IP Library Granted Patent US 9,627,792
Granted Patent B1
US 9,627,792 · App. 13/892,704 · Granted Apr 18, 2017

Power adapter with recess

Inventor: Barry L. Klein (Trabuco Canyon, CA)
Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
H01R13/44B65B5/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,627,792
App. No.
13/892,704
Granted
Apr 18, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

According to one embodiment, a power adapter, comprises a power adapter body; a power circuit contained within the power adapter body; and a power cord terminated by a plug, the power cord being electrically connected to the power circuit and extending from the power adapter body. The power adapter body comprises a surface defining a recess that is configured to enable at least a portion of the plug to be removably received within the recess.

Claims (30)

1. A power adapter, comprising:

a power adapter body;

a power circuit contained within the power adapter body; and

a power cord terminated by a plug, the power cord being electrically connected to the power circuit and extending away from the power adapter body,

wherein the power adapter body comprises a surface defining a recess configured to enable the plug to be removably received within the recess and to enable a portion of the power cord extending away from the power adapter body to be folded back on itself and to protrude from the power adapter body and also to be removably received within the recess such that the received plug and the received portion of the power cord do not protrude from the power adapter body, and

wherein as the portion of the power cord is folded back on itself and the plug removably received within the recess, a first segment of the power cord initially located a first distance along the power cord from the power adapter body is caused to face a second segment of the power cord located at a second distance along the power cord from the power adapter body, the second distance being smaller than the first distance.

2. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises prongs and wherein the recess is further configured such that the prongs do not protrude from a footprint of the power adapter body when the plug is removably received within the recess.

3. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the power cord is a direct current (DC) power cord.

4. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the power cord is an alternating current (AC) power cord.

5. The power adapter of claim 4 , further comprising a direct current (DC) power cord that is electrically coupled to the power circuit and that extends from the power adapter body.

6. The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the recess is further configured to retain at least the plug through interference fit.

7. A method of packing an electrical device for shipment, comprising:

placing the electrical device in a box;

providing a power adapter configured to provide power to the electrical device, the power adapter comprising a power adapter body, a power circuit contained within the power adapter body, and a power cord terminated by a plug, the power cord being electrically connected to the power circuit and extending from the power adapter body, the power adapter body comprising a surface defining a recess configured to enable the plug to be removably received within the recess and to enable a portion of the power cord extending away from the power adapter body to be folded back on itself and to protrude from the power adapter body and also to be removably received within the recess such that the received plug and the received portion of the power cord do not protrude from the power adapter body, such that as the portion of the power cord is folded back on itself and the plug removably received within the recess, a first segment of the power cord initially located a first distance along the power cord from the power adapter body is caused to face a second segment of the power cord located at a second distance along the power cord from the power adapter body, the second distance being smaller than the first distance;

ensuring that at least the plug is received within the recess;

placing the power adapter with at least the plug being received within the recess in the box; and

closing the box.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plug comprises prongs and the recess is further configured such that the prongs do not protrude from a footprint of the power adapter body when the plug is removably received within the recess.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the power cord is a direct current (DC) power cord.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the power cord is an alternating current (AC) power cord.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the power adapter further comprises a direct current (DC) power cord that is electrically coupled to the power circuit and that extends from the power adapter body.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the recess is further configured to retain at least the plug through interference fit.

13. The method of claim 7 , wherein ensuring comprises fitting at least the plug within the recess if the plug is not already fitted therein.

14. A power adapter, comprising:

a power adapter body; and

a power cord extending from the body and terminating in a plug, wherein the power adapter body comprises a power cord and plug-shaped recess configured to enable the plug to be removably received within the recess and to enable a portion of the power cord extending away from the power adapter body to be folded back on itself and to protrude from the power adapter body and also to be removably received within the recess such that the received plug and the received portion of the power cord do not protrude from the power adapter body,

wherein as the portion of the power cord is folded back on itself and the plug removably received within the recess, a first segment of the power cord initially located a first distance along the power cord from the power adapter body is caused to face a second segment of the power cord located at a second distance along the power cord from the power adapter body, the second distance being smaller than the first distance.

15. The power adapter of claim 14 , wherein

the power cord is an alternating current (AC) power cord.

16. The power adapter of claim 14 , wherein the received plug is flush with a surface of the power adapter body or recessed within the power cord and plug-shaped recess.

Assignments (8)
PATENT COLLATERAL AGREEMENT - DDTL LOAN AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 21, 2023
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 067045/0156 →
PATENT COLLATERAL AGREEMENT - A&R LOAN AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 21, 2023
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 064715/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 038744 FRAME 0481 Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 058982/0556 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 045501/0714 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0481 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0281 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038722/0229 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2013
From: KLEIN, BARRY L.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 030403/0697 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 61814755 · Apr 22, 2013