Abstract:
A power supply device ( 10 ) includes a base ( 20 ) and a plug ( 30 ). The base includes a top wall ( 22 ), and a recessed portion ( 24 ) defined in the top wall. The plug is accommodated in the recessed portion, and is rotatable to different angles relative to the base according to corresponding requirements.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains to power supply devices, and particularly to a power supply device with a rotatable plug. 
   DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
   Electronic apparatuses, such as access points, mobile phones, notebooks, and so on, are becoming ever more popular. Each of the electronic apparatuses needs a power supply device to supply power thereto, and thus the power supply device is a necessary unit. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , an isometric view of a conventional power supply device  50  is shown. The power supply device  50  comprises a case  52  and a plug  54  coupled to the case  52 . The plug  54  comprises a pair of lead terminals  540 , a pair of first contact portions  544 , and a pair of cams  542  protruding from opposite sides of a back portion thereof. The lead terminals  540  can be inserted into sockets of a receptacle (not shown). The plug  54  pivots with respect to the case  52  via the cams  542 . The case  52  comprises a pair of second contact portions  520  electrically connected to the first contact portions  544 , and a receiving space  624  for receiving the plug  54 . 
   The plug  54 , however, may be easily displaced or disengaged from the case  62  when using the power supply device  50 . When the plug  54  is forcibly detached from the receiving space  524  of the case  52  during use, lead terminals  540  of the plug  54  may still remain in the receptacle. When this happens, the first contact portions  544  of the plug  54  may shock a user when the user disengages the plug  54  from the receptacle and accidentally touches the first contact portions  544 . In addition, since the plug  54  is in a fixed orientation with respect to the receptacle once the power supply device  50  is plugged into the receptacle, there is no remedy if the power supply device  50  blocks other nearby sockets. 
   Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   In an exemplary embodiment, a power supply device comprises a base and a plug. The base comprises a top wall, and a recessed portion defined in the top wall. The plug is accommodated in the recessed portion, and is rotatable to different angles relative to the base according to corresponding requirements. 

   
     Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a power supply device of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the power supply device includes a base and a plug; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged, inverted, isometric view of the plug of the power supply device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an assembled view of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a base of a power supply device in accordance with an alternative embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a power supply device in accordance with an alternative embodiment, the power supply device includes a base and a plug; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged, inverted, isometric view of the plug of the power supply device of  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded, isometric view of a conventional power supply device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a power supply device  10  of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a base  20  and a plug  30 . Note that the power supply device  10  of the invention can be a stand-alone product or a part of another electronic device. 
   The base  20  comprises a top wall  22 . A circular recessed portion  24  is formed by a bottom wall and a sidewall in an end portion of the top wall  22 . Four conducting contacts  240  protrude from the bottom wall of the recessed portion  24 . Two of the conducting contacts  240  are aligned along a first axis, and the other two conducting contacts  240  are aligned along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Four locating portions  248  are respectively formed between every two adjacent conducting contacts  240 . A locating protrusion  246  projects from each locating portion  248 . The base  20  further comprises a rectangular fixing portion  26  in communication with the recessed portion  24 , and a fixing member  28  slideably received in the fixing portion  26 . The fixing member  28  comprises a controlling portion  282  and a holding portion  284 . The controlling portion  282  protrudes from a middle portion of the holding portion  284 , for controlling the holding portion  284  to slide in the fixing portion  26 . The holding portion  284  defines a receiving groove  286  in communication with the recessed portion  24  in an end portion thereof. An overhanging portion  244  protrudes from an upper portion of the sidewall of the recessed portion  24 , opposite to the fixing portion  26 . 
   Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the plug  30  is rotatably received in the recessed portion  24 . The plug  30  comprises a circular main body  32 , and a pair of terminals  34  generally disposed on the main body  32 . The terminals  34  can be electrically connected to a receptacle having a plurality of sockets (not shown). The main body  32  comprises a top portion  322  and a bottom portion  324 . A radius of the bottom portion  324  is greater than that of the top portion  322 , thereby a circular skirt  326  is formed at a periphery of the bottom portion  324 . The bottom portion  324  comprises four circular receiving slots  328  corresponding to the locating protrusions  246  of the base  20 , and a pair of contact portions  320  projecting therefrom. The locating protrusions  246  of the base  20  are received in the corresponding receiving slots  328 . The contact portions  320  are electrically connected to the terminals  34 . 
   Referring also to  FIG. 3 , when the plug  30  is assembled with the base  20 , a part of the main body  32  of the plug  30  is received by the recessed portion  24  of the base  20  with the holding portion  284  sliding back from the recessed portion  24  via manipulation of the controlling portion  282 . Thus, the remaining part of the main body  32  is received by the recessed portion  24 . In this position, the overhanging portion  244  of the base  20  abuts against a portion of the skirt  326  of the plug  30 . Another portion of the skirt  326  of the plug  30  is received in the receiving groove  286  of the base  20 . The locating protrusions  246  of the base  20  are respectively accommodated in the receiving slots  328  of the plug  30 . The contact portions  320  of the plug  30  are electrically connected to two of the conducting contacts  240  of the base  20 , respectively. In disassembly, the holding portion  284  slides back relative to the recessed portion  24  via manipulation of the controlling portion  282 , the plug  30  is then disengaged from the recessed portion  24  of the base  20 . 
   During use, the terminals  34  of the plug  30  are inserted into two of the matching sockets of the receptacle. If the base  20  of the power supply device  10  blocks other nearby sockets, the base  20  can be rotated 90 (or 180 (right or left relative to the plug  30 . Accordingly, the power supply device  10  is rotated 90 (or 180 (right or left relative to the receptacle, and the other sockets will not be shielded by the base  30 . When the base  20  is rotated 90 (right or left, the contact portions  326  of the plug  30  electrically connect to the other two conducting contacts  240  of the base  20 , respectively. When the base  20  is rotated 180 (the contact portions  326  electrically connect to the same contacts  240  as when the base  20  is not rotated. 
   Because the overhanging portion  244  and the receiving groove  286  of the base  20  cooperate to retain the skirt  326  and thus the plug  30 , the plug  30  cannot be accidentally detached from the base  20 . 
     FIG. 4  shows an isometric view of a base  40  of an alternative embodiment. The base  40  has a structure similar to the base  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The base  40  comprises a top wall  42  and a circular recessed portion  44  defined in an end portion of the top wall  42 . Eight conducting contacts  440  protrude from a bottom wall of the recessed portion  44 , and each two of the conducting contacts  440  opposite to each other are aligned along an axis. Eight locating portions  442  are formed in the bottom wall, and each of the locating portions  442  is aligned with each of the conducting contacts  440 . A locating protrusion projects from each of the locating portions  442 . Referring also  FIG. 2 , the locating protrusions  442  can be accommodated in the receiving slots  328  of the plugs  30 . The conducting contacts  440  can be electrically connected to the contact portions  320 . In use, the base  40  can be rotated 45 (90 (135 (or 180 (right or left relative to the plug  30 . The base  40  can perform the same function as the base  20 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a power supply device  60  of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. The power supply device  60  comprises a base  70  and a plug  80 . 
   The base  70  comprises a top wall  72  defining a circular recessed portion  74  in an end portion thereof. The recessed portion  74  comprises a bottom wall  740 , a first conducting contact  742 , and a second conducting contact  744 . The first and second conducting contacts  742 ,  744  protrude from the bottom wall  740 . The first conducting contact  742  is positioned in a center of the bottom wall  740 , and the second conducting contact  744  is away from the center. Other elements of the base  70  are similar to the base  20 , and the base  70  can perform the same function as the base  20 . 
   The plug  80  comprises a main body  82  and a pair of terminals  84  located generally in a middle of the main body  82 . A first contact portion  822  and a generally annular second contact portion  824  protrude from a bottom portion  820  of the main body  80 . The first contact portion  822  is located in a middle of the main body  80 , and is electrically connected to the first conducting contact  742  of the base  70 . The second contact portion  824  is positioned in a periphery of the bottom portion  820 , and encircles the first conducting contact  742 . The second contact portion  824  is electrically connected to the second conducting contact  744  of the base  70 . Other elements of the plug  80  are similar to the plug  30 , and the plug  80  can perform the same function as the plug  30 . 
   In use, the base  70  can be rotated either right or left to any angle relative to the plug  80 . That is, the power supply device  60  can be rotated to any angle relative to the receptacle. Other elements of the power supply device  60  are similar to the power supply device  10 , and can perform the same function as the power supply device  10 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, the power supply device  10  or the power supply device  60  may be a part of an electronic device, such as a WiFi Repeater. The electronic device comprises a case having same elements and performing the same function as the base  20  or the base  40  or the base  70 . That is, the case comprises the elements of the base  20  or  40  or  70 , and the plug  30  or the plug  80  can be mounted to the case of the electronic device. 
   While exemplary embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.