MXPA95001099A - Connector receptable construction for electric cigar lighters - Google Patents

Abstract

A cigar lighter receptacle construction includes a well part and a separate safety connector cartridge part adapted to be disconnectably carried at the rear of the well part. The parts have electrical connector structures forming engageable pairs of contactors. At least one pair of contactors is in the form of telescopic cup-like formations. There is further provided a bimetallic finger carried by the cartridge part, adapted to shunt the connector structures of the cartridge part in response to overheating of the well part. The arrangement is such that both the well part and the cartridge part are relatively simple sub-assemblies which can be manufactured at greatly reduced expense by virtue of the various assembly steps being carried out largely by automated equipment.

Description

CONSTRUCTION OF RECEPTACLE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC CIGARETTE LIGHTERS. * OWNER CASCO PRODUCTS CORPORATION Society of North American nationality, with address at: 512 Hancock Avenue, Bridgeport, CT E. U. A.

INVENTORS: (1) DONALD J. MATTIS with address at: 15 Douglas Drive, Nor alk, CT, E.U.A. and ALI EL-HAJ, residing at: 26 Pioneer Trail, Trumbull, CT, E.U.A. both of North American nationality twenty . & * £ & amp; **. ^ .., jfe £ __. 77. a ___ M8_ & _-, -,., .- ^^ j ^ S * ^ ..., CONSTRUCTION OF RECEPTACLE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL LIGHTERS OF CIGARS .. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION. Field of the invention.

This invention relates in general to electric cigarette lighters of the type commonly used in automobiles or recreational vehicles and more particularly to electrical connector constructions for energizing those lighters.

Description of the related art.

The present invention relates more particularly to improvements in the construction of the cigar lighter receptacle illustrated and described in the patent of the U.S.A. no. 3'532,849 of date October 6, 1970 already expired of the transferee, granted to L Horwitt and entitled BIMETALLIC DERIVATION TO IGNITE THE ELECTRIC CIGARETTES. Specifically, reference is made to the embodiment of Figure 4 and that of Figure 5 of this patent. The additional patents that follow are recorded here because they are believed to constitute a prior art sample that exists in the field to which the invention relates.

PATENTS OF THE U.S. Nums. 2 * 224,034 2 * 248,402 '2 * 256,876 2'25B.9T9 2 * 262,484 3O12,120 3'424,414 3'4B2,721 3'T18,179 3 * 863,047 3,870,857 3 * 892,944 3 * 904,848 4 * 498,726 4 * 580,856 4 * 650,962 4 * 669,185 4 * 713,017 4 * 713,733 5 * 044,993 5 * 116,233 The patent of the U.S.A. no. - - - 3 '532, 849, figures 4 and 5, describe constructions for cigar lighters that incorporate bi-metallic branches arranged in layers (-22, 22') of the adapter -15, mounted in the rear part of a basin of the lighter. In these constructions, bimetal - controlled flexion occurs unless a condition of overheating in the basin appears, such as that resulting from a short circuit, either in the basin or in 20, the removable ignition unit. In the case of a fault, the bimetal flexes sufficiently to make electrical contact with the inner surface of the layer, thereby shorting the hot conductor to ground and purposely flies a fuse on the line in order to , reduce to a minimum, the possibility of a -fire.

The concept of the bimetal derivation circuit eßSÉjia cigar lighter basin has been widely accepted since the advent of this patent and the devices that incorporate its basic concept, as a result, have enjoyed a great commercial success for years, having It has been used in millions of motor vehicles and a period of more than two decades has been extended. Particular reference is made to the following patents: 1. The patent of the US. 3'012,120 discloses an in-line bimetallic circuit breaker for installation in the back of a cigar lighter socket. As shown, only the "hot" electrical circuit is controlled; the side to 15. circuit ground remains intact after the switch is opened. In opposition to patent no. - - '849 discussed earlier, this patented construction NO "de¬ The hot side of the circuit during an overheating condition is replaced by the cir¬ . This is "interrupted" effectively, as in the case of a fuse or circuit breaker and once that interruption occurred, the device has been destined to be removed and discarded and a replacement unit installed. The device has been intended for mon- 25. «* ____ fc? C. -. -.yizj - ^ ,.: .- take on the basic constructions of existing cigarette lighters, as established in column 3, line 25 of the patent. 2. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,498,726 illustrates and describes a connector for a cigar lighter socket of the kind having a bimetallic safety bypass similar to that of patent no. '849 previously identified. The current carrying the conductors on both sides with current and ground of the cigar lighter circuit, are embedded in a molded plastic or rubber plug, and the plug is adapted to be pushed on the terminal projection. central of the base and in addition, to make electrical contact with a screw helmet carried by the base. In this construction, , the derivation of bimetal is a part of the cigar lighter basin per se 3. - The patent ie the US. no. - 3 '462, 721 illustrates and describes a circuit breaker for a cigar lighter, in the form of a capsule-shaped enclosure disposed at the rear of the cigarette lighter socket and containing an element of the type of metal circuit breaker. The switch element is adapted to open the side that . carries circuit current in the event of an overheating of the basin or plug as a consequence of malfunction. The provisions for the insertion of an elongated rod through the basin from the front are taken, for access to the interior of the enclosure and to be able to readjust the mechanism of the interupter, after its actuation. Referring now to other of the patents listed above, three show another form of cigar lighter that has been extended in use in this country for at least 15 years. In particular, U.A. Patent Nos. 3,870,857; 3,892,944 and 3 * 904,848 contain generally similar descriptions, which describe structures of cigarette lighters that are specially adapted for manufacture and assembly by means of automated equipment. At that time, the attendees represented by these three patents were referred by the assigned corporation, as "Lighters of the new generation", because of the vanees that had been made with respect to the economy, ease of assembly, low marks. and the ability to mass produce them is. The a ^ -e ^ t ^ of the E. U. A.number. 5 '116,233 discloses a cigar lighter construction using a modified form of bimetal bypass, somewhat similar to the aforementioned Patent No.' 849. In this patented design, the bypass of the bimetal is disposed within the basin of the > lighter and is indicated in (17). Overheating of the unit (not shown starting ignition, or the basin itself, results in the bimetal making contact with the interior surface of the wall (18) of the metal basin, causing in turn that a fuse (not shown) of the line is melted and in this way minimizes the risk of potential fire The remaining patents deal primarily with either bimetallic circuit controllers or with various terminal configurations associated with the known cigarette lighters and which were designed ^ k to facilitate making the electrical connection of the same, these are briefly discussed hereinafter in chronological order Patent No. 2 '224, 034 shows an earlier lighter design employing a bimetallic element which is used only as a non-current releasable fastener, which is coupled by a cup-shaped heating element when the igniter is actuated. established one side of the electrical circuit through the metal socket of the lighter, while the current side (rod 28, figure 1) accepted a curled type projection connected to an electrical wire harness conductor (not shown) of the electrical system vehicle. U.S. Patent No. 2,248,402 illustrates another type of lighter construction in which a bimetal carried by the device socket . ^ ^ ^ ^^^^ is used to release a latch that holds the cigarette plug when it is being powered. As in the patent of the previous paragraph, the bimetal itself is electrically outside the circuit, and merely works to sense that a predetermined heating level has been reached by the heating element of the ignitor plug. U.S. Patent No. 2 '256, 876 illustrates a cigarette lighter construction employing two bimetals, one for controlling the engagement and release of a spring-loaded ignitor plug and a second bimetal which, in the embodiment of Figure 1, presses against the first with variable pressure that depends on the ambient temperature prevailing at any particular time. The goal is to reduce. to the minimum undesirable fluctuations in the operation of the first bimetal coupling that would otherwise result in changes in its "start" position due to variations in ambient temperature. This patent was cited against the US patent number. 3 '863, 047 described below. U.S. Patent No. 2 '258, 989 illustrates a particularly compact design temperature sensor plug and that incorporates a bimetallic member having multiple reverse bends at the end which change in temperature causes deflection of the various branches of the bimetal. so that they are cumulative, in order to obtain a maximum deflection and sensitivity on the temperature scale that is being monitored. This patent was cited against patent no. 5 '116, 233 discussed above and which refers directly to a bimetallic bypass for a cigar lighter. The patent of the U.S.A. no. 2'262,484 illustrates an automatic cigar lighter having a disc-shaped bimetallic element, which is externally disposed from the igniter socket and which is mechanically flexed by insertion of the ignitor plug, to externally close the contacts of the switch. When experiencing heat from the heating coil of the ignitor plug, the bimetallic element inverts its curvature and opens its contacts. The bimetallic element itself is separated from the part of the circuit that carries the current and as it turns out ? do not carry current itself. The patent of the U.S.A. no. - '- 3' 424,414 illustrates a known cigarette lighter receptacle of the type employing the usual bimetal securing finger extensions for coupling with a cup of the igniter heating element. This patent was cited against patented no. '849 previously mentioned. The patent of the U.S.A. no. - -3 '818, 179 discloses a cigar lighter of a type having extensions of conventional internal bimetallic fingers, which engage with a cup of the heating element of an ingnitor plug and whose basin has a terminal post 27 generally cylindrical extending backwards, for connection to a - source of energy, not shown. The configuration of the receptacle adapted to fit with this post, similarly is not shown. The patent of the U.S.A. number -3 '863, 047 discloses a cigar lighter having a bimetallic bypass incorporated to compensate for overheating within the basin, by moving against a plate connected to the terminal carrying current, to blow a fuse and minimize the potential risk of fire. In one embodiment, the bimetal is carried on the other side of the cigar lighter circuit and is ready to bypass the current circuit side when overheating is experienced. In a second embodiment, the bimetal is carried by the current carrying terminal and is arranged to make contact with the internal surface of the cigar lighter socket when overheating is experienced therein. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,580,856 discloses a composite clamp helmet for a * cigar maker, consisting of two pieces and including a terminal of the integral sword lug type - for connection to the ground side of the electric circuit, such as by means of a push type receptacle - grounded. The patent no. 4 '669, 185 contains - a similar description, having been a divisional application based on the application that was granted as patent no. 4 580,856. The patent of the U.S.A. 4'713.017 - illustrates and describes an electrical power outlet, having a configuration somewhat similar to that of an electric cigarette lighter socket. The back of the basin contains two flat electrical terminals for connection to an electrical circuit. The patent of the U.S.A. 4,713,733 - discloses a cigar lighter having a basin with two sword lugs extending rearwardly for connection to a receptacle (not shown) electrical. The patent of the U.S.A. no. - 5 '044,993 illustrates an energy output construction comprising a basin formation having contacts that extend backward in the form of flat terminals, one of which is integral with the basin formation of the electric igniter cigars, which has been stamped. The end portion # > which results from that terminal bends back on itself, to form a contact terminal, which comprises a double thickness of metal, for improved strength. Although the devices described in the aforementioned patents have in some circumstances had commercial success, there is a continuing need to reduce all manufacturing costs, including steps aimed at either minimizing or eliminating manual flow. In many of the patented structures, this cost objective has not been adequately addressed. "There is currently an effort - pronounced towards the use of plastics in the automotive field, especially in the passenger compartment, according to this, special attention should be paid to the potential sources of heat and / or fire. As a result of the patented constructions of electric cigarette lighters that use a bimetallic bypass, the bimetal was exposed in the back of the basin when overheating occurred, resulting in the actuation of the bjL metal bypass, which arcs in the point of contact between bimetal and its conductor to the surrounding land, it was # Ró something of an electrical risk. Also, most previous lighter designs used specially configured connectors to energize cigar lighters to 1 bird in the receiving basin. Until recently, relatively little attention was paid to the normalization of basin structures and their terminals, and as a consequence. "They have contemplated and used during these years a multiplicity of designs" of divergent basins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

The aforementioned drawbacks and drawbacks of prior art electric cigarette lighters, in their receptacles, are greatly overcome by the present invention having as one of its objects, to provide a new and improved cigar lighter receptacle which is especially simple in All its structure, as well as it is strong and reliable in use. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved cigarette lighter receptacle as sketched above, wherein the unit can be greatly manufactured by computer equipment. * automated samble, which reduces the total cost of manufacturing to the largest possible degree. • Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved cigar lighter receptacle of the kind indicated, which incorporates a bimetallic safety bypass that is especially safe in use, because it is essentially and com- parable. completely hidden in the receptacle of the lighter so that any arc that occurs during the operation of the bypass is surely confined and therefore, does not extend into the area on the outer side of the per-se receptacle. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved cigar lighter receptacle as characterized above, which utilizes simple electrical terminal connections that are directly compatible with cooperative connectors that exist of a type that has been standard in the industry. . automotive tria. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved cigarette lighter receptacle as indicated above, which is easily installed and which is characterized by its itegrity of. high contact, thereby greatly eliminating potential heating problems by contac¬ $ > unnoticed that result from insufficient electrical connections that appear between the various parts. To achieve the above objects, the invention provides a cigarette lighter receptacle construction, which comprises in combination a heat-shielding well portion and a separate safety-thermal-protection connector cartridge portion adapted to be worn from The disconnectable part at the rear of the well part ^^, these parts have electrical connectors which form couplers of contactors. At least one pair of contactors comprises telescopic cup-shaped formations. In addition, there are provided bimetallic means, carried by the safety cartridge part and adapted to derive the connectors of the cartridge part in response to the overheating of the well part. The arrangement is such that both the well and the carcase parts are constituted as relatively simple subsets that can be manufactured at a very low cost by virtue of the various stages of assembly that are carried out by automatic equipment The constructions described, despite being cheaply manufactured, have proved to be reliable in use even after extensive life tests have been carried out. The invention further provides a improved cigar lighter receptacle construction, which comprises in combination a thermally shielded well portion and a separate safety thermal-connector cartridge part adapted to be carried through the back of the well portion. . The aforementioned parts have electrical connecting means for forming pairs of contactor contactors and at least one pair of contactors comprises telescopic formations Vf in the form of a cup. In this case, bimetallic means lying on the well part are adapted to derive the connecting means of the cartridge part in response to overheating of the well part. The invention still further provides a thermally protected cigarette lighter receptacle construction having improved circuit integrity, which in combination comprises a well portion and a separate connector cartridge part, adapted to be carried in a disconnectable manner. the back of the well part. The aforementioned parts have electrical connecting means - which form pairs of dockable contactors. At least one of the contactor pairs comprise cup-shaped contact formations that make electrocontact, which frictionally couple and are self-centering, carried respectively by the well part and the connector part of the cartridge. The invention also provides a cigarette lighter receptacle construction, which comprises in combination a well portion and a separate connector cartridge part adapted to be detachably carried through the back of the well portion. The well part has two electrical end portions electrically isolated from one another and respectively connected with two electric - - circuits of the well part. The separate connector cartridge part has two projecting electrical terminals, electrically isolated from one another and extending out of the body of the cartridge part. Means are provided which electrically connect the projecting electrical terminals of the connector part separately separated to the two electrical terminals of the well portion, thereby allowing the construction of the cigarette lighter receptacle to be energized through the the electrical terminals projecting the cartridge part by means of an electrical connector receptacle directly connected to the electrical projecting terminals. The projecting electrical terminals of the cartridge part comprise two tongue terminals in the form of a sword, respectively.

With the constructions previously Described, a safety connector cartridge is obtained which is initially separated from a cigar lighter well portion such that the manufacture of the two. parts can be greatly simplified by means of - - automatic enamble equipment. Despite the ease-of-assembly, the reliability and functionality of the cigarette lighter and receptacle are still retained, the two parts being essentially unitary in their final configuration and capable of being used directly with an electrical wiring harness connector receptacle. - conventional construction and of a type that has been used normally in today's automotive industry. Other features and advantages -. will appear here in what follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

# Figure 1 is an elevational view. side construction of the improved connector housing for cigarette lighters, as provided by the invention. Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of the construction of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear end elevation view of the construction of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a front-plan view of one of the sword-like tongue portions of the Connector construction. Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a plan view-back of the tongue-shaped tongue part of the tongue.

# Figures 4 and 5. Figure 7 is a view in laeral elevation of the tongue-shaped tab portion of Figures 4-6. Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the thermally armored part of the body. Connector receptacle construction. Figure 9 is a sectional-axial view of the thermally shielded part shown in Figure 8, taken on line 9-9 of Figure 10. Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of the thermally armored part of Figure 10. Figures 8 and 9. Figure 11 is a front elevational view of a contact cup of the connector receptacle construction. Figure 12 is a partial view in lateral elevation and partly in section of the contact cup of Figure 11. Figure 13 is a side elevational view of another of the sword-like tongue portions of the construction of the connector receptacle. Figure 14 is a rear elevation view of the spaced tongue portion of Figure 13. T Figure 15 is a top plan view of the sword-shaped tongue portion of the figures. 13 and 14. Figure 16 is a front elevational view of the insulating or thermal cup portion of the connector receptacle construction. Figure 17 is a vertical section of the thermal cup part, taken on the line 17-17? of Figure 16. Figure 18 is a rear elevational view of the thermal cup portion of Figures 16 and 17. Figure 19 is a front elevation view of the part of the basin member of the connector receptacle. ^^^ - * .- > ^ ^^^^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Figure 20 is a side elevational view of the part of the basin member of the fj. Figure 19. Figure 21 is a rear elevation view of the part of the basin member of Figures 19 and 20. Figure 22 is an axial sectional view of a contact cup portion of the connector receptacle construction. Figure 23 is a view in ele¬ * lateral vaction of the well part or assembled receptacle of the connector construction. Figure 24 is a side elevational view of the assembled safety cartridge part of the connector construction; and Figure 25 is a view partly in lateral elevation and partly in axial section of a modification of the invention wherein the bimetallic safety bypass is carried on the part of the basin member of the connector construction. ^ l-L ^ _, ^ fcd DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a receptacle construction - > cigar lighter socket basically consisting of two cooperative parts, a thermally shielded basin part and a thermally or thermally insulated safety connector cartridge part, these parts are detachably connected to one another. The thermally shielded well or basin portion is indicated generally by the numeral 10 and is adapted to be mounted on a support panel 12, such as the dashboard of a car or recreational vehicle. Part 10 of the basin, has a man-. 15. Thermal gun or thermal shield 14 on the outermost part, in particular illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, which is mounted telescopically inside a transparent or translucent incandescent ring 16, FIG. 1, the incandescent ring 16 being pressed within 20 * a mounting hole of the support panel 12 and held there permanently in a known manner. An electric igniter (not shown) is usually carried by the thermal shield 14, to illuminate the incan desiring ring 16, also in a known manner. The thermal bindaje - 2 ^ - has a transverse end wall 18 with - fe.ff ^, ^ fa ^ lÍ? -e¡i ^ _-_ _ _ a central opening 19.

# Arranged within the thermal shield 14 is a tubular basin member 20 constituted as a sheet metal hull, being particularly shown in Figs. 19-21. The basin member 20 has an annular side wall 22 with projections 24. or spear-shaped spring fingers (two in number, one shown in FIG. 20) frictionally coupling a ignitor plug (not shown) igniter for cigarette lighter of a type similar to that of the patent. USA no. 3,870,857 previously identified, for normally frictionally retaining the ignitor plug in a storage position or stored within the basin member 20, 15. The full disclosure of US Pat. no. 3 '870,857 is incorporated as a specific reference of the present application. F At its inner end, the member 20 has a transverse wall 26, with an opening 28 cen¬ . tral that is aligned with the opening 19 of the heat shielding end wall 18. The wall 26 has three formations 30 as circumferentially displaced dimples which are intended to be received in three of a plurality of recesses 32 in the heat shielding end wall 18, the recesses 32 being twelve in number and ___ ÁÍfa .يiá = __ j _ «_ aaad ^^ _ a_iite ^ fea ^ g _ ^ _ ^ i _ ^ _ & _ ^. l are particularly illustrated in Figure 8. The j £ rebates 32 are formed by punches and corresponding peaks appear on the external surface of the wall 18, as in FIG. 10. In addition, the transverse wall 26 of the member 20 has two tongues 34 in the form of a spear, figures 19 and 21, which are received in corresponding openings (FIG. not shown) on a ceramic insulator base 36 of member 20, as described in the following. The tabs 34 are used to position the ba * O. is 36 in the basin member 20. In the annexed ™ clauses, the basin member 20 and the thermal shield 14 are collectively referred to as a well part. The basin member 20 has a radially extending flange 38, figures 20 and 23, 15. which is engaged by the incandescent ring 16 and which positions the basin member 20 with respect thereto and with respect to the instrument panel 12. In the basin member 20, there is a bimetallic U-shaped fastener 40 adapted to cooperate with the cup 20. (not shown) of the heating element of an ignitor plug for cigar lighter of the type indicated in FIG. patent '857 previously referred to. The 40-bimetallic fastener is supported on a contact threaded rod 42 (also called a projecting contact in 25. the clauses, which functions as an electrical terminal which is mechanically supported by the well part electrically isolated from it. The insulating ceramic base 36 which is located in the basin member 20, constitutes an electrically insulating heat-resistant support for the rod 42 and fastener 40 bi. metal. The base 36 has a tubular protuberance extending through the opening 28 of the transverse end wall 26 of the basin member 20 and also through the opening 19 of the transverse end wall 18 of the thermal shield 14, as it is shown and the rod 42 in turn extends through the protuberance of the ceramic base 36. There is a centering wheel 44 and an insulating sheave 46 on the opposite side of the transverse wall 18 of the thermal shield 14, as shown, with a nut 48 securing the rod 42, the bimetallic holder 40 and the base member 36, in position. During the automatic assembly of the thermal blister 14 and basin member 20, the three points 30 of the latter are received in certain recesses 32 . of the end wall of the thermal shield 14, to achieve automatic self-centering of the two parts The tips 30 are finally nested in any set of three recesses 32 circumferentially spaced in the transverse end wall 18 of the shield. How has it . s? .. & "z", L -, faith, indicated, the arrangement described is such that the two transverse webs 18, 26 are substantially self-aligned with respect to each other in a radial direction. The assembly of the basin member 20 and the thermal shield 14 can be conveniently carried out by means of high speed automated equipment. In accordance with the present invention as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a safety cartridge or cartridge connector part -10 is provided. new and improved adapted to be connected to the rear part of the well part comprising a basin member 20 and a thermal shield 14, which cartridge part 50 has a threaded bearing 52 constituting a threaded means and the part 50 of the cartridge is capable of running on and holding onto a rod 42 in order to establish the connection to the "hot" side - - (carrying current) of the electric circuit of the shaft of the cigar lighter. This current-carrying side comprises the rod 42 and bimetallic fastener 40 20. FIG. In addition, a metal screw helmet of the connector cartridge, which will be described below, makes intimate electrical contact with the electrically "grounded" side of the circuit, i.e., the basin member 20. The bearing 52 and the rod 42 are part of a means 25. an electrical connector that forms a pair of contactable contactors. B ^ To establish the electrical connections of the safety connector cartridge part 50 and the separate well portion 14, 20, by the invention, a formation 54 in the form of a cup or a-cylindrical cup, substantially cylindrical, is provided. shown in Figure 22, this is mounted and electrically connected to the transverse wall 18; and it is held by the same nut 48 and rod 42 securing the bimetallic holder 40. 0. co. The cup 54 is grounded, has an outwardly facing flange 56 and a central opening 58, the walls of which are larger than the diameter of the rod, in order to allow the cup 54 to ground to save the rod 42. cup 54 to ground engages mechanically and is electrically connected to the transverse wall 18 of the thermal shield 14 of the well part. Also by the invention, the separate thermal or insulated security part comprising the connector cartridge 50 has a cup 60 electrically isolated. . and thermally insulating plastic sheeting, shown in Figures 16-18, having an external surface with ribs as in Figure 2, which facilitates the grip of the cup, either manually or by means of automated equipment. The connector cartridge 50 comprises a screw hull 62 . of steel, figures 11 and 12, having a wall 64 with an opening 66, the helmet 62 being mounted inside the plastic cup 60 in order to be in nested relation. The plastic cup 60 has a cross-sectional wall 68 with an opening 70. The plastic cup 60 carries two protruding parts 72, 74. in the form of a sword that constitute the outer electrical terminals on the safety connector cartridge part, the sword-shaped protrusion parts are electrically isolated from each other and are respectively shown in Figures 4-7 and 13-15. The plastic cup 60 forms, with the screw hull 62, an annular recess 76, FIG. 17, which extends between its transverse wall 68 and the flange 78. The recess 76 provides a gap for the cup 54. -5 ground, as can be seen in figure 2, in such a way that the ground cup can be sandwiched between the wall and the recess and the threaded screw hull 62. . & - The screw hull 62 and the ground cup 54, are part of an electric connecting means Q. which forms a second pair of engageable contactors, which are both cup-like formations and which are telescoping one with the other. another in frictional coupling. In the manufacture of the separate security connector cartridge 50, preferably, the two-fifths of swords 72, 74 of swords are molded into the bottom wall 68 of the plastic cup 60 at the time it is formed. the plastic cup, to essentially provide a three piece set, constituted by the plastic cup 60, the propeller part 72 in the form of a sword and the part 74 of a sword shaped protuberance. The sword-shaped protrusion portion 72, shown in Figures 4 to 7, has a sword-shaped terminal and a base portion 80, which constitutes an electrical connection means for the sword-shaped terminal. The base portion 80, has < ° a plurality of tips 82, shown in number 3 ,. what purpose will be explained in what follows. The second sword-shaped protrusion portion 74, shown in Figures 13-15, also has a flat terminal and a base portion 84.

. There is a hole 86 in the base portion 84, preferably octagonal in shape, as shown. The base portion 84 constitutes an electrical connection means for the sword-shaped terminal. The sword-shaped terminals are practically perpendicular to each other, and . they are also practically coextensive with each other. The metal screw helmet in the shape of a cup is illustrated in detail in figures 11 and 12 and it can be seen that it has multiple recesses 88 in its pa¬ , network 64 of transversal background.

These recesses 88 are intended to facilitate the seating of the screw hull 62 in the plastic cup 60, after the plastic cup 60 and the two parts 72, 74 of sword-shaped protuberances have been molded as a subset. When the screw hull 62 is pressed into the cup 60, the three points 82 on the sword-shaped protrusion part 72 are received in three of the recesses 88 circumferentially spaced in the wall 64 transverse L0. salt of the screw hull 62. The provision provided m ^^ is highly effective to establish a desired self-centering in the radial direction of the screw case 62 with respect to the pout 72 of sword-shaped protrusion. As a result, a highly unitary or high-degree electrical contact 15 is provided between the sword-shaped protrusion portion 72 and a metal screw hull 62, which is capable of handling the relatively high current associated with cigar lighters of the type intended to be used with the receptacle 20. of the present invention. Referring again to FIG. 2 and by the present invention, there is disposed in the plastic cup a bimetallic medium or bimetal derivation in the shape of a U marked with the number 90 and which is sandwiched between two spacer sheaves, one of the a __, .-? r > _ "" - _ - < __ ^ .r? Ma ?? MßH ^? R ^ which is conductive and the other insulator.The bypass j 'j is preferably a structure in the form of fingers.There is also the bearing 52 threaded, which constitutes a threaded means, having an enlarged head 5 at its inner end and the opposite end of the bearing 52 is headed as in figure 2. This mechanically ensures the bimetallic means 90, the sheaves, the hull 62 and - the sword-shaped protrusion portions 72, 74 to the plastic cup 60, the bearing 52 is electrically connected to the bimetallic means 90 and the sword-shaped protrusion part 74. The bimetallic means 90 is disposed for bypassing the bearing 52 and the rod 42 to the screw hull 62, which is in the cartridge part, in response to the overheating that occures in the well part 15. In addition, according to the invention , cooperative stopping means or structures are provided on the flange 78 of the plastic cup 60 - of the connector cartridge 50 and on the transverse wall 20 of the armoring shield 14, for retaining in position the connector cartridge 50 once it has been screwed down to a position, where the flange 78 engages with the heating shield 14. To perform the retention, the rim 78 of the plastic cup 60 is -25. provided with either one or two recesses 92, each having a stop flange facing the front. In the case of two recesses 92, they are displaced from each other by 180 °, for example and one or two protrusions 94 are formed by dimples on the wall 18 of the heating shield 14. Figs. 8-10 show two projections 94, each projection with a ridge portion and opposing ridge flange portions facing each other. When the cartridge 50 connects the recesses 92 of the cup 60-jj .0. of plastic, are located so that they receive the punches 94 respectively, on the shielding wall 18. The slight mechanical resistance that can be found when making the settling is easily overcome by applying some increased turning force towards the connector cartridge, until the recesses 92 reach the tips 94. The tips and the ends of the recesses 92 - recesses retain the connector cartridge against the outlet - • j & unnoticed as it could happen under vibration conditions for extended periods of time. 20. As illustrated in particular in Figure 2 and as indicated above, the separate security connector cartridge 50 is screwed onto the well portion comprising the basin member 20 and the thermal shield 14 for the purpose to carry out the mechanical retention of the cartridge 50. Preferably, the edge of the telescopic screw hull 62 inside the cup 64. to ground, from the well part and with adequate sizing of the parts, a pressure adjustment is established between them, which results in a good electrical contact along a multiplicity of points between the two surfaces. In a preferred form, the mating surfaces of the cup 54 to ground, and the screw hull 62 can be made generally cylindrical and include a slight flare 56 which may be in the form of a section of a cone on the external telescopic part, that is, the cup 54 on the ground. As indicated, the pillow 52 which is threaded, is used to pull up the separate connector cartridge 50, in order to cause forced engagement between the screw hull 62 and the cup 54 to ground, as was possible. understand easily. Accordingly, a reliable high-integrity electrical connection is established between the sword-shaped protrusion portion 72, through the screw hull 72 and toward the cup 54 to the ground in the rear portion of the well portion. In this way . Potential problems are greatly avoided with little or intermittent grounding of the well part through the vehicle's wiring harness (not shown). This is especially important when cigar lighters of the type that have wells that receive receptacles are used., as in the present case, with support panels that are made of insulating materials, such as plastic. Plastic panels are widely used in modern motor vehicles in an effort to reduce the cost and make light vehicles, with the ultimate goal of increasing kilometers per liter of gasoline. Preferably, the parts, 72. 74 of sword-shaped protrusions, are disposed generally perpendicular to each other and are dimensioned and Most auto wiring harnesses in - - existing today. Therefore, the safety connector cartridge provides not only a circuit in 1 ^ 5 bimetal integral shunt easily assembled and - convenient with a physically small package, but also, it also provides an electrical terminal configuration (sword shaped protrusion) of a type that is directly compatible with the receptacles 2 towers of existing wiring harnesses, essentially - without requiring modifications or other types of terminal adapters. This is in contrast to many constructions of cigar lighters of the prior art, in which for the "earth" side of the At the time, it was reliable to place the electrical contact between "a metal dashboard and a metal clamp helmet that carried the lighter socket member. (See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5 3 * 870,858). Also, various types of "hot" (with current) terminal configurations have been employed as can be seen from the patents indicated in the preamble of the present specification. Until recently, normalization was almost non-existent; With the present invention, both electric circuits (hot and "earth") are established through the connector cartridge 50, with a high degree of contact integrity and - using connective receptacles with wiring harness of a type that has become common in the automotive industry . triz. In this way, a reduced manufacturing and assembly cost is achievable, as well as improved reliability. Another embodiment of the invention, . illustrated in Figure 25, where corresponding components have been assigned with reference numerals similar to those of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 24 and with the suffix "a" added where a slightly modified component structure is used. 25. The modification of Figure 25, - - illustrates a lighter receptacle having a well part comprising a thermal shield 14 and a basin member 20, with the transverse wall of the basin member, being open and carrying the rod 42, as in the previous realization. By means of the invention, a novel and improved modified safety "" connector "" connector 50"adapted for connection to the rear portion of the well portion, which cartridge 50a is -teallo. able to be assembled in that part and kept in position there. To carry out the invention, a bearing 52a is pressed on the cartridge 50a on the threaded rod 42 extending rearwardly of the basin member 20, in order to establish electrical connection to the . "hot" cigar lighter circuit. The connector cartridge comprises a plastic cup 60 and - disposed therein a metal screw hull 62 as in the previous embodiment. The screw hull 62 makes intimate electrical contact with the "earth" side 20. electric of the well part. As in the previous embodiment, there is provided on the back of the well part comprising the basin member 20 and the thermal shield 14, a cylindrical cup 54 mounted insulated by . half of a nut 48 on the stem 42. The cup 54 a aaSw-jfe. The ground, mechanically engages and comes into electrical contact with the transverse end wall of the thermal shield 14 and a firm pressure fit between the screw hull 62 is obtained. of the cartridge 50a connector and the - cup 54 to ground. As shown, the rim of the cup 54 to the ground is flared outward, in order to telescopically receive the screw hull 62 and the connector cartridge with a snap fit. The screw cap of the connector cartridge has an open bottom wall that is mounted in tro of the 60 plastic cup. As previously described, during the manufacture of the separate security cartridge, two sword-shaped protrusion portions 72, 74 are molded into the bottom wall of the t} za 60 plastic to form a sub-set of - 15, three pieces. By the present invention, a bimetallic bypass 90a is carried directly by the rod 42 in opposition to the structure of the previous embodiment, wherein the bimetal branch 90 was . carried by the cartridge 50 connector. The assembly portion of the branch is sandwiched between the sheaves of the rod 42, as in the previous construction. The bearing 52a is similar in construction to the embodiment of Figure 2, except that it has a smooth hole, which - 25. allows the bearing (and the cartridge) to be applied median < ¡Ik a simple operation of "push" in one direction - - axial of the rod. The bearing 52a mechanically secures the sheave, hull 62 and sword-shaped protruding parts 72, 74 to the plastic cup 60 and electrically connects the sword-shaped protrusion portion 74 to the rod 42. In operation, the branch 90a - bimetallic, is arranged to "short" the vast go 42 to the screw hull 62, located in the part of * 10. cartridge, in response to an overheating that occurs ^^ in the part of P¿zo As st; has illustrated particularly in FIG. 25 and as indicated above, when the cartridge 50a separate safety connector is pushed into the well portion, the edge of the screw hull 62 is preferably telescoped in the flare of the cup 54 to earth and a pressure adjustment is established between them, which gives a good result, a good electrical contact along a multiplicity of points between the surfaces of the coupling. As a result, the same reliable high-integrity electrical connection is established between the sword-shaped protrusion portion 72, through the screw hull 62 and the cup 54 to the ground in the rear portion of the well portion. 25. The spade-shaped protrusion portions 72, 74 are arranged to receive an electrical receptacle (not shown) of normal thrust, in order to retain the advantages of the first embodiment in relation to the use of configurations 5 of receptacle of the normal wiring harness type. From the foregoing it can be seen that we have provided new and improved connector receptacles that are both reliable in their use and economical in their manufacture and assembly. The various parts can be intermounted in many cases by the use of automated assembly equipment. Therefore, the need for extensive manual labor is greatly reduced. In addition, due to the self-centering feature of the screw hull and a sword-shaped projection portion 72, which is achieved through the provision of coolant nests and recesses, a high degree of integrity of con-ü .__ Tm touch, well suited to reliably handle the relatively high currents normally associated with in . cigarette lighters. The essentially complete encapsulation of the bimetallic bypass through the surrounding connector receptacle cartridge provides a high degree of safety by isolating and hiding from the exterior of the cigar lighter well any spark that may occur as a result of the bypass of - H bimetal is operated with excessive heat. In this way the possibility of excessive heating of plastic wire insulation or of a plastic panel is greatly reduced, as a consequence of this safety feature incorporated in the present invention. Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each and every one of the clauses - LO. appended, define an aspect of the invention that is separate and distinct from all others, and in accordance with this - it is intended that each clause be treated in this manner when examined in the light of prior art devices for any determination of novelty or 15. validity. # twenty, , M »• t-» HB

