United States Patent [19]
`Wiebe
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US005595494A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,595,494
`Jan.21, 1997
`
`[54] UNIVERSALLY MOUNTED POWER STRIP
`
`2229869
`
`3/1990 United Kingdom ................... 439/209
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Donald G. Wiebe, Hacienda Heights,
`Calif.
`
`[73] Assignee: Damac Products Inc, Sante Fe Springs,
`Calif.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 318,443
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Oct. 5, 1994
`
`Int. Cl.6
`....................................................... H01R 4/60
`[51]
`[52] U.S. CI . .......................... 439/211; 4391114; 439/535;
`439/209; 174/48
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 439/207, 209,
`439/210, 211, 212, 214, 501, 535, 208;
`174/48, 49, 70 C, 72 C
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,148,008
`3,889,044
`4,017,137
`4,165,443
`4,323,836
`4,867,701
`4,872,849
`5,071,367
`5,162,614
`5,274,972
`
`911964 Herrmann ............................... 4391114
`6/1975 Flachbarth et al ........................ 174/48
`411977 Parks ....................................... 439/211
`811979 Figart et al ............................. 439/535
`4/1982 Rice .......................................... 174/48
`911989 Wiand ..................................... 439/501
`10/1989 Long ....................................... 439/209
`12/1991 Luu ......................................... 439/501
`1111992 Bogie1 et al .............................. 174/48
`1/1994 Hansen ...................................... 174/48
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Spring Steel Fasteners, inc. Catalog #7, Feb. 1, 1969, p. 3.
`
`Primary Examiner-David L. Pirlot
`Assistant Examiner-Tho D. Ta
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A power strip supporting a plurality of power outlets for
`distributing power within an electronic cabinet or to an
`electronic rack has two identical housing pieces each having
`a right angle comer between a bulbous end and a groove end
`all of which extending the entire length of the housing, such
`that, when the bulbous ends are slidably inserted into the
`groove ends, the two pieces form a substantially square cross
`section of improve strength of construction having two
`tightly fitted mated comers and the two right angle comers
`all four of which are formed with a flange also extending the
`length of the power strip then adapted to received one or
`more clips which may be clipped onto the power strip on any
`one side and anywhere along the length of the power strip so
`that the power strip can be fastened by a hole in the clips to
`a cabinet or rack in a variety positions to face the power
`outlets in a variety of desired directions for ease of routing
`power wires which may be further routed through wiring
`routers also fastened using the clips in a variety of positions
`along the power strip at the ends of which are plastic end
`caps using screws screwed into the right angle comers to
`prevent the two pieces from sliding relative to each other.
`
`2417472
`
`411974 Germany ............................... 439/208
`
`13 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`56
`
`IPR Page 1
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`Raritan v. Server Technology
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`RARITAN EXHIBIT 1024
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`5,595,494
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`10
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`14
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`16bj0
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`r
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`1b
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`0
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`d16a
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`18
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`FIG. 1 a
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`FIG. 1 b
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`25b
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`22
`
`23
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`25b
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`\
`I
`I
`30 [!34
`
`32b
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`FIG. 2a
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`FIG. 2b
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`IPR Page 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.21, 1997
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`Sheet 2 of 2
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`5,595,494
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`56b
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`56 a
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`46
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`51b
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`47
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`57 a
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`51
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`51 a
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`41
`FIG. 3a
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`57b
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`56
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`FIG. 3b
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`IPR Page 3
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`

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`5,595,494
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`1
`UNIVERSALLY MOUNTED POWER STRIP
`
`REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`The present invention relates to assignee's co-pending
`application entitled Universal Rack Wire Management
`Panel, Ser. No. 08/251,513 filed May 31st, 1994.
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to electronic cabinet mount(cid:173)
`ing and wiring apparatus. More specifically, the present
`invention relates to power strips adapted for mounting
`within an electronic cabinet or an electronic relay rack.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`2
`flanges with several screw supporting holes for screw attach(cid:173)
`ment to respective nuts placed within the struts. Each strut
`is generally in the form of an elongated rectangular bar
`having an elongated rectangular cavity. One elongated side
`of each strut has an elongated slot which extends the length
`of the strut and faces the interior of the cabinet. The
`rectangular cavity receives nuts which may be slidably
`positioned anywhere along the length of the rectangular
`cavity. The horizontal elongated extending slot of a strut is
`used to receive supporting screws from the orthogonally
`extending flange supporting holes of the rack frame. The
`supporting screws from the rack are screwed into and
`fastened to the nuts retained within the rectangular cavity of
`the struts to secure the rack to struts of the cabinet. Thus, the
`strut retains nuts which are fastened to supporting screws
`15 which may be fastened in respective supporting holes of the
`orthogonal flanges of an electronic rack to thereby secure the
`racks to the struts within the cabinet. Each strut also has two
`opposing ends which are attached to either the two left or
`two right vertically extending cabinet frame members on
`20 each side of the cabinet.
`In a typical configuration, the cabinet may have a front
`rack, a back rack, left and right lower struts positioned near
`the bottom on the cabinet, left and right middle struts and left
`and right top struts positioned near the top of the cabinet.
`Thus, a cabinet can have one or more racks each having a
`left and right vertically extending frame member attached to
`one or more left and right struts and supporting a plurality
`of electronic modules, as is well known. The electronic racks
`support the electronic modules each of which typically
`having a power cord through which power is supplied. There
`has existed from some the need to route electrical power
`within the cabinets and more particularly to supply power to
`various electronic modules supported within the cabinets
`and more particularly mounted on the vertically extending
`rack frames.
`Various means have been employed to conveniently route
`power cables within the cabinets to distribute power
`throughout an electronic rack within the cabinet. Cable
`40 routers of a variety of types have been used in cabinets to
`route wires. One such router is the Universal Wire Manage(cid:173)
`ment Panel of the referenced related application. The wire
`panel has a plurality of parallel spaced slit rings through
`which wires are routed and to which are integrally attached
`45 rods onto which are attached clips which are used to clip the
`· wire panel to the rack vertical frame members. Each clip has
`a screw hole through which a screw fastens the clip to the
`vertical rack frame members. The wire panel can be clipped
`and fastened either vertically along a rack frame or hori-
`50 zontally between to opposing rack frames.
`Additionally, the vertically extending rack frame mem(cid:173)
`bers and the horizontally extending struts provide stable
`structures onto which may be positioned electrical distrib(cid:173)
`uting devices, such as power strips having one or more
`electrical outlets, typically of the three socket variety for
`receiving common two or three prong electrical plugs, or for
`receiving two or three prong transformers both of which
`having respective electrical cords extending to the electronic
`modules.
`The power strips are generally elongated rectangular
`strips having a square cross section and ends between which
`are positioned the power outlets disposed on one of the four
`elongated sides. The power strips may be manufactured by
`well known aluminum extrusion processes in a variety of
`lengths. For examples, two feet, four feet and six feet
`industrial power strips have from eight to twenty outlets.
`The power strip housing is generally of a two piece con-
`
`Electronic cabinets have been used for sometime to house
`and support electronic modules. Each cabinet has four
`horizontal frame members generally attached in the shape of
`a square defining a cabinet top, another four horizontal
`frame members defining a bottom, and two left and two right
`vertical frames members extending vertically along the four
`comers of the cabinet between respective top and bottom
`comers and defining a front, back, left side and right side of 25
`the cabinet. The top, bottom and side skeletal frame mem(cid:173)
`bers may or may not support sheet metal panels including a
`top panel, bottom panel, left side panel, right side panel,
`front panel and back panel all of which serve to enclose the
`interior space of the cabinet. The front and back panel may 30
`or may not include a door for access to the interior of the
`cabinet defined by all of the panels. The left side of the
`cabinet is defined by the two left vertical cabinet frame
`members and the right side of the cabinet is defined by the
`two right vertical cabinet frame members. Between the two 35
`left vertical cabinet frame members and also between the
`two right vertical cabinet frame members are horizontally
`positioned struts which strengthen the frame of the cabinet
`and which are used to support electronic racks. The cabinet
`may house one or two electronic racks each having a
`vertically extending left supporting frame member and a
`vertically extending right supporting frame member both of
`which have a vertically extending row of mounting holes for
`receiving mounting screws for mounting electronic modules
`horizontally between the left and right rack supporting frame
`members, as is well known. Standard size electronic racks
`have standard width and height dimensions and have stan(cid:173)
`dard mounting holes that have become universally accepted.
`One standard size electronic rack, among many, is the
`standard, rectangular frame, EIA electronic relay rack. The
`standard relay rack provides a standard width of nineteen
`inches, and is commonly referred to as the nineteen inch
`relay rack, but may also be manufactured in a variety of
`widths, including the standard twenty-three inch version.
`The standard size relay rack is also manufactured with a 55
`standard height of seven feet, but may also be manufactured
`in a variety of heights, including standard four, six and eight
`feet heights. The mounting holes are spaced apart to provide
`for a maximum number, typically forty-two, electronic rack
`module positions vertically along the height of the rack.
`The cabinet may include one or two electronic racks each
`of which is defined by opposing left and right vertical frame
`members between which extend horizontally mounted elec(cid:173)
`tronic modules. Each left and each right electronic rack
`vertical frame member is rigidly attached to respective left
`and right horizontal struts. Each vertically extending rack
`frame member also has respective orthogonally extending
`
`60
`
`65
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`IPR Page 4
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`5,595,494
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`3
`struction of either a dual U design or a fiat U design. The
`dual U design has two U shaped elongated opposing pieces
`positioned facing each other forming a square cross section
`and connected together by a lip and groove pressure fit. The
`fiat U design has a bottom U shaped elongated piece covered 5
`by a substantially fiat piece positioned on top the bottom U
`shaped piece also forming a square cross section and also
`connected together by the lip and groove friction pressure fit.
`These power strips are provided in a variety of lengths
`supporting a respective plurality of power outlets. The 10
`electronic modules typically have respective power cords
`with end three prong plugs which are routed to the power
`strips and more particularly to the outlets and inserted
`therein to route and supply power to the electronic modules.
`Each power strip typically has one standard three prong 15
`power cord extending external to the cabinet to an external
`power source and has a plurality of power outlets to route
`power to a plurality of respective electronic modules each
`having a respective power cord. Each power strip may
`contain a variety of electronic devices and circuits to 20
`enhance the distribution of electrical power through the
`power outlets. For examples, the power strips may contain
`a on-off switch for connecting power to all of the outlets or
`plurality of on-off switches for respectively connecting
`power to respective outlets. For other examples, the power 25
`strips may also contain circuit breakers, fuses, power taps,
`EMI filters, transient voltage surge suppressors, and indica(cid:173)
`tor power on-off lamps. These electronic components
`including the outlets are positioned on or within the elon(cid:173)
`gated housing of the power strip. The power strip may also 30
`have internal grooves extending along the power strip and
`used to support circuit boards which may support internally
`positioned power strip electronics. The power strips have
`provided many useful electrical power distribution functions
`and are supported in a variety of positions within the
`electronic cabinets.
`Typically two substantially square plastic end caps are
`positioned at the end of the power strip to enclose the cavity
`of the elongated power strip and to improve the structural
`strength of the power strips. The end caps may have a recess 40
`for receiving a double D shaped circuit breaker. The end
`caps also have screw holes receiving screws which are
`screwed into receiving bulbous grooves usually formed at all
`four comers of the extruded aluminum housing U shaped of
`fiat shaped pieces. The power strip relies substantially in part 45
`upon the end cap screws to secure the two housing pieces
`together in addition to the lip and groove pressure friction fit
`running along the length on both sides of the power strips.
`The power strips are. typically rigidly attached within the
`cabinet. A rack mounted power strip is nineteen inches in 50
`length with end mounting holes at both ends for horizontal
`positioning on the electronic rack and for distributing power
`to the electronic modules on the rack. The power strips can
`also be attached vertically along the length of either the left
`or right vertically extending rack frame members. Further 55
`still, a power strip can also be attached horizontally along
`the length of a cabinet strut or attached vertically between
`two struts on one side of the cabinet. Power strip clips have
`been used to rigidly attach power strips to the rack frame
`members and to cabinets struts. The clips are generally fiat 60
`square shaped pieces each with a center screw hole and with
`two opposing flanges which are pressure fit into power strip
`receiving flanges extending along the length of the bottom of
`the power strips. The power strip receiving flanges extend
`along the length of the bottom side of the power strip 65
`opposing the top side supporting the power outlets. There is
`a space between the bottom side of the power strip and the
`
`35
`
`4
`clip hole for receiving a bolt head or nut for attachment to
`the rack frame members or to the struts.
`One problem associated with the dual U shaped or fiat U
`shaped design is the tendency on the two elongate pieces to
`separate from each other at the lip and groove friction fit
`when pulling a power plug out of one of the outlets. Another
`problem associated with the dual U shaped or fiat U shape
`design is the reliance upon the use of the end caps and end
`cap screws to secure the two housing pieces together. The
`end caps positioned at the end of the housing do not
`substantially prevent the separation of the housing pieces
`due to the tendency of the housing pieces to bend and spring
`apart during removal of the power cord plugs, even though
`the end cap tend to keep the two housing pieces in relative
`longitudinal alignment so that the two pieces do not slide
`longitudinally against each other during use.
`Another problem of the dual U shaped or fiat U shaped
`design using the bottom receiving flanges and substantially
`fiat power strip clips is the limited use of those fiat power
`strip clips which to serve to position the power strip in only
`one position relative to the placement of clip within a
`cabinet. The power strip clips are positioned along only the
`bottom side of the power strip to disadvantageously limit the
`positioning of the outlets to only one position relative to the
`placement of the power strip clips. The power outlets always
`face away from the clips.
`Yet another problem of the dual U shaped or fiat U shaped
`design using the bottom receiving flanges is the limited
`number of power strips positions available within the cabi(cid:173)
`net. With the use of the bottom receiving flanges and the
`substantially fiat power clips vertically attached to a rack
`frame member, the outlets of the power strip disadvanta(cid:173)
`geously faces either towards the front when positioned on
`the front side of a vertically extending rack frame member
`or towards the back when positioned on the back side of a
`vertical! y extending rack frame member. With the use of the
`bottom receiving flanges and the substantially fiat power
`clips horizontally attached between two rack frame mem(cid:173)
`bers, the power strip disadvantageously faces either towards
`the front when position on the front side of the vertically
`extending rack frame members or towards the back when
`positioned on the back side of a vertically extending rack
`frame members. With the use of the bottom receiving flanges
`and the substantially fiat power clips horizontally attached
`along the length of a horizontal strut, the power strip
`disadvantageously faces only towards the interior of the
`cabinet. With the use of the bottom receiving flanges and the
`substantially fiat power clips vertically attached between
`two struts, the power strip disadvantageously faces only
`towards the interior of the cabinet. The routing of power
`wires and the placement of power strips have disadvanta(cid:173)
`geously limited those individuals configuring the internal
`cabinet wiring who would otherwise prefer to have as many
`wiring options as possible. For example, transformers in the
`power strips facing the front rather than the side may be
`inadvertently bumped by operators and interrupting power
`to the electronic modules. Furthermore, power cords may
`not be easily routed away from operator exposure if the
`power strips are limited to a few available positions. These
`and other disadvantages are solved or reduced using the
`present invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An object of the present invention is to enhance the
`. structural strength of power strips.
`
`IPR Page 5
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`

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`5,595,494
`
`6
`the power strip to receive a nut or bolt head either of which
`can be used to attach the power strip to an electronic rack
`hole, a strut slot, or other cabinet wire routing means, such
`as a wire routing panel clip hole for securing a wire routing
`5 panel to the power strip for enhanced wire routing.
`In still another aspect of the invention, the power strip clip
`have a manipulating extension lever formed on at least one
`of the clip arms for easy removal or insertion of the power
`strip clip along the power strip.
`The above aspects of the invention provide for an
`improved power strip having improved manufacturability,
`improved structural strength, more varied positioning within
`a cabinet and improve attachment means to rack frame
`members, cabinet struts or wire routers. These and other
`15 advantages will become more apparent from the following
`detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
`
`10
`
`5
`Another object of the present invention is provide a
`slidably interlocking mating means extending the length of
`the power strips to enhance the structural strength of the
`power strips.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`power strip housings formed by a single extrusion process
`providing interlocking mating housing pieces also receiving
`screws for attaching power strip end caps.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
`power strip clips which are easy to install and remove.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
`power strip clips which are positioned anywhere along the
`length of the power strip and on any one of four elongated
`sides of the power strip.
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`a power strip which is adapted to receive a fastening means
`suitable for attached to rack holes, strut slots, or wire routing
`panel clip holes.
`Still a further another object of the present invention is to
`improve the variety of positioned which may be assumed by 20
`a power strip in an electronic cabinet or on an electronic
`rack.
`One aspect of the present invention is a power strip
`housing including two identical right angle pieces each of
`which having a groove receiving end and a bulbous insertion 25
`end both extending the length of the housing pieces. The
`groove receiving end is adapted to be slidably received by
`insertion into the bulbous insertion end. The two identical
`right angle pieces are preferably made by an aluminum
`extrusion process for improved manufacturability. The two
`right angle pieces can be slidably fitted together forming a
`substantially square cross section power strip housing when
`slidably inserted together. The two bulbous insertion ends
`are slidably inserted into the respective two groove receiving
`ends for improved strength of final housing construction.
`The right angle pieces advantageously do not suffer from the
`weak fit of a lip and groove friction fit.
`In another aspect of the invention, each of the two right
`angle pieces have a bulbous groove comer for receiving 40
`screws in relative diagonal positions at both the distal and
`proximal ends of the power strip for securing end caps
`thereto. The end caps advantageously secure the two right
`angles pieces together preventing them from sliding relative
`to each other during use.
`In yet another aspect of the invention, the right angle
`pieces are formed with comer flanges extending longitudi(cid:173)
`nally along each of the four comers of the housing. The
`comer flanges are formed exterior to and along each of the
`two bulbous groove comers of the housing and are form 50
`exterior to and along each of the two groove receiving ends
`so that each comer of the housing has a comer flange
`extending the entire length of the housing. The four comer
`flanges are used to support power strip clips anywhere along
`the length of any one of the four sides of the housing of the 55
`power strip. The positioning of the power strip clips on any
`side and at any point along the length of the power strip
`enables the power strip to be placed in a variety of positions
`within the cabinet to advantageously face the outlets in any
`one of four directions relative to the placement of the clips 60
`for improved wire routing.
`In yet another aspect of the invention, the power strip
`clips are generally U shaped having two opposing arms to
`not only advantageously provide for spring clipping to
`opposing edges of the comer flanges of any two comers of 65
`one of the four sides, but also to advantageously create a
`space between a clip hole and the surfaces of the one side of
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1a is an isometric view of an end cap.
`FIG. 1b is a cross sectional view of the end cap.
`FIG. 2a is an isometric view of a power strip clip.
`FIG. 2b is a cross sectional view of the power strip clip.
`FIG. 3a is a cross sectional view of an assembled housing
`of the power strip.
`FIG. 3b is an isometric view of an assembled power strip
`having one end cap removed.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, an end cap 10 is preferably
`square with rounded comers. The cap 10 has a recess 12
`centered within a cap fiat 14 having two cap screw holes 16a
`and 16b disposed at opposing diagonal comers as shown.
`The recess 12 preferably has a double D hole, not shown,
`punched or drilled within the recess 12 for receiving and
`supporting a circuit breaker, not shown. Around the edges of
`the cap fiat 14, orthogonally extends a cap flange 18. The
`end cap 10 is preferable made of a plastic material, though
`other materials could be used. The screw holes 16 are
`preferably not threaded and are used to receive appropriately
`45 sized screws, not shown.
`Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a power strip clip 20 has
`preferably a square central fiat 22 with a clip hole 23
`centered within the fiat 22. The clip fiat 22 is integrally
`formed to two semi circle spacers 24a and 24b extending
`along respective opposing edges 25a and 25b of the fiat 22,
`as shown. The spacer 24a and 24b have respective arms 26a
`and 26b integrally formed to respective terminating edges
`27a and 27b of the spacers 24a and 24b, respectively. The
`arms 26a and 26b extend from the terminating edges 27a
`and 27b relative to the fiat 22. The arms 26a and 26b have
`respective arm grooves 28a and 28b at the respective ends
`of the arms 26a and 26b. A clip lever 29 extends from one
`of the clip arms 26a and preferably has friction grooves for
`ease of manual manipulation. The frictions grooves, gener(cid:173)
`ally shown in FIG. 2a, are on both sides of the lever 29
`extending across the entire length oflever 29. The extending
`arms 26 are curved to enable one of the arms 26a or 26b to
`be spread apart relative to each other by manual manipula(cid:173)
`tion of the lever 29, and made of a resilient material, such as
`plastic, providing an elastic return to the original shape after
`manual manipulation without experiencing fatigue and clip
`failure even after many manipulations.
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`7
`The spacer 24a and 24b initially preferably extend
`orthogonal! y from the opposing edges 25a and 25b of the fiat
`22 in a relative direction as do the extending arms 26a and
`26b. The spacers 24a and 24b are shown generally in the
`form of a semi circle groove respectively extending along
`the two opposing edges 25a and 25b of the fiat 22. Thus,
`spacers 24a and 24b have a semi circle cross section, as
`shown, each having a respective farthest point 32a and 32b
`at the mid point of the semi circle cross section. The mid
`points 32a and 32b extend longitudinally along the length of
`the spacer 24a and 24b. The mid points 32a and 32b are the
`farthest most points of extension of the spacers 24 from the
`bottom surface 30. A line 34, drawn in phantom, extends
`between the mid points 32a and 32b. The distance between
`the line 34 and the bottom surface 30 of the fiat 22 defines
`a space for receiving a nut or bolt head, both not shown, for
`securing the clip 20 to a stationary structure, not shown, such
`as an electronic rack having mounting holes, or a cabinet
`strut having nuts restrained therein. The clip 20 may also be
`used to support a wiring panel, not shown, for supporting
`and together form mated comers 56 and 57 which are not
`easily separated under manual pressure. When the bulbous
`insertion ends 52 and 53 are inserted into the receiving
`groove ends 55 and 54, the cavity 42 has two diagonally
`opposing mated comers 56 and 57 and two diagonally
`opposing bulbous groove comers 50 and 51, as shown.
`The bulbous groove comers 50 and 51 have respective
`bulbous grooves 58 and 59 for receiving screws, not shown,
`at both ends of the housing pieces 40 and 41 used to secure
`respective plastic end caps 10 of the type shown in FIGS. la
`and lb. Screw threads are cut into the ends of bulbous
`grooves 58 and 59 of the comers 50 and 51 respectively
`when the end cap screws are inserted through the end caps
`holes 16 and screwed into the bulbous grooves 58 and 59 of
`the comers 50 and 51 to secure the end caps 10 to the ends
`of a power strip.
`Referring to FIGS. la, lb, 2a, 2b and 3a, the mated
`housing pieces 40 and 41 have four comers 50, 51, 56 and
`57. The comers 50, 51, 56 and 57 having external rounded
`flanges defined between two opposing flange edges 50a and
`SOb, 51a and 5lb, 56a and 56b, and 57 a and 57b, respec(cid:173)
`tively. The flange comers 50, 51, 56 or 57 are rounded to
`receive at the ends of the housing pieces 40 and 41 the
`interior side of the rounded comers of the plastic end caps
`10, and are rounded to receive anywhere along the elongated
`length of pieces 40 and 41, the interior side of the clip arms
`26. The flange edges 50a, SOb, 5la, 51b, 56a, 56b, 57 a and
`57b are formed to receive clips arm grooves 28a and 28b,
`such that the clip 20 may be clipped by manual manipulation
`on the exterior of any of the four sides 44, 45, 46, 47
`between flange comers 50 and 57, 57 and 51, 51 and 56, or 50
`56 and 50 anywhere along the length of the pieces 40 and 41.
