Quick-Disconnect Power Adapters

• US 20140099808A1
• Filed: 10/04/2012
• Published: 04/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Todd Doobrow
• Original Assignee: Todd Doobrow
• Inventors: McClelland, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 9,083,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/153
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/70 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

A quick disconnect power adapter for maintaining a connection between a plug and a receptacle. In various embodiments, the quick disconnect power adapter maintains a completed circuit for providing power from a power source to an electrical device with a releasable fastener. In particular embodiments, the releasable fastener includes one or more magnets. In various embodiments, the quick disconnect power adapter is configured such that the electrical contact points of the plug and receptacle cannot be touched or otherwise contacted by a user when the plug and receptacle are not engaged.

Claims

1. An adapter for use in maintaining an electrical connection between an electrical device and an electrical outlet, said adapter being adapted to facilitate a safe break in said electrical connection, wherein said adapter comprises:

a first connector that comprises a first set of one or more electrical contacts;

a second connector that comprises a second set of one or more electrical contacts;

a releasable fastener that is adapted to form a releasable connection between said first connector and said second connector, wherein;

said releasable connection between said first connector and said second connector is such that;

(A) said first set of electrical contacts engages said second set of electrical contacts; and

(B) said engagement between said first and second sets of contacts facilitates a communication of electrical current between said first and second connectors, and

said releasable fastener is adapted so that an application of a sufficient force to said releasable fastener releases said connection between said first and second connectors so that said first set of electrical contacts disengages from said second set of electrical contacts.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said releasable fastener is a magnetic fastener.

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein said magnetic fastener comprises a magnetic first portion that is attached adjacent a central portion of said first connector, and a ferromagnetic or paramagnetic second portion that is attached adjacent said second connector.

4. The adapter of claim 2, wherein said magnetic fastener comprises:

a first bar magnet that is attached adjacent said first connector;

a second bar magnet that is attached adjacent said second connector, wherein;

said first and second bar magnets are adapted to both;

(1) form said releasable connection; and

(2) maintain said first connector in a particular rotational orientation relative to said second connector.

5. The adapter of claim 2, wherein:

said magnetic fastener comprises a magnetic first portion that is attached adjacent said first connector;

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact; and

said first electrical contact, said second electrical contact and said magnetic first portion are positioned in at least a substantially co-linear relationship adjacent said first connector.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein:

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact; and

said adapter further comprises an alignment mechanism that is configured for;

(A) aligning said first electrical contact with said third electrical contact; and

(B) aligning said second electrical contact with said fourth electrical contact.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein:

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first, substantially circular electrical contact and a second, substantially circular electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third, substantially circular electrical contact and a fourth, substantially circular electrical contact; and

said first and second electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said third and fourth electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said first, second, third, and fourth electrical contacts are dimensioned and positioned so that, when said first connector is attached to said second connector via said releasable connection;

(A) said first electrical contact is aligned with said third electrical contact; and

(B) said second electrical contact is aligned with said fourth electrical contact.

8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein:

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact and a second, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact and a fourth, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact; and

said first and second electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said third and fourth electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said first, second, third, and fourth electrical contacts are dimensioned and positioned so that, when said first connector is attached to said second connector via said releasable connection;

(A) said first electrical contact is aligned with said third electrical contact; and

(B) said second electrical contact is aligned with said fourth electrical contact.

9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein:

(A) said releasable fastener comprises;

(i) a first fastener portion that comprises;

(a) a magnet that is disposed within said first connector;

(b) at least one magnetically conductive arm that engages said magnet and that extends outwardly adjacent an outer surface of said first connector; and

(ii) a ferromagnetic or paramagnetic second fastener portion that is attached adjacent said second connector;

(B) said releasable connection is formed via magnetic contact between said at least one magnetically conductive arm and said second fastener portion.

10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter is configured so that a human finger cannot contact at least one of said second set of electrical contacts.

11. The adapter of claim 10, wherein said second set of electrical contacts is recessed into said second connector so that at least a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts is only accessible through a passageway that is sufficiently small to prevent a human finger from extending through said passageway and touching said particular electrical contact.

12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein at least a particular one of said first set of electrical contacts is spring-loaded and adapted to selectively extend through said passageway and to engage a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts.

13. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter is configured to render at least one of said second set of electrical contacts unexposed when said first connector is disengaged from said second connector.

14. The adapter of claim 13, wherein said first connector is a receptacle element and said second connector is a plug element.

15. The adapter of claim 13, wherein said adapter further comprises a rotational element that is adapted to allow a user to selectively rotate said rotational element from:

(A) a first position, in which said rotational element renders at least a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts unexposed; and

(B) a second position, in which said rotational element does not render said at particular one of said second set of electrical contacts unexposed.

16. The adapter of claim 13, wherein said adapter comprises a proximity sensor that is adapted for, in response to sensing that said first and second connectors are separating, facilitating the movement of said adapter from:

(A) a first orientation, in which a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts is accessible by a particular one of said first set of electrical contacts; and

(B) a second orientation, in which said particular one of said second set of electrical contacts is not accessible by said particular one of said first set of electrical contacts.

17. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter is configured to de-energize at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein said adapter comprises a mechanical switch that is configured to de-energize at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

19. The adapter of claim 17, wherein said adapter comprises a proximity switch that is configured to facilitate de-energizing at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

20. The adapter of claim 17, wherein said adapter comprises an RFID-tag/RFID-reader assembly that is configured to facilitate de-energizing at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

46. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter includes an indicator that is adapted to indicate when power is flowing through said adapter.

47. The adapter of claim 46, wherein said indicator comprises a light.

48. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said releasable fastener is a magnetic fastener that is adapted to maintain said first connector in a particular orientation relative to said second connector.

49. The adapter of claim 2, wherein said magnetic fastener comprises at least one cylindrical magnet.

52. The adapter of claim 19, wherein said proximity switch is a reed switch.

21. An adapter for use in maintaining an electrical connection between an electrical device and a source of electricity, said adapter being adapted to facilitate a safe break in said electrical connection, wherein:

(A) said adapter comprises;

a first connector that comprises a first set of one or more electrical contacts,

a second connector that comprises a second set of one or more electrical contacts, and

a releasable fastener that is adapted to form a releasable connection between said first connector and said second connector;

(B) said releasable connection between said first connector and said second connector is such that;

(1) said first set of electrical contacts engages said second set of electrical contacts; and

(2) said engagement between said first and second sets of contacts facilitates a communication of electrical current between said first and second connectors;

(C) said releasable fastener is adapted so that an application of a sufficient force to said releasable fastener releases said connection between said first and second connectors so that said first set of electrical contacts disengages from said second set of electrical contacts;

(D) said first connector is a plug element disposed adjacent a distal end of a power cord for said electrical device; and

(E) said second connector is a receptacle element that is adapted to be plugged into said source of electricity so that power flows from said source of electricity to said electrical device through said first and second connectors and said power cord.

22. The adapter of claim 21, wherein said releasable fastener is a magnetic fastener.

23. The adapter of claim 22, wherein said magnetic fastener comprises a magnetic first portion that is attached adjacent a central portion of said first connector, and a ferromagnetic or paramagnetic second portion that is attached adjacent said second connector.

24. The adapter of claim 22, wherein said magnetic fastener comprises:

a first bar magnet that is attached adjacent said first connector;

a second bar magnet that is attached adjacent said second connector, wherein;

said first and second bar magnets are adapted to both;

(1) form said releasable connection; and

(2) maintain said first connector in a particular rotational orientation relative to said second connector.

25. The adapter of claim 22, wherein:

said magnetic fastener comprises a magnetic first portion that is attached adjacent said first connector;

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact; and

said first electrical contact, said second electrical contact and said magnetic first portion are positioned in at least a substantially co-linear relationship adjacent said first connector.

26. The adapter of claim 21, wherein:

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact; and

said adapter further comprises an alignment mechanism that is configured for;

(A) aligning said first electrical contact with said third electrical contact; and

(B) aligning said second electrical contact with said fourth electrical contact.

27. The adapter of claim 21, wherein:

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first, substantially circular electrical contact and a second, substantially circular electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third, substantially circular electrical contact and a fourth, substantially circular electrical contact; and

said first and second electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said third and fourth electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said first, second, third, and fourth electrical contacts are dimensioned and positioned so that, when said first connector is attached to said second connector via said releasable connection;

(A) said first electrical contact is aligned with said third electrical contact; and

(B) said second electrical contact is aligned with said fourth electrical contact.

