Power adapters for powering and/or charging peripheral devices

Abstract

A power adapter for a peripheral device such as portable electronics device is disclosed. The power adapter includes a housing that contains electrical components associated with the power adapter. The power adapter also includes a data port provided at a surface of the housing. The data port is configured to provide external power to the peripheral device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power adapter, comprising:
 a transformer for converting electrical power;   a housing configured to enclose the transformer and including a plug region; and   a detachable plug having a plug body that is received by the plug region of the housing, the detachable plug including prongs configured for insertion into slots of an electrical outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The power adapter of  claim 1  further comprising a data port disposed at an exterior surface of the housing and operatively coupled to the transformer. 
     
     
         3 . The power adapter of  claim 2  wherein the data port transmits both power and data. 
     
     
         4 . The power adapter of  claim 2  wherein the data port is a universal serial bus (USB) data port. 
     
     
         5 . The power adapter of  claim 1  further comprising a holding mechanism for releasably holding the plug body within the plug region. 
     
     
         6 . The power adapter of  claim 1  further comprising contact pins positioned within the plug region and operatively coupled to the transformer. 
     
     
         7 . The power adapter of  claim 1  wherein the detachable plug includes two prongs and the plug body includes two parallel channels exposed at an outer surface of the plug body. 
     
     
         8 . The power adapter of  claim 7  wherein the prongs are pivotably coupled to the plug body so that they are moveable between an extended position that allows the prongs to be inserted into the slots of the electrical outlet and a recessed position in which each of the prongs is positioned within one of the parallel channels. 
     
     
         9 . The power of  claim 1  wherein, when the detachable plug is attached to the housing, the power adapter has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. 
     
     
         10 . The power adapter of  claim 1  wherein, when the detachable plug is attached to the housing, the housing and the detachable plug form flush exterior surfaces of the power adapter.