Patent ID: 7238057
Filing Date: 2007-07-03
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A cigarette-lighter assembly connector comprising: a housing; an electrically conductive plunger mounted for axial reciprocation into and out of the housing, the range of axial reciprocation for the plunger ranging from a retracted extremum to an extended extremum; a mechanism that biases the plunger out of the housing toward the extended extremum, wherein the mechanism for biasing the plunger comprises at least two springs; an electrically conductive light-source terminal positioned to make electrical contact with the plunger only when the plunger is retracted at least a specified distance from the extended extremum into the housing via contact between the terminal and one of the springs as the plunger is retracted into the housing by an external force; and a light source in electrical communication with the electrically conductive light-source terminal such that the light source can be powered to emit light when a voltage is applied to the plunger and when the plunger is retracted at least the specified distance.