Abstract:
A power supply system  1  comprising: a device part  5  that is connectable to an electrical device for the supply of electrical power thereto, and a socket part  3  separate from said device part  5,  the socket part  3  being for direct or indirect connection to a mains electrical socket; wherein the device part  5  and the socket part  3  are configured for electrical connection to one another so that electrical power can be transferred from said socket to said electrical device.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates, in general terms, to a power supply system for routing electrical power directly or indirectly from a mains socket to an electrical device. 
         [0002]    In one envisaged implementation the invention relates to a power supply system that is capable of powering a plurality of different electronic devices having different power requirements. In another implementation the invention relates to a power supply that can interface with a plurality of different types of mains electrical outlet. A further implementation relates to a power supply system that is capable of powering a plurality of different electronic devices and can interface with a plurality of different types of mains electrical outlet. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    We have previously disclosed a novel folding plug (see www.themu.co.uk and United Kingdom Patent No. GB2467644) that is greatly reduced in size in comparison to a traditional three-pin plug of the type that may be plugged into mains socket outlets of the type that are common in the United Kingdom. 
         [0004]    Whilst this arrangement greatly reduces the size of such plugs, it would be useful if a greater range of devices could be powered by such an arrangement. 
         [0005]    It would also be useful if the compact nature of our previously proposed Mu adaptor could be applied to plugs that are configured for plugging into other types of mains electrical socket. 
         [0006]    Lastly, it would be particularly useful if a system could be devised that allowed a greater range of devices to be powered, and which provided compact plugs for plugging into other types of mains electrical socket. 
         [0007]    The present invention has been devised with the foregoing problems in mind. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a power supply system comprising a device part connectable to an electrical device for the supply of electrical power thereto, and a socket part separate from said device part, the socket part being for direct or indirect connection to a mains electrical socket; the device part and the socket part being configured for electrical connection to one another so that electrical power can be transferred from said socket to said electrical device. 
         [0009]    In one implementation the socket part is connectable directly to the device part. In another implementation the socket part and the outlet part are connectable to a carrier, electrical power passing from said socket part to said outlet part via said carrier. 
         [0010]    In the aforementioned implementations it is preferred for power transfer between said socket part and said device part to occur wirelessly, for example by means of an inductive interface. An advantage of this arrangement is that electrical conductors with the socket and device parts may be buried within the respective parts to reduce the possibility of electrocuting the user. 
         [0011]    In another implementation there is provided a power supply system comprising a plurality of device parts with different power output ratings that are each connectable to an electrical device for the supply of electrical power thereto; and a socket part separate from said plurality of device parts, the socket part being for direct or indirect connection to a mains electrical socket; wherein the socket part is electrically connectable to each of the plurality of device parts so that electrical power can be transferred from said socket to said electrical device. 
         [0012]    In another implementation there is provided a power supply system comprising a plurality of socket parts, each with a different configuration of electrical pins so that each socket part can be plugged into a particular type of mains socket; and a device part separate from said plurality of socket parts, wherein the device part is electrically connectable to each of the plurality of socket parts so that electrical power can be transferred from said socket to said electrical device. 
         [0013]    Other features of arrangements embodying the teachings of the invention, embodiments of the invention, advantages and aims are set out elsewhere in the present application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a system embodying the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2 to 7  are schematic representations of different socket parts fixed to one particular device part; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8 to 10  are schematic representations of different device parts fixed to one particular socket part; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of an illustrative locking mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a system  1  embodying the teachings of the present invention comprises a plurality of socket parts  3  and a plurality of device parts  5 . Each of the socket parts  3  is fittable to a said device part  5  for the transfer of electrical power from a mains outlet socket (not shown) to a device (also not shown). In this embodiment each of the socket parts is configured for plugging into a particular type of mains electrical outlet socket. 
         [0020]    For example, socket part  15  provides a similar arrangement to that of our previously proposed Mu adaptor (see: wwvv.themu.co.uk and United Kingdom Patent No. GB2467644) and is configured for plugging into mains sockets of the type that are commonly provided in the United Kingdom. 
         [0021]    Socket part  17  is compatible with so-called “Type A” mains electrical sockets of the type commonly found in the United States of America, Japan and China. The socket part includes a pair of flat electrical pins that can be rotated through 90 degrees from the position shown where the pins are recessed within the socket part, to a position where the pins project at right angles from a major surface of the socket part. 
         [0022]    Socket part  19  is also compatible with so-called “Type A” mains electrical sockets of the type commonly found in the United States of America, Japan and China. In this case, however, the pair of flat electrical pins project from a minor surface of the socket part. 
         [0023]    Socket part  21  is similar to socket part  17  in that it includes two pins that can be rotated through 90 degrees to project at right angles from a major surface of the socket part. In this case, however, the pins are inclined towards one another so as to be compatible with so-called “Type I” mains electrical sockets of the type commonly found in Australia and China. 
         [0024]    Socket part  23  is similar to socket part  21  in that it includes a pair of electrical pins that are inclined towards one another so that the socket part may be plugged into so-called “Type I” mains electrical sockets of the type commonly found in Australia and China. In this case, however, the pins project from a minor surface of the socket part instead of being rotatable from a position where the pins are recessed in the body of the socket part. 
         [0025]    Socket part  25  includes a pair of round electrical pins and can be plugged into so-called “Type C” mains electrical outlets of the type that are commonly found in the European Union, China and Korea. In this instance, the electrical pins project from a housing that can be rotated (from the position depicted) relative to the remainder of the socket part so that the pins project at right angles from a major surface of the socket part. 
         [0026]    Socket part  27  functions as a power cord extension and comprises, in this particular instance, a UK-compatible Mu plug at one end of the power cord. In one envisaged implementation socket part  27  may comprise a part that mates to a said device part, and a cable that has a USB connector (any type of USB connector) on the end of it. The USB connector is plugged into a corresponding socket on a Mu plug. In another implementation the socket part may comprise a first part that mates to a said device part  7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 , a second part that connects to a socket part  15 ,  17 ,  19 ,  21 ,  23 ,  25  (in this particular instance a Mu style socket part  15 ), and an electrical cable interconnecting the first and second parts. 
         [0027]    Device part  7  comprises a smartphone adaptor with a USB connector (or other suitable connector) through which it can provide via a USB cable, for example in the region of 5 watts of power to smartphone type electrical devices. 
         [0028]    Device part  9  also comprises an adaptor with a USB connector (or other suitable connector), but in this instance it can provide via a USB cable, for example in the region of 10 watts of power to larger smartphone and table computer type electrical devices. 
         [0029]    Device part  11  includes an integral power cable, and is configured to provide in the region of 24 watts or power to tablet computer and Netbook type devices. Device part  13  also includes an integral power cable, and is configured to provide in the region of 45 watts of power to laptops and other similar electrical devices. 
         [0030]    As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art, each of device parts  7  to  13  include a transformer that is configured to step-down mains voltage to an appropriate output voltage. Such arrangements are commonplace in the art and hence will not be further described herein. 
         [0031]    The socket parts and device parts described above are configured, in a preferred arrangement, to wirelessly transfer electrical power from one said part to the other. For example, power may be transferred from one part to the other by means of induction. Such systems are again well known in the art and hence will not be further described herein. In a particularly preferred implementation, the socket parts each include a projection that fits within a recess in the device part. The electrical circuitry for implementing inductive power transfer may be buried within the projection. 
         [0032]    The socket and device parts may include additional co-operating projections and recesses, and may also or alternatively comprise respective parts of a two-part mechanical interlocking mechanism that allows one said part to be locked to the other before the power supply system is used. 
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of an illustrative locking mechanism. As shown, a projecting peg  29  from the socket part (in this instance) mates with a depression  31  in the device part (in this instance), and the peg  29  includes a notch  33  into which a resiliently biased catch  35  (in this instance, biased by a spring  37 ) projects when the peg  29  is pushed into the depression  31 . To release the locking mechanism, a user need only pull on a handle part  39  that projects outside of the device part housing to withdraw the catch  35  from the notch  33  and enable the separation of the device and socket parts. In embodiments where the socket part and device part each couple to a carrier, the carrier may be provided with one or more similar locking mechanisms. 
         [0034]    In another implementation of the teachings of the invention, there is provided a system comprising one (or more) socket part, and a plurality of device parts. Such a system provides a convenient way for powering many different devices. In another implementation of the teachings of the invention, a system is provided that comprises one (or more) device part and a plurality of socket parts. Such a system provides a compact power supply that can plugged into several different types of mains electrical socket. 
         [0035]    In another implementation of the teachings of the invention, the system comprises a single socket part and a single device part. Such a system can be broken down when not in use so that the power supply system is less voluminous. 
         [0036]    The remaining figures show, for illustrative purposes only, different combinations of socket parts and device parts. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of socket part  17  and device part  7 .  FIG. 3  is a representation of socket part  19  and device part  7 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of socket part  15  and device part  7 .  FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of socket part  21  and device part  7 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of socket part  23  and device part  7 , and  FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of socket part  25  and device part  7 . Clearly visible in  FIG. 7  is the fact that the two round pins are mounted in a pin holder that can rotate relative to the remainder of the socket part so that the pins project at right angles from the socket part. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of socket part  15  with device part  9  ( 10  watts).  FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of socket part  15  with device part  11  ( 24  watts), and  FIG. 10  is a schematic representation of socket part  15  with device part  13  ( 45  watts). As will be appreciated, socket part  15  in  FIGS. 8 to 10  may be replaced with any of socket parts  17 ,  19 ,  21 ,  23   25  and  27 . 
         [0039]    As mentioned above, socket part  15  resembles (and functions substantially in the same way as) the Mu plug that is described in more detail in United Kingdom Patent No. 2467644 (the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference). Socket part  15  comprises three pins, a longer earth pin, and two shorter pins that connect the plug to the live and neutral mains supply (respectively). The two shorter pins are mounted on an arm that is rotatable between a storage position (shown) where the arm is parallel to the main body of the socket part and the three pins are generally linearly aligned, and an operative position (shown in GB2467644, see  FIG. 28  in particular) where the arm is perpendicular (at least substantially) to the main body of the socket part and the three pins are located at respective apexes of a triangle (i.e. so that the pins are configured for plugging into a UK style electrical plug). 
         [0040]    First and second wings are pivotally mounted to the device part main body, and (at least substantially) cover the three pins when they lie parallel to the device part main body (as shown in  FIGS. 8 to 10 ). In this position the wings are in their storage position. To move the arm from the aforementioned storage position to the operative position, the wings must first be pivoted to their operative position, namely a position (depicted in  FIG. 28  of GB2467644) where they extend roughly perpendicularly from the main body of the device part. Once the wings have been pivoted to their operative position, the arm can be pivoted to its operative position and the socket part can now be plugged into a socket. Advantageously, the wings cannot be pivoted further away from the pins than their operative position, and thus obstruct access to the pins of the socket part when the socket part is plugged into a socket. 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0042]    For example, whilst device parts with particular voltages have been described above, it will be appreciated that the device parts can be configured to provide any desired output voltage. Similarly, whilst the socket part is described as having a projection that mates with a corresponding depression in the device part, it will be appreciated that the projection could be on the device part and the corresponding depression in the socket part. 
         [0043]    It should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed. 
         [0044]    Finally, it should be noted that any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “steps for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, par. 6.