Booster with switch actuated cable decoupler
First Claim
1. In a booster apparatus for applying electrical power to a device wherein said apparatus includes a power source having positive and negative terminals, a housing encasing said power source, and a pair of booster cables for linking said terminals with said device, the improvement comprising an electrical switch manually actuatable from the exterior of said housing for selectively coupling and decoupling one of said cables, from the positive of said terminals, at a location interior of said housing, and a voltage comparator operatively coupled with said power source for indicating a characteristic of a potential of the power source.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A booster apparatus is provided for applying electrical power to a device in which a power source having positive and negative terminals is disposed in a housing, with electrical cables extending from respective positive and negative or grounded terminals to exterior of the housing, with an electrical switch interposed in one of said electrical cables interior of the housing manually actuable from outside of the housing, with an electrical circuit operatively coupled to one of the cables and the electrical switch, whereby the electrical circuit effects automatic closing of an electrical switch upon imposition of a predetermined minimum voltage to the cables, and effects opening of the electrical switch upon the second cable having a voltage less than the predetermined minimum voltage, and with a voltage comparator and its associated circuitry to indicate a level of charge for the power source. Hence, the portion of the cables extending exteriorly of the housing are not live unless and until connected with a device having a voltage greater than a predetermined voltage, such as provided by a depleted automobile battery.
38 Citations
7 Claims
- 1. In a booster apparatus for applying electrical power to a device wherein said apparatus includes a power source having positive and negative terminals, a housing encasing said power source, and a pair of booster cables for linking said terminals with said device, the improvement comprising an electrical switch manually actuatable from the exterior of said housing for selectively coupling and decoupling one of said cables, from the positive of said terminals, at a location interior of said housing, and a voltage comparator operatively coupled with said power source for indicating a characteristic of a potential of the power source.
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3. A booster apparatus for applying electrical power to a device, the apparatus comprising:
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a power source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; an electrical switch having a first contact and a second contact, and operable between a closed position in which the first and second contacts are electrically coupled, and an open position in which the first and second contacts are electrically decoupled; one of the power source terminals electrically connected to the first switch contact; a cable electrically connected to said second contact and extending to an exterior of a housing; and an electrical circuit operatively coupled to said cable and said electrical switch, said electrical circuit effecting automatic closing of said electrical switch upon imposition of a predetermined minimum voltage to said cable, and effecting opening of said electrical switch upon said cable having a voltage less than said predetermined minimum voltage, an electrical connection from one of the power source terminals to said electrical circuit having a second electrical switch interposed in said electrical connection between said power source terminal and said electrical circuit for selectively coupling and decoupling said electrical circuit from said power source terminal, said power source and said first and second electrical switches being disposed in a housing, said second electrical switch being manually actuatable from the exterior of the housing, and a voltage comparator circuitry electrically coupled with said power source for indicating a level of charge of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A booster apparatus having a housing and a power source with positive and negative terminals disposed within the housing, and with a positive cable extending from said positive terminal to exterior of the housing, and a negative cable extending from one of said negative terminal and ground to exterior of the housing, the booster apparatus comprising:
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a voltage sensor operatively connected with said positive cable for sensing the voltage applied to said positive cable and generating a switching signal when said voltage applied to the positive cable exceeds a predetermined voltage; a switch interposed in said positive cable at a location interior of said housing, said switch being operable between an open position in which current does not flow across the switch and a closed position in which current flows across the switch, the switch being operatively connected with said applied voltage sensor for receiving said switching signal, with the switch closing in response to receipt of said switching signal to allow current to flow across the switch to the portion of the positive cable exterior of the housing, and the switch being in its open position in the absence of said switching signal to prevent a flow of current to the portion of the positive cable exterior of the housing, and a voltage comparator circuitry electrically coupled with said power source for indicating a level of charge of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification