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.

1 ) A retractable electrical cord winder for a vehicle comprising: 
 a) A water resistant multi-compartment housing adapted to be mounted with a vehicle license plate,    b) A pair of electrical cords adapted for connection between the said winder and both a vehicle and a remote source of power wherein a first one of said cords is extensible from and retractable within said housing,    c) A rotatable first cord storage reel mounted in a central housing compartment for rotation about an axis in the direction of travel of the vehicle,    d) Said housing including a internal storage compartment adapted for storage of the connector end of said first electrical cord and further adapted to pass the said first cord from the exterior of the said housing through the said storage compartment and into said central compartment upon retraction,    e) Spring means adapted to urge said reel and said first cord into a fully retracted condition,    
   
   
       2 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising sealing means between said central compartment and said storage compartment.  
   
   
       3 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said sealing means is adapted to pass said first electrical cord and both clean said cord and restrict water passage between said compartments.  
   
   
       4 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising releasable closure means between said storage compartment and the exterior of the said housing.  
   
   
       5 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 4  said storage compartment is adapted to downwardly drain water towards the exterior of the housing when mounted to a vehicle.  
   
   
       6 ) A winder as claimed in claims  1  through  5  further comprising a connection compartment adapted to provide for passage of and extended second electrical cord from the said connection compartment to the exterior of said housing and for passage of an electrical conductor between said connection compartment and said reel.  
   
   
       7 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising sealing means between said central compartment and said connection compartment.  
   
   
       8 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said housing includes conductor restraint means between said connection compartment and said reel and an electrical raceway between said conductor and said reel.  
   
   
       9 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said raceway includes upstanding butterfly runners and circular rings mounted to said reel for continuous electrical connection between said conductor and said first electrical cord.  
   
   
       10 ) A winder as claimed in claims  1  through  9  wherein said pair of electrical cords is generally flat.  
   
   
       11 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising a ratchet and pawl mechanism adapted to selectively restrict retraction of said first electrical cord.  
   
   
       12 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet ring integrally mounted to said reel and a pawl mounted to said housing.  
   
   
       13 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said housing further comprises an external pawl release button adapted to main a water-resistant seal with said housing.  
   
   
       14 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said reel is substantially planar and adapted to carry a single wind of said first flat electrical cord.  
   
   
       15 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said spring is mounted between said reel and its axis of rotation adjacent a side of said reel opposite from said raceway and adjacent ratchet ring.  
   
   
       16 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said raceway is adjacent a central hub of said reel.  
   
   
       17 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 16  where said housing includes mounting holes each with aligned support spacers internal to said housing and adapted to support its sides.  
   
   
       18 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said support spacers are formed integrally with the base or the cover of said housing.  
   
   
       19 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said support spacers are formed integrally with both the base and the cover of said housing.  
   
   
       20 ) A winder as claimed in any of claims  1  through  19  further including universal mounting means adapted to provide a peripheral mounting channel between an edge of said housing and a vehicle license plate bracket.  
   
   
       21 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said mounting channel is provided between said housing and an L-shaped peripheral edge of a generally planar mounting plate.  
   
   
       22 ) A winder as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said mounting plated is separable from said housing.