Illuminated vehicle socket

• US 9,896,027 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2016
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ark Corporation Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Ark Corporation Pty Ltd.
• Inventors: Arakelian, Richard, Kuo, Hsuan-chi
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Tracie Y
• Application Number:
  US15/347,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20170129395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/64 Couplings or joints therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5035 electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source

Abstract

An electrical socket is described, which is configured to be mounted on a towing vehicle. The electrical socket comprises a socket body, a plug receiver mounted in the socket body and configured to receive a vehicle electrical plug from a towed vehicle, an illuminated closure mounted on the socket body and movable between a closed position in which the plug receiver is closed and an open position in which the plug receiver is accessible to receive the vehicle electrical plug, the illuminated closure comprising a lens and a light source mounted adjacent the lens and configured to direct light through the lens toward the towed vehicle when it is connected to the towing vehicle wherein the light source is also configured to illuminate the plug receiver when the closure is in the open position.

Claims

1. An electrical socket configured to be mounted on a towing vehicle, the electrical socket comprising:

a socket body;

a plug receiver in the socket body and configured to receive a vehicle electrical plug from a towed vehicle;

an illuminated closure for closing the plug receiver, the illuminated closure mounted on the socket body and movable between a closed position in which the closure is substantially disposed across the plug receiver to inhibit access thereto, and an open position in which the cover is disposed clear of the plug receiver, the illuminated closure further including;

a light source mounted on the closure configured to direct light rearward of the socket body and the closure is in the closed position;

wherein the light source is configured to illuminate the plug receiver at least when the closure is in the open position.

2. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the light source includes a printed circuit board (PCB) in electrical communication with the towing vehicle so as to receive illuminating instructions from the towing vehicle and convey the instructions to the light source.

3. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the light source includes a plurality of lamps disposed in an array on the closure.

4. The electrical socket according to claim 3 wherein the array includes a plurality of lamps disposed along one or more edges of the closure.

5. The electrical socket according to claim 4 wherein the plurality of lamps are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the light source includes a diffuser for diffusing the light from the light source.

7. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the diffuser includes a light pipe for receiving and diffusing light from the plurality of LEDs.

8. The electrical socket according to claim 7 wherein the light pipe includes light inlets at each end to receive light from the plurality of LEDs and a light outlet across a front face of the light pipe.

9. The electrical socket according to claim 6 wherein the diffuser is mounted between the PCB and a lens so that the diffuse light from the diffuser is projected substantially through the lens.

10. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the illuminated closure includes a hinge for moving the illuminated closure from the closed position to the open position.

11. The electrical socket according to claim 10 wherein the hinge is mounted at an upper region of the socket body so that the closure hinges upwards to the open position and the forward-firing light source fires light downwards and forward into the plug receiver at least when the closure is in the open position.

12. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the socket body includes a retainer mounted adjacent the hinge for retaining a portion of the closure when the closure is in the open position.

13. The electrical socket according to claim 12 wherein the retainer includes a catch to catch a cooperating element of the closure when the closure is in the open position.

14. The electrical socket according to claim 13 wherein the cooperating portion of the closure comprises a catch bar for cooperating with the catch when the closure is in the open position.

15. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the illuminated closure includes a biasing element to bias the closure to the closed position.

16. The electrical socket according to claim 9 wherein the lens includes a lenticular treatment to make the message appear to be animated depending on the angle of viewing by a user.

17. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the illuminated closure includes a display screen.

18. The electrical socket according to claim 1 wherein the illuminated closure includes a hood on a back face of the closure so as to protect a light source.