JP2013520772A - Power station assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an assembly for supplying electrical power to an electrical device. The assembly includes a container having an electrical connector for connection to a power source and a long electrical cable housed in the container and coupled to the electrical connector. A long electrical cable can be extended from the container in a windable manner. In one embodiment, an electrical cable is electrically connected to the main power source to transfer power from the power source to one or more electrical connectors attached to the container. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a switchboard that is releasably connected, and in another embodiment, the assembly comprises a light emitting device that is releasably connected.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a distribution board assembly that supplies power to a plurality of electric devices.

  Existing switchboards or distribution boards typically have multiple electrical connectors associated with multiple electrical sockets that are each configured to be electrically connected to an electrical plug attached to the end of a power cord that extends from the motorized device. A housing having The switchboard typically includes an electrical cable that has an electrical plug for connection to an electrical outlet and is attached to the housing. The electric cord normally enters the housing and is connected to a plurality of electrical connectors of a plurality of electrical sockets in the housing, respectively. Therefore, when the electrical cord of the switchboard is connected to the main power source, the electrical connector of the electrical plug of one or more motorized devices is inserted into one of the electrical sockets of the switchboard, respectively, to one or more motorized devices. Supply power.

  It is often desirable to provide a means for providing power to one or more motorized devices that are remote from the electrical outlet. This situation often occurs when the power device is a portable power tool and the work performed by the power tool is located far away from the power outlet. In addition, in situations where the user wants to perform work at a location remote from the power outlet (such as using a portable power tool, which is not necessarily the case), the user is free to assist in performing such work. It is often desirable for a user to have other means available for use. For example, if work is to be performed in a dim environment, the user may need some means of providing light where the work should be performed.

  Accordingly, the present invention, in a first aspect, aims to ameliorate the above-mentioned problems by providing an assembly that provides power to an electrical device. The assembly includes a container having an electrical connector for connection to a power source, and a long electrical cable housed in the container and coupled to the electrical connector, wherein the long electrical cable can be rewound from the container. it can.

  In a preferred embodiment, an electrical cable is electrically connected to the electrically powered device to transfer power from the power source to the electrical device.

  In another embodiment, a long electrical cable can be wrapped around a reel housed in a container and the cable can be unwound from the reel and extended from the container, and the cable can be wrapped around the reel and wrapped in the container. It can be stored.

  In yet another embodiment, further comprising a switchboard having a housing having a plurality of electrical connectors for connection to one or more motorized devices, and a long electrical cable having electrical connectors for connection to a power source.

  In one embodiment, the switchboard and the container can be removably connected, and the container includes an electrical connector that connects to and supplies power to the long electrical cable of the switchboard.

  In another embodiment, the container comprises one or more locking members configured to removably lock the switchboard housing to the container.

  In yet another embodiment, the locking member comprises a rotating abutment surface that is receivable through an opening in the housing of the switchboard, and the abutment surface abuts a portion of the housing that is directly adjacent to the opening. The locking member rotates relative to the opening to the position, thereby locking the housing to the container.

  In another embodiment, further comprising an electroluminescent device removably connected to the container and a long electrical cable having an electrical connector for connection to a power source.

  In one embodiment, the device further comprises an electrical connector connected to a long electrical cable of the electroluminescent device for supplying power.

  In another embodiment, the light emitting device includes a housing having a base member that houses the light source, and a transparent cover member that is connected to the base member and covers the light source and transmits light.

  In yet another embodiment, the light emitting device housing is pivotally attached to the base member and includes a stand member for maintaining the light emitting device in an upright position on the surface.

  In yet another embodiment, the container comprises one or more locking members for releasably locking the light emitting device to the container.

  In a further embodiment, the locking member comprises a rotating abutment surface that is receivable through an opening in the housing of the light emitting device, and is engaged until the abutment surface abuts a portion of the housing that is directly adjacent to the opening. The stop member rotates relative to the opening, thereby locking the housing to the container.

  In a preferred embodiment, the container comprises means for releasably attaching the container to a support secured to the upstanding surface.

