voltage power to said receptacles; and user command input module including a user responsive circuit that is adapted to receiving a user selection and producing an output that is latched in one of two alternate states for supplying said low voltage command signal, wherein said power control circuit responds to one of said state for interconnecting said receptacles and said power cable and responds to the other of said states for disconnecting said receptacles from said power cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A user operable power distribution system comprising:
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an electrical outlet strip electrically connected by a low voltage cable with a user command input module that is adapted to receiving a user selection; said electrical outlet strip including a case having top, side, bottom, and end walls to enclose a space; a plurality of power receptacles on at least one of said top, side, bottom, and end walls; a power cable extending from said case and adapted to be connected with a source of high voltage power; a circuit in said space including a switch electrically connected with said receptacles and said power cable, said switch being responsive to a low voltage command signal to electrically interconnect said receptacles and said power cable in order to apply high voltage power to said receptacles; a low voltage power supply for supplying power to said user command input means over said low voltage cable; and said user command input module being provided in a housing physically separated from said case and adapted to supplying a low voltage command signal over said low voltage cable to said low voltage input. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A user operable power distribution system comprising:
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a user command input module including a first housing, a touch-sensitive panel on said housing and a touch-responsive circuit in said housing including latch means for latching an output between alternate states and thereby producing a low voltage command signal in response to a user touching said touch-sensitive panel, said touch-sensitive panel having separate touch pads for selection by a user in order to either switch power to said power receptacle or disconnect power from said receptacles and said touch responsive circuit being responsive to one of said touch pads being contacted by a user in order to set said latch means and being responsive to the other one of said touch pads being contacted by a user in order to reset said latch means; and an electrical outlet strip including a second housing, at least one power receptacle on a surface of said second housing, a switch circuit in said second housing for selectively electrically connecting said power receptacle with a source of high voltage electrical power, and a low voltage circuit for selectively actuating said switch circuit to electrically connect said power receptacle with a source of high voltage electrical power in response to one of said states of said low voltage command signal; and a low voltage cable extending between said first and second housings to conduct a low voltage command signal from said touch responsive circuit to said low voltage circuit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A user operable power distribution system comprising:
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a user command input module including a first housing, a touch-sensitive panel on said housing and a touch-responsive circuit in said housing for producing a low voltage command signal in response to a user touching said touch-sensitive pane; an electrical outlet strip including a second housing, at least one power receptacle on a surface of said second housing, a switch circuit in said second housing for selectively electrically connecting said power receptacle with a source of high voltage electrical power, and a low voltage circuit for selectively actuating said switch circuit to electrically connect said power receptacle with a source of high voltage electrical power in response to a low voltage command signal; a low voltage cable extending between said first and second housings to conduct a low voltage command signal from said touch-responsive circuit to said low voltage circuit; and a low voltage power supply in said second housing for supplying low voltage to said user command input module over said low voltage cable. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification