Outdoor power strip

Abstract

 An outdoor power strip includes a plug (10); one or more electrical outlets (20); and at least one cord section (30) each either interconnecting two adjacent ones of the electrical outlets (20) or interconnecting the plug (10) and the next electrical outlet (20). The electrical outlet (20) comprises a housing (22) with the at least one cord section (30) extending therefrom, a hinged cover (21) for opening or sealingly closing the housing (22), and an electrical member (23,24) in the housing (22). In one embodiment, the electrical member (23,24) is a switch (23). In another embodiment, the electrical member is a socket (24).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

[0001] The invention relates to power strips and more particularly to such a power strip for outdoor applications

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Power strips may be used outdoor (e.g., gardens) for supplying power to electrical devices, electric bulbs, etc. Typically, extension lines are required to connect to a single power strip (or a plurality of power strips are connected together) since length of a single power strip is limited. However, poor contacts, etc. may occur in such electrical connection due to its nature. To the worse, no protection is provided to the power strip or extension line. Hence, water, rain, snow, moisture, etc. may enter to cause short circuit. This is dangerous. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an outdoor power strip which is formed as a unit in the factory. Thus, no extension lines or connecting a plurality of power strips together is required for supplying power to outdoor electrical devices. Further, water, rain, snow, moisture, etc. is prevented from entering the housed electrical outlets of the power strip to cause short circuit.

[0004] It is another object of the invention to provide an outdoor power strip comprising one or more electrical outlets each including a housing with the at least one cord section extending therefrom, a hinged cover for opening or sealingly closing the housing, and an electrical member in the housing.

[0005] Preferably, the electrical member is a switch.

[0006] Still preferably, the electrical member is a socket.

[0007] To achieve the above and other objects, the invention provides an outdoor power strip comprising a plug; one or more electrical outlets; and at least one cord section each either interconnecting two adjacent ones of the electrical outlets or interconnecting the plug and the next electrical outlet.

[0008] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor power strip according to the invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet of the power strip;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet of the power strip;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the cover being closed; and

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet of the power strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, an outdoor power strip in accordance with the invention comprises a plug 10, a plurality of electrical outlets 20, and a plurality of cord sections 30 each either interconnecting two adjacent electrical outlets 20 or interconnecting the plug 10 and the immediately next electrical outlet 20. The plug 10 is adapted to insert into an electrical outlet so that, for example, AC (alternating current) power can be supplied from the electrical outlet to the power strip (i.e., the electrical outlets 20).

[0011] Preferably, the whole power strip including the plug 10, the electrical outlets 20, and the cord sections 30 is manufactured in factory. Thus, water repellant capability and structural strength of the power strip are greatly improved.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 2A, a first preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet 20 is shown. The electrical outlet 20 comprises a housing 22 with the cord sections 30 extending therefrom, a hinged cover 21 for opening or sealingly closing the housing 22, and a switch 23 in the housing 22.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 2A, a first preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet 20 is shown. The electrical outlet 20 comprises a housing 22, a hinged cover 21 for opening or sealingly closing the housing 22, and a switch 23 in the housing 22.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 2B, a second preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet 20 is shown. The electrical outlet 20 comprises a housing 22, a hinged cover 21 for opening or sealingly closing the housing 22, and a socket 24 in the housing 22. Another plug at the end of a power cord can be inserted into the socket 24 for power sourcing.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2C, internal electrical components of the housing 22 are protected from rain, water, snow, etc. entering when the housing 22 is sealingly closed by the cover 21.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2D, a third preferred embodiment of the electrical outlet 20 is shown. The electrical outlet 20 comprises a housing 22 having a top 22a with a cross-shaped opening 25 formed on the top 22a. The opening 25 is adapted to hang on a hook.

[0017] Alternatively, the electrical outlet 20 can be implemented to further include a timer in other embodiments.

[0018] Still alternatively, a plurality of electrical outlets 20 are incorporated into a single housing as shown in any of FIGS. 2A to 2D in other embodiments.

[0019] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An outdoor power strip comprising:

a plug (10);

one or more electrical outlets (20); and

at least one cord section (30) each either interconnecting two adjacent ones of the electrical outlets (20) or interconnecting the plug (10) and the next electrical outlet (20).

2. The outdoor power strip of claim 1, wherein multiple electrical outlets (20) are provided and adjacent electrical outlets (20) are each interconnected with a cord section (30).

3. The outdoor power strip of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plug (10) is adapted to source AC power.

4. The outdoor power strip according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical outlet (20) comprises a housing (22) with the at least one cord section (30) extending therefrom, a hinged cover (21) for opening or sealingly closing the housing (22), and an electrical member in the housing (22).

5. The outdoor power strip of claim 4, wherein the electrical member is a switch (23).

6. The outdoor power strip of claim 4 or 5, wherein the electrical member is a socket (24).

7. The outdoor power strip according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical outlet (20) comprises a housing (22) having a top (22a) with an opening (25) which is adapted to hang on a hook.

8. The outdoor power strip according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical outlet (20) comprises a housing (22) having a bottom with an opening (25) which is adapted to hang on a hook.

9. The outdoor power strip of claim 7 or 8, wherein the opening (25) is cross-shaped.

10. The outdoor power strip according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical outlet (20) further comprises a timer.

Drawing