Smart Electric Modular Adapter

Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application is related to, and claims priority from, the patent application GB 0716243.1 filed by the present applicants in Great Britain on 21 August 2007 and entitled "SEMA(TM) - Smart Electric Modular Adapter" .

Technical Field

This invention relates to modular electrical adapters with matching plugs and sockets.

Background Art

SEMA(TM) is claimed as a trademark by the present applicants. The trademark is for the Smart Electric Modular Adapter as disclosed in the present application. It is applicants' intention to use the trademark in commerce with reference to the Adapter herein disclosed.

Electrical sockets and plugs are in wide use today. In a typical household it may be required to connect several electric or electronic appliances to one wall socket or outlet on a wall.

An adapter with a fixed number of sockets can be plugged into the wall socket, however this may raise several problems.

The type of adapter should be so determined as to provide a sufficient number of sockets on the one hand, and not to occupy too much space or be too expensive, on the other hand.

Furthermore, the fixed orientation of the socket or adapter may limit its usefulness.

The cable protruding on one side may interfere with other instruments, furniture, etc.

At present, adapters cannot be rotated to a desired angle. Sockets in the adapter have just a fixed angle of orientation.

It may often occur that, after buying a small adapter, such as one with only two or three sockets, it would found not to be sufficient - and a new adapter would have to be bought.

Sometimes, there is not enough space on the wall near the wall socket for an adapter with many sockets, this preventing from the user using a larger number of sockets from that outlet in the wall.

In particular, there may be furniture, closets or other objects, or the outlet in the wall may simply be near a corner.

In case of a corner - there may not be enough space for a bigger adapter with more sockets, or the adapter would jut out over the corner and might interfere in the pathway and might even risk passers-by.

An installed adapter with several sockets may further limit the angle and manner in which appliances are connected - as the angle and position of each socket is fixed, and might prevent connecting adjacently wide appliances, or they may interfere with furniture, etc.

Furthermore, it may be desired to have more sockets on one wall, while having less on another, or to move an appliance to another wall - and adjust the adapter on the new wall accordingly.

These features may not be possible with prior art adapters, thus there is a need for a modular adapter.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a novel device, the Smart Electric Modular Adapter, which will be referred as SEMA(TM) .

In a first embodiment of the invention, the orientation of the adapter may be changed to suit a user's needs. By changing the angle of the plug, the angle of the whole adapter is changed. Moreover, each of the sockets may include means for its rotation as desired.

Either a limited angle rotation or an unlimited angle rotation may be implemented, although with different means.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the adapter is modular. Each module preferably is preferably shaped as a cube. It includes one plug and one or more sockets.

The modules are stackable, to construct an adapter with any desired number of sockets.

Thus, the adapter may be enlarged or reduced, as the need be.

An adapter module may include several sockets, one on each of its five facets (the sixth facet is the plug). A spacer unit is also provided, it including only one socket. The sockets may comply with various standards as required, thus the adapter can allow instruments in one standard to use local electric power at a different standard (provided the voltage and frequency are suitable).

In a third embodiment, a modular adapter structure uses thin modules, wherein the front and back facets may have a socket or plug mounted thereon respectively, and the lateral facets have a different type of plug/socket, especially devised for, and dedicated to, connecting the modules and transferring electric power from one module to the adjacent one(s). The front facet may be a square, whereas the lateral facets have reduced height. Thus, the adapter will occupy less volume and will protrude less off the wall.

The SEMA may comprise an arbitrary number of stackable connector units, thus it may allow adjusting the number of sockets easily and according to needs.

The SEMA may include modular electrical adapters and plugs, which can be connected in various ways, thus allowing greater flexibility.

In a typical household it may be possible to adjust the number of sockets to support a number of appliances.

The SEMA can provide a sufficient number of sockets on the one hand, and will not capture too much space or be too expensive, on the other hand.

It may serve as a small adapter, such as one with only two or three sockets, and also may be adjusted in the future - by adding and/or removing and/or replacing and/or adjusting the connector units which form the SEMA .

Existing space on the wall near the outlet may be used better with more control over the overall shape of the modular adapter and its sockets. The SEMA setup may physically bypass, or less interfere with, furniture or closets or other objects, or may even be placed at a corner of two walls.

SEMA units may be stackable in a vertical or horizontal or other orientation, in any shape and size.

