GB2559588A

GB2559588A - Modular power strips

Info

Publication number: GB2559588A
Application number: GB1702199.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Örn Hreindal Hanneson Sigurdur
Original assignee: Sigurdur Oern Hreindal Hanneson
Current assignee: Sigurdur Oern Hreindal Hanneson
Priority date: 2017-02-10
Filing date: 2017-02-10
Publication date: 2018-08-15
Also published as: GB201702199D0

Abstract

An outlet module comprising: a dielectric housing; a main panel, an operation unit; a female connector on a first side panel, perpendicular to the main panel; and a male connector mounted on a second side panel, opposite the first side panel. The female connector has receptacles 42, 43 arranged in a row, each with a contact, whilst the male connector has corresponding male contacts. The female connector has a safety shutter, slideable along the direction of the row, with slant surfaces 61, 65 and a through hole 63. There is a biasing member 67, preferably V-shaped, which biases the plate so that it blocks the receptacles. When the male contacts are inserted, the plate slides so that the holes 63 align with the receptacles 42, 43. There may be a third receptacle 44, contact 54 and slant surface 66. The slant surfaces may have the same incline. The male connector may have a dielectric sheath. There may be male snap-fasteners, operated by a push button, and slots for the fasteners. The outlet may have a wall mount opposite the main face panel. A modular power strip with the outlet module, a power module and an end module is included.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Modular power strips

Abstract Title: Modular power strip with safety shutter plate (57) An outlet module comprising: a dielectric housing; a main panel, an operation unit; a female connector on a first side panel, perpendicular to the main panel; and a male connector mounted on a second side panel, opposite the first side panel. The female connector has receptacles 42, 43 arranged in a row, each with a contact, whilst the male connector has corresponding male contacts. The female connector has a safety shutter, slideable along the direction of the row, with slant surfaces 61,65 and a through hole 63. There is a biasing member 67, preferably Vshaped, which biases the plate so that it blocks the receptacles. When the male contacts are inserted, the plate slides so that the holes 63 align with the receptacles 42, 43. There may be a third receptacle 44, contact 54 and slant surface 66. The slant surfaces may have the same incline. The male connector may have a dielectric sheath. There may be male snap-fasteners, operated by a push button, and slots for the fasteners. The outlet may have a wall mount opposite the main face panel. A modular power strip with the outlet module, a power module and an end module is included.

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MODULAR POWER STRIPS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an outlet module for releasable incorporation into a modular power strip, and more particularly to an outlet module equipped with a safety shutter plate for preventing unwanted entry of foreign substances and improper insertion of a single male contact. The invention also relates to a modular power strip incorporated with one or more of the outlet modules.

Description of Related Art [0002] A conventional power strip is an assembly of multiple electrical outlets that can distribute AC power to electricity consuming devices, allowing the user to charge multiple devices at once. In the typical architecture of a conventional power strip, a fixed number of electrical outlets of the same voltage rating are electrically connected in series within an elongated dielectric chassis, from which a power cord extends for connection to a mains power source. While this conventional architecture can provide extended delivery of electric power for a location spaced apart from the mains power source, it apparently lacks flexibility in use, especially in the case when the number of electrical devices need be powered is much more or far less than the number of electrical outlets available on the power strip. Moreover, the conventional power strip is normally consists of electrical outlets with an identical socket layout and, therefore, cannot allow a user to charge a laptop computer via a three-pronged plug and charge a mobile device via a USB plug at the same time, without using extra adapters.

[0003] In order to improve the usage and performance, a variety of modular power strips have been proposed. For example, US2007/0109710 discloses a power strip comprising a power distribution base module, to which a plurality of outlet modules are removably connected in series. US7,497,740 teaches another modular power strip, in which the outlet modules are configured to be rotatable with respect to the direction which the modular power strip extends, so that the outlet modules can be individually oriented in a desired direction for connection to an electric plug. However, these conventional modular power strips employ an unsafe coupling mechanism among the modules, in which the adjacent modules are loosely held by the plug-socket engagement alone. It is not to mention that the unmated female connectors are left exposed to contamination and damage and unable to prevent children from poking objects into them.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a modular power strip device that can fulfill the safety requirements and overcome the shortcomings described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In one aspect provided herein is a new and improved outlet module for releasable incorporation into a modular power strip. The outlet module is equipped at its female connector with a safety shutter plate for preventing unwanted entry of foreign substances and improper insertion of a single male contact into the female connector.

