Portable jumper system and method

• US 6,756,764 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technical Devices Of North America, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Technical Devices Of North America, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, John S., MacAlpine, Ty N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr., Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US09/799,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20020121877A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 320/105, 307/150, 362/184, 439/503-505
• US Class Current: 320/105
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/14 Starting of engines by means of electric starters with external current supply F02N11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/122 Provisions for temporary connection of DC sources of essentially the same voltage, e.g. jumpstart cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

This invention relates to portable jump starters and, more particularly, to a portable jump starter having improved features for illumination, communication and notification all in a single portable device.

Claims

1. A portable jump starter comprising:

a housing for receiving a battery;

a jumper for coupling said battery to a power-consuming device;

said jumper comprising a plurality of jumper clamps, with each of said plurality of jumper clamps being movable from a closed position to an open position; and

at least one holster for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position.

2. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one holster is integrally molded in said housing, said at least one holster defining a receiving area for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position.

3. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one holster is detachably connected to said housing, said at least one holster defining a receiving area for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position.

4. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one holster comprises at least one detent for securing said plurality of jumper clamps in a locked position when they are received in said at least one holster.

5. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 1 wherein said portable jump starter comprises:

a plurality of holsters for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps.

6. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 5 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said plurality of holsters comprising a first holster and a second holster integrally molded in said first side panel and said second side panel, respectively.

7. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of jumper clamps comprises a grip, each of said plurality of holsters comprising at least one rib for engaging said grip in order to secure said plurality of jumper clamps in a locked position when they are received in said plurality of holsters, respectively.

8. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 5 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a base for supporting said portable jump starter, said plurality of holsters each defining an opening directed away from said base.

9. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 1 wherein said jumper comprises a single cable, said housing comprises a channel for receiving said single cable when said plurality of jumper clamps are stored in said at least one holster.

10. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 5 wherein said jumper comprises a plurality of cables, said housing comprises a plurality of channels for receiving said plurality of cables when said plurality of jumper clamps are received in said plurality of holsters.

11. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a stabilizer for stabilizing said housing.

12. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 11 wherein said housing comprises a base that is integrally molded to define at least one foot.

13. A portable jump starter comprising:

a housing for receiving a battery;

a jumper for coupling said battery to a power-consuming device;

said jumper comprising a plurality of jumper clamps, with each of said plurality of jumper clamps being movable from a closed position to an open position; and

at least one holster for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position.

14. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 13 wherein said at least one holster is integrally molded in said housing, said at least one holster defining a receiving area for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position.

15. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 13 wherein said at least one holster comprises at least one receiving area for receiving a detent on said clamp for securing at least one of said plurality of jumper clamps in a locked position when they are received in said at least one holster.

16. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 13 wherein said portable jump starter comprises:

a plurality of holsters for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps.

17. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 16 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said plurality of holsters comprising a first holster and a second holster integrally molded in said first side panel and said second side panel, respectively.

18. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 17 wherein each of said plurality of jumper clamps comprises a grip, each of said plurality of holsters comprising at least one rib for engaging said grip in order to secure said plurality of jumper clamps in a locked position when they are received in said plurality of holsters, respectively.

20. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 13 wherein said portable jump starter further comprises:

at least one adjustable illuminator; and

a switch for coupling said at least one adjustable illuminator to said battery in order to energize said at least one adjustable illuminator.

21. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 13 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said at least one adjustable illuminator being located in said front panel.

22. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 20 wherein said at least one adjustable illuminator is pivotally adjustable in a plurality of planes.

23. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 20 wherein said at least one adjustable illuminator is pivotally adjustable in a vertical plane.

24. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 13 wherein said portable jump starter further comprises:

a notifier for notifying persons of location, position, or emergency information.

25. The portable lump starter as recited in claim 24 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said notifier comprising a reflective label situated on at least one of said front panel, rear panel, first side panel or second side panel.

26. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 25 wherein said reflective label is situated on said front panel.

27. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 24 wherein notifier comprises an internal light situated in said housing for illuminating said housing.

28. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 24 wherein said housing is molded a predetermined color to provide said notifier.

29. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 28 wherein said predetermined color is orange, red, yellow, green or camouflage.

30. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 24 wherein said notifier comprises a global positioning system for identifying a position of said portable jump starter.

31. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 24 wherein said notifier comprises a cellular phone.

32. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 24 wherein said notifier comprises a radio.

33. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 24 wherein said notifier comprises an external flashing light for illuminating said housing.

34. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 33 wherein said external flashing light is red, orange or yellow.

35. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 33 wherein said external flashing light is integrally molded into said housing.

36. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 33 wherein said external flashing light is a rotating light mounted on said housing.

19. The portable jump starter as recited in calm 17 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a base for supporting said portable jump starter, said plurality of holsters each defining an opening directed away from said base.

37. A portable safety system comprising:

a housing for receiving a battery;

a jumper for coupling to said battery, said jumper having a pair of clamps for coupling said battery to a power-consumer;

at least one holster for receiving said pair of jumper clamps while said pair of jumper clamps are in a closed position; and

a notifier for notifying persons of location, position, or emergency information.

38. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said notifier comprising a reflective label situated on at least one of said front panel, rear panel, first side panel or second side panel.

39. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 38 wherein said reflective label is situated on said front panel.

40. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 38 wherein notifier comprises an internal light situated in said housing for illuminating said housing.

41. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said housing is molded a predetermined color to provide said notifier.

42. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 40 wherein said predetermined color is orange, red, yellow, green or camouflage.

43. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 38 wherein said notifier comprises a global positioning system for identifying a position of said portable jump starter.

44. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 38 wherein said notifier comprises a cellular phone.

45. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said notifier comprises a radio.

46. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said notifier comprises an external flashing light for illuminating said housing.

47. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 46 wherein said external flashing light is red or yellow.

48. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 46 wherein said external flashing light is integrally molded into said housing.

49. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 46 wherein said external flashing light is a rotating light mounted on said housing.

50. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said at least one holster is integrally molded in said housing, said holster defining a receiving area for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position.

51. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said at least one holster comprises at least one receiving area for receiving a detent on at least one of said plurality of jumper clamps in order to retain said clamp in a locked position when it is received in said at least one holster.

52. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said portable jump starter comprises:

a plurality of holsters for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps.

53. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 52 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said plurality of holsters comprising a first holster and a second holster integrally molded in said first side panel and said second side panel, respectively.

54. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 52 wherein each of said plurality of jumper clamps comprises a grip, each of said plurality of holsters comprising at least one rib for engaging said grip in order to secure said plurality of jumper clamps in a locked position when they are received in said plurality of holsters, respectively.

55. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 52 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a base for supporting said portable jump starter, said plurality of holsters each defining an opening directed away from said base.

56. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said jumper comprises a single cable, said housing comprises a channel for receiving said single cable when said plurality of jumper clamps are stored in said at least one holster.

57. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said jumper comprises a plurality of cables, said housing comprises a plurality of channels for receiving said plurality of cables when said plurality of jumper clamps are received in said plurality of holsters.

58. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 57 and further comprising:

at least one adjustable illuminator; and

a switch for coupling said at least one adjustable illuminator to said battery in order to energize said at least one adjustable illuminator.

59. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 57 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said at least one adjustable illuminator being located in said front panel.

60. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 58 wherein said at least one adjustable illuminator is pivotally adjustable in a plurality of planes.

61. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 58 wherein said at least one adjustable illuminator is pivotally adjustable in one plane.

62. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 60 wherein said one plane comprises a vertical plane.

63. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said portable jump starter comprises a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, said notifier comprising a reflective label situated on at least one of said front panel, rear panel, first side panel or second side panel.

64. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 63 wherein said reflective label is situated on said front panel.

65. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 63 wherein notifier comprises an internal light situated in said housing for illuminating said housing.

66. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said housing is molded a predetermined color to provide said notifier.

67. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 66 wherein said predetermined color is orange, red, yellow, green or camouflage.

68. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said notifier comprises a global positioning system for identifying a position of said portable jump starter.

69. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said notifier comprises a cellular phone.

70. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said notifier comprises a radio.

71. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 37 wherein said notifier comprises an external flashing light for illuminating said housing.

72. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 71 wherein said external flashing light is red or yellow.

73. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 71 wherein said external flashing light is integrally molded into said housing.

74. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 71 wherein said external flashing light is a rotating light mounted on said housing.

