104, 106. A bottom wall 112 interconnects the pair of longitudinal side walls 104, 106 and the pair of end walls 108, 110. The side walls 104, 106, end walls 108, 110 and bottom wall 112 define a generally rectangular or box-like housing. As shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal side walls 104, 106 have an axial length dimension L extending in a direction perpendicular to the end walls 108, 110 that is about twice as long as a width dimension W extending in direction perpendicular to the longitudinal side walls 104, 106.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8, at the respective end edges thereof the longitudinal wall 104 further includes integrally formed vertically extending projections 111 extending parallel to a height dimension H of the housing 102. The longitudinal wall 106 includes integrally formed vertically extending grooves or slots 113 extending parallel to the height dimension H of the housing 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the projections 111 include hooks at the distal ends thereof. The projections 111 and slots 113 serve as ganging features wherein when two housings 102 are arranged side-by-side they may be positively interlocked to one another with a dovetail engagement of the projections 111 and grooves 113 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. While exemplary locations, orientations and geometry of ganging features are shown in the form of the projections 111 and slots 113, other locations, orientations and geometry is possible in alternative embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 11 and 13 a first outlet core 114 is integrally formed in the housing 102 at an interior location to the walls 104, 106, 108 and 110 of the housing 102. The first outlet core 114 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 112. A second outlet core 116 is also integrally formed in the housing 102 at an interior location to the walls 104, 106, 108 and 110 of the housing 102. The second outlet core 116 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 112 in spaced relation from the first outlet core 114 along the length dimension L of the housing 102. An interior dividing wall 118 is formed in the housing 102 and extends between the outlet cores 114 and 116. In the example shown, the dividing wall 118 extends perpendicularly to the pair of longitudinal side walls 104, 106 and separates distinct regions on either side thereof wherein the core outlets 114, 116 reside. In other contemplated embodiments, however, the dividing wall 118 could be considered optional and need not be included while still realizing at least some of the benefits of the present invention.

In the illustrated example, the dividing wall 118 is slightly off-centered in the lengthwise dimension L of the single piece integrally formed housing 102. That is, the dividing wall 118 is slightly closer to one of the pair of end walls 108, 110 than to the other as shown in the top view of FIG. 2. Also, the outlet core 114 is slightly off-centered in the widthwise dimension W while the outlet core 116 is centered in the widthwise dimension W. That is, the outlet core 114 is positioned slightly closer to the longitudinal side wall 106 than to the side wall 104 of the housing 102 while the outlet core 116 is approximately equidistant from the longitudinal wall 104 and the longitudinal wall 106. The off-centered outlet core 114 in the widthwise direction accommodates fastener openings 119 alongside the outlet core 114 and the longitudinal side wall 104. The fastener openings 119 allow the housing 102 to be fastened to a support structure such as a chassis of a PDU using known fasteners such as screws that are received in the fastener openings 119 from above the housing 102. Coupled with the interlocking ganging features described above, the fasteners securely fix the combination outlet assembly 100 in place. In another embodiment, fastener openings may be located at an alternative location and/or the outlet core 114 could be centered and aligned with the outlet core 116 if desired.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the first and second outlet cores 114, 116 respectively have a common outer shape and profile including a short end vertical wall 120 extending parallel to the dividing wall 118, a pair of vertical walls 122, 124 respectively extending at an obtuse but opposite angle to one another from the end wall 120 on either respective side of the vertical wall 120. As such, the slope of the angled walls 122, 124 is inverted on each side of the end wall 120. The outer shape and profile also includes a pair of side vertical walls 126, 128 extending parallel to the longitudinal side walls 104, 106 from the end of each angled wall 122, 124, and a long end wall 130 extending parallel to the short end wall 120 and interconnecting the ends of the parallel side walls 126, 128. A rounded internal groove 132 is also integrally formed in the long wall 130 in a central portion thereof that extends with concave curvature toward the short end wall 120. The vertical walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 of the outlet cores 114, 116 arranged as shown and described may be recognized as having the shape and profile of an IEC C13 inlet/receptacle familiar to those in the art. In combination with the groove 132 the outlet cores 114, 116 may be recognized as having the shape and profile of an IEC C15 inlet/receptacle also familiar to those in the art. While both the outlet cores 114, 116 have the same outer shape and profile in the illustrated embodiment, in another embodiment the outlet cores 114, 116 may be differently shaped and have a different profile from one another.

