Cigarette lighter plug assembly

Abstract

An improved cigarette lighter plug assembly is provided. The assembly is adapted to obtain current from a vehicle's electrical system through a cigarette lighter for operating remote electrical devices and the like. The assembly comprises, in combination, a hollow cylindrical plug body formed of two releasably joined halves within which is disposed a fuse retainer having a typical automotive glass fuse bearing a metal cap at each end. A first spring contact in the plug body biases the front end of the fuse retainer out the open front end of the plug and the front end of the fuse forward of the fuse retainer so that the fuse can directly contact an electrical terminal in the inner end of a cigarette lighter receptacle. Suitable detents in the plug body and fuse retainer prevent forward escape of the fuse retainer and fuse from the assembly. A second spring contact extends out the side thereof for wedging contact with a second electrical terminal in the sidewall of the receptacle. Both spring contacts are connected in the plug body to electrical conduits or leads extending rearwardly of the plug body as an electrical cord. The assembly is effective and simple, inexpensive to fabricate and assemble and easy to replace the fuse.