Abstract:
The present invention relates to an improved cord-winding device universally mountable to any front or rear North-American-style license plate bracket, accommodating all electrical devices, which require a 120 VAC power supply for a vehicle. The present winder includes a storage reel with a spiral coil return spring, a connection box, a male cord housing, a cord hatch and mounting holes, a closure plate and a universal mounting plate. A cord with a female receptacle extends from the housing to allow electrical connections to be made in a place well away from weather exposure such as engine or rear compartment. The universal license plate cord winder can thereby be mounted either from the top or the bottom of housing without compromising the structural integrity of the attachment while maintaining a water tightness required by such a device. A ratchet is provided to control the retraction of the male cord.

Description:
[0001]     This is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/701,492 filed Nov. 6, 2003 entitled UNIVERSAL LICENSE PLATE CORD WINDER 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an improved cord-winding device universally mountable to any front or rear North-American-style license plate bracket, accommodating all electrical devices, which require a 120 VAC power supply for a vehicle. The present invention comprises; a housing containing: a reel, a connection box, a male cord housing, a cord hatch and mounting holes, a closure plate and a universal mounting plate. A female receptacle extends from the housing to allow electrical connections to be made in a place away from weather exposure such as engine or rear compartment. The universal license plate cord winder of the present invention can also be mounted either from the top or the bottom of housing without compromising the structural integrity of the attachment while maintaining a water tightness required by such a device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is common for conventional, electric or hybrid vehicles to be adapted with components, which require a 120 VAC power supply for operation. Such components may include: engine block heater, interior heaters, battery warmers, battery chargers and the like. These commonly require an extension cord to function. Said cord must be rolled out of the vehicle path prior to departing.  
         [0004]     The inventor sought to provide vehicle owners with an unobtrusive, thin, easy-to-use electrical-cord winder, which is neatly stored behind the vehicle&#39;s front or rear license plate. Furthermore, the inventor also sought to greatly improve safety within the present invention by allowing for the electrical connection to the vehicle to be made in the engine compartment from the front plate, or in the rear compartment from the rear plate thus preventing exposure to the connection from the elements.  
         [0005]     The applicant is aware of attempts in prior art to provide means of reeling an extension cord behind a license plate.  
         [0006]     An example of prior art may be had when referring to U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,016 of Bales, issued Jul. 24, 2001 depicting a mobile power center with self-retracting cord having a cord spring loaded winding spindle within a large housing, a 12 VDC to 120 VAC inverter, and extended lips around the front-most perimeter of the housing so as to wrap excess cord therearound and a female AC receptacle on housing for plugging a block heater. However, this invention, like most of this nature will fail when attempting to plug a block heater within the housing at the license plate area since most block heater cords are too short to reach much past the front edge of the vehicle&#39;s hood. Furthermore, at a typical diameter of 5.5 inches, which is the standard height of a license plate, can only hold a limited length of standard round extension cord material thereby limiting said cord to an impractical length. Additionally, there are no means to stabilize the housing when mounted since the unfastened edge would be separable for the license plate mounting bracket.  
         [0007]     Another example may be had in referring to U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,471 of Unze, issued Sep. 23, 1997, which teaches of a trailer wire recoil device having a housing containing a rotatable member on which a trailer wire extension may be reeled thereon. The application of the device is clearly limited to trailer wires and therefore impractical for bloc heaters. Again, there are no means to stabilize the housing when mounted since the unfastened edge would be separable for the license plate mounting bracket.  
         [0008]     Another example may be had in referring to U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,216 of McNaughton, issued Sep. 8, 1998, which depicts a retractable extension cord holder and receptacle for an automobile having a housing, a cord reel, a receptacle and a retractable cord. This invention also limits the length of cord due to restrictive housing measurements while also failing in that the block heater cord from the vehicle, in most cases will not reach the cord winder.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is thus the object of the present invention to provide vehicle owners with an improved electrical cord-winding device universally mountable to any North-American-style license plate bracket. Furthermore, the present improved cord winder ensures all electrical 120 VAC vehicle accessory devices reach the winder&#39;s outlet.  
         [0010]     In one aspect of the invention, a flat-type cord is used for the extension portion so as to allow a more compact reeling of said cord thereby increasing the usable length.  
         [0011]     In another aspect of the invention, the female receptacle is extended from the housing in order to make the connection to the electrical device within the vehicle&#39;s engine or rear compartment thereby preventing exposure of the connection to the weather elements.  