The outlet module comprises:

a dielectric housing, comprising a main face panel, a first side panel substantially perpendicular to the main face panel, and a second side panel opposite to the first side panel;

a female connector mounted on the first side panel and formed with a first and a second receptacles arranged in a row direction, in each of which a female contact is positioned;

a male connector mounted on the second side panel and comprising a first and a second male contacts and extending outwardly beyond the second side panel;

an operation unit electrically connected between the female connector and the male connector; and a safety shutter plate mounted in the female connector and arranged to be slidably movable back and forth along the row direction, wherein the safety shutter plate is formed with a first slant surface extending in the row direction and inclined inwardly and facing outwards, and wherein the safety shutter plate is further formed with a first through hole toward which a second slant surface is arranged to extend in the row direction and incline inwardly until merging into the first through hole, and wherein the safety shutter plate is normally biased by a biasing member to an advancing position to close the first and second receptacles, so that the first and second slant surfaces are registered with the first and second receptacles when the safety shutter plate is located at the advancing position, and that the safety shutter plate is adapted to travel to a retracted position to open the first and second receptacles in response to insertion of first and second male contacts from another module.

[0006] In a preferred aspect provided herein, the female connector is further formed with a third receptacle arranged in a row with the first and second receptacles along the row direction, while the male connector is further provided with a third male contact arranged in a row with the first and second male contacts. The safety shutter plate is further formed with a second through hole toward which a second slant surface is arranged to extend in the row direction and incline inwardly until merging into the second through hole. More preferably, the first, the second and the third slant surfaces are arranged to incline at substantially the same angle with respect to the row direction.

[0007] By virtue of the safety shutter architecture described above, the problems occurred in the conventional devices are solved. In short, the safety shutter plate is only allowed to travel along the row direction that the receptacles are aligned in the female connector, and the through holes are so arranged on the safety shutter plate that when the safety shutter plate is biased to its advancing position, the through holes are offset from the receptacles in the direction which the male contacts are to be inserted. In the case where all of the slant surfaces are pressed evenly at the same time by the inserted male contacts, the safety shutter plate is driven towards its retracted position, at which the through holes overlap with the receptacles in the direction which the male contacts are inserted, thereby allowing entry of the male contacts into the receptacles to establish electrical connection. Thus, the safety shutter architecture can also prevent unwanted entry of foreign substances and improper insertion of a single plug pole into the receptacles.

[0008] In another preferred aspect provided herein, the male connector of the outlet module further comprises a dielectric sheath shrouding the male contacts and configured to conform in shape with the female connector. The dielectric sheath does not only provide protection to the male contacts, but is also adapted to sleeve with the female connector of another module. In another preferred aspect provided herein, the outlet module further comprises a pair of male snap fasteners adapted to lock into two mating slots formed on the first side panel of another module. The dielectric sheath and the male snap fasteners are both arranged to extend from the second side panel and, hence, are adapted to couple to the mating parts formed on another module as the male contacts are brought into engagement with the female contacts. It is important to note that the coupling mechanisms described here work together to achieve a stable connection between the modules.

[0009] In yet another preferred aspect provided herein, the outlet module is further formed on its bottom face panel opposite to the main face panel with a slot as a wall mount, wherein the slot has an enlarged central opening and two narrowed end portions merged with the enlarged central opening, allowing the outlet module to be hung up in different orientations.