In case the SEMA is near a corner - it may provide a large number of sockets where there might not be enough space for a large adapter with a similar number of sockets. The SEMA must not jut out over the corner, thus it would not interfere in the pathway, to keep the safety of passers-by.

The SEMA can be further flexible, optionally having a rotatable plug, and/or several rotatable sockets, allowing to set the angle and manner in which appliances are connected - this may also assist to connect adjacent wide appliances or connectors.

The SEMA enables to increase the number of sockets on one wall and/or leaving

less sockets on another, by simply reassembling connector units. It may become a straightforward adaptation to move an appliance to another wall - by adjusting the adapter's sockets on the new wall accordingly.

These are just some of the possible features that may become possible by using the new SEMA , with or without connector units.

The system may also include spacer units, which may be mounted between the modular socket/plug units as detailed in the present disclosure.

Brief Description of Drawings

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows, in perspective, the rear part of the SEMA with a rotatable plug

Fig. 2 shows, in perspective, the front part of the SEMA with fixed sockets;

Fig. 3 shows, in perspective, the front part of the SEMA with rotatable sockets;

Fig. 4A illustrates, in perspective, the connector unit with a rotatable plug, a rotatable socket, and a European- style fixed socket;

Fig. 4B illustrates, in perspective, the connector unit with a rotatable socket, a fixed socket, and a European- style fixed socket;

Fig. 4C illustrates, in perspective, the connector unit with a fixed socket, a European- style fixed socket and an American- style fixed socket;

Fig. 4D illustrates, in perspective, a spacer unit with a fixed plug;

Figs. 5A-5C illustrate, in perspective, possible setups of the SEMA composed of several attachable connector units with a rotatable plug;

Figs. 6A, 6C illustrate, in perspective, thin connector units of the SEMA with fixed or rotatable parts;

Fig. 6B illustrates a corner unit;

Fig. 6D illustrates, in perspective, a spacer unit;

Fig. 7A illustrates, in perspective, the front part of the SEMA composed of thin attachable connector units placed adjacently and in parallel to the wall;

Fig. 7B illustrates, in perspective, the rear part of the SEMA composed of several thin connector units placed adjacently and in parallel to the wall;

Fig. 7C illustrates, in perspective, the front part of the SEMA composed of thin attachable connector units with rotatable sockets, placed adjacently and in parallel to the wall;

Fig. 7D illustrates, in perspective, the rear part of the SEMA composed of thin attachable connector units placed adjacently to a corner of walls;

Fig. 7E illustrates, in perspective, the rear part of the SEMA composed of several thin attachable connector units placed horizontally and vertically;

Fig. 8 illustrates the wall socket or outlet with holding clasps;

Fig. 9 illustrates the attached connector units with holding clasps;

Fig. 10 illustrates the separated connector units with holding clasps;

Fig. 11 illustrates, in perspective, a thin connector unit of the SEMA with another type of plug.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The first embodiment of the invention, with the changeable orientation of the adapter and sockets, is detailed with reference to Figs. 1 - 3.

The second embodiment of the invention, the modular adapter, is detailed with reference to Figs. 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10.

The third embodiment, the modular adapter structure uses thin modules, is detailed with reference to Figs. 6, 7 and 11.

Throughout the present disclosure, it is to be understood there are electrical connections in each adapter or module, between a plug (electric power in) and each of the sockets (power out) in such as manner as required for electrical functionality of an adapter and according to prevailing standards - live is connected to live, zero to zero, ground (earth) to ground, etc.

Referring to the drawings, in the first embodiment a novel Smart Modular Electric Adapter SEMA 1, may comprise one part, as shown in Figs 1 - 3.

Fig. 1 shows the rear part of the SEMA with a rotatable plug 12, allowing setting the angle of the SEMA according to a user's needs.

The adapter can be done by rotating the plug 12, or by placing the SEMA on the wall socket and then rotating the SEMA.

It may be possible that the rotating plug, or any rotating components described in this application, will rotate with clicks, thus the possible number of angles

the component will create would be finite. There may be however a large number of such angles, for example by having a fixed position per about one degree.

Using clicks may also support the setup of the SEMA more firmly, and may not wear out as a constant friction means might.

In another embodiment, using a controlled friction in the rotatable part, the connector may be rotated to any desired angle.

Locking means may be used, to keep the plug and/or socket in a desired position/angle of rotation.

Although the present disclosure illustrates embodiments with specific plugs and sockets, it is to be understood that other types of plugs and sockets (complying

with other standards) may be used as well. This applies to the various structure as detailed throughout the present disclosure. For example, see plug 252 in Fig. 11.

Accordingly, the rotating plugs and/or sockets may be made to comply with any desired standard.

In one embodiment, the plug 12 may be rotated about 320 degrees, and this may be sufficient for providing any desired practical angle, while not allowing a full rotation. This may allow connecting the plug with wires. Alternately, rails or any other circular electric connection may be necessary for a full 360 degrees range of rotation, although this structure might wear out over time.

Thus, it may be possible to implement the SEMA with a limited rotation and having regular wiring. It may also be possible that the SEMA would support an unlimited rotation - such as by using sliding contacts with different radii or

using such contacts along a rotating cylinder.

Fig. 2 shows the front part of the SEMA 1 having fixed sockets 13. The SEMA may have regular sockets on its front, allowing connecting standard appliances, while having the option of rotating the SEMA as described in Fig 1.

The plug 12 may be X-Y positioned on the rear surface of the SEMA close to the edge, as shown in Fig 1, or on any other location along the rear surface. The X-Y position of the plug in the SEMA would be determined according to the type of SEMA used.

Positioning the plug close to the edge may allow using adjacent outlets at the wall, such as by connecting additional SEMAs or not blocking the space of other outlets in the wall after placing the SEMA in one of them. The position of the plug in the SEMA would determine the center of rotation, and the radius of rotation for each socket 13, as the SEMA is rotated.

Fig. 3 shows the front part of the SEMA with rotatable sockets 14, which may provide further flexibility for connecting plugs' appliances with a desired angle. The characteristics and implementation of the rotatable sockets may be similar to that of the rotatable plug 12, thus they may be rotated with clicks and/or be limited to rotate within a fixed arc, or may have full rotation means.

It may be possible to have the plug fixed or rotatable, as well as having any number of rotatable sockets combined with fixed sockets in the SEMA.

It may be possible to have any type of plug and sockets, to support different standards. For example, an embodiment having any number of European- style and/or American- style and/or Asian- style sockets.

Fig. 4A illustrates a connector unit 2 with a rotatable plug 22, a rotatable socket 23, and a European- style fixed socket 21. Thus, one connector unit 2 may have

any type of socket in its facets, or any combination thereof.

The type of plug 22 may vary as well, and the connector unit 2 may be provided with a European- style, an American- style, an Asian- style or any other kind of plug.

It is possible to connect different connector units 2 to each other, by connecting the connecting unit's plug to a matching socket of other unit 2, to the outlet on the wall or to any other matching socket. Optional spacer units may also be used.

In the embodiment shown in Fig 4A, there are a rotatable plug 22 and a rotatable socket 23 - this provides flexibility in the position and angle of the connected appliance, allowing to set the angle in two dimensions. Using two units it may also be possible to set the angle in three dimensions.

It may be possible that only some of the facets are used for sockets - this may reduce complexity and costs, and save unused facets.

In particular facets that might be adjacent to the wall or facets at the back must not be used. Thus, it is possible to have a plug on one facet, and three sockets around one corner.

The connector unit in Fig. 4B may have a rotatable socket 23, a fixed socket 24, and a European- style 21 fixed socket. The user can connect an additional unit 2 to either the rotatable socket 23 or the fixed socket 24, having the ability to decide whether or not the connected units may rotate around their axis.

It may be reasonable that most sockets will be standard 24 for common use, while the different standard sockets would be on the back and/or there would be just one or two other standard sockets. This would allow connecting more standard appliances while one or few non-standard sockets may optionally be connected to each unit as well.

The connector unit of Fig. 4C with a fixed socket 24, a European- style fixed socket 21 and an American- style fixed socket 25, may be used to support various appliances. Thus, it may be possible that one facet would have a plug - while each socket of the five remaining facets will support a different standard, and may comprise a different socket.

Any of the sockets of the connector units may be provided as fixed or rotatable, and there may be one to five sockets in each connector unit. All of the connector units may be the same - to support traditional appliances. The plug can be designed to support a specific standard, and it may be possible to provide several connector units wherein one or more have different type of plug 22.

