IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,079,852
Granted Patent B2
US 8,079,852 · App. 12/943,494 · Granted Dec 20, 2011

Grounded power adapter

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,079,852
App. No.
12/943,494
Filed
Nov 10, 2010
Granted
Dec 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2833
USPC
439/105
Abstract

A power adapter includes an adapter base defining a plug member channel immediately adjacent a first channel wall and a second channel wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first channel wall. A power member connector extends into the first channel wall such that no part of the power member connector protrudes into the defined plug member channel. A ground member connector is located on the second channel wall and spaced apart from the power member channel. A plug member includes a plug base having a first plug wall and a second plug wall that is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall. A power member is located on the first plug wall and a ground member is located on the second plug wall. The plug member is operable to be inserted into the plug member channel such that the power member enters the power member channel and electrically couples to the power member connector and the ground member engages the ground member connector.

Claims (34)

1. A power adapter, comprising:

an adapter base defining a plug member channel immediately adjacent a first channel wall and a second channel wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first channel wall;

a power member connector that extends into the first channel wall such that no part of the power member connector protrudes into the defined plug member channel;

a ground member connector located on the second channel wall and spaced apart from the power member channel; and

a plug member comprising a plug base having a first plug wall and a second plug wall that is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall, wherein a power member is located on the first plug wall and a ground member is located on the second plug wall, and wherein the plug member is operable to be inserted into the plug member channel such that the power member enters the power member channel and electrically couples to the power member connector and the ground member engages the ground member connector.

2. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the power member is a two-pin power member, and the power member connector is a two-pin power member connector.

3. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein an adapter cord extends from the adapter base and includes an adapter connector that is operable to couple to an information handling system (IHS).

4. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the plug member includes a power cord having a three-pin Alternating Current (AC) connector coupled to the power cord opposite the plug member.

5. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the plug member includes a two-pin AC connector located adjacent a third plug wall on the plug base.

6. The power adapter of claim 5 , wherein the two-pin AC connector comprises a folding AC connector that is operable to be oriented into a first position such that the two-pin AC connector extends from the third plug wall, and a second position such that the two-pin AC connector is substantially flush with the third plug wall.

7. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the plug member includes a three-pin AC connector located on a third plug wall on the plug base.

8. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the adapter base includes a plurality of surfaces each defining a plug member entrance that allows the plug member to enter the plug member channel.

9. A power adapter, comprising:

an adapter base defining a plug member channel immediately adjacent a first channel wall and a second channel wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first channel wall;

a power member connector that extends into the first channel wall such that no part of the power member connector protrudes into the defined plug member channel;

a ground member connector located on the second channel wall and spaced apart from the power member channel; and

a plug member comprising a plug base having a first plug wall and a second plug wall that is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall, wherein a power member is located on the first plug wall and operable to be inserted into the plug member channel such that the power member enters the power member channel and electrically couples to the power member connector.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the power member is a two-pin power member, and the power member connector is a two-pin power member connector.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the plug member includes a ground member that is located on the second plug wall and operable to engage the ground member connector when the plug member is inserted into the plug member channel.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plug member includes a power cord having a three-pin Alternating Current (AC) connector coupled to the power cord opposite the plug member.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plug member includes a three-pin AC connector located on a third plug wall on the plug base.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the plug member includes a two-pin AC connector located adjacent a third plug wall on the plug base.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the two-pin AC connector comprises a folding AC connector that is operable to be oriented into a first position such that the two-pin AC connector extends from the third plug wall, and a second position such that the two-pin AC connector is substantially flush with the third plug wall.

16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the adapter base includes a plurality of surfaces each defining a plug member entrance that allows the plug member to enter the plug member channel.

17. A method for providing power to an information handling system (IHS), comprising:

providing an adapter base that defines a plug member channel between a first channel wall and a second channel wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first channel wall;

coupling an adapter cord that extends from the adapter base to an IHS;

inserting a plug member in the plug member channel, the plug member comprising a plug base having a first plug wall and a second plug wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plug wall, wherein a power member is located on the first plug wall and a ground member is located on the second plug wall;

inserting the power member into the first channel wall in order to engage a power member connector, wherein the power member connector extends into the first channel wall such that no part of the power member connector protrudes into the defined plug member channel;

engaging the ground member with a ground member connector that is located on the second channel wall and is spaced apart from the power member channel; and

coupling the plug member to a power source to provide power to the IHS.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the coupling the plug member to a power source comprises coupling a two-pin Alternating Current (AC) connector, that is located on a third plug wall on the plug base, to a power source.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the coupling the plug member to a power source comprises coupling a three-pin Alternating Current (AC) connector, that is located on a third plug wall on the plug base, to a power source.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the coupling the plug member to a power source comprises coupling a three-pin Alternating Current (AC) connector, that is located on a power cord that extends from the plug member, to a power source.

Assignments (14)
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: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
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: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
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 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 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 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 12333832 · Dec 12, 2008
Related Publication 20110053394A1 · Mar 3, 2011