Electrical power supplying device having a ring-like subassembly for receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and a housing design for containing and concealing the power plug and adaptors during power supplying operations

• US 8,217,528 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PUCline, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pucline Incorporated
• Inventors: Fleisig, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perez Borroto, Alfonso
• Application Number:
  US12/586,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20110076876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 307/11, 307/42, 307/72, 307/73, 307/75, 307/147, 307/155, 439/650, 439652-654, 174493-494
• US Class Current: 307/11
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6608 with built-in single component H01R13/68, H01R13/70 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Abstract

An electrical power supplying device for supplying electrical power to a group of electrical appliances located in an environment. The electrical power supplying device includes a power supply cord for plugging into a standard power receptacle by way of a supply power plug, and also a base housing portion having a 3D interior volume with a capacity for holding a plurality of power transformer modules associated with a group of electrical appliances located in the environment. A power-ring subassembly is supported within the base housing portion, and has a central aperture defining the boundaries of 3D interior volume, and adapted for supporting a plurality of electrical receptacles and one or more electronic circuits, which are electrically connected to the power supply cord. A power-ring housing portion is provided for covering the power-ring subassembly and has a set of plug apertures, aligned with the electrical receptacles, and allows appliance power plugs associated with the electrical appliances to plug into the electrical receptacles. A cord portal allows a group of electrical power cords associated with the group of electrical appliances, to enter/exit the 3D interior volume in a bundled manner. A cover housing portion is adapted to cover the central aperture of the power-ring subassembly, and conceal (i) appliance power plugs plugged into the electrical receptacles, (ii) appliance power plugs plugged into the electrical receptacles and appliance power cords associated with the electrical appliances, and (iii) the plurality of power transformer modules contained in said the housing portion.

Claims

1. An electrical power supplying device for supplying electrical power to a group of electrical appliances located in an environment, wherein each said electrical appliance has an appliance power cord routed through said environment and into said electrical power supplying device, said electrical power supplying device comprising:

a power supply cord for plugging into a standard power receptacle by way of a power supply plug, and supplying electrical power to said electrical power supplying device;

a base housing portion having a 3D interior volume with a capacity for holding a plurality of power transformer modules, including one or more power adapter plugs, associated with said group of electrical appliances located in said environment, wherein each said power transformer module, said power adapter plug, and said appliance power cord is terminated in an appliance power plug;

a power-ring subassembly supported within said base housing portion, having a central aperture defining boundaries of said 3D interior volume, and supporting a plurality of electrical receptacles and at least one electronic circuit board, which are electrically connected to said power supply cord;

a power-ring housing portion for covering said power-ring subassembly and having a set of plug apertures, aligned with said plurality of electrical receptacles, and allowing appliance power plugs associated with said electrical appliances to plug into said electrical receptacles;

a power cord portal allowing a group of appliance power cords associated with said group of electrical appliances, to enter and exit said 3D interior volume in a bundled manner; and

a cover housing portion adapted to cover the central aperture of said power-ring subassembly, and conceal (i) appliance power plugs plugged into said electrical receptacles, (ii) appliance power cords associated with said electrical appliances, and passing through said power cord portal and entering said 3D interior volume, and (iii) said plurality of power transformer modules held in said 3D interior volume.

2. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said power-ring housing portion is attached to said base housing portion.

3. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said power-ring subassembly further comprises at least one exterior power receptacle and at least one USB power port, and wherein said power-ring housing portion has side wall apertures providing access to said at least exterior power receptacle, and said at least one USB power port, and where said cover housing portion covers said central aperture of said power-ring subassembly.

4. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said power-ring subassembly further comprises a power cord connector for connecting said power supply cord to said power-ring subassembly, and an ON/OFF power switch and indicator, and wherein said power-ring housing portion has side wall apertures for said power cord connector and said ON/OFF power switch and indicator.

5. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said cover housing portion further comprises a circumference and a set of gripping threads provided along said circumference to assist in the lifting said cover housing portion as required.

6. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said power cord portal is formed in said power-ring housing portion, and wherein said cover housing portion further comprises a side wall aperture for the passage of said group of appliance power cords through said power cord portal.

7. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, which further comprises a base support portion operably connected to said base housing portion, for supporting said electrical power supplying device a horizontal support surface.

8. The electrical power supplying device of claim 7, wherein said base housing portion comprises a pair of arms, and a foot portion, each disposed at about 120 degrees from each other.

9. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrical receptacles and said at least one electronic circuit board are mounted into mounting brackets provided on an upper surface of said power-ring assembly, and electrical wiring establishing interconnections among said electrical receptacles and said at least one electronic circuit board.

10. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein at least two or more of said plurality of electrical receptacles are arranged in orthogonal ways to optimize space within said 3D interior volume, and accommodate the storage of said power adapter plugs formed at the terminal portion said appliance power cords.

11. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said power-ring subassembly comprises:

a substantially planar surface, having said central aperture;

a plurality of mounting brackets, formed or provided on said substantially planar surface, for mounting of said plurality of electrical receptacles, and said at least one electronic circuit board; and

elements provided on the surface of said substantially planar surface, for the mounting and routing of electrical conductors that interconnect together said electrical receptacles and said least one electronic circuit board, and supply electrical power thereto, during device operation.

12. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said cover housing portion conceals said appliance power plugs, said power adapter plugs and said power adapter modules, and prevents children from accessing said appliance power plugs, said power adapter plugs and said power adapter modules.

13. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said cover housing portion conceals and protects said appliance power plugs, said power adapter plugs and said power adapter modules, from liquid spills in said environment.

14. The electrical power supplying device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic circuit board comprises a surge protection circuit.

15. An electrical power supplying device for supplying electrical power to a group of electrical appliances located in an environment, wherein each said electrical appliance has an appliance power cord routed through said environment and into said electrical power supplying device, said electrical power supplying device comprising:

a power supply cord for plugging into a standard power receptacle by way of a power supply plug, and supplying electrical power to said electrical power supplying device;

a power-receptacle assembly having a first side, a second side opposite said first side, a central aperture defining at least one cross-sectional dimension of a 3D interior volume, and a plurality of electrical receptacles electrically connected to said power supply cord and mounted within said power-receptacle assembly so that said plurality of electrical receptacles face said 3D interior volume and are accessible through said central aperture;

wherein said 3D interior volume has the capacity to hold a plurality of power transformer modules, including one or more power adapter plugs, associated with said group of electrical appliances located in said environment;

wherein each said power transformer module, said power adapter plug, and said appliance power cord is terminated in an appliance power plug that can be plugged in one of said plurality of electrical receptacles; and

wherein said power-receptacle assembly allows a plurality of said appliance power plugs, associated with said group of electrical appliances, to plug into said plurality of electrical receptacles facing said 3D interior volume;

a power cord portal allowing a group of appliance power cords associated with said group of electrical appliances, to enter and exit said 3D interior volume; and

a cover portion adapted to cover said central aperture of said power-receptacle assembly, and conceal (i) any of said appliance power plugs plugged into said electrical receptacles, (ii) any of said power transformer modules and/or said power adapter plugs held in said 3D interior volume, and (iii) any of said appliance power cords, associated with said group of electrical appliances, passing through said power cord portal, entering said 3D interior volume, and terminating in one said appliance power plug plugged into one said electrical receptacle.

16. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, wherein said power-receptacle assembly further comprises at least one exterior power receptacle, and at least one USB power port accessible while said cover portion covers said central aperture.

17. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, wherein a top housing portion is supported on the top side of said power-receptacle assembly.

18. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, wherein said power-receptacle assembly further comprises:

a power cord connector for connecting said power supply cord to said power-receptacle assembly; and

an ON/OFF power switch and indicator.

19. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, wherein said power cord portal is formed in said power-receptacle assembly.

20. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, which further comprises:

a first housing portion supported on said first side of said power-receptacle assembly; and

a second housing portion is supported on said second side of said power receptacle assembly.

21. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, wherein said first housing portion and said second housing portion cooperate with said power-receptacle assembly to define certain spatial boundaries of said 3D interior volume.

22. The electrical power supplying device of claim 21, which further comprises a base support portion is operably connected to said first housing portion, for supporting said electrical power supplying device a horizontal support surface.

23. The electrical power supplying device of claim 21, which further comprises a support portion operably connected to first housing portion, for mounting said electrical power supplying device on a vertical support surface.

24. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, wherein said power-receptacle assembly further comprises at least one electronic circuit board and electrical wiring, for establishing interconnections among said electrical receptacles and said at least one electronic circuit board.

25. The electrical power supplying device of claim 24, wherein said at least one electronic circuit board comprises a surge protection circuit.

26. The electrical power supplying device of claim 15, wherein at least two or more of said plurality of electrical receptacles are arranged to optimize space within said 3D interior volume, and accommodate the storage of said power adapter plugs that are formed at the terminal portion said appliance power cords.