Adjustable vehicle power point

• US 6,379,178 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EWD LLC
• Original Assignee: EWD LLC
• Inventors: Jordan, Michael M., Jones, James L. III, Rajesh, Chidambarakrishnan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Paula
• Assistant Examiner(s): Figueroa, Felix O.
• Application Number:
  US09/634,558
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 439/501, 439/532, 439/34, 439/110, 439/4, 224/483, 224/554, 320/105
• US Class Current: 439/501
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged

Abstract

An adjustable power point for use in a vehicle, movable from at least one home position to other locations in the vehicle that are suited for connecting various electrical devices. In one form, the power point is connected to a retractable power cord, and is normally retained in a home socket, for example in the dashboard near the driver console. In another form, the power point is slide-mounted in a track structure formed in a portion of the vehicle, for example the instrument panel, capable of being longitudinally adjusted between various home positions along the length of the track.

Claims

1. In a vehicle, a power point movable from a home position on the vehicle to a use position remote from the home position wherein the home position is located on a track structure on a portion of the vehicle and the power point is mounted to slide on the track structure, wherein the power point further includes a retractable cord to which it is connected and which permits the power point to be removed from the track structure and extended to a remote use location in the vehicle.

2. In a vehicle, a power point for providing operating current to a DC-using appliance of a type used in a vehicle, the power point being adapted to receive a power plug from such an appliance, the power point being movable from a home position on or in a securing structure on the vehicle to a use position remote from the home position, wherein the securing structure comprises a track structure on a portion of the vehicle and the power point is mounted to slide on or in the track structure.

3. The power point of claim 2, wherein the power point and the track structure include mating features for releasably locking the power point in a plurality of home positions on the track structure.

4. The power point of claim 3, wherein the track structure is in a vehicle instrument panel.