Portable electrical energy source

• US 5,982,138 A
• Filed: 12/17/1998
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krieger, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US09/213,265
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/105, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/105
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A portable electrical energy source includes a portable housing having an outer surface and defining an interior space. A direct current battery is disposed in the interior space. A direct current socket is supported on the housing and electrically coupled to the battery for supplying direct current from the battery to a device outside the housing. An inverter is provided for converting direct current into alternating current and includes an electrical lead have a male plug adapted for being electrically connected to the battery via the direct current socket and an electrical outlet for supplying alternating electrical current to a device outside the housing. The inverter is removably attached to the outer surface of the housing so that the inverter can be ported together with the battery inside the housing and selectively separated from the housing and used independently of the battery in the housing.

Claims

1. A portable electrical energy source, comprising:

a portable housing having an outer surface and defining an interior space;

a direct current battery disposed in the interior space;

a direct current socket supported on the housing and electrically coupled to the battery for supplying direct current from the battery to a device outside the housing;

an inverter for converting direct current into alternating current, the inverter including an electrical lead having a male plug adapted for being electrically connected to the battery via the direct current socket and an electrical outlet for supplying alternating electrical current to a device outside the housing; and

attaching means for removably attaching the inverter to the outer surface of the housing so that the inverter can be ported together with the battery inside the housing and selectively separated from the housing and used independently of the battery in the housing.

2. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a 12 volt DC and further including battery booster cables attached to the battery for extending outside the housing for jump starting a weak battery of a vehicle.

3. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, wherein the attaching means slidably receives the inverter on the outer surface of the housing.

4. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a snap-on connection between the inverter and the outer surface of the housing.

5. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a pocket attached to the outer surface of the housing for removably receiving the inverter.

6. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, further including a holder arranged on the outer surface of the housing for stowing the male plug when not in use.

7. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 6, wherein the holder comprises a pocket.

8. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 6, wherein the holder comprises means defining a recess sized to have a friction fit with the male plug for holding the male plug in the recess.

9. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a rigid casing and further comprising a separate panel incorporating the attaching means, and means for fixing the separate panel to the rigid casing.

10. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a bag including a bottom having a rigid support for supporting the battery, the bag further including a top presenting a closable opening and defining an interior space above the battery and below the closable opening for stowing tools.

11. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 10, wherein the bag includes a flexible side wall and the holder comprises a pocket attached to the flexible side wall for removably receiving the inverter.

12. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 10, and further comprising two battery cables connected tot he battery and each having an end including a battery clamp, and the bag includes two holsters arranged in the interior space for stowing the clamps of the battery cables.

13. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, wherein the housing, battery and inverter are sized to constitute a belt pack or a belt or shoulder strap, respectively, attached to the housing shoulder bag, and further comprising to assist a person in porting the portable electrical energy source.

14. The portable electrical energy source according to claim 1, and further including a handle attached to the housing to assist in porting the housing by hand.