Vehicular light

• US 7,478,927 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Custom Accessories
• Original Assignee: Custom Accessories
• Inventors: Alesi, Vincent, Matthew, Norman L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Y My Quach
• Application Number:
  US11/548,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20070097670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 362/109, 362/184, 362/190, 362/191, 362/258, 362/387, 362/391, 362/397, 362/398, 191/12.4, 191/12.2 R, 191/12.R, 242/378, 242/278.1, 242/388.1, 242/405
• US Class Current: 362/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/59 Lighting devices mounted in the vehicle interior and adapted for portability
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/76 for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps spotlighting on or for specific fittings B60Q3/20; spotlighting in mass transit vehicles B60Q3/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/88 Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/023 having two or more, or different light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0925 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0965 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 27/005 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement

Abstract

A portable utility light, including a reel assembly, a power connector, and a light assembly. The reel assembly includes an electrical cord, and a reel encased within a housing and capable of winding and unwinding the electrical cord. A power connector electrically couples one end of the electrical cord to a power source, such as a vehicle'"'"'s cigarette lighter receptacle or 12 volt accessory power outlet. A lamp, or flashlight, is electrically coupled to the other end of the electrical cord. Connectors coupled to the electrical cord are removably attachable to the housing of the reel assembly.

Claims

1. A portable light comprising:

a reel assembly having a housing, an electrical cord having a first end associated with a first opening of the housing and a second end associated with a second opening of the housing, and a reel within the reel assembly housing that is capable of winding and unwinding at least a portion of the first end of the electrical cord through the first opening and at least a portion of the second end of the electrical cord through the second opening;

a power connector electrically coupled to the first end of the electrical cord for attachment to a power source; and

a light assembly electrically coupled to the second end of the electrical cord, the light assembly having at least one housing, and a light electrically coupled to the second end of the electrical cord, at least a portion of the light carried by the at least one housing of the light assembly, wherein one of the reel assembly housing and the power connector includes a first flange, the other of the reel assembly housing and the power connector includes a first channel, the first flange and the first channel cooperating to permit releasable attachment of the power connector to the reel assembly housing.

2. The portable light of claim 1, wherein an intermediate connector is interposed between the light assembly and the second end of the electrical cord, the intermediate connector electrically coupling the light assembly to the electrical cord and permitting the light assembly to be removably attached to the electrical cord.

3. The portable light of claim 2, wherein one of the reel assembly housing connector includes a second flange, the other of the intermediate connector and the reel assembly housing includes a second channel, the second flange and the second channel cooperating to permit releasable attachment of the intermediate connector to the reel assembly housing.

4. The portable light of claim 3, wherein the reel assembly housing includes the second flange and the intermediate connector includes the second channel.

5. The portable light of claim 1, further including means to attach the light assembly to a surface.

6. The portable light of claim 5, wherein the means to attach the light assembly comprising a magnet.

7. The portable light of claim 5, wherein the means to attach the light assembly comprises a suction cup.

8. The portable light of claim 1, further comprising a second light associated with the at least one housing of the light assembly and electrically coupled to the electrical cord, at least a portion of the second light being carried by the at least one housing.

9. The portable light of claim 1, wherein the reel assembly further comprises:

a spring for normally biasing the electrical cord into a retracted position within the reel assembly housing;

a disc, operatively engaging the electrical cord, the disc having a plurality of angled teeth;

a clip;

a spring for biasing the clip into engagement with at least one of the plurality of angled teeth to prevent reverse rotation of the disc and retraction of the electrical cord into the reel assembly housing; and

a button operatively connected to the clip to selectively release the clip from an engaged position with the at least one tooth.

10. The portable light of claim 1, wherein the reel assembly housing includes the first flange and the power connector includes the first channel, and the intermediate.