In the example shown, the outer shape and profile of the first and second outlet cores 114, 116 further extend as mirror images of one another in the lengthwise dimension L. In other words, and as shown in top view in FIG. 2 the outer shape and profile of the outlet core 114 is oriented in an inverted or upside down position (i.e., in a 180° orientation relative to the core outlet core 116) in the lengthwise dimension L. In the inverted arrangement, the short end wall 120 of each outlet core 114, 116 respectively faces the dividing wall and the long end walls 130 face the respective end walls 108, 110 of the housing 102. The outlet cores 114, 116 extend on opposing sides of the dividing wall 118 and the outlet core 114 extends slightly offset from the outlet core 116 in the widthwise dimension W. As a result, the outlet core 114 is shifted slightly to the left in FIG. 2 relative to the outlet core 116 and imparting an asymmetry in the housing 102 via slight staggering of the inverted outlet cores 114, 116. In other words, the inverted outlet cores 114, 116 are slightly misaligned with respect to an axial centerline of the housing 102 in the lengthwise direction. In another embodiment, however, the outlet cores 114, 116 need not necessarily be inverted or misaligned.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a respective receptacle space 134, 136 surrounds each of the first and second outlet core 114, 116 in the single piece integrally formed housing 102 via interior walls therein that are spaced from the outer shape and profile of each outlet core 114, 116. In the example shown, the space 134 that surrounds the outlet core 114 is shaped to complement the outer shape and profile of the outlet core 114. That is, the internal walls of the housing 102 surrounding the outlet core 114 include respective walls arranged complementary to but spaced from the outer walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 of the outlet core 114. The space 134 is defined by an inner boundary corresponding to the outer perimeter of the outer walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 of the outlet core 114 and an outer boundary having a larger perimeter but matching the shape of the inner boundary. The peripheral space 134 extends between the inner and outer boundaries to surround the entire circumferential perimeter of the outlet core 114.

Unlike the space 134, the space 136 that surrounds the outlet core 116 does not match the outer shape and profile of the outlet core 116. While the outlet core 116 has six walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 as shown, the housing internal walls surrounding the outlet core 116 include only four walls defining a generally rounded rectangular shape. As such, the space 136 has an inner boundary corresponding to the outer perimeter of the walls 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 of the outlet core 116 and an outer boundary that is nearly square. The outer boundary of the space 136 is therefore both larger than the inner boundary and differently shaped from the inner boundary. The area of the space 136 on the bottom wall 112 of the housing is considerably larger than the area of the space 134 as shown.

The receptacle space 134 surrounding the first outlet core 114 is compatible with a first power cord 200 (FIG. 4) having a first plug connector housing 202 that is complementary in outer shape and profile to the outlet core 114. The first plug connector housing 202 may accordingly be received over the outlet core 114 within the space 134 provided. The first plug connector housing 202 also includes three terminal blades 204 that extend in spaced apart but parallel planes inside the plug connector housing 202. The three terminal blades 204 correspond to a line terminal, a neutral terminal, and a ground terminal connecting to respective conductors in cable 206 of the power cord 200. The terminal and housing configuration of the plug of the power cord 200 shown in FIG. 4 may be recognized as an IEC C14 plug connector. When engaged, the terminals 204 in the plug connector housing 202 pass through rectangular apertures 140 (FIG. 3) in the outlet core 114 where they engage respective terminals 150, 152, 154 (FIGS. 3 and 13) that are located inside the outlet core 114 beneath the apertures 140.

As shown in FIG. 5, the space 136 surrounding the outlet core 116 in the housing 102, being both larger and differently shaped than the space 134 surrounding the outlet core 114, is compatible with the first plug connector housing 202 of the power cord 200 (FIG. 4) that is complementary in outer shape and profile to the outlet core 116, and further is compatible with a second plug connector housing 222 of a second power cord 220 shown in FIG. 6. The plug connector housing 222 includes four walls arranged in a generally square shape and terminals 224 inside the four walls. The four walls of the plug connector housing 222 may be received over the outlet core 116 within the space 136 provided.

The second plug connector housing 222 also includes three terminal blades 224, two of which extend in a generally coplanar relationship and third extending in a spaced apart but parallel plane to the other two of the terminal blades 224. As such, each of the terminal blades 224 of the plug connector housing 222 inside the plug connector housing 222 extend at a 90° angle relative to the terminals 204 of the plug connector housing 202 of the power cord 200 (FIG. 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 the blade terminals 204 in the plug connector housing 202 extend at a common and generally vertical orientation, whereas the terminals 224 in the plug connector 222 as shown in FIG. 6 extend at a common and generally horizontal orientation. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the blade terminals in each plug connector housing may be oriented differently to another one of the blade terminals. By virtue of the different housing structure and/or the different terminal orientation such plug connectors are deemed to of different type in the context of the present invention.

