Patent ID: 8491317

Claim:
A compact power adapter, comprising: an electric circuit that outputs electrical energy in a first format in response to receiving electrical energy in a second format or a third format that is different than the second format; a casing having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion containing the electric circuit, the second portion extending from a side of the first portion and having a generally cylindrical shape and size receivable in a car cigarette lighter, the second portion having electrical contacts that receive electrical energy when the second portion is received in the car cigarette lighter, the second portion further having two recesses; and a foldable AC prong mechanism comprising two electrically conductive AC prongs that are receivable in an AC power outlet, the AC prongs rotatably coupled to the casing to rotate in a first rotational direction such that the AC prongs are rotatable between a first position where the AC prongs extend from the casing approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical shape of the second portion and a second position where the AC prongs point in a direction approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical shape of the second portion, the AC prongs further rotatably coupled to the casing to rotate in a second rotational direction perpendicular to the first rotational direction such that the AC prongs are rotatable from the second position to a third position where each of the AC prongs is received in a respective one of the recesses of the second portion.