  Preferably, the container comprises a pair of opposing inwardly curved members for receiving a set of outwardly curved surfaces of the support portion, the upper one of the inwardly curved surfaces of the container and the outside of the support portion. The weight of the assembly is substantially supported by engagement with one of the tops of the direction curved surfaces.

  More preferably, the container has an inwardly curved surface until one of the lower side of the inwardly curved surface of the container engages with one of the lower side of the outwardly curved surface of the support in a releasable locking configuration. Pivot around one of the upper side and one of the upper side of the outward curved surface.

  The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings. The following drawings represent an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a power station assembly that connects one or more motorized devices and a power source that supplies power to the motorized devices.

It is a perspective view of a power station assembly provided with the container which accommodates a switchboard module, a light-emitting device, and a winding-type power cord. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the power station assembly of FIG. 1 with a portion of the container removed to illustrate the light emitting device module and the retractable power cord located within the container. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the power station assembly of FIG. 1 with a portion of the container and the light emitting device module removed to illustrate the retractable power cord and switchboard module located within the container. It is a figure which shows the switchboard module of the power station assembly of FIG. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a light emitting device module of the power station assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a light emitting device module of the power station assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a support configured to be attached to a vertical surface, such as a wall, and configured to be removably attached to the power station assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support of FIG. 7 with the power station assembly of FIG. 1 attached.

  1-3, a power station assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The assembly 10 includes a container 20 configured to be removably attached to a support, as shown in FIGS. The support unit 80 is attached to a vertical surface such as a wall surface. The power station assembly 10 further includes a switchboard module 30 that is detachably connected to the container 20 and a light emitting device module 40 that is also detachably connected to the container 20. The power station assembly 10 further includes a long power cord 50 that is configured to extend wrapably from within the container 20 of the assembly 10. The power station assembly 10 further includes a power cord 12 in the form of a long conductive cable having a plug-type electrical connector 14 extending from the container 20 for connection to a power outlet such as a main power outlet. The power cord is electrically connected to and supplies power to a plurality of components of the power station assembly 10.

  In use, the power station assembly 10 facilitates the supply of power at a location remote from a power outlet, such as a main power outlet, where a user requires power from one or more electrically powered devices. To accomplish this, the power cord 12 may be withdrawn from within the container 20 and connected to a power source proximal to the power station assembly 10. Subsequently, the retractable power cord 50 is pulled out from the container 20, transported to a position away from the power station assembly 10 and the power outlet, and electrically connected to the electric device or the switchboard module 30. This allows connection to one or more electric devices and power supply. Further, the light emitting device module 40 can be removed from the container 20 and connected to the rewind-type power cord 50 or the switchboard module 30 to project light onto the work area or work surface.

  1-3, 7 and 8, the container 20 includes a bottom wall 23, a pair of opposing side walls 24, 26 upstanding from the bottom wall 23, and between the side walls 24, 26 upstanding from the bottom wall 23. And a bottom 21 having a pair of opposing end walls 25, 27 extending towards each side wall. Therefore, the bottom wall 23, the side walls 24, 26 and the end walls 25, 27 of the bottom 21 form a box-shaped member having the internal cavity 29 as a whole. The side walls 24, 26 located distal to the bottom wall 23 and the ends of the end walls 25, 27 define an opening into the cavity 29. The opening is covered by a fascia. The container 20 further includes a handle member 28 that is pivotally connected to the end walls 25, 27 of the bottom 21. The handle member 28 is configured to be gripped by a user to carry the power station assembly 10 to a desired location.

  The power cord 12 is electrically connected to the main on / off switch 16. The main on / off switch 16 is electrically connected to the retractable power cord 50 and at least two or more electrical connectors (not shown) attached to the plate 22 of the container 20. The main on / off switch 16 selectively supplies power from an electrical outlet to the take-up power cord 50 and at least two electrical connectors (not shown) attached to the plate 22 via the power cord 12. Manually operated to supply. The assembly 10 is powered from a power outlet to a retractable power cord 50 and / or at least two electrical connectors (not shown) attached to the plate 22 when the current exceeds a predetermined threshold. It further comprises a circuit breaker 18 that is manually releasable and operates to cut off the power supplied via the cord 12.

  The winding power cord 50 includes a long conductive cable 52 having a plug-type electrical connector 54 electrically connected to one end of the cable 52. The cable 52 is wound around a reel 55 attached to the bracket 56. The reel 55 is fixed in the cavity 29 of the container 20 by using a bracket 56 fixed to the bottom 21 of the container 20. The reel 55 is rotatable relative to the bracket 56 so that the cable 52 can be unwound and pulled out so that any desired length of cable 52 can be pulled out of the container 20. Therefore, the connector 54 can be connected to the electric device and / or the distribution board 30 at a position away from the power station assembly 10. The reel 55 is configured to selectively store the cable 52 by rotation with respect to the bracket 56 when the user needs to store the cable. The other end of the cable 52 is electrically connected to the power cable 12. Therefore, when the power cable 12 is connected to the power outlet, power can be supplied to the electric device and / or the switchboard 30 via the retractable power cord 50 at a position away from the power station assembly 10.

  With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the switchboard module 30 is elongated having a first end 33, a second end 35, and a front panel 34 extending between the first and second ends 33, 35. A housing 32 is provided. The front panel 34 includes a plurality of electrical connector portions 36 mounted therein. Extending from the housing 32 is an electrical cable (not shown) that can be electrically connected to an electrical connector (not shown) mounted within the plate 22 of the container 20 or a connector 54 of the retractable power cord 50. A cable extending from the housing 32 of the switchboard module 30 is electrically connected to each of the electrical connector portions 36. For this reason, when the connector 14 of the power cable 12 is connected to a power source, the connector part 36 of the switchboard module 30 functions to connect to the electrical connector of the electric device and supply power to the device.

  The switchboard module 30 is configured to be received in the switchboard module receiving opening 30 </ b> A in the plate 22 of the container 20. The switchboard module 30 includes a first opening 37 and a second opening 39 located at the first end 33 and the second end 35 of the housing 32, respectively. When the housing 32 is fixed in the switchboard receiving opening 30A of the plate 22, a set of locking members 37A and 39A are received in one of the openings 37 and 39, respectively. The locking members 37 </ b> A and 39 </ b> A each include a contact surface configured to contact one of the pair of contact surfaces 31 and 38 positioned directly adjacent to the openings 37 and 39, respectively. It is in the form of a rotatable locking knob. When the locking knob rotates to an appropriate position, the switchboard module 30 is locked in the module opening 30 </ b> A of the container 20. When the locking members 37A and 39A are rotated, the contact surfaces 31 and 38 adjacent to the openings 37 and 39 are released, and the switchboard module 30 can be removed from the module opening 30A.

  2, 5, and 6, the light emitting device module 40 includes a bottom panel 43 and four side panels 44, 45, 46, and 17 that stand upright from the bottom panel 43, and defines a cavity therein. A housing 42 including a base housing 41 is provided. Mounted in a cavity in the base housing 41 is a light emitting device 49 in the form of a fluorescent lamp, also known as a discharge lamp, such as a compact fluorescent lamp. The light emitting device 49 includes a gas-filled tube 62 and an electronic ballast 64 that is electrically connected to a cable (not shown) extending from the housing 42 of the light emitting device module 40. The conductive cable can be electrically connected to the connector 54 of the roll-up power cord 50 or an electrical connector (not shown) mounted in the plate 22 of the container 20. In this way, when the connector 14 of the power cable 12 is connected to the power source, power is supplied to the light emitting device 49 of the light emitting device module 40. The light emitting device module 40 may include a switch for turning on and off the light emitting device 49. The housing 42 of the light emitting device module 40 further includes a transparent cover 48 attached to the free ends of the side panels 44, 45, 46, 47. The transparent cover 48 covers the light emitting device 49 and transmits light.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the housing 42 of the light emitting device module 40 further includes a stand member 65 and a base panel 67. The base panel 67 is attached to one of the side panels 44, 45, 46, 47 of the base housing 41, and the stand member 65 is pivotally connected to the bottom panel 43 of the base housing 41. In use, the light emitting device module 40 is attached to the surface in a vertical position and leans against the base panel 67. The stand member 65 is pivotable with respect to the base housing 41 between the retracted position and the deployed position. In the deployed position, the stand member 65 functions to support the light emitting device module 40 in an upright position on the surface supported by the base panel 67. When the light emitting device module is in the vertical position, the transparent cover 48 is in a direction substantially transverse to the surface against which the base panel 67 leans, so that the light emitted by the light emitting device 49 is transmitted through the transparent cover 48 and the work area or Irradiate the work surface.

  The base panel 67 of the light emitting device module 40 includes a first end 68, a second end 69, and openings 71 and 73 in the first and second ends 68 and 69, respectively. Each of the openings 71 and 73 includes contact surfaces 72 and 74 located directly adjacent to one of the openings 71 and 73. The plate 22 of the container 20 includes a light emitting device module receiving opening 40 </ b> A configured to receive the housing 42 of the light emitting device module 40. When the housing 42 of the light emitting device module 40 is received through the opening 40A, a set of locking members 71A and 73A are received through the openings 71 and 73, and the switchboard module 30 is similar to the locking members 37A and 39A described above. Functions to be locked to the container 20. Therefore, the locking members 71A and 73A are respectively positioned at positions where the locking members 71A and 73A abut against the abutting surfaces 72 and 74 to lock the light emitting device module 40 in the opening 40A of the container 20; A rotary knob configured to rotate to another position where the light emitting device module 40 can be removed from the 20 openings 40A.

  1, 7 and 8, the power station assembly 10 is configured to be attached to a support 80 that is secured to an upright surface, such as a wall. The support 80 includes an elongate base 81 configured to be secured to the wall surface by any suitable means. The base 81 includes a plurality of openings 82 configured to receive fasteners that secure the base 81 to the wall surface. The support portion 80 further includes a coupling portion 83 extending from the base 81. The coupling portion 83 includes a plurality of upright members 84 that are upright from the base 81 and are spaced apart from each other. The coupling portion 83 further includes an upper cross member 85 and a lower cross member 86. Upper and lower cross members 85, 86 extend between adjacent sets of upright members 84 and are secured thereto. The upper and lower cross members 85 and 86 are arranged apart from the base 81. Furthermore, the upper and lower cross members 85 and 86 each include an upper outward curved convex surface 87 and a lower outward curved convex surface 88. The container 20 of the power station assembly 10 includes a pair of opposing inwardly curved concave hook-like members 92, 94 in the bottom wall 23 of the bottom 21. The inwardly curved concave hook-like members 92, 94 are spaced apart and face each other and define a recess 96 therebetween. The container 20 of the power station assembly 10 can be removably attached to the coupling portion 83 of the support 80, thereby removably attaching the power station assembly 10 to the wall to which the support 80 is fixed. it can. This is because the first one of the inwardly curved members 92 is arranged with respect to one of the upwardly and downwardly curved convex surfaces 87 and 88 of the upper and lower cross members 85 and 86, and then the upper and lower outer members of the upper and lower cross members 85 and 86 are This is achieved by arranging the other of the inwardly curved members 92 and 94 with respect to the other of the directionally curved convex surfaces 87 and 88. Thus, the inwardly curved concave hook-shaped members 92 and 94 come into contact with the upper and lower outward curved convex surfaces 87 and 88 of the upper and lower cross members 85 and 86, respectively. , 94 hold the upper and lower cross members 85, 86 in the recess 96. The weight of the assembly 10 is substantially supported by engagement between one upper side of the inwardly curved surface 92 of the container 20 and one upper side of the outer curved convex surface 87 of the support 80. The container 20 is curved inward until the lower side of the inwardly curved surface 94 of the container 20 is engaged with the lower side of the outwardly curved convex surface 88 of the support 80 in a releasable locking form such as a snap type. It is possible to pivot about one of the upper side of the surface 92 and one of the upper side of the outer curved convex surface 87.

  When the user wants to remove the power station assembly 10 from the support 80, the user can grasp the container 20 or the handle member 28 and remove the hook-shaped members 92 and 94 from the upper and lower cross members 85 and 86. Subsequently, the user can carry the power station assembly 10 to a location near the power outlet where the connector 14 of the power cord 12 can be connected to the power outlet. Subsequently, the user extends the retractable power cord 50 from the power station assembly 10 and wants to use one or more electric devices (for example, portable power tools) or to illuminate the work area or work surface. The connector 54 of the retractable power cord 50 can be carried to the heel. Subsequently, the user connects the connector 54 of the retractable cable 50 to the motorized device at a location remote from the power station assembly 10. If necessary, the user removes the switchboard module 30 from the power station assembly 10, connects the electrical cable of the switchboard module 30 to the connector 54 of the roll-up power cord 50, and connects one or more power transmission devices to the switchboard module 30. It is possible to connect to the connector portion 36. In addition, the user removes the light emitting device module 40 from the power station assembly 10 and connects the power cord of the light emitting device module 40 to the connector 54 of the retractable cord 50 or the connector portion 36 of the switchboard module 30, so that the work area or work Can illuminate the surface.

  After use, the user can return the switchboard module 30 to the switchboard module receiving opening 30A of the container 20 and / or return the light emitting device module 40 to the light emitting device module receiving opening 40A of the container 20. Subsequently, the user can releasably lock the switchboard module 30 and the light emitting device module 40. The user can return the power station assembly 10 to the support portion 80 and attach the power station assembly 10 to the coupling portion 83 of the support portion 80.

  Finally, it should be understood and appreciated that various changes, modifications and / or additions may be made to the structure and arrangement of the parts described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

An assembly for providing power to an electrical device,
A container having an electrical connector for connection to a power source;
A long electrical cable housed in the container and coupled to the electrical connector;
An assembly characterized in that the long electrical cable can be extended from the container in a rollable manner.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical cable is electrically connected to an electric device to transmit power from the power source to the electric device.   The long electrical cable is wound around a reel housed in the container, the cable can be unwound from the reel and extended from the container, and the coil is wound around the reel and the cable is wound in the container. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cable is retractable.   2. A switchboard having a housing having a plurality of electrical connectors for connection to one or more electric devices, and a long electrical cable having an electrical connector for connection to a power source. 4. The assembly according to any one of 3. The switchboard and the container can be removably connected,
The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the container includes an electrical connector connected to a long electrical cable of the switchboard to supply power.   The assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the container comprises one or more locking members configured to removably lock the housing of the switchboard to the container.   The locking member includes a rotating contact surface that can be received through an opening in a housing of the switchboard, and the contact member is in contact with a part of the housing that is directly adjacent to the opening. The assembly of claim 6, wherein a locking member rotates relative to the opening, thereby locking the housing to the container.   The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an electroluminescent device removably connected to the container and a long electrical cable having an electrical connector for connection to a power source.   9. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising an electrical connector connected to a long electrical cable of the electroluminescent device to supply power.   The said light emitting device is provided with the housing which has a base member which accommodates a light source, and the transparent cover member which is connected to the said base member, and covers the said light source, and permeate | transmits light. assembly.   The assembly of claim 10, wherein the light emitting device housing is pivotally attached to the base member and comprises a stand member for maintaining the light emitting device in an upright position on a surface.   12. The assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the container includes one or more locking members for removably locking the light emitting device to the container.   The locking member includes a rotation contact surface that can be received through an opening in the housing of the light emitting device, and the engagement member is moved to a position where the contact surface contacts a part of the housing directly adjacent to the opening. The assembly of claim 12, wherein a stop member rotates relative to the opening, thereby locking the housing to the container.   14. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises means for releasably attaching the container to a support fixed to an upstanding surface.   The container includes a pair of opposing inwardly curved members for receiving the set of outwardly curved surfaces of the support part, and one of the containers on the upper side of the inwardly curved surface of the container and the outside of the support part. 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the weight of the assembly is substantially supported by engagement with one of the upper portions of the direction curved surface.   The container is configured such that the bottom of the inwardly curved surface of the container engages with one of the underside of the outwardly curved surface of the support in a releasable locking configuration. 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the assembly pivots about an upper one and an upper one of the outwardly curved surfaces.

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