Self-contained rechargeable battery power source with voltage reducer

• US 4,987,360 A
• Filed: 12/27/1988
• Issued: 01/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bill's Ice Cream Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bill's Ice Cream Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hickey, R. J.
• Application Number:
  US07/290,759
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2-7, 320/15-18, 320/20, 320/14, 307/150
• US Class Current: 320/120
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 3/08 wherein the variable is dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery

Abstract

A portable, self-contained, rechargeable battery power source provides a plurality of voltage levels to a load circuit, thus allowing one source to replace the need for many batteries. The battery is a high-capacity unit of the type used in camcorders and enables increased playing time for each battery period of charge.

Claims

1. A self-contained portable, rechargeable, battery unit power source for powering consumer products, comprising:

a high-capacity, rechargeable battery unit,

a voltage selection system for selecting one of a plurality of voltages from said battery,

a load circuitry,

means for connecting said load circuitry to said selection system,

said voltage selection system having means for connecting the battery to a charge circuitry, including

a multi-position switch for providing a plurality of "pick off" voltages from the rechargeable battery for use by the load, and

a switch in series with the multi-position switch for connecting, in a first operating mode, the selected voltage to the load, for connecting, in a second operating mode, the rechargeable battery to a charging circuitry, and for disconnecting, in a third operating mode, the battery from both the charging circuitry and the load to prevent unnecessary loss of battery capacity.