IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,851,960
Granted Patent B2
US 6,851,960 · App. 10/230,736 · Granted Feb 8, 2005

AC adapter connector assembly

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,851,960
App. No.
10/230,736
Filed
Aug 29, 2002
Granted
Feb 8, 2005
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2831
USPC
439/172
Abstract

An AC adapter connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes both a connector plug and a socket. The connector plug includes a connector housing having a first body and a second body both extending from the connector housing. The second body is offset and in alignment with the first body. A first pin aperture and a third pin aperture are disposed within the first body while a second pin aperture is disposed within the second body. The socket assembly includes a socket housing having a first aperture and a second aperture offset from the first aperture. A first pin and a third pin are disposed within the first aperture and a second pin is disposed within the second aperture. The connector plug assembly is operable to couple with the socket assembly in a specific orientation and support both a three wire power cord and a two wire power cord.

Claims (47)

1. An AC adapter socket assembly comprising:

a socket housing for an AC adapter including a first aperture and a second aperture, the second aperture located adjacent to and in alignment with the first aperture;

a first pin disposed within the first aperture, the first pin operable to receive and transmit current from an associated AC power chord for connecting with a wall outlet;

a second pin disposed within the second aperture and offset from and in alignment with the first pin, the second pin operable to receive and transmit current from the associated AC power chord; and

a third pin disposed within the first aperture and between the first pin and the second pin in alignment with the first pin and the second pin, the third pin operable to receive and transmit current from the associated AC power chord; and

wherein the socket assembly is operable to couple with a connector plug assembly in a specific orientation and support a connection with both a three wire AC power chord and a two wire AC power chord.

2. The socket assembly of claim 1 wherein the second aperture has a cylindrical shape operable for mating with a second body of the connector plug assembly.

3. The socket assembly of claim 1 wherein the first aperture has a unique shape operable for mating with a first body of the connector plug assembly, the unique shape not compatible with standard electrical connector assembly designs.

4. The socket assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a first socket contact disposed adjacent the first pin and operably coupling the first pin to the AC adapter;

a second socket contact disposed adjacent the second pin and operably coupling the first pin to the AC adapter; and

a third socket contact disposed adjacent the third pin and operably coupling the third pin to the AC adapter.

5. The socket assembly of claim 1 wherein the second pin comprises a ground pin.

6. The socket assembly of claim 1 wherein the AC adapter is operable to support both a two wire AC power cord and a three wire AC power cord.

7. An AC adapter connector plug assembly comprising:

a connector housing associated with an AC power chord for connecting with a wall outlet;

a first body extending from the connector housing and including a first pin aperture;

a second body having a cylindrical shape and extending from the connector housing offset from the first body, the second body including a second pin aperture in alignment with the first pin aperture;

a third pin aperture disposed within the first body, the third pin aperture in alignment with and between the first pin aperture and the second pin aperture; and

wherein the connector housing is operable to couple with an AC adapter socket assembly in a specific orientation and wherein the connector housing supports a connection to both a two wire AC power cord and a three wire AC power cord.

8. The connector plug assembly of claim 7 wherein the first body has a unique shape operable for mating with a first aperture of the socket assembly.

9. The connector plug assembly of claim 7 further comprising an overmold operably coupling the connector housing and the AC power cord.

10. The connector plug assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

a first contact disposed within the first aperture;

a second contact disposed within the second aperture; and

a third contact disposed within the third aperture.

11. The connector plug assembly of claim 10 wherein the third contact comprises a ground contact.

12. The connector plug assembly of claim 10 further comprising AC power cord operably coupled to the first contact and the second contact, the power cord operable to transmit an electrical current.

13. The connector plug assembly of claim 12 wherein the power cord comprises a two wire power cord.

14. The connector plug assembly of claim 12 further comprising the power cord operably coupled to the third contact.

15. The connector plug assembly of claim 14 wherein the power cord comprises a three wire power cord.

16. An information handling system comprising:

an AC power cord connector plug assembly associated with an AC power cord for connecting with a wall outlet, the AC power cord connector plug assembly including a plurality of pin apertures, a first body having a unique shape, and a second body offset from the first body and having a cylindrical shape, the connector plug assembly operable to support a connection to both a three wire AC power cord and a two wire AC power cord; and

an AC Adapter socket assembly including a plurality of pins, a first aperture, and a second aperture, the second aperture located adjacent to and in alignment with the first aperture, the socket assembly operable to mate with the connector plug assembly in a specific orientation and support connection with both a two wire AC power chord and a three wire AC power chord.

17. The information handling system of claim 16 wherein the pins comprise:

a first pin disposed within the first aperture, the first pin operable to receive and transmit an electrical signal associated with the power chord;

a second pin disposed within the second aperture and offset from and in alignment with the first pin, the second pin operable to receive and transmit an electrical signal; and

a third pin disposed within the first aperture and between the first pin and the second pin in alignment with the first pin and the second pin, the third pin operable to receive and transmit an electrical signal.

18. The information handling system of claim 16 wherein:

the first body is operable to couple with the first aperture; and

the second body is operable to couple with the second aperture.

19. The information handling system of claim 16 wherein the pin apertures comprise:

a first pin aperture disposed within the first body;

a second pin aperture disposed within the second body, the second pin aperture offset from the first pin aperture and in alignment with the first pin aperture; and

a third pin aperture disposed within the first body, the third pin aperture disposed between the first pin aperture and the second pin aperture and in alignment with the first pin aperture and the second pin aperture.

20. The information handling system of claim 16 wherein the power cord comprises a two wire power cord having a two prong wall plug.

21. The information handling system of claim 16 wherein the power cord comprises a three wire power cord having a three prong wall plug.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2002
From: BAIN, WILLIAM O.; MUENZER, CHRISTOPHER H.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P., A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 013256/0793 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040043651A1 · Mar 4, 2004