EXTERIOR POWER SUPPLY CONNECTION FOR RECREATION VEHICLES

• US 3,641,472 A
• Filed: 09/14/1970
• Issued: 02/08/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Phillips Jr
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Phillips Jr
• Inventors: Phillips, Lawrence Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Champion, Marvin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US05/071,835
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 339/28,10,136,143,119,120,122,123,166 174/53,59,66,67 52/221 191/4 280/420,422
• US Class Current: 439/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/00 Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart

Abstract

An exterior power supply connection for supplying electrical power from a permanent power source to the interior of a recreation vehicle is adapted to be mounted in aligned openings in the walls of the vehicle, with a faceplate inside the vehicle and a slanted rainproof shield outside the vehicle. A pair of slots in opposite lateral walls of the adapter receive the outer shell of the vehicle and a clamping frame. A fastener between the frame and the shield causes the frame and the faceplate to bear tightly on the vehicle walls to secure the supply connection in place. A female receptacle mounted in the faceplate faces the interior of the vehicle, and a male receptacle disposed in a compartment located under the shield faces the outside. A slanted, downwardly opening coverplate is spring biased to cover the male receptacle. In use, a connector on a cord from the power supply is connected with the male receptacle in the compartment to supply power through the female receptacle to the interior of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An exterior power supply connection for supplying electrical power from an external power source to the interior of a recreation vehicle or the like comprising:

a. a housing adapted to be mounted in the vehicle having;

i. a faceplate for disposition within the interior of the vehicle;

ii. a pair of sidewalls extending from the faceplate for partial disposition outside the vehicle; and

iii. an upper wall extending from the faceplate and capping the sidewalls, the upper wall being at an acute angle to the faceplate and extending downwardly from the top thereof for partial disposition outside the vehicle to facilitate the shedding of water;

b. first electrical receptacle means in the faceplate for providing an electrical connection with an appliance within the vehicle;

c. second electrical receptacle means within the housing below the upper wall and above the lower terminus of the sidewalls, the second receptacle means being disposed for disposition outside the vehicle for providing an electrical connection with the external power source; and

d. electrical conductor means establishing a circuit connection between the first and second electrical receptacle means.

2. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the sidewalls each have a notch for disposition over an outer wall of the vehicle to support the power supply connection at least in part by the outer shell.

3. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 2 including:

A clamping frame adapted to bear against the exterior surface of the outer shell of the vehicle and received in the notches; and

the faceplate being adapted to bear against the interior wall of the vehicle and together with the clamping frame to secure the power supply connection in place in the vehicle when a fastener engages the clamping frame and the housing such that the faceplate and clamping frame bear in compression on their associated vehicle walls.

4. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 3 wherein:

the clamping frame has a gasket for bearing against the outer wall of the vehicle and preventing moisture from entering the vehicle through the hole in the outer wall through which the power supply connection extends.

5. The exterior power supply claimed in claim 4 wherein:

the second electrical receptacle means is disposed at an angle within the housing to face downwardly and away from the plane of the outer wall of the vehicle.

6. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 5 wherein:

a cover plate secured to the housing is provided for selectively covering the second electrical receptacle means.

7. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 6 wherein:

the housing includes a support plate between the sidewalls and the upper wall to close the bottom of the housing, the cover plate having an opening therein for providing access to the second electrical receptacle means, the cover plate being disposed over the opening.

8. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 7 including:

biasing means for maintaining the cover plate in a closed position.

9. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 8 wherein the first electrical receptacle means comprises at least one female receptacle and the second receptacle means comprises a male receptacle mounted so that its contact blades are inwardly of the coverplate.

10. The exterior power supply connection claimed in claim 9 wherein the electrical conductor means includes a circuit breaker means having reset means mounted in the faceplate for access from the interior of the vehicle.