Fig. 4D illustrates, in perspective, a spacer unit 27. The spacer has only one plug 22 and a socked on the opposite side 28, without additional sockets.

The spacer 27 may be used to put some distance between adjacent socket units 2, where such a distance may be necessary - for example, where there is a bulky, wide device to be inserted into a socket, and the device will cover any adjacent, closely located socket. Therefore, there is no benefit in the adjacent socket. In this case, it may be preferable to put some distance between adjacent sockets, by using the depicted spacer unit 27. The spacer is lower cost due to its simpler structure, therefore there may be economic justification for its use.

A spacer may be used when a wide device such as a power supply unit, a transformer or rectifier has to be connected to a socket.

If a wide device extends on more than one side of the socket, two such spacers may be necessary, one on each side of the socket.

The spacer 27 illustrates, by way of example, another aspect of the present invention: the plug 22 need not be rotatable, rather it is fixed in this embodiment. The spacer may have a variable width, as required. Either a thick or a thin

unit may be used.

Moreover, the spacer may reduce the hazards of fire or unsatisfactory contacts due to forces developing in and between connectors, where there is not enough spacing between sockets, and undesired forces develop between sockets. Assembling the SEMA can be done using similar or identical units, such as shown in Figs. 5 A and 5B. It is preferred that the connector unit 2, will have a fixed socket 24 in the opposite facet, or vice-versa. It may be possible that only the connector unit at the wall will have a rotatable plug 22, while the rest would have a fixed one.

The SEMA can be composed of several types of attachable connector units 2 with rotatable and/or fixed means, as desired by the user. In case a unit is connected to another unit with a rotatable plug, or the unit itself has a rotatable socket connected to the plug of the other unit, then it may be possible to rotate that unit allowing to place a desired socket towards a certain direction, such as shown in Fig. 5C.

It may be possible to provide unit 2 as a standalone device or together with additional units 2. The units may be identical or may differ - offering the solution to match the customer's needs. For example there may be an international combination of connector units and a national one.

The overall shape of the SEMA can also be controlled according to the manner in which the units are connected. Thus, it may be possible to connect the units in a straight line, or adjust them to a convex or a concave corner. At the same time it is possible to set angles of rotatable plugs or sockets. It is also possible to connect units above or below, thus it is possible to create an arbitrary shaping of the SEMA connecting the units in three dimensions.

Thin connector units 3, as shown in Figs. 6A-6C can offer versatility for implementing the SEMA with fixed or rotatable parts. A thin module has a front facet (the larger surface) and a back facet opposite, as well as four side (narrower) facets.

The thin connector unit 3 in Fig. 6 A may be used as a plug module, for connecting the SEMA to the wall, preferably with a rotatable plug 12. This embodiment has a plug on its back facet.

The thin connector unit 3 includes special sockets 32 on its side facets, which allow connecting additional compatible units while maintaining thin height connectors, which take less height perpendicular to the wall.

Although rectangular polarized connectors 32, 33 are illustrated in Figs. 6A- 6D, it is to be understood that other types of connectors may be used, having various dimensions and distances between contacts.

Regarding the physical connection between modules, each module may include a plug and a plurality of sockets. This applies to the various embodiments in the present disclosure.

In one preferred embodiment, the thin connector unit has the special sockets 32 in all of its side facets but not on the opposite facet of the plug 12. Thus, the thin connector unit may be useful for placing the SEMA adjacently to the wall, allowing connecting additional units both horizontally and vertically.

The thin connector unit 3 in Fig. 6C may be used as a socket module, by connecting its special plug 33 ("in-plug plug") to the special socket 32 of another thin connector unit 3. A socket 23 may be either rotatable or fixed. In a preferred embodiment, the socket module 3 comprises the special sockets 32 ("in-plug sockets") on the three facets near the socket 23 facet.

The thin connector unit 3 in Fig. 6B may be used as a corner module, by connecting its special plug 33 to the special socket 32 of another thin connector unit 3.

The corner module may be small with no sockets, providing an elegant and safe solution for placing the SEMA along either a convex or concave or corner of walls.

The special socket 32 and the special plug 33 may be asymmetric for maintaining polarity, such as for providing hot (voltage), zero and ground wiring to the correct connection of the plug and/or socket.

