Cigarette lighter adapter device that interfaces with an external device via a port interface

• US 20060276236A1
• Filed: 04/03/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krieger, Michael, Ellsworth, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,338,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/573
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0054 using cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

A CLA device comprises a CLA plug that is insertable into an external CLA socket, for example, a DC CLA socket inside a vehicle. The CLA device has a housing coupled to the CLA plug, for example, by integration or via a tethered wire, with the housing having a support surface. A port interface connector in the CLA device engages with a complementary port interface connector of an external device at a cantilevered support point when the external device is attached to the CLA device.

Claims

1. A CLA device that is attachable to an external device, comprising:

a CLA plug insertable into an external CLA socket;

a housing coupled to the CLA plug having a support surface;

a port interface that engages with a complementary port interface of the external device at a cantilevered support point when the external device is attached to the CLA device; and

a protruding portion relative to the support surface, said protruding portion positioning the port interface such that the external device is substantially supported by the support surface of the housing against a movement when the port interface is engaged with the complementary port interface of the external device.

2. The CLA device of claim 1, wherein said housing is coupled to the CLA plug via a wire.

3. The CLA device of claim 1, wherein the port interface comprises at least one of a USB, Firewire and Universal port interface.

4. The CLA device of claim 1, further including a resource device that exchanges data with the external device via the port interface.

5. A CLA device that is attachable to an external device, comprising:

A CLA plug for insertion into a CLA socket;

an inverter electrically coupled to the CLA plug for converting an external DC voltage to an AC output voltage at an AC outlet;

a radio frequency transmitter receiving electrical power via the CLA plug for transmitting an input audio signal to an external receiver; and

at least one port interface electrically coupled to the CLA plug that at least one of energizes and exchanges data with an attached external device.

6. The CLA device of claim 5, further comprising a resource device electrically coupled to the CLA plug functioning as at least one of a port interface, an imaging device, a storage device, an audio device, and a video device.

7. The CLA device of claim 6, wherein the radio frequency transmitter comprises at least one of an FM transmitter and an S-band Transmitter.

8. The CLA device of claim 6, further comprising a CLA socket for providing a DC output.

9. An accessory device, comprising:

an FM transmitter powered by one or more rechargeable batteries that modulates an audio signal;

a housing that encloses the FM transmitter; and

a port interface connector in the housing that is attachable to an external power source for charging the one or more rechargeable batteries.

10. The accessory device of claim 9, further including a satellite receiver the provides the audio signal.

11. The accessory device of claim 9, further including charge circuitry coupled to the port interface circuit for receiving power from an external power source to provide charge energy for charging the one or more rechargeable batteries.

12. The accessory device of claim 9, wherein the audio signal comprise at least one of an internal audio signal and an external audio signal.

13. The accessory device of claim 9, wherein the port interface connector comprises at least one of a USB connector, a Firewire connector, and a Pin Port connector.