Retractable cord power adapter and battery pack

• US 7,151,356 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Ganping Chen
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Ganping Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Jeffrey Ganping
• Primary Examiner(s): Easthom, Karl
• Assistant Examiner(s): Muralidar, Richard V.
• Application Number:
  US10/812,320
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/110
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/28 Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable

Abstract

A power source having a housing is disclosed. A first power cord extends from the housing. The first power cord has a first connector positioned at a distal end thereof for selective connection to an external power source. A second power cord extends from the housing. The second power cord having a second connector positioned at a distal end thereof for selective connection to an electronic device. A power adapter is connected between the first and second power cord. Upon connecting the external power source, the power adapter detects the presence of and receives external power through the first power cord and transfers power to the electronic device through the second cord. The power adapter also retains a charge therein for providing power to the electronic device when no external power source is detected.

Claims

1. A power source comprising:

a) a unit comprising a rectangular housing containing an AC/DC converter, a power adapter, a charging cell, a battery and a sensor switch for delivering DC to an electronic device, said unit having a unit input power line and a unit output power line;

b) said unit input power line comprising a first power cord extending from said housing, said first power cord having a first connector positioned at a distal end thereof for selective connection to an AC external power source;

c) said unit output power line comprising a second power cord extending from said housing, said second power cord having a second connector positioned at a distal end thereof for selective connection to and for delivering DC power to an electronic device;

d) said sensor switch having an output position connected to said second power cord for delivering power to said electronic device;

e) said sensor switch having an input position connected to said power adapter for determining if a voltage/current produced by said power adapter is greater than or equal to a pre-determined value

f) said sensor switch having means for delivering DC output directly from said power adapter to said electronic device upon said sensor switch determining that the voltage/current produced by said power adapter is greater than or equal to said predetermined value, disconnecting the unit battery from the sensor switch output position and connecting the charging cell to unit battery charging nodes for charging the unit battery when needed;

g) said sensor switch having means for delivering the DC output from the unit battery to said electronic device upon said sensor switch determining that the voltage/current produced by said power adapter is less than said predetermined value and only if a battery is present;

h) said sensor switch having two positions, one for delivering DC power output directly from said power adapter and a second for delivering DC power from said unit battery;

i) a first retracting mechanism connected within said housing connected to a first end of said first power cord for selectively retracting said first power cord when said first power cord is not connected to the external power source;

j) a second retracting mechanism contained within said housing connected to a first of said second power cord for selectively retracting said second power cord when said second power cord is not connected to the electronic device; and

k) said first and second power cords entering said housing from opposite ends of said housing passing through channels to said first and second retracting mechanisms, and the first and second retracting mechanisms located at opposite ends of said housing with said second retracting mechanism being adjacent said first end of said first power cord and said first retracting mechanism being adjacent the first end of said second power cord, and said channels being parallel to each other.

2. The power source as recited in claim 1, wherein said first connector is a plug for receipt within a standard AC power outlet.