75. A portable jump starter comprising:

a housing for receiving a battery;

a jumper for coupling said battery to a power-consuming device;

said jumper comprising a plurality of jumper clamps, with each of said plurality of jumper clamps being movable from a closed position to an open position;

at least one holster for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position;

at least one adjustable illuminator;

a switch for coupling said at least one adjustable illuminator to said battery in order to energize said at least one adjustable illuminator; and

a notifier for notifying persons of location, position, or emergency information.

76. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 75 wherein said notifier comprises a reflective label.

77. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 76 wherein said reflective label is situated on a front panel of said housing.

78. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 75 wherein notifier comprises an internal light situated in said housing for illuminating said housing.

79. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 75 wherein said housing is molded a predetermined color to provide said notifier.

80. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 79 wherein said predetermined color is orange, red, yellow, green or camouflage.

81. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 75 wherein said notifier comprises a global positioning system for identifying a position of said portable jump starter.

82. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 75 wherein said notifier comprises a cellular phone.

83. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 75 wherein said notifier comprises a radio.

84. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 75 wherein said notifier comprises an external flashing light for illuminating said housing.

85. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 84 wherein said external flashing light is red or yellow.

86. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 84 wherein said external flashing light is integrally molded into said housing.

87. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 84 wherein said external flashing light is a rotating light mounted on said housing.

88. A portable jump starter comprising:

a housing for receiving a battery;

an inverter for converting a DC power to an AC power;

an AC power outlet;

a DC power connection for coupling said battery to either a power source in order to recharge the battery or a DC power consumer;

a jumper for coupling said battery to a power-consuming device;

said jumper comprising a plurality of jumper clamps, with each of said plurality of jumper clamps being movable from a closed position to an open position;

at least one holster for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position;

at least one adjustable illuminator;

a switch for coupling said at least one adjustable illuminator to said battery in order to energize said at least one adjustable illuminator; and

a notifier for notifying persons of location, position, or emergency information.

89. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 wherein said notifier comprises a reflective label.

90. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 89 wherein said reflective label is situated on a front panel of said housing.

91. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 wherein notifier comprises an internal light situated in said housing for illuminating said housing.

92. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 wherein said housing is molded a predetermined color to provide said notifier.

93. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 92 wherein said predetermined color is orange, red, yellow, green or camouflage.

94. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 wherein said notifier comprises a global positioning system for identifying a position of said portable jump starter.

95. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 wherein said notifier comprises a cellular phone.

96. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 wherein said notifier comprises a radio.

97. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 wherein said notifier comprises an external flashing light for illuminating said housing.

98. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 97 wherein said external flashing light is red or yellow.

99. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 97 wherein said external flashing light is integrally molded into said housing.

100. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 97 wherein said external flashing light is a rotating light mounted on said housing.

101. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 88 further comprising a gauge for indicating a voltage level of said battery.

102. A method for providing for providing a multipurpose power supply comprising the steps of:

providing a portable jump starter comprising;

a housing for receiving a battery;

said housing having a base;

a jumper for coupling said battery to a power-consuming device;

said jumper comprising a plurality of jumper clamps, with each of said plurality of jumper clamps being movable from a closed position to an open position;

at least one holster for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps while said plurality of jumper clamps are in said closed position; and

enabling said plurality of jumper clamps to be removed from said at least one holster away from said base without substantially compressing said plurality of jumper clamps.

103. The method as recited in claim 102 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing said housing with a plurality of holsters for receiving said plurality of jumper clamps.

104. The method as recited in claim 103 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing said housing comprising said plurality of holsters comprising a first holster and a second holster integrally molded in said first side panel and said second side panel, respectively.

105. The method as recited in claim 104 wherein each of said plurality of jumper clamps comprises a grip, each of said plurality of holsters comprising at least one rib for engaging said grip in order to secure said plurality of jumper clamps in a locked position when they are received in said plurality of holsters, respectively.

106. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 103 further comprising a portable jump starter defining said plurality of holsters to each define an opening directed away from said base.

107. The method as recited in claim 103 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing a reflective label on said housing.

108. The method as recited in claim 103 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

providing an internal illuminator situated in said housing for illuminating said housing.

109. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 108 wherein said housing is molded a predetermined color.

110. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 109 wherein said predetermined color is orange, red, yellow, green or camouflage.

111. The portable jump starter as recited in claim 102 wherein said method comprises the step of:

providing a receiving area for receiving a portable cellular phone, GPS, walkie-talkie or radio.