Electrical extension lead

• US 7,429,189 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2003
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lerch, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubke; Renee S
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSUKERMAN, LARISA Z
• Application Number:
  US10/660,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,846 Days
• Field of Search: 439501-505, 439/15, 439/164, 320/105, 320/113, 320/115, 174/79.R, 174/113.R, 174/65.R, 174/79
• US Class Current: 439/502
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

An electrical extension lead comprising: an electrical cable having a first end connected to a plug socket arrangement for supplying electrical to electrical devices, and a second end connected to an electrical plug for connection to an electrical mains supply, a battery pack charging assembly also connected to the first end of the cable and a battery pack for use with an electrical devices is removably connectable to the battery pack charging assembly for charging, and wherein the plug socket arrangement and the battery pack charging assembly are mounted within a common housing.

Claims

1. An electrical extension lead, comprising a storage structure and an electrical cable having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to a plug socket arrangement mounted on the storage structure and arranged for supplying AC electricity to electrical devices, and the second end connected to an electrical plug for connection to AC electrical supply sources, characterized in that a battery pack charging assembly is also connected to the first end of the cable and mounted on the storage structure, which charging assembly includes a receptacle comprising a receptacle housing and a flexible gasket disposed between the receptacle housing and a portion of the storage structure for holding and charging removable battery packs for powering electrical devices, and the storage structure includes a door located adjacent the receptacle assembly and a reel housing and the cable is stored by wrapping it around the storage structure.

2. An electrical extension lead according to claim 1 and further including a hollow storage structure and the battery pack charging assembly is located within said hollow storage structure.

3. An electrical extension lead according to claim 2 wherein the plug socket arrangement is fitted within a first cover portion of the hollow structure and the battery pack charging receptacle is fitted within a second cover portion at the opposite end of the hollow structure.

4. An electrical extension lead according to claim 3 wherein the second cover portion includes a recess, which recess extends within the hollow storage structure and the battery pack charging receptacle is fitted within the recess.

5. An electrical extension lead according to claim 2 wherein the hollow storage structure is substantially cylindrical.

6. An electrical extension lead according to claim 1 wherein the storage structure is rotatably mounted within an outer housing, which outer housing is formed with a hole through which the cable is extendable.

7. An electrical extension lead according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle assembly further comprises at least one retainer disposed on the storage structure to prevent disengagement of the gasket.

8. An electrical extension lead according to claim 1, wherein the door includes a spring disposed thereon to bias a battery into connection with the receptacle assembly.

9. An electrical extension lead according to claim 1 further including a battery charger circuit mounted on the receptacle housing.

10. An electrical extension cord assembly for conducting AC power from an AC mains electrical source to a corded electrical device, the electrical extension cord assembly comprising:

an AC electrical cable having a first end and a second end;

an AC electrical plug connected to the first end of the AC electrical cable for connection to the AC mains electrical source;

a housing located proximate to the second end of the AC electrical cable and including a cord storage structure connected to the housing and arranged for holding a portion of the AC electrical cable in a coil, and the housing defines a recess;

a plug socket arrangement structurally mounted to the housing and connected proximate to the second end of the AC electrical cable and suitable for electrically connecting to the corded electrical device;

a battery charging assembly structurally mounted to the housing and connected proximate to the second end of the AC electrical cable and suitable for charging the battery pack of cordless electrical devices, and the battery charging assembly includes a connector located within the recess; and

,

a door mounted to the housing and movable between an open position, wherein the recess is open for access, and a closed position, wherein the recess is closed.

11. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cord storage structure includes a reel on which the AC electrical cable is coiled.

12. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 11 wherein the reel is rotatably mounted to the housing and the AC electrical cable is drawn onto the reel by rotation of the reel.

13. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 10 wherein the housing includes a lifting handle.

14. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 10 wherein the door is pivotably attached to the housing for movement between the open position and the closed position.

15. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 14 and further comprising a latch for holding the door in the closed position.

16. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 10 and further comprising a gasket attached to one of the housing and the door for sealing a joint between the door and the housing when the door is in the closed position.

17. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 10 wherein, when the door is in the closed position, then the door and the housing further define the recess, and the recess as defined by the housing and the door in the closed position is dimensioned to be able to hold a power tool battery.

18. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 10 wherein the housing includes an outer portion and an inner portion, and the battery charging assembly is mounted to the inner portion.

19. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 18 wherein the inner portion of the housing is flexibly connected to the outer portion by a shock absorber.

20. An electrical extension cord assembly for conducting AC power from an AC mains electrical source to a plurality of corded electrical power tools and for holding and charging the removable battery pack of a cordless electric power tool, the electrical extension cord assembly comprising:

an AC electrical cable having a first end and a second end;

an AC electrical plug electrically connected to the AC electrical cable at a location proximate to the first end, the AC electrical plug connectable to the AC mains electrical source,

a housing located proximate to the second end of the AC electrical cable, the housing including a reel operable for holding substantially all the AC electrical cable;

a plurality of electrical sockets located in the housing and electrically connected to the AC electrical cable at a location proximate to the second end, the plurality of electrical sockets connectable to the corded electrical power tools;

a battery charger located in the housing and electrically connected to the AC electrical cable at a location proximate to the second end, the battery charger including a receptacle adapted for holding and charging the battery pack of the cordless electric power tool; and

the housing includes a door and the housing and the door define a recess sized to accommodate the battery pack of the cordless electric power tool, and the battery charger receptacle is located in the recess.

21. An electrical extension cord assembly according to claim 20 wherein the reel is rotatably mounted in the housing and the AC electrical cable is spoolable onto the reel.