Apparatus for and method of magnetically coupling standard electrical plugs

• US 8,251,705 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2011
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lance Sushin Nishihira, Thomas Sukei Nishihira
• Original Assignee: Lance Sushin Nishihira, Thomas Sukei Nishihira
• Inventors: Nishihira, Lance Sushin, Nishihira, Thomas Sukei
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Khiem
• Application Number:
  US13/085,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20110189864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 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. A method of using an adapter, wherein the adapter includes a wall-side component and a device-side component, comprising:

a. providing an attraction vicinity of the wall-side component;

b. positioning the device-side component within the attraction vicinity;

c. attracting the device-side component toward the wall-side component;

d. coupling the device-side component and the wall-side component, regardless of face orientation, wherein the device side component and wall side component comprise an N-ring and an L-ring arranged to make contact upon coupling of the device-side component and wall-side component, and

e. plugging an electrical plug of a device into the device-side component.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the device-side component comprises a male socket receptacle and a male socket opposite the male socket receptacle, the male socket comprising at least two concentric rings protruding from the receptacle, and wherein the wall-side component comprises a female socket plug and a female socket opposite the female socket plug, the female socket configured to mate with the male socket.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the device-side component comprises a piece capable of being attracted by magnets and the wall-side component comprises at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet attracts the piece capable of being attracted by magnets to guide the device-side component into the wall-side component.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising plugging the wall-side component into an electrical socket.

2. A method of manufacturing a device-side component of an adapter comprising:

providing a receptacle housing that includes an interface configured to receive an electrical plug;

providing a receptacle base that includes an interface configured to couple with a wall-side component;

coupling an N-receptacle to an N-ring via a first portion of apertures of the receptacle base, wherein the N-receptacle is positioned within the receptacle base and is configured to receive a first blade of the electrical plug, and a portion of the N-ring extends away and protrudes out from the bottom of the receptacle base;

coupling an L-receptacle to an L-ring via a second portion of apertures of the receptacle base, wherein the L-receptacle is positioned within the receptacle base and is configured to receive a first blade of the electrical plug, a portion of the L-ring extends away and protrudes out from a bottom of the receptacle base, and the L-ring and N-ring are concentric rings; and

coupling the receptacle base to the receptacle housing.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising, after the step of coupling an L-receptacle to an L-ring, threading a vertical prong of a ground receptacle through a center hole of the receptacle base.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising securing a presser to the receptacle base.

5. A method of manufacturing a wall-side component of an adapter comprising:

providing a socket housing that includes an interface configured to couple to a device-side component, wherein the interface comprises two recessed, concentric rings;

providing a plug base that includes an interface configured to plug into an electrical outlet;

coupling an L-plug to an L-conductor via af first vertical slot of the plug base, wherein the L-conductor is positioned within the plug base and is configured to contact an L-ring of the device-side component, a portion of the L-plug extends away from a bottom of the plug base, and the portion of the L-plug is configured to insert into a first slot of the electrical outlet;

coupling an N-plug to an N-conductor via a second vertical slot of the plug of the plug base, wherein the N-conductor is positioned within the plug base and is configured to contact an N-ring of the device-side component, a portion of the N-plug extends away from the bottom of the plug base, and the portion of the N-plug is configured to insert into a second slot of the electrical outlet; and

coupling the plug base to the socket housing.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising, before the step of coupling an N-plug to an N-conductor, positioning a plurality of magnets within the socket housing and coupling an insulator within the socket housing.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of positioning the plurality of magnets includes alternating the placement of each magnet based on polarity.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising, after the positioning a plurality of magnets within the socket housing, coupling an enhanced ring within the socket housing.