Drive-up electrical receptacle

• US 4,850,879 A
• Filed: 09/12/1988
• Issued: 07/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Albert E. Langenbahn
• Original Assignee: Albert E. Langenbahn
• Inventors: Langenbahn, Albert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/242,665
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• Field of Search: 439/10, 439/11, 439/34, 439/247, 439/338, 439/342, 439/343, 439/341, 439/626, 439/660, 439/676, 439/699, 439/840, 439/841, 439/817, 439/245, 320/2, 403/13, 403/14
• US Class Current: 439/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only

Abstract

A quick connect drive up receptacle which includes a receptacle supported by spaced arms. An adjustable spring supports the spaced arms so that the receptacle is held at a desired height. Male connectors on the vehicle are so configured that the arm supported receptacle will engage the male connectors to supply current to one or more devices on or in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A drive-up electrical receptacle for automatically supplying input power to a power line, which comprises:

a first elongated housing made of electrical insulating material, open on one side;

first and second elongated electrodes supported in said first elongated housing on the same axes, and separated from each other at one end;

spaced, spring loaded flexible holders which support said first housing;

first and second linear arms that support each of said spaced spring loaded flexible holders, each of said arms being pivotable about a rod; and

an electrical supply line connected to each of said first and second elongated electrodes.

2. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, which includes:

a bracket supported by said rod, and

a spring connected between said bracket and one of said arms which supports said arms and said first housing in a set position relative to a surface.

3. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 2, which includes:

means for securing said rod to a supporting surface with the rod parallel to a ground surface.

4. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, in which:

said first elongated housing includes spaced comb-like teeth along its open side.

6. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, which includes:

spaced, spring loaded flexible holders which support said first housing.

7. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 6, which includes:

first and second linear arms that support each of said spaced spring loaded flexible holders,

each of said arms being pivotable about a rod.

8. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 7, which includes:

a bracket supported by said rod, and

a spring connected between said bracket and one of said arms which supports said arms and said first housing in a set position relative to a surface.

9. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 8, which includes:

means for securing said rod to a supporting surface with the rod parallel to a ground surface.

10. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, in which:

said first elongated housing includes spaced comb-like teeth along its open side.

12. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 6, in which:

said second housing is made of electrical insulating material and is J-shaped,

said J-shaped housing is secured to a backing plate, and

there is provided means for securing said backing plate to a front end of a vehicle with said J-shaped housing supported above a bumper on said vehicle.

13. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 7, in which:

said second housing is made of electrical insulating material and is J-shaped,

said J-shaped housing is secured to a backing plate, and

there is provided means for securing said backing plate to a front end of a vehicle with said J-shaped housing supported above a bumper on said vehicle.

14. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 8, in which:

said second housing is made of electrical insulating material and is J-shaped,

a backing plate to which said J-shaped housing is secured, and

means for securing said backing plate to a front end of a vehicle with said J-shaped housing supported above a bumper on said vehicle relative to a position of said first housing relative to said vehicle.

15. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 14, which includes:

a ground for electrically grounding said first housing relative to said supports, and

a ground for electrically grounding said second housing relative to said vehicle.

16. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 15, in which said first and second elongated contacts are in the form of spring wire.

17. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 16, in which:

said first and second spaced electrodes are thin with one end semicircular in shape.

18. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 17, in which:

said J-shaped housing is provided with two pairs of spaced electrodes for supplying input power to two separate supply lines.

5. A drive-up electrical receptacle for automatically supplying input power to a power line, which comprises:

a first elongated housing made of electrical insulating material, open on one side;

first and second elongated electrodes supported in said first elongated housing on the same axes, and separated from each other at one end;

an electrical supply line connected to each of said first and second elongated electrodes;

a second elongated housing made of electrically insulating material, open on one side;

first and second spaced electrodes extending outwardly from said second housing perpendicular to a linear axis of said second elongated housing, in which said first and second spaced electrodes are so positioned as to make electrical contact with said first and second elongated electrodes in said first electrical housing; and

power lines connected to each of said spaced electrodes for feeding power to an operating device.

11. A drive-up electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 5, in which:

said second housing is made of electrically insulating material and is J-shaped,

said J-shaped housing is secured to a backing plate, and

there is provided means for securing said backing plate to a front end of a vehicle with said J-shaped housing supported above a bumper on said vehicle.