Hot contact adapter for portable computing device

• US 7,112,096 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2004
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Rahman, Abdur, Moisevenko, Stanislav, Pichahchi, Vadim
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US10/791,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20050197016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 439/372, 439/638, 439/929, 439/953, 320/115
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 Connecting base plate or shelf type holder

Abstract

A hot contact adapter for use with portable computing devices, such as laptop, notebook and tablet computers, PDA'"'"'s and gaming devices, is disclosed. The adapter has a plug which fits in the power input port of the device and a body have a distal surface with exposed electrodes formed thereon. The device, with the adapter mounted thereon, may then be used with a charging cradle having electrodes which contact the adapter electrodes when the device is placed in the cradle. The cradle is connected to a source of power, such that power is supplied to the device in the cradle via the adapter.

Claims

1. A hot contact adapter for charging a portable computer, comprising:

a plug for inserting into a power port in the portable computing device and providing electrical contact therewith, and a body extending from said plug, said body having a surface distal from said plug, said distal surface comprising a pair of generally flat electrodes electrically coupled to power input electrodes in said power port when said plug is inserted into the power port.

2. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising an alignment structure for orienting the adapter when said plug is inserted into the power port.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said plug is generally cylindrical.

4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said distal surface is generally flat and said pair of generally flat electrodes is substantially co-planar with said distal surface.

5. The adapter of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of generally flat electrodes is substantially the same shape.

6. The adapter of claim 5 wherein each of said generally flat electrodes is substantially rectangular.

7. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said adapter is shaped to rest in a recess in a charging cradle.

8. The adapter of claim 2 wherein said alignment structure comprises at least one tabs for contacting a surface of the portable computing device.

9. A hot contact adapter for use with a computing device which mates with a charging cradle, said computing device having a recessed, generally cylindrical DC input power port, said adapter comprising:

a plug which mates with and makes electrical contact with said input power port, a body connected to said plug, said body having a distal surface in relation to said portable computing device, said distal surface having a pair of generally flat electrodes positioned thereon for mating with a pair of corresponding electrodes positioned on said charging cradle, and an alignment structure.

10. The adapter of claim 9 wherein said body projects from a surface of the portable computing device and said adapter has a shape which nests within a recess in the charging cradle.

11. The adapter of claim 9 wherein said alignment structure comprises at least one tab projecting from said body for contacting a wall of the portable computing device.