The three terminal blades 224 in the plug connector housing 222 correspond to a line terminal, a neutral terminal, and a ground terminal connecting to respective conductors in cable 226 of the power cord 220. The terminal and housing configuration of the power cord plug shown in FIG. 6 may be recognized as an IEC C20 plug connector. When the power cord 220 is engaged to the outlet core 116, the terminals 224 in the plug connector housing 222 pass through respective horizontal portions of T-shaped apertures 160 (FIG. 5) in the outlet core 116 where they engage respective terminals 150, 152, 154 (FIGS. 5 and 13) that are located inside the outlet core 116 beneath the apertures 160. When the power cord 200 is engaged to the outlet core 116, the terminals 204 in the plug connector housing 202 pass through respective vertical portions of T-shaped apertures 160 in the outlet core 116 where they engage respective terminals 150, 152, 154 (FIGS. 5 and 13) that are located inside the outlet core 116. Therefore, by virtue of the outer shape and profile of the outlet core 216, the surrounding space 136, and the T-shaped apertures 160 in the core outlet core 116 both of the plug connector housing 202 and terminals 204 and the plug connector housing 222 and the terminals 224 may be interchangeably accepted by the outlet core 116 and engaged to the terminals 150, 152, 154 therein, whereas the outlet core 114 will accept the plug connector housing 202 and terminals 204 but reject the plug connector housing 222 and the terminals 224 due to interfering portions of the housing of the power cord 220.

In the illustrated embodiments, the outlet cores 114, 116 are respectively provided with the same sets of terminals 150, 152, 154. It is recognized, however, that the sets of terminals need not be the same in the outlet cores 114, 116 in another embodiment. Specifically, the outlet core 114 may be provided with simpler shaped terminals than those shown in FIG. 13 since the outlet core 114 includes the rectangular apertures 140 that would operate to reject a plug having incompatible terminals with the apertures 140. In other words, the terminals 150, 152, 154 that are configured to accept terminals of a plug in respectively different orientations are not required in the outlet core 114 because the apertures 140 will only accept plug terminals having a corresponding orientation. The benefits of the terminals 150, 152, 154 to accept different plug types in the outlet core 166 is only realized in the outlet core 116 having the T-shaped apertures 160. While exemplary terminals 150, 152, 154 are shown and described having capability to accept different plug types, other terminal configurations are possible and may be adopted in further and/or alternative embodiments.

It is also recognized that by virtue of the grooves 132 in each outlet core 114, 116, each of the outlet cores may also accept an IEC C16 plug that is similar to housing 202 of the power cord 200 and has similar terminals to the terminals 204, but further includes an internal protrusion that fits into the groove 132 in each outlet core. The outlet core 114 may therefore accept a CI6 plug and a C14 plug but reject a C20 plug, while the outlet core 116 may accept a C14 plug, a C16 plug and a C20 plug. As such, the outlet core 114 may accept two different types of plugs while the outlet core 116 may accept three different types of plugs. The combination outlet assembly including only two outlet cores 114, 116 may therefore accept six combinations of mating plugs of different types. While exemplary plug types are described and illustrated having different housing structure and/or different terminal structure, such plug types are exemplary only and alternative types of plugs having plug connector housings of alternative geometry are possible having the same or different terminal structure of the IEC plug connectors described above in further and/or alternative embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of spaced apart projections 170, 172 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 112 of the housing 102 in the space 136 surrounding the outlet core. The pair of projections 170, 172 are located on the bottom wall 112 in spaced relation from the angled vertical walls 122, 124 of the outlet core 116 at a distance to respectively engage a portion of an exterior surface of the plug connector housing 202 (FIG. 4) when mated to the outlet core 116 or alternatively to engage an interior surface of the plug connector housing 222 (FIG. 6) when mated to the outlet core 116. In the example shown, the projection 170 is angularly oriented relative to the projection 172 on the bottom floor at about a 90° angle to contact and support adjacent portions of the plug connector housing 202 or 222 that is mated to the outlet core 116. The projections 170 and 172 that engage the plug connector housing 202 or 222 when received help to grip and hold the plug connector housing 202 or 222 in place and resist any tendency that otherwise may exist for the plug connector housing to disengage from the outlet core 116. The plug connector housing 202 in the complementary space 134 surrounding the outlet core 114 is less subject to being dislodged in a similar manner, although similar protrusions to the projections 170, 172 could be employed in the space 134 as well if desired. The projections 170, 172 are casily formed on the bottom wall 112 of the housing 102 with little additional material and negligible effect on the manufacturing cost of the housing 102. The projections 170, 172 are therefore more economical plug connector housings than much more elaborate housing features that utilize significantly greater amounts of housing material or require assembly of separately fabricated pieces to implement.

While an exemplary location and geometry has been described and illustrated for the projections 170, 172 the projections may be located elsewhere and may have different geometry in another embodiment. Also, a greater or fewer number of projections of the same or different shape and geometry may be utilized for similar purposes to the projections 170, 172 and to realize the benefits thereof to varying degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 11, to further ensure that a mated plug reliably stays connected to the outlet core 116, the end wall 108 of the single piece integrally formed housing 102 includes a deflectable latch portion 180. The deflectable latch portion 180 is attached to the housing 102 at a lower end thereof, but otherwise is separated from the end wall 108 of the housing 102 on the vertical sides thereof, and an angled finger grip extends away from the space 136 on the distal upper end of the deflectable latch portion 180. The latch portion 180 is formed with a latch opening 182 that accepts a latch protrusion (not shown) provided on a power cord in the plug connector housing 202 or 222. The associated plug and latch protrusion can therefore be positively locked or latched in place in the desired orientation relative to the outlet core 116.

A resilient spring element 184 (FIGS. 11 and 12) is separately provided from the housing 102 and may be fabricated from metal in a contemplated embodiment. The spring element 184 in the example shown includes a relatively wide base portion 186 in the widthwise dimension of the housing 102 that is inserted in a slot in the housing end wall 108 beneath the deflectable latch portion 180. The base portion 186 includes inwardly facing deflectable fingers in central portion thereof, and a relatively thin angled section 188 extending upwardly from an edge of the base portion 186. The upstanding angled section 188 abuts the deflectable latch portion 180 when assembled to the housing 102. The angled section 188 of the spring element 184 acts upon the deflectable latch portion 180 to apply an inwardly directed mechanical bias force to hold the deflectable latch portion 180 in a locked or latched position extending generally vertically and flush with the remainder of the end wall 108 of the housing 102. As a mating plug is inserted into the outlet core 116 the latch protrusion thereof will deflect the latch portion 180 outwardly until the latch protrusion can be received in the latch opening 182. When desired, a user may grasp or depress the upper end of the latch portion 180 and manually deflect it outwardly to release a latch protrusion and remove a connected plug from the outlet core 116 when desired. The lock protrusion in the power cord need not move relative to the power cord in order to engage or disengage the deflectable latch portion 180.

A similar opening to the latch opening 182 is provided in the end wall 110 of the housing 102 in the example shown, but the end wall 110 in the illustrated embodiment does not include a deflectable latch portion to assist with locking and unlocking of a power cord. The end wall 110 can still interface with a lock protrusion of a power cord, but requires a lock protrusion in the power cord that can be selectively positioned relative to the power cord housing to secure and release the lock protrusion with the lock opening in the end wall 110. The deflectable and non-deflectable latch openings in the housing 102 on the end walls 108, 110 provides additional flexibility in the combination outlet assembly to be used with different types of latch protrusions on power cords.

Instead of providing different latching features on each side of the housing 102, in further embodiments both of the housing end walls 108, 110 may be provided with a deflectable latch portion or a non-deflectable latch opening if desired. While the deflectable and non-deflectable latch features are illustrated on the end walls 106, 108 of the housing, in another embodiment the deflectable latch portion and the non-deflectable latch opening could be located on the longitudinal side walls 104, 106. Of course, in some embodiments wherein latching of power cords is not desired or needed, the latch features described could be omitted in the housing construction.

The combination outlet assembly 100 further includes, as shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and 13, conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 interconnecting the respective terminals 150, 152, 154 associated with each of the outlet core 114 and the outlet core 116 on an exterior of the bottom wall 112. Each of the three conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 completes a circuit path of different axial length between respective pairs of the terminals 150, 152, 154. The circuit path in each conductor bus element 190, 192, 194 connecting the terminals 150, 152, 154 is generally planar with a number of bends or angled transitions in each element 190, 192, 194.

