Multi-function power strip

Abstract

Embodiments of a multi-function power strip are shown, said strip including a first endcap and a second endcap; at least one rail, said rail being adapted to engage with at least one outlet module; the rail also being engaged with a transformer module, said transformer module in electrical connection with the at least one outlet module, and adapted to receive electrical power therefrom, said transformer module further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a plurality of voltages suitable for powering a plurality of different models of electronic accessories, and a connector forming a circuit to provide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronic accessory; and wherein the at least one outlet module and the transformer module are releasably joined together.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A multi-function power strip comprising:
 a first endcap and a second endcap, wherein the first endcap is adapted to receive a power cord for supplying electrical power to the power strip;   at least one rail, having a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said first endcap is attached to the proximal end of the rail and said second endcap is attached to the distal end of the rail, said rail being adapted to engage with at least one outlet module, said outlet module in electrical connection with the first endcap and adapted to receive electrical power therefrom;   wherein the rail is further engaged with a transformer module, said transformer module in electrical connection with the at least one outlet module, and adapted to receive electrical power therefrom, said transformer module further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a plurality of voltages suitable for powering a plurality of different models of electronic accessories, and at least one connector electrically connected to the transformer, and having a plurality of pins, each of the plurality of pins having a designated one of the plurality of voltages supplied thereto, and wherein the at least one connector is configured to engage with a plurality of plugs, each of the plugs forming an electrical connection with a designated one of the plurality of pins and a neutral pin, thereby forming a circuit to provide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronic accessory;   wherein the rail is further engaged with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) module, said USB module in electrical connection with the transformer module, and adapted to receive electrical power therefrom, said USB module further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a voltages suitable for distribution through a USB port, and at least one USB port, wherein the transformer is electrically coupled to the at least one USB port;   wherein the rail is further engaged with a network module, said network module in electrical connection with the USB module, and adapted to receive electrical power therefrom, said network module further comprising a plurality of network ports in electrical connection with each other, including a first network port and second network port, wherein said first network port is adapted to receive a data feed and said second network port is adapted to provide the data feed to a personal computer or other devices connected to the second network port; and   wherein the at least one outlet module, the transformer module, the USB module and the network module are releasably joined together and releasably attached to the rail.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein the network module further comprises a network switch. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein the network module further comprises a transformer for stepping down the household electrical power to a voltage suitable for use in the network module. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein the network module receives voltage suitable for use in the network module from another component in the power strip. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein one of the network ports is a LAN input port. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 5 , wherein the LAN input port is electrically connected to circuitry which controls the flow of data between the LAN input port and the remaining network ports. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein the power strip further comprises a plurality of connectors having no exposed terminals for connecting the at least one outlet module the transformer module, the USB module and the network module. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein the power strip further comprises at least one of the modules selected from the group consisting of a timer module and an occupancy sensor module. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein the power strip further comprises a surge suppression module, electrically connected to the outlet modules, the transformer module, the USB module and the network module for preventing power surges. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-function power strip of  claim 1 , wherein the power strip further comprises a surge suppression module for at least one line type selected from the group consisting of phone lines, data lines, and CATV lines. 
     
     
         11 . A multi-function power strip comprising:
 a first endcap and a second endcap, wherein the first endcap is adapted to receive a power cord for supplying electrical power to the power strip;   at least one rail, having a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said first endcap is attached to the proximal end of the rail and said second endcap is attached to the distal end of the rail, said rail being adapted to engage with at least one outlet module, said outlet module in electrical connection with the first endcap and adapted to receive electrical power therefrom;   wherein the rail is further engaged with at least one additional module selected from the group comprising:   a transformer module further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a plurality of voltages suitable for powering a plurality of different models of electronic accessories, and at least one connector electrically connected to the transformer and having a plurality of pins, each of the plurality of pins having a designated one of the plurality of voltages supplied thereto, and wherein the at least one connector is configured to engage with a plurality of plugs, each of the plugs forming an electrical connection with a designated one of the plurality of pins and a neutral pin, thereby forming a circuit to provide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronic accessory;   a Universal Serial Bus (USB) module, further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a voltages suitable for distribution through a USB port, and at least one USB port, wherein the transformer is electrically coupled to the at least one USB port;   a network module further comprising a plurality of network ports in electrical connection with each other, including a first network port and second network port, wherein said first network port is adapted to receive a data feed and said second network port is adapted to provide the data feed to a personal computer or other devices connected to the second network port; and   wherein the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module are connected by a module connector, said module connector having a body with a first end and a second end, the second end being a mirror image of first end; at least one aperture provided in the first end of body and extending all the way through the body to the second end; a first contact disposed within the at least one aperture at the first end of the body and a second contact disposed in the at least one aperture at the second end of the body, wherein the first and second contacts are electrically connected; and   wherein the first and second contacts mate with blades disposed in the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module thereby forming an electrical connection between two adjacent modules.   
     
     
         12 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 11 , wherein the blades are disposed in an opening in the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module. 
     
     
         13 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 12 , wherein the blades do not protrude past the side of the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module to prevent the blades from making accidental contact with persons or things which may cause an electrical shock or short circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 11 , wherein the module connector is adapted to slide into an opening in the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module. 
     
     
         15 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 11 , wherein at least three apertures are provided in the module connector. 
     
     
         16 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 11 , wherein the module connector further comprises an alignment boss. 
     
     
         17 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module are both provided with alignment grooves to receive the alignment boss on the module connector. 
     
     
         18 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 11 , wherein the contacts are made from copper. 
     
     
         19 . The multifunction power strip of  claim 11 , wherein the contacts are made from any material suitable for conducting electricity. 
     
     
         20 . A multi-function power strip comprising:
 a cord for connection to an electrical power source;   a plurality of outlet modules in electrical connection with the cord, wherein said plurality of outlet modules are in electrical connection with each other, and   at least one additional module selected from the group comprising:   a transformer module further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a plurality of voltages suitable for powering a plurality of different models of electronic accessories, and at least one connector electrically connected to the transformer and having a plurality of pins, each of the plurality of pins having a designated one of the plurality of voltages supplied thereto, and wherein the at least one connector is configured to engage with a plurality of plugs, each of the plugs forming an electrical connection with a designated one of the plurality of pins and a neutral pin, thereby forming a circuit to provide a suitable one of the plurality of voltages to an electronic accessory;   a Universal Serial Bus (USB) module, further comprising a transformer adapted to transform electrical power into a voltages suitable for distribution through a USB port, and at least one USB port, wherein the transformer is electrically coupled to the at least one USB port;   a network module further comprising a plurality of network ports in electrical connection with each other, including a first network port and second network port, wherein said first network port is adapted to receive a data feed and said second network port is adapted to provide the data feed to a personal computer or other devices connected to the second network port; and   wherein the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module are connected by a module connector, said module connector having a body with a first end and a second end, the second end being a mirror image of first end; at least one aperture provided in the first end of body and extending all the way through the body to the second end; a first contact disposed within the at least one aperture at the first end of the body and a second contact disposed in the at least one aperture at the second end of the body, wherein the first and second contacts are electrically connected; and   wherein the first and second contacts mate with blades disposed in the at least one outlet module and the at least one additional module thereby forming an electrical connection between two adjacent modules.