The special socket and plug may be designed in such a manner as to support and secure additional connector units, which are placed near them.

The asymmetric design of the special plug and special socket, can be implemented, such as by making a non-uniform distance between the pins of the plug, to implement polarized connectors .

The system may include four types of modules:

L A connector unit including a plug 12 on its front facet and up to four in-plug sockets 32 on its side facets.

2. A connector unit including a socket 23 on its front facet, a in-plug plug 33 on one of its side facets and up to three in-plug sockets 32 on its other side facets.

3. A connector unit (90 degrees corner) including a in-plug plug 33 on one of its side facets and a in-plug socket 32 on a facet adjacent to the in-plug plug facet.

4. A connector unit (spacer) including a in-plug plug 33 on one of its side facets and a in-plug socket 32 on a facet opposite the in-plug plug facet.

Fig. 6D illustrates, in perspective, a spacer unit 37. The spacer 37 may be used to put some distance between adjacent sockets where necessary. The spacer 37 does not have a user plug or socket. Rather, it only has a special plug 33 and one or more special sockets 32, to connect to other units in this system and/or to additional spacer(s) . The spacers 37 are stackable, so more spacers may be used where necessary to span a larger distance.

The spacer may have a variable width, as required. Either a thick or a thin unit may be used.

Several sockets 37 may be used (on several lateral facets) to expand the socket system in more than one dimension.

The front part of the SEMA may be implemented as shown in Fig. 7A. It may be composed of one plug module with no sockets and socket modules, which can be connected either horizontally or vertically. Each socket module can have any kind of socket as described hereinbefore, for example the SEMA may include a uniform formation of fixed sockets 231. The SEMA may include rotatable sockets as well 23, by placing socket modules with a rotatable socket.

A fixed socket 231 (see Fig. 7A) or a rotatable socket 23 (see Fig. 7C) may be used.

The connectors stack may also include one or more spacer units.

The rear part of the SEMA may be implemented as shown in Fig. 7B. The plug 12 at the plug module can be either fixed or rotatable.

Using the corner module as shown in Fig. 7D, it is possible to bypass a corner

and provide sockets access elegantly and securely.

A vertical placement of socket or corner modules can be possible too, such as shown in Fig. 7E.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 7A-7E are but a few examples for possible embodiments, and that various modifications, adjustments may occur and additional modules can be implemented accordingly.

The SEMA embodiments, which comprise more than one connector unit or module, might require grasping means to the outlet or wall socket to which it is connected, such as shown in Fig. 8.

Holding clasps 42 may grasp the connector unit or module, wherein the connector unit or module can include support means for the clasps, such as recession means. This may also provide stronger support for the mentioned embodiments.

The holding clasps 42 can be at the sides of the outlet, from above and below, or placed otherwise to support connector unit or module, preferably wherein they are part of the SEMA.

Holding means, such as the clasps 292 shown in Fig. 9, may be included with the connector units or modules, such as for connecting two modules or connector units 28 and 29 together. These means can be designed in a uniform manner, such as each unit would have clasp means 292 at one side and complementary recession means 284 at the opposite side, in a stackable modular structure as illustrated.

In another embodiment (not shown), the modules 28 may have one kind of means, such as only recession means for the plug module, to which socket and/or corner modules would be connected with clasping means.

Fig. 10 illustrates two connector units 28 and 29, with recessions 284 and holding clasps 292, respectively. Such means may be provided from above and/or from the sides. Preferably, there may be such means from above and below to properly clasp two units together. The clasps may be designed in such a manner as not to bump, and not to interfere with connecting additional units or not to bump towards the wall or on passersby.

The above is just one example of clasping means. Other means may be used, for example magnetic or mechanical means, etc. Any type of connection may be used, having any shape and size.

Fig. 11 illustrates, in perspective, a thin connector unit 3 of the SEMA with another type of plug 252. Whereas the units in Figs. 6A - 6C have user plugs and sockets per the Israeli standard, the unit in Fig. 11 has a plug 252 complying with the U.S. standard. This example illustrates that various plug/socket standards may be used with all the units in the present invention. The invention is not limited to the examples as illustrated in a narrow sense.

It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of a device within the scope of the present invention, and that various modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore.