Connector storage device
View Patent ↗A connector storage device includes a housing and a nonconductive connector on an exterior of the housing. The nonconductive connector is configured to connect with a first conductive connector. In another embodiment, a connector storage device includes a cover plate for a wall outlet or a switch, and at least one connector mounted on the cover plate. The cover plate defines at least one opening configured to permit insertion of an electrical outlet or an electrical switch, and the at least one connector is configured to connect with an electrical connector.
1. A storage device to store a connector, the storage device comprising:
a cover plate for a wall outlet or a switch, the cover plate having a front surface and a back surface, and defining at least one opening extending from the front surface to the back surface, the at least one opening configured to permit insertion of an electrical outlet or an electrical switch; and
an electrically nonconductive connector mounted and supported on the front surface of the cover plate and spaced a distance along the front surface of the cover plate from the at least one opening such that the electrically nonconductive connector avoids intersecting with a center axis of the at least one opening, the electrically nonconductive connector configured to directly connect with an electrical connector,
wherein the electrically nonconductive connector includes an end farthest from the cover plate and a spool to accommodate winding of an electrical cord, the spool being between the cover plate and the end, the spool having a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the end.
2. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the electrically nonconductive connector is electrically insulated from an electrical power source.
3. The storage device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one from a group consisting of a clip and a hook, to retain the electrical cord, the at least one from the group consisting of the clip and the hook being mounted on the spool.
4. The storage device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one from a group consisting of a clip and a hook, to retain an electrical cord, the at least one from the group consisting of the clip and the hook being mounted on the cover plate.
5. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the electrically nonconductive connector is configured to mate with one from the group consisting of a female electrical receptacle, a male electrical plug, a USB connector, and a type-C USB connector.
6. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein every connection of the electrical connector with the electrically nonconductive connector is nonconductive.
7. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the electrically nonconductive connector extends from the front surface of the cover plate entirely on a single side of the front surface.
8. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein when the electrical connector is connected to the electrically nonconductive connector, an electrical signal conducting along a path from the electrical connector to the electrically nonconductive connector is terminated at the electrically nonconductive connector.
9. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the spool circumscribes at least a portion of the electrically nonconductive connector.
10. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the electrically nonconductive connector is configured such that as a result of assembling the electrical outlet in the at least one opening of the cover plate and connecting the electrical connector to the electrical outlet, the electrical outlet does not connect to the electrically nonconductive connector.
11. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein fully mating the electrical connector with the electrically nonconductive connector and supplying an electrical signal to the electrical connector establishes no electrically conductive connection.
12. A storage device to store a connector, the storage device comprising:
a housing having an exterior face; and
a nonconductive connector mounted and supported on the exterior face of the housing, the nonconductive connector configured to connect with a first conductive connector, such that fully inserting the first conductive connector into the nonconductive connector and supplying a conducting signal to the first conductive connector establishes no conductive connection,
the nonconductive connector having a front surface facing approximately the same direction the exterior face of the housing faces, and has an opening through the front surface to accept conductive pins of the first conductive connector,
the nonconductive connector including a spool to accommodate winding of an electrical cord, the spool being between the exterior face of the housing and the front surface of the nonconductive connector, the spool having a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the front surface of the nonconductive connector.
13. The storage device of claim 12 , further comprising a second conductive connector, the second conductive connector supported by the housing.
14. The storage device of claim 13 , wherein the exterior face of the housing has an opening, and the second conductive connector is positioned in the opening.
15. The storage device of claim 12 , wherein the nonconductive connector is electrically insulated from an electrical power source.
16. The storage device of claim 12 , further comprising at least one from a group consisting of a clip and a hook, to retain the conductive cord, the at least one from the group consisting of the clip and the hook being mounted on the spool.
17. The storage device of claim 12 , wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side, the storage device further comprises a fastening element on the first side to fasten the housing to an electrical appliance, the nonconductive connector is on the second side, and the first side and second side are different sides.
18. The storage device of claim 13 , further comprising a third conductive connector from the group consisting of a USB connector, a coaxial cable connector, an HDMI connector, an audio/video connector, a fiber optic connector, a type C USB connector, a headphone jack, and an electrical receptacle, the third conductive connector supported by the housing.
19. The storage device of claim 18 , further comprising a power switch to open or close a signal path of a signal supplied to the second conductive connector or the third conductive connector.
20. The storage device of claim 18 , wherein the third conductive connector is mounted to the housing by a retractable cord.
21. The storage device of claim 12 , wherein the nonconductive connector is configured to resist transmission of an information signal or a power signal.
22. The storage device of claim 12 , wherein the housing includes a plate defining at least one opening configured to permit insertion of a second conductive connector.
23. The storage device of claim 12 , wherein the housing includes an electrical device having a power cord.
24. The storage device of claim 12 , wherein the nonconductive connector extends from the exterior face of the housing entirely on a single side of the exterior face of the housing.
25. The storage device of claim 12 , wherein the nonconductive connector is mounted directly on the housing.