JP3026277B2 - Multi-purpose general-purpose power plug with automatic setting connection pin - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power plug which can be adapted to different wall outlet standards of each country. Generally, when a plug is inserted into a wall outlet or another outlet, it conforms to the standard configuration of each country. The present invention relates to a power plug that automatically selects an appropriate connection pin configuration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art Universal power plugs that allow the electrical cord to be directly connected to a power source are clearly preferred over adapters that couple the electrical cord to the power source. Adapter may be lost. Also, adapters are not accepted in most countries as a way to correct electrical appliances to a power source. It is desirable that the universal plug can reduce the weight of products that are moved by users between countries with different power outlet standards, such as laptop computers, or that are sold to those countries. Finally, the use of a universally compatible power plug reduces the number of different plug configurations and therefore the required inventory of products sold internationally.

[0003] Many configurations of general-purpose power plugs or adapters have been proposed. What constitutes the prior art that the present applicant knows and considers most relevant to the present invention is as follows.

[0004] PCT WO 93/11588 states that
Disclosed is an electric adapter having a configuration in which a power plug with connection pins complying with standards of one country can be inserted into an outlet of a power outlet arranged according to standards of another country. The connection pins or prongs are slidably held in elongated holes in the pin housing. The rotating selector plate allows uncovering connection pins that meet the standards of the selected country, pulling them out of the holding holes and manually screwing them into the screw holes near the outer edge of the holes. The cowling surrounding the pin housing is usually spring-biased over the connecting pins, as required by German standards. However, when the adapter is plugged into a wall outlet, the cowling is spring-backed and biased, exposing the connecting pins.

[0005] US Patent No. 4,662,052 discloses a multi-pin adapter that includes a plurality of sliding carriers. Each carrier has an arrangement of connection pins that conforms to national standards. By sliding the appropriate carrier, the appropriate pin arrangement is extended and locked. The pin remains extended until the detent is depressed by pushing the projection. Release of the detent allows the carrier to be manually retracted, thereby retracting the pin array.

US Pat. No. 4,543,624 discloses a pair of 2
It is interesting to show the component connection pins. Each pin has a flat front and a cylindrical rear, with the rear rotating in place about its axis. This allows the front to rotate so that it is parallel for US outlets and angled for Australian / New Zealand outlets.

Another prior art, which is considered to be relevant to the present invention, but which shows other power plug or adapter structures, is disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,815,983 and 4,518.
No. 212, and No. 3025486, and British Patent GB2097202A.

[0008]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

(I) Detects and automatically selects the appropriate contact prong configuration when plugged into a wall outlet or other outlet, (ii) eliminates the need for manual selection or screwing, and (iii) compact Does not require more volume than conventional UK power plugs, and (iv)
There is a need for a universal power plug that can fit into European, British, German, and Australian / New Zealand standard outlets.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To provide a selectable electrical connection, a power plug is provided that can be selectively plugged into an outlet having a differently configured outlet. A plurality of contact prongs have extended positions that project outside the housing. Each prong of the appropriate subset of these prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a matching outlet for the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are surfaced near the outlet of the selected outlet. Contacting and moving relative to the interior of the housing such that at least a portion of the subset of prongs is latched in the extended position as it enters the outlet. When one button is manually pushed from the home position to another, all contact prongs are simultaneously released from the restraint and can return to the extended position.

The contact prong includes a pair of rectangular prongs having semi-cylindrical grooves extending longitudinally opposite each other;
A pair of semi-cylindrical prongs slidably received in the groove. Latching a square prong and a semi-cylindrical prong together constitutes a British prong, but the rectangular prong can move longitudinally within the housing means relative to the semi-cylindrical prong to form a European prong. .

The plug may include a pair of fixed blade power prongs extending from the housing and a pair of longitudinally slidable ground prongs having extended positions protruding outside the housing. The grounding prong will automatically detect and enter a compatible outlet on the selected outlet or, if there is no compatible outlet, contact the surface of the selected outlet and relative to that surface. By moving to the inside of the housing.

