Apparatus and method for illuminated battery charging device

• US 20050275378A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Icc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Icc Corporation
• Inventors: Canino, Serafino, Gelormino, Scott
• Application Number:
  US10/867,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20050275378A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition

Abstract

A battery charging device and a method for indicating a status of a charging current are provided. The battery charging device includes a translucent housing adapted to provide a charging current. The battery charging device further includes at least one first light-emitting device disposed within the translucent housing, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates a portion of the translucent housing in a first color when the charging current is being provided. Finally, the battery charging device includes at least one second light-emitting device disposed within the translucent housing, wherein the second light-emitting device illuminates a portion of the translucent housing in a second color when the charging current is no longer being provided.

Claims

1. A battery charging device, comprising:

a translucent housing adapted to provide a charging current;

at least one first light-emitting device disposed within the translucent housing, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates a portion of the translucent housing in a first color when the charging current is being provided; and

at least one second light-emitting device disposed within the translucent housing, wherein the second light-emitting device illuminates a portion of the translucent housing in a second color when the charging current is no longer being provided.

2. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed from a translucent plastic.

3. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates substantially all of the translucent housing in the first color.

4. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the second light-emitting device illuminates substantially all of the translucent housing in the second color.

5. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the first color comprises a green color.

6. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the second color comprises a red color.

7. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates substantially a first half of the translucent housing in the first color.

8. The battery charging device of claim 7, wherein the second light-emitting device illuminates substantially a second half of the translucent housing in the second color.

9. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the translucent housing comprises an aperture portion configured to receive a rechargeable battery.

10. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates a first elongated portion of the translucent housing extending substantially the length of the translucent housing in the first color.

11. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the second light-emitting device illuminates a second elongated portion of the translucent housing extending substantially the length of the translucent housing in the second color.

12. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the first light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

13. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the first and second light-emitting device are one and the same and are configured to emit both the first and second colors of light.

14. The battery charging device of claim 1, wherein the housing is visually perceptible at a predetermined distance from the housing.

15. A method for indicating a charging status of a charging current provided by a battery charging device, the battery charging device having a translucent housing and at least first and second light-emitting devices disposed within the translucent housing, the method comprising:

inducing the first light-emitting device to illuminate a portion of the translucent housing in a first color when the charging current is being provided; and

inducing the second light-emitting device to illuminate a portion of the translucent housing in a second color when the charging current is not being provided.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates substantially all of the translucent housing in the first color.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second light-emitting device illuminates substantially all of the translucent housing in the second color.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first color comprises a green color.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second color comprises a red color.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates substantially a first half of the translucent housing in the first color.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second light-emitting device illuminates substantially a second half of the translucent housing in the second color.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the first light-emitting device illuminates a first elongated portion of the translucent housing extending substantially the length of the translucent housing in the first color and the second light-emitting device illuminates a second elongated portion of the translucent housing extending substantially the length of the translucent housing in the second color.

23. A battery charging device, comprising:

a translucent housing adapted to provide a charging current, the translucent housing having a first housing portion that is illuminated when a charging current is being provided and a second housing portion that is not illuminated while the charging current is being provided.

24. The battery charging device of claim 23, wherein the second housing portion comprises a base portion for supporting the first housing portion.

25. The battery charging device of claim 23, wherein the translucent housing is constructed from a translucent plastic.

26. A battery charging device, comprising:

a translucent wall defining a receiving area for providing a charging current, the wall portion being illuminated when the charging current is being provided; and

a base portion coupled to the wall portion and supporting the wall portion.

27. The battery charging device of claim 26, wherein the translucent wall is constructed from a translucent plastic.