Electrical extension

• US 5,720,627 A
• Filed: 05/13/1996
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saab Automobile AB (China Evergrande Group)
• Original Assignee: Saab Automobile AB (China Evergrande Group)
• Inventors: Wallander, Olle, Gillbrand, Per
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/647,688
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 191/12 R, 439/501, 439/4
• US Class Current: 439/501
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

An electrical extension particularly for use in a motor vehicle: a cylindrical cable storage container having two cables coiled therein. The cables are connected in series. The first cable is stored as a plurality of spiral turns arranged in a substantially flat disk in the bottom of the container. The second, less flexible cable is stored as a plurality of coils arranged one on top of the other against the interior wall of the container. The second cable is played out initially from the container for connection to an external power source. The first cable is connected to an electrical unit within the vehicle. The container may be stored behind the grille and under the hood of a vehicle. A operable cover sealed to and over the container may be pivoted to the hood.

Claims

1. An electrical extension comprising:

a cable storage unit having an open area within it for receiving cables;

a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable, an electrical connection between the first and second cables connecting them in series;

the second cable being stored in the unit as a plurality of coils, with the coils thereof being arranged one on top of the other, the cables being so placed that the second cable is withdrawn from the unit, and the unit including a passage for the second cable to exit the unit;

the unit having a guide thereon in which the connection between the cables is supported.

2. The electrical extension of claim 1, wherein the second cable is less flexible than the first cable.

3. The electrical extension of claim 1, wherein the cable storage unit comprises a container, in which the cables are housed.

4. The electrical extension of claim 1, wherein the second cable is stored as a plurality of coils above the first cable in the unit.

5. The electrical extension of claim 4, wherein the first cable is stored as a plurality of spiral turns in the unit.

6. The electrical extension of claim 5, wherein the spiral turns of the first cable in the storage unit are respectively arranged in a substantially flat disk.

7. The electrical extension of claim 6, wherein the cable storage unit comprises a container, in which the cables are housed.

8. The electrical extension of claim 7, wherein the container is cylindrical.

9. The electrical extension of claim 7, wherein the second cable is less flexible than the first cable, and the second cable is sufficiently inflexible that the coils of the second cable press themselves against the interior of the container.

10. The electrical extension of claim 7, wherein the second cable has an end which can be drawn out of the container, and the second cable is adapted to be drawn out of the container.

11. The electrical extension of claim 10, wherein the first cable is adapted to remain within the container before and after the second cable is withdrawn from the container.

12. The electrical extension of claim 7, wherein the container has a wall extending axially and along the interior of which the second cable is coiled;

and

the guide for the connection between the cables comprises a groove extending axially along the wall of the container enabling the connection between the first and second cables to move axially along the wall of the container.

13. The electrical extension of claim 7, wherein the first cable has an end away from the connection between the cables and that end of the first cable is connectable to an electrical apparatus;

the second cable having a free end thereof away from the connection and a plug at the free end of the second cable for connection to an electrical source.

14. The electrical extension of claim 7, further comprising the container having a cover thereover adapted to blend with the component, the cover of the container being openable to provide access to the second cable to be played out the container.

16. In a motor vehicle including an electrical apparatus, the extension of claim 13, and the end of the first cable being connected to the electrical apparatus within the vehicle.

17. In the motor vehicle of claim 16, the vehicle having a body component and the container of the extension being arranged near the body component;

the container having a cover thereover adapted to blend with the component, the cover of the container being openable to provide access to the second cable to be played out the container.

18. In the motor vehicle of claim 17, the cover comprising an emblem or badge.

19. In the motor vehicle of claim 17, the vehicle having an engine grille and a cylindrical container being disposed behind the engine grille, the vehicle having a hood over the engine and the cover of the container being pivoted to the vehicle hood.

20. In the motor vehicle of claim 17, the cover further comprising a seal thereon for sealing to the container and the groove to seal against external conditions.

21. In the motor vehicle of claim 17, an AC/DC converter for converting DC to AC for feeding to the power source to which the second cable is attached;

the vehicle including a battery and control means to prevent the battery from discharging below a predetermined potential.

15. The electrical extension of claim 15, the cover further comprising a seal thereon for sealing to the container and the groove to seal against external conditions.