[0012] The plug may include a pair of prongs having an extended position protruding outside the housing. Each of the pair of prongs comprises two normally aligned rectangular blade members and an element interconnecting the two members so that one can be swiveled relative to the other. Both members are biased to their respective mutually parallel positions and are adapted to enter the parallel outlets of the selected outlets without swiveling. Both members have chamfered outlet detection ends so that upon entry into an angled outlet at the selected outlet, detection and simultaneous spinning are facilitated.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein and in the claims, the term "prong" refers to a round connecting pin, a flat blade contact (such as a parallel power contact of a conventional US plug), or a plurality of flat blade contacts. Generically means variously shaped prongs or other connecting members that can be plugged into a power outlet or ground outlet configured in accordance with any of the national standards.

As shown in FIG. 1, a universal power plug 10 embodying the present invention includes a housing upper portion 12 and a housing lower portion 14. As shown, the housing lower part 14
Is integrally formed with a power supply unit 16 connected to a power supply (not shown) by a cord 18. The power supply unit 16
Commercially available AC adapters, such as IBM part number 09G1246, of the type that automatically supplies a voltage and frequency that matches the voltage and frequency of the outlet to which the plug is connected using pulse width detection are preferred. The power supply 16 preferably also includes the function of an indicator, such as a red light, which lights up when the previously proposed ground connection has not been established. However, this plug can be separated from the power supply if it is preferred.

As shown, normally the upper portion 12 is vertically aligned with the lower portion 14 and has side-by-side axially movable contact prongs 20, 22, 24 of the US, UK, and European configurations.
Extend forward from the upper front surface 26. Top one
The wings 28 which are integral with and project from the opposing sides of the front surface 2 are parallel to the prongs 20, 22, 24 and the front surface 26.
From the rear. The upper part 12 corresponds to the lower part 14 (and the power supply part 16 when a power supply part is used) in FIG.
, Can be manually slid to the left side, overlapping and overlapping the prongs 20, 22, 24. This allows the plug 10 to be inserted into a recessed plug socket having a corresponding slot for receiving a winglet 28 of the type used in Germany. The U.S. configuration grounding prongs 30 and the UK configuration grounding prongs 32 normally extend forward of the housing lower portion 14 but can be slid axially relative to the housing lower portion 14.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the plunger 3 is inserted into the lumen of a grounding prong 30 in the United States.
4 can slide, British grounding prong 3
The plunger 36 can be slid into the second lumen. Both plungers 34, 36 are normally fingers 38a, 4a of the respective upwardly biased leaf springs 38, 40.
By 0a, it is shifted to the extended position in the figure.

The plungers 34, 36 have cam surfaces 34a,
Note that it has a tapered end that functions as 36a. The spring fingers 38a, 40a are biased upward to the position shown in FIG.
6 prevent rightward movement with respect to the prongs 30 and 32, respectively. Plungers 34, 36 are retained in prongs 30, 32 between stop shoulders 30a, 32a and end caps 30b, 32b, respectively. Leaf springs 38, 40
Note that are parallel to each other and function as ground pins by connection to an external ground strap 42 (FIG. 4) inserted into recess 44 (FIG. 1).

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, each US prong 20 is a thin rectangular blade or strip. Each English prong 22 has a semi-cylindrical longitudinally extending groove into which a corresponding semi-cylindrical European prong 24 fits. The European prong 24 can move in unison with the British prong 22, thereby allowing the British prong 2
Form part of 2, but slide in the axial direction relative to the English prong when a European prong is required.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the generally U-shaped spring metal plate member 46 has two pairs of upwardly directed tabs or flanges 46a at its protruding tip.
46b is attached. This member is secured at the other end 50 to one end of two parallel spring metal plate strips 52. The spring metal strip is provided with sliding contact fingers 54 to provide electrical connection to selected prongs and is electrically insulated by transverse insulating strips 56.

