Universal battery charger and/or power adaptor

A base for a universal power adaptor having an adapter body with electrical contacts and a first rotational mechanical coupler therein for securing the adapter body to the base, the base comprising:

• respective conducting pins extending from a first side of the base for insertion into corresponding apertures of an electrical power socket providing main electrical power,
• respective electrical terminals located on a second side, opposite the first side, of the base and corresponding to and electrically connected to respective conducting pins,
• a rotatable safety cover having openings and rotatable between a first position shielding the electrical terminals and a second position providing access to the electrical terminals through the openings,
• a second rotational mechanical coupler co-operating with the first rotational mechanical coupler of the adapter body to secure the adapter body to the base with respective electrical contacts of the base engaging the corresponding electrical terminals of the adapter body, when the adapter body and the base are secured to each other, and
• a lock preventing rotation of the safety cover from the first position to the second position when the adapter body is not secured to the base, wherein the lock comprises an aperture in the safety cover and a resiliently deformable tab on the base which, when located within the aperture, prevents rotation of the safety cover.

A universal power adapter for use with electrical appliances, the adapter comprising:

• a first connector body connectable with an electrical power system,
• a power cord extending from the first connector body to a remote end, remote from the first connector body,
• a mating socket connected to the power cord at the remote end of the power cord, and
• a detachable adaptor tip at the remote end of the power cord, wherein
• the mating socket comprises
• a second connector body attached to the remote end of the power cord and having pin sockets in an end opposite the power cord and a first indicator thereon,
• electrical terminals located in the pin sockets that are connected electrically to the first connector body via conductors in the power cord, and
• a locking collar rotatable located on the second connector body, the locking collar having a bayonet catch member on an internal wall and a second indicator for alignment with the first indicator;
• and
• the detachable adaptor tip comprises
• an adapter body having an electrical appliance connector at a first end and pin terminals at an opposite end for insertion into the pin sockets, wherein the electrical appliance connector is connected electrically to the pin terminals, and
• a locking lug on the adapter body that is engageable with the bayonet catch member upon rotation of the locking collar to detachably secure the adaptor tip to the mating socket.