Electrical connectors – Convertible by internal change to selectively cooperate with... – Coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-01
2001-06-26
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Convertible by internal change to selectively cooperate with...
Coupling part
C439S956000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250939
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to adapters with diversified plugs, more particularly, it relates to an adapter with diversified plugs and rectifying function, wherein a plurality of auxiliary pins, replaceable plug pins, and a circuit are added to become compatible with various AC power sockets for voltage transformation and current rectification so as to provide a power supply for electric appliance.
2. Description of the Related Art
As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, a conventional adapter (Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,123) contains a casing, wherein a plurality of plugging holes is arranged for accommodating a plurality of plug pins and conductive propping pins. The propping pins are used to prop and force the plug pins to penetrate through the plugging holes. A rear cover is jointed with one end of the casing so that one end of the propping pins can prop tightly against the rear cover while the other ends prop against the plug pins. A plurality of conductive members is disposed in the rear cover to contact with the conductive propping pins when the rear cover is closed to combine with the casing.
The abovesaid conventional adapter is designed to reduce the conversion problems between sockets of different specifications. However, such prior art adapters include the following drawbacks:
1. The foregoing adapter lacks the function of power rectification, transformation, and conversion even though it includes prepared diversified plug pins for replacement. To include such power functions, the user needs to carry with him/her an associated rectifier or voltage regulator.
2. The support strength is insufficient when the conductive members are depressed to prop against the conductive propping pins, hence, the conductive members are liable to get scratched or distorted, and further, as no positioning mechanism is available to limit the movement of the conductive propping pins, and short-circuits may be caused occasionally.
3. As the conductive members are directly coupled to a power cord of an electric appliance, the power cord may become partially stripped due to extensive rubbing or squeezing of the power cord and the cord may become ruptured eventually when the rear cover is repeatedly opened and closed for the replacement of different plug pins.
4. The bulky plug pins cannot be plugged deeply in a recessed wall socket. Although this may be improved by lengthening the plug pins, even after such modification, part of the plug pins will be exposed to the ambient air to increase the likelihood of shock and short circuits.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to provide a penetration-disposing portion defined by a partition portion for setting differently sized plug pins, auxiliary pins or conductive members, and a segregation piece disposed between a casing and a cover for storing another set of conductive members or plug pins to associate with various sockets in different designs and for easy replacement of the plug pins.
Another object of this invention is to arrange in a vacant lot of a cover with a circuit coupled to an external power cord, and two conductive units connected to the circuit and located correspondingly above a plurality of penetration-disposing portions for introduction of an external power source through a plurality of conductive members and the conductive units to reach the circuit, which may be, but not necessarily be, a voltage regulator, a rectifier, a voltage boosting circuit, or a voltage descending circuit for treatment of the power source and output of an optimum power supply to thereby build an adapter with diversified plugs for current rectification, voltage transformation, or conversion purpose.
Yet another object of this invention is to form a first snap-retaining section in an outer rim of a partition portion for buckling with an auxiliary pin or a snap-joint portion of a plug pin, a second snap-retaining section arranged on an inner rim of the auxiliary pin for buckling with the snap-joint portion of the plug pin, and a segregation piece and an insulation piece so as to limit the plug pin and the auxiliary pin in a casing and prevent a plug pin, which is not depressed by a conductive member, from exposing to the air to avoid any electric shock; in addition, the insulation piece can support the conductive member and protect a conductive unit against distortion.
For more detailed information regarding this invention together with further advantages or features thereof, at least an example of preferred embodiment will be elucidated below with reference to the annexed drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2032501 (1936-03-01), Reynolds
patent: 2989719 (1961-06-01), Aarlaht
patent: 4518212 (1985-05-01), Rumble
patent: 4611880 (1986-09-01), Petersen et al.
patent: 5159545 (1992-10-01), Lee
patent: 5613863 (1997-03-01), Klaus et al.
patent: 5684689 (1997-11-01), Hahn
patent: 5851123 (1998-12-01), Chou
patent: 5938459 (1999-08-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6086395 (2000-07-01), Lloyd et al.
Bacon & Thomas PLLC
Doverne J. F.
Sircus Brian
LandOfFree
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