Internal-combustion engines – With heating means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-03-27
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
With heating means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205967
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to automobile engine block heaters, and more particularly, to an automobile engine block heater designed to automatically activate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Starting an automobile in cold climates has always been a challenge. Cold weather stifles the operation of several key components of an automobile's starting system, including the battery, starter motor, and the engine itself. To minimize the effects of cold weather, automobile engine block heaters have long been used. Automobile engine block heaters typically make starting the car in cold weather easier and prevent damage to the engine due to poor lubrication from cold and poor flowing oil at the time of the cold start. Furthermore, automobile engine block heaters typically reduce the time it takes for the engine to reach its optimum operating temperature. While many existing automobile engine block heaters adequately address these concerns, several key shortcomings make many existing automobile engine block heaters counterproductive to the user's overall needs for a fast and reliable method of activating the automobile engine block heater once the driver has reached his or her destination.
Typical automobile engine block heaters require the driver to exit the car and manually connect the engine block heater to a power source. Oftentimes, drivers will forego connecting the engine block heater to the power source as they hastily seek the warmth and shelter of their homes. Other drivers might simply forget to connect the engine block heater to the power source. In either case, the automobile engine block heater is not activated and thus cannot provide the aforementioned benefits.
Moreover, the power cord from many existing engine block heaters typically dangles from the front of the car and thus becomes exposed to water, snow and other substances during normal operation of the vehicle. This can result in corrosion or damage to the power cord leads or damage to the cord itself. Hence, the driver may be confronted with a significant risk of electrical shock as he or she attempts to connect the engine block heater to a power source.
No apparatus currently exists that automatically activates an automobile engine block heater once the vehicle has reached its parking destination. Because of the manual activation required on existing engine block heaters and the possibility for injury to the driver, an automobile engine block heater system is needed wherein the engine block heater is automatically activated when the vehicle reaches its destination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for automatically activating an automobile engine block heater once the vehicle is properly positioned against a stationary frame assembly. The apparatus includes a stationary frame assembly and at least two magnetic electrical adapters or other mating adapters. The stationary frame assembly includes an upright portion and a lower portion. The lower portion rests flat on the floor or ground and is pivotably mounted at or near its proximal end to the upright portion. The upright portion extends vertically upwards from the floor or ground. Furthermore, the upright portion secures a first adapter at or near its distal end. In one embodiment, the first adapter couples with a second adapter securably mounted on the front of the vehicle.
Moreover, the lower portion of the frame assembly also includes a wheel well for receiving a front wheel of the vehicle. The wheel well is attached at or near the distal end of the lower portion and serves to inhibit the forward and rearward motion of the vehicle and aids the driver in aligning the vehicle. Once the vehicle is properly positioned relative to the frame assembly, the magnetic electrical adapter located on the front of the vehicle mates with the magnetic electrical adapter mounted on the frame assembly.
Use of the apparatus requires the driver to position the vehicle relative to the frame assembly such that the magnetic electrical adapter on the front of the vehicle mates with the magnetic electrical adapter secured on the frame assembly. To accomplish this, the driver aligns the vehicle with the frame assembly. In one embodiment, as the driver approaches the apparatus, he or she guides one of the front wheels of the vehicle into the wheel well attached to the frame assembly. The driver then slowly advances the vehicle such that the front wheel rests within the depression of the wheel well. When the vehicle wheel is properly seated within the wheel well, the vehicle wheel closes a pressure switch located within the depression of the wheel well. This switch activates a status indicator that alerts the user that the vehicle is properly positioned relative to the frame assembly and that the automobile engine block heater is active.
The present invention allows a driver of a vehicle to automatically activate an automobile engine block heater with minimal effort. The driver of the vehicle can easily align the vehicle with the apparatus and position the vehicle relative to the frame assembly. Once the vehicle is positioned properly, the automobile engine block heater engages and the driver can exit the car without any other considerations.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3194944 (1965-07-01), Papp
patent: 3628811 (1971-12-01), Rivers
patent: 4850879 (1989-07-01), Langenbahn
patent: 5252078 (1993-10-01), Langenbahn
patent: 5462439 (1995-10-01), Keith
patent: 5572109 (1996-11-01), Keith
patent: 5646500 (1997-07-01), Wilson
patent: 5919048 (1999-07-01), Slattery
Kamen Noah P.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
LandOfFree
Automatic engine block heater connection apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Automatic engine block heater connection apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automatic engine block heater connection apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2515500