In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor bus element 190 is an asymmetrical J-shaped element having a long leg and a short leg extending parallel thereto and a perpendicular leg interconnecting ends of the long and short legs. The opposing ends of the conductor bus element 190 include sections of enlarged areas to complete mechanical and electrical connection to the terminals 154. The conductor bus element 192 in the example shown is a generally symmetrical element having opposing parallel legs offset from one another with an angled section in between, and out of plane tabs at the distal ends thereof for connection to the terminals 152. The conductor bus element 194 in the example shown is an asymmetrical element having an open rectangular shape with parallel distal ends for connection to the terminals 150. Each conductor bus element 190, 192, 194 also includes out of plane fastener tabs to fix the elements 190, 192, 194 in the desired orientation in the assembly and to complete electrical connection to corresponding bus structure in the chassis of a PDU. The conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 and sets of terminals in each outlet core 114, 116 are mechanically and electrically connected to corresponding bus conductors in the PDU to complete respective line connections, neutral connections, and ground connections for power distribution to the power outlets provided in the PDU.

As best shown in FIG. 10, the conductor bus element 192 is nested partly between portions of the conductor bus element 194 and partly in the conductor bus element 190. That is, portions of the conductor bus elements 190 and 194 surround the conductor bus element in a relatively compact arrangement. The bottom wall 112 of the housing 102 is formed with separating wall sections to prevent electrical shorting between the conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194. The geometry and arrangement of the conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 is exemplary only and alternative geometry and arrangement of conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 may be employed in other embodiments.

In certain contemplated embodiments, the conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 may be omitted in favor of connecting wires to establish electrical connections to external circuitry through the terminals 150, 152, 154 or in favor of a circuit board including circuitry to which the terminals 150, 152, 154 may be connected in a PDU. Variations and adaptations are possible in this regard to make the electrical connections in the combination outlet assembly 100 to line, neutral and ground circuits in a power system whether through a PDU or as a stand-alone outlet device mounted to another support structure (e.g., a wall, a cabinet, or other support structure).

Also in certain contemplated embodiments, less than the three conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 shown may be provided. For example, only two the conductor bus elements shown may be provided to respectively interconnect the neutral terminal and the ground terminal of each outlet core 114, 116, while the line connections may be made separately to each line terminal in the outlet cores 114, 116 to desirably facilitate switched outlet capability in the outlets provided. As such, and because the line terminals in each outlet core 114, 116 are not connected by a conductor bus in such an embodiment, they may be selectively turned on or off from via connection or disconnection to the same or different power inputs as desired. For example, the line terminals in each outlet core 114, 116 may be connected to a circuit board and controls to selectively energize or de-energize the outlets either independently or in combination in a known manner. Alternatively, switching elements may be provided that are not implemented through a circuit board if desired.

In the illustrated example wherein all three of the conductor bus elements 190, 192, 194 are provided, however, the outlets are connected to the same power input and desired power metering is facilitated in a simpler manner at reduced cost albeit with more basic functionality than the aforementioned switched power arrangement involving only two of the three conductor bus elements described.

As shown in FIGS. 14-16, a number of combination outlet assemblies 100 may be attached to a PDU 300. The PDU 300 includes an elongated chassis 302 having an opening 304 to receive the combination outlet assemblies 100 in a side-by-side manner with the housings 102 ganged together. In the example of FIG. 14 showing a small portion of the power distribution unit 300, the opening 304 is large enough to receive three combination outlet assemblies 100 with the housings 102 ganged together. The end walls 108, 110 of the housings 102 when attached extend parallel to the longitudinal walls of the PDU 300 in the axial lengthwise dimension of the PDU 300 while the longitudinal side walls 104, 106 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the PDU 300. The inverted outlet cores 114, 116 in each housing 102 extend across the widthwise dimension of the PDU chassis.

Groups of three ganged combination outlet assemblies 100 are shown in FIG. 15 in spaced apart locations in the chassis 302 along the axial length of the PDU 300. In FIG. 16 three groups of ganged combination outlet assemblies 100 are shown in the PDU 300 on opposing sides of a management module 306 and communication interface 308 including various different types of communication ports and sensor ports such as those described above. A power cord 310 is provided at one end of the PDU to establish an input power connection to the PDU 300, with the outlets in the combination outlet assemblies 100 distributing power to electrical devices and equipment connected to the power outlets in the PDU 300.

