Automatic engine block heater connection apparatus

• US 6,205,967 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2000
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alvine, Frank G.
• Original Assignee: Alvine, Frank G.
• Inventors: Alvine, Frank G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamen, Noah P.
• Application Number:
  US09/498,186
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 123/142.5 E
• US Class Current: 123/142.50E
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/02 Aiding engine start by thermal means, e.g. using lighted wicks

Abstract

An apparatus having an automobile engine block heater installed on a vehicle where the automobile engine block heater is automatically activated when the vehicle is properly positioned within a frame assembly. The apparatus includes at least two magnetic electrical adapters, one of which is mounted to the front of the vehicle and the other is mounted to the frame assembly. In one embodiment, the frame assembly includes an upright portion and a lower portion that lies flat on the floor. The upright portion secures the second magnetic electrical adapter that mates to the adapter on the front of the car. The upright portion is adjustable to match the height of the front of the car. Similarly, the lower portion includes a wheel well that receives a front vehicle wheel and is adjustable to match the length of the front end of the vehicle. The wheel well stops the vehicle when it is positioned properly, permitting the magnetic electrical adapters to mate. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes a status indicator designed to energize when the vehicle is properly positioned relative to the frame assembly. The upper portion is pivotably mounted to the lower portion to provide lateral range of motion in case the car overruns the wheel well. Conversely, a stop is used to disengage the magnetic electrical adapters when the car is backed away from the frame assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically activating an automobile engine block heater, comprising:

a first magnetic electrical adapter;

a second magnetic electrical adapter; and

a frame assembly comprising an upright member pivotally connected to a lower member, for receiving an automobile, wherein the first magnetic electrical adapter is mounted to a distal end of the upright member of the frame assembly and is electrically coupled to a power source and the second magnetic electrical adapter is mounted to the automobile and is electrically coupled to the engine block heater;

whereby the automobile engine block heater is automatically activated when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly allowing the first and second electrical adapters to mate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wheel well is attached to the distal end of the lower member, the wheel well being sized and configured to receive an automobile wheel when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly allowing the first and second electrical adapters to mate and further assisting the user when positioning the automobile relative to the frame assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a status indicator, wherein the status indicator is energized by a pressure switch located in the wheel well attached to the distal end of the lower member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a status indicator, wherein the status indicator is energized when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly allowing the first and second electrical adapters to mate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic electrical adapter is electrically coupled to a rectifier for converting an alternating power source to a direct current power source for providing power to the engine block heater.

6. A method for automatically activating an automobile engine block heater mounted on an automobile, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first magnetic electrical adapter, a second magnetic electrical adapter, and a frame assembly comprising an upright member pivotally connected to a lower member, wherein the first magnetic electrical adapter is mounted on the automobile in electrical connection to the engine block heater and the second magnetic electrical adapter is mounted on a distal end of the upright member of the frame assembly and connected to an electrical power source;

(b) aligning the first magnetic electrical adapter mounted on the front of the automobile with the second magnetic electrical adapter mounted on the frame assembly; and

(c) receiving an automobile relative to the frame assembly such that the first magnetic electrical adapter engages the second magnetic electrical adapter, thereby automatically energizing the engine block heater.

7. The method of claim 8, wherein aligning the first magnetic electrical adapter with the second magnetic electrical adapter comprises the further step of attaching a wheel well to the distal end of the lower member, wherein the wheel well is sized and configured to receive an automobile wheel when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly allowing the first and second electrical adapters to mate.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises the step of indicating when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly to engage the first and second electrical adapters.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein indicating when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly comprises energizing a status indicator when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly allowing the first and second electrical adapters to mate.

10. A method for automatically activating an automobile engine block heater mounted on an automobile, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first magnetic electrical adapter, a second magnetic electrical adapter, and a frame assembly, wherein the first magnetic electrical adapter is mounted on the automobile in electrical connection to the engine block heater and the second magnetic electrical adapter is mounted on the frame assembly and connected to an electrical power source;

(b) aligning the first magnetic electrical adapter mounted on the front of the automobile with the second magnetic electrical adapter mounted on the frame assembly; and

receiving an automobile relative to the frame assembly such that the first magnetic electrical adapter engages the second magnetic electrical adapter, thereby automatically energizing the engine block heater;

indicating when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly to engage the first and second electrical adapters by energizing a status indicator allowing the first and second electrical adapters to mate, wherein the status indicator is energized by a pressure switch located in a wheel well attached to the distal end of the lower member, the wheel well being sized and configured to receive an automobile wheel when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly to engage the first and second electrical adapters.

11. An apparatus for automatically activating an automobile engine block heater, comprising:

a first magnetic electrical adapter;

a second magnetic electrical adapter; and

a frame assembly for receiving an automobile, wherein the first magnetic electrical adapter is mounted to the frame assembly and is electrically coupled to a power source and the second magnetic electrical adapter is mounted on the automobile'"'"'s bumper and is electrically coupled to the engine block heater;

whereby the automobile engine block heater is automatically activated when the automobile is positioned relative to the frame assembly allowing the first and second electrical adapters to mate.