Lighted accessory connector

#The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors for connecting electrical devices to voltage sources, and more specifically to such connectors incorporating a light source at one end.

#Mobile electrical devices such as cellular telephones, notebook computers, electronic entertainment devices and the like are well-known in the art. Some such devices include one or more on-board batteries which are, in some cases, rechargeable via a wired connection to a suitable voltage source. Others do not include on-board batteries, and therefore require a wired connection to a voltage source to provide electrical power thereto. In either case, the mobile device typically includes an electrical connection port configured to receive one end of an accessory connector having an opposite end configured for connection to a suitable voltage source.

#While connection of such an accessory connector to an electrical device is a relatively simple task under well-lighted conditions, it is considerably more difficult under dark ambient conditions such as may occur in a motor vehicle at night or within an unlit house or business. What is therefore needed is an accessory connector incorporating a light source to aid in locating the device connecting end of the accessory connector and facilitate connection of the accessory connector to the electrical connection port of an electrical device. The present invention provides for such a lighted accessory connector.

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of one preferred embodiment of a lighted accessory connector, in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic illustration of one preferred embodiment of the voltage source-connecting end of the accessory connector of FIG. 1, configured for connection to a vehicle lighter socket, in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic illustration of an alternate embodiment of the voltage source-connecting end of the accessory connector of FIG. 1, configured for connection to a standard AC voltage panel through an AC-DC converter, in accordance with the present invention.

#For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to a number of preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, one preferred embodiment of a lighted accessory connector 10, in accordance with the present invention, is shown. Connector 10 includes an electrical cable 12 having a first end 14 configured for connection to a voltage source 16 and a second end 18 configured for connection to, and illumination of, a voltage supply port 20 of an electrical device 22. Electrical device 22 may be any device requiring connection to voltage source 16, either as a primary source of electrical power or as a charging source for one or more rechargeable batteries (not shown) carried by electrical device 22. Examples of electrical device 22 include, but are not limited to, cellular and land line telephones, laptop and notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable voice recorders, cameras, portable video recorders, portable audio recorders, portable video and audio playback devices, portable televisions, video games units, portable food coolers/heaters, fax machines, two-way radios, pagers, flashlights, electric razors, electric toothbrushes, and the like.

#The first end 14 of the accessory connector 10 of the present invention may be configured for connection to any known DC voltage source, and some example configurations of connector end 14 and voltage source combinations are illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. Referring to FIG. 2A, a first example voltage source arrangement 16′ is illustrated, wherein the first end 14 of cable 12 is connected to a terminal structure 14′ configured for electrical connection to a conventional cigarette lighter socket 32. Terminal structure 14′ includes a first electrical terminal 34 electrically connected to a first electrical conductor of cable 12 (not shown), and a second electrical terminal, defined by terminal elements 42, electrically connected to a second electrical conductor of cable 12 (not shown). Complementarily configured lighter socket 32 includes a first electrical terminal 36 electrically connected to a positive terminal of a battery 38 via conductor 40, and a second electrical terminal, defined by the housing 44 of lighter socket 32, electrically connected to a negative terminal of the battery 38 via conductor 46. Terminal structure 14′ is configured to be engagingly received within lighter socket 32 such that the first electrical terminal 34 of structure 14′ electrically contacts the first electrical terminal 36 of socket 32 and the second terminal elements 42 electrically contact the socket housing 44, thereby supplying a DC voltage defined by battery 38 to the first and second conductors of cable 12 (not shown). In one embodiment, the lighter socket 32 and battery 38 are carried by a motor vehicle, wherein the lighter socket 32 is typically located in the dash area or other convenient location of the vehicle. Alternatively, battery 38 and lighter socket 32 may be provided as a portable voltage source.