Light emitting diode jumper cables

• US 6,921,286 B1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Fernandez
• Original Assignee: Robert Fernandez
• Inventors: Fernandez, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chung-Trans, X.
• Application Number:
  US10/303,170
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 439/503, 439/504, 439/506, 439/488, 439/490, 362/800, 362/249, 362/514
• US Class Current: 439/503
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/562 locatable, e.g. using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A jumper cable assembly has a pair of clamps at both ends for parallel connection to a weak and a strong battery for starting a motor. Along the side of the assembly is mounted at least one light emitting diodes (LED) that is powered when either end of the assembly is connected with correct polarity to a battery. The at least one LED may illuminate a fiber optic bundle disposed along the length of the assembly. The assembly lights up along its length to thereby avoid tripping over it when it is being used in the dark. When the assembly is connected to a battery with the wrong polarity, the LED will not light up. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of LED'"'"'s are disposed along the length of the assembly. The light emitted may be made to flash or change color to indicate the voltage on the battery to which it is connected.

Claims

1. A flexible jumper cable assembly having a long length with a transparent covering sleeve for connecting to a first battery at one end and a second battery at another end, the assembly comprising:

a) an elongate positive wire having battery connections at both ends;

b) an elongate negative wire having battery connections at both ends;

c) at least one light emitting diode connected between the positive and negative wires so as to emit light only when the battery connections at one end are connected one of the batteries with the correct polarity; and

d) means for emitting light from the at least one light emitting diode along the length of the assembly to thereby illuminate the length of the assembly when one of the batteries is connected to the positive and negative wires.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising means for modifying the emitted light to indicate the voltage on the battery to which the assembly is connected.

3. A flexible jumper cable assembly with a transparent covering sleeve for connecting to a first battery at one end and a second battery at another end, the assembly comprising:

a) an elongate, continuous positive wire of a particular length having a battery connection at each end;

b) an elongate, continuous negative wire of substantially the same particular length having a battery connection at each end;

c) a plurality of light emitting diodes connected between the positive and negative wires so as to emit light only when the battery connections at one end are connected one of the batteries with the correct polarity; and

d) the light emitting diodes disposed along a major portion of the positive and negative wires to move with the positive and negative wires and to emit light along said major portion its length when electric power from one of the batteries is applied to one end.

4. The assembly according to claim 3 further comprising means for modifying the emitted light to indicate the voltage on the battery to which the assembly is connected.

5. A flexible jumper cable assembly with a transparent covering sleeve for connecting to a first battery at one end and a second battery at another end, the assembly comprising:

a) an elongate, continuous positive wire of a particular length having a battery connection at each end;

b) an elongate, continuous negative wire of substantially the same particular length having a battery connection at each end;

c) at least one light emitting diode connected between the positive and negative wires so as to emit light only when the battery connections at one end are connected to one of the batteries with the correct polarity; and

d) an elongate fiber optic element disposed so as to be illuminated by the at least one light emitting diode, the element disposed along a major portion of the positive and negative wires to move with the positive and negative wires and to emit light along said major portion when electric power from one of the batteries is applied to one end.

6. The assembly according to claim 5 further comprising means for modifying the emitted light to indicate the voltage on the battery to which the assembly is connected.