The cylindrical plunger 58 is located on the upper part 1 of the housing.
2 that can be slid in the opening in
6 is secured to a prong release member such as button 60.
A helical spring 62 is mounted on the shoulder of the housing upper part 12 around the plunger 58 and pushes the button 60 upward so that the spring strip 52 and the ground spring fingers 38a, 40a assume the positions shown in FIG. Can be. Plunger 5 with spring 62 and button 60
8 are electrically connected to the external grounding strap 42, and the European contact prongs 24
Performs the function of grounding.

Another cylindrical plunger 66 parallel to plunger 58 is also slidable within an opening in housing upper portion 12. When the button 60 is pressed, the plunger 66 pushes down the U-shaped spring member 46 and the tab 46
a, 46b is lowered to release the pivot detent 68. This allows the prongs 20, 22, 24 to extend to the positions shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 by gravity or by the user shaking the wrist (as if by shaking a thermometer). The pivot detent 68 allows the tabs 40a, 40b to be properly positioned in the manner described below, and includes the European prong 24 and the English prong 2.
The two are fixed together so that they can move together as a British plug. Detents 68 can also operate under different wall socket configurations to selectively lock US prongs 20, British prongs 22, or European prongs 24 in the retracted position.

Note that although tabs 46a project further back than tabs 46b (as seen in FIG. 5), both tabs are the same height. Also, the bottom of the European prong 24 has a longitudinally extending recess 24a, and the US prong 20 is slightly shorter than the prongs 22,24. Prongs 20, 2 to prevent short circuit
The tips of the protruding ends of 2, 24, 30, 32 are made of an insulating material such as plastic or covered with an insulating material,
Preferably, the plungers 34, 36 are formed entirely of such an insulating material.

In operation, with the button 60 depressed, all the prongs 20, 22, 24, 30, 32 and the plungers 34, 36 extend as shown in FIGS. Assume that the button 60 is released with.

A. Use as a British Plug In a British wall outlet, there is no opening to accept a US prong 20 and a grounding prong 30.

In operation, the prong 2 is brought into contact with the wall.
0 is pushed inside and pushes the tab 46a. This allows the prong to pivot the detent 68 to a position behind the corresponding European prong 24, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3, thereby preventing the prong 24 from being retracted into the housing. . At the same time, each tab 46b of the U-shaped spring member 46 falls from the end of the U-shaped prong 20 to a position behind the prong 22. As a result, the prongs 22 and 24 move together, are inserted together into the wall, and the detent 68 and the prongs 20, 22, 24 are in the position shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as the English grounding prong 32 enters the opening of the wall outlet, the finger 40a is biased upward by the leaf spring 40 to hold the prong 32 and its plunger 36 in the extended position. But,
When the plunger 34 of the U.S. ground prong 30 strikes a wall, it is pushed inside. Thereby, the cam surface 34
a moves the spring 38 down to below the fixing pin 30c,
Release the grounding prong 30 so that the grounding prong 30 and the plunger 34 are pushed into the housing 14. The pin 30c is connected to the prong 30 and the plunger 34.
To guide you not to bend up.

Various prongs and springs 3
8 and 40 are in the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and configure the universal plug 10 as a British standard plug.

B. Use as a European Plug In a European wall outlet, there are no openings for receiving the prongs 20,22 and the grounding prongs 30. In operation, prongs 22 are shorter than US-type prongs 20.
It is drawn in by contacting the wall slightly earlier. As a result, before the prong 20 is retracted, the prong 22 removes the detent 68 from the European prong 24.
Pivot to a position behind. Because the tab 46b on the leaf spring 46 cannot drop from the end of the prong 20 to a position behind the prong 22, the prong 22 can be completely retracted into the housing 12.

The US grounding prong 30 is retracted internally, and the British grounding prong 32 remains extended by an operation similar to that described in A above. However, the grounding of the prongs 32 is realized by an electrical connection with the external grounding strap 42.