`The clip 20 may be positioned anywhere along the length of
`the exterior of any one of the four sides 44, 45, 46 and 47
`in one of two positions defined by the relative placement of
`the clip lever 29. For examples, the clip 20 may be clipped 55
`to side 46 between comers 50 and 56 in two different
`positions either with the lever 29 extending from comer 56
`then having the clip arm groove 28a fitted to flange edge 56a
`and clip arm groove 28b fitted to flange edge 50b, or with the
`level 29 extending from comer 50 then having clip arm 60
`groove 28a fitted to flange edge 50b and clip arm groove 28b
`fitted to flange edge 56a. Thus, the clip 20 can be positioned
`anywhere along the length of pieces 40 and 41, on any of
`four sides, 44, 45, 46 and 47 and in either of two different
`lever positions.
`Referring to all of the Figures, and particularly to FIG. 3b
`showing a partially assembled power strip the two pieces 40
`
`8
`and 41 each have the two sides, 44 and 46, and 45 and 47,
`respectively. Side 46 is shown by way of example to have a
`power on indicator 60, a power-on switch 62, two power
`outlets 64a and 64b, and a power cord 66. The length of the
`5 power strip from the proximal end to the distal may vary as
`well as the length of the power cord 66. The number of
`outlets 64 may likewise vary, as only two are shown by way
`of example. The proximal end of the power routing wires,
`not shown, within the cabinet.
`Referring to FIG. 3a showing a cross section view of the
`power strip housing having two preferably identical right
`angle pieces 40 and 41 defining a generally preferably
`square housing cavity 42, though a rectangular shaped
`housing cavity using two non-identical right angle pieces
`could be used. When two pieces 40 and 41 are identical, then
`15 only one aluminum extrusion process is needed to manu(cid:173)
`facture both of the pieces 40 and 41 having equal elongated
`lengths and cross section. Each right angle piece 40 and 41,
`has a first side 44 and 45, and a second side 46 and 47,
`respectively. Sides 44 and 45 are shown with internal slots
`20 48a and 48b, and 49a and 49b, respectively. The slots 48 and
`49 are formed by the aluminum extrusion process and used
`to support electronic circuit boards, not shown, extending
`between slots 48a and 49a, or between slots 48b and 49b.
`The circuit boards may support EMI filtering circuits, fuses,
`transient voltage protection circuits, and other power strip
`circuits, all not shown.
`The housing pieces 40 and 41 include sides 44 and 45, and
`46 and 47, bulbous groove comers 50 and 51, bulbous
`insertion ends 52 and 53 and groove receiving ends 54 and
`30 55, respectively. The bulbous insertion ends 52 and 53 are
`slidably inserted into respective groove receiving ends 54
`and 55 to form a snug fit along the entire length of the
`housing pieces 40 and 41. The bulbous insertion ends 52 and
`53 have bulbous ends and the groove receiving ends 54 and
`35 55 have mating bulbous grooves, as shown, which when
`mated strip is shown for convenience without an end cap 10
`so as to expose the interior cavity 42 defined by the sides 44,
`45, 46 and 47. Also for convenience, the power strip is
`shown without the circuit board slots 48 and 49 and the
`40 respective circuit boards, and without several reference
`designations shown in FIGS. la, lb, 2a, 2b and 3a. An end
`cap 10 is shown fitted to the distal end of the partially
`assembled power strip. The end cap 10 may support a double
`D circuit breaker, not shown. The end cap 10 is screwed into
`the distal end of the power strip by screws, not shown, into
`grooves 59 and 58 through holes 16a and 16b.
`Clip 20a is shown being either inserted onto or removed
`from side 46 between comers 50 a