COMPACT TRAVEL PLUG ADAPTER WHICH CAN BE GROUNDED

Abstract

The present invention relates to a travel plug adapter, which will also be referred to herein as a travel adapter, for short. Using such an adapter it is possible to insert power plugs of a certain (domestic) standard into the outlets present at the travel destination. The travel plug adapter (10) is particularly one which has a housing, a plug receptacle (16) and at least a first plug (34) of a first standard and a second plug (36) of a second standard, wherein each plug is assigned an actuation slider (22, 24, 26), which is guided outwardly through a slide slot (42) in the housing and is designed to displace the plug between a standby position, in which the plug is disposed substantially inside the housing, and a usage position, in which the plug is usably disposed outside the housing, wherein the first plug comprises a plug body and a first contact pin and a second contact pin, wherein, in the usage position, both the plug body and the first contact pin and the second contact pin are usably disposed outside the housing, and, in the standby position, both the plug body and the first contact pin and the second contact pin are disposed in the housing, wherein the second plug comprises a third contact pin and a fourth contact pin, and the third contact pin and the fourth contact pin are also guided in the plug body of the first plug.

Claims

1. Travel plug adapter (10) which has a housing, a plug receptacle (16) and at least a first plug (38) of a first standard and a second plug (28) of a second standard, wherein each plug is assigned an actuation slider (22, 24, 26), which is guided outwardly through a slide slot in the housing and is designed to displace the plug between a standby position, in which the plug is disposed substantially inside the housing, and a usage position, in which the plug is usably disposed outside the housing, wherein the first plug comprises a plug body (40) and a first contact pin (42A) and a second contact pin (42B), wherein, in the usage position, both the plug body (40) and the first contact pin (42A) and the second contact pin (42B) are usably disposed outside the housing, and, in the standby position, both the plug body and the first contact pin (42A) and the second contact pin (42B) are disposed in the housing, wherein the second plug (28) comprises a third contact pin (30A) and a fourth contact pin (30B), and the third contact pin (30A) and the fourth contact pin (30B) are also guided in the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

2. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which the second plug (28) is transferred into the usage position by merely transferring the third contact pin (30A) and the fourth contact pin (30B) into the usage position.

3. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which the first plug (38) also has a grounding contact which is disposed outside the plug body (40).

4. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which the second plug (28) has a grounding contact (44) arranged at a distance from the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

5. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which a third plug is also provided, wherein at least one contact of the third plug is guided in the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

6. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 5, in which two current-conducting contacts of the third plug are guided in the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

7. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 6, in which the at least one contact of the third plug is a grounding contact.

8. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which two current-conducting contacts of the third plug are guided outside the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

9. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which the second plug (28) and the third plug have the same polarisation.

10. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which the plug body (40) of the first plug (38) has a guide slot (58) for a supporting element of the second plug (28).

11. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which a sliding selector is provided with a slide position for each plug and the sliding selector is connected to a control knob provided on the outer side of the housing and has a blocking element, and a displacement of the selected plug between the standby position and the usage position is allowed only in dependence of the slide position of the sliding selector, whilst other plugs are arrested in the standby position by the blocking element.

12. The travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which no sliding selector is provided in addition to the actuation sliders (22, 24, 26).

13. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 1, in which a locking element is provided that arrests at least the first plug (38) or the second plug (28) in the usage position.

14. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 13, in which the locking element is connected to a release button (20) provided outside on the housing.

15. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 2, in which the first plug (38) also has a grounding contact which is disposed outside the plug body (40).

16. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 2, in which the second plug (28) has a grounding contact (44) arranged at a distance from the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

17. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 2, in which a third plug is also provided, wherein at least one contact of the third plug is guided in the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

18. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 2, in which two current-conducting contacts of the third plug are guided outside the plug body (40) of the first plug (38).

19. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 2, in which the second plug (28) and the third plug have the same polarisation.

20. Travel plug adapter (10) according to claim 2, in which the plug body (40) of the first plug (38) has a guide slot (58) for a supporting element of the second plug (28).