The six groups of three combination outlets 100 in the PDU 300 shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to a total of eighteen combination outlet assemblies 100 and thirty six total outlets (eighteen outlets having the outlet core 114 and eighteen outlets having the outlet core 116) in the exemplary PDU 300. Since each combination outlet assembly 100 can accommodate six combinations of different plug types, the PDU 300 having the eighteen outlets can collectively facilitate one hundred and eight combinations) of different plug types (eighteen outlets times six combinations each) in a relatively compact package size. As such, the PDU 300 is less likely to disappoint purchasers that find the number of outlets to be too limited for the intended application, and also less likely to become obsolete due to changing needs over time. Further, the flexibility of the outlets provided to interchangeably connect to different power cord plug connectors accommodates changing needs or uncertainty in needs in particular PDU installations as well as more capably accommodates changing needs over time.

The management module 306 in the PDU 300 may include a display presenting power information and setup information to a PDU installer or data center overseer. The PDU 300 may include switches, sensors and other components to provide desired power management and metering functionality that can be accessed locally on the PDU via the management module 306 or communicated to or made accessible from the network interface 308. While the PDU shows an exemplary arrangement of outlets via the combination outlet assemblies 100 provided relative to the management module 308, other arrangements are possible in another embodiment. Also, while the PDU includes only combination outlets via the combination outlet assembly 100, still other types of outlets could be provided in addition to the combination outlets in the combination outlet assembly 100. Varying numbers of combination outlet assemblies 100 may be provided in different embodiments.

The combination outlet assembly 100 including the single piece housing 102 including the features described avoids more complicated multi-piece housing components to provide a combination outlet. Specifically, separately provided adapter pieces fitted to the outlet cores to configure them to accept or reject certain types of plug connectors are obviated by the single piece construction described and illustrated herein. As such adapter pieces are eliminated, any possibility for them to be lost or mislaid, or inadvertently broken or detached is avoided together with reliability issues or negative experiences by purchasers and installers who are frustrated by such issues.

The combination outlet assembly 100 including single piece housings 102 can provided in a modular form and easily be ganged together to scale a PDU to have as many combination outlets desired in an economical manner that generally avoids customization including custom fabricated housings and the like to provide different numbers of power outlets. Considerable variation in PDUs is therefore possible while using a small number of component parts to provide the combination outlet assembly 100. Of course, while the single piece housing 102 in the combination outlet described has considerable benefits, in alternative embodiments the housing 102 may be fabricated from more than one housing piece if desired while still realizing some of the other benefits described. Additionally, combination outlets having more than two outlets are possible in alternative embodiments having single piece or multi-piece housing constructions. Variations and adaptations are possible in this regard.

FIGS. 17-19 illustrate an alternative power cord latch or locking assembly 400 that may be utilized with a combination outlet assembly 100 to reliably retain a power cord thereto. Unlike the lock or latching features described above in relation to deflectable and non-deflectable portions of the housing sidewalls in the combination outlet assembly 100, the power cord latch or locking assembly 400 may be utilized with a power cord 402 that does not include a lock protrusion at all. The power cord 402 may include any of the plug connector types described above without a lock protrusion, and therefore may be a more economical power cord.

The latch or locking assembly 400 includes a receptacle insert 404 and a power cord clamp 406. The insert 404 includes a planar rim 408 having a center opening therein with complementary shape to the outer shape and profile of the outlet cores 114, 116 in the combination outlet assembly 100. As such, the rim 408 may be inserted into the receptacle space 134 or 136 and be fitted around the outlet core 114 or 116 adjacent the bottom wall 112. The rim 408 may abut the protrusions 170, 172 in the bottom wall 112 of the housing 102 and therefore be gripped and retained in place in the housing 102 once installed.

A thin and rectangular locking tab 410 extends upwardly and generally perpendicularly from the rim 408, and the locking tab 410 includes a lock protrusion 412 that may be received in the lock opening of the housing end wall 108 or 110 described above. The thin locking tab 410 extends along the interior wall of the outlet core 114 or 116 without obstructing a power cord plug connector in the receptacle space 134 or 136. An elongated tether element 414 extends upwardly from the locking tab 410 and exterior to the receptacle space 134, 136. The tether element 414 includes a series of latch grooves 416 that may be gripped in an interlocking fashion to the power cord clamp 406.

As shown in FIG. 19, the power cord clamp