Trailer Hitch Plug Power Inverter

• US 20100135055A1
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mathew Inskeep
• Inventors: Inskeep, Mathew
• Granted Patent: US 8,120,199 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/141
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 specially adapted for power drive units or power converters

Abstract

Disclosed is a power inverter for use in converting 12VDC to 115VAC, the power inverter is adapted for securement to a conventional trailer hitch connector. The power inverter provides remote power to 115 volt accessory items by use of a conventional 115 volt output receptacle positionable at the rear of a vehicle by use of the trailer hitch connector so as to eliminate the need for extension cords commonly used when powering 115 volt accessories from a conventional vehicle.

Claims

1. A power inverter comprising:

a housing having a front end, back end, and a body, said body positioned between and connected to said front end and said back end;

said front end having a plug constructed and arranged for temporary coupling to a trailer hitch connector, said front end including electrical connectors for receipt of direct current (DC) electrical power from said trailer hitch connector;

said back end having a receptacle including a three prong outlet constructed and arranged for temporary coupling to an alternating current (AC) powered device; and

said body including an electrical power inverter, said electrical power inverter includes a transformer, a rectifier filter, and a PWM controller positioned therein, said electrical power inverter is electrically coupled to said plug and said three prong output, said transformer receives said DC electrical power from said input plug and transfers said DC electrical power to electrically coupled said rectifier filter, said rectifier filter converts said DC power supply to an AC power and is electrically coupled to said PWM controller, said PWM controller receives and adjusts said AC power to said three prong output.

2. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said DC power supply is 12 volt DC power supply.

3. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said AC powered device is a conventional 115VAC power cord.

4. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said back end includes vent openings constructed and arranged for heat dissipation.

5. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said back end includes an indicator light constructed and arranged to indicate the operation of said power inverter.

6. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said body includes a fuse constructed and arranged to safely limit said DC power supply draw.

7. The power inverter of claim 6, wherein said fuse has a rating of least 10 amps.

8. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said front end includes a seal grommet for temporary cooperative engagement with said trailer hitch connector, said seal grommet constructed and arranged to provide a fluid tight seal between said front end and said trailer hitch connector.

9. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said back end and said body are pivotally connected to said front end.

10. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said PWM controller is constructed and arranged to insure an alternating power supply having a constant voltage and 60 Hz frequency.

11. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said plug includes 4 prongs constructed and arranged for electrical connection to said trailer hitch connector.

12. The power inverter of claim 1, wherein said PWM controller is constructed and arranged to adjust said AC power into a hybrid sine wave.