The present invention relates to electrical adapters and more

particularly to electrical adapters of the type having a plurality of input plugs adapted to produce a standard electrical output based on any one of a number of different electrical inputs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the emergence of global travel as a daily occurrence, there are many occasions when an electrically-operated device, such as a battery charger, is required to operate with different input sources. For instance, the United States standard is 120 Volts AC, 60Hz frequency, whereas the European standard is 220 Volts AC, 50Hz frequency. There are different mechanical plug configurations for these standards as well. However, in many cases, the output signal requirement does not change. For example, a constant voltage or constant current output is required to operate some battery charging devices . The problem lies in that a battery charging device designed for use in the United States uses 120 Volts, 60 Hz AC as the input and the outlet plug conforms to a U. S. standard configuration. When the same power converter is taken to Europe, it must then operate from a 220 Volts, 50 Hz AC outlet that requires a European standard plug cronfiguration.

Some modern electrical devices are designed and built with differing standards in mind and usually have a switch incorporated into the device to enable the user to choose the appropriate input. In this case, the user still needs an external iadapter to meet the plug configuration requirement for different countries. Thus, for the example above, the external adapter would be a U.S. standard female receptacle to a European standard plug.

However, if the particular device did not have a built-in voltage conversion feature, the user would then be required to purchase a separate input converter, including the proper plug, designed for that particular input. Either of these options creates an added burden on the user in terms of inconvenience in having to carry extra

accessories. In addition, there would be an added cost burden where these components have not been supplied by the manufacturer of the product .

There is an advantage to an electrical adapter which incorporates

two or more plugs corresponding to standard plug configurations in popular destinations. For instance, one adapter could include both an American standard plug and a European standard plug. When the adapter is not in use or packed for transport, the plugs move or swivel into their storage position in a cavity within the body of the adapter. In the storage position, the plugs are unobtrusive and not electrically connected to the circuitry of the adapter. When operation of the

adapter is needed, the user swivels the appropriate plug out of its recess into the operational position and inserts the plug in the electrical receptacle. In the operational position, the plug is

electrically connected to the circuitry of the adapter, and that adapter produces a standard electrical output, irrespective of the particular electrical input.

While multiple plugs may satisfy standard plug configurations of

different countries, the electrical input must also he adjusted or converted to provide the proper electrical output. For example, consider an AC/DC power converter designed for a 6 VDC output using a 120 VAC input. If this converter was used in Europe, the 220 VAC standard voltage would need to be stepped down to 120 VAC to maintain the same 6 VDC output. Thus, in conjunction with multiple plugs, the device must also have the capability of adjusting the input source to a predefined output. As previously mentioned, some modern electrical devices have an incorporated switch that enables the user to choose the appropriate input. This switch,- for example, directs the input AC voltage to circuitry designed to operate at that voltage. However, manual operation of this switch is still a detail which may be overlooked by the user and may result in serious damage to the device. Therefore, a further advantage could be gained if the adapter had the capability of automatically determining the appropriate input.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention entails an electrical adapter for converting any one of a plurality of electric input signals (voltage, current, etc.) to a single electrical output. ¹ Specifically, the adapter is capable, at any one time, of receiving any one of several different electrical inputs and producing one electrical output irrespective of the electrical input.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical adapter

is provided with a plurality of input plugs, each input plug specifically configured to be compatible with a different standard power outlet. Each plug is matched with an electrical conversion circuit that is operative to convert a certain electrical input, such

as an AC voltage, to a standard electrical output, such as a DC voltage. The input plugs are ovably mounted and move between operative and inoperative positions. In an operative position, a circuit is completed between the input plug and the matched conversion

circuit. The conversion circuit is designed to produce a standard electrical output that is a function of the electrical input. In all cases, the final electrical output is standard irrespective of the electrical input. Thus, in the case of an AC/DC converter application, the adapter of the present invention is capable of being connected via the input plugs to either a 220 VAC source or a 120 VAC source and yet, produce one standard 6 VDC voltage output.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a

multiplug electrical device that is capable of producing a standard electrical output signal in response to different electrical inputs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiplug electrical adapter wherein the plugs are specifically configured to be compatible with different power outlets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical adapter of the character referred to above wherein the multiple plugs are rotatively mounted and move back and forth between operative and inoperative positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical adapter of the character referred to above that is

completely self-contained and which is compatible with a plurality of

different electrical inputs without the need for additional adapters, plugs, etc.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative of such invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electrical adapter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational sectional view of the electrical adapter of the present invention taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 except that both plugs are shown in the inoperative position.

Figure 4 is a top elevational view of the electrical adapter of the present invention with a portion of the outer housing cut-away to better illustrate the adapter.

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative design for the electrical adapter of the present invention and further shows the electrical adapter being used as a battery charger for a portable telephone.

Figure 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating the basic components and operation of the electrical adapter of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With further reference to the drawings, particularly Figures 1-3, the electrical adapter of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral 10. Electrical adapter 10 comprises a housing structure 12 including a front 14, a back 16, and a plurality of side edges 18. Formed in the front 14 of the housing structure 12 is one or more recesses 20.

Disposed in the recess 20 is a pair of swivel plugs, sometimes referred to as input plugs, indicated generally by the numerals 22 and 24. Each swivel plug 22 and 24 is specifically configured to connect with a certain or standard electrical input. Note that the

configuration of each plug is different, one plug being adapted to

connect to one type or form of electrical input and the other plug being adapted to connect to another type or form of electrical input .

As seen in the drawings, plug 22 includes a pair of prongs 25 and a pair of rotary bases 27. Plug 24 includes a different pair of

prongs 29 and a pair of rotary bases 31. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5, the respective swivel plugs 22 and 24 are each rotatively mounted about a transverse shaft 19. Each swivel plug is rotatively mounted for movement between an operative position (the position assumed by swivel plug 22 in Figure 2) and an inoperative position (the position assumed by swivel plug 24 in Figure 2) . While in the embodiment illustrated, the plugs 22 and 24 rotate

between operative and inoperative positions, it should be pointed out

that the plugs could move in other ways. For example, the plugs could slide back and forth between operative and in operative positions.

In the operative position, each swivel plug 22, 24 projects outwardly from the recess 20. In the inoperative position, each swivel plug 22, 24 assumes a position within the recess 20. As illustrated in Figure 4, the swivel plugs 22 and 24 are offset with respect to each other so as to make the electrical adapter 10 more compact. However, it is appreciated that the swivel plugs could be arranged or disposed in numerous other configurations (See for example, Figure 5) . It is also understood that the swivel plugs and

their respective axes of rotations could be designed such that only one plug at a time could assume an operative position.

Secured about the rotary bases 27, 31 of each swivel plug 22, 24

is a pair of spaced apart connectors or contacts 26. As will be appreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure, the respective connectors 26 enable the swivel plugs 22, 24 to make electrical connections with conversion circuits of the adapter 10.

Disposed within the housing structure 12 adjacent the swivel plugs 22 and 24 is a printed circuit board 28. Printed circuit board 28 includes a plurality of electrical conversion circuits 28a and 28b (Figure 6) . The conversion circuits 28a and 28b are independent of each other, or they may share components. The purpose of each

electrical conversion circuit 28a and 28b is to convert a standard electrical input to a predetermined electrical output. Details of the electrical conversion circuits 28a and 28b are not dealt with in detail because such is not material per se to the present invention and such electrical conversion circuits are well-known and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

A pair of spring contacts 30 are secured across each electrical

conversion circuit 28a, 28b and extend from the printed circuit board 28. Each pair of spring contacts 30 is designed to mate and connect with a pair of the connectors 26 associated with each swivel plug 22 and 24. The spring contacts 30 include terminal ends that terminate

adjacent the rotary bases 27, 31 of the swivel plugs 22 and 24. The terminal ends of the spring contacts 30 are spaced such that as the swivel plugs 22, 24 are rotated into the operative position, the connectors 26 carried by the swivel plugs 22, 24 will rotate into engagement and contact with the spring contacts 30. This effectively completes or closes a circuit between a respective swivel plugs 22, 24 and a particular electrical conversion circuit 28a or 28b. It should be appreciated that the connectors 26 and the spring contacts 30 could be interchangeable with each other.

Both electrical conversion circuits 28a and 28b produce an electrical output that is directed from the printed circuit board 28 to an output terminal 32. The form of output terminal 32 may vary

depending upon application. In the way of examples, the output could

assume the form of battery charger contacts (see Figure 5), a cord, or a hardwired device, etc. In the case of the adapter shown in Figures 1-4, the output terminal 32 assumes the form of a coaxial pin terminal .

It is important to appreciate that each electrical conversion circuit 28a or 28b is designed to convert a specific electrical input to a standard or constant electrical output. In the way of an example, assume that the electrical adapter is designed to be compatible with both a 120 VAC source and a 220 VAC source and to produce from either source a standard output of 6 VDC. In this case,

one electrical conversion circuit would be designed to convert the 120 VAC input to the standard output of 6 VDC while the other electrical conversion circuit would be designed to convert the 220 VAC to the standard 6 VDC output. In this example, the respective AC voltage sources are typically available only through a specially configured outlet. Accordingly, each swivel plug 22 or 24, would be specifically configured to be compatible or connectable with only one of the AC voltage sources.

With reference to the schematic illustration shown in Figure 6, note that the electrical inputs I ₃ and l ₂ are each directed through a particular swivel plug 22 or 24 to a particular matched electrical conversion circuit 28a or 28b formed on the printed circuit board 28.

For any different electrical input, the electrical output produced is the same. Again, this is because the respective electrical conversion circuits formed on the printed circuit board are particularly designed to convert a standard or pre-selected electrical input to a predetermined electrical output .

Now, turning to Figure 5, the electrical adapter 10 is slightly

modified with respect to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-4. In particular, the electrical adapter 10 shown in Figure 5 assumes the form of a battery charger. As seen in Figure 5, the electrical adapter 10 includes a base 40 that extends from the lower back portion of the adapter 10 and forms a support or cradle for receiving a

radiotelephone indicated generally by the numeral 50. Radiotelephone 50 includes a battery 52 that has a pair of battery terminals 54 that

mate with output terminals 32 formed in the base 40 of the battery charger.

As described in the case of the embodiment of Figures 1-4, the battery charger embodiment of Figure 5 depicts a design having a pair

of swivel plugs 22 and 24, with each swivel plug being adapted to connect to a different electrical input, such as a distinct voltage source. In the operative, extended position, each swivel plug 22, 24 completes or closes a circuit between an electrical input and a particular conversion circuit 28a or 28b formed on the printed circuit board 28. The conversion circuit once again converts the electrical input to a predefined electrical output. Again, the respective electrical conversion circuits are particularly matched with

preselected electrical inputs to assure that the electrical output is the same irrespective of which predetermined electrical input is connected to the adapter or charger 10.

From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that the adapter 10 of the present invention is useful and capable of providing a predefined electrical output for any one of a plurality of preselected electrical inputs. Swivel plugs specifically configured for the pre¬ selected electrical inputs are integrally formed in the adapter itself. Thus, in the case of U.S. and European standard sources for

example, no additional plugs or adapters are needed to produce a predefined output . This makes the adapter of the present invention convenient, easy to use and functional.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without parting from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended Claims are intended to be embraced therein.