Universal battery charger and/or power adaptor
First Claim
1. A universal power adapter comprising:
- a base havingconducting pins for electrical connection with respective conductors of an electrical power socket providing main electrical power,electrical terminals on a first side of the base, respectively corresponding to and respectively connected electrically to the corresponding pins on a second side of the base,a rotatable safety cover having openings and rotatable between a first position shielding the electrical terminals and a second position providing access to the electrical terminals through the openings, anda first rotational mechanical coupler on the base; and
an adapter body includinga second rotational mechanical coupler co-operating with and rotating relative to the first rotational mechanical coupler to secure the body to the base, the safety cover being rotated by the adapter body to the second position upon connection of the adapter body to the base,respective electrical contacts in the body and engaging corresponding electrical terminals of the base, when the adapter body and the base are secured to each other; and
a power converter module within the adapter body and converting electrical power at a first voltage and applied to the conducting pins to electrical power at a different, second voltage, different from the first voltage, output from the adapter body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A universal power adapter has a choice of configurations for use in different countries and with different items of electronic equipment. A plug base for pivot connection with the adapter body has conducting pins for connection with an electrical socket and corresponding electrical terminals connected electrically to the pins. A rotational safety cover is provided to shield the electrical terminals and avoid unintentional contact. The cover has openings permitting access to the terminals when the cover is rotated. The body has a lug for engaging the cover to rotate the cover when the body is secured rotatably to the base. A power cord extends from the body to a mating socket and detachable adaptor tips. A voltage selector switch for selecting voltage has a semi light transmissive indicator disk with a light beneath the disk indicating the selected output voltage and operational status of the adapter.
66 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A universal power adapter comprising:
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a base having conducting pins for electrical connection with respective conductors of an electrical power socket providing main electrical power, electrical terminals on a first side of the base, respectively corresponding to and respectively connected electrically to the corresponding pins on a second side of the base, a rotatable safety cover having openings and rotatable between a first position shielding the electrical terminals and a second position providing access to the electrical terminals through the openings, and a first rotational mechanical coupler on the base; and an adapter body including a second rotational mechanical coupler co-operating with and rotating relative to the first rotational mechanical coupler to secure the body to the base, the safety cover being rotated by the adapter body to the second position upon connection of the adapter body to the base, respective electrical contacts in the body and engaging corresponding electrical terminals of the base, when the adapter body and the base are secured to each other; and a power converter module within the adapter body and converting electrical power at a first voltage and applied to the conducting pins to electrical power at a different, second voltage, different from the first voltage, output from the adapter body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A base for a universal power adaptor having an adapter body with electrical contacts and a first rotational mechanical coupler therein for securing the adapter body to the base, the base comprising:
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respective conducting pins extending from a first side of the base for insertion into corresponding apertures of an electrical power socket providing main electrical power, respective electrical terminals located on a second side, opposite the first side, of the base and corresponding to and electrically connected to respective conducting pins, a rotatable safety cover having openings and rotatable between a first position shielding the electrical terminals and a second position providing access to the electrical terminals through the openings, a second rotational mechanical coupler co-operating with the first rotational mechanical coupler of the adapter body to secure the adapter body to the base with respective electrical contacts of the base engaging the corresponding electrical terminals of the adapter body, when the adapter body and the base are secured to each other, and a lock preventing rotation of the safety cover from the first position to the second position when the adapter body is not secured to the base, wherein the lock comprises an aperture in the safety cover and a resiliently deformable tab on the base which, when located within the aperture, prevents rotation of the safety cover.
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14. A universal power adapter for use with electrical appliances, the adapter comprising:
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a first connector body connectable with an electrical power system, a power cord extending from the first connector body to a remote end, remote from the first connector body, a mating socket connected to the power cord at the remote end of the power cord, and a detachable adaptor tip at the remote end of the power cord, wherein the mating socket comprises a second connector body attached to the remote end of the power cord and having pin sockets in an end opposite the power cord and a first indicator thereon, electrical terminals located in the pin sockets that are connected electrically to the first connector body via conductors in the power cord, and a locking collar rotatable located on the second connector body, the locking collar having a bayonet catch member on an internal wall and a second indicator for alignment with the first indicator; and the detachable adaptor tip comprises an adapter body having an electrical appliance connector at a first end and pin terminals at an opposite end for insertion into the pin sockets, wherein the electrical appliance connector is connected electrically to the pin terminals, and a locking lug on the adapter body that is engageable with the bayonet catch member upon rotation of the locking collar to detachably secure the adaptor tip to the mating socket. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification