Abstract:
According to the present invention, the device disclosed is a unified structure which combines various implements useful for automotive applications. Such implements include various lighting devices, a range of power outlets, signal lamps and more. The present invention also includes an independent power supply for such devices as well as the ability to be powered from an outside source, such as a vehicle.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/187,298, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a multi-purpose device which provides various functions to travelers. Specifically, a device for use with twelve volt power systems of automobiles which provides lighting, power outlets, and more is disclosed.  
         [0003]     Due to the dynamic nature of an automotive traveler&#39;s needs, and because of the restricted physical space generally available in automotive conveyance, it is desirable to combine the functions of several devices into a unitary design. This advantage, coupled with an offering of well-thought out additions, makes the present invention a novel and useful product offering.  
         [0004]     Various types of automotive devices have been introduced to the market, however, no device introduced previously nor now available combines the functions present in the current invention, nor do they offer the innovative features contained therein.  
         [0005]     The present invention alleviates this lack of product offering by supplying a device which combines several handy, or in some cases, essential articles into one, and further, incorporates new features not ordinarily seen in such an application, such as voltage converters. These aspects are then packaged into a product having a small footprint and one which is easily portable.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     One objective of this invention is to provide various signal lamps for emergencies and other signaling uses.  
         [0007]     Another objective of this invention is to provide a device which provides various illuminating devices for lighting of broad areas, as well as precision lighting.  
         [0008]     Still another objective of the invention is to provide a device which provides various outlets for powering other devices.  
         [0009]     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a device that combines several such devices which are useful for automotive travelers into a unitary form factor.  
         [0010]     Yet another objective of the invention is to provide such a device in a small and easily portable form factor.  
         [0011]     Still another objective of this invention is to fill a long felt need in the art for such devices, since as far as is known, there is no such device that will provide the functionality and convenience of the present invention.  
         [0012]     Other objects and advantages of this invention shall become apparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     According to the present invention, the device disclosed is a unified structure which combines various implements useful for automotive applications. Such implements include various lighting devices, a range of power outlets, signal lamps and more. The present invention also includes an independent power supply for such devices as well as the ability to be powered from an outside source, such as a vehicle. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention. However, it is to be understood that this embodiment is intended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the multi-purpose device.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the multi-purpose device from the left side.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the multi-purpose device from the right side.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of the multi-purpose device.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the multi-purpose device.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the multi-purpose device.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the multi-purpose device.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of the multi-purpose device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0023]     Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the figures in describing the preferred embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , body  100  is pictured, which serves as the housing for the invention disclosed. Such body  100  is formed by front wall  121 , rear wall  116 , first side wall  109 , second side wall  103 , top wall  119 , and base  107 . These outer walls are where most components of the invention are located.  
         [0024]     Handle  120  is formed in the top of body  100  so that the device can be easily carried. Another method of carrying the device is the use of strap  101  which is attached at at least two points on body  100 , such as two opposite ends of top wall  119  as shown in the FIGs.  
         [0025]     Power hub  132  is, in the exemplary embodiment, located within body  100 , and serves to distribute power received from an energy source, such as from external power receptacle  129  and/or energy cell  131  to the device&#39;s components. Either power source may be used to provide current to the device. An exemplary embodiment would include the ability to charge energy cell  131  while simultaneously providing power to the device. Other examples of energy sources include wall outlets, car electrical outlets, batteries, solar panels, fossil fuels and the like.  
         [0026]     The components of the device include a spotlight housing  104  located on front wall  121 , which is used to house spotlight  105 , first side light module  106  and second side light module  123 . In the exemplary embodiment, spotlight housing  104  mentioned above also has on either side of it colored lenses or lamps which can be used for signaling or emergency use. Such colored lenses include a configuration with first side light module  106  on the first side of body  100 , and second side light module  123  located on the second side of body  100 , although it should be apparent that various configurations are possible, and the colors may be varied.  
         [0027]     In the exemplary embodiment, the left side of body  100  has additional other items therein. Switch bank  113  contains several switches which control the various devices of the invention, such as spotlight  105 , first side light module  106 , second side light module  123 , outlets  124 , flood light  125  and swivel head Light Emitting Diode (LED) torch  126 . An additional momentary switch  102  can be employed to momentarily interrupt the flow of current to spotlight  105  so that it may be momentarily turned off, for signaling, or when it is desired to temporarily shut off spotlight  105 . In the exemplary embodiment presented, momentary switch  102  is located in handle  120  for ease of access while holding the device. When momentary switch  102  is activated, is can thus be operated as a flasher or signaling device, or simply a temporary disabling of spotlight  105 . Activation can be the pressing of a switch, position change of a switch, or various other means of switch implementation. All of these switches are connected to power hub  132  and to the respective feature, completing an electrical circuit. Again, the choice in the exemplary embodiment of the “left” and “right” sides is flexible, and further, the device may be configured with the components in various locations, not necessarily the “sides.” 
         [0028]     Also on the body is an indicator  112  which is used in conjunction with tester switch  111  to ascertain the status of the onboard energy cell  131 , which can be a battery, or other storage device for energy, and stored in energy cell cavity  128 , typically located in base  107  of the device. There may also be a door on the energy cell cavity  128  to enclose energy cell cavity  128 . Also, external power receptacle  129  is near indicator  112  which is used to recharge energy cell  131  or to provide power to the device.  
         [0029]     Indicator  112  can be a series of LEDs which each are energized by a different current, and are arranged in ascending order of current draw. When tester switch  111  is activated, it permits current to flow from energy cell  131  or external power receptacle  129  through indicator  112  such that only the LEDs which correspond to the present level of current will be energized. Essentially, as energy cell  131  is depleted, or external power source weakened, fewer LEDs will be energized, thus graphically illustrating the power remaining in energy cell  131  or at external power receptacle  129 .  
         [0030]     Alternately, indicator  112  can utilize an electronic circuit to measure the current in energy cell  131  or current derived from external power receptacle  129  and report the same by energizing the appropriate indicator  112 . This has the effect of displaying a meter which indicates the condition of energy source, permitting the user to ascertain the status of the device.  
         [0031]     Also on body  100  is dimmer switch  118 , which is connected in series from power hub  132  to spotlight  105  such that the voltage flowing from power hub  132  to spotlight  105  is regulated, and can be lowered or increased according to need. This has the advantage of providing a specific amount of light, wherein energy may be conserved in energy cell  131  by not using the full power draw of spotlight  105 .  
         [0032]     Switch  117  is utilized as a switch to control the powering on and off of the entire device deactivating power hub  132 , and can be located in various places on body  100 . In series with switch  117  or in an appropriate circuitous location on power hub  132  would be fusible link  114 , which is utilized to prevent current overloads. As in a typical fused application, if the current were to reach a predetermined point at which it was known that damage would be likely, fusible link  114  would interrupt the circuit to prevent such damage. In the exemplary embodiment, this fusible link  114  is in first side wall  109 , and is in the form of a fuse, which interrupts the circuit by destroying itself under a heavy amperage load. It should be noted that this may also be a circuit breaker, or any other means of amperage control device, if desired or needed in a particular application. Fusible link  114  can be positioned between external power receptacle  129  or energy cell  131  and power hub  132 , or between power hub  132  and the load-bearing circuits for the various other items in the device.  
         [0033]     On any of the walls can also reside regulated energy outlets  115  which are configured to provide varying levels of voltage for myriad electronic devices which require reduced voltage, such as portable CD players, radios and the like. Energy outlets  115  are connected to the appropriate switch within switch bank  113  and in turn to power hub  132 .  
         [0034]     In the exemplary embodiment, the side of the device opposite switch bank  113  contains flood light  125  which can be used to illuminate a wide area versus the relatively tight pattern of a spotlight. Another lighting option is swivel head Light Emitting Diode (LED) torch  126 , which is located in the rear of the unit in the example embodiment of the drawings, but can be placed anywhere on the unit. Both flood light  125  and swivel head LED torch  126  are connected to a discrete switch within switch bank  113 , and thus in turn to power hub  132 .  
         [0035]     Also near the rear of the unit, clock  130  is pictured which can be any number of timekeeping varieties, such as an analog clock, digital clock, stopwatch, or the like. Clock  130  may derive power from the power hub  132 , or may have an independent energy cell with which to power itself, or to provide a non-volatile power source for clock&#39;s  130  memory.  
         [0036]     An alternative to using energy cell  131  is to connect the unit to an off board or external power source via connecting cord  134  to external power receptacle  129 . This could include a 12v automotive source, or even an AC source, depending upon the application. Cord  134  may be stowed within cord storage cavity  127 , located within base  107 , when not in use. If desired, vents may be included in body  100  in order to cool various parts of the device.  
         [0037]     In operation, switch  117  is turned on once cord  134  is attached to external power receptacle  129  to provide power. Instead of cord  134 , energy cell  131  may be used, once sufficient charging is reached via inputting power from an outside source to external power receptacle  129 . In this manner, power hub  132  is energized, and is able to provide power to its connected devices and switch bank  113 , which, in turn, powers connected devices such as spotlight  105 , first side light module  106 , energy outlets  124  and so forth, as well as charging energy cell  131 , if so configured.  
         [0038]     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.