[0010] In still another aspect provided herein is a modular power strip, comprising:

a power module, comprising: a dielectric housing; a female connector as 10 described above and mounted on the housing; a power cord having a restrained end attached to the housing and a free end opposite to the restrained end provided with an electric plug adapted for fitting into a domestic mains socket; and a switch unit for selectively electrically connecting the power cord to the female connector;

an end module, made of dielectric material and configured to cap a female connector as described above; and one or more outlet modules as described above, which are releasably coupled between the power module and the end module .

[0011] In still another preferred aspect provided herein, the operation unit is configured in a form selected from the group consisting of a socket outlet, a power supply unit, a switch unit and an electric meter. The versatility of the operation units disclosed herein allows a user to customize the layout of the modular power strip to fit personal needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Figs. 1A and IB are schematic views of a modular power strip according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0013] Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of an outlet module according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0014] Fig. 2C is an exploded schematic view of an outlet module according to an 5 embodiment of the invention;

[0015] Fig. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0016] Fig. 3B is an exploded schematic view of a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Fig. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0018] Fig. 4B is an exploded schematic view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figs. 5A and 5B are schematic views of a female connector according to an 15 embodiment of the invention, showing that the safety shutter plate is biased to the advancing position and the retracted position;

[0020] Fig. 6A are schematic top views of outlet modules having operation units configured as types A, B, C, D, E, F, G (left to right, upper panel) and Η, I, J, K, L, Μ, N, O (left to right, lower panel) socket outlets;

[0021] Fig. 6B are schematic perspective views of an outlet module having an operation unit configured as a USB charger socket;

[0022] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an outlet module having an operation unit configured as a power supply unit;

[0023] Fig. 8A is a schematic perspective view of an outlet module having an operation unit configured as a mechanical switch;

[0024] Fig. 8B is a schematic perspective view of an outlet module having an operation 5 unit configured as a remotely controllable electrical switch;

[0025] Fig. 8C is a schematic perspective view of an outlet module having an operation unit configured as a circuit breaker;

[0026] Figs. 9A and 9B are schematic perspective views of outlet modules having an operation unit configured as a WiFi router;

[0027] Fig. 10 are schematic perspective views of an outlet module having an operation unit configured as an electric meter;

[0028] Fig. 11 are schematic perspective views of the power module according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0029] Fig. 12 are schematic perspective views of the end module according to one 15 embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figs. 13A-13C are schematic diagrams showing the process for coupling the male snap fasteners in one module to the mating slots formed on another module;

[0031] Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an extension module according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the wall mounts formed on the respective modules; and [0033] Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a modular power strip according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0034] The technical contents and characteristics of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments accompanied with related drawings as follows.

[0035] A modular power strip 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 1A and IB, which comprises a power module 10, an end module 20, and one or more outlet modules 30 releasably coupled between the power module 10 and the end module 20.

[0036] The outlet module 30 comprises a dielectric housing 31, preferably shaped in a cuboid configuration. As shown in Figs. 2A-2C, the dielectric housing 31 comprises a main face panel 32, and a first side panel 33 substantially perpendicular to the main face panel 32, and a second side panel 34 opposite to the first side panel 33. The dielectric housing 31 is made of any dielectric material known in the art, such as plastics and phenolic resins. In a preferred embodiment, the main face panel 32, the first side panel 33, the second side panel 34 and the rest of the housing 31 are separately injection molded and then assembled together to form a single module.

