IP Library Granted Patent US 7,575,436
Granted Patent B1
US 7,575,436 · App. 12/026,916 · Granted Aug 18, 2009

Rotating plug adapter with integral two blade receptacle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,575,436
App. No.
12/026,916
Granted
Aug 18, 2009
Kind
B1
Abstract

A rotating two blade plug adapter includes a housing including a top and bottom coupled to freely rotate about a rotary cap disposed between the housing top and bottom. Right and left electrical spades extend from the rotary cap and a receptacle integral to the periphery of the housing accepts a two blade plug that may be oriented at a wall receptacle by rotating the adapter housing and receptacle to a desired orientation. Internal flanges define grooves in which rotary electrical contacts are maintained through rotation of the housing and integral receptacle.

Claims (38)

1. An electrical plug adapter comprising:

a housing including a top, bottom and outer periphery with a rotary ratchet spring mounted between the top and bottom of the housing

a cap rotatably mounted between the top and bottom of the housing wherein the rotatable cap includes a plurality of teeth and the ratchet spring includes one or more wings rotatable between a pair of teeth to lock the cap and housing in a selected relative position;

a first spade mounted in the cap, wherein the first spade includes a first spade rotary contact rotatably abutting a first housing rotary contact;

a second spade mounted in the cap, wherein the second spade includes a second spade rotary contact rotatably abutting a second housing rotary contact;

a plug receptacle integral to the outer periphery of the housing and rotatable around the rotary cap, wherein the plug receptacle includes

a first receptacle opening including a portion of the first housing rotary contact mounted therein; and

a second receptacle opening including a portion of the second housing rotary contact mounted therein

further comprising:

a sleeve of the first spade rotary contact covering a post of a first housing rotary contact; and

the second spade rotary contact and second housing rotary contact each include a slip ring.

2. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a grounding prong guard at the receptacle on the outer periphery of the housing.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the top of the housing is flat and low profile.

4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the portion of the first housing rotary contact mounted in the first receptacle opening includes a flat contact for abutting a flat blade of a plug and the portion of the first housing rotary contact mounted in the first receptacle opening includes a flat contact for abutting a flat blade of a plug.

5. The adapter of claim 4 further comprising one or more springs mounted between the top and bottom of the housing to maintain contact between the second spade rotary contact and second housing rotary contact.

6. The adapter of claim 5 further comprising a grounding prong guard at the receptacle on the outer periphery of the housing.

7. The adapter of claim 4 further comprising further comprising a grounding prong guard at the receptacle on the outer periphery of the housing.

8. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the top of the housing is flat and low profile.

9. An electrical plug adapter comprising:

a housing including a top, bottom and outer periphery;

a cap rotatable mounted between the top and bottom of the housing;

a first spade mounted in the cap, wherein the first spade includes a first spade rotary contact rotatable abutting a first housing rotary contact;

a second spade mounted in the cap, wherein the second spade includes a second spade rotary contact rotatable abutting a second housing rotary contact;

a plug receptacle integral to the outer periphery of the housing and rotatable around the rotary cap, wherein the plug receptacle includes

a first receptacle opening including a portion of the first housing rotary contact mounted therein; and

a second receptacle opening including a portion of the second housing rotary contact mounted therein,

further comprising:

a sleeve of the first housing rotary contact covering a post of a first spade rotary contact; and

the second spade rotary contact and second housing rotary contact each include a slip ring.

10. The adapter of claim 9 wherein the portion of the first housing rotary contact mounted in the first receptacle opening includes a flat contact for abutting a flat blade of a plug and the portion of the second housing rotary contact mounted in the second receptacle opening includes a flat contact for abutting a flat blade of a plug.

11. The adapter of claim 10 further comprising one or more springs mounted between the top and bottom of the housing to maintain contact between the second spade rotary contact and second housing rotary contact.

12. An electrical plug adapter comprising:

a housing including a top, bottom and outer periphery; a cap rotatably mounted between the top and bottom of the housing;

at least a first spade mounted in the cap, wherein the first spade includes a first spade rotary contact abutting a first housing rotary contact, said first spade rotary contact and first housing rotary contact each include a slip ring

at least one other electrically conductive prong mounted in the cap and extending therefrom, wherein said other electrically conductive prong includes a second rotary contact mounted in said cap and abutting a second housing rotary contact said second rotary contact and said second housing rotary contact defining a post and a concentric sleeve about said post;

a plug receptacle integral to the outer periphery of the housing and rotatable around the rotary cap, wherein the plug receptacle includes

a first receptacle opening including a portion of the first housing rotary contact mounted therein; and

a second receptacle opening including a portion of the second housing rotary contact mounted therein.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072299/0141 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC (F/K/A COLEMAN CABLE, INC.); TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC (F/K/A TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION); SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 069235/0104 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 9, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 032641/0360 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 21, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032308/0469 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032251/0277 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2009
From: DEVLIN, THOMAS E.; FLAVALORO, GEORGE
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 022567/0243 →