The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 10, 1998
Donald J Mattis, Norwalk, CT (US);
Ali El-Haj, Trumbull, CT (US);
Casco Products Corporation, Bridgeport, CT (US);
Abstract
An electrical power-operated accessory for automobiles and other vehicles, comprises an automatic electrical cigar lighter or power outlet device consisting of a holder structure which includes a socket having electrical contacts, and either an ignitor plug receivable in the socket for use with tobacco products, or else a power outlet plug to provide a source of power for operating other equipment. The ignitor plug has an electrical heating coil, and the socket has a base-mounted automatic switch to control the operating current. The socket also has safety overload protection in the form of a PTC wafer which functions to prevent overcurrent conditions. A glow ring on the holder or socket is illuminated concurrently with energization of the heating coil or the power outlet, or else separately controlled from an outside source.