Apparatus for and method of magnetically coupling standard electrical plugs

• US 8,105,091 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lance Sushin Nishihira
• Original Assignee: Lance Sushin Nishihira
• Inventors: Nishihira, Lance Sushin, Nishihira, Thomas Sukei
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US12/637,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20100159713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 439/18, 439/23, 439/38, 439/39, 439/540.1, 439/717, 439/928
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88
• 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: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An adapter includes a device-side component and a wall-side component. The device-side component has a male socket receptacle to receive an electrical plug and a male socket opposite the male socket receptacle. The wall-side component has a female socket plug to insert into an electrical outlet and a female socket opposite the female socket plug. The male socket is configured to interface with the female socket, regardless of orientation of the male socket with respect to the female socket.

Claims

1. An adapter comprising a non-orientation dependent pair of connectors, wherein the connectors include:

a. a first connector including;

i. a male socket receptacle; and

ii. a male socket opposite the male socket receptacle, the male socket comprising at least two concentric rings protruding from the first connector; and

b. a second connector including;

i. a female socket plug; and

ii. a female socket opposite the female socket plug, the female socket configured to mate with the male socket.

2. An adapter comprising orientation independent connectors, wherein the connectors are magnetically attractive, wherein the connectors include:

a. a first connector configured to couple with an electronic device, the first connector comprising a first interface, the first interface including a plurality of protruding rings; and

b. a second connector configured to couple with an electrical outlet, the second connector comprising a second interface, wherein the first interface and the second face are pulled together and mate when the first connector is within an attraction vicinity of the second connector.

3. An adapter comprising:

a. a first removable component comprising;

i. a piece capable of being attracted by magnets; and

ii. a first removable component interface with a radial design including a plurality of rings; and

b. a second removable component comprising;

i. at least one magnet;

ii. a second removable component interface to receive the plurality of rings,

wherein the at least one magnet attracts the piece capable of being attracted by magnets to guide the first removable component into the second removable component, regardless of how the first removable component interface is oriented with respect to the second removable component interface.

4. An adapter comprising:

a. a device-side component including;

i. a first device face configured to receive an electrical plug;

ii. a second device face opposite the first device face;

iii. an L-receptacle configured to receive a first prong of the electrical plug;

iv. an L-ring abutting the L-receptacle, wherein a portion of the L-ring protrudes from the second device face;

v. an N-receptacle configured to receive a second prong of the electrical plug; and

vi. an N-ring abutting the N-receptacle, wherein a portion of the N-ring protrudes from the second device face; and

b. a wall-side component including;

i. a first wall face configured to insert into an electrical outlet;

ii. a second wall face opposite the first wall face, wherein the second wall face is configured to mate with the second device face, regardless of orientation of the second device face with respect to the second wall face;

iii. an L-conductor configured to contact the portion of the L-ring protruding from the second device face;

iv. an L-plug coupled to the L-conductor, wherein a portion of the L-plug is configured to insert into a first slot of the electrical outlet;

v. an N-conductor configured to contact the portion of the N-ring protruding from the second device face; and

vi. an N-plug coupled to the N-conductor, wherein a portion of the N-plug is configured to insert into a second slot of the electrical outlet.

5. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the device-side component further comprises a ground receptacle configured to receive a third prong of the electrical plug.

6. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the device-side component further comprises a ring capable of being attracted by at least one magnet.

7. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the device-side component further comprises at least one magnet.

8. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the wall-side component further comprises a ground plug configured to receive a ground receptacle, wherein a portion of the ground plug is configured to insert into a hole of the electrical outlet.

9. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the wall-side component further comprises a grounding wire.

10. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the wall-side component further comprises at least one magnet.

11. A device-side component of an adapter comprising:

a. a receptacle housing including an interface to receive an electrical plug;

b. a receptacle base coupled to the receptacle housing, wherein the receptacle base includes an interface to couple with a wall-side component;

c. an L-receptacle configured to receive a first blade of the electrical plug;

d. an L-ring coupled to the L-receptacle, wherein a portion of the L-ring extends away from a bottom of the receptacle base;

e. an N-receptacle configured to receive a second blade of the electrical plug; and

f. an N-ring coupled to the N-receptacle, wherein a portion of the N-ring extends away from the bottom of the receptacle base, wherein the L-ring and N-ring are concentric rings.

12. The device-side component of claim 11 further comprising a ground receptacle configured to receive a ground prong of the electrical plug, wherein a portion of the ground receptacle extends through and away from the receptacle base.

13. The device-side component of claim 11 further comprising a presser.

14. The device-side component of claim 11 further comprising an element capable of being attracted by a magnet, wherein the element is coupled to the bottom of the receptacle base.

15. The device-side component of claim 11 wherein the device-side component is formed as part of an electrical device.

16. A wall-side component of an adapter comprising:

a. a socket housing including an interface to couple to a device-side component, wherein the interface comprises two recessed, concentric rings;

b. a plug base coupled to the socket housing, wherein the plug base includes an interface to plug into an electrical outlet;

c. an L-conductor configured to contact an L-ring of the device-side component;

d. an L-plug coupled to the L-conductor, wherein a portion of the L-plug extends away from a bottom of the plug base, wherein the portion of the L-plug is configured to insert into a first slot of the electrical outlet;

e. an N-conductor configured to contact an N-ring of the device-side component; and

f. an N-plug coupled to the N-conductor, wherein a portion of the N-plug extends away from the bottom of the plug base, wherein the portion of the N-plug is configured to insert into a second slot of the electrical outlet.

17. The wall-side component of claim 16 further comprising at least one magnet positioned within the socket housing.

18. The wall-side component of claim 17 further comprising an enhanced ring sized and adapted to fit within the socket housing.

19. The wall-side component of claim 17 further comprising an insulator sized and adapted to fit within the socket housing.

20. The wall-side component of claim 16 further comprising a ground plug configured to receive a ground receptacle of a device-side component, wherein a portion of the ground plug is configured to insert into a third slot of the electrical outlet.

21. The wall-side component of claim 16 further comprising a grounding wire.

22. The wall-side component of claim 16 wherein the wall-side component is formed as part of an electrical outlet.