         [0012]     In another aspect of the invention, a specially formed universal mounting plate is provided to stabilize the units to the license plate mount while allowing secure installation to any North American style license plate bracket.  
         [0013]     In a further aspect the invention provides a retractable electrical cord winder for a vehicle including a water resistant multi-compartment housing adapted to be mounted with a vehicle license plate, a pair of electrical cords adapted for connection between the said winder and both a vehicle and a remote source of power wherein a first one of said cords is extensible from and retractable within said housing, a rotatable first cord storage reel mounted in a central housing compartment for rotation about an axis in the direction of travel of the vehicle, a housing including a internal storage compartment adapted for storage of the connector end of said first electrical cord and further adapted to pass the said first cord from the exterior of the said housing through the said storage compartment and into said central compartment upon retraction, and a coil spring adapted to urge said reel and said first cord into a fully retracted condition with sealing means between said central compartment and said storage compartment adapted to pass said first electrical cord and both clean said cord and restrict water passage between said compartments.  
         [0014]     The winder includes a releasable closure between said storage compartment and the exterior of the said housing and is adapted to downwardly drain water towards the exterior of the housing when mounted to a vehicle.  
         [0015]     In a still further aspect the invention provides a winder with a sealed connection compartment adapted to provide for passage of and extended second electrical cord from the said connection compartment to the exterior of said housing and for passage of an electrical conductor between said connection compartment and said reel.  
         [0016]     The winder includes a ratchet restrained retractable reel adapted to receive a single wind of flat electrical conductor.  
         [0017]     Mounting is provided by a peripheral mounting channel between an edge of said housing and a vehicle license plate bracket.  
         [0018]     Accordingly, the system of the present invention therefore provides an unobtrusive, thin, easy to-use electrical cord-winding device universally mountable to any North-American-style license plate bracket while providing for a sheltered connection from the elements.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following brief description and upon referring to the drawings in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a cutout perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a right side elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the mounting plate portion of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a partial top plan view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention as installed within a conventional license plate bracket.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 3  of the hatch assembly portion of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 1  of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 10  of the hatch portion of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mounting bracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present invention may be installed.  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mounting bracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present invention may be installed.  
         [0034]      FIG. 15  is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mounting bracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present invention may be installed.  
         [0035]      FIG. 16  is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mounting bracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present invention may be installed.  
         [0036]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view (with partial wire frame) of the housing portion of another embodiment of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention from the perspective shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of the housing embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the coil spring of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 20   a  and  20   b  are a cross-section along line A-A ( FIG. 20   b ) and a plan view taken from below of the ratcheting reel of the  FIG. 17  embodiment.  
         [0040]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the brush closure of the  FIG. 17  embodiment.  
         [0041]      FIG. 22  is a perspective of the housing embodiment of  FIG. 17  without the ratcheting reel assembly of  FIGS. 19 and 20 .  
         [0042]      FIGS. 23   a  and  23   b  are perspective views of the housing of  FIG. 22  with the electrical raceways in position and the reel in position respectively, but without the spiral spring.  
         [0043]      FIGS. 24   a  and  24   b  are a plan view and a side elevation respectively of the butterfly electrical connection.  
         [0044]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the ratchet pawl of the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 17 through 26 .  
         [0045]      FIGS. 26   a  and  26   b  are a side elevation and a central cross-section respectively of the ratchet-release button of the  FIG. 17  embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0046]     In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.  
         [0047]     Turning to the drawings, in particular,  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder  1  of the present invention showing; a housing  2  having an inner molded spindle  4 , a plurality of mounting bolt holes  6 , a splatter guard  8 , a receptacle cord  10 , a receptacle cord outlet  12  and cord to housing connecting member  14 , a hatch assembly having; a hatch  20 , and knob  22 , and a mounting plate  30 .  
         [0048]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a cutout perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder  1  of the present invention comprising; a housing  2  having an inner molded spindle  4 , a plurality of elongated mounting screw holes  6  having hole extensions  5 , a plurality of screw assembly receivers  11 , a splatter guard  8 , a receptacle cord  10 , a receptacle cord outlet  12 , a cord to housing connecting member  14 , and a power-on indicator light  32 , a reel assemble  17  having a spring coil  15  an electrical raceway  19  for continuous conductivity, a male cord end  3 , an extension cord  13 , a hatch assembly having; a hatch  20 , and knob  22 , a closure plate  9  having hole-extension receiving members  7  and perforations therethrough for receiving fasteners in assembly, and a mounting plate  30 .  
         [0049]     In reference now to  FIG. 3 , a front elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention illustrating in particular, the splatter guard  8  and how it prevents oncoming rain and splatter from leading vehicles to enter the housing  2  of the present invention. The power-on indicator light  32  is also positioned so as to be viewed from the front, top and side of the vehicle.  
         [0050]     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a bottom plan view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention illustrating more particularly the positioning of the mounting plate  30  combinedly attached to the closure plate  9  and housing  2  with bolts. The mounting plate  30  having extruded member  41  extending rearwardly from the housing assembly  2 , and flanges  40  extending outwardly from the extruded members  41  distal from the housing to an apparent edge equal to the outer edges of the housing  2 .  
         [0051]     In reference now to  FIG. 5 , a top plan view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention illustrating the correlation between the mounting plate  30  and the housing assembly  2 . The top portion of the housing has no openings in which moisture could penetrate. The power-on indicator light  32  is also shielded from said moisture with a rim barrier  45 . The hatch assembly  50 , is provided with an awning member  18  again to prevent moisture from leaking within the hatch knob channel.  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a left side elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention illustrating again the correlation between the mounting plate  30  and the housing assembly  2 . The left side portion of the housing has a sealed opening in which the power-on indicator light  32  is installed and also shielded from said moisture with a rim barrier  45 .  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a right side elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention showing in particular, the hatch assembly within the housing  2 . An hatch knob channel  48  receives a protruding member of the hatch knob  22 , which said protruding member snaps firmly in place within a mating opening trough the hatch  20  thereby connecting the hatch knob  22  and the hatch  20 . A spring  24  applies constant downward pressure on the hatch to ensure said hatch  20  remains closed when not in use. Furthermore, said spring  24 , by applying greater pressure onto the male cord  10  than the pressure excreted by the recoil spring  15  of the reel  21 , thereby allows said springed hatch  20  to act as a brake to prevent male cord wire  10  from recoiling when in use. To recoil said cord  10 , user simply lifts hatch  20  with knob  22 . A splatter guard  8  and awning  18  also help prevent moisture and splatter from entering the housing.  
         [0054]     In reference now to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view from the rear of the mounting plate portion  30  of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention wherein said plate  30  is formed from a resilient sheet material having extruded member  41  extending rearwardly from the housing assembly  2 , and flanges  40  extending outwardly from the extruded members  41  distal from the housing to an apparent edge equal to the outer edges of the housing  2 . A plurality elongated perforations  51  traverse said plate  30  thereby allowing mounting bolts to traverse plate  30  to be attached to the license plate mounting bracket.  
         [0055]     The universal mounting plate  30  therefore installs where a license plate would normally be placed.  
         [0056]     In reference to  FIG. 9 , illustrating a partial top plan view of the present invention illustrated as installed within a conventional license plate mounting plate  60  wherein the extension members  41  of the mounting plate  30  of the present invention extend the flanged members  40  to within the depth of the license plate mounting bracket  60  thereby providing a stable and dependable installation of the housing  2  of the present invention. Once the mounting bolts are attached to the license plate mounting bracket  60 , the device of the present invention is securedly attached to the vehicle without fear of detachment.  
         [0057]      FIG. 10 , a cross sectional view taken from  FIG. 3  illustrates the inner components that make up the sliding hatch assembly  50  and the connecting member&#39;s  11  relationship to the housing assembly wherein, a housing  2  integrally includes an upper spring guide  46 , a connecting member  11  and knob slot. A closure  9  also integrally includes a lower spring guide  47  and a perforation through which a screw  36  may traverse to be engaged within the hollow bore of the connecting member  11 . The upper spring guide  46  and the lower spring guide  47 , when the housing  2  and closure  9  are assembled, form a generally cylindrical void of sufficient diameter to accept a spring of slightly lesser diameter than that of the above-mentioned void thereby preventing said spring from buckling outside its desired path. A hatch  20  is illustrated, having a height and width slightly lesser than an opening between the upper spring guide  46  and the upper inner surface of the outer wall portion of the housing  2 , and between the lower spring guide  47  and the lower inner surface of the outer wall portion of the housing  2 . A knob  22  having a snap-type protrusion passes through an elongated opening at the side wall portion of the housing  2 , and is securedly attached to the hatch  20  thereby providing mechanical integration of the hatch  20  from outside the housing assembly.  
