US5170067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plug insertable into a vehicle cigarette lighter receptacle and having electronic components and a printed circuit board therein
Assignee: ICC Nexergy Inc
•
Filing: 1990-11-27
•
Granted: 1992-12-08
•
Expires: 2010-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A plug insertable into the cigarette lighter receptacle of a motor vehicle has electronic component circuitry therein for shifting the voltage of the electrical energy extracted from the vehicle. A leaf spring connector forming a part of the plug is employed to heat sink a heat generating component of the electrical circuitry in the plug.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger N. Baum
- 👤 Donald E. Gorney
- 👤 Robert N. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/665; H01R13/6658
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A plug for extracting electrical energy from a cigarette lighter receptacle of a motor vehicle and for delivering electrical current at a voltage different from that available from the lighter receptacle, said plug comprising: (a) a cylindrical body sized to fit snugly within the receptacle; (b) a printed circuit board disposed within said cylindrical body; (c) electronic components mounted on said printed circuit board within said cylindrical body for shifting the voltage of electrical current flowing therethrough; (d) at least one of the electronic components on said printed circuit board generating heat within said cylindrical body when electrical current is flowing therethrough; and (e) a spring connector mounted on said printed circuit board within said cylindrical body and having a portion thereof extending externally of the cylindrical body for engagement with the receptacle, said connector extending in close proximity to said one electronic component for carrying heat away from said component to said receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A plug for extracting electrical energy from a cigarette lighter receptacle of a motor vehicle and for delivering electrical current at a voltage different from that available from the lighter receptacle, said plug comprising: (a) a cylindrical body sized to fit snugly within the receptacle; (b) a printed circuit board disposed within said cylindrical body; (c) electronic components mounted on said printed circuit board within said cylindrical body for shifting the voltage of electrical current flowing therethrough; (d) at least one of the electronic components on said printed circuit board generating heat within said cylindrical body when electrical current is flowing therethrough; and (e) a spring connector mounted on said printed circuit board within said cylindrical body and having a portion thereof extending externally of the cylindrical body for engagement with the receptacle, said connector extending in close proximity to said one electronic component for carrying heat away from said component to said receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The plug of claim 1, further characterized by having an opening to the interior thereof and a second electronic component disconnectably mounted on said printed circuit board in the vicinity of said opening whereby said second electronic component is accessible by and disconnectable form said printed circuit board by means of a tool inserted into the plug through said opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3145329A
Cited
US3377610A
Cited
US3905920A
Cited
US4286262A
Cited
US4261630A
Cited
US4322122A
Cited
US4604529A
Cited
US4972172A
Cited
US5034846A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |