DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to improved power socket strips having better stability.

BACKGROUND

Owing to the increase in the number of electrical appliances being used in our routine lives, it is quite common nowadays to plug an extension power socket board or panel into a mains supply power socket to accommodate multiple appliances through the single mains supply power socket. In fact, considering that it is not practical to have one mains supply power socket for each appliance, such boards or panels have become quite a necessity in today’s times. The usually long cords of these boards allow for ease in positioning and handling of these boards.

However, when multiple plugs of appliances are inserted into the extension power socket board, the board usually loses its stability in positioning. This is because the existing boards are generally not built by considering weight and alignment of the power plugs. This instability may further lead to falling or tumbling of the boards, resulting in damage to the inserted plugs and the nearby products. Moreover, such incidents may also disrupt the mains supply to the appliances causing inconvenience to a consumer.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a power socket strip is disclosed. The power socket strip includes a base component having a front surface, a back surface, and a supporting surface formed between the front surface and the back surface. The power socket strip includes a plurality of power sockets disposed on the front surface of the base component. Each power socket is adapted to receive a power plug of an appliance. The power socket strip includes a projection portion formed at a periphery of the front surface of the base component and adapted to support a cord of the power plug when the power plug is inserted into a power socket. A first angle formed between the front surface and the supporting surface is an acute angle such that a centre of gravity of the power socket strip overlaps with the supporting surface to stabilize the power socket strip in a predefined position.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a power socket strip, according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates various views of the power socket strip, according to an embodiment of the present embodiment;
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the power socket strip, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates schematic side views of the power socket strip depicting a first angle formed between a front surface and a supporting surface and a second angle formed between a back surface and the supporting surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates perspective views of the power socket strip depicting various resting positions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the power socket strip being supported on a hook through a handle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a power socket strip, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 illustrates various views of the power socket strip, according to an embodiment of the present embodiment;
Figure 9 illustrates an exploded view of the power socket strip, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 10 illustrates perspective views of the power socket strip depicting various resting positions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 11 illustrates various views of the power socket strip having a plurality of power sockets and respective actuating switches, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure relates to an improved power socket strip having better stability and more positioning options in comparison to the existing socket strips. The power socket strip may include a base component having a front surface, a back surface, and a supporting surface formed between the front surface and the back surface. The power socket strip may also include a plurality of power sockets disposed on the front surface of the base component. Each power socket may be adapted to receive a power plug of an appliance. Further, the power socket strip may include a projection portion formed at a periphery of the front surface of the base component and adapted to support a cord of the power plug when the power plug is inserted into a power socket. A first angle formed between the front surface and the supporting surface is an acute angle such that a centre of gravity of the power socket strip overlaps with the supporting surface to stabilize the power socket strip in a predefined position.

In an embodiment, the power socket strip may also include an actuating switch disposed on the front surface of the base component and adapted to be operated to control power supply to the plurality of power sockets.

The present disclosure includes two such power socket strips having different construction but similar operating principle to ensure better stability, usability, and flexibility in terms of placing the power socket strip in multiple positions for ease in handling. The subsequent description details constructional and operational features of the power socket strips, according to different embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a power socket strip 100, according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates various views of the power socket strip 100, according to an embodiment of the present embodiment. In particular, Figure 2 illustrates a front view 202, a bottom view 204, a first side view 206, a second side view 208, and a back view 210 of the power socket strip 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the power socket strip 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, the power socket strip 100 may include, but is not limited to, a base component 102, a plurality of power sockets 104 disposed in the base component 102, and a projection portion 106 disposed on the base component 102.

In an embodiment, the base component 102 may be formed by a base plate 302 and a cover plate 304 adapted to be disposed on the base plate 302, as illustrated particularly in Figure 3. Further, the power sockets 104 may individually be referred to as the power socket 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the power socket strip 100 is shown to include four power sockets 104, individually referred to as the power socket 104-1, the power socket 104-2, the power socket 104-3, and the power socket 104-4. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the number of power sockets 104 to be disposed in the power socket strip 100 may vary depending on operational requirements of the power socket strip 100. Therefore, in other embodiments, the power socket strip 100 may include less or a greater number of power sockets 104, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The power socket strip 100 may also include a cord 108 connecting a plug 306 to other electrical components of the power socket strip 100. The plug 306 may be adapted to be inserted into a mains supply power socket for supplying the mains supply to the power sockets 104.

Further, the power socket strip 100 may include an actuating switch 110 disposed in the base component 102 and adapted to be operated to control power supply to the power sockets 104. Therefore, in an activated operational state of the actuating switch 110, the mains supply to the power sockets 104 is enabled. In an inactivated operational state, the mains supply to the power sockets 104 is disabled. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating switch 110 is a push-type switch. In other embodiments, the actuating switch 110 may include, but is not limited to, a sliding switch, a rotary switch, a toggle-type switch, and a rocker-type switch, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, the power socket strip 100 may include an indicator 112 adapted to indicate the operational state of the actuating switch 110 and in turn of the power sockets 104. In an embodiment, the indicator 112 may be a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator. In an embodiment, an illuminated state of the indicator 112 may indicate that the actuating switch 110 is activated and the power sockets 104 are therefore receiving the mains supply. On the other hand, a non-illuminated state of the indicator 112 may indicate that the actuating switch 110 is inactivated and the power sockets 104 are therefore not receiving the mains supply.

