USB power outlet/charger direct replacement for automotive cigar lighter/power outlet

A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising:

• an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector;
• an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard;
• and
• a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage;
• the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector,
• the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel;
• the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing;
• wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector;
• further comprising an illumination source disposed in the housing for illuminating the proximal end of the housing;
• further comprising a light pipe at the proximal end of the housing forming a faceplate surrounding the USB connector and illuminating the proximal end of the housing in the area of the USB connector.

A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising:

• an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector;
• an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard;
• and
• a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage;
• the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector,
• the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel;
• the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing;
• wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector;
• further comprising a front cover disposed at the proximal end of the housing for covering the USB connector when not in use;
• wherein the cover comprises an ornamental surface and a ring receiving and surrounding the ornamental surface, the ring having a portion of a hinge for the cover formed therewith.

A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising:

• an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector;
• an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard;
• and
• a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage;
• the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector,
• the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel;
• the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing;
• wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector;
• further comprising an illumination source disposed in the housing for illuminating the proximal end of the housing;
• further comprising a light pipe at the proximal end of the housing forming a faceplate surrounding the USB connector and illuminating the proximal end of the housing in the area of the USB connector;
• wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a printed circuit board assembly;
• wherein the printed circuit board assembly slides in channels in the housing and is retained in position by said faceplate.

A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising:

• an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector;
• an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard;
• and
• a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage;
• the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector,
• the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel;
• the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing;
• wherein the first electrical connector is a US-CAR connector;
• further comprising an illumination source disposed in the housing for illuminating the proximal end of the housing;
• further comprising a light pipe at the proximal end of the housing forming a faceplate surrounding the USB connector and illuminating the proximal end of the housing in the area of the USB connector;
• wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a printed circuit board assembly;
• wherein the printed circuit board assembly comprises electrical terminals for the US-CAR connector at a distal end of the printed circuit board assembly, the electrical terminals received in corresponding openings in the distal end of the housing.

A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising:

• an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector;
• an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard;
• and
• a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage;
• the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector,
• the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel;
• the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing;
• further comprising a keying portion on the housing for orienting the housing in the vehicle opening.

A power outlet/charger for a portable electric/electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising:

• an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having a faceplate and a distal end having a first electrical connector;
• an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard;
• and
• a USB connector disposed through an opening in the faceplate at the proximal end and connected to receive the second voltage;
• the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector,
• the housing being directly received in the opening in the vehicle panel, wherein the housing has a shoulder for abutting against the panel of the vehicle when the housing is inserted into the opening in the vehicle panel and further wherein the housing has a plurality of locking tabs for locking the housing to the panel;
• the USB connector and electronic converter circuit being nonremovably disposed in said housing;
• wherein the electronic converter circuit comprises a printed circuit board assembly;
• the USB connector being mounted on the printed circuit board assembly;
• and
• wherein the printed circuit board assembly slides in channels in an interior of the housing and is retained in position by said faceplate at the proximal end.