Power strip with input plug

• US 8,376,782 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Govekar, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, HARSHAD C
• Application Number:
  US12/462,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20100035479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 439/652, 439/650, 439/651, 439/214, 439/216, 439/215, 439/954, 361/651, 307/64, 307/66, 174/72.B
• US Class Current: 439/652
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/02 Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92

Abstract

A power strip comprising a housing, a plurality of female outlets on at least one surface of the housing, and a recessed connector, such as an IEC connector, on a surface of the housing, is disclosed. The recessed connector is wired within the housing to provide power to the plurality of female outlets. Preferably, the recessed connector is a male plug for connection to a power cord or wire harness.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cable including;

a power inlet end having a surface mountable AC power inlet connector;

a power outlet end having an AC power connector;

a first cable section adjacent to the power inlet end;

a second cable section adjacent to the power outlet end; and

a middle cable section between the first cable section and the second cable section;

a second power outlet end having a second AC power connector;

a third cable section extending from at least one of the first cable section and the second cable section to the second power outlet end;

a cable carrier disposed on the middle cable section;

a first ground wire portion extending from the power inlet end;

a second ground wire portion extending from the power outlet end, the first ground wire and the second ground wire portion adapted to be coupled to an electrical ground;

a first power strip including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a plurality of female connectors and the second surface having a recess and a male connector provided in the recess, the AC power connector having a female connector adapted to couple to the male connector of the first power strip, thereby providing an electrical connection; and

a second power strip wherein the second AC power connector is adapted to couple to the second power strip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable carrier includes a plurality of protective links.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the AC power inlet connector is mounted to a surface of a tool box.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable carrier includes a first end fastened proximate to the first cable section, and a second end fastened proximate to the second cable section.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first end of the cable carrier is adapted to be coupled to a surface of a tool box.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second end of the cable carrier is adapted to be coupled to a drawer of the tool box.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power strip is adapted to be mounted on a surface of a drawer of a tool box.