Patent ID: 6354882
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B60N,H01R

Abstract:
An adaptable plug designed to be inserted into a power supply receptacle having one of a plurality of conventional diameters and one of a plurality of conventional depths, the receptacle being closed on a first end by a bottom wall having a first power terminal, and open on a second end having an opening edge, the receptacle further including a tubular shaped inner wall extending in a longitudinal direction from the bottom wall to the opening edge and having a second power terminal, said plug comprising:a grip member; a ring member having a top surface coupled to the grip member and a diameter greater than an inside diameter of the receptacle, such that a bottom surface of the ring member rests against the opening edge when the plug is fully inserted into the receptacle; and an insertion member coupled to the bottom surface of the ring member and having a length approximately equal to a shallowest of the conventional depths, said insertion member including a first contact having a flange at one and and movable within in a cavity in the insertion member, a portion of the first contact opposite the flange being extendable from a contact opening in an end of the insertion member opposite the ring member, such that the extendable portion of the first contact is in contact with the first power terminal when the plug is fully inserted into the receptacle; and an adaptation member disposed between the first contact of the insertion member and the ring member having adaptation means for providing an electrical connection with the second power terminal and for removably coupling the plug to the inner wall of the receptacle, said adaptation means being essentially U-shaped in cross section and extending in a longitudinal direction along said adaptation member, the adaptation means comprising a base and a plurality of legs extending from respective opposite sides of the base, the legs being adapted to couple the adaptation means to said adaptation member by gripping around said adaptation member, wherein edges disposed between said legs and the base form at least two connection areas to be brought into contact to the second power terminal for supplying power to said adaptable plug.