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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a programmable time interval power strip
and more particularly pertains to allowing electrical power to be
delivered to attaching plug-connected appliances in a timed sequence with
a programmable time interval power strip.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of power strips is known in the prior art. More specifically, power
strips heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of allowing
electrical power to be delivered to attaching plug-connected appliances
are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious
structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs
encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the
fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,675 to Olsen discloses a power
sequencing control circuit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,791 to Buchanan et al.
discloses a power supply sequencing apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,878 to
Wyss discloses an electric power switch containing self-programmed control
timer with continuously refreshed cycle of on/off sequences. U.S. Pat. No.
4,736,116 to Paviak, Jr. et al. discloses a power-up sequencing apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,586 to Maue et al. discloses a power strip.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a programmable
time interval power strip that allows electrical power to be delivered to
attaching plug-connected appliances in a timed sequence and further allows
the timed sequence to be adjusted.
In this respect, the programmable time interval power strip according to
the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts
and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus
primarily developed for the purpose of allowing electrical power to be
delivered to attaching plug-connected appliances in a timed sequence.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for
new and improved programmable time interval power strip which can be used
for allowing electrical power to be delivered to attaching plug-connected
appliances in a timed sequence. In this regard, the present invention
substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of
power strips now present in the prior art, the present invention provides
an improved programmable time interval power strip. As such, the general
purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in
greater detail, is to provide a new and improved programmable time
interval power strip and method which has all the advantages of the prior
art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises, in
combination, a hollow elongated rigid box-shaped housing including a
bottom wall, a top wall, and a periphery interconnected between the top
wall and bottom wall formed of a pair of opposed long upstanding walls and
a pair of opposed upstanding short walls. A power supply is provided and
disposed within the housing. The power supply includes an iron core
transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding. The power
supply includes a power cord. The power cord has an interior end coupled
to the primary winding of the transformer and an exterior end extended
from a side wall of the housing and terminated at a plug for receiving
alternating electrical power from an external power source. The power
supply includes a bridge rectifier coupled to the secondary winding of the
transformer. The power supply includes a voltage regulator. The power
supply includes a capacitive network coupled between the bridge rectifier
and voltage regulator. Lastly, the power supply includes a power switch
coupled to the primary winding and voltage regulator and interior end of
the power cable with the power switch having an enabled orientation for
allowing delivery of constant electrical power and a disabled orientation
for preventing such delivery. Timing circuitry is included and disposed
within the housing. The timing circuitry is formed of a plurality of
solid-state timers. Each timer is coupled to the power supply. Each timer
includes adjustable timer delay circuitry for setting a delay time period
and an output for generating a relay activation signal whereupon the relay
activation signal is generated when the delay time period has elapsed. The
timer delay circuitry of each timer further includes a potentiometer
extended upwards through the top wall of the housing. Each potentiometer
is terminated at a knob for allowing the delay time period to be adjusted
upon discretion of a user. A plurality of receptacles are disposed within
the housing and extended upwards through the top wall. Each receptacle is
coupled to the interior end of the power cord. Each receptacle is used for
attaching with a plug-connected appliance for supplying alternating
electrical power thereto. Lastly, a plurality of solid-state relays are
included and disposed within the container. Each relay is coupled to the
interior end of the power cable. A first relay is further connected across
the power switch of the power supply. The remaining relays are each
further coupled to the output of a separate timer and a separate
receptacle. The first relay allows delivery of alternating electrical
power to its associated receptacle when the power switch is placed in the
enabled orientation. The remaining relays allow delivery of alternating
electrical power to their associated receptacles in sequence upon receipt
of the associated relay activation signal.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved programmable time interval power strip which has all the
advantages of the prior art power strips and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved
programmable time interval power strip which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved programmable time interval power strip which is of durable and
reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved programmable time interval power strip which is susceptible of a
low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming
public, thereby making such a programmable time interval power strip
economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved programmable time interval power strip which provides in the
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof,
while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally
associated therewith.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved programmable time interval power strip for allowing electrical
power to be delivered to attaching plug-connected appliances in a timed
sequence.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved programmable time interval power strip comprising power input
means for receiving alternating electrical power from an external power
source; a power supply coupled to the input means and including a power
switch having an enabled orientation for allowing delivery of constant
electrical power and a disabled orientation for preventing such delivery;
timing circuitry formed of a plurality of timers coupled to the power
supply with each timer having an adjustable delay time period and an
output for generating a relay activation signal whereupon the relay
activation signal is generated when the delay time period has elapsed; a
plurality of receptacles with each coupled to the power input means and
with each used for attaching with a plug-connected appliance for supplying
alternating electrical power thereto; and a plurality of relays coupled to
the power input means with a first relay further coupled to the power
switch of the power supply and with the remaining relays each further
coupled to the output of a separate timer and a separate receptacle, the
first relay allowing delivery of alternating electrical power to its
associated receptacle when the power switch is placed in the enabled
orientation and with the remaining relays allowing delivery of alternating
electrical power to their associated receptacles upon receipt of the
associated relay activation signal.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set
forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the
following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference
to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is yet another side-elevational view of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the power switch of the present
invention taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a knob of a potentiometer taken along the
line 5--5 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of the present invention.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various
Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof,
the preferred embodiment of the new and improved programmable time
interval power strip embodying the principles and concepts of the present
invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be
described.
The present invention is comprised of a plurality of components. In their
broadest context, such components include a housing, power supply, timing
circuitry, receptacles and relays. Such components are individually
configured and correlated with respect to each other to provide the
intended function of allowing electrical power to be delivered to
attaching plug-connected appliances in a timed sequence.
Specifically, the present invention includes a housing 12. The housing is
hollow, elongated and box-shaped in structure. The housing is formed of a
rigid material such as plastic or metal or a combination thereof. The
housing includes a bottom wall 14, a top wall 16 and a periphery
interconnected between the top wall and bottom wall. The periphery is
formed of a pair of opposed long upstanding walls 18 and a pair of opposed
upstanding short walls 20.
A power supply 30 is disposed within the housing. The power supply includes
an iron core transformer. The transformer has a primary winding 32 and a
secondary winding 34. The primary winding is adapted to accommodate a
standard conventional household line voltage of 120 volts AC. The
secondary winding is adapted to accommodate between about 6.3 volts AC to
about 25 volts AC. The power supply also includes a sheathed and
electrically conductive power cord 36. The power cord has an interior end
38 coupled to the primary winding of the transformer and an exterior end
extended from a side wall 20 of the housing. The exterior end is
terminated at a non-locking two pole-three wire polarized grounding plug
40. The power cable is used for receiving alternating electrical power
from an external household or commercial power source. The power supply
also includes a bridge rectifier 42. The bridge rectifier is coupled to
the secondary winding of the transformer. The bridge rectifier is rated
for at least twice the secondary voltage of the power transformer. A solid
state voltage regulator 44 is also provided for ensuring a stable constant
voltage for use. The power supply also includes a capacitive network 46
coupled between the bridge rectifier and voltage regulator. The capacitive
network is used for smoothing the output of the bridge rectifier. Lastly,
a double-pull double-throw power switch 48 is included. The power switch
is coupled to the primary winding 32, the voltage regulator 44 and the
interior end 38 of the power cable. The power switch has an enabled
orientation for allowing delivery of constant electrical power and a
disabled orientation for preventing such delivery. A fuse may also be
coupled in series with the power switch and matched to the current rating
of the power transformer for protection purposes.
The third major component is the timing circuitry 50. The timing circuitry
is disposed within the housing. The timing circuitry is formed of a
plurality of solid-state timers 52. Each timer is coupled to the power
supply 30. Each timer includes adjustable timer delay circuitry 54. The
timer delay circuitry is used for setting a delay time. Each timer also
includes an output for generating a relay activation signal. When the
delay time of a timer has elapsed, a relay activation signal is generated.
