US 12,132,284 B2
User configurable electric power distribution apparatus
Daniel J. Mahood, Chapel Hill, NC (US); and Kyle M. Warner, Pittsboro, NC (US)
Assigned to Extension Outlet LLC, Raleigh, NC (US)
Filed by Extension Outlet LLC, Raleigh, NC (US)
Filed on Aug. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/892,051.
Application 17/892,051 is a continuation of application No. 16/677,592, filed on Nov. 7, 2019, granted, now 11,462,865.
Prior Publication US 2022/0393408 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. H01R 13/713 (2006.01); H01R 24/66 (2011.01); H01R 24/76 (2011.01); H01R 31/02 (2006.01); H01R 31/06 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 13/7135 (2013.01) [H01R 13/713 (2013.01); H01R 24/66 (2013.01); H01R 24/76 (2013.01); H01R 31/02 (2013.01); H01R 31/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrical apparatus comprising:
an input unit comprising an electrical plug and an interconnect socket, wherein the input unit is pluggable into an electrical outlet;
an output unit comprising an electrical receptacle and an interconnect plug, wherein the output unit and the input unit are not conjoined and the output unit is configured to be located on a surface and separated by a distance from the input unit when the input unit is plugged into the electrical outlet; and
an electrical interconnect attached to both the interconnect socket of the input unit and the interconnect plug of the output unit, wherein:
electrical power received by the electrical plug can be available at the electrical receptacle via an electrical circuit comprising at least portions of the electrical plug, at least portions of the electrical interconnect and at least portions of the electrical receptacle; and
the electrical interconnect is a modular interconnect and comprises one or more interconnect modules, each interconnect module having an interconnect plug and an interconnect socket, wherein:
each interconnect plug of the electrical interconnect and the output unit comprises pins; and
each interconnect socket of the electrical interconnect and the input unit comprises a shroud having an interior for receiving the pins of one of said interconnect plugs, wherein the received pins cannot be electrically energized unless the one of said interconnect plug is obstructing access to the interior of the shroud of the receiving interconnect socket.