US3903408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated cigarette lighter for a motor vehicle
Assignee: Schoeller and Co Elektrotecnische Fabrik GmbH and Co
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Filing: 1974-06-18
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1994-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A cigarette lighter for an automobile vehicle, or the like, having a plastic frame inserted into a plate in the instrument panel of the vehicle. The socket of the lighter fits into the plastic frame and is illuminated by a lamp contained in the frame. The removable element of the lighter, having an electric heating element, has an asymmetrical cover plate with a transparent lighter symbol therein, that can be illuminated by the lamp when the removable element is inserted into the socket. The light emanating from the lamp can also be used to illuminate the interior of the vehicle by rotating the cover plate so it does not interrupt the beam of light, or by removing the removable element when lighting a cigarette.
Inventors
- 👤 Georg Seibel
- 👤 Jurgen Metzger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:24
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23Q; F23Q7/00; B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/14; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/20; B60Q3/275; B60Q3/60; B60Q3/62; B60Q3/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A cigarette lighter for use in automobiles or the like which is mounted in a cut-out of the front plate of an instrument panel comprising, in combination, a frame having a sleeve forming an enlarged opening, means spaced circumferentially around said sleeve for mounting said frame in the said cut-out of the front plate, a socket comprising a tubular member telescopically mounted inside said sleeve, bimetallic grips mounted within said member at one end thereof, and a connecting lug connected at one end to said grips for conducting electrical current to said grips, a removable element slidable in said tubular member and having a cover plate and a transparent symbol formed thereon, said frame comprising a laterally extending compartment located interior of sAid sleeve and including a channel, lighting means mounted in said channel, and a light distribution plate at the end of said channel remote from said lighting means for illuminating said transparent symbol when said symbol intersects the light beam from the plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A cigarette lighter for use in automobiles or the like which is mounted in a cut-out of the front plate of an instrument panel comprising, in combination, a frame having a sleeve forming an enlarged opening, means spaced circumferentially around said sleeve for mounting said frame in the said cut-out of the front plate, a socket comprising a tubular member telescopically mounted inside said sleeve, bimetallic grips mounted within said member at one end thereof, and a connecting lug connected at one end to said grips for conducting electrical current to said grips, a removable element slidable in said tubular member and having a cover plate and a transparent symbol formed thereon, said frame comprising a laterally extending compartment located interior of sAid sleeve and including a channel, lighting means mounted in said channel, and a light distribution plate at the end of said channel remote from said lighting means for illuminating said transparent symbol when said symbol intersects the light beam from the plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein said tubular member has a hole formed therein in communication with said channel so that light emanating from said lighting means can light up said socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein said symbol is in the shape of a cigarette lighter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein said removable element further comprises a sleeve member longitudinally slidable in said tubular member, a knob slidable in said sleeve member, a heating element for contact with said grips whereby said grips hold said heating element, and means connecting said knob with said heating element so that they may slide axially within said sleeve member as one unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cigarette lighter according to claim 4, wherein said removable element further comprises a spring interposed between said knob and said sleeve member for biasing said knob and unit outwardly and axially away from said socket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A cigarette lighter according to claim 4, wherein said sleeve member has a circumferential groove formed therein, said cover plate is asymmetrical about the center of said sleeve member and comprises a shoulder, and means on the circumference of said shoulder coacting with said groove for allowing said cover plate to rotate relative to said sleeve member so that the cover plate with said symbol may be rotated away from said lighting means to light the interior of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cigarette lighter according to claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said frame comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged, angularly spaced arms positioned around said sleeve and having serrated ends for gripping the cut-out of the front plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cigarette lighter according to claim 7, wherein said means for mounting said frame further comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged, equally spaced stops positioned around said sleeve, and said stops are inclined upwardly from said sleeve in the direction of the front plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |