Patent Publication Number: US-11050203-B2

Title: Adapter system for connecting electrical sources to loads

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/734,983, entitled “Adapter System for Connecting Electrical Sources to Loads,” filed on Jan. 6, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/892,638, entitled “Adapter System for Connecting Electrical Sources to Loads,” filed on Aug. 28, 2019, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to the field of power transmission, and more particularly, to systems and methods for adapting electrical power between sources and loads for power transmission. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The need for alternate and sometimes portable electrical power is becoming more widespread. Unfortunately, electrical products tend to suffer from a lack of standardization with respect to their electrical connections. Sources and loads can utilize many different types of electrical connections, such as National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) connectors of various types, including NEMA 14-50, NEMA Travel Trailer (TT) 30. NEMA L14-30, NEMA LS-30, NEMA L14-20, NEMA L5-20, NEMA 5-20, NEMA 5-15, and so forth. As a result, female receptacles of one type are oftentimes incompatible with male cable connectors or plugs of another type. 
     Consequently, when the time comes to connect a given power source, or extension cord of the given power source, to an electrical load, the probability of having an electrical power cord of the correct type available for the power source and the load may be low. Moreover, even if the correct power cord is available, finding such a power cord among numerous other power cords appearing similar, though not the same, can be difficult. What is needed is a system for efficiently adapting power sources to electrical loads having different types of electrical connections. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventors have recognized that locating cable adapters which may be required in electrical systems, such as between power generators and electrical inlets, may be greatly aided by applying visually striking distinguishing indicators, such as colors, molded-in patterns or shaped identifiers, shaped protrusions, and the like, at ends of each cable adapter which distinguishing indicators correspond to electrical/mechanical standards or connections of various types. This, in turn, may allow for rapid deployment of such cable adapters in systems, including from a kit. 
     Specifically then, one aspect of the present invention can provide an electrical adapter system including: first and second electrical power cords, each electrical power cord having first and second ends, each end including a male plug or a female receptacle, each end being defined by a given type among multiple types in which a male plug and a female receptacle of a same type are plug compatible with one another and a male plug and a female receptacle of different types are incompatible with one another, each type corresponding to a distinguishing indicator, and each end having a distinguishing indicator indicating the given type, in which the first and second ends of the first electrical power cord and the first end of the second electrical power cord are of a same type having the same distinguishing indicators while the second end of the second electrical power cord is of a different type having a different distinguishing indicator, and in which the second end of the first electrical power cord is plug compatible with the first end of the second electrical power cord of the same type for transmitting power from the first end of the first electrical power cord to the second end of the second electrical power cord. 
     The present invention also provides an adapter system for efficiently adapting power sources, typically having extension cords, to electrical loads by providing a set of electrical power cord adapters in which each power cord adapter has a first end having a first pattern, color or sensory indicia for adapting to one type of electrical connection and a second end having a second pattern, color or sensory indicia, different from the first pattern, color or sensory indicia, for adapting to another type of electrical connection. This can allow a power cord adapter to connect to such an extension cord, at ends having common indicia, for adapting a given power source to a load. Such differences in indicia corresponding to differences in electrical connection types can allow an observer to visually and quickly select a power cord adapter suitable for use with an extension cord, including from a larger set of electrical power cord adapters, for adapting between a particular power source and electrical load, each requiring different types of electrical connections. 
     Other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, and instruments shown. Like numerals indicate like elements throughout the drawings. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates exemplar electrical power cord adapters for adapting between different types of electrical connections in the prior art; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate an exemplar set or kit of differing adapter power cords for adapting between different types of electrical connections in different ways according to pattern, color or sensory indicia (distinguishing mark) in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplar system comprising electrical power cords in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates exemplar first and second electrical power cords for use in the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of an end of an exemplar electrical power cord having a female receptable and being of a first type in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of an end of another exemplar electrical power cord having a male plug and being of the first type such that male plug is compatible with the female receptacle of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplar system comprising multiple electrical power cords of different types in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplar system comprising electrical power cords in accordance with another aspect of the invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is described herein in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1 , electrical power cord adapters  10  for adapting between different types of electrical connections are well known. However, myriad possible adapter combinations using different power cord adapters  10  exist, which can make it difficult for retailers to stock all possible combinations. Also, the task of selecting the proper power cord adapters  10  to connect between different types of electrical connections can be daunting as each connector&#39;s configuration is not always obvious to an observer. 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides an adapter system for more efficiently adapting power sources to electrical loads by providing one or more electrical power cord adapters in which each power cord adapter has a first end having a first pattern, color or sensory indicia (distinguishing mark) representing one type of electrical connection and a second end having a second pattern, color or sensory indicia, hereinafter simply “distinguishing mark” or “indicia,” different from the first indicia, representing another type of electrical connection. Such differences in indicia corresponding to differences in electrical connection types can allow an observer to visually and quickly select a power cord adapter, including from a larger set of electrical power cord adapters, for adapting between a particular connection associated with a power source and a particular connection associated with an electrical load, each requiring different types of electrical connectors. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an exemplary electrical adapter system  12  is provided in accordance with the invention. The system  12  could include one or more electrical adapter power cords  14  (illustrated as fourteen adapter power cords  14   a - 14   n ). Each adapter power cord  14  can have a first end  16  having a male plug configured for a first type of electrical connection, and a second end  18  having a female receptacle configured for a second type of electrical connection. Being an adapter, for each power cord, the male plug of the first type is typically incompatible with the female receptacle of the second type such that the female receptacle cannot receive the male plug. 
     For each adapter power cord  14 , the first end  16  can comprise a first indicia representing its configuration for adapting to the first type of connection, and the second end  18  can comprise a second indicia, different from the first indicia, representing its configuration for adapting to the second type of connection. The various indicia are identified in the drawings by reference numerals  26   a - 26   h  and are correspondingly illustrated with various hatching. For example, first and second differing colors could be selected from the group consisting of: orange (identified by  26   a ); grey (identified by  26   b ); clear (identified by  26   c ); red (identified by  26   d ); dark green (identified by  26   e ); purple (identified by  26   f ); blue (identified by  26   g ); and light green (identified by  26   h ). The power cord cable portion  19 , which could comprise multiple electrical wires insulated from one another connecting the first and second ends  16  and  18  together, respectively, could comprise a third indicia that is further different from the first and second colors or patterns. For example, the power cord cable portion  19  could be black. In this manner, each adapter power cord  14  has a male end having one of the above-noted colors and a female end having a different one of the above-noted colors. 
     In one aspect, multiple different adapter power cords  14 , each having unique end configurations for adapting to different types of connections in different ways, could be provided in a set or kit  20 , such as the fourteen unique adapter power cords  14   a - 14   n  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . For each adapter power cord  14 , a first end  16  could be configured for a one type of connection, while a second end  18  could be configured for another type of connection, with the types of connection being incompatible with one another, such that they could not be connected together. For example, the first adapter power cord  14   a  could have a first end  16  configured with a male plug in which the end has a first indicia  26   a  (orange), configured for a one type of connection, such as National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 14-50, and a second end  18  configured with a female receptacle in which the end has a second indicia  26   b  (grey), configured for another type of connection, such as NEMA TT 30, with the ends being incompatible with one another. 
     Also, ends of the adapter power cords  14  having the same type of connection, whether configured as a male plug or a female receptacle, can also have the same indicia. For example, the first adapter power cord  14   a  could have a first end  16  configured with a male plug in which the end has a first indicia  26   a  (orange), configured for one type of connection, such as NEMA 14-50, while the third adapter power cord  14   c  could have a second end  18  configured with a female receptacle which end also has the same first indicia  26   a  (orange), configured for the same type of connection, also NEMA 14-50. As a result, the different types of adapter power cords  14  in the set or kit  20  could be quickly, visually and readily distinguished by an observer based on the colors or patterns, thereby allowing the observer to rapidly select an appropriate adapter power cord  14  for adapting a given power source to a given electrical load. 
     In one aspect, adapter power cords  14  in the set or kit  20  could have NEMA connectors of various types at each of the ends, and corresponding colors or patterns matching such types. For example, an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA 14-50 could have that end being orange; an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA TT 30 could have that end being grey; an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA L14-30 could have that end being clear; an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA L5-30 could have that end being red; an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA L14-20 could have that end being dark green; an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA L5-20 could have that end being purple; an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA 5-20 could have that end being blue; and an adapter power cord  14  having a male or female end configured for NEMA 5-15 could have that end being light green. Accordingly, the types of connections at ends of adapter power cords  14  can differ, for example, with respect to connection orientation, length, pin out, voltage rating, and the like, whether according to NEMA standards or otherwise. 
     As an alternative to all of the adapter power cords  14  being available in a single kit  20 , it is also contemplated that, in practice, each of the adapter cords  14   a - 14   h  could be made available separately, such as in a retail establishment or in a catalog or online purchasing environment. In this manner, a user can identify the connections required at the power source and at the load, and then quickly and easily visually identify and purchase only the adapter cord  14  wherein 1) a connector at one end is configured to engage the power source, typically a receptacle via an extension cord, and 2) a connector at the other end is configured to engage the load, typically a plug. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exemplar system  50  may comprise various electrical power cords provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention. At one end of the system  50 , a power generator  52 , which could be a gasoline powered generator, may be configured to provide electrical power to loads through an electrical outlet  54  (plug or receptacle). A first electrical power cord  60  having first and second ends  62   a  and  62   b , respectively, in turn, may be configured to plug into the power generator  52  and distribute the power a distance away. Accordingly, the first electrical power cord  60  may be an “extension cord.” At another end of the system  50 , a power inlet  74 , which may comprise a junction box configured to provide electrical power to various loads of a circuit  78 , may be configured to receive electrical power at an electrical inlet  76  (plug or receptacle). However, in the system  50 , the electrical outlet  54  and the electrical inlet  76  may be of different types that are incompatible with one another. Moreover, the first electrical power cord  60 , while having a same type as the electrical outlet  54  at the first end  62   a , typically does not match the type required by the electrical inlet  76  at the second end  62   b , thereby causing a continuity problem. 
     Many different “types” or standards exist for electrical and mechanical connections. Types include male plugs and female receptacles. For a same type, a male plug and a female receptacle are electrically and mechanically compatible with one another such that the male plug and the female receptacle are plug compatible and electrically operational with one another. For different types, a male plug and a female receptacle may not be electrically and/or mechanically compatible with one another such that the male plug and the female receptacle may not be plug compatible and/or electrically operational with one another. Types can include, for example, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 14-50, NEMA Travel Trailer (TT) 30, NEMA L14-30, NEMA L5-30, NEMA L14-20, NEMA L5-20, NEMA 5-20 and NEMA 5-15. 
     To resolve the aforementioned continuity problem in the system  50 , a second electrical power cord  70  having first and second ends  72   a  and  72   b , respectively, configured with correct types for plugging into the first power cord  60  and the electrical inlet  76  at opposing ends. In particular, the first end  72   a  of the second electrical power cord  70  may be of a same type as the second end  62   b  of the first electrical power cord  60 . Also, the second end  72   b  of the second electrical power cord  70  may be of a same type as the electrical inlet  76 . As a result, the second electrical power cord  70  may complete the connection for transmitting power from the power generator  52 , through the first and second electrical power cords  60  and  70 , respectively, to the power inlet  74 . 
     In accordance with the invention, each “type” has a corresponding pattern, color or sensory indicia, or “distinguishing mark,” unique to that type. This allows each end of each electrical power cord to be marked with a distinguishing indicator indicating the given type for the end. Such differences in distinguishing mark corresponding to differences in electrical connection types can allow an observer to visually and quickly select a power cord adapter, including from a larger set of electrical power cord adapters, for adapting between a particular source and load requiring different types of electrical connections. For example, in the system  50 , an observer need not be aware of the actual types required by the electrical outlet  54 , the first electrical power cord  60 , or the electrical inlet  76 . Rather, the observer only needs to recognize the distinguishing marks (distinguishing indicators) of the second end  62   b  of the first electrical power cord  60  and the electrical inlet  76  and select a second electrical power cord  70  based on ends correspondingly matching such distinguishing marks. 
     Distinguishing indicators may comprise patterns, colors, molded-in patterns or shaped identifiers, shaped protrusions, or other sensory indicia, including visually different but with same colors, as described herein. In one aspect, distinguishing indicators may comprise colors, including orange, grey, clear, red, dark green, purple, blue, and light green. For example, an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA 14-50 may each have a distinguishing indicator of orange, an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA TT 30 type may each have a distinguishing indicator of grey, an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA L14-30 may each have a distinguishing indicator of clear, an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA L5-30 may each have a distinguishing indicator of red, an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA L14-20 may each have a distinguishing indicator of dark green, an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA L5-20 may each have a distinguishing indicator of purple, an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA 5-20 may each have a distinguishing indicator of blue and an end having a male plug or female receptacle compatible with type NEMA 5-15 may each have a distinguishing indicator of light green. 
     Moreover, providing a non-distinguishing indicator between opposing ends of each electrical power cord, such as the color black, can provide further advantages. The non-distinguishing indicator between ends, such as along the insulated wire portion, can allow the distinguishing indicators at each end to be even more visibly apparent to an observer. Also, the non-distinguishing indicator between ends can provide a common standard among multiple electrical power cord in a kit, each electrical power having ends of differing distinguishing indicators. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , exemplar first and second electrical power cords  60  and  70 , respectively, plugged in and joined together, are provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In this example, the electrical outlet  54  may be a NEMA L14-30 type. Accordingly, the first and second ends  62   a  and  62   b , respectively, of the first electrical power cord  60  may each correspond to the NEMA L14-30 type each having the distinguishing indicator of a clear end. However, the power inlet  74  may be a NEMA L5-30 type corresponding to a distinguishing indicator of red. To quickly adapt the power generator  52  to the power inlet  74 , an observer can readily observe the distinguishing indicators of clear (illustrated by small squares) and red (illustrated by small stars) ends and locate a second electrical power cord  70  having such distinguishing indicators at such ends. That is, the observer can readily locate a second electrical power cord  70  having a distinguishing indicator of clear at the first end  72   a , matching the second end  62   b  of the first electrical power cord  60 , and a distinguishing indicator of red at the second end  72   b , matching the power inlet  74 . Accordingly, the second electrical power cord  70  may be an “adapter cord.” 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , isometric views of exemplar ends of electrical power cords of a same type are provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In  FIG. 5 , an electrical power cord  80  may comprise an end  82  including a female receptacle of a first type, such as NEMA L5-20. The first type may be indicated by a corresponding distinguishing indicator  84  on a housing of the female receptacle, such as a color purple end illustrated by small circles. The female receptacle may comprise one or more ports  86  for receiving prongs from a male plug of the same type. With additional reference to  FIG. 6 , an electrical power cord  90  may comprise an end  92  including a male plug also of the first type, for example, NEMA LS-20. The first type may also be indicated by the corresponding distinguishing indicator  84  (same distinguishing indicator as the end  82 ) on a housing of the male plug, also a color purple end illustrated by small circles. The male plug may comprise one or more prongs  94  or blades for electrically and mechanically mating with the female receptacle at the end  82 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a kit  100  of electrical power cords of different types is provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The kit  100  may comprise a first power cord  102  having an end  104  of a first type, such as NEMA L5-20, including a male plug. The end  104  may include a first distinguishing indicator  106  (a color purple end illustrated by small circles small) for identifying the first type. The kit  100  may also comprise a second power cord  112  having an end  114  of the first type, also NEMA L5-20, including a female receptacle. The end  114  may also include the first distinguishing indicator  106  (the color purple illustrated by small circles small) for identifying the first type. The male plug at the end  104  and the female receptacle at the end  114  being of the same type as indicated by the distinguishing indicator  106  confirms such ends are electrically and mechanically plug compatible with one another. 
     The kit  100  may further comprise a third power cord  122  having an end  124  of a second type, such as NEMA 5-20, including a male plug. The end  124  may include a second distinguishing indicator  126  (a color blue end illustrated by triangles) for identifying the second type. The kit  100  may also comprise a fourth power cord  132  having an end  134  of the second type, also NEMA 5-20, including a female receptacle. The end  134  may also include the second distinguishing indicator  126  (the color blue end illustrated by triangles) for identifying the second type. The male plug at the end  124  and the female receptacle at the end  134  being of the same type as indicated by the distinguishing indicator  126  confirms such ends are electrically and mechanically plug compatible with one another. 
     Also, the kit  100  may further comprise a fifth power cord  142  having an end  144  of a third type, such as NEMA 5-15, including a male plug. The end  144  may include a third distinguishing indicator  146  (a color light green end illustrated by small pluses) for identifying the third type. The kit  100  may also comprise a sixth power cord  152  having an end  154  of the third type, also NEMA 5-15, including a female receptacle. The end  154  may also include the third distinguishing indicator  146  (the color light green end illustrated by small pluses) for identifying the third type. The male plug at the end  144  and the female receptacle at the end  154  being of the same type as indicated by the distinguishing indicator  146  confirms such ends are electrically and mechanically plug compatible with one another. It should be appreciated that numerous electrical power cords can be similarly provided in the kit  100  using distinguishing indicators, typically comprising colors, corresponding to different combinations of standards at ends of the cords available in the kit. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in accordance with another aspect of the invention, an exemplar system  150  may comprise various electrical power cords provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention. At one end of the system  150 , a power generator  152 , which could be a gasoline powered generator, may be configured to provide electrical power to loads through an electrical outlet  154  (plug or receptacle). A first electrical power cord  160  having first and second ends  162   a  and  162   b , respectively, in turn, may be configured to plug into the power generator  152  and distribute the power a distance away to a power receiving unit. In particular, the first end  162   a  of the first electrical power cord  160  may be configured to plug into the power generator  152 , while the second end  162   b  of the first electrical power cord  160  may be configured to plug into an electrical inlet  176  (plug or receptacle) of a first power inlet  174 , which may comprise a junction box configured to provide electrical power to various loads of a first circuit  178 , such as conventional household loads. Accordingly, the first electrical power cord  160  may be a “generator extension cord.” 
     However, it may be desirable at times to instead connect the power from the power generator  152  to an electrical inlet of different types that is incompatible with the first electrical power cord  160 , such as an electrical inlet  276  (plug or receptacle) of a second power inlet  274 , which may comprise a junction box of a different standard configured to provide electrical power to various loads of a second circuit  278 , such as 3-phase power. Such a circumstance could occur, for example, during a power outage. However, this causes a continuity problem as the second end  162   b  of the first electrical power cord  160  does not match the type required by the electrical inlet  276 . 
     To resolve this continuity problem in the system  150 , a user need only acquire a second electrical power cord  170  having first and second ends  172   a  and  172   b , respectively, configured with correct types for plugging into the first power cord  160  and the second electrical inlet  276  at opposing ends. In particular, the first end  172   a  of the second electrical power cord  170  may be of a same type as the second end  162   b  of the first electrical power cord  160 . Also, the second end  172   b  of the second electrical power cord  170  may be of a same type as the second electrical inlet  276 . As a result, the second electrical power cord  170  may complete the connection for transmitting power from the power generator  152 , through the first and second electrical power cords  160  and  170 , respectively, to the second power inlet  274 . Advantageously, an owner need not be aware of the actual types required by the electrical outlet  154 , the first electrical power cord  160 , or the second electrical inlet  276 . Rather, the owner only needs to recognize the distinguishing marks (distinguishing indicators) of the second end  162   b  of the first electrical power cord  160  and the electrical inlet  276  and select a second electrical power cord  170  based on ends correspondingly matching such distinguishing marks. Accordingly, the second electrical power cord  170  may be an “adapter cord.” 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It also being understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.