28. The adapter of claim 21, wherein:

said first set of electrical contacts comprises at least a first, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact and a second, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact;

said second set of electrical contacts comprises at least a third, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact and a fourth, substantially arc-shaped electrical contact; and

said first and second electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said third and fourth electrical contacts are at least substantially concentric;

said first, second, third, and fourth electrical contacts are dimensioned and positioned so that, when said first connector is attached to said second connector via said releasable connection;

(A) said first electrical contact is aligned with said third electrical contact; and

(B) said second electrical contact is aligned with said fourth electrical contact.

29. The adapter of claim 21, wherein:

(A) said releasable fastener comprises;

(i) a first fastener portion that comprises;

(a) a magnet that is disposed within said first connector;

(b) at least one magnetically conductive arm that engages said magnet and that extends outwardly adjacent an outer surface of said first connector; and

(ii) a ferromagnetic or paramagnetic second fastener portion that is attached adjacent said second connector;

(B) said releasable connection is formed via magnetic contact between said at least one magnetically conductive arm and said second fastener portion.

30. The adapter of claim 21, wherein said adapter is configured so that a human finger cannot contact at least one of said second set of electrical contacts.

31. The adapter of claim 30, wherein said second set of electrical contacts is recessed into said second connector so that at least a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts is only accessible through a passageway that is sufficiently small to prevent a human finger from extending through said passageway and touching said particular electrical contact.

32. The adapter of claim 31, wherein at least a particular one of said first set of electrical contacts is spring-loaded and adapted to selectively extend through said passageway and to engage a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts.

33. The adapter of claim 31, wherein said adapter is configured to render at least one of said second set of electrical contacts unexposed when said first connector is disengaged from said second connector.

34. The adapter of claim 33, wherein said first connector is a receptacle element and said second connector is a plug element.

35. The adapter of claim 33, wherein said adapter further comprises a rotational element that is adapted to allow a user to selectively rotate said rotational element from:

(A) a first position, in which said rotational element renders at least a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts unexposed; and

(B) a second position, in which said rotational element does not render said at particular one of said second set of electrical contacts unexposed.

36. The adapter of claim 33, wherein said adapter comprises a proximity sensor that is adapted for, in response to sensing that said first and second connectors are separating, facilitating the movement of said adapter from:

(A) a first orientation, in which a particular one of said second set of electrical contacts is accessible by a particular one of said first set of electrical contacts; and

(B) a second orientation, in which said particular one of said second set of electrical contacts is not accessible by said particular one of said first set of electrical contacts.

37. The adapter of claim 31, wherein said adapter is configured to de-energize at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

38. The adapter of claim 37, wherein said adapter comprises a magnetic piston switch that is configured to de-energize at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

39. The adapter of claim 37, wherein said adapter comprises a proximity switch that is configured to facilitate de-energizing at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

40. The adapter of claim 37, wherein said adapter comprises an RFID-tag/RFID-reader assembly that is configured to facilitate de-energizing at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to said first connector becoming disengaged from said second connector.

41. The adapter of claim 40, wherein said RFID-tag/RFID-reader assembly is adapted to facilitate energizing at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in response to determining that said RFID-tag includes one or more particular indicia.

42. The adapter of claim 41, wherein said RFID-tag/RFID-reader assembly is adapted to facilitate maintaining said at least one of said second set of electrical contacts in a de-energized state unless an RFID-reader associated with said RFID-tag/RFID-reader assembly senses an RFID-tag that includes said one or more particular indicia.

43. The adapter of claim 21, wherein said adapter includes an indicator that is adapted to indicate when power is flowing through said adapter.

44. The adapter of claim 43, wherein said indicator comprises a light.

45. The adapter of claim 21, wherein said releasable fastener is a magnetic fastener that is adapted to maintain said first connector in a particular orientation relative to said second connector.

50. The adapter of claim 21, wherein said source of electricity comprises said second connector.

51. The adapter of claim 21, wherein said power chord comprises said first connector.