Portable battery charger

• US 20070247105A1
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krieger, Michael, Ellsworth, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/710,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20070247105A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00038 using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors identification by mechanical connections H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A battery charger is provided. The battery charger may be designed as a versatile, portable battery charger addressing the most common needs of power for a consumer. The battery charger preferable can provide DC power, AC power, vehicular battery charging capability, portable battery charging capability, and other power providing capabilities.

Claims

1. A portable battery charger, comprising:

a housing defining a cavity therein, the cavity being adapted to receive different size rechargeable batteries;

at least one DC input port;

a battery disposed within the housing;

vehicular battery charger circuitry disposed in the housing and coupled to the DC input port; and

a portable battery charging circuitry disposed in the housing, the portable battery charger circuitry coupled to at least one of the DC input and the internal battery and providing battery charging current to portable batteries in the cavity.

2. The portable battery charger of claim 1, wherein the portable battery charging circuitry is adapted to distinguish between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.

3. The portable battery charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a lid hingedly connected to the housing and adapted to cover the cavity;

a slide member disposed in the cavity, the slide member being movable to accommodate different size portable batteries;

a first set of recharging contacts disposed on a top side of the cavity and a corresponding set of battery contacts provided on a first side of the slide member; and

a second set of recharging contacts disposed on a bottom side of the cavity and a corresponding set of battery contacts provided on a second side of the slide member, opposite the first side of the slide member.

4. The portable battery charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a hand cranked dynamo coupled to the battery.

5. The portable battery charger of claim 1 further comprising a controller connected to the vehicular battery charger circuitry, the portable battery charging circuitry, and the battery.

6. The portable battery charger of claim 1, further comprising a cigarette lighter adaptor coupled to one of the DC input ports.

7. The portable battery charger of claim 6 further comprising at least one DC output port.

8. The portable battery charger of claim 7, wherein the DC output port is adapted to output a USB compatible power output.

9. The portable battery charger of claim 7 wherein the DC output port is adapted to charge a mobile telephone.

10. The portable battery charger of claim 2, wherein the portable battery charging circuitry is adapted to charge only chargeable batteries.

11. The portable battery charger of claim 1, wherein the vehicular battery charger is coupled to the at least one DC output port.

12. The portable battery charger of claim 11, further comprising:

a set of jumper cables coupled to the vehicular battery charger circuitry.

13. The portable battery charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a first set of indicator lights configured to indicate the status of at least one of the vehicular battery charger, or the portable battery charger.

14. The portable battery charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a second set of indicator lights configured to indicate the status of at least one of the battery, the portable batteries, or the vehicular battery.

15. The portable battery charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a display connected to the vehicular battery charger circuitry.

16. The portable battery charger of claim 3, wherein the first and second set of recharging contacts are configured to receive battery electrodes of opposite polarities.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing; and

circuitry disposed within the housing coupled to a battery, a portable battery charger, a vehicular battery charger, a controller, at least one of a AC or DC input port, and at least one of an AC or DC output port;

the battery adapted to receive a DC input from the DC input port or the vehicular battery charger and provide a DC output, and coupled to the controller, the portable battery charger, and at least one of the DC output ports;

the vehicular battery charger adapted to receive a DC input from at least one of the DC input ports or the battery, and provide a DC ouput, and coupled to the controller, the battery, and the portable battery charger, and at least one of the DC output ports;

the portable battery charger adapted to receive a DC input from at least one of the battery, the DC input port, or the vehicular battery charger, to contain at least one rechargeable battery and provide DC input to the at least one rechargeable battery; and

the controller adapted to receive DC input from at least one of the battery, the DC input port, or the vehicular battery charger, regulate the operation of the battery, the portable battery charger, and the vehicular battery charger.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the battery charger is adapted to distinguish between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a lid hingedly connected to the housing and adapted to cover the cavity, the lid including contours adapted to fit the contour of different size batteries to hold the batteries within the cavity.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a lid hingedly connected to the housing and adapted to cover the cavity;

a slide member disposed in the cavity, the slide member being movable to accommodate different size portable batteries;

a first set of recharging contacts disposed on a top side of the cavity and a corresponding set of battery contacts provided on a first side of the slide member; and

a second set of recharging contacts disposed on a bottom side of the cavity and a corresponding set of battery contacts provided on a second side of the slide member, opposite the first side of the slide member.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a cigarette lighter adaptor coupled to the DC input port.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a USB port configured to output DC power.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a set of indicator lights disposed on the housing configured to indicate the status of the least one of the battery, the portable battery charger, or the vehicular battery charger.

24. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a set of indicator lights configured disposed on the housing to indicate the status of at least one of the battery, the portable batteries, or the vehicular battery being charged.

25. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a display disposed on the housing configured to indicate the status of at least one of the battery, the portable battery charger, or the vehicular battery charger.