USB power outlet/charger direct replacement for automotive cigar lighter/power outlet

{
  "publication_number": "US9438051B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "USB power outlet/charger direct replacement for automotive cigar lighter/power outlet",
  "abstract": "A power outlet/charger for a portable electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector. Preferably, the first connector comprises a US-CAR connector.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising: an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector, the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel; the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing.",
    "2. The power outlet/charger of claim 1, wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector.",
    "3. The power outlet/charger of claim 2, further comprising a front cover disposed at the proximal end of the housing for covering the USB connector when not in use.",
    "4. The power outlet/charger of claim 3, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to the housing.",
    "5. The power outlet/charger of claim 4, wherein the cover is biased by a spring to close the cover when not in use.",
    "6. The power outlet/charger of claim 2, further comprising an illumination source disposed in the housing for illuminating the proximal end of the housing.",
    "7. The power outlet/charger of claim 1, wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a switching mode power supply for converting approximately 12-14 volts DC to approximately 5 volts DC.",
    "8. The power outlet/charger of claim 2, wherein the electronic converter circuit has a current capacity of approximately 2.1 A at 5 V DC.",
    "9. A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising: an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector, the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel; the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing; wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector; further comprising an illumination source disposed in the housing for illuminating the proximal end of the housing; further comprising a light pipe at the proximal end of the housing forming a faceplate surrounding the USB connector and illuminating the proximal end of the housing in the area of the USB connector.",
    "10. The power outlet/charger of claim 9, wherein the light pipe comprises an illumination ring.",
    "11. The power outlet/charger of claim 10, further comprising an illuminated battery charging symbol disposed on the light pipe.",
    "12. The power outlet/charger of claim 9, wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a printed circuit board assembly.",
    "13. The power outlet/charger of claim 12, wherein the illumination source is mounted on said printed circuit board assembly.",
    "14. The power outlet/charger of claim 13, wherein the illumination source comprises an LED.",
    "15. The power outlet/charger of claim 13, wherein the faceplate comprises a housing for receiving the USB connector that prevents light from the illumination source from emanating from the USB connector.",
    "16. A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising: an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector, the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel; the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing; wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector; further comprising a front cover disposed at the proximal end of the housing for covering the USB connector when not in use; wherein the cover comprises an ornamental surface and a ring receiving and surrounding the ornamental surface, the ring having a portion of a hinge for the cover formed therewith.",
    "17. A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising: an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector, the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel; the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing; wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector; further comprising an illumination source disposed in the housing for illuminating the proximal end of the housing; further comprising a light pipe at the proximal end of the housing forming a faceplate surrounding the USB connector and illuminating the proximal end of the housing in the area of the USB connector; wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a printed circuit board assembly; wherein the printed circuit board assembly slides in channels in the housing and is retained in position by said faceplate.",
    "18. The power outlet/charger of claim 17, wherein the faceplate snaps into the housing at the proximal end and has an opening through which the USB connector is disposed, the faceplate fixedly securing the printed circuit board assembly in the housing.",
    "19. A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising: an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector, the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel; the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing; wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector; further comprising an illumination source disposed in the housing for illuminating the proximal end of the housing; further comprising a light pipe at the proximal end of the housing forming a faceplate surrounding the USB connector and illuminating the proximal end of the housing in the area of the USB connector; wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a printed circuit board assembly; wherein the printed circuit board assembly comprises electrical terminals for the US-CAR connector at a distal end of the printed circuit board assembly, the electrical terminals received in corresponding openings in the distal end of the housing.",
    "20. The power outlet/charger of claim 19, wherein the printed circuit board assembly has the USB connector mounted thereon.",
    "21. A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising: an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector, the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel; the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing; further comprising a keying portion on the housing for orienting the housing in the vehicle opening.",
    "22. The power outlet/charger of claim 21, wherein the keying portion prevents rotation of the housing in the panel opening.",
    "23. The power outlet/charger of claim 22, wherein the keying portion comprises a flat spot on the housing.",
    "24. A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising: an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having a faceplate and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through an opening in the faceplate at the proximal end and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector, the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel; the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing; wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a printed circuit board assembly; the USB connector being mounted on the printed circuit board assembly; and wherein the printed circuit board assembly slides in channels in an interior of the housing and is retained in position by said faceplate at the proximal end."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to power outlet/battery chargers for portable electronic/electrical devices, and in particular, to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) power socket/charger that can directly replace a cigar lighter/power outlet socket commonly found in automotive vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a power outlet/charger that can be used as a direct replacement for an automotive cigar lighter/power outlet and having a USB jack for receiving a USB connector plug at an output end and having a US-CAR (United States Counsel for Automotive Research) connector at an input end. US-CAR connectors are commonly found on the wiring harnesses of currently made United States production vehicles for connecting the vehicle wiring harness to a power outlet/cigar lighter socket.\n\nPresently, automobiles manufactured in the U.S. are commonly provided with either a cigar lighter or power outlet or both types of sockets. The cigar lighter socket can receive a cigar lighter which is heated in the socket to an ignition temperature and has an automatic disconnect device, typically a bimetal device, either found in the socket or in the cigar lighter plugged into the socket.\n\nPower outlets having similar proportions are commonly found in vehicles. These power outlets are adapted to receive the accessory plugs of portable electrical/electronic devices and/or charging devices. The cigar lighter socket, in addition to being able to receive a cigar lighter, can also receive the same electrical accessory plug received by the power outlet.",
  "cpc": [
    "H02J 7/70",
    "B60Q 3/002",
    "B60Q 3/0236",
    "B60Q 3/275",
    "B60Q 3/62",
    "H01R 13/447",
    "H01R 13/64",
    "H01R 13/665",
    "H01R 13/6675",
    "H01R 13/717",
    "H01R 13/743",
    "H01R 31/065",
    "H02J 7/0042"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60Q 3/00",
    "B60Q 3/02",
    "H02J 7/00",
    "H01R 31/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Casco Products Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "II Gary Lee Firman",
    "Thomas Chrapkiewicz",
    "Richard P. Cuplin"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-05-03",
  "publication_date": "2016-09-06",
  "grant_date": "2016-09-06",
  "priority_date": "2013-05-03",
  "application_number": "US-201313886475-A",
  "family_id": "50272734",
  "cited_by_count": 45,
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}