Extendable modular power strip system and method of use
A flexible, extendable power strip with multiple modular components linked together along a flexible wire which allows each modular unit of the power strip to be placed remote from the next to power multiple devices from the same wall power outlet. The cord may retract within the modular units when the units are connected together by any suitable means. Power outlets may be on one or more faces of each of the modular units, and additional outlets including USB outlets may also be included in each modular unit.
1. A modular power strip system comprising:
a first power strip module having a first face comprising a first power outlet port and a second face having a second power outlet port;
a second power strip module having a first face comprising a first power outlet port and a second face having a second power outlet port;
a third power strip module having a first face comprising a first power outlet port and a second face having a second power outlet port;
said first, second, and third power strip modules each comprising a respective first, second and third portion of flexible electrical cable;
each of said first, second, and third power strip modules comprising a respective first, second, and third switch element;
each of said first, second, and third power strip modules comprising a respective first, second, and third reel configured for selectively reeling in and extending out said respective first, second, and third portions of flexible electrical cable;
wherein said first switch element of said first power strip module is configured to activate said first reel to reel in said first portion of flexible electrical cable;
wherein said second switch element of said second power strip module is configured to activate said second reel to reel in said second portion of flexible electrical cable;
wherein said third switch element of said third power strip module is configured to activate said third reel to reel in said third portion of flexible electrical cable; and
whereby said first, second, and third power strip modules can be transformed from a first, closely-connected power strip assembly to a second, extended orientation whereby at least one of said first, second, and third power strip modules is placed in a location remote from at least one of said respective first, second, and third respective power strip modules.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first power strip module includes a power switch configured to activate power to said first power strip module, second power strip module, and third power strip module.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said first power strip module further comprises a surge protector element.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein said first power outlet of said first power strip module comprises an American standard power outlet;
wherein said first power outlet of said second power strip module comprises an American standard power outlet; and
wherein said first power outlet of said third power strip module comprises an American standard power outlet.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein said first power outlet of said first power strip module comprises a European standard power outlet;
wherein said first power outlet of said second power strip module comprises a European standard power outlet; and
wherein said first power outlet of said third power strip module comprises a European standard power outlet.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein said second power outlet of said first power strip module comprises a universal serial bus (USB) outlet;
wherein said second power outlet of said second power strip module comprises a universal serial bus (USB) outlet; and
wherein said second power outlet of said third power strip module comprises a universal serial bus (USB) outlet.
7. A method of deploying a power strip assembly, the method comprising the steps:
deploying a power strip assembly in a first, assembled orientation, said power strip assembly comprising a first power strip module having a first face comprising a first power outlet port, a second face having a second power outlet port, and a third face comprising a first reel switch, a second power strip module having a first face comprising a first power outlet port, a second face having a second power outlet port, and a third face comprising a second reel switch, and a third power strip module having a first face comprising a first power outlet port, a second face having a second power outlet port, and a third face comprising a third reel switch, each of said first, second, and third power strip modules connected by a respective first, second, and third portion of flexible cord wound into a respective spring-powered reel of each respective power module;
extending said first power strip module away from said second power strip module by extending said flexible cord out from said first power strip module and placing said first power strip module into a first position;
extending said second power strip module away from said third power strip module by extending said flexible cord out from said second power strip module and placing said second power strip module into a second position;
placing said third power strip module in a third position;
activating said power strip assembly by plugging a power plug into an electrical outlet and pressing a switch located on said first power strip module;
pressing said second reel switch, thereby activating the respective spring-powered reel of said second power module and retracting said second portion of flexible cord, thereby retracting said second power strip module adjacent to said third power strip module; and
pressing said first reel switch, thereby activating the respective spring-powered reel of said first power module and retracting said first portion of flexible cord, thereby retracting said first power strip module adjacent to said second power strip module.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the steps:
activating a first release switch on said first power strip module, said release switch configured to release said first power strip module spring-powered reel, thereby allowing extension of said flexible cord.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said first power strip module further comprises a surge protector element.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
said first power outlet of said first power strip module comprises an American standard power outlet;
said first power outlet of said second power strip module comprises an American standard power outlet; and
said first power outlet of said third power strip module comprises an American standard power outlet.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
said first power outlet of said first power strip module comprises a European standard power outlet;
said first power outlet of said second power strip module comprises a European standard power outlet; and
said first power outlet of said third power strip module comprises a European standard power outlet.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
said second power outlet of said first power strip module comprises a universal serial bus (USB) outlet;
said second power outlet of said second power strip module comprises a universal serial bus (USB) outlet; and
said second power outlet of said third power strip module comprises a universal serial bus (USB) outlet.