Patent ID: 7303440

Claim:
A universal adapter apparatus for connecting portable electronic devices to a direct current external power source comprising an anode post and at least one cathode post, the adapter apparatus comprising: a block sized to be attached to the external power source, the block comprising a central axis, a bottom side, first and second longitudinal sides, and non-conductive exterior surfaces; two arcuate channels of equal length on the block bottom side, each channel having a first and second end, wherein each channel is sized to engage and receive one cathode post, wherein one channel has an open first end flush with one block longitudinal side and the other channel has an open first end flush with one block longitudinal side, whereby the anode posts are positioned at the channel open first ends and received into the respective channel by rotation of the block about the central axis thereby positioning the block onto at least one anode post of the external power source; closed channel conductive second ends defining a diameter sufficient to receive and lock onto a anode post by rotation of the conductive block about the central axis thereby locking the block into place on at least one anode post of the external power source; a first conductive annular aperture centered on the block central axis defining a block conductive interior surface in communication with the closed channel conductive second ends; a second annular aperture centered on the block central axis bottom side having a diameter smaller than the first annular aperture serving to self center the external power source cathode post within the conductive block after attaching and locking the block to the power source; and a cable with a plug end having a central cathode contact and periphery anode contacts and an adapter end, wherein the first annular aperture is sized to receive and engage the plug end and align the plug end central cathode contact with the external power source cathode within the second annular aperture and the periphery anode contacts communicate with the block interior surface once the block is positioned and locked onto the anode posts of the external power source, and whereby the adapter is connected to at least one portable electronic device.