US5613863A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power transformer
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-18
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Granted: 1997-03-25
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Expires: 2015-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A universal power transformer (101) is for connection to an AC power source and produces a regulated DC voltage at an output thereof. The power transformer includes a power transformer housing (102) with a recess (114). A universal power converter circuit (313) is positioned in the housing. Connector prongs (108, 110) are electrically coupled to the circuit and are movably carried on the housing at a position adjacent the recess. The prongs move between an outwardly extending position, projecting from the housing for connection to a first type of power supply connector, and a retracted position, extending into the recess for storage during transport of the power transformer and for connection to an adapter (103-106) positioned in the recess, to connect to a second type of power supply connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Klaus
- 👤 Stephen J. Milligan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R31/00; H01R31/06; H01R27/00; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/665; H01R13/6675
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
In combination, a universal power transformer and an adapter, the adapter comprising a housing and connectors for connection to a second type of power supply; and the universal power transformer comprising a transformer housing including a recess for receipt of at least a portion of the adapter, a power converter circuit positioned in the housing, at least one prong movably carried on the housing at a position proximate to the recess to move between an outwardly extending position, projecting from the housing for connection to a first type of power supply connector, and a retracted position, extending into the recess for storage during transport of the power transformer and to connect to the adapter partially received in the recess, the at least one prong connected to a pivoting mechanism, such that the at least one prong pivots between the outwardly extending position and the retracted position, and at least one contact positioned in the transformer housing adjacent a proximal end of the at least one prong to contact the at least one prong in both the retracted position and the outwardly extending position, the at least one contact electrically coupling the at least one prong to the power converter circuit in both the outwardly extending position and the retracted position of the at least one prong.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
In combination, a universal power transformer and an adapter, the adapter comprising a housing and connectors for connection to a second type of power supply; and the universal power transformer comprising a transformer housing including a recess for receipt of at least a portion of the adapter, a power converter circuit positioned in the housing, at least one prong movably carried on the housing at a position proximate to the recess to move between an outwardly extending position, projecting from the housing for connection to a first type of power supply connector, and a retracted position, extending into the recess for storage during transport of the power transformer and to connect to the adapter partially received in the recess, the at least one prong connected to a pivoting mechanism, such that the at least one prong pivots between the outwardly extending position and the retracted position, and at least one contact positioned in the transformer housing adjacent a proximal end of the at least one prong to contact the at least one prong in both the retracted position and the outwardly extending position, the at least one contact electrically coupling the at least one prong to the power converter circuit in both the outwardly extending position and the retracted position of the at least one prong.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the recess is a groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, further including an indexing mechanism for confirming and holding the position of the at least one prong at the retracted position and at the outwardly extending position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the indexing mechanism comprises a detent in the at least one contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the recess includes a complementary latch mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The universal power transformer as defined in claim 5, further including the adapter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the adapter includes a latch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination as defined in claim 7, wherein the adapter includes a housing and the latch is intergral to the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the adapter includes prongs for connection to the second type of connector and contacts for connection to the prongs positioned in the recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
In combination, a universal power transformer and an adapter, the power transformer, including a housing including a recess, power converter circuit positioned in the housing, connector prongs movably carried on the housing at a position adjacent the recess to move between an extended position projecting outwardly from the housing for connection to a first type of power supply connector and a collapsed position extending into the recess, the connector prongs connected to a pivoting mechanism, such that the connector prongs pivot between the extended position and the collapsed position, and contacts positioned to contact the prongs in both the collapsed position and the extended position, the contacts coupled to the power converter circuit whereby the prongs are coupled to the power converter circuit; and at least one adapter including an adapter housing adapted to be positioned in the recess, adapter prongs carried on the adapter housing, the adapter prongs adapted to mate with a second type of power supply connector, and the adapter prongs electrically coupling to the connector prongs in the collapsed position when the adapter housing is inserted into the recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
183 words
In combination, a universal power transformer and an adapter, the power transformer, including a housing including a recess, power converter circuit positioned in the housing, connector prongs movably carried on the housing at a position adjacent the recess to move between an extended position projecting outwardly from the housing for connection to a first type of power supply connector and a collapsed position extending into the recess, the connector prongs connected to a pivoting mechanism, such that the connector prongs pivot between the extended position and the collapsed position, and contacts positioned to contact the prongs in both the collapsed position and the extended position, the contacts coupled to the power converter circuit whereby the prongs are coupled to the power converter circuit; and at least one adapter including an adapter housing adapted to be positioned in the recess, adapter prongs carried on the adapter housing, the adapter prongs adapted to mate with a second type of power supply connector, and the adapter prongs electrically coupling to the connector prongs in the collapsed position when the adapter housing is inserted into the recess.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as defined in claim 10, wherein the recess is a groove and the adapter housing includes a base complementary to the groove.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as defined in claim 10, further including an indexing mechanism for confirming and holding the postition of the connector prongs at the extended position and the collapsed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination as defined claim 12, wherein the indexing mechanism is a detent integrally formed in the contacts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as defined in claim 10, wherein the recess includes a complementary latch mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein the adapter includes a latch mating with the complementary latch mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as defined in claim 15, wherein the adapter includes a housing and the latch is integral to the adapter housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination as defined in claim 10 further including a plurality of adapters, each of which is mateable with a different type of wall outlet, and each of which is adapted to be connected to the power transformer upon positioning in the recess.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-09-23 | 2001-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-24 | 2004-09-23 | 2005-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |