# US 9,882,313 B2 · Electrical plug adapter having socket key safety system

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- Number: US 9,882,313 B2
- Document ID: US9882313B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/852,267
- Filed: 2015-09-11
- Published: 2016-06-30
- Granted: 2018-01-30
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: AeroVironment, Inc.
- Applicants: Aerovironment, Inc.
- Inventors: Herman Joseph Steinbuchel, IV; Larry Hayashigawa; Ronald Lee Norton; David Paul Soden; Thomas Michael Zevin; Albert Joseph Flack
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882313B2

## CPC

- H01R 13/6456: {comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector}
- H01R 13/64: Means for preventing incorrect coupling
- H01R 24/22: with additional earth or shield contacts
- H01R 24/30: with additional earth or shield contacts
- H01R 31/06: Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94)
- H01R 13/6392: {for extension cord}
- H01R 2103/00: Two poles
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

An electric vehicle (“EV”) charger plug adapter apparatus includes an adapter housing, a socket extending into a first side of the adapter housing, the socket configuration defined by a first technical standard for use with at least one of a first current or voltage rating, a plug extending from a second side of the adapter housing, the plug configuration defined by a second technical standard for use with at least one of a second current or voltage rating, and a key extending from the first side of the adapter housing, wherein the key prevents seating of a second plug into the socket if the second plug does not have a complementary key socket to fit the key.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system, comprising:
an adapter comprising:
a socket defined by a first technical standard and comprising a neutral socket, a power socket, and a ground socket;
a plug defined by a second technical standard and comprising a neutral blade, a power blade, and a ground blade;
at least one key extending out from a face of the socket; and
an adapter housing, wherein the socket and the plug are disposed on opposing sides of the adapter housing;
an electric vehicle (“EV”) power adapter, the EV power adapter comprising:
a second plug compatible with the first technical standard and comprising a second neutral blade, a second power blade, and a second ground blade; and
at least one complementary key socket extending inward from a face of the second plug, wherein the at least one complementary key socket is aligned with the at least one key of the adapter;
wherein the socket of the adapter is configured to receive the second plug wherein the at least one complementary key socket is aligned with the at least one key of the adapter, wherein the at least one complementary key socket is configured to receive the at least one key so as to electrically couple the second neutral blade to the neutral socket and the neutral blade, electrically couple the second power blade to the power socket and the power blade, and electrically couple the second ground blade to the ground socket and the ground blade.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one key is configured to prevent electric coupling of a device comprising a third plug with the adapter comprising the socket if the third plug does not have at least one complementary key socket aligned with the at least one key of the adapter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one key is disposed between the power socket and the ground socket of the socket of the adapter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one key is a geometric frustum.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one key is straight and serpentine.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one key is serpentine.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one key is comprised of at least one of: a rigid thermoplastic, a rigid thermosetting polymer, metal, and ceramic.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the adapter comprises two keys.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8 wherein the two keys are aligned and centered between the neutral socket and the power socket of the socket of the adapter.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8 wherein the two keys are positioned adjacent to the neutral socket of the socket of the adapter.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8 wherein the two keys are positioned adjacent to the power socket of the socket of the adapter.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8 wherein the two keys are positioned adjacent to the ground socket of the socket of the adapter.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one key comprises a walled structure.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13 wherein the walled structure separates each of the neutral socket, the power socket, and the ground socket on the face of the socket.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13 wherein the walled structure is a uniform height.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13 wherein the walled structure is a varying height.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the adapter housing is generally rectangular in cross-section.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the adapter housing is comprised of at least one of: a rigid thermoplastic and a rigid thermosetting polymer.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the adapter housing further comprises a flexible portion, the flexible portion disposed between the socket and the plug.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the adapter housing further comprises one or more longitudinal slots to receive a clip for slidable coupling with the EV power adapter comprising the second plug.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein a power rating associated with the second technical standard is greater than a power rating associated with the first technical standard.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first technical standard is National Electrical Manufacturers Association (“NEMA”) 5-15 standard.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The system of claim 22, wherein the second technical standard is selected from the group consisting of NEMA 6-15, NEMA 5-20, and NEMA 6-20standards.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one key is a peg.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one key comprises a plurality of protrusions.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter housing comprises a flexible cable connecting the socket and the plug.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the neutral socket is electrically coupled to the neutral blade, the power socket is electrically coupled to the power blade, and the ground socket is electrically coupled to the ground blade.