Power Strip Socket Availability Indicator

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for indicating availability for use of sockets of an electrical power strip.

Claims

1. A power strip configuration comprising visible radiation as a socket availability indicator.

2. The system according to claim 1 where visible radiation exists on any portion of the power strip.

3. The system according to claim 1 where visible radiation may be disabled by any means.

4. The system according to claim 1 where visible radiation may be enabled by any means.

5. The system according to claim 1 where visible radiation may become active if one or more sockets are vacant.

6. The system according to claim 1 where visible radiation may become inactive if one or more sockets are vacant.

7. The system according to claim 1 where any method may be used to cause visible radiation to become active or inactive.

8. The system according to claim 1 where any method may be used to cause visible radiation to become more or less luminous.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0010] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a top view of a Power Strip to identifying various portions of a power strip. 1 is end A, 2 is end B, 3 is side A, 4 is side B, 5 is top, 6 cord, 7 plug.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a bottom view of a Power Strip to identifying various portions of a power strip.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment implementing a Power Strip Socket Availability Indicator having 6 S-LIGHT indicators.

[0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment implementing a Power Strip Socket Availability Indicator having S-LIGHT located on various areas including sides, ends, top, cord and plug.

[0014] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment implementing a Power Strip Socket Availability Indicator having an enlarged view of the ground pin and associated switch mechanism to open the S-LIGHT circuit.

[0015] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment implementing a Power Strip Socket Availability Indicator with multiple ground pin and associated switch mechanisms to open the S-LIGHT circuit and includes a lumen control method.

[0016] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment implementing a Power Strip Socket Availability Indicator with no available sockets for use.

[0017] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment implementing a Power Strip Socket Availability Indicator with available sockets for use and a lumen adjustment method.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Definitions

[0018] Active: Herein refers to S-LIGHT turning off.
Ground Pin: Portion of a plug designated as connecting to earth ground.
Neutral Pin: Portion of a plug designated as connecting to neutral.
Inactive: S-LIGHT indicating available sockets for use.
Active: S-LIGHT indicating no available sockets for use.
Light: Herein refers to any means of visible radiation.
Case: The outside portion of the power strip that provides a physical body and support for the sockets.

S-LIGHT: Socket Light

[0019] Socket light: Herein refers to any type or types of visible radiation as a socket availability indicator.
Socket availability Indicator: Herein refers to visible light indication of an available socket.
Socket: Herein refers to the portion of the power strip that receives plug.
Outlet: (AKA Power Outlet) is at times used interchangeably with socket.
Power Cord: Herein refers to electric cabling used to connect power strip to power mains.
Power Strip: Herein refers to (AKA multi-plug adapters, re-locatable power taps, extension block, power board, power bar, plug board, trailing gang, trailing socket, trailer lead) a block of electrical sockets having a power cord connecting the block of electrical sockets to the mains plug allowing multiple electrical devices to be powered from a single electrical socket.
Plug: Herein refers to an end of a Power Cord that connects into a socket.
User: Herein refers to someone or something that uses a power strip.
Vacant: Herein refers to a socket not having an inserted plug.
Light Enhanced Power Strip: Herein refers to a power strip using an S-LIGHT to provide a visible indication of an available socket that a user may plug into.
Lumen: (AKA luminous or lumens), Herein refers to any quantity of visible light.

System:

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, for identification purposes, please locate the power strip showing items 1 and 2 being the ends of the power strip, Items 3 and 4 being the sides, item 5 being the top and item 6 being the cord and 7 being the plug.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, for identification purposes, please locate the power strip showing items 1 identifying the bottom of the power strip.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings showing Items 1 through 6 being S-LIGHT indicators strategically located under the plug. If a plug is plugged into the socket, S-LIGHT will be covered up by plug thus not visible. This method provides a simple means of blocking the S-LIGHT rather than turning it off.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings showing Items 1 through 14 being S-LIGHT indicators on a variety of the power strip. These locations do not indicate a limiting factor in placement but provide a sample of various location options.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, please locate item 1 being the ground pin of a Plug being plugged into the power strip, Items 2 being the ground pin receptacle, Item 3 being circuit ground for S-LIGHT electronics, Item 4 being the switch to remove the ground for S-LIGHT electronics, Item 5 being the S-LIGHT active, Item 6 being resistor for S-LIGHT electronics, Item 7 being a supply voltage for S-LIGHT electronics.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, please locate items 1 through 4 being the ground pin of a Plug being plugged into the power strip causing the device to become active, Items 5 representing one or more active or inactive S-LIGHT, item 6 representing an adjustable resistor for lumen adjustment.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, please locate items 1 indicating the S-Light being active and case glowing red indicating there are no available sockets.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, please locate items 1 indicating the S-Light being active and case glowing green indicating available sockets. Item 2 shows a knob to adjust lumen brightness.

[0028] The power strip shown in the figures is used as a common device and is one of several various forms, size and functions, being manufactured and should not be construed as a limiting factor in the overall objective being claimed. Enumeration of S-LIGHT within this document should not be construed as a limiting factor of number, size, shape, or location of S-LIGHT. Any electronic method shown of S-LIGHT activation or de-activation should not be construed as a limiting factor in method but to provide a simple method to understanding operation. Use of a ground pin for activation or de-activation should not be construed as a limiting factor. Other pins and numerous methods to obtain activation and deactivation exist.