Electrical adapter system

• US 9,312,634 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2014
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC
• Original Assignee: Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC
• Inventors: Fullerton, Larry W., Roberts, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US14/258,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20140227896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 439/236, 439/39, 439/642, 439/1, 439/373, 439/375, 439/214, 315/291, 362/648, 362/249.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/22 for screw type base, e.g. for lamp

Abstract

An electrical system includes an electrical adapter and a stackable electrical adapter. The electrical adapter includes at least one of an electrical plug or an Edison screw base configured to receive a primary voltage, a voltage converter circuit configured to convert the primary voltage to the secondary voltage, and a first electrical connector part configured to be detachably coupled to a second electrical connector part of an electrical fixture configured to be powered by the secondary voltage. The stackable electrical adapter is configured to be powered by the secondary voltage, the first stackable electrical adapter having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The electrical adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the first side of the first stackable electrical adapter or to an electrical fixture using a two part electrical connector to provide the secondary voltage, a ground, and a data signal, the electrical fixture is configured to be powered by the secondary voltage, where the second side of the stackable electrical adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the electrical fixture or to be daisy-chained to a second stackable electrical adapter using the two part electrical connector to provide the secondary voltage, a ground, and a data signal, the second stackable electrical adapter being configured to be electrically connected to the electrical adapter and the electrical fixture and to be daisy-chained to the first stackable electrical adapter using the two part electrical connector to provide the secondary voltage, a ground, and a data signal.

Claims

1. A stackable electrical adapter, comprising:

one of a first electrical connector part that is located on a first side of said stackable electrical adapter, said first electrical connector part being configured to be detachably coupled to an electrical adapter, said electrical adapter comprising;

at least one of an electrical plug or an Edison screw base configured to receive a primary voltage from a primary voltage source; and

a voltage converter circuit configured to convert the primary voltage to a secondary voltage; and

one of a second electrical connector part that is located on a second side of said stackable electrical adapter that is opposite said first side, said second electrical connector part being configured to be detachably coupled to an electrical fixture configured to be powered by the secondary voltage, each of said first electrical connector part and said second electrical connector part comprising;

a first contact portion for providing a secondary voltage;

a second contact portion for providing a ground; and

a third contact portion for providing a data signal, said first, second, and third contact portions of each said first electrical connector part being configured to provide an electrical connection with said first, second, and third contact portions of each said second electrical connector part enabling daisy-chaining of multiple stackable electrical adapters.

2. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said primary voltage source is an electrical socket of an electrical outlet.

3. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises an audio input device.

4. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises an audio output device.

5. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a video input device.

6. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a video output device.

7. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a radar.

8. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises an environment sensor.

9. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a network communications device.

10. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a security sensor.

11. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a timer device.

12. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a remote control repeater device.

13. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said stackable electrical adapter comprises a rechargeable battery.

14. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein at least one of said stackable electrical adapter or said electrical fixture functions as part of one of a communication system, a tracking system, a security system, an environment control system, an environment monitoring system, a gaming system, an automation system, or a media delivery system.

15. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein at least one of said stackable electrical adapter or said electrical fixture comprises at least one of a transponder, a transmitter, a receiver, or an antenna.

16. The stackable electrical adapter of claim 1, wherein said electrical adapter conveys signals via a wiring infrastructure to which said electrical plug is interfaced.

17. An electrical adapter system, comprising:

an electrical adapter, comprising;

an electrical plug configured to receive a primary voltage from a primary voltage source;

a voltage converter circuit configured to convert the primary voltage to a secondary voltage; and

one of a first electrical connector part configured to be detachably coupled to one of a second electrical connector part of an electrical fixture configured to be powered by the secondary voltage; and

at least one stackable electrical adapter configured to be placed between said electrical adapter and said electrical fixture, each said stackable electrical adapter of said at least one stackable electrical adapter having one of said first electrical connector part that is located on a first side and having one of said second electrical connector part that is located on a second side that is opposite said first side, each said first electrical connector part and each said second electrical connector part comprising;

a first contact portion for providing said secondary voltage;

a second contact portion for providing a ground; and

a third contact portion for providing a data signal, said first, second, and third contact portions of each said first electrical connector part being configured to provide an electrical connection with said first, second, and third contact portions of each said second electrical connector part enabling daisy-chaining of multiple stackable electrical adapters between said electrical adapter and said electrical fixture.

18. The electrical adapter system of claim 17, wherein the primary voltage is greater than the secondary voltage.

19. The electrical adapter system of claim 17, wherein said electrical adapter further comprises another electrical socket that outputs a voltage based on the primary voltage.

20. The electrical adapter system of claim 17, wherein said electrical fixture comprises a light emitting diode lamp, wherein the voltage converter circuit enables variation of the secondary voltage to control brightness and power consumption of the light emitting diode lamp.