Abstract:
A rotating plug adapter includes a housing including a top and bottom coupled to freely rotate about a rotary cap disposed between the housing top and bottom. Right and left electrical spades and an optional grounding post extend from the rotary cap, A receptacle, integral to the periphery of the housing, which accepts an electrical plug may be selectively oriented at a wall receptacle by rotating the adapter housing and receptacle to a desired orientation about an axis perpendicular to the wall. Internal flanges define grooves in which rotary electrical contacts are maintained through rotation of the housing and integral receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to both two blade and two blade with grounding post electrical plugs and adapters, i.e. three (3) prong adapters, and more particularly to rotating plug adapters. Conventional plug adapters and plugs typically extend in a one-way outward direction perpendicular to a wall receptacle. As a result, conventional plugs often obstruct the positioning of furniture, appliances and other items close to wall. 
         [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,921 to Chou teaches flat profile rotating electrical plugs suitable for narrow areas. Such plugs, however, require direct wiring to an electrical apparatus or appliance, and are therefore incompatible for enabling rotation of an existing plug at a wall receptacle. Similarly, known extension cords and power strips with rotating plugs require direct wiring to the plug that is plugged into the receptacle. 
         [0003]    A need therefore exists for a rotating plug adapter with an integral receptacle that does not require direct wiring to an electrical appliance. Further there is a need for a rotating adapter enabling conventional plugs to be rotatably oriented directly at a wall receptacle without an additional extension cord or power strip wired to a plug. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention answers these needs by providing in one embodiment an electrical plug adapter comprising a housing including a top, bottom and outer periphery, a cap rotatably mounted between the top and bottom of the housing, a first spade mounted in the cap, wherein the first spade includes a first spade rotary contact rotatably abutting a first housing rotary contact, a second spade mounted in the cap, wherein the second spade includes a second spade rotary contact rotatably abutting a second housing rotary contact, a grounding post mounted in the cap, wherein the grounding post includes a grounding rotary contact rotatably abutting a housing grounding rotary contact, a plug receptacle integral to the outer periphery of the housing and rotatable around the rotary cap, wherein the plug receptacle includes a first receptacle opening including a portion of the first housing rotary contact mounted therein, a second receptacle opening including a portion of the second housing rotary contact mounted therein, and a grounding post receptacle opening including a portion of the housing grounding rotary contact mounted therein. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment a rotary ratchet spring mounted between the top and bottom of the housing is provided to facilitate firm orientation of the integral plug receptacle once rotated to a desired position. In further embodiments, the rotary cap include a plurality of teeth and the ratchet spring includes one or more wings rotatable between a pair of teeth to lock the ratchet and housing with the plug receptacle facing a desired position. In further embodiments the rotary ratchet spring is integral to the housing grounding rotary contact. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments of the invention the housing of a rotatable plug adapter is flat and low profile. In such embodiments it is an object of the invention to allow existing conventional plugs to be oriented at a desired rotatable position in the adapter while improving the fit over perpendicular insertion of conventional plugs into conventional wall receptacles that obstruct furniture, appliances and other items that may be placed close to the wall receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a plug adapter in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an internal perspective assembly view of a housing top in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a plug adapter housing in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of plug adapter housing and integral receptacle in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an perspective view of a left spade and left spade rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an perspective view of right spade and right spade rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  an perspective view of a grounding post and grounding post rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an perspective view of a left spade housing rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an perspective view of a right spade housing rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is an perspective view of a housing grounding rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a rotating plug adapter engaged in a receptacle in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a rotating plug adapter in a second embodiment of the invention without a grounding contact. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a plug adapter in another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is an internal perspective assembly view of a housing top in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of a plug adapter housing in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of plug adapter housing and integral receptacle in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is an elevational view of a left spade and left spade rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is an elevational view of right spade and right spade rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is an elevational view a left spade housing rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is an elevational view a right spade housing rotary contact in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a rotating plug adapter engaged in a receptacle in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  is an exploded perspective view of a rotating plug adapter engaged in a receptacle in an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and figures wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout. Directional terms, such as left and right depend on one&#39;s point of view, and are intended to be non-limiting as such described components are reversible in alternative embodiments. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising”, or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted”, “connected”, and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0030]    In one described embodiment, the invention provides a flat profile rotating plug adapter. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention include rotating plug adapters with alternative sizes, shapes and profiles. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment the invention provides electrical contacts that includes metal conductors with sufficient cross section to carry a rated load of 20 amps. In other embodiments the invention and corresponding structures may be scaled to carry greater loads. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a rotating plug adapter in an embodiment of the invention generally includes a housing with a top  5  and bottom  10 , a rotatable receptacle  50  integral to an outer periphery of the housing, a rotary cap  15  and right spade  20 , left spade  25  and grounding post  28  mounted in the cap. Rotatable contact elements and grooves within the housing provide rotatable electrical connections between the receptacle  50  and plug portion of the adapter that includes spades  20  and  25  and grounding post  28 . 
         [0033]    The housing comprises a coupled top  5  and bottom  10  of insulative material. Rotary cap  15 , also of insulative material, is mounted in a cap opening  12  between housing top  5  and housing bottom  10 . The cap  5  is mounted to freely rotate within the cap opening  12  and the surrounding housing of the adapter plug. 
         [0034]    In an embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the cap includes left spade slot  16 , right spade slot  17  and ground post slot  18 . Spades  20  and  25  and post  28  are respectively mounted in slots  16 ,  17  and  18 . In other embodiments spades  20  and  20  and post  18  may be integrally mounted in cap  15 , such as insert molded directly in the cap  15 . 
         [0035]    With further reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , right spade  20  which is mounted in right spade slot  16 , includes a rotary contact  22 . In the described embodiment, rotary contact  22  is an annular segment contact portion with brushes integrally connected to the spade  20 . Left spade  25 , mounted in left opening  17 , includes a rotary contact  27 . In the described embodiment, rotary contact  27  is a post portion integrally connected to the spade  20 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , grounding post  28  is to be mounted in grounding slot  18 . Grounding post  28  includes a rotary contact  29 . The described embodiment grounding post rotary contact is a pair of projections integrally connected to grounding post  28 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , housing top  5  includes a central annular flange  102  having a radial slot  101  formed therein and defining a central groove  100 . A first concentric annular flange  107  having two radial slots  108  and  109  defines a first concentric annular groove  105 . A second concentric annular flange  112  with complementary radial slots  118  and  119  defines a second concentric annular groove  110 . Housing support gussets  114  are provided within annular grooves  105  and  110  to reinforce the concentric flanges and maintain desired positioning and separation of electrical contact elements. 
         [0038]    An integral receptacle  50  includes left blade opening  54 , right blade opening  52  and grounding post opening  56  which include respective grooves extending into the housing top  5 . It will be appreciated that the flanges, gussets, slots and grooves are constructed to ensure proper electrical contacts and to avoid unwanted electrical contacts. It should also be appreciated that depicted grooves and flanges are exemplary, and flanges may define other groove shapes that permit rotary motion of the plug adapter while maintaining proper electrical contacts between a plug in receptacle  50  and spades  20  and  25  and grounding post  28  engaged in a wall receptacle. 
         [0039]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , and further reference to  FIG. 8 , a left spade housing rotary contact  40  includes sleeve contact portion  42  and left plug blade contact portion  44 . Left blade housing rotary contact  40  is mounted with sleeve contact portion  42  in central groove  100  and left plug blade contact portion  44  extending through slots  101 ,  108  and  118  formed in flanges  102 ,  107  and  112  into a groove terminating at left blade opening  54 . Sleeve contact portion  42  rotatably abuts the post portion of rotary contact  27  of left spade  25  within central groove  100  providing electrical contact there between. 
         [0040]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  9  and further reference to  FIG. 12 , a right spade housing rotary contact  30  includes annular contact portion  32  and right plug blade contact portion  34 . Right blade housing rotary contact  30  is mounted with annular contact portion  32  in first concentric annular groove  107  and right plug blade contact portion  34  extending through slots  109  and  119  formed in flanges  107  and  112  into a groove terminating at right blade opening  52 . Annular contact portion  32  slidably abuts the annular segment portion of rotary contact  22  of right spade  20  within groove  105  providing electrical contact there between. 
         [0041]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , and further reference to  FIG. 10 , a housing grounding rotary contact  70  includes annular contact portion  22  and grounding post receptacle contact portion  73 . Housing grounding rotary contact  70  is mounted with annular contact portion  72  in second concentric annular groove  110  and grounding post receptacle contact portion  73  in the groove of grounding post receptacle opening  56 . Annular contact portion  72  slidably abuts the projections of rotary contact  29  of grounding post  28 . 
         [0042]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 10 , in other embodiments of the invention a rotary ratchet spring  74  is integral to housing grounding rotary contact  70  and mounted to avoid electrical contact with any contact portions between the top  5  and bottom  10  of the housing. Rotary ratchet spring  74  includes one or more ratchet wings  76  that engage ratchet teeth  65 , such as a saw tooth pattern, provided around the perimeter of rotary cap  65 . Spring loaded wings  76  engage teeth  65  as the housing is rotated about the rotary cap  15  with spades  20  and  25  and grounding post  28  in a wall receptacle. Rotary ratchet spring  74  enables the receptacle  50  to remain firmly oriented once the housing and receptacle  50  are rotated to a desired position. 
         [0043]    In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein like elements to those described above are denoted by a prime adjacent the reference numeral, housing grounding rotary contact  70 ′ includes annular contact portion  72 ′ and grounding post receptacle contact portion  73 ′. A plurality of compression springs  81  are mounted on posts on internal insulative rings  83  and  85  placed in grooves  105  and  110  and abut annular contact portions  32 ′ and  72 ′ to insure cooperative engagement with their respective rotary contacts  22 ′ and  29 ′. Further, a toothed ring  88  formed on cap  5 ′ cooperates with pawl  89  affixed to top  10  to maintain the plug in a selected position as in the previously discussed embodiment. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  11 , embodiments of the invention are shown for a plug adapter in which an integral plug receptacle  50  on the periphery of the adapter housing is rotatable through a rotation of 360 degrees. Rotary cap  15  with spades  20  and  25  and grounding post  28  engaged in a wall receptacle remains in fixed position, as the housing formed of the coupling of housing top  5  and housing bottom  10  are free to rotate about the unfixed rotary cap  15  and spades  20  and  25  and grounding post  28 . Receptacle  50  which engages a two blade and grounding post plug, such as from an electric appliance, is rotated to a desired position. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , a rotating plug adapter in another embodiment of the invention generally includes a housing with a top  5 ′ and bottom  10 ′, a rotatable receptacle  50 ′ integral to an outer periphery of the housing, a rotary cap  15 ′ and right spade  20 ′ and left spade  25 ′ mounted in the cap. Rotatable contact elements and grooves within the housing provide rotatable electrical connections between the receptacle  50 ′ and plug portion of the adapter that includes spades  20 ′ and  25 ′. 
         [0046]    The housing comprises a coupled top  5 ′ and bottom  10 ′ of insulative material. Rotary cap  15 ′, also of insulative material, is mounted in a cap opening  12 ′ between housing top  5 ′ and housing bottom  10 ′. The cap  15 ′ is mounted to freely rotate within the cap opening  12 ′ and the surrounding housing of the adapter plug. 
         [0047]    In an embodiment depicted in  FIG. 13 , the cap includes left spade slot  16 ′ and right spade slot  17 ′. In an alternative embodiment, spades  20 ′ and  25 ′ are mounted in slots  16 ′ and  17 ′. In other embodiments spades  20 ′ and  25 ′ may be integrally mounted in Cap  15 ′, such as insert molded directly in the cap  15 ′. 
         [0048]    With further reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , right spade  20 ′ is mounted in right spade slot  16 ′. Right spade  20 ′ includes a rotary contact  22 ′. In the described embodiment, rotary contact  22 ′ is an annular segment contact portion with brushes integrally connected to the spade  20 ′. Left spade  25 ′ is mounted in left opening  17 ′. Left spade  25 ′ includes a rotary contact  27 ′. In the described embodiment, rotary contact  27 ′ is a post portion integrally connected to the spade  25 ′. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  16 , housing top  5 ′ includes a central annular flange  102 ′ defining a central groove  100 ′. A first concentric annular flange  107 ′ defines a first concentric annular groove  105 ′. A second concentric annular flange  112 ′ defines a second concentric annular groove  110 ′. Housing support flanges  114 ′ are provided within annular groove  110 ′ to reinforce the concentric flanges and maintain desired positioning of electrical contact elements. 
         [0050]    An integral receptacle  50 ′ includes left blade opening  54 ′ and right blade opening  52 ′ which include respective grooves extending into the housing top  5 ′. It will be appreciated that the flanges and grooves are constructed to ensure proper electrical contacts and to avoid unwanted electrical contacts. It also be appreciated that depicted grooves and flanges are exemplary, and flanges may define other groove shapes that permit rotary motion of the plug adapter while maintaining proper electrical contacts between a plug in receptacle  50 ′ and spades  20 ′ and  25 ′ engaged in a wall receptacle. 
         [0051]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  16  and further reference to  FIG. 19 , a left spade housing rotary contact  40 ′ includes sleeve contact portion  42 ′ and left plug blade contact portion  44 ′. Left blade housing rotary contact  40 ′ is mounted with sleeve contact portion  42 ′ in central groove  100 ′ and left plug blade contact portion  44 ′ in the groove of left blade opening  54 ′. Annular contact portion  42 ′ rotatably abuts the post portion of rotary contact  27 ′ of left spade  25 ′ within sleeve contact portion  42 ′. 
         [0052]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  16  and further reference to  FIG. 10 , a right spade housing rotary contact  30 ′ includes annular contact portion  32 ′ and right plug blade contact portion  34 ′. Right blade housing rotary contact  30 ′ is mounted with annular contact portion  32 ′ in first concentric annular groove  107 ′ and right plug blade contact portion  34 ′ in the groove of right blade opening  52 ′. Annular contact portion  32 ′ rotatably abuts the annular segment portion of rotary contact  22 ′ of right spade  20 ′. 
         [0053]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14  in embodiments of the invention a rotary ratchet spring  60 ′ is mounted to avoid electrical contact with any contact portions between the top  5 ′ and bottom  10 ′ of the housing. Rotary ratchet spring  60 ′ includes one or more ratchet wings  62 ′ that engage ratchet teeth  65 ′, such as a saw tooth pattern, provided around the perimeter of rotary cap  15 ′. Spring loaded wings  62 ′ engage teeth  65 ′ as the housing is rotated about the rotary cap  15 ′ with spades  2 ′ and  25 ′ in a wall receptacle. Rotary ratchet spring  60 ′ enables the receptacle  50 ′ to remain firmly oriented once the housing and receptacle  50 ′ are rotated to a desired position. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , in one embodiment of the invention, housing top  5 ′ includes a grounding prong guard  55 ′ to restrict receptacle  50 ′ to receiving 2 blade plugs. Grounding prong guard  55 ′ is a hump formed in housing top  5 ′. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  22 , embodiments of the invention are shown for a plug adapter in which an integral plug receptacle  50 ′ on the periphery of the adapter housing is rotatable through a rotation of 360 degrees. Rotary cap  15 ′ with spades  20 ′ and  25 ′ engaged in a wall receptacle remains in fixed position, as the housing formed of the coupling of housing top  5 ′ and housing bottom  10 ′ are free to rotate about the unfixed rotary cap  15 ′ and spades  20 ′ and  25 ′. Receptacle  50 ′ which engages a two blade plug, such as from an electric appliance, is rotated to a desired position. 
         [0056]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principals and applications of the present invention. Accordingly, while the invention has been described with reference to the structures and processes disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may fall within the scope of the following claims.