[0037] The outlet module 30 is adapted to releasably couple to the power module 10, the end module 20 or another outlet module 30 via a female connector 40 and a male connector 50 mounted on the first side panel 33 and the second side panel 34, respectively. The term “female connector” as used herein may refer to a connection structure which defines an array of receptacles in preselected positions thereof to provide mateable coupling with the male connector from a separate module in the modular power strip 1, thereby establishing electrical connection therebetween. The female connector may serve as an inlet connection adapted to receive electric power from another module. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the female connector 40 may include a base frame 41 made of dielectric material, in which a first receptacle 42, a second receptacle 43 and a third receptacle 44 are formed and arranged sequentially in a row along a row direction indicated by the arrow A. A female contact 45 made of material with high electrical conductivity, preferably made of one or more conductive metal elements or metal alloys, such as brass or phosphor copper, is positioned within the respective receptacles 42, 43, 44. More preferably, the female contact 45 is plated with a thin layer of silver to minimize electrical resistance and the heat generation attributed thereto. The female contact 45 can be fabricated by any process known in the art, including metal stamping and punch pressing. Preferably, the base frame 41 defines three chambers, in which individual female contacts 45 are secured in a manner electrically insulated from one another. The arrangement described above allows the female connector 40 to receive mating male contacts from an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to the first side panel 33, as indicated by the arrow B. Among the receptacles 42, 43, 44, two of them may serve as two power receptacles, i.e., neutral and live receptacles, adapted to receive neutral and live male contacts, with the remaining one acting as a ground receptacle for mating with a ground male contact. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that if grounding is not required, the female connector 40 may be configured in a two-receptacle socket configuration provided with neutral and live receptacles only.

[0038] According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the male connector 50 includes a base frame 51 made of dielectric material, in which a first male contact 52, a second contact 53 and a third male contact 54 are positioned in a row. The male contacts 52, 53, 54 are made of material with high electrical conductivity, preferably made of one or more conductive metal elements or metal alloys, such as brass or phosphor copper. More preferably, the male contacts 52, 53, 54 are plated with a thin layer of silver to minimize electrical resistance and the heat generation attributed thereto. Preferably, the male connector 50 is mounted on the second side panel 34 in a manner such that the male contacts 52, 53, 54 extend outwardly beyond the second side panel 34. In the preferred embodiments, the male contacts are shrouded by a dielectric sheath 55 extending from the base frame 51 in the insertion direction B, ensuring that the male contacts 52, 53, 54 are protected during mating and unmating, and electric shock hazards are avoided as well. More preferably, the dielectric sheath 55 is configured to conform in shape with the contour of the female connector 40, so that the dielectric sheath 55 is sleeved with the female connector 40 to provide additional stability when the male contacts 52, 53, 54 are brought in contact with the female contacts 45. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the male contacts 52, 53, 54 can be individually shaped in any configuration, such as in the form of a blade, a pin or a prong, as long as they are configured to conform in shape to the shapes of the mating receptacles 42, 43, 44 and are adapted to engage and be electrically connected to the female contacts 45. In the most preferred embodiments, the male contacts 52, 53, 54 are pin-shaped contacts with identical sizes.

[0039] Now referring back to Fig. 3B and further referring to Figs. 5A and 5B, the safety shutter plate 60, preferably a single-piece element made of dielectric material, is mounted in the female connector 40 and arranged to be slidably movable back and forth along the row direction A that the receptacles 42, 43, 44 are arranged. This can be realized by confining the safety shutter plate 60 between the base frame 41 and a cap frame 46. In the preferred embodiments, the safety shutter plate 60 is in an elongated io form extending along the row direction A and is tapered at one end to form a first slant surface 61 extending in the row direction A and inclined inwardly and facing outwards. Alternatively, the first slant surface 61 may be arranged to extend in the row direction A and incline inwardly towards a through hole having a diameter allowing entry of the first male contact 52 (not shown) until it merges into the through hole. The safety shutter plate 60 is further perforated to form a first through hole 63 and a second through hole 64 having a diameter allowing entry of the second male contact 53 and the third male contact 54, respectively. A second slant surface 65 and a third slant surface 66 are arranged to extend in the row direction A and incline inwardly towards the first through hole 63 and the second through hole 64, respectively, at substantially the same angle with respect to the row direction A as that of the first slant surface 61 until they merge into the first through hole 63 and the second through hole 64, respectively.

