Portable electronic device charger and method

• US 20050231159A1
• Filed: 04/14/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James A. Jones Sr, Tommie Prothro
• Original Assignee: James A. Jones Sr, Tommie Prothro
• Inventors: Prothro, Tommie, Jones, James A. Sr.
• Application Number:
  US10/823,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20050231159A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for enabling extended operating time for a cellular telephone, pager, personal digital assistant, or the like, wherein the main battery of the portable electronic devices may be recharged from an auxiliary battery contained within a portable holder, and wherein the auxiliary battery is itself recharged by connecting to an external energy source.

Claims

1. An electronic appliance charger comprising:

at least one retaining clip, wherein said retaining clip removably secures an electronic appliance to said charger;

at least one charging interface, for placing the electronic appliance in electrical communication therewith; and

at least one battery pack in electrical communication with said at least one charging interface.

2. The electronic appliance charger of claim 1, wherein the electronic appliance is selected from the group consisting of cellular telephones, pagers, personal digital assistants, and combinations thereof.

3. The electronic appliance charger of claim 1, wherein said at least one retaining clip further comprises a slidably engagable securing means carried by said charger.

4. The electronic appliance charger of claim 3, wherein said securing means comprises a ratcheting interface.

5. The electronic appliance charger of claim 1, further comprising at least one electrical connection port.

6. The electronic appliance charger of claim 5, wherein said at least one electrical connection port comprises a jack for connecting to a vehicular power supply.

7. The electronic appliance charger of claim 5, wherein said at least one electrical connection port comprises a jack for connecting to an electrical power source.

8. The electronic appliance charger of claim 1, further comprising means for securing said charger to a person.

9. The electronic appliance charger of claim 1, wherein said at least one charging interface comprises a connector for electrically communicating with a base unit charger.

10. The electronic appliance charger of claim 1, wherein said at least one battery pack is removably secured to said electronic appliance charger.

11. The electronic appliance charger of claim 10, wherein said at least one battery pack is slidably secured to said electronic appliance charger.

12. The electronic appliance charger of claim 1, further comprising a belt clip.

13. A method of recharging a battery of a electronic appliance, said method comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining a holster comprising an auxiliary battery pack therein;

b) placing a electronic appliance in electrical communication with said holster, whereby energy flows from said auxiliary battery pack to the battery; and

c) securing the electronic appliance to said holster via a retaining clip.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

inserting said holster in a charger base unit.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

securing said holster upon a person.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

providing a source of energy to recharge the battery of the electronic appliance.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

removably connecting said holster to a power supply.

18. An apparatus for recharging electronic appliances comprising:

at least one battery pack;

at least one electronic interface, for selectively placing the electronic appliance in electrical communication with said at least one battery pack; and

at least one power supply connector for recharging said at least one battery pack.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said at least one battery pack is removably secured to said apparatus.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said apparatus is in the form of a flat card.