Description

[0039] Additional features, but also advantages, of the invention, result from the drawings in the following and the associated description. Features of the invention are described in the figures and associated descriptions in combination. These feature may, however, also be included in other combinations of an inventive subject matter. Each disclosed feature should thus also be considered to be disclosed in technically reasonable combinations with other features. Some of the figures are have been slightly simplified and are diagrammatic.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive travel plug adapter,

[0041] FIG. 2 provides a representation, from a similar perspective, of the exemplary embodiment of the travel plug adapter in which the US plug has been moved to the usage position,

[0042] FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of the travel plug adapter according to FIG. 2 in which the underside is visible,

[0043] FIG. 4 is a corresponding perspective representation of the travel adapter from FIG. 3 in which the Schuko plug has been transferred into the use position,

[0044] FIG. 5 is a perspective elevation of selected cooperating components of the travel adapter,

[0045] FIG. 6 is a similar perspective elevation of selected cooperating components, wherein a further supporting frame for an AU plug is visible,

[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective elevation of selected cooperating components, in particular the housing of the Schuko plug,

[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of an inventive travel plug adapter 10 that is ready for use, but is not yet in the usage position. Instead, all of the plugs are in the standby position, i.e., in the housing.

[0048] In the following, first the most essential elements of the travel plug adapter 10 shall be described. The travel plug adapter has a housing that consists of an upper housing part 12 and a lower housing part 14. The upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 14 together form the main plug housing. Disposed on the top side of the travel adapter plug, and thus in the area of the upper housing part 12, is the plug receptacle 16. The latter has a plurality of female connectors 18. More specifically, these are the female connector pair 18A for receiving current-conducting UK contact pins, the female connector pair 18B for receiving current-conducting AU contact pins, the female connector pair 18C for receiving current-conducting US contact pins, the connector 18D for receiving a UK grounding pin, and the connector 18E for receiving a US grounding pin or AU grounding pin.

[0049] The release button 20 is also provided on the housing side. Said release button serves to lock and release actuation elements. On the housing front side there are provided the first actuation slider 22, by means of which the US contacts can be slid out, the second actuation slider 24, by means of which the AU contacts can be slid out, and the third actuation slider 26, by means of which a Schuko plug can be slid out.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the exemplary embodiment of the travel plug adapter according to the invention in which the actuation slider 22 has been transferred into its lower position. The contact pins for the US plug 28 protrude from the housing accordingly. The US plug 28 comprises two current-conducting contact pins (the pins 30A and 30B) and also a grounding pin 32. In the illustrated position the travel adapter can be inserted into an outlet according to the US standard. This standard does not require a plug body to be used. The housing underside of the travel plug adapter 10 then lies flush on the flat surface of the plug according to the US standard.

[0051] In FIG. 3 the same travel adapter is illustrated from a different perspective. Here, it can be clearly seen that the underside 34 is planar. However, a multiplicity of openings 36 and elements are provided on this underside. The openings 36A and 36B are provided for current-conducting Schuko contact pins. The openings 36C and 36D are provided for current-conducting AU contact pins. The opening 38 is provided for an additional grounding pin. The opening 38 is provided together with the openings 36A and 36B in the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. In addition to this plug body, a securing insert 46 is also provided.

[0052] FIG. 4 provides a representation, from the same perspective, of the travel plug adapter according to the invention in which the Schuko plug has been moved to the usage position. The third actuation slider 26 has been brought into its lower position, accordingly. The plug body 40 of the Schuko plug protrudes beyond the underside 34 of the housing. The current-conducting contact pins 42A and 42B of the Schuko plug in turn protrude from the Schuko plug. In accordance with the standard, grounding contacts 44 are disposed on the sides of the plug body.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a perspective elevation of selected cooperating components of the travel adapter 10. With the upper housing part removed, it is possible to see into the inside of the plug, i.e. substantially those components that are received by the lower housing part 14 can be seen. It should also be noted that not all components necessary for the function of the plug are illustrated. For the sake of clarity, a selection has been made.

[0054] The plug body 40 of the Schuko plug can be seen. In this, there are provided the openings 36A and 36B for the current-conducting contact pins of the Schuko plug. The opening 36E, which is provided for a grounding contact pin, can also be seen. In this representation a further opening can also be seen—the opening 56 for the grounding pin of the AU plug.