The base component 102 may include, but is not limited to, a front surface 114, a back surface 212 formed in parallel to the front surface 114, and a supporting surface 116 formed between the front surface 114 and the back surface 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the base component 102 is shown to include two supporting surfaces, a first supporting surface 116 and a second supporting surface 214, which are formed opposite to each other. For the sake of simplicity, the subsequent description is explained with respect to the first supporting surface 116. As would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the description would equally be applicable for the second supporting surface 214.

Further, the sockets 104 may be disposed on the front surface 114 of the base component 102. Each power socket 104 may be adapted to receive a power plug of an appliance. For example, the appliance may be a television, a smartphone, a laptop, a desktop, a refrigerator, and a chimney.

In an embodiment, the projection portion 106 may be adapted to be disposed at a periphery of the front surface 114. In an embodiment, the projection portion 106 may be detachable, say, for ease of replacement in case of any fault therein. The projection portion 106 may be adapted to support a cord of the power plug of the appliance, when the power plug is inserted into the power socket 104. Therefore, one or more cords of the power plugs may be supported by the projection portion 106, ensuring better handling of the cords and improved stability of the power socket strip 100.

In an embodiment, a first angle formed between the front surface 114 and the supporting surface 116 may be an acute angle. Further, a second angle formed between the back surface 212 and the supporting surface 116 may be an obtuse angle. Figure 4 illustrates schematic side views 402, 404 of the power socket strip 100 depicting the first angle and the second angle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first angle and the second angle may be selected such that a centre of gravity of the power socket strip 100 overlaps with the supporting surface 116 to stabilize the power socket strip 100 in a predefined position. In an embodiment, the first angle may be of about 70.98 degrees. Further, the second angle may be of about 109.02 degrees. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, these angles are intelligently selected, after significant analysis of ergonomics and associated physical parameters, to ensure that the power socket strip 100 is stably placed in all possible positions. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, in other embodiments, the first angle may be less or more than 70.98 degrees as far as the stability of the power socket strip 100 is maintained, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the second angle may be less or more than 109.02 degrees in other embodiments.

Such selection of the first angle and the second angle allows the power socket strip 100 to rest either on the first supporting surface 116 and the second supporting surface 214 in a stable manner. Figure 5 illustrates perspective views 502, 504 of the power socket strip 100 depicting various resting positions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the perspective view 502, the power socket strip 100 is shown to be rested on the first supporting surface 116. In the perspective view 504, the power socket strip 100 is shown to be rested on the second supporting surface 214. Therefore, a user can place the power socket strip 100 in any of these positions without worrying about the instability or the possibility of toppling over.

In an embodiment, the power socket strip 100 may include a handle 118 adapted to support the power socket strip 100 on a hook portion. The hook portion may be disposed on a wall or any other external supporting surface. Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the power socket strip 100 being supported on a hook 600 through the handle 118, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This allows for easy positioning of the power socket strip 100, for example, in cases where the intention is to avoid much human contact with the power socket strip 100, such as when there are kids in the premises.

In an embodiment, the power socket strip 100 may include a surge protection mechanism, such as a fuse in order to handle any power surge. Further, the power sockets 104 may include a child safety shutter. The power sockets 104 may also include high quality brass contacts for establishing electrical connection.

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a power socket strip 700, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 illustrates various views of the power socket strip 700, according to an embodiment of the present embodiment. Particularly, Figure 8 illustrates a top view 802, a front view 804, a first back view 806, a second back view 808, a first side view 810, and a second side view 812 of the power socket strip 700, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 illustrates an exploded view of the power socket strip 700, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 7, Figure 8, and Figure 9, the power socket strip 700 may include, but is not limited to, a base component 702, a plurality of power sockets 704 disposed in the base component 702, and a projection portion 706 formed on the base component 702. In an embodiment, the base component 702 may be formed by a base plate 902 and a cover plate 904 disposed on the base plate 902, as illustrated particularly in Figure 9. Further, a side plate 906 and a side plate 908 may close the assembly from sides to form the power socket strip 700.

Further, each power socket 704 may be adapted to receive the power plug of the appliances. The power socket strip 700 may also include a cord 708 connecting a plug 910 to other electrical components of the power socket strip 700. The plug 910 may be adapted to be inserted into a mains supply power socket for supplying the mains supply to the power sockets 704. Further, the power socket strip 700 may include an actuating switch 710 disposed in the base component 702 and adapted to be operated to control power supply to the power sockets 704. The power socket strip 700 may also include an indicator 712 adapted to indicate the operational state of the actuating switch 710 and in turn of the power sockets 704.

