Expanding space saving electrical power connection device

• US 7,874,856 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2009
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tavis D. Schriefer
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Stanfield, Tavis D. Schriefer
• Inventors: Stanfield, Edward A., Schriefer, Tavis D.
• Primary Examiner(s): NASRI, JAVAID H
• Application Number:
  US12/560,414
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 439/214, 439/640, 439/632
• 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 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables

Abstract

An electrical power connection device is disclosed having a base socket, a power receiving means adapted to connect to a power source, and a plurality of socket modules. At least one socket module includes at least one electrical socket electrically interconnected with the power source. Each socket module is mechanically and adjustably engaged with at least one other socket module, whereby the device is expandable and compressible such that both small power plugs and larger AC adapters may be plugged into the electrical socket of each socket module.

Claims

1. An electrical power connection device for receiving power from a power source and capable of conveying it to at least one power plug, comprising:

a base module having a power receiving means adapted to connect to the power source;

a plurality of socket modules, at least one of the socket modules including at least one electrical socket electrically interconnected with the power source through at least two electrical conductors and adapted to receive the power plug, at least one socket module mechanically and adjustably engaged at a mutual adjustment means with at least one other socket module or the base module to provide both collapsed and extended spacing therebetween while maintaining electrical and mechanical connectivity therewith;

whereby each socket module may be pulled away from its next adjacent socket module to selectively adjust the distance between each socket.

2. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein the power receiving means is a power cord.

3. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein the power receiving means is a power socket adapted to receive a modular plug of a power cord.

4. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein the power receiving means is a power plug.

5. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein the power receiving means is a wireless power transmission receiving means.

6. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein each socket module with one of the electrical sockets further includes a switch means for selectively connecting the electrical socket to the power source.

7. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein each socket module further includes a selective locking means for fixing the distance between adjacent socket modules or the base module.

8. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrical sockets is an AC power socket.

9. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrical sockets is a USB socket.

10. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrical sockets is a 12V cigarette lighter-type socket.

11. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrical conductor is a flexible insulated wire.

12. The electrical power connection device of claim 11 wherein at least one of the mutual adjustment means includes a rubber boot connector through which each electrical conductor traverses.

13. The electrical power connection device of claim 11 wherein each mutual adjustment means includes a coiled flexible conduit through which each electrical conductor traverses, and wherein each socket module is slidably engaged with at least one rigid rail, whereby each socket module may be moved along each rigid rail to adjust the distance between the socket module and each adjacent socket module or base module.

14. The electrical power connection device of claim 13 wherein each rigid rail is telescopically extendible and collapsible.

15. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein at least one electrical conductor is a rigid conductive bus bar.

16. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein the mutual adjustment means is a channel having a retaining lip, the channel and retaining lip slidably receiving each socket module therein, each socket module slidably connected with at least one bus bar conductor of the channel.

17. The electrical power connection device of claim 16 wherein adjacent socket modules include at least one slidable cover for adjustably covering the channel between the socket modules as the socket modules are slid within the channel.

18. The electrical power connection device of claim 1 wherein the mutual adjustment means is a channel having a retaining lip, the channel and retaining lip slidably receiving each socket module therein, at least one of the electrical conductor being a flexible insulated wire.