RECHARGEABLE REMOTE CONTROL

• US 20020171396A1
• Filed: 04/03/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana M. Pettinato
• Original Assignee: Dana M. Pettinato
• Inventors: Pettinato, Dana M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,489,746 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/111
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

The rechargeable remote control is a remote control device for a television, VCR, or the like with a built in battery charger for recharging the batteries of the remote control. The remote control is powered by rechargeable batteries, preferably nickel cadmium batteries. A battery charger circuit is mounted on a printed circuit board within the remote control housing and is electrically connected to the battery holder. The charger circuit receives power from the a.c. power mains through a retractable wall plug built into the remote control housing. The retractable wall plug is mounted on a rotor with a cam which operates a switch disconnecting the batteries from the remote control circuitry while the batteries are recharging. A first LED indicates the unit is ready for charging, and an optional second LED indicates that the batteries are receiving a recharging current.

Claims

1. A rechargeable remote control for remotely transmitting a command to a remote appliance, comprising:

a) a remote control housing having an upper panel and a lower panel attached to the upper panel, said housing having a recess defined therein;

b) remote control circuitry disposed within said housing;

c) at least one rechargeable battery electrically connected to said remote control circuitry;

d) a battery charging circuit disposed within said housing for recharging said at least one battery;

e) a switch disposed within said housing having a first position connecting said at least one battery to said remote control circuitry and a second position connecting said at least one battery to said battery charging circuit; and

f) a wall plug rotatably mounted on said housing, said wall plug having a pair of prongs adapted for insertion into an alternating current mains wall outlet, said wall plug being mechanically connected to said switch, said wall plug rotating between a retracted position wherein the plug is disposed within the recess defined in said housing with said switch in the first position, and an extended position wherein the prongs extend from said housing with said switch in the second position.

2. The rechargeable remote control according to claim 1, wherein said at least one battery comprises a nickel-cadmium battery.

3. The rechargeable remote control according to claim 1, wherein said at least one battery consists of two battery cells.

4. The rechargeable remote control according to claim 1, wherein said battery charger circuit is transformer-less.

5. The rechargeable remote control according to claim 1, wherein said battery charger circuit further comprises at least one optical indicator device for indicating when said remote control circuitry is disconnected from said at least one rechargeable battery.

6. The rechargeable remote control according to claim 1, further comprising an optical indicator device electrically connected to said battery charger circuit for indicating when said at least one rechargeable battery is being recharged.