Spark proof booster cable system

• US 6,212,054 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Powerpro Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Powerpro Incorporated
• Inventors: Chan, Sing
• Primary Examiner(s): SHERRY, MICHAEL JUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/399,867
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 361/82, 361/170, 361/187, 307/127, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.7, 320/105, 324/426, 324/429, 324/435, 340/636
• US Class Current: 361/170
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0034 using reverse polarity correcting or protecting circuits mechanical means of polarity protection H02J7/0045

Abstract

An apparatus that can be used to jump-start a car that has a weak battery. It includes a battery booster pack or a battery booster cable that is polarity sensitive and can detect proper and improper connections before providing path for electric current. This apparatus eliminates the danger of reverse connections, shorts, fires, spark firing and battery explosion. The apparatus requires no separate switching mechanism to turn power on or power off. It also does not require the imperfect human judgment of any indication device to determine correct or incorrect connection. The clamps detect for the correct polarity and automatically control the power. Power turns on once a good connection has been made. If user makes a wrong connection, there will be no power but its warning signal will go off. Once a clamp is dislodged from the battery terminal, it automatically turns power off without the need to deactivate a switch. This apparatus also provides safe and automatic power on/off control for the booster cable and booster pack.

Claims

1. A spark proof booster cable apparatus comprising:

a) a housing to house the components;

b) four clamps having opposing jaws of a power jaw and a signal jaw whereby the power jaw delivers power current and the signal jaw detects an independent polarity signal;

c) two pairs of power cables connecting each power jaw of the said four clamps to the control box;

d) two pairs of signal wires connecting each signal jaw of the said four clamps to the control box whereby the combination of a power cable and a signal cable at a jaw pair constitutes a booster cable;

e) a set of light emitting diodes connected to optic couplers oriented by an electronic control circuit means, that notify the user of connection status;

f) a solenoid assembly controlling the path of power current which is biased into open and closed position by induction generated by the electronic control circuit means;

g) a first electronic control circuit means to show that connections between a battery source at opposite ends of a booster cable have been correctly made;

h) a second electronic control circuit means to warn the user that connections between battery sources at opposite ends of the booster cables have been incorrectly made;

i) a third electronic control circuit means to cause power current to flow through said solenoid assembly if and only if connections between battery sources at all four points of contact at the opposite ends of the clamp and booster cable have been correctly made;

j) a fourth electronic control circuit means to terminate power current flow through said solenoid assembly if a connection between a booster cable to a battery terminal has been discontinued.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising:

k) an audio buzzer that can buzz whereby notifying of an improper connection; and

wherein the first electronic control circuit means additionally utilizes the buzzer to show that connections between a battery source at opposite ends of a booster cable have been correctly made; and

wherein the second electronic control circuit means additionally utilizes the buzzer to show that connections between a battery source at opposite ends of a booster cable have been incorrectly made.

3. A spark proof battery booster pack comprising:

a) a housing, forming a recess capable of receiving a battery;

b) two clamps having opposing jaws of a power jaw and a signal jaw whereby the power jaw delivers power current and the signal jaw detects an independent polarity signal;

c) a pair of power cables connecting each power jaw of the said two clamps to the control box;

d) a pair of signal wires connecting each signal jaw of the said four clamps to the control box whereby the combination of a power cable and a signal cable at a jaw pair constitutes a booster cable;

e) a set of light emitting diodes connected to optic couplers oriented by an electronic control circuit means, that notify the user of connection status;

l) a solenoid assembly controlling the path of power current which is biased into open and closed position by induction generated by the electronic control circuit means;

m) a first electronic control circuit means to show that connections between a battery in the housing and an outside battery to be charged have been correctly made;

n) a first electronic control circuit means to show that connections between a battery in the housing and an outside battery to be charged have been incorrectly made;

o) a third electronic control circuit means to cause power current to flow through said solenoid assembly if and only if the battery source in the housing has been correctly connected to the outside battery by the clamp and booster cables;

p) a fourth electronic control circuit means to terminate power current flow through said solenoid assembly upon discontinuation of a connection between the clamps and a battery being boosted.

4. A spark proof battery booster pack as in claim 3 further comprising:

q) an audio buzzer that can buzz whereby notifying of an improper connection; and

wherein the first electronic control circuit means additionally utilizes the buzzer to show a proper connection; and

wherein the second electronic control circuit means additionally utilizes the buzzer to show an improper connection.

5. A spark proof battery booster pack as in claim 3 further comprising:

r) a female cigarette plug receptacle connected to the battery stored inside the housing, whereby allowing charging of the internal battery, testing of the internal battery or drawing of current from the internal battery.

6. A spark proof battery booster pack as in claim 3 further comprising:

s) a voltage level indicator of the said built-in battery whereby allowing the user to determine the voltage of the battery.

7. A spark proof battery booster pack as in claim 6 further comprising:

t) a charger to recharge the battery stored inside the housing;

u) an indicator to show the said built-in battery is being charged.

8. A magnetically controlled switching device comprising:

a) a plurality of polarity sensitive alligator clamps having clamp jaws;

b) a means for providing a path of electric current through one of the clamp jaws;

c) a means for detection of polarity signals through the opposite clamp jaw;

d) a solenoid inductive coil placed inside a housing;

e) a moving plunger inserted inside the annular center of the solenoid coil;

f) two conductive posts, insulated from each other, placed outside the solenoid housing;

g) a conductive contact plate, placed outside the said solenoid housing but attached to the end of the said moving plunger;

h) a spring, inserted through the body of the plunger and positioned between the contact plate and the solenoid housing;

i) a set of power cables connected between battery source and the said conductive posts;

j) a means for reading and comparing polarity at connections between this subject switch device to two battery sources;

k) a first responsive means to cause the said solenoid coil to be electrically charged when it reads that the said polarity signals are of the same polarity;

l) a second responsive means for sending out a warning signal when it reads the said signals are of the opposite polarities;

m) a third responsive means for terminating the charge of the said solenoid coil when it reads that the polarity signal is no longer present;

n) a fourth responsive means to engage contacts between the said contact plate and the said posts when the said solenoid coil is charged;

o) a fifth responsive means to disengage contacts between the said contact plate and the said posts when the said solenoid coil is not charged.