IP Library Granted Patent US 8,821,199
Granted Patent B2
US 8,821,199 · App. 13/557,947 · Granted Sep 2, 2014

Multi-prong power tip adaptor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,821,199
App. No.
13/557,947
Granted
Sep 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Consolidated power tips allow a power adaptor to be connected to disparately sized input ports of electronic devices. The consolidated power tips may be sized to balance insertion and pull-out forces for the disparately sized input ports. Deformable members may be added to the consolidated power tips for more desirable insertion and pull-out forces and improved electrical contact. For input ports with different electrical requirements, a mode selector may be added to the consolidated power tip to select between the electrical requirements of the different input ports. The consolidated power tips may be combined into a multi-prong power tip. The multi-prong power tip allows users to interface with a large number of disparate devices without changing power tips.

Claims (47)

1. A multi-interface power tip to couple electrically to a power adaptor and to couple alternatingly with variably sized input ports of electronic devices, the multi-interface power tip comprising:

a housing;

a first device interface having a first size and shape to electrically couple a power adaptor to an input port of an electronic device, the first device interface at least partially disposed within the housing, the first device interface comprising:

a first electrical contact, and

a second electrical contact insulated from the first electrical contact; and

a second device interface having a second size and shape to electrically couple the power adaptor to a first plurality of variably sized input ports of a corresponding first plurality of electronic devices, the second device interface at least partially disposed within the housing,

wherein the second device interface comprises one or more deformable members, and

wherein the second device interface is offset from the first device interface.

2. The multi-prong power tip of claim 1 , wherein the second size and shape of the second device interface create a frictional engagement between the second device interface and the first plurality of variably sized input ports,

wherein the frictional engagement of the second device interface with the first plurality of variably sized input ports provides a threshold pull resistance, and

wherein the frictional engagement of the second device interface with the first plurality of variably sized input ports provides less than a threshold insertion resistance.

3. The multi-prong power tip of claim 1 , further comprising a mode selector to select an output mode.

4. The multi-prong power tip of claim 3 , wherein the mode selector is a button.

5. The multi-prong power tip of claim 1 , wherein power is provided to only one of the first device interface and the second device interface at a time.

6. The multi-prong power tip of claim 5 , further comprising a mode selector to select which of the first device interface and the second device interface is powered.

7. The multi-prong power tip of claim 1 , further comprising a third device interface having a third size and shape to electrically couple the power adaptor to a second plurality of variably sized input ports of a corresponding second plurality electronic devices, wherein the third device interface is offset from the first and second device interfaces.

8. The multi-prong power tip of claim 7 , wherein the first, second, and third device interfaces lie within a single plane.

9. The multi-prong power tip of claim 7 , wherein an angle between the first and second device interfaces is 90 degrees, and an angle between the second and third device interfaces is 90 degrees.

10. The multi-prong power tip of claim 7 , wherein the third device interface comprises one or more deformable members.

11. The multi-prong power tip of claim 1 , further comprising a permanent affixment to the power adaptor.

12. The multi-prong power tip of claim 1 , further comprising removable covers over the first device interface and second device interface.

13. A multi-interface power tip to couple electrically to a power adaptor and to couple alternatingly with variably sized input ports of electronic devices, the multi-interface power tip comprising:

a housing;

a first device interface having a first size and shape to electrically couple a power adaptor to an input port of an electronic device, the first device interface at least partially disposed within the housing; and

a second device interface at least partially disposed within the housing, the second device interface comprising:

a first electrical contact; and

a second electrical contact insulated from the first electrical contact,

wherein a second size and shape of the first and second electrical contacts create a frictional engagement between the second device interface and a first plurality of variably sized input ports,

wherein the frictional engagement of the second device interface with the first plurality of variably sized input ports provides a threshold pull resistance,

wherein the frictional engagement of the second device interface with the first plurality of variably sized input ports provides less than a threshold insertion resistance,

wherein at least one of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact comprises one or more deformable members, and

wherein the second device interface is offset from the first device interface.

14. The multi-prong power tip of claim 13 , further comprising a mode selector to select an output mode.

15. The multi-prong power tip of claim 14 , wherein the mode selector is a button.

16. The multi-prong power tip of claim 13 , wherein power is provided to only one of the first device interface and the second device interface at a time.

17. The multi-prong power tip of claim 16 , further comprising a mode selector to select which of the first device and the second device interface is powered.

18. The multi-prong power tip of claim 13 , further comprising a third device interface having a third size and shape to electrically couple the power adaptor to a second plurality of variably sized input ports, wherein the first, second, and third device interfaces lie within a single plane.

19. The multi-prong power tip of claim 13 , wherein an angle between the first and second device interfaces is 90 degrees.

20. The multi-prong power tip of claim 13 , further comprising a permanent affixment to the power adaptor.

21. The multi-prong power tip of claim 13 , further comprising removable covers on the first device interface and second device interface.

22. A multi-interface power tip to couple electrically to a power adaptor and to couple alternatingly with a plurality of variably sized input ports of a plurality electronic devices, the multi-interface power tip comprising:

a housing;

two or more device interfaces at least partially disposed within the housing, the two or more device interfaces to electrically couple a power adaptor to the plurality of variably sized input ports of the plurality of electronic devices, each device interface comprising:

a first electrical contact; and

a second electrical contact insulated from the first electrical contact,

wherein at least one of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact comprises one or more deformable members, and

wherein the two or more device interfaces are offset from each other.

Assignments (12)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2025
From: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; TARGUS US LLC; HYPER PRODUCTS INC.; TARGUS (CANADA) LTD.; TIGER US HOLDINGS INC.; TARGUS US NEWCO INC.
To: FGI WORLDWIDE LLC
Reel/Frame 072631/0240 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2025
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; HYPER PRODUCTS INC.
Reel/Frame 072853/0109 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; TARGUS US LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; SENA CASES LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; TARGUS GROUP US LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; TARGUS US SUB I INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TARGUS US SUB II INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TARGUS US NEWCO INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; TARGUS (CANADA) LTD., A CORPORATION CONTINUED UNDER THE FEDERAL LAWS OF CANADA; TARGUS ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF HONG KONG; TARGUS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF AUSTRALIA; TARGUS EUROPE LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND (REGISTERED NUMBER 01743076); TARGUS GROUP (UK) LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND (REGISTERED NUMBER 02989548); TARGUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDCO (UK) LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND (REGISTERED NUMBER 07135312); TARGUS CAYMAN SUBCO LIMITED, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY; TARGUS CAYMAN LP, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; TARGUS CAYMAN GP LIMITED, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY; TARGUS CAYMAN HOLDCO LIMITED, A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY; TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; HYPER PRODUCTS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 061803/0815 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2022
From: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; HYPER PRODUCTS INC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 061732/0654 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 17, 2019
From: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; TARGUS US LLC; SENA CASES LLC; TARGUS GROUP US LLC; TARGUS US SUB I INC.; TARGUS US SUB II INC.; TARGUS US NEWCO INC.; TARGUS (CANADA) LTD.; TARGUS ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED; TARGUS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD; TARGUS EUROPE LIMITED; TARGUS GROUP (UK) LIMITED; TARGUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDCO (UK) LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN SUBCO LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN LP; TARGUS CAYMAN GP LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN HOLDCO LIMITED
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 049785/0245 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2018
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 047557/0286 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2016
From: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC; TARGUS US SUB I INC.; TARGUS US SUB II INC.; TARGUS US LLC; SENA CASES LLC; TARGUS US NEWCO INC.; TARGUS CAYMAN LP; TARGUS CAYMAN GP LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN HOLDCO LIMITED; TARGUS CAYMAN SUBCO LIMITED; TARGUS DELAWARE LLC; TARGUS GROUP US LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 038137/0025 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2016
From: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: TARGUS INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 038044/0370 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 037765/0298 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2016
From: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 037551/0337 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2015
From: TARGUS GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.; TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TARGUS, INC.; TARGUS USA, INC.; TARGUS GROUP US LLC; OTEN INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 035893/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2012
From: SANDOVAL, ARTHUR G.; CHERN, WENSON; CHEN, GUANGQUN MAX
To: TARGUS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 028638/0513 →