[0040] The safety shutter plate 60 is normally biased by a biasing member 67 to an advancing position as shown in Fig. 5A. In the preferred embodiments, the biasing member 67 is a slightly compressed V-shaped spring having two arms, with one arm being anchored on the safety shutter plate 60 and the other arm abutting in a notch 47 formed on the base frame 41, so that the safety shutter plate 60 is normally urged to abut against a stop 48 surrounding the first receptacle 42 and biased to the advancing position. When the safety shutter plate 60 is located at the advancing position, the first, second and third slant surfaces 61, 65, 66 are registered with the first, second and third receptacles 42, 43, 44, respectively, thereby closing the receptacles 42, 43, 44. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of biasing members can also be used in the invention, as long as they are useful in biasing the safety shutter plate 60 to the advancing position.

[0041] The operation of the embodiment disclosed above will now be described with π

reference to Figs. 5A and 5B. When the a first, second and third receptacles 42, 43, 44 are receiving the male contacts 52, 53, 54 from another module in the modular power strip 1, the pressing force of the male contacts 52, 53, 54 applied onto the first, second and third slant surfaces 61, 65, 66 along the insertion direction B will generate a component force in the row direction A to urge the safety shutter plate 60 away from the stop 48, against the biasing force applied by the biasing member 67. As the safety shutter plate 60 is moved to a retracted position shown in Fig. 5B, the first receptacle 42 is no longer shielded by the first slant surface 61, and the first and the second through holes 63, 64 overlap with the second and third receptacles 43, 44, respectively. As a result, the first, second and third receptacles 42, 43, 44 are fully opened, allowing entry of the male contacts 52, 53, 54 into the receptacles 42, 43, 44 to establish electrical connection with the female contacts 45. When the male contacts 52, 53, 54 are removed from the female connector 40, the safety shutter plate 60 moves back to the advancing position shown in Fig. 5A to close the receptacles 42, 43, 44. The first, second and third slant surfaces 61, 65, 66 can be configured to incline at any angle, so long as the safety shutter plate 60 can be moved smoothly back and forth between the advancing position and the retracted position. In a preferred embodiment, the first, second and third slant surfaces 61, 65, 66 are arranged to incline at an angle of 30-70 degree, such as about 50 degree, relative to the row direction A. Thus, the safety shutter plate 60 can prevent unwanted entry of foreign substances and improper insertion of a single male contact into the female connector 40 accordingly.

[0042] An operation unit 70 is electrically connected between the female connector 40 and the male connector 50, preferably mounted on the main face panel 32. The term “operation unit” as used herein is intended to encompass any electrical, electronic or mechanical devices that are adapted to manage the electric power flowing through the outlet module 30, including but not limited to power conversion, power monitoring and power control.

[0043] In one embodiment, the operation unit 70 is fabricated in the form of a socket outlet as shown in Fig. 2C, to which an electricity consuming device can be connected via a mating electric plug. The socket outlet can be of any configuration, so long as it can achieve the function of receiving electric power from the female connector 40 and then transmitting the electric power to an electricity consuming device connected thereto. Examples of the socket outlet include but are not limited to nationally or regionally standardized socket outlets, such as American Type A (NEMA 1-15), American Type B (NEMA 5-15), European Type C (Europlug), British Type D (BS 546), French Type E (CEE 7/5), German Type F (Schuko), British Type G (BS 1363), Israel Type H (SI32), Chinese Type I (CPCS-CCC), Swiss Type J, Danish Type K (107-2-D1), Italian Type L, British Type M (BS 546), Brazilian Type N (NBR 14136) and Australian (AS 3112), as shown in Fig. 6A; a universal socket outlet for receiving the plug types in common use around the world; and a universal serial bus (USB) charger socket as shown in Fig. 6B.