The various components are now in the positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the general-purpose plug 10 is configured as a European standard plug.

C. Use as a US Plug In a US outlet, there is no opening to accept the prongs 22, 24 or ground prongs 32. Prong 2
When they contact the wall, they move upward as seen in FIG. 3 and prevent the detent 68 from pivoting. This locks the prongs 20 in the extended position. During this movement, the prongs 22, 24 are guided by the fixing pins 70 so as not to warp and overlap the tabs 46b. At this time, the tab 46a performs no function.

On the other hand, the U.S. ground prong 30 and the plunger 34 are held in the extended position by a spring 38a acting on the prong 30 through the cam surface 34a and the shoulder 30a. However, the plunger 36 and its associated prongs 32 are retracted internally and move the fingers 40a of the spring 40 downward.

The various components are now in the positions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the general-purpose plug 10 is configured as a US-standard plug.

D. Use as a German Plug The housing upper part 12 is manually moved forward of the housing lower part 14 to first cover the electric prongs 20,22,24. The wings 28 are aligned with the corresponding openings in the recessed German standard outlet. The upper housing part 12 is then pushed rearward as it moves toward the wall, exposing the prongs 20,22,24. Thereafter, the components of the universal plug 10 operate in a manner similar to that described for the European plug configuration in section B.

After use for the plug construction described in sections A to D, the plug 10 is pulled out of the outlet. By simply pressing the button 60, all prongs can be reset to the extended position and adjusted for plugs of different configurations. When the button 60 is pressed, the plunger 58
Acts via an insulating cross strip 56 to lower the finger 54 from sliding contact with the prongs 20, 22, 24 and the fingers 38a, 40 of the springs 38, 40, respectively.
a is lowered below the pins 30c and 32c. At the same time,
Button 60 acts via plunger 66 and depresses U-shaped spring 46, thereby causing its tabs 46a,
6b is lowered to release the pivot detent 68. This allows the prongs 20, 22, 24, 30, and 32 to extend to their respective extended positions due to gravity or the swing of the user's wrist.

Next, when the button 60 is released, the button 60 is moved upward by the spring 62. The contact fingers 54 again make sliding contact with the prongs 20, 22, 24 and hold these prongs by friction. Tabs 46a and 46b move upward. The springs 38, 40 are fingers 38a, 40a
Hold the grounding prongs 30, 32 and their plungers 34, 36 in the extended position. The various components are now in the positions shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 again.

E. Modifications As obvious modifications of the invention, the prongs 20, 22, 2
A portion of 4, 30, 32 may be removed or a portion of the remaining prongs may not be retracted from the extended position. For example, the prongs 22, 24 and the European grounding prong 32 are removed, the US prong 20 is secured, and the US grounding prong 32 and its plunger 3 are removed.
6 can be retractable and operable in the same manner as described above. In this case, the plug can be plugged into either a wall outlet with a ground connection or another outlet and an outlet without a ground connection.

In the above, for simplicity, the prongs 20 are shown as thin rectangular blades or strips. However, if one wishes to adapt the plug for selective use between a US-type conset with a parallel outlet and an Australian / New Zealand-type outlet with an angled outlet, the prong 20 can be replaced with the prong 100. It can be replaced. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each prong 100 includes two adjacent thin rectangular blades or strips 102,104. The blade or strip has aligned centrally located holes 102a, 104a extending a significant length inward from adjacent ends. Holes 102a, 104a
A torsion bar 106 extends into the inside, and its both ends are suitably fixed to the strips 102 and 104 by screws 108 or the like. Strip 1 of each prong 100
04 is longitudinally movable (similar to prong 20) but cannot rotate. However, due to the resistance of the torsion bar 106, each strip 102 is rotatable from a position parallel to the corresponding strip 104 to a position at an angle to the corresponding strip. The outer end of the strip 102 is beveled diagonally in the opposite direction, such as 110a, 110b, so that when the plug 102 is inserted into the angled outlet of an Australian / New Zealand type outlet, the strip 102 will correspond to the corresponding strip 104.
The torsion bar 106 facilitates alignment approach and simultaneous spinning. Upon withdrawal from the angled slot, the torsional moment of the torsion bar 106 is released and each strip 102 is brought into alignment with the corresponding strip 104.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limiting, except to the extent excluded by the appended claims.

In summary, the following is disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention.

(1) A power plug which can be selectively inserted into an outlet having a differently configured outlet for realizing a selectable electrical connection, the housing means and an extension projecting outside the housing means. A plurality of contact prongs having locations, wherein a suitable subset of said prongs are automatically adapted to detect and enter a matching outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs upon entry, By contacting the surface near the outlet of the selected outlet and moving relative to it,
A power plug, which moves into the housing. (2) conditioned by moving at least one of the remaining prongs inwardly such that when at least a portion of the subset of the prongs enters a suitable outlet, the prongs latch into an extended position. Plug according to (1), including means for housing within the housing means. (3) The plug according to (1), including one release means manually operable from a fixed position to another position so that all contact prongs can be simultaneously released from the restraint and returned to the extended position. . (4) The plug according to (3), including means for frictionally holding the contact prong in the extended position when the release means returns to the home position. (5) A part of the prong is slidably received in another prong of the prong, depending on whether the part of the prong and the other prong are aligned in the longitudinal direction or shifted in the longitudinal direction. The plug according to (1), wherein the plug has a different prong configuration. (6) the contact prongs include a pair of rectangular prongs having semi-cylindrical grooves facing each other in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of semi-cylindrical prongs slidably received in the grooves; Means for latching the rectangular and semi-cylindrical prongs together to form a British prong, wherein the rectangular prongs move longitudinally inside the housing means relative to the semi-cylindrical prongs to move to a European prong. The power plug according to (1), characterized in that: (7) Two of the above prongs are interconnected with two square blade members, each of which is normally aligned, such that one member can be twisted relative to the other member. And one of the members has a chamfered insertion port detection end to facilitate detection of the insertion port and simultaneous rotation of the two blade members when entering an angled insertion port. (1)
Plug described in. (8) The plug according to (7), wherein each one of the members is normally biased by a torsion force so as to be aligned in parallel with the corresponding other member. (9) The two prongs each include a square blade member having two elongated, normally aligned, substantially abutting butting abutments in the center, one of the blade members being restrained from rotating. , A torsion bar is arranged in the hole, and the vicinity of the end is in each of the blade members,
The other blade member is fixed so as to be able to rotate with respect to the one blade member, and the other blade member has a chamfered insertion detecting end so as to detect the insertion when entering the angled insertion. The plug according to (1), characterized in that it facilitates simultaneous rotation of the blade member and the blade member. (10) The housing means has a portion that covers at least a portion of the prongs at one location and extends forward of another housing portion, the one portion being insertable into a recessed outlet and the surface of the outlet. The plug of claim 1, wherein said plug is slidable rearward relative to the other housing portion to gradually expose a subset of said prongs as said subset enters said receptacle. (11) The plug according to (1), further comprising a release means capable of returning all the connection pins to their extended positions by manually pressing down and shaking the user's wrist. (12) A power plug selectively insertable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet for achieving a selectable electrical connection, the power plug having housing means and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. Contact prongs, wherein an appropriate subset of the prongs are automatically adapted to detect and enter a matching outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry to the selected outlet. Contact prongs that move into the interior of the housing by contacting and moving relative to a surface near the receptacle, and housing means for latching them in an extended position when the subsets enter a compatible receptacle. Means for guiding the remaining prongs as they are pushed into the interior of the housing means. Power plug and a manually operable release means for returning to the extended position to release simultaneously the contact prongs from restraint. (13) A power plug selectively insertable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, the housing means; and a pair of fixed power prongs extending from the housing means. And a plurality of contact prongs including a pair of longitudinally slidable grounding prongs having an extended position protruding out of the housing means, wherein the grounding prongs are plugged into the outlet when the power prong is plugged into a selected outlet. By automatically detecting and entering an aligned matching outlet in the housing, or by contacting and moving relative to that surface of the outlet if there is no matching outlet A power plug that operates to move inside the means. (14) A power plug selectively insertable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to achieve a selectable electrical connection, the power plug having housing means and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. A plurality of contact prongs, including a pair of prongs, each of the pair of prongs having two normally aligned rectangular blade members and one of which can twist the members relative to the other. One member is biased to respective positions that are parallel to each other and is adapted to enter the parallel outlet at the selected outlet without swiveling. One of the members shall have a beveled inlet detection end to facilitate detection and simultaneous rotation upon entry into an angled outlet of the selected outlet. The butterfly, the power supply plug. (15) The plug according to (1), including a power supply that automatically adjusts the voltage to match a selected outlet using pulse width detection, and formed integrally with the power supply.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a general-purpose power plug embodying the present invention, configured integrally with a power supply unit as shown.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front end view of a power plug portion shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the spring metal sheet part shown in FIG. 4 providing electrical connection to various contact prongs of the plug.

FIG. 6 shows a plug configured as a British type plug;
FIG. 7 is an end view similar to FIG. 2 and a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 shows a plug configured as a British type plug,
FIG. 7 is an end view similar to FIG. 2 and a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end view similar to FIG. 2 and a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 8, showing the plug configured as a European plug.

FIG. 9 is an end view similar to FIG. 2 and a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 8, showing the plug configured as a European plug.

FIG. 10 is an end view similar to FIG. 2 and a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 10 showing the plug configured as a US-type plug.

FIG. 11 is an end view similar to FIG. 2 and a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 10 showing the plug configured as a US-type plug.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view and an end view of a contact prong that can be used as a modified embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view and an end view of a contact prong that can be used as a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Upper Housing 14 Lower Housing 20 US Prong 22 British Prong 24 European Prong 28 Winglet 30 US Ground Prong 32 UK Ground Prong

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Edwin Joseph Selker United States 94306 Palo Alto Matadero Avenue, CA 738 (72) Inventor William Marvin Dyer United States 95123 San Jose Noyo Drive, California 190 (56 References JP-A-60-258879 (JP, A) JP-A-4-129481 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 29/00 H01R 13/652 H01R 13/46

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a receptacle of different configuration to achieve a selectable electrical connection, comprising: a housing means; and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. Contacting and moving relative to the surface of the outlet in the vicinity of the outlet, and moving into the housing when at least a part of the subset of the prongs enters a suitable outlet. Wherein at least one of the remaining prongs moves inward so that the prongs latch in the extended position. Power plug, characterized in that the means conditioned by the power plug are contained within the housing means. 2. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, said housing plug comprising: a housing means; and an extended position protruding outside of the housing means. A plurality of contact prongs having: and one release means manually operable from a fixed position to another position so that all contact prongs can be simultaneously released from restraint and returned to an extended position; The appropriate subset of prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a matching outlet on the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs touch the surface near the selected outlet outlet upon entry And moving relative to the interior of the housing, and when the release means returns to the home position, Wherein the frictionally prongs tactile comprises means for retaining the extended position, the power plug. 3. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, comprising: housing means; and an extended position protruding outside of the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. It moves into the housing by touching the surface near the outlet of the outlet and moving relative to it, and a part of the prong can slide on other prongs of the prong And depending on whether some of the prongs and other prongs are longitudinally aligned or longitudinally displaced. A power plug, comprising a prong configuration. 4. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, the power plug comprising: housing means; and an extended position protruding outside of the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. The contact prong is moved into the housing by contacting and moving relative to the surface near the insertion port of the outlet, and further, the contact prong has a semi-cylindrical groove extending in a longitudinal direction facing the contact prong. A pair of rectangular prongs having
A pair of semi-cylindrical prongs slidably received in the groove, including means for latching the square and semi-cylindrical prongs together to form a British prong;