[0055] The current-conducting contact pins 30A and 30B for the US plug are also illustrated. These are in their standby position, i.e. are retracted into the housing. The first actuation slider 22 is in the upper position, accordingly. The actuation slider 22 can be held in this position by the locking mechanism 48.

[0056] The actuation slider 22 moves the supporting bar 50. The contact pins 30A and 30B are fixed to this supporting bar 50. The supporting bar 50 travels downward accordingly as the first actuation slider 22 is displaced in the direction of the base of the housing. In so doing, the contact pins 30A and 30B are guided in the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. The Schuko plug thus provides a guide for contact pins of another standard.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a similar perspective representation of a similar selection of cooperating components. Here, as key difference from FIG. 5, the supporting bar 52 for the AU plug can also be seen. The supporting bar 52 is connected to the actuation slider 24. The supporting bar 52 has three bar ends, the bar ends 54A, 54B and 54C, which merge in the region 54. The bar ends 54A and 54B support the current-conducting contacts of the AU plug. They guide these contacts mechanically from the (shown) standby position into the usage position. The bar end 54C guides the AU grounding pin. The grounding pin is thus transferred from the (shown) standby position into the usage position through the opening 56 visible in FIG. 5.

[0058] An arrangement in which the current-conducting pins are guided outside the plug housing 40 of the Schuko plug is thus selected for the AU plug, in contrast to the grounding pin within the plug housing 40 of the Schuko plug. By contrast, the current-conducting contact pins for the US plug are guided within the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. Both solutions allow an advantageous and space-saving arrangement. Different solutions can be selected for different plugs. Different solutions can be selected for different plugs.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of other selected cooperating components of the exemplary embodiment of the travel plug adapter. Here, the actuation slider 22 for the US plug and the actuation slider 24 for the EU plug (embodied as a Schuko plug) can be seen. The supporting arm 50 is connected to the actuation slider 22. The supporting arm 50 guides the grounding pin 32, which is moved outside the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. The supporting arm 50 by contrast guides the current-conducting contacts of the US plug within the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. A guide slot 58 is provided accordingly in the plug body 40. This guide slot 58 allows the supporting bar 50 to engage deep in the plug body 40, thus enabling a secure mechanical guidance of the US contact pins.

[0060] In the manner described generally, and described more specifically in the drawings, a travel adapter may be produced that is very comfortable to operate, but in which almost no operating errors are to be expected. Interestingly, the travel adapter is nevertheless inexpensive to produce and may also be produced inexpensively and reliably even if greater fault tolerances must be permitted during mass production.

REFERENCE LIST

[0061] 10 Travel adapter/travel plug adapter [0062] 12 Upper housing part [0063] 14 Lower housing part [0064] 16 Plug receptacle [0065] 18 Female connector [0066] 18A UK female connector pair [0067] 18B AUS female connector pair [0068] 18C US female connector pair [0069] 18D Female connector for UK grounding pin [0070] 18E US grounding pin [0071] 20 Release button [0072] 22 First actuation slider [0073] 24 Second actuation slider [0074] 26 Third actuation slider [0075] 28 US plug [0076] 30 Current-conducting contact pins (US plug) [0077] 32 Grounding pin (US plug) [0078] 34 Plug body (Schuko plug) [0079] 36 Openings [0080] 36A Opening of current-conducting contacts (Schuko) [0081] 36B Opening of current-conducting contacts (Schuko) [0082] 36C Opening of current-conducting contacts (US) [0083] 36D Opening of current-conducting contacts (US) [0084] 36E Opening of further grounding contact [0085] 38 Schuko plug [0086] 40 Plug body of Schuko plug [0087] 42 Current-conducting contacts of Schuko plug [0088] 44 Grounding contact of Schuko plug [0089] 46 Fuse compartment [0090] 48 Locking mechanism [0091] 50 Supporting bar US [0092] 52 Opening of grounding pin [0093] 54 Supporting bar AU [0094] 56 Supporting bar ends AU [0095] 58 Guide slot