The constructional and operational details of the power sockets 704, the actuating switch 710, and the indicator 712 may remain the same as that of the power sockets 104, the actuating switch 110, and the indicator 112 of the power socket strip 100 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, those details are not repeated herein.

Further, the base component 702 may include a front surface 714, a back surface 716, and a supporting surface 718 formed between the front surface 714 and the back surface 716. The power sockets 704 may be disposed on the front surface 714 of the base component 702. In an embodiment, the projection portion 706 may be formed at a periphery of the front surface 714 of the base component 702. The projection portion 706 may be adapted to support a cord of the power plug of the appliance, when the power plug is inserted into the power socket 704.

In an embodiment, a first angle formed between the front surface 714 and the supporting surface 718 and a second angle formed between the back surface 716 and the supporting surface 718 are selected to form a triangular profile for the power socket strip 700. In an embodiment, the first angle and the second angle are acute angles. The triangular profile is formed such that the power socket strip 700 may be adapted to rest on one of the back surface 716 and the supporting surface 718.

Figure 10 illustrates perspective views of the power socket strip 700 depicting various resting positions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Particularly, the perspective view 1002 depicts the power socket strip 700 resting on the supporting surface 718. Further, the perspective view 1004 depicts the power socket strip 700 resting on the back surface 716. As illustrated, in an embodiment, the first angle may be of 50 degrees. Further, the second angle may be of 80 degrees. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, in other embodiments, the first angle may be less or more than 50 degrees, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the second angle may be less or more than 80 degrees in other embodiments.

In an embodiment, the power socket strip 700 may include one actuating switch 710 for controlling mains supply to all the power sockets 704. In another embodiment, the power socket strip 700 may include one actuating switch 710 for controlling mains supply to each power socket 704. Figure 11 illustrates various views of the power socket strip 700 having a plurality of power sockets 704 and respective actuating switches 710, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the power socket strip 700 includes 4 power sockets 704 and 4 actuating switches 710 with respective separate indicators 712.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers power socket strips 100, 700 having improved stability. The first angle and the second angle in the power socket strip 100 are selected to ensure that the power socket strip 100 can conveniently rest either on the first supporting surface 116 or the second supporting surface 214. Similarly, the first angle and the second angle in the power socket strip 700 are selected to ensure that the power socket strip 100 can conveniently rest either on the back surface 716 or the supporting surface 718.

The power socket strip 100 can easily be placed in compact places. Similarly, the triangular profile of the power socket strip 700 allows it to be conveniently placed in compact places. In addition, the power socket strips 100, 700 can be placed in a horizontal alignment as well as vertical alignment. Therefore, the power socket strips 100, 700 of the present disclosure are operation-effective and offer significant convenience to the consumer at least from the perspective of easy handling and stable positioning.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A power socket strip (100, 700) comprising:
a base component (102, 702) comprising a front surface (114, 714), a back surface (212, 716), and a supporting surface (116, 214, 718) formed between the front surface (114, 714) and the back surface (212, 716);
a plurality of power sockets (104, 704) disposed on the front surface (114, 714) of the base component (102, 702), wherein each power socket (104, 704) is adapted to receive a power plug of an appliance; and
a projection portion (106, 706) formed at a periphery of the front surface (114, 714) of the base component (102, 702) and adapted to support a cord of the power plug when the power plug is inserted into a power socket (104, 704),
wherein a first angle formed between the front surface (114, 714) and the supporting surface (116, 214, 718) is an acute angle such that a centre of gravity of the power socket strip (100, 700) overlaps with the supporting surface (116, 214, 718) to stabilise the power socket strip (100, 700) in a predefined position.

2. The power socket strip (100, 700) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an actuating switch (110, 710) disposed on the front surface (114, 714) of the base component (102, 702) and adapted to be operated to control power supply to the plurality of power sockets (104, 704).

3. A power socket strip (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first angle formed between the front surface (114) and the supporting surface (116, 214) and a second angle formed between the back surface (212) and the supporting surface (116, 214) are an acute angle and an obtuse angle, respectively, such that a centre of gravity of the power socket strip (100) overlaps with the supporting surface (116, 214) to stabilise the power socket strip (100) in a predefined position.

4. The power socket strip (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the back surface (212) is formed in parallel to the front surface (114).

5. The power socket strip (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the projection portion (106) is detachable.

6. The power socket strip (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first angle is of about 70.98 degrees.

7. The power socket strip (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second angle is of about 109.02 degrees.

8. The power socket strip (100) as claimed in claim 3, comprising a handle (118) adapted to support the power socket strip (100) on a hook portion (600).

9. A power socket strip (700) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first angle formed between the front surface (714) and the supporting surface (718) and a second angle formed between the back surface (716) and the supporting surface (718) are selected to form a triangular profile for the power socket strip (700) such that the power socket strip (700) is adapted to rest on one of the back surface (716) and the supporting surface (718).

10. The power socket strip (700) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first angle and the second angle are acute angles.

11. The power socket strip (700) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first angle is of about 50 degrees.

12. The power socket strip (700) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second angle is of about 80 degrees.