The timer delay circuitry of each timer further includes a potentiometer
56. The potentiometer of each timer is extended upwards through the top
wall 16 of the housing and is terminated at a knob 58. This knob allows
the delay time period of the timer to be increased or decreased upon
discretion of a user.
The fourth major component is the electrical receptacles 60. The present
invention includes a plurality of electrical receptacles. Each receptacle
is of the non-locking, two-pole, three-wire, polarized and grounded type.
The receptacles are disposed within the housing and extended upwards
through the top wall. Each receptacle is coupled to the interior end 38 of
the power cord. Each receptacle is used for attaching with a
plug-connected appliance for supplying alternating electrical power
thereto.
Lastly, a plurality of solid-state relays 70 are provided. The relays are
disposed within the container and coupled to the interior end of the power
cable. A first relay 72 is further connected across the power switch of
the power supply. The remaining relays 74 are each further coupled to the
output of a separate timer and a separate receptacle. The first relay
allows delivery of alternating electrical power to its associated
receptacle when the power switch is placed in the enabled orientation. In
the enabled orientation, the power supply is thus activated and thereby
activates the timer circuitry. The remaining relays allow delivery of
alternating electrical power to their associated receptacles in sequence
upon receipt of the associated relay activation signal.
The present invention is a power strip for use with computer-related
equipment and other plug-connected appliances. The present invention
energizes each receptacle in a timed sequence rather than all at once. The
power strip consists of a bank of electrical receptacles contained in a
single housing. The present invention has an additional feature of
automatically energizing each receptacle after a given amount of delay
time has elapsed. The delay time for controlling activation of each
receptacle may be individually controlled by rotating a knob or dial. A
single power switch is toggled to start energizing the receptacles. When
finished, the power switch is again toggled, thus causing the outlets to
be de-energized in reverse order.
The sequential energizing of the outlets is designed to protect sensitive
equipment used in conjunction with other devices that might create
electrical disturbances that can damage sensitive equipment during
start-up. The time between activation allows a device to warm up and
stabilize before more sensitive devices are activated. The present
invention also protects sensitive equipment from power surges or
fluctuations sometimes caused by associated electrical equipment or
environmental conditions. The present invention can be utilized with
computers, printers and other such hardware, powering up each component in
an optimal sequence rather than simultaneously.
As depicted in FIG. 6, the timer circuitry is formed with LM555 timers.
This type of timer is used because of its robustness, almost perfect
immunity to electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference,
economy and availability. The timer circuitry could also be designed by
using operational amplifiers in lieu of the LM555 solid-state timers.
A bank of four electrical receptacles are switched on in sequence by
solid-state relays SSR1 to SSR4. It is desired that the largest load be
switched on first to protect other sensitive equipment from voltage
fluctuations, spikes, and sags. Hence, the largest load is plugged into
the electrical receptacle 1 controlled by SSR1 as shown in FIG. 1. The
current rating value of SSR1 should be such that it can switch at least
the start-up current of the largest load. The current rating values SSR2
to SSR3 may be smaller than SSR1.
In the initial state, IC1 to IC3 are all in a "low" state, and SSR1 through
SSR4 are de-activated. When SW1 is first turned on, SSR1 is immediately
activated. However, SSR2 to SSR3 are still off. When the programmed time
interval of IC1 is completed, its output goes "high". Two things happen
when IC1 goes "high"-IC1 turns on SSR2 and at the same time enables timer
IC2. Similar events happen when the programmed time interval of IC2 is
completed. IC2 turns on SSR3 and enable timer IC3. After the programmed
time of IC3 is up, IC3 finally activates SSR4. The time interval between
activation of SSR1 and SSR2 is controlled by the setting of the
potentiometer or trimmer resistor of IC1. The time interval between the
activation of SSR2 and SSR3 is controlled by the setting of the
potentiometer or trimmer resistor of IC2. Lastly, the time interval
between activation of SSR3 and SSR4 is controlled by the setting of the
potentiometer or trimmer resistor of IC3.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the
manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modification and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modification and equivalents may
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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