[0044] In the preferred embodiments where the operation unit 70 is configured in the form of a socket outlet adapted for receiving pin-shaped power contacts, such as a type C or a type F socket outlet as shown in Fig. 6A, the operation unit 70 is further provided with a safety shutter assembly 72 mounted within the dielectric housing 31, preferably beneath the main face panel 32. As shown in Figs. 2C and 2D, the safety shutter assembly 72, preferably a single-piece element made of dielectric material, includes two blades rotatably supported by a shaft arranged along the insertion direction B and biased in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction with respect to the shaft to close the power receptacles, i.e., the neutral and live receptacles. The two blades are each provided with an inclined surface, so that the safety shutter assembly 72 is adapted to rotate against the biasing force to open up the power receptacles upon receiving both of the pin-shaped power contacts on the inclined surfaces thereof. An unwanted or improper insertion of a single male contact of the plug into the power receptacles is prevented accordingly.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the operation unit 70 is configured in the form of a power supply unit that converts mains AC to DC power and is adapted to transmit the DC power to a laptop computer. The AC/DC converter circuit is known in the art, in which a variable resistor may be incorporated for tuning the DC output for the laptop computer. As shown in Fig. 7, the power supply module further comprises a power cord 74 extending from the main face panel 32 and is adapted to transmit the DC output to a laptop computer via a DC adapter. The power supply module disclosed herein contains a single power cord 74, in contrast to and superior to the conventional laptop power supplies which have a power cable plugged into the converter and another cable from there to the laptop computer.

[0046] In another alternative embodiment, the operation unit 70 is configured in the form of a switch unit for selectively electrically connecting the female connector 40 to the male connector 50 in the module. The switch unit may be, for example, a mechanical ON/OFF switch which is actuatable by being pressed manually, such as a toggle-, a push button- or a rocker-type switch as shown in Fig. 8A; a remotely controllable electrical switch as shown in Fig. 8B; or a circuit breaker as shown in Fig. 8C, which is adapted to automatically disconnect the circuit between the female connector 40 and the male connector 50 when the electric current exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as 16 amps. The working architectures of the switch unit are known in the art. For instance, the remotely controllable electrical switch is built-in with a transceiver and a programmable microcontroller that make it controllable from a remote site by a mobile device, such as a smart phone or a tablet computer, through a wireless network. The switch module controls the operation of all the outlet modules 30 that are placed downstream of it in the modular power strip 1.

[0047] In still another alternative embodiment, the operation unit 70 is configured in the form of a wireless router, such as a WiFi router which provides a WiFi hotspot, as shown in Fig. 9A. The wireless router may further include one or more Ethernet connectors for reception and/or transmission of data via cable lines, as shown in Fig. 9B.

[0048] In still another alternative embodiment, the operation unit 70 is configured in the form of a meter for measuring voltage, current, frequency, power, power factor, energy consumption and other parameters of electricity transmission. In a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the operation unit 70 is an electric meter which conducts real-time measurement on the amount of electrical energy input into the module and gives readings in kW/h on a display device mounted on the main face panel 32, allowing the user to monitor the energy consumption of the modular power strip 1 in a real time manner. Preferably, the electric meter is provided with a transceiver and can thus be connected to a wireless network for better monitoring with visualization.

[0049] The respective outlet modules 30 may be provided with additional light indicators, such as one or more light-emitting diode (LED) indicators, for visual verification of the working status of the outlet modules 30. For example, as shown in Fig. 8B, three LED indicators 36 of different colors may be mounted on the outlet module 30 provided with a remotely controllable electrical switch, wherein a green LED is used to indicate that the power is on and the module 30 is working fine, a blue LED indicates signal input, and a red LED is lighted when something is going wrong.

[0050] The power module 10 serves to receive electric power from a mains socket and then deliver electric power to an outlet module 30. As shown in Fig. 11, the power module 10 comprises a dielectric housing 11, a female connector 40 mounted on the housing 11 for releasably coupling to an outlet module 30, a power cord 12 having a restrained end attached to the housing 11 and a free end opposite to the restrained end provided with an electric plug 13 adapted for fitting into a domestic mains socket, and a switch unit 14 for selectively electrically connecting the power cord 12 to the female connector 40. The plug 13 can be of any configuration so long as it conforms to the domestic standards. Non-limiting examples thereof include type B, D, F, G, Η, I, J, K, I, Μ, N and O plugs. As the plugs used in some areas are non-polarized and therefore can be inserted both ways into the mains socket, the switch 14 is configured to be capable of cutting the electric current from both live and neutral, thereby preventing any live current to go through the power module 10 at the time it is switched off.

[0051] The end module 20 is adapted for being releasably connected as the last module,

i.e., the most remote module away from the power module 10, in the modular power strip

1. The end module 20 is configured to cap the exposed connector, such as a female connector 40, so as to further protect the connector from contamination by dirt, dust, moisture and other foreign substances. As shown in Fig. 12, the end module 20 is completely made of dielectric material and comprises a dielectric housing 21 from which a dielectric sheath 55 extends in the insertion direction B. The dielectric sheath 55 is configured to conform with the contour of the female connector 40, so that the dielectric sheath 55 can be sleeved with and cap the female connector 40, thereby completing the assembling of the power strip 1.

[0052] In the preferred embodiments, the end module 20 and the outlet modules 30 are each provided with a pair of male snap fasteners 80 extending from the second side panel 34 in the insertion direction B. As shown in Fig. 13A, the male snap fasteners 80 are adapted to lock into two mating slots 85 formed on the first side panel 33 of another module. The male snap fasteners 80 are each formed at one end with a hook-shaped portion 801 adapted to catch in the slot 85 and formed at the other end with a push button 802 biased laterally, preferably biased by a spiral spring, to protrude beyond the module. When a module is coupled to another module and the male snap fasteners 80 are brought into engagement with the slots 85 as shown in Fig. 13B, the hook-shaped portions 801 are anchored in the slots 85 by the biasing force, so that the two modules are firmly coupled to one another, thereby preventing accidental disconnection of the mated male and female connectors 40, 50. A user may disconnect the two modules from one another by simply pressing the push buttons 802 to disengage the male snap fasteners 80 from the slots 85.

[0053] When necessary, the respective modular power strips 1 can be easily extended by connection to another modular power strip 1 via an extension module. As shown in Fig. 14, the extension module comprises two dielectric housings 11, and a female connector 40 and a male connector 50 mounted on the dielectric housings 11, respectively, and electrically connected to each other by a power cord 12. The extension module is adapted to establish electrical connection between two modular power strips 1 by coupling the female connector 40 and the male connector 50 thereof to the mating connectors in the respective modular power strips 1.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 15, each of the modules disclosed herein may be further formed, preferably on its bottom face panel opposite to the main face panel 32, with a slot 90 as a wall mount for receiving a fastening member for attaching the module to a house wall. The slot 90 has an enlarged central opening allowing entry of the fastening member (not shown), and two narrowed end portions merged with the enlarged central opening, from which the fastening member once inserted cannot be pulled out. Such structural arrangement allows the respective modules to be hung up in different orientations.

[0055] Fig. 16 shows an exemplary modular power strip assembled according to one embodiment of the invention. The versatility of the operation units 70 disclosed herein allows a user to customize the layout of the modular power strip to fit personal needs. In particular, a user can combine and match a variety of outlet modules 30 into the modular power strip 1 and then wirelessly control the electricity consuming devices that are plugged in using a mobile device. The modules can be fabricated in various colors and sizes for both ornamental and functional purposes.

[0056] While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments above, it should be recognized that the embodiments are given for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and that various modifications and changes, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. An outlet module 30 for releasable incorporation into a modular power strip, comprising:

a dielectric housing 31, comprising a main face panel 32, and a first side panel 33

5 substantially perpendicular to the main face panel 32, and a second side panel 34 opposite to the first side panel 33;

a female connector 40 mounted on the first side panel 33 and formed with a first and a second receptacles 42, 43 arranged in a row direction A, in each of which a female contact 45 is positioned;