A power plug, characterized in that the rectangular prongs can move longitudinally inside the housing means relative to the semi-cylindrical prongs to form a European prong. 5. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, the power plug comprising: housing means; and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. The contact is made to move into the housing by contacting the surface near the outlet of the outlet and moving relative to the surface. Further, two of the prongs are normally aligned with each other. The two rectangular blade members and the elements that interconnect the blade members so that one member can be twisted relative to the other. Provided that each one of the members has a chamfered insertion port detection end to facilitate detection of the insertion port and simultaneous rotation of the two blade members when entering the angled insertion port. Power plug. 6. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, the housing comprising: a housing means; and an extended position protruding outside of the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. Contacting the surface of the outlet near the outlet and moving relative to the surface, and moving into the housing. In addition, two of the plurality of contact prongs each have two normal prongs. A rectangular blade member having parallel elongated, substantially abutting abutments and having an elongated hole in the center, one of the blade members being non-rotating A torsion bar is disposed in the hole, and the torsion bar is fixed near each end to each of the blade members so that the other blade member can be rotated with respect to the one blade member, and the other blade member is chamfered. A power plug having an inserted outlet detection end for facilitating detection of the outlet and simultaneous rotation of the blade member when entering an angled outlet. 7. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured receptacle to provide a selectable electrical connection, comprising: a housing means; and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. The interior of the housing by contacting and moving relative to the surface in the vicinity of the outlet of the outlet, and wherein the housing means covers at least some of the prongs in one location A portion extending forward of a housing portion of the housing, said portion being insertable into an embedded outlet and over the outlet. A power plug characterized by being slidable rearward relative to the other housing portion by engagement with the surface and gradually exposing the subset of prongs as the subset enters the receptacle. 8. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, the power plug comprising: housing means; and an extended position protruding outside of the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. It moves into the housing by touching the surface near the outlet of the outlet and moving relative to it, and further pushes down manually and shakes the user's wrist to remove all connection pins. A power plug comprising release means capable of returning to an extended position. 9. A power plug selectively pluggable into an outlet having a differently configured outlet to provide a selectable electrical connection, the power plug comprising: housing means; and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. A suitable subset of said prongs is automatically adapted to detect and enter a suitable outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. The wall outlet comes into contact with the surface near the outlet of the outlet and moves relative to the outlet, and the voltage is adjusted to match the outlet selected using pulse width detection. A power supply plug including a power supply device for automatically adjusting the power supply, and integrally formed with the power supply device. 10. A power plug selectively insertable into an outlet having a receptacle of different configuration to achieve a selectable electrical connection, comprising: a housing means; and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. A plurality of contact prongs, wherein a suitable subset of the prongs are automatically adapted to detect and enter a matching outlet of the selected outlet, and the remaining prongs are selected upon entry. A contact prong that moves into the housing by contacting and moving relative to a surface near the outlet of the outlet, and a latch for latching them in the extended position when the subset enters a compatible outlet. Means in the housing means and means for guiding the remaining prongs as they are pushed into the interior of the housing means And a manually operable release means for simultaneously releasing all contact prongs from restraint and returning to the extended position. 11. A power plug selectively insertable into an outlet having a differently configured receptacle to provide a selectable electrical connection, said power plug comprising: housing means; and an extended position protruding outside the housing means. A plurality of contact prongs including a pair of prongs having
Each pair of prongs comprises two normally aligned rectangular blade members and an element interconnecting the members so that one can rotate with respect to the other, one member being interconnected. Are aligned to be parallel to each other and adapted to enter the parallel outlet of the selected outlet without twisting, one of which is at an angle to the selected outlet. A power plug, characterized in that it has an insertion port detection end which is chamfered so as to facilitate simultaneous rotation with detection when entering the power supply.