Patents
Patents
Publication number
US5883445 A
Publication type
Grant
Application number
US 08/731,878
Publication date
Mar 16, 1999
Filing date
Oct 22, 1996
Priority date
Oct 22, 1996
Fee status
Lapsed
Also published as
CA2213176A1
Inventors
Frank T. Holman
Original Assignee
Holman; Frank T.
Export Citation
BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
Patent Citations (15), Referenced by (3), Classifications (13), Legal Events (3)
External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
Power sharing device
US 5883445 A
Abstract
A power sharing device is disclosed, having a primary utility in supplying power to automotive block heaters or other auto warming devices at a user selectable duty cycle of 12.5% or 25%. In a first mode, power is supplied to 4 outlets in a sequential manner, for 15 minutes each. In a second mode, power is supplied to the 4 outlets in a sequential manner, for 7.5 minutes each, followed by a period of 7.5 minutes in which power is not supplied. The user may elect to initiate a delay period, that is selectable between 1 and 2 hours, to precede the sequence of power distribution, allowing time for the car to cool before the power cycles begin. A test circuit, activated by a pushbutton, allows a user to distinguish between the periods of time when power is not being supplied to an outlet as a part of the sequential sharing of power between outlets and a circuit malfunction, such as a blown fuse.
Images(2)
Claims(7)
What is claimed is:
1. A power sharing device, comprising:
(a) a power cord, adapted to be inserted into a standard electrical outlet, thereby providing appropriate voltages to a line current conductor, a neutral current conductor and a ground current conductor;
(b) delay period choice switch means for allowing the user to select an initial delay period, typically of either one hour or two hours;
(c) power cycle choice switch means for allowing the selection of a first or a second power cycle period;
(d) delay pushbutton switch means for initiating a
Publication number
US5883445 A
Publication type
Grant
Application number
US 08/731,878
Publication date
Mar 16, 1999
Filing date
Oct 22, 1996
Priority date
Oct 22, 1996
Fee status
Lapsed
Also published as
CA2213176A1
Inventors
Frank T. Holman
Original Assignee
Holman; Frank T.
Export Citation
BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
Patent Citations (15), Referenced by (3), Classifications (13), Legal Events (3)
External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
Power sharing device
US 5883445 A
Abstract
A power sharing device is disclosed, having a primary utility in supplying power to automotive block heaters or other auto warming devices at a user selectable duty cycle of 12.5% or 25%. In a first mode, power is supplied to 4 outlets in a sequential manner, for 15 minutes each. In a second mode, power is supplied to the 4 outlets in a sequential manner, for 7.5 minutes each, followed by a period of 7.5 minutes in which power is not supplied. The user may elect to initiate a delay period, that is selectable between 1 and 2 hours, to precede the sequence of power distribution, allowing time for the car to cool before the power cycles begin. A test circuit, activated by a pushbutton, allows a user to distinguish between the periods of time when power is not being supplied to an outlet as a part of the sequential sharing of power between outlets and a circuit malfunction, such as a blown fuse.
Images(2)
Claims(7)
What is claimed is:
1. A power sharing device, comprising:
(a) a power cord, adapted to be inserted into a standard electrical outlet, thereby providing appropriate voltages to a line current conductor, a neutral current conductor and a ground current conductor;
(b) delay period choice switch means for allowing the user to select an initial delay period, typically of either one hour or two hours;
(c) power cycle choice switch means for allowing the selection of a first or a second power cycle period;
(d) delay pushbutton switch means for initiating a
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