Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-23
2001-05-01
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S029000, C362S253000, C040S725000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224244
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an illuminated display accessory that can be mounted in the opening normally provided for a cigarette lighter or a DC adapter outlet in the dashboard of a vehicle such as an automobile or truck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In all vehicles there is normally provided in a dashboard opening a cigarette lighter and/or a DC adapter outlet. This lighter or outlet is supplied with power from the battery of the car and is generally disposed in a position on the dashboard where it is clearly in view and can be readily inserted and removed without distraction. With the advent of the substantial reduction in cigarette smokers the cigarette lighter has come into almost disuse. It can be appreciated that if the cigarette lighter opening can be used for something that the vehicle owner could insert in its place that was attractive he would readily purchase same which item could also simulate an anti-theft device to ward off criminals. It would merely require that the accessory be of a design somewhat similar to a cigarette lighter so that it could be readily inserted into the opening provided for the cigarette lighter in the vehicle dashboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel automobile accessory that can take the place of a conventional cigarette lighter and also use the feature of the cigarette lighter power source to good advantage. The present invention consists of an accessory having a cylindrical body portion that has a diameter the same as the cigarette lighter and includes a head portion in which can be located pictures, signage or other indicia that is viewable and accessible to the occupants of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment the accessory is generally cylindrical in nature and has an enlarged head portion containing screw threads onto which a screw cap can be fastened. The shape is not limited to a cylindrical design with the only requirement being that the insertable electrical end be cylindrical. The screw cap has a large central opening through which a picture or the like can be viewed. Such pictures or other indicia can be readily changed by merely unscrewing the cap and placing another disk having a suitable diameter into the space between the cap and the enlarged head portion to hold that which is placed therebetween in position. In the illustrated embodiment there is shown a picture with several colored lens. This device, of course, can be designed to use the power supplied by the vehicle for the cigarette lighter or adapter by supplying power to a bulb through a push button assembly. Thus when the bulb is illuminated the picture will be more visible. As aforementioned, a series of lenses and a cover disc can be inserted to protect the picture from being damaged and provide a desired color orientation depending on the color of the lenses that are being employed. In the preferred embodiment there is provided an extension sleeve with threads at both ends to extend the screw cap display outward of the dashboard opening.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2163329 (1939-06-01), Sipior
patent: 5633538 (1997-05-01), Nickerson
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