Adapter plug for personal computers

Claim 1

An electrical adapter for a small appliance having a recess in one wall thereof, the recess being of a preselected cross-sectional configuration and having a plurality of metal prongs in the recess by which power is supplied to the appliance as by means of an extension cord, the extension cord having a female end thereon configured of mating cross-sectional configuration to be inserted into said recess and having openings in the end thereof to receive the prongs, the openings in the extension cord male end having conductive members therein connected to wires which extend to a source of electrical energy whereby electrical energy is normally supplied to the appliance by the extension cord, the electrical adapter providing means of using the extension cord for supplying electrical energy to the appliance and at the same time provide receptacles for receiving a plurality of other extension cords by which ancillary equipment may be supplied with electrical energy, the electrical adapter comprising: an elongated body member having, parallel to the body longitudinal axis, a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface having therein a recess of cross-sectional shape substantially identical to the recess in the appliance; an electrically conductive male plug having prongs received in said recess of shape and orientation substantially identical to the prongs in the recess in the appliance, the recess and prongs being adaptable to receiving an extension cord female end; an integral boss portion extending from said body rear surface forming a female plug, the boss portion being of cross-sectional configuration substantially identical to the recess in the appliance and having openings in the end thereof to receive the prongs in the male plug recess in the appliance whereby the boss portion may be plugged into the recess in the appliance and said body member being thereby removably supported to the appliance; a plurality of spaced part openings in said body member front surface forming surface plugs, the openings being arranged in patterns to accept the metal prongs of ancillary extension cords, each opening having means to provide electrical continuity with a prong received therein, and the prongs and conductive members in said body member being electrically interconnected for providing electrical power transfer therebetween.