Claims (1)

1. Claims: 1. A cigar lighter receptacle construction, comprising in combination: a) a well portion and a separate safety connector cartridge part adapted to be disconnectably carried in the posterior portion of the well part; _40. k) the aforementioned parts have electrical connector means forming contact couples engageable; c) at least a pair of the contactors comprise formations in the form of a telescopic cup 15. cas "and d) bimetallic means carried by the cartridge part adapted to bypass the connecting means of the cartridge part in response to the overheating of the cartridge. part of well. 20. The invention according to clause 1, wherein: a) the well part has a transverse rear wall and an electrical terminal mechanically supported therein; 25. b) the connector cartridge part of security carries an external electrical terminal; and c) means electrically connecting the external electrical terminal to the bimetallic means and to the electrical terminal of the well part. 3. The invention according to clause 1, wherein: a) the well part has a transverse rear wall, one of the cup-shaped formations being mounted and electrically connected to that transverse rear wall; b) the safety connector cartridge part carries an external electrical terminal; and c) means that electrically connect the external electrical terminal to said formation in the form 15. of cup. 4. The invention according to clause 1, wherein: a) the security connector cartridge, comprises a pair of terminals in the form of electric sword _ft just isolated from each other; and b) means that electrically connect a sword-shaped terminal to one of the pairs of contactors and to connect the other terminal in the form of a sword to the other of the pairs of contactors, respectively. 25. you '4 5. - A receptacle construction for the cigar lighter, comprising, in combination, a well part having a grounding portion and an energizing contact respectively adapted for coupling with cooperative contacts of a power plug. ignition to energize thereto, a safety connector cartridge carried on the back of the well portion, this connector cartridge comprises a plastic male plug body having a juxtaposed front face attached to the part of well, this plug-shaped body ~ ^ r male has a pair of blade-shaped projections projecting from the rear face and adapted to connect respectively to the grounding portion and energize the contact of the well part; The body in the form of a male plug has a recess, a sensing member that responds to the heat disposed in the recess of the plug-shaped body, this member is activated in response to its heating, and a safety contact carried by the body in the form of a plug in its recess and electrically connected to one of the blade projections; the safety contact is coupled by the sensing member that responds to the heat in response to excessive heating thereof, whereby a short circuit is made from the sensing member to a blade-shaped projection. 25. jMÉá¡ßg ^ tó¡g ^ ßS¡¿w ^ (¡^^^^ Éi ^? i 6. The invention according to clause 1, wherein: a) the cartridge part comprises a cup-shaped metal hull and a cup-shaped insulating housing; b) the cup-shaped metal hull forms part of the mentioned pair of contactors; c) the metal helmet and the housing surround the bimetallic means in order to confine and - hide them and therefore insulate, from the outside of the housing, heat or sparks occurring within the housing and metal hull during the derivation of connecting means by bimetallic means. 7. A cigarette lighter receptacle construction, comprising in combination; 15, a) a well portion and a separate safety connector cartridge part adapted to be disconnectably carried in the rear portion of the well portion; b) these parts have means connected 20. electric towers that form pairs of dockable contactors; c) at least a pair of the contactors, comprises telescopic cup-shaped formations; and 25, d) bimetallic means carried by the well part, adapted to derive the connector means from the cartridge part in response to overheating of the well part. 8. A cigarette lighter receptacle construction 5 comprising in combination: a) a well portion and a separate connector cartridge part adapted to be disconnectably carried in the posterior portion of the well portion; ^ M.0. b) the parts have electrical connecting means which form pairs of dockable contactors c) at least one of the pair of contactors comprises frictionally interengaging and electrically connected cup-shaped contact formations 15. bles, respectively carried by the well and the cartridge part connector. 9. A cigar lighter receptacle construction, comprising in combination: a) a well portion and a separate connector cartridge part, adapted to be carried - disconnectably by the rear portion of the - water well; b) the well part has two portions of electrical terminals, electrically isolated one from the other and connected respectively with two electric circuits of the well part; c) the separate connector cartridge part has two projecting electrical terminals, electrically isolated from one another, and extending outwardly from the cartridge part; and d) means electrically connecting the projecting electrical terminals of the connector part separated respectively to the two electrical terminal portions of the well part, with which allows the cigar lighter receptacle construction to be energized through the projecting electric terminals of the cartridge portion by an electrical connector receptacle directly connected to the projecting electrical terminals of the 15 same; e) electrical terminals project J • tants of the cartridge part, comprises two terminals of sword-shaped protuberances, respectively. 10.- A construction of receptácu¬ 20 for cigar lighter, which comprises in combination: a) a well part and a separate safety connector cartridge part, adapted to be detachably carried in the post portion 25. top of the well part; t b) the parts have co-operable electrical connecting means forming pairs of coupled contactors; c) the cartridge part comprises a plastic molding having externally accessible end means molded therein and connected respectively to the connector means of the cartridge part. * 15. # 20 25, SUMMARY : A cigar lighter receptacle construction includes a well portion and a separate safety connector cartridge portion adapted to be disconnectably carried in the lower portion of the well portion. The parts have electrical connector structures that form pairs of mating connectors. At least one pair of contactors is in the form of cup-shaped telescopic formations. There is also provided a bimetallic finger worn by the 15, of cartridge, adapted to bypass the connecting structures of the cartridge part in response to overheating of the well part. The arrangement is such that both the well part and the cartridge part are relatively simple sub-assemblies that can be manufac 20. At a greatly reduced cost by virtue of the various stages of assembly that are carried out for the most part by automated equipment. 25. _feg_ < _gS5i _.- ,. < - & .- ___ tfo_fcjg_tt »__ Under protest to tell the truth, I state that the best known method to carry out the present invention, is the one indicated in the description of this request. In testimony of which we sign the present in: Mexico, D.F. to February 22, 1995. CASCO PRODUCTS CORPORATION