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:
Jul. 11, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 13, 1999
Robert C Hughes, Wildomar, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A voltage booster device for increasing the voltage level of power received by a recreational vehicle (RV) from a separate 120-volt power source includes an electrical box, a power cord and female outlet on the box, and an encapsulated transformer within the box. The transformer (e.g., an autotransformer) is adapted to increase the actual voltage level of the separate 120-volt power source a predetermined amount. A relay is provided for switching the transformer, the power cord, and the female outlet between (i) a first circuit configuration that couples power from the power cord to the female outlet via the transformer so that the transformer increases the voltage level by the predetermined amount, and (ii) a second circuit configuration that bypasses the transformer so that the transformer does not increase the voltage level by the predetermined amount. A control circuit controls the relay so that (i) the relay switches to the first circuit configuration when the actual voltage of the separate 120-volt power source falls below a predetermined first threshold level, and (ii) the relay switches to the second circuit configuration when the actual voltage rises above a predetermined second threshold level. One embodiment includes a mounting plate with a rounded end that functions as a handle, and a case-hardened steel loop that receives a security chain.