10 a male connector 50 mounted on the second side panel 34 and comprising a first and a second male contacts 52, 53 and extending outwardly beyond the second side panel 34;

an operation unit 70 electrically connected between the female connector 40 and the male connector 50; and a safety shutter plate 60 mounted in the female connector 40 and arranged to be 15 slidably movable back and forth along the row direction A, wherein the safety shutter plate 60 is formed with a first slant surface 61 extending in the row direction A and inclined inwardly and facing outwards, and wherein the safety shutter plate 60 is further formed with a first through hole 63 toward which a second slant surface 65 is arranged to extend in the row direction A and incline inwardly until merging into the first through

20 hole 63, and wherein the safety shutter plate 60 is normally biased by a biasing member 67 to an advancing position to close the first and second receptacles 42, 43, so that the first and second slant surfaces 61, 65 are registered with the first and second receptacles 42, 43 when the safety shutter plate 60 is located at the advancing position, and that the safety shutter plate 60 is adapted to travel to a retracted position to open the first and second receptacles 42, 43 in response to insertion of first and second male contacts 52, 53 from another module.
2. The outlet module 30 according to claim 1, wherein the female connector 40 further

5 formed with a third receptacle 44 arranged in a row with the first and second receptacles

42, 43 along the row direction A, wherein the male connector 50 further comprises a third male contact 54 arranged in a row with the first and second male contacts 52, 53 and extending outwardly beyond the second side panel 34, and wherein the safety shutter plate 60 is further formed with a second through hole 64 toward which a second slant

10 surface 66 is arranged to extend in the row direction A and incline inwardly until merging into the second through hole 64, whereby the third slant surface 66 is registered with the third receptacles 44 when the safety shutter plate 60 is located at the advancing position, and that the safety shutter plate 60 is adapted to travel to the retracted position to open the first, second and third receptacles 42, 43, 44 in response to insertion of first, second and

15 third male contacts 52, 53, 54 from another module into the first, second and third receptacles 42, 43, 44.
3. The outlet module 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first slant surface 61, the second slant surface 65 and the third slant surface 66 are arranged to

20 incline at substantially the same angle with respect to the row direction A.
4. The outlet module 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing member 67 is a slightly compressed V-shaped spring having two arms, with one arm being anchored on the safety shutter plate 60 and the other arm abutting in a notch 47

25 formed on the female connector 40.
5. The outlet module 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the male connector 50 further comprises a dielectric sheath 55 shrouding the male contacts 52, 53, 54, and wherein the dielectric sheath 55 is configured to conform in shape with the

5 female connector 40, so that the dielectric sheath 55 is adapted to sleeve with the female connector 40 of another module.
6. The outlet module 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims, further comprising a pair of male snap fasteners 80 extending from the second side panel 34 and

10 two slots 85 formed on the first side panel 33, so that the male snap fasteners 80 are adapted to lock into the two slots 85 of another module.
7. The outlet module 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the male snap fasteners 80 are each formed at one end with a hook-shaped portion 801 adapted to

15 catch in the slot 85 and formed at the other end with a push button 802 biased laterally to protrude beyond the outlet module 30, so that the male snap fasteners 80 can be disengaged from the slots 85 by pressing the push buttons 802.
8. The outlet module 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims, further formed on

20 its bottom face panel opposite to the main face panel 32 with a slot 90 as a wall mount, wherein the slot 90 has an enlarged central opening and two narrowed end portions merged with the enlarged central opening.
9. The outlet module 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the operation unit 70 is configured in a form selected from the group consisting of a socket outlet, a power supply unit, a switch unit and an electric meter.
10. A modular power strip 1, comprising:

5 a power module 10, comprising: a dielectric housing 11; a female connector 40 according to anyone of the preceding claims mounted on the housing 11; a power cord 12 having a restrained end attached to the housing 11 and a free end opposite to the restrained end provided with an electric plug 13 adapted for fitting into a domestic mains socket; and a switch unit 14 for selectively electrically connecting the power cord 12 to

10 the female connector 40;

an end module 20, made of dielectric material and configured to cap a female connector 40 according to anyone of the preceding claims; and one or more outlet modules 30 according to anyone of the preceding claims releasably coupled between the power module 10 and the end module 20.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1702199.9