License plate cord winder with universal mount and ratchet

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved cord-winding device universally mountable to any front or rear North-American-style license plate bracket, accommodating all electrical devices, which require a 120 VAC power supply for a vehicle. The present winder includes a storage reel with a spiral coil return spring, a connection box, a male cord housing, a cord hatch and mounting holes, a closure plate and a universal mounting plate. A cord with a female receptacle extends from the housing to allow electrical connections to be made in a place well away from weather exposure such as engine or rear compartment. The universal license plate cord winder can thereby be mounted either from the top or the bottom of housing without compromising the structural integrity of the attachment while maintaining a water tightness required by such a device. A ratchet is provided to control the retraction of the male cord.

Description

[0001] This is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 701,492 filed Nov. 6, 2003 entitled UNIVERSAL LICENSE PLATE CORD WINDERFIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an improved cord-winding device universally mountable to any front or rear North-American-style license plate bracket, accommodating all electrical devices, which require a 120 VAC power supply for a vehicle. The present invention comprises; a housing containing: a reel, a connection box, a male cord housing, a cord hatch and mounting holes, a closure plate and a universal mounting plate. A female receptacle extends from the housing to allow electrical connections to be made in a place away from weather exposure such as engine or rear compartment. The universal license plate cord winder of the present invention can also be mounted either from the top or the bottom of housing without compromising the structural integrity of the attachment while maintaining a water tightness re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In one aspect of the invention, a flat-type cord is used for the extension portion so as to allow a more compact reeling of said cord thereby increasing the usable length.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the female receptacle is extended from the housing in order to make the connection to the electrical device within the vehicle's engine or rear compartment thereby preventing exposure of the connection to the weather elements.

[0018] Accordingly, the system of the present invention therefore provides an unobtrusive, thin, easy to-use electrical cord-winding device universally mountable to any North-American-style license plate bracket while providing for a sheltered connection from the elements.

Problems solved by technology

However, this invention, like most of this nature will fail when attempting to plug a block heater within the housing at the license plate area since most block heater cords are too short to reach much past the front edge of the vehicle's hood.

Furthermore, at a typical diameter of 5.5 inches, which is the standard height of a license plate, can only hold a limited length of standard round extension cord material thereby limiting said cord to an impractical length.

Additionally, there are no means to stabilize the housing when mounted since the unfastened edge would be separable for the license plate mounting bracket.

The application of the device is clearly limited to trailer wires and therefore impractical for bloc heaters.

Again, there are no means to stabilize the housing when mounted since the unfastened edge would be separable for the license plate mounting bracket.

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