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 120VAC 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 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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   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 120VAC 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 
   It is common for conventional electric or hybrid vehicles to be adapted with components, which require a 120VAC 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. 
   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. 
   The applicant is aware of attempts in prior art to provide means of reeling an extension cord behind a license plate. 
   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 12VDC to 120VAC 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. 
   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. 
   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 
   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 120VAC vehicle accessory devices reach the winder&#39;s outlet. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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 
     These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following brief description and upon referring to the drawings in which:— 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cutout perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a right side elevation view of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the mounting plate portion of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       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. 
       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. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 1  of the universal license plate cord winder of the present invention. 
       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. 
       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. 
       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. 
       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. 
       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. 
   

   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. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals. 
   Turning to the drawings, in particular,  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder 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 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a cutout perspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder 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 . 
   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. 
   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 . 
   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. 
   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 . 
   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. 
   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. 
   The universal mounting plate  30  therefore installs where a license plate would normally be placed. 
   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. 
     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. 
   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 . 
   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 . 
     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 .