Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-06
2002-08-13
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
C174S059000, C174S053000, C191S01220R, C191S012400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06433274
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to power converters devices for converting one power level to another, and more particularly, to a converter and plug assembly for converting power for use with portable computers.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S Pat. No. 5,481,607 discloses a cord rewinder with a plug that connects to a jack on a telephone. The rewinder rewinds a cable that connects to the telephone handset.
U.S Pat. No. 4,138,177 discloses a power distribution system for furnishing power to vehicles from a fixed station. A power plug is connected to a cable that can be pulled from a wind-up reel. The reel includes contact switches that connect power from a fixed location to the rotating reel. The plug can be connected to an electric utility outlet to provide power to a vehicle and the like. When an ignition switch in the vehicle is operated, a solenoid boots the power plug and an electrically powered brake is released to rewind the power cable.
U.S Pat. No. 5,177,665 discloses a stand for supporting a portable computer on an automobile steering wheel. The stand has a connector for supplying power to the computer from the automobile power system. The above patents are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a recognition of a need for a power adapter for converting electrical power or other sources for use in portable computers and the like, while providing a separate wind up cable for each of the input and output plugs.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided an electrical power adapter. This adapter comprises an input plug with a first cable. An output plug has a second cable. A converter is provided for converting electrical power at the input plug to an output power at the output plug and retraction means are included for independently retracting the first and second cables.
In one aspect, the retraction means includes first and second reels, each for receiving a different cable.
In a further aspect, a housing is provided for containing the retraction means and the converter.
The input plug may include a body and means for accessing power in an automotive power outlet and a third plug for accessing power from an outlet different than the automotive outlet, the input and third plugs including means for releasably ohmically connecting each other to form a single plug.
The third plug may be an Em power plug / auto-air adapter secured to the input plug body.
The input plug in a further aspect has a longitudinal axis, the housing including support means for holding the input plug axis upright relative to gravity on a horizontal support.
The input plug in a still further aspect has a longitudinal axis, the housing including support means for holding the input plug axis horizontal relative to gravity on a horizontal support.
In a further aspect, the input plug includes a terminal pin, the housing including a slider arranged to releasably hold the pin and the input plug to the housing.
Preferably, the first and second reels are juxtaposed one over the other.
In a further aspect, at least one coupler is secured to the housing for coupling the first and second reels for independent rotation in response to a pulling force on the corresponding cable.
In a further aspect, a power converter adapter for use with an electrical power source of a given voltage and current comprises a housing; a first plug connected to a first cable for receiving the given voltage and current as an input and applying the input power to the first cable; a converter for converting the received input power on the first cable to an output electrical power having a voltage and current different from the first power source; a second cable for receiving output power from the converter and applying the received output power to an output plug for coupling the output power to an electrical apparatus; and a slider connected to the housing for releasably securing the first plug to the housing.
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Doss Jeffrey
Lord Charles
Adams Thomas L.
Estrada Angel R.
Mobility Electronic, Inc.
Reichard Dean A.
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