AC POWER ADAPTER WITH SWIVELING PLUG HAVING FOLDING PRONGS
First Claim
1. An external AC power adapter, comprising:
- a body formed from a resilient material and arranged to isolate electrically energized components housed therein;
AC-DC power conversion circuitry housed in the body, the AC-DC power conversion circuitry arranged for converting an AC power input to a DC power output; and
a plug that is swivelably coupled to the body and including electrical contacts coupled to an AC circuit portion of the power conversion circuitry, the electrical contacts being coupled to the plug so that electrical contacts are foldable between a stowed position and an extended position, the electrical contacts being further arranged for mateable engagement with corresponding contacts in an AC power receptacle when in the extended position, the plug being arranged to rotate at least 90 degrees with respect to the adapter for variably orientating the electrical contacts when in the extended position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An external AC power adapter is provided in a compact form factor that utilizes an AC plug that swivels about the body of the adapter and that includes prongs (i.e., electrical contacts or terminals) which can fold into the body for transport or storage. The swiveling AC plug enables the body of the AC power adapter to be rotatably oriented in a user-selectable manner in order to fit in tight spaces when plugged in to maximize the utilization of available outlets. The foldable prongs help to minimize the overall size of the AC power adapter for easy portability and storage. When folded, the prongs are protected against damage and are prevented from damaging or scratching other articles when the AC power adapter is packed in a bag or suitcase during travel.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An external AC power adapter, comprising:
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a body formed from a resilient material and arranged to isolate electrically energized components housed therein; AC-DC power conversion circuitry housed in the body, the AC-DC power conversion circuitry arranged for converting an AC power input to a DC power output; and a plug that is swivelably coupled to the body and including electrical contacts coupled to an AC circuit portion of the power conversion circuitry, the electrical contacts being coupled to the plug so that electrical contacts are foldable between a stowed position and an extended position, the electrical contacts being further arranged for mateable engagement with corresponding contacts in an AC power receptacle when in the extended position, the plug being arranged to rotate at least 90 degrees with respect to the adapter for variably orientating the electrical contacts when in the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An external AC power adapter comprising:
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a body formed from a resilient material and arranged to isolate electrically energized components housed therein; AC-DC power conversion circuitry housed in the body, the AC-DC power conversion circuitry arranged for converting an AC power input to a DC power output; and a plug that is swivelably coupled to the body and including electrical contacts coupled to an AC circuit portion of the power conversion circuitry, the electrical contacts being coupled to the plug so that electrical contacts are foldable between a stowed position and an extended position, the electrical contacts being further arranged for mateable engagement with corresponding contacts in an AC power receptacle when in the extended position, wherein the adapter comprises two body portions, the plug being swivelably coupled to a first portion of the body and the power conversion circuitry being housed in a second portion of the body, the two portions of the body being removably couplable; wherein the first portion of the body that is coupled to the plug comprises a faceplate that is configured to be removably attachable to the second portion of the body that contains the power conversion circuitry, the faceplate comprising; a user-operable release mechanism that when actuated releases the faceplate from the second portion of the body when the faceplate is attached to the second portion of the body; a set of female electrical connectors arranged for mateable engagement with corresponding male electrical connectors when the faceplate is attached to the second portion of the body, the male connectors outwardly projecting from the second portion of the body and operatively coupled to the AC-DC power conversion circuitry, the female connectors being accessibly recessed in a back face of the faceplate and when engaged with the male connectors provide a source of AC power to the AC-DC power circuit when the electrical contacts of the plug are engaged with the corresponding contacts of a live AC power receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. An external AC power adapter, comprising:
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a body portion housing AC-DC power conversion circuitry arranged for converting an AC power input to a DC power output, the body portion having a set of electrical connectors operatively coupled to the AC-DC power conversion circuitry; and a faceplate configured to be removably attachable to the body portion, the faceplate comprising; a plug including electrical contacts foldable between a stowed position and an extended position, the electrical contacts arranged to engage corresponding contacts in an AC power receptacle when in the extended position; a user-operable release mechanism for releasing the faceplate from the body portion when the faceplate is attached to the body portion; and a set of electrical connectors for providing a source of AC power to the AC-DC power circuit when engaged with the set of electrical connectors of the body portion when the electrical contacts of the plug are engaged with the corresponding contacts of a live AC power receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification