Power distribution system for convenience outlets

Claim 2

An electrical outlet strip comprising an elongated C-shaped housing having a rear wall and an open front face; an elongated baffle element affixed to the housing and extending partially across the open face in a manner to define a track within the housing; the track dividing the housing into front and rear areas and including a rearward facing wall; and a strip conductor assembly located within the rearward facing wall and comprising a plurality of discrete strip conductors exposed for contact only from the rear of the baffle, and accessible only from a direction away from said rear wall and towards said rearward facing wall.

Claim 3

An electrical outlet strip in accordance with claim 1 wherein the strip conductors are housed in an insulating material.

Claim 4

An electrical outlet strip in accordance with claim 2 wherein the strip conductor assembly includes three discrete strip conductors.

Claim 5

In combination, an electrical outlet strip and an adapter for slideable engagement therewith the strip comprising an elongated C-shaped housing having a rear wall and an open front face; an elongated baffle element affixed to the housing and extending partially across the open face in a manner to define a track within the housing: the track dividing the housing into front and rear areas and including a rearward facing wall: and a strip conductor assembly housed in an insulating material and located within the rearward facing wall and comprising a plurality of discrete strip conductors exposed for contact only from the rear of the baffle, and accessible only from a direction away from said rear wall and towards said rearward facing wall; and the adapter comprising an electrically insulating element; a slot for engaging the track and for dividing the adapter into front and rear portions each having a first wall; and a plurality of discrete electrical conductors housed within the adapter and extending from the first wall of the rear portion to the first wall of the front portion; the electrical conductors being adapted at the rear portion for contacting associated ones of the strip conductors and being adapted at the front portion for contacting a male plug.

Claim 6

In combination, an electrical outlet strip and an adapter for slideable engagement therewith the strip comprising an elongated C-shaped housing having a rear wall and an open front face; an elongated baffle element affixed to the housing and extending partially across the open face in a manner to define a track within the housing: the track dividing the housing into front and rear areas and including a rearward facing wall: and a strip conductor assembly housed in an insulating material and located within the rearward facing wall and comprising a plurality of discrete strip conductors exposed for contact only from the rear of the baffle, and accessible only from a direction away from said rear wall and towards said rearward facing wall; and the adapter comprising an electrically insulating element; a slot for engaging the track and for dividing the adapter into front and rear portions each having a first wall; and a plurality of discrete electrical conductors housed within the adapter and extending from the first wall of the rear portion to the first wall of the front portion; the electrical conductors being adapted at the rear portion for contacting associated ones of the strip conductors and being adapted at the front portion for contacting a male plug.

Claim 7

An adapter in accordance with claim 4 including three discrete electrical conductors.

Claim 8

An electrical outlet strip in accordance with claim 2 including means for coupling with an adapter to simultaneously provide mechanical and electrical engagement.

Claim 9

An electrical outlet strip in accordance with claim 2 including means for inserting therein adapters both for slideably engaging the housing and for discretely contacting the plurality of strip conductors.

Claim 10

The combination in accordance with claim 4 further including a plurality of said adapters, each arranged both for slideably engaging the housing and for discretely contacting the plurality of strip conductors.

Claim 11

In combination, an electrical outlet strip and a plurality of adapters for slideablE engagement therewith, the strip comprising an elongated C-shaped housing having a rear wall and an open front face; an elongated baffle element affixed to the housing and extending partially across the open face in a manner to define a track within the housing; the track dividing the housing into front and rear areas and including a rearward facing wall; a strip conductor assembly housed in an insulating material and located within the rearward facing wall and comprising a plurality of discrete strip conductors exposed for contact only from the rear of the baffle, and accessible only from a direction away from said rear wall and towards said rearward facing wall and means for inserting therein said adapters for discretely contacting the plurality of strip conductors; and each of the adapters comprising a slot for slideably engaging the track and for defining front and rear portions of the adapter; recesses to receive a male plug at a front face of the front portion; and discrete electrical conductors connecting between the recesses and a front face of the rear portion; the conductors being arranged at the front face of the rear portion to engage respective ones of the strip conductors.

Claim 12

In combination, an electrical outlet strip and a plurality of adapters for slideablE engagement therewith, the strip comprising an elongated C-shaped housing having a rear wall and an open front face; an elongated baffle element affixed to the housing and extending partially across the open face in a manner to define a track within the housing; the track dividing the housing into front and rear areas and including a rearward facing wall; a strip conductor assembly housed in an insulating material and located within the rearward facing wall and comprising a plurality of discrete strip conductors exposed for contact only from the rear of the baffle, and accessible only from a direction away from said rear wall and towards said rearward facing wall and means for inserting therein said adapters for discretely contacting the plurality of strip conductors; and each of the adapters comprising a slot for slideably engaging the track and for defining front and rear portions of the adapter; recesses to receive a male plug at a front face of the front portion; and discrete electrical conductors connecting between the recesses and a front face of the rear portion; the conductors being arranged at the front face of the rear portion to engage respective ones of the strip conductors.