         [0058]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 2 , illustrating the mounting bolt holes  6  comprising; hole extensions  5  integral with the housing  2 , and hole extension receiving members  7  integral with the closure portion  9 . The mounting plate  30  is also adapted with such a elongated perforation  51  thereby allowing through traverse of a mounting bolts  55  during installation of the present invention. The bolts  55  passes through similar holes in conventional license plates  60 , then through the mounting bolt hole  6 , through the closure  9  and are then held firmly in place with nuts  52 .  
         [0059]     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 11 , further illustrating the hatch assembly  50  of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention wherein, a hatch  20  having a perforation therethrough accepts a snap-type connector  28  integral with the hatch knob, and a spring pin  57  is slidably engaged between the upper spring guide  46  and the upper inner surface of the outer wall portion of the housing  2 , and between the lower spring guide  47  and the lower inner surface of the outer wall portion of the housing  2 . The housing  2  integrally includes a secondary spring pin  56 , on which a compression spring  24  frictionally attaches therearound. Said spring  24  also frictionally attaches to the spring pin  57  of the hatch  20 . The hatch  20 , being slidably engaged within the housing thereby can be moved against the spring  24  to gain access to the male power cord through an opening  58  in the housing  2  created by raising the hatch  20 , and automatically closes against the power cord when hatch knob  22  is released. The spring  24 , by applying greater pressure onto the male cord than the pressure excreted by the recoil spring of the reel, thereby allows said springed hatch  20  to act as a brake to prevent male cord wire from recoiling when in use. To recoil said cord, user simply lifts hatch  20  with knob  22 .  
         [0060]     FIGS.  13  to  16  illustrate prior art examples of conventional license plate mounting brackets  60  on which the universal mounting plate of the present invention may be installed.  FIG. 13  includes a top flange  70  under which the top flange of the present mounting plate would first go into, then bolted through the two bottom holes of the license plate mounting brackets  60 .  FIG. 14  includes a bottom flange  71  under which the bottom flange of the present mounting plate would first go into, then bolted through the two top holes of the license plate mounting brackets  60 .  FIG. 15  includes two side flanges  72  and  73  under which both side flanges of the present mounting plate would slide behind, then bolted through both either top or bottom holes of the license plate mounting brackets  60 .  FIG. 16  includes two side flanges  72  and  73 , and a bottom flange  71  under which both side flanges and the bottom flange of the present mounting plate would slide behind from the top, then bolted through both either top or bottom holes of the license plate mounting brackets  60 .  
         [0061]     In  FIGS. 17 through 26  inclusive is shown a further preferred embodiment of the universal winder la of the invention with a ratchet-operated cord reel in which the numbers correspond to items found in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 through 16  inclusive.  
         [0062]     The perspective view of the housing base  2  of the winder  1   a  of the invention shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  includes a universal attachment extension  100  which may be a single universal mounting plate as shown at  30  in  FIG. 8 , an integrally molded into the body of the housing base  2  or provided by a plurality of individual separate side brackets. Water resistant hole extensions  5  are provided at each of  6  elongated mounting screw holes  6  and provide a water tight compression fit between housing base  2  and a flat cover plate  9  as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 4 .  
         [0063]     Reel assembly  17  is shown with a central spindle  4  and a ratchet ring  101 . Ratchet ring  101  is preferably formed as part of the reel assembly  17  near is periphery and opposite from the electrical components shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . The interior of ratchet ring  101  is a flat spiral recoil spring  102  shown specifically in perspective in  FIG. 19 . Spring  102  is centrally secured to spindle  4  as at  103  in  FIG. 19  and secured as at  104  to ratchet ring as at  105  in  FIG. 18 . Retraction of electrical cord  13  causes counterclockwise rotation of reel assembly  17  against the spring  102 . Retraction of the electrical cord  13  is prevented by ratchet pall mechanism  106  in  FIG. 18 . Pall  106  is retained in position by retention spring  107  and released by movement of shaft  109  upon manual applied pressure to external knob  108 . Thus, pressure on knob  108  releases the ratchet pall  106  from ratchet wheel  101  and permits clockwise rotation of reel assembly  17  under pressure from coil spring  102  and retraction of the cord  13 .  
         [0064]     As shown in  FIGS. 20   a  (cross-section) and  20   b  (top plan view) reel assembly  17  includes an partially open central hub  109  adapted for secure electrical connection between cord  13  and electrical raceways for each electrical line which are preferably 2 or 3 concentric circular rings recessed into a face of reel  17  opposite ratchet ring  101 . Central to hub  109  is a bearing collar  109   a  adapted to receive spindle  4 . As opposed to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  raceways  19  are adjacent hub  109  and coil spring  102  extends from spindle  4  to the ratchet ring  101 .  
         [0065]     Housing base  2  of the winder includes a cord connector cavity  110  as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  which is preferably adjacent a corner of the winder and, further, preferably oriented downwards to facilitate water flow outwards from the cavity as in  FIG. 2  and opposite to the view shown in  FIG. 18 . As cord is rewound through cavity  110  onto reel  17  the cord is retracted until the male connector end  3  ( FIG. 2 ) is completely enclosed in cavity  110  when not in use.  
         [0066]     Cavity  110  is preferably formed with wall segments  111  and  112  to provide an internal passageway as at  113  in  FIG. 17 . A co-operating pair of brush closure elements  114  are mounted to the inboard ends of wall segments  111  and  112  with opposing and interacting bristles  115  which clean debris, snow, ice and water from cord  13  as it passes between them. Brush elements  114  are shown in detail in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0067]     Cavity  110  is closed to the exterior elements by rotatable clasp  119  including a cylindrical bearing  122  and a door  123  adapted to rotate with opening  121  in housing base  2  and selectively open or close opening  120  against the elements for access to the cord  13 .  
         [0068]     Housing base  2  is depicted in perspective and plan views in  FIG. 22  without reel assembly  17 , brush closure elements  114  or pawl  109 . Base  2  includes a floor plate  116  bearing upstanding spindle  4 . Preferably wire channels  117  are integrally formed into floor plate  116  and act both as guides and as restraints for  2  or  3  wire conductors as required. Each channel  117  ends with an individual butterfly connectors  118  preferably mounted directly to electrical conductors (not shown) and floor plate  116  by upstanding connection post  118 ′ and butterfly mounting holes  118 ″ as shown in  FIGS. 24   a  and  24   b.  Butterfly connectors  118  provide individual upstanding electrical connections with raceway rings mounted to the reel assembly  17  for continuous electrical connections to cord  13  mounted to said reel  17  in a known manner.  
         [0069]     Housing base  2  of the winder also includes a vehicle connection cavity  124  which preferably is formed into base  2  by a wall  125  and provides storage space for excess vehicle connection cord extending through opening  150  and into the vehicle. Wall elements  111 ,  112  and  125  preferably extend the depth of the housing  2  from the floor plate  116  to a planar cover and provide both a double wall water resistance barrier and mechanical support between the floor plate  116  and the cover.  
         [0070]     Wall  125  may be positioned to the outboard of screw holes  6  as in  FIG. 17  or, alternatively, inboard of screw holes  16  for a larger storage cavity  125  and more centralized support. Further, wall elements  111  and  112  may include extensions the width of the housing.  
         [0071]     Release button  108  is external to the housing base  2  and adapted to activate ratchet pall by shaft  109 ,  FIG. 18 .  
         [0072]     Preferably release button  108  includes a compressible weather seal as at  126  which may be integral with button  108  as at  126  in  FIG. 25  or separate.  
         [0073]      FIGS. 23   a,    23   b  and  23   c  show the reel assembly  17  in stages of installation.  
         [0074]      FIG. 23   a  is a perspective view of the housing base  2  without the reel assembly but for its integral electrical raceway rings  151 . In  FIG. 23   b  the balance of the reel assembly  17  has been added by mounting on spindle  4  but without showing the spiral spring  102 .  
         [0075]      FIGS. 26   a  and  26   b  shown the release knob  108  in detail with  FIG. 26   b  as a cross-section of the knob  108  taken along line B-B in  FIG. 26   a.  Compressible seal  126  is shown formed integrally with knob  108  by a flexible skirt  127 . Knob  108  includes a cylindrical cavity  128  which is secured to shaft  109  (not shown) upon assembly.  
         [0076]      FIG. 25  shows a perspective view of ratchet pawl  106  with its bearing  107  which is installed over post  129  as in  FIG. 22 . While the invention is described in conjunction with preferred illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.