Modular electrical power outlet system

• US 5,582,522 A
• Filed: 03/04/1996
• Issued: 12/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walter A. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Walter A. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Walter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANDIG, BARRY
• Application Number:
  US08/610,241
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• Field of Search: 439/214, 439/215, 439/216, 439/209, 439/119, 439/120
• US Class Current: 439/214
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88

Abstract

A modular power outlet system employing a starter module for connection to a source of electrical power, an outlet strip module containing a plurality of power outlets, an inline passthrough coupler module for electrically connecting two or more outlet strip modules, and an inline crossover module for switching circuits to which power outlets are connected, and an end cap module for terminating an outlet strip module is disclosed herein. In a single circuit embodiment of the system, each power outlet is connected from the same electrical circuit. In a first two circuit embodiment of the system, power outlets in an outlet strip module alternate between the two circuits. A plurality of outlet strip modules can then be electrically connected using an inline passthrough coupler module. In a second two circuit embodiment of the system, each power outlet in an outlet strip module is connected to the same electrical circuit. One end of the outlet strip module is electrically connected to a two circuit starter module and the other end is electrically connected to one end of an inline crossover coupler module. A second outlet strip module is then electrically connected to the other end of the crossover module which switches the electrical circuit to which the second outlet strip module is connected. Outlet strip modules and crossover coupler modules can be successively electrically connected in this manner so as to result in a series of outlet strip modules which alternate between electrical circuits.

Claims

1. A multiple circuit modular power outlet system, comprising:

(a) a starter module, said starter module having first and second ends, at least one of said ends including an electrical end connector, said starter module including means for electrically connecting said end connector to a plurality of electrical power circuits, each said circuit having separate hot legs; and

(b) an outlet strip module, said outlet strip module having first and second ends, said outlet strip module including an electrical end connector at each end, said outlet strip module including at least four electrical conductors extending between said electrical end connectors, said electrical conductors including two hot legs, a neutral leg and a ground leg, said outlet strip module including at least three adjacent power outlets, each said power outlet including a hot leg terminal, said hot terminal of each said power outlet being electrically connected to a different one of said hot legs than the hot leg terminal of an adjacent power outlet in an alternating configuration;

(c) said electrical end connector associated with said starter module including means for reversibly engaging said electrical end connectors associated with said outlet strip module.

2. A multiple circuit modular power outlet system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for electrically connecting said end connector associated with said staffer module to a source of electrical power comprises a plurality of conductor terminating lugs.

3. A multiple circuit modular power outlet system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one passthrough coupler module, said passthrough coupler module having first and second ends, said passthrough coupler module including an electrical end connector on each end, said passthrough coupler module including a plurality of electrical conductors extending between said electrical end connectors, said electrical end connector including means for reversibly engaging said electrical end connectors associated with said outlet strip module.

4. A multiple circuit modular power outlet system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an end cap module, said end cap module including an electrical end connector on one end, said electrical end connector terminating in an insulating material, said electrical end connector including means for reversibly engaging said electrical end connectors associated with said outlet strip module.

5. A modular electrical power outlet system for providing power outlets connected to multiple electrical circuits, comprising:

(a) a starter module, said starter module having first and second ends, at least one of said ends including an electrical end connector, said starter module including means for electrically connecting said end connector to a plurality of electrical power circuits, each said circuit having separate hot legs;

(b) at least one outlet strip module, said outlet strip module having first and second ends, said outlet strip module including an electrical end connector at each end, said outlet strip module including at least four electrical conductors extending between said electrical end connectors, said electrical conductors including two hot legs, a neutral leg and a ground leg, said outlet strip module including a plurality of power outlets, each said power outlet including a hot leg terminal, said hot leg terminal associated with each said power outlet being electrically connected to a said one of said plurality of said hot legs, said other electrical circuits bypassing said power outlets;

(c) said electrical end connector associated with said starter module including means for reversibly engaging said electrical end connectors associated with said outlet strip module; and

(d) a crossover coupler module, said crossover coupler module having first and second ends, said crossover coupler module including a first electrical end connector on said first end, said crossover coupler module including a second electrical end connector on said second end, said crossover coupler module including at least four electrical conductors extending between said electrical end connectors, said electrical conductors including first and second hot legs, a neutral leg and a ground leg, said first hot leg conductor and said second hot leg conductor having a positional relationship in said first end connector, said first hot leg conductor and said second hot leg conductor having a different positional relationship in said second end connector, said electrical end connectors including means for reversibly engaging said electrical end connectors associated with said outlet strip module.

6. A modular electric power outlet system as recited in claim 5, further comprising at least one passthrough coupler module, said passthrough coupler module having first and second ends, said passthrough coupler module including an electrical end connector on each end, said passthrough coupler module including a plurality of electrical conductors extending between said electrical end connectors, said electrical end connector including means for reversibly engaging said electrical end connectors associated with said outlet strip module.

7. A modular electric power outlet system as recited in claim 5, further comprising an end cap module, said end cap module including an electrical end connector on one end, said electrical end connector terminating in an insulating material, said electrical end connector including means for reversibly engaging said electrical end connectors associated with said outlet strip module.