Electrical interconnecting adapter

• US 7,361,058 B1
• Filed: 12/27/2006
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Inventors: Lien, Timothy J., Dang, Phu, Carlson, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US11/616,627
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 439/619, 439/699.1, 439/699.2, 439650-656, 439/638, 439/668, 439/350, 439/351, 439/353, 439355-359
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/26 Pin or blade contacts for sliding co-operation on one side only for modular jack type connectors H01R24/62
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• 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 universal adapter enables amusement object connectors to be reliably and securely coupled with power cord receptacles of varying sizes. The adapter includes a body providing first and second end sections and conductive contact structure extending between the end sections, as well as one or more cantilevered locking arms. The first end section may be adapted for receiving a base plug of an object providing amusement effects, or may be formed as the base plug itself. The second end section is adapted to be received within the receptacle of a power cord, such that electrical contacts of the base plug and the receptacle may be electrically connected with one another through the conductive contact structure of the adapter. Each locking arm releasably engages with an outer surface of the power cord receptacle to provide a more secure connection between the adapter and the power cord receptacle.

Claims

1. An adapter for interconnecting a power cord having a receptacle with an object providing amusement effects and having a base plug, comprising:

a body having an outer surface, a mounting seat circumscribing the outer surface, a first end section formed as a socket-type member and an opposed second end section formed as a plug-type member, wherein the first end section is adapted to receive therein the base plug of the object and the second end section is adapted to be received within the receptacle of the power cord;

conductive contact structure extending from the first end section to the second end section of the body;

two or more cantilevered locking arms having base portions and being adapted to be positioned generally adjacent to the second end section; and

a collar fitted onto the mounting seat of the body outer surface and joining together the two or more cantilevered locking arms at the base portions thereof;

whereby upon inserting the base plug of the object within the first end section of the body and inserting the second end section of the body within the receptacle of the power cord, each locking arm releasably engages with an outer surface of the power cord receptacle while the conductive contact structure delivers electrical power from conductive members of the power cord to conductive members of the object.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein each locking arm of the two or more cantilevered locking arms extends outwardly away from the body with a curvilinear shape and then back towards the body via a curved return bend to an end flange, and wherein a contact surface is presented by the end flange for engaging with the outer surface of the power cord receptacle upon the second end section of the body being inserted into the receptacle of the power cord.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the two or more locking arms comprise a pair of locking arms positioned in opposition to one another about the body to form a clearance space between the respective locking arms at a rest position, the pair of locking arms being biased toward one another upon a separation force being applied to the locking arms to increase the dimension of the clearance space.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein each locking arm of the two or more cantilevered locking arms has a curved contact surface for engaging with the outer surface of the power cord receptacle upon the second end section of the body being inserted into the receptacle of the power cord, the contact surface including a series of separated ridges.

5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the conductive contact structure includes a pair of conductive contact members emerging from within and extending outside of the body at the second end section thereof, each conductive contact member presenting a return bend located outwardly proximal to the body second end section.

6. An adapter for interconnecting a power cord having a receptacle with an object providing amusement effects, comprising:

a body having an outer surface, a mounting seat circumscribing the outer surface, a first end section formed as a base plug of the object providing amusement effects and an opposed second end section formed as a plug-type member, wherein the second end section is adapted to be received within the receptacle of the power cord;

conductive contact structure extending from the first end section to the second end section of the body, the conductive contact structure including a pair of conductive contact members extending from electrical leads of the object;

two or more cantilevered locking arms having base portions and being adapted to be positioned generally adjacent to the second end section; and

a collar fitted onto the mounting seat of the body outer surface and joining together the two or more cantilevered locking arms at the base portions thereof;

whereby upon inserting the second end section of the body within the receptacle of the power cord, each locking arm releasably engages with an outer surface of the power cord receptacle while the conductive contact structure delivers electrical power from the power cord to the object via the pair of conductive contact members engaging with conductive members of the power cord.

7. The adapter of claim 6, wherein each locking arm of the two or more cantilevered locking arms extends outwardly away from the body with a curvilinear shape and then back towards the body via a curved return bend to an end flange, and wherein a contact surface is presented by the end flange for engaging with the outer surface of the power cord receptacle upon the second end section of the body being inserted into the receptacle of the power cord.

8. The adapter of claim 6, wherein the pair of conductive contact members emerge from within and extend outside of the body at the second end section thereof, each conductive contact member presenting a return bend located outwardly proximal to the body second end section.

9. The adapter of claim 6, wherein each locking arm of the two or more cantilevered locking arms has a curved contact surface for engaging with the outer surface of the power cord receptacle upon the second end section of the body being inserted into the receptacle of the power cord, the contact surface including a series of separated ridges.

10. An electrical adapter comprising:

a body formed with a plug-type end having at least one opening, and a passageway extending within the body to the at least one opening of the plug-type end;

conductive contact structure extending at least partially within the passageway of the body to the at least one opening of the plug-type end; and

two or more cantilevered locking arms, each locking arm extending outwardly away from the body with a curvilinear shape and then back towards the body via a curved return bend to an end flange, and wherein a contact surface is presented by the end flange;

whereby upon inserting the plug-type end of the body within a receptacle of a power cord possessing conductive leads, each locking arm contact surface releasably engages with an outer surface of the power cord receptacle while the conductive contact structure electrically couples with the conductive leads of the power cord receptacle.

11. The adapter of claim 10, wherein the body is further formed with a socket-type end opposing the plug-type end for receiving therein the base plug of an object providing amusement effects, the conductive contact structure extending to the socket-type end to electrically couple the conductive leads of the power cord receptacle with conductive leads of the base plug of the object upon inserting the plug-type end of the body within the power cord receptacle and inserting the base plug of the object within the socket-type end of the body.

12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the two or more locking arms comprises a pair of locking arms positioned in opposition to one another about the body to form a clearance space between the respective locking arms at a rest position, the pair of locking arms being biased toward one another upon a separation force being applied to the locking arms to increase the dimension of the clearance space.

13. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the body is formed with an outer surface and a mounting seat circumscribing the outer surface, and wherein the two or more cantilevered locking arms are joined together at base portions thereof by a collar fitted onto the mounting seat of the body outer surface.

14. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the curved contact surface of each locking arm of the two or more cantilevered locking arms includes a series of separated ridges.

15. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the conductive contact structure includes a pair of conductive contact members emerging from within and extending outside of the body at the plug-type end thereof, each conductive contact member presenting a return bend located outwardly proximal to the plug-type end.

16. The adapter of claim 10, wherein the body has a portion formed as a base plug of an object providing amusement effects such that insertion of the plug-type end of the body within the power cord receptacle causes the conductive contact structure to electrically couple the power cord with the object.

17. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the two or more locking arms comprises a pair of locking arms positioned in opposition to one another about the body to form a clearance space between the respective locking arms at a rest position, the pair of locking arms being biased toward one another upon a separation force being applied to the locking arms to increase the dimension of the clearance space.

18. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the body is formed with an outer surface and a mounting seat circumscribing the outer surface, and wherein the two or more cantilevered locking arms are joined together at base portions thereof by a collar fitted onto the mounting seat of the body outer surface.

19. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the curved contact surface of each locking arm of the two or more cantilevered locking arms includes a series of separated ridges.

20. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the conductive contact structure includes a pair of conductive contact members emerging from within and extending outside of the body at the plug-type end thereof, each conductive contact member presenting a return bend located outwardly proximal to the plug-type end.

21. An electrical adapter comprising:

a body formed with a plug-type end having at least one opening, and a passageway extending within the body to the at least one opening of the plug-type end;

a pair of conductive contact members extending at least partially within the passageway of the body and emerging therefrom through the at least one opening of the plug-type end, each conductive contact member presenting a return bend located outwardly proximal to the plug-type end; and

two or more cantilevered locking arms each presenting a contact surface and adapted to be positioned generally adjacent to the plug type end;

whereby upon inserting the plug-type end of the body within a receptacle of a power cord possessing conductive leads, each locking arm contact surface releasably engages with an outer surface of the power cord receptacle while the pair of conductive contact members electrically couples with the conductive leads of the power cord receptacle.

22. The adapter of claim 21, wherein each locking arm of the two or more cantilevered locking arms extends outwardly away from the body with a curvilinear shape and then back towards the body via a curved return bend to an end flange, and wherein the contact surface is located on the end flange.

23. The adapter of claim 21, wherein the body is formed with an outer surface and a mounting seat circumscribing the outer surface, and wherein the two or more cantilevered locking arms are joined together at base portions thereof by a collar fitted onto the mounting seat of the body outer surface.