Modular integrated socket apparatus

• US 7,163,409 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2006
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hoolin Research Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoolin Research Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Wen-Chun, Huang, Ming-Chih
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Tulsidas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Harshad C
• Application Number:
  US11/488,701
• Time in Patent Office: 181 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/378, 439/214, 439/536
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/068 with pop-up power outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0082 Cable inlet in worktop or desk, e.g. grommet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle

Abstract

A modular integrated socket apparatus comprises a shell, a pop-up structure, an adapter module, a connector base, and a coupling device. The pop-up structure, the adapter module, the connector base, and the coupling device are mounted in the shell. The adapter module is electrically connected to the connector base. When in use, the shell and the adapter module are located higher than the table by use of the pop-up structure and the coupling device. As a result, the purpose of adding the connector of new hardware or power source can be achieved easily.

Claims

1. A modular integrated socket apparatus comprising:

a shell having two ends, one of the ends being fixed with pop-up structure and a connector base, said shell being attached to an adapter module via the front surface thereof, and said shell being movably sleeved into a coupling device via the outer surface thereof;

said pop-up structure having a pull device, a positioning trench, a guiding device, a positioning device, and an elastic device, said pull device being fixedly connected to one end of said guiding device via the inner surface thereof, said guiding device being sleeved into positioning trench via the outer wall thereof, said positioning trench being fixed on said shell, said guiding device having an opening sleeved onto one end of said positioning device, said positioning device having an opening on the other end for holding said elastic device;

said adapter module being a modularized assembly, and comprising a plurality of socket structures comprising connector sockets for computer peripherals, said socket structures being electrically connected to said connector base and attached to said shell;

said connector base having a connector unit comprising connector sockets for said computer peripherals so as to electrically connect with said computer peripherals; and

said coupling device being slidably sleeved onto the outer surfaces of said shell and said connector base via the inner surface thereof, and said coupling device being fixed on a table via the outer surface thereof, and wherein said pull device can be pulled up by holding its outer edge so as to allow said shell, the pop-up structure and adapter module to be protrusive from said table.

2. The modular integrated socket apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one positioning slot is inwardly formed on the outer surface of said shell, said connector base has at least one slot on the outer surface thereof corresponding to the bottom end of said positioning slot of said shell, and said slot has a positioning hooking slot at the bottom end thereof.

3. The modular integrated socket apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adapter module comprises a power controller and a decorative device, said power controller is electrically connected to said connector base for turning on or off a power source, said power controller has a pressing surface on the front surface thereof, said pressing surface has a light-emitting source mounted on the inside thereof, and said decorative device is for partitioning off and decorating said adapter module.

4. The modular integrated socket apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said positioning trench has a plurality of ribs having respective angular slanted rearwards on the inner wall thereof, said positioning trench has a plurality of positioning slots and a plurality of protrusions among said ribs, said guiding device has a plurality of toothed portions circularly at one end thereof on the edge of an opening thereof, said guiding device has a plurality of bumps circularly on the outer surface of an opening thereof, and said bumps are located among said ribs for positioning said guiding device.