Power distribution unit with interchangeable outlet adapter types

• US 8,882,536 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2013
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chatsworth Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Chatsworth Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Utz, James
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US13/751,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20130196535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 653 Days
• Field of Search: 439/535, 439/536
• US Class Current: 439/536
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/00 Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures printed connections to, or between, printed circuits H05K1/11
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/743 integral with the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/164 Connecting locations formed by flush mounted apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A power distribution unit includes a printed circuit board, having a plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations, and a plurality of outlet adapters. Each outlet adapter has a user-facing outlet connector and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector. The outlet connector of a first of the plurality of outlet adapters is different from the outlet connector of a second of the plurality of outlet adapters. The inlet connector of each outlet adapter includes terminals. The terminals of the inlet connector of the first of the plurality of outlet adapters are arranged in a terminal pattern that matches that of the terminals of the inlet connector of the second of the plurality of outlet adapters such that the first and the second outlet adapters are interchangeably attachable at any of the plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations of the printed circuit board.

Claims

1. A method of interchanging outlet adapter types in a power distribution unit, the method comprising:

(a) providing a printed circuit board, as part of a power distribution unit, having a plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations and a first outlet adapter, wherein the first outlet adapter includes a user-facing outlet connector, of a first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector, and wherein the first outlet adapter is attached to the printed circuit board, via the inlet connector thereof, at a selected one of the plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations;

(b) removing the first outlet adapter from the printed circuit board;

(c) providing a second outlet adapter, having a user-facing outlet connector, of a second outlet connector type that is different from the first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector;

(d) attaching the second outlet adapter, via the inlet connector thereof, to the printed circuit board at the selected one of the plurality of adapter receiving locations;

(e) prior to the step of removing the first outlet adapter, of removing a first cover plate that is configured with an opening, of a first size, to accommodate the first outlet adapter; and

(f) after the step of attaching the second outlet adapter, of replacing the first cover plate with a second cover plate that is configured with an opening, of a second size, to accommodate the second outlet adapter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet connector of the first outlet adapter includes terminals arranged in a pattern, wherein the inlet connector of the second outlet adapter includes terminals arranged in a pattern, and wherein the terminal pattern of the first outlet adapter matches that of the second outlet adapter.

5. A method of interchanging outlet adapter types in a power distribution unit, the method comprising:

(a) providing a printed circuit board, as part of a power distribution unit, having a plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations;

(b) providing a first outlet adapter, wherein the first outlet adapter includes a user-facing outlet connector, of a first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector, and wherein the first outlet adapter is attached to the printed circuit board, via the inlet connector thereof, at a selected one of the plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations;

(c) providing a first cover plate removably secured to the printed circuit board with a separate fastener, the first cover plate being configured with an opening, of a first size, to accommodate the first outlet adapter;

(d) removing the first cover plate from the printed circuit board;

(e) removing the first outlet adapter from the printed circuit board;

(f) providing a second outlet adapter, having a user-facing outlet connector, of a second outlet connector type that is different from the first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector;

(g) attaching the second outlet adapter, via the inlet connector thereof, to the printed circuit board at the selected one of the plurality of adapter receiving locations; and

(h) replacing the first cover plate with a second cover plate that is configured with an opening, of a second size, to accommodate the second outlet adapter.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the first outlet adapter and the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the second outlet adapter have matching terminal patterns.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the first outlet adapter and the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the second outlet adapter each has terminals arranged in a C20-type terminal pattern.

10. A method of interchanging outlet adapter types in a power distribution unit, the method comprising:

(a) providing a printed circuit board, as part of a power distribution unit, having a plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations and a first outlet adapter, wherein the first outlet adapter includes a user-facing outlet connector, of a first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector, and wherein the first outlet adapter is attached to the printed circuit board, via the inlet connector thereof, at a selected one of the plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations;

(b) removing the first outlet adapter from the printed circuit board;

(c) providing a second outlet adapter, having a user-facing outlet connector, of a second outlet connector type that is different from the first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector;

(d) attaching the second outlet adapter, via the inlet connector thereof, to the printed circuit board at the selected one of the plurality of adapter receiving locations;

(e) removing a first cover plate that is configured with an opening, of a first size, to accommodate the first outlet adapter; and

(f) replacing the first cover plate with a second cover plate that is configured with an opening, of a second size, to accommodate the second outlet adapter.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the inlet connector of the first outlet adapter includes terminals arranged in a pattern, wherein the inlet connector of the second outlet adapter includes terminals arranged in a pattern, and wherein the terminal pattern of the first outlet adapter matches that of the second outlet adapter.

14. A method of interchanging outlet adapter types in a power distribution unit, the method comprising:

(a) providing a printed circuit board, as part of a power distribution unit, having a plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations and a first outlet adapter, wherein the first outlet adapter includes a user-facing outlet connector, of a first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector, and wherein the first outlet adapter is attached to the printed circuit board, via the inlet connector thereof, at a selected one of the plurality of outlet adapter receiving locations;

(b) removing the first outlet adapter from the printed circuit board;

(c) providing a second outlet adapter, having a user-facing outlet connector, of a second outlet connector type that is different from the first outlet connector type, and a printed circuit board-facing inlet connector; and

(d) attaching the second outlet adapter, via the inlet connector thereof, to the printed circuit board at the selected one of the plurality of adapter receiving locations;

(e) wherein the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the first outlet adapter and the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the second outlet adapter have matching terminal patterns; and

(f) wherein the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the first outlet adapter and the printed circuit board-facing inlet connector of the second outlet adapter each has terminals arranged in a C20-type terminal pattern.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first outlet adapter has a C19-type outlet connector type, and the second outlet adapter has a C13-type outlet connector type.