POWER SOURCE ADAPTOR FOR BATTERY POWERED DEVICES

• US 3,586,870 A
• Filed: 11/03/1969
• Issued: 06/22/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald N. Cwiak
• Original Assignee: Donald N. Cwiak
• Inventors: Cwiak, Donald N.
• Application Number:
  US04/873,559
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/06 using discharge tubes without control electrode or semiconductor devices without control electrode

Abstract

A device is disclosed herein for providing power to a toy, flashlight or similar load normally powered by one or more batteries. The device comprises a substitute expandable cell adapted for insertion in the toy in place of the battery normally used. The substitute cell includes a convoluted, expandable insulative shell and conductive terminals configured identically to the battery, a flexible electrical cable leading from the terminals to a power unit. The power unit comprises a power supply accepting household AC voltage and providing a DC output equal in voltage to that supplied by the batteries being replaced.

Claims

1. A device for providing power to a toy or similar load normally powered by one or more batteries, said device comprising:

a longitudinally yieldable substitute cell adapted for insertion in said toy in place of said battery, said substitute cell comprising;

an expandable, insulative shell having the cross-sectional shape of said battery and formed with a plurality of integrally formed convolutions defining an internal hollow cavity;

conductive terminals attached to said shell closing the open ends of said cavity in positions identical to the terminals of said battery;

a two-conductor flexible lead carried in said cavity, one end of each conductor being connected to a corresponding one of said conductive terminals; and

power unit means for providing to the other end of said conductors a DC voltage corresponding in level to that normally provided by said batteries.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein the other end of each conductor is provided with a connector, and wherein said power unit means comprises:

a transformer having a primary winding adapted to receive household AC voltage, and a secondary winding adapted to provide voltages commensurate with those required to operate said toy;

rectifier means for converting the voltage obtained from said secondary winding to DC and terminal meAns connected to said DC and adapted to connection thereto of said connector whereby insertion of said substitute cell in said toy and connection of said connector to said terminal means permits said load to be powered by said device.

3. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said secondary winding is tapped;

and further including;

switch means for connecting a selected one of said taps to one terminal of said terminal means; and

said plurality of convolutions normally biasing said cell into its expanded condition.

4. The device defined in claim 3 further comprising:

a switch connected in series with the primary of said transformer for disconnecting said transformer from said household voltage;

a fuse connected between one end of said secondary winding and said rectifier means; and

wherein said connector comprises a two-conductor male plug and wherein said terminal means comprises a two-conductor female jack adapted to receive said plug.

5. The device defined in claim 3 further comprising:

second rectifier means for converting the voltage obtained from said secondary winding to produce a DC signal, said first and second rectifier means respectively conducting on opposite phases of the said AC voltage from said secondary, each of said rectifier means providing a separate DC output from said power unit means.

6. The device defined in claim 5 wherein the anode of said first rectifier means and the cathode of said second rectifier means are each connected to one end of said secondary winding;

and wherein the cathode of said first rectifier means and the anode of said second rectifier means are connected respectively to one terminal of each of first and second terminal means, the other terminal of each of said terminal means being connected via a switch to a selected tap on said secondary winding whereby a lead from a first load may be connected to said first terminal and a lead from a second load may be connected to said second terminal.

7. In combination with the device of claim 1, one or more dummy cells each comprising:

a longitudinally expandable and insulative shell having the cross-sectional shape of said battery;

conductive terminals attached to said cells in positions identical to the terminals of said battery;

electrical conductor means for electrically shorting said conductive terminals; and

said dummy cell being adapted for insertion in said toy in addition to and in electrical series with said substitute cell.