Power adapter with cable storage device

Abstract: A power adapter includes a body having an upper portion on which a first plug is formed for connection with a wall outlet and a lower portion defining a recess with an axle formed therein for rotatably supporting a reel. A lid is attached to the body for covering the recess. The reel includes a first disk and a second disk mounted together with a coil spring received therebetween. The coil spring biases the reel in a winding direction for winding a cable thereon. The cable has a first end extending through a central bore of the axle and electrically connected to the first plug and a second end extending beyond the body through an opening defined in the body. A second plug is formed on the second end for connection with an electrical device. The cable may be extended out of the body by being pulled in an unwinding direction against the coil spring. A locking slide is mounted on the body and movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking slide forms a pawl engageable with the cable when the slide is moved to the closed position thereby securing the cable in position.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a power adapter for connection between a wall outlet and an electrical device, such as a mobile phone and a notebook computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power adapter having a cable storage device for storage of a cable thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A portable electrical device is often powered by an internal power source, such as a battery set. The internal power source which is usually a rechargeable battery set requires recharging. Thus, a power adapter is used to connect the portable electrical device to an electrical main, such as a wall outlet, for recharging the internal power source or directly powering the portable electrical device. Figure 4 of the attached drawings shows a conventional power adapter. The power adapter comprises a body 100 on which an input plug 200 is formed for connection with a wall outlet (not shown). A cable or cord 300 having a first end electrically connected to the input plug 200 extends from the body 100 with a remote second end forms an output plug 400 for connection with a portable electrical device. A disadvantage of the conventional power adapter is that the cable 300 is completely located outside the body 100. This may cause problem to a user of the portable electrical device. The cable is often tied together by a rope or a rubber band. It is inconvenient to the user. Document PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 1999, No 03, 31 March 1999, & JP 10 341 538 A, 22 December 1998, discloses a power adapter according to the preamble of claim 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a power adapter having a cable storage device for advantageously storing an extension cable therein, the cable being readily and arbitrarily extendible for connection with an electrical device. To overcome the above problems there is provided a power adapter comprising the combination of features of claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a power adapter constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the power adapter of the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of the power adapter with a lid removed to show inside details; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a conventional power adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1 and 2, wherein a power adapter constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown, the power adapter comprises a body 1 having an upper portion on which a first plug 13 is formed for connection with for example a wall outlet (not shown) and a lower portion defining an interior space 11 covered by a removable lid 7. The lid 7 is attached to the body 1 by any know means, such as bolts 8 engageable with inner-threaded holes 14 formed in the interior space 11. A reel assembly is rotatably supported in the interior space 11 of the body 1 with a cable 300 wound thereon. The reel assembly comprises a first disk 5 and a second disk 3 coaxially mounted to each other for defining a space therebetween to receive a coil spring 4 for biasing the reel assembly in a winding direction. An axle 2 is mounted inside the interior space 11 and extends through central bores defined in the disks 5 and 3 for rotatably supporting the reel assembly. An inner end of the cable 300 extends through a central bore (not labeled) of the axle 2 for being electrically connected to the first plug 13. A portion of the cable 300 is wound between the disks 5 and 3 with an outer end of the cable 300 extending beyond the body 1 whereby when a user pulls the outer end of the cable 300, the reel assembly rotates in an unwinding direction against the coil spring 4 for extending the cable 300 as shown by phantom lines of Figure 1. A second plug 400 is mounted on the outer end of the cable 300 for connection to an electrical device whereby electrical power is supplied from the wall outlet through the cable 300 to the electrical device. When the cable 300 is released, the coil spring 4 which exerts a biasing force on the reel assembly in the winding direction forces the reel assembly to rotate in the winding direction thereby retracting the cable 300 into the interior space 11 of the body 1. Also referring to Figure 3, a race 12 is defined in the body 1 for receiving a slide 6 therein. The slide 6 is movable in the race 12 between a closed position and an open position. A projection 61 is formed on the slide 6 for facilitating manually moving the slide 6 in the race 12. An opening (not labeled) is defined in the body 1 through which the cable 300 extends. The opening is located next the race 12 whereby when the slide 6 is moved to the closed position, a pawl 62 formed on the slide 6 engages and thus fixes the cable 300 and when the slide 6 is moved to the open position, the cable 300 is released. To this point, it is understood that the present invention allows a user to arbitrarily extend the cable 300 by pulling the cable 300 against the coil spring 4 and to fix the cable 300 in position by using the slide 6. Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that a variety of modifications, variations and substitutions may be done without departing from the scope of the present invention that is intended to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims: A power adapter comprising a body (1) on which a first plug (13) is formed, the body (1) defining an interior space (11) with a reel rotatably supported therein, a cable (300) being wound around the reel and having a first end electrically connected to the first plug (13) and a second end extending beyond the body, a second plug (400) being formed on the second end of the cable (300), the reel being rotatable in a first direction to unwind the cable (300) therefrom, thereby allowing the cable (300) to extend outside the body (1) and rotatable in an opposite second direction to wind the cable (300) and thus retract the cable (300) into the body (1), biasing means being arranged between the reel and the body (1) for biasing the reel in the second direction, wherein an opening is defined in the body (1) for the extension of the cable (300) and locking means engages and fixes the cable (300) in position when the cable (300) is released out of the body (1), characterized in that said locking means is formed on the body (1) adjacent the opening and comprises a slide (6) movable between a closed position and an open position, the slide (6) having an end with a pawl (62) formed thereon for engaging the cable (300) when the slide (6) is moved to the closed position. The power adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing means comprises a coil spring (4).

Inventors: CHUNG YU-LIN, CHUNG, YU-LIN
Applicants: CHUNG YU-LIN, CHUNG, YU-LIN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H02G11
IPC codes: H01R13, H01R31, H02G11