WO2009094487A1

WO2009094487A1 - Backup power source and charger for mobile devices

Info

Publication number: WO2009094487A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/031741
Authority: WO
Inventors: David A. Cosh
Original assignee: Market Direct, Llc
Priority date: 2008-01-25
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2009-07-30

Abstract

A back-up power source and charger assembly for mobile electrical devices is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing having a socket for receiving the plug of a vehicle power cord, a DC power source disposed within the housing, and an electrical circuit providing electrical communication between the DC power source and the socket for selectively charging and discharging a mobile electrical device through the socket.

Description

TITLE BACKUP POWER SOURCE AND CHARGER FOR MOBILE DEVICES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 61/023,588 filed January 25, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to power sources and chargers for mobile devices and more particularly to a self contained power source and charger for battery powered mobile phones, for example.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art. Mobile phones are typically powered by batteries having a finite period of operation. During operation, the batteries supplying power to the mobile phones become discharged and must be recharged.

[0004] There are several methods of recharging batteries of a mobile phone. Such methods include an AC adapter - "home charger"; an AC adapter including a power cord adapted to be plugged into a vehicle cigarette lighter - "car charger"; an AC adapter - "travel charger"; and a battery powered portable charger - "mini charger".

[0005] Oftentimes the battery power source for a mobile phone, for example, becomes sufficiently discharged to disable the mobile phone. In such instances, the operator may not have an adapter capable of recharging the battery power source.

[0006] There is a need for a back-up power source and charger which may be readily transported by the mobile phone operator and available for use in the event the mobile phone power supply becomes discharged rendering the mobile phone to be disabled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to produce a back-up power source and charger for mobile electrical devices such as mobile phones.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to produce a backup power source and charger which can be electrically connected to a mobile phone through a conventional vehicle power cord.

[0009] Still another object of the invention is to produce a back-up power source and charger having power source provided with a socket which can receive the plug of a conventional vehicle power cord.

[0010] Still a further object of the invention is to produce a back-up power source and charger for mobile electrical devices including means for fully depleting the electrical charge of the battery power source and for charging the depleted power source through conventional vehicle power cord.

[0011] The above, as well as other objects of and advantages of the invention, may be surprisingly achieved by a back-up power source and charger for mobile electrical devices comprising a housing; a DC power source disposed within the housing; a socket in the housing for receiving the plug of a vehicle power cord for mobile electrical devices; and an electrical circuit providing electrical communication between the DC power source and the socket for selectively charging the electrical device through the socket and discharging the electrical device through the socket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The above, as well as other objects of the invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which: [0013] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mobile phone, power cord, and a back-up power source and charger in accordance with the present invention; and [0014] Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electronic circuit board of the back-up power source and charger illustrated in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0016] Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a back-up power source and charger assembly 10 for mobile phones. The power source and charger assembly 10 includes a housing 12 provided with a socket 14 adapted to receive one end of a cigarette lighter adapter 16 of a power cord 18. The opposite end of the power cord 18 is provided with a mobile phone connector 20 attachable to a mobile device 22.

The mobile device 22 can be a cellular telephone or a personal electronic device produced by many manufactures and the power cord 18 is the type typically used in vehicles and compatible with the particular mobile phone or electronic device . ] The innermost end of the socket or receptacle 14 of the assembly 10, opposite the access open end, is an electrical contact member with which the inwardly extending end of the adapter 16 is adapted to contact. The contact member of the socket 14 is electrically connected to a DC power source, including two 1.2 to 1.5 volt (AA) batteries 24 and 26, through a circuit board 28. However, it is understood that any number of batteries and power sources may be included. The circuit which is on the circuit board 28 is illustrated in Fig. 2. The circuit illustrated in Fig. 2 is effective to control the output voltage of the power source and charger assembly 10 and to provide an electrical path to the device 22 being charged. The circuit allows the depleted power source of the assembly 10 to become completely discharged prior to being recharged. This is an important aspect of the invention and relates specifically to the memory effect observed in some rechargeable batteries causing the batteries to hold less charge. Certain NiMH batteries and other rechargeable batteries gradually lose maximum energy capacity if the batteries are repeatedly recharged after being only partially discharged. The circuit allows the user to produce similar charging cycles and prevents harmful charging of the batteries 24 and 26. The circuit illustrated in Fig. 2 may typically be printed on the circuit board 28 and installed within the interior of the housing 12. Two electric light emitting devices 3OA and 3OB, lenses 32A and 32B, and two respective reflectors (not shown) may be disposed in the housing 12 at the same end as the opening of the socket 14. It will be understood that light emitting diodes (LED) may be utilized. It will be further understood that any number of light emitting devices 30, lenses 32, and reflectors may be utilized.

[0018] The circuit may include a solid state amplifier 34 and an associated switch 36. Additionally, the assembly 10 may include an indicator light 38 in electrical communication with the circuit, wherein the indicator light 38 is illuminated while the mobile device 22 is being charged. It will be understood that light emitting diodes (LED) may be utilized.

[0019] The housing 12 may be produced of a plastic material and consist of two mating components 12A, 12B. The mating components 12A, 12B are internally configured to contain the socket 14, the batteries 24, 26, the light emitting devices 30, the lens 32, and amplifier 34, the switch 36, and the necessary electrical connections (not shown) . In the embodiment shown, the batteries 24, 26 are spaced apart in a substantially parallel relation to one another. The housing components 12A, 12B may be connected together in any of the known manners, such as by threaded fasteners, for example, which would enable access to the interior thereof. Also, it should be understood that the housing 12 could be formed with interior chambers suitable for storing additional batteries .

[0020] In use, the mobile device 22 is coupled to the mobile phone connector 20 of the power cord 18 and the adapter 16 of the power cord 18 is inserted in the socket 14 of the assembly 10. The inwardly extending end of the adapter 16 makes contact with the contact member of the socket 14 providing an electrical communication between the mobile device 22 and the batteries 24, 26, for charging the mobile device 22. In certain embodiments, the indicator light 38 is illuminated while the mobile device 22 is being charged. Additionally, the switch 36 may be selectively engaged to provide an electrical communication between the batteries 24, 26 and the light emitting devices 30. As such, the light emitting devices 30 are illuminated to provide a mobile light source (i.e. a flashlight).

[0021] It will be readily apparent that the present invention provides a universal back-up power source and charger that can be used anywhere. Further, the lighting feature is manifestly useful as a source of light, but also effectively discharges the dissociated batteries sufficiently to assure a maximum duty cycle.

[0022] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to adapt the invention to various usages and conditions .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A back-up power source and charger assembly for mobile electrical devices comprising: a housing including a socket for receiving the plug of a vehicle power cord; a DC power source disposed within the housing; and an electrical circuit providing electrical communication between the DC power source and the socket for selectively charging and discharging a mobile electrical device.

2. The assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the DC power source includes at least one battery cell.

3. The assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the DC power supply includes a plurality of double A battery cells.

4. The assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the plug of the vehicle power cord is a cigarette lighter adapter plug.

5. The assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit includes a solid state amplifier.

6. The assembly according to Claim 1, further including means for depleting the electrical charge of the DC power source.

7. The assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the means for depleting the electrical charge of the DC power source is a light emitting device in electrical communication with the DC power source.

8. The assembly according to Claim 7, further including a switch for selectively controlling a flow of electric current to the light emitting device.

9. The assembly according to Claim 1, further including an indicator in electrical communication with the circuit, wherein the indicator is illuminated while a mobile electrical device is being charged.

10. A back-up power source and charger assembly for mobile electrical devices comprising: a housing including a socket for receiving the plug of a vehicle power cord; a DC power source disposed within the housing; and means for depleting the electrical charge of the DC power source; and an electrical circuit providing electrical communication between the DC power source and the socket for selectively charging and discharging a mobile electrical device.

11. The assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the DC power source includes at least one battery cell.

12. The assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the DC power supply includes a plurality of double A battery cells .

13. The assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the plug of the vehicle power cord is a cigarette lighter adapter plug.

14. The assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the circuit includes a solid state amplifier.

15. The assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the means for depleting the electrical charge of the DC power source is a light emitting device in electrical communication with the DC power source.

16. The assembly according to Claim 15, further including a switch for selectively controlling a flow of electric current to the light emitting device.

17. The assembly according to Claim 10, further including an indicator light in electrical communication with the circuit, wherein the indicator light is illuminated while the mobile electrical device is being charged.

18. A back-up power source and charger assembly for mobile electrical devices comprising: a housing including a socket for receiving the plug of a vehicle power cord; a DC power source disposed within the housing; and a light emitting device in electrical communication with the DC power source; a switch for controlling a flow of electric current to the light emitting device; an electrical circuit providing electrical communication between the DC power source and the socket for selectively charging and discharging a mobile electrical device.

19. The assembly according to Claim 18, wherein the DC power source includes at least one battery cell.

20. The assembly according to Claim 18, further including an indicator light in electrical communication with the circuit, wherein the indicator light is illuminated while the mobile electrical device is being charged.