Multi-socket power adapter

Abstract

The multi-socket power adapter includes a main housing unit and an extension unit mounted inside the main housing unit. The main housing unit includes a recess for the extension unit. A ribbon cable wound on a spool is housed inside the extension unit. The ribbon cable protrudes through the extension unit into the main housing unit to establish an electrical connection, which allows the extension unit to be used as a conventional extension cord. The extension unit includes a plurality of power plug sockets and a power switch for each plug socket so that power to each socket can be controlled. The main housing unit also includes a power switch and a power consumption monitor.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A multi-socket power adapter, comprising:
 a main housing unit adapted for connection to a main power source;   a control means for managing power from the main power source, the control means being disposed on the main housing unit;   a monitoring means for determining power consumption, the monitoring means being disposed on the main housing unit;   an extension unit detachably mounted inside the main housing unit, the extension unit having a plurality of plug sockets, control means for managing power for each of the plug sockets, and an extendable ribbon cable connected to the main housing unit, the ribbon cable permitting the extension unit to be placed at a location remote from the main housing unit, thereby extending power availability range for electrical devices; and   a button latch mounted to the main housing unit, the button latch selectively locking the extension unit in the main housing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein said main housing unit comprises a box-shaped casing having a recess, said extension unit being removably disposed in the recess, the recess having a slot formed in an interior wall thereof, the ribbon cable having opposing ends, the ribbon cable extending from said main housing unit through the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 2 , wherein said control means for managing power from said main power source comprises:
 a power switch mounted on one corner of said main housing unit, the power switch selectively activating power to the multi-socket power adapter; and   a circuit breaker switch mounted to another corner of said main housing unit, the circuit breaker switch resetting inadvertent interruption of power to the multi-socket power adapter.   
     
     
         4 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 3 , further comprising an indicator light disposed on said extension unit, the indicator light displaying power active or inactive state in response to said power switch on said main housing unit being switched on and off. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 2 , wherein said monitoring means for determining power consumption comprises:
 an LCD display screen mounted to a corner of said main housing unit; and   a plurality of buttons adjacent the display screen, the display screen displaying at least power consumption data, the buttons controlling data being displayed on the display screen.   
     
     
         6 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 2 , wherein said extension unit comprises:
 a cylindrical case having said plurality of plug sockets and control means for managing power for each of the plug sockets on one face of the case;   a circuit inside the case for directing power to the plug sockets;   a slot disposed on a side of the case, said ribbon cable extending through the slot in the case; and   a rotatable spool for selective extension and retraction of said ribbon cable from the case.   
     
     
         7 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 6 , wherein said control means for managing power for each of the plug sockets comprises a power switch adjacent each of the plug sockets, each of the power switches having an indicator light indicating power active or inactive state of the respective plug socket. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of plug sockets comprises at least three plug sockets having a different prong configurations from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 6 , wherein said spool comprises a shaft for winding and unwinding said ribbon, a first plate attached to one end of the shaft, and a second plate attached to an opposite end of the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 7 , wherein said first plate comprises three concentric conductor rings formed thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 10 , wherein said circuit comprises:
 a plurality of conductor lines for conducting power to said plug sockets; and   a plurality of ball-point conductors disposed at select positions on the conductor lines, the ball-point conductors being in constant contact with the conductor rings to conduct power at any rotated position of said spool.   
     
     
         12 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 11 , wherein each said ball-point conductor comprises a cylinder base and a spherical ball rotatably mounted to one end of the cylinder base. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wall mount adapter for selective installation of the main housing unit to a wall. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 13 , wherein said wall mount adapter comprises a substantially rectangular open box. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-socket power adapter according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one opening formed in the main housing unit for threading power lines therethrough.