Adjustable vehicle power point

Details Adjustable vehicle power point Adjustable vehicle power point

2000-08-09

2002-04-30

Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With storage means for flaccid conductor

C439S110000, C224S483000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06379178

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of vehicle power points, devices which have largely replaced cigarette lighters in order to supply direct current (usually 12 volts) to various appliances in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle cigarette lighters have long provided a source of direct current (usually 12 volt) for powering cell phones, lights, tire re-inflating air compressors, CB radios, and other DC-using electrical appliances used by the occupants of a vehicle (even cigarette lighters). The old style cigarette lighters are largely being replaced by dedicated “power points” which are similar but have no cigarette-lighting function. Instead of a lighter coil plug, power points have an elastomeric plug to seal them when not in use.
The location of power points has largely been dictated by the traditional placement of old cigarette lighters, namely at locations convenient to the driver, and possibly to the users of ashtrays in rear portions of the vehicle. In recognition of the increasing use of DC electrical devices by vehicle occupants, power points are now starting to be placed in non-traditional locations, for example near the rear hatch of minivans to accommodate electric coolers, DC television sets, and the like. These non-traditional power point locations, however, are typically not geared toward the convenience of the passengers in the vehicle, being better suited for use when the vehicle is stopped and the rear door or hatch is opened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an adjustable power point movable between a normal rest position, for example convenient to the driver of the vehicle, to one or more different locations more convenient to the passengers of a vehicle.
In a first form, the adjustable power point can be extended from its home position, for example in a socket on, an instrument panel near the driver, to other locations in the vehicle, limited only by the length of a retractable power cord to which the power point is attached.
In a second form, the adjustable power point is slide-adjustable in a track on a vehicle panel.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon further reading of the specification in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a retractable power point according to the present invention, including a retracting mechanism which is in exploded view.
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a retractable power point according to the present invention, in relation to a home socket, partially extended, and illustrating an alternate socket-retaining mechanism on the power point body.
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle, in which the instrument panel near the driver incorporates a retractable power point according to
FIG. 1
, illustrating the power point pulled out of its rest socket toward the driver to assist with the use of a cell phone.
FIG. 4
is an elevational side view of a vehicle in distress, with retractable power point according to
FIGS. 1-3
being extended outside the vehicle through an open window to power various emergency appliances.
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle, illustrating an alternate version of the adjustable power point according to the invention, in which a passenger is utilizing the adjustment feature to accommodate a short cell phone cord.
FIG. 6
is a detailed view of the adjustable sliding mechanism and track of the power point in
FIG. 5
, including a schematic power supply illustration.
FIG. 7
illustrates one possible power supply arrangement for the power point of FIG.
5
.
FIG. 8
illustrates the adjustable sliding mechanism and track of
FIG. 6
supplemented with the retracting mechanism of FIG.
1
.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5180089 (1993-01-01), Suman et al.
patent: 5367243 (1994-11-01), Wells et al.
patent: 5971242 (1999-10-01), Schuerman
patent: 3546221 (1987-07-01), None

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