Universal battery charger/power source adapter

• US 7,303,440 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James D. Tong, Kody W. Kerwin, Michael F. Stull
• Original Assignee: James D. Tong, Kody W. Kerwin, Michael F. Stull
• Inventors: Tong, James D., Stull, Michael F., Kerwin, Kody W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey; James
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US11/536,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 439/638, 439/500
• US Class Current: 439/620.04
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

Universal adapters for portable electronic devices, and more particularly to cellular telephones using a 0.25V-24V direct current power supply to provide battery power supply to the connected cellular telephone, particularly in an emergency case, or in case an indoor charger using alternating current or a vehicular charger is not available, or the battery of the cellular telephone is depleted and needs rapid charge.

Claims

1. A universal adapter apparatus for connecting portable electronic devices to a direct current external power source comprising an anode post and at least one cathode post, the adapter apparatus comprising:

a block sized to be attached to the external power source, the block comprising a central axis, a bottom side, first and second longitudinal sides, and non-conductive exterior surfaces;

two arcuate channels of equal length on the block bottom side, each channel having a first and second end, wherein each channel is sized to engage and receive one cathode post, wherein one channel has an open first end flush with one block longitudinal side and the other channel has an open first end flush with one block longitudinal side, whereby the anode posts are positioned at the channel open first ends and received into the respective channel by rotation of the block about the central axis thereby positioning the block onto at least one anode post of the external power source;

closed channel conductive second ends defining a diameter sufficient to receive and lock onto a anode post by rotation of the conductive block about the central axis thereby locking the block into place on at least one anode post of the external power source;

a first conductive annular aperture centered on the block central axis defining a block conductive interior surface in communication with the closed channel conductive second ends;

a second annular aperture centered on the block central axis bottom side having a diameter smaller than the first annular aperture serving to self center the external power source cathode post within the conductive block after attaching and locking the block to the power source; and

a cable with a plug end having a central cathode contact and periphery anode contacts and an adapter end, wherein the first annular aperture is sized to receive and engage the plug end and align the plug end central cathode contact with the external power source cathode within the second annular aperture and the periphery anode contacts communicate with the block interior surface once the block is positioned and locked onto the anode posts of the external power source, and whereby the adapter is connected to at least one portable electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein conductive elements comprise any conductive material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the block comprises any nonconductive material.

4. A universal adapter apparatus for connecting portable electronic devices to a direct current external power source comprising an anode post and at least one cathode post, the adapter apparatus comprising:

an aluminum block sized to be attached to the external power source, the aluminum block comprising a central axis, a bottom side, first and second longitudinal sides, and non-conductive exterior surfaces;

two arcuate channels of equal length on the aluminum block bottom side, each channel having a first and second end, wherein each channel is sized to engage and receive one anode post, wherein one channel has an open first end flush with the first aluminum block longitudinal side and the other channel has an open first end flush with the second aluminum block longitudinal side, whereby the anode posts are positioned at the channel open first ends and received into the respective channel by rotation of the aluminum block about the central axis thereby positioning the aluminum block onto at least one anode post of the external power source;

closed channel second ends defining a diameter sufficient to receive and lock onto an anode post by rotation of the aluminum block about the central axis thereby locking the aluminum block into place on at least one anode post of the external power source;

first and second annular apertures of different diameters centered on the aluminum block central axis wherein the first annular aperture defines an aluminum block interior surface in communication with the closed channel conductive second ends and the second annular aperture serves to self center the external power source cathode post within the aluminum block bottom side after attaching and locking the block to the power source; and

a cable with a plug end having a central cathode contact and periphery anode contacts and an adapter end, wherein the first annular aperture is sized to receive and engage the plug end and align the plug end central cathode contact with the external power source cathode within the second annular aperture and the periphery anode contacts communicate with the aluminum block interior surface once the aluminum block is positioned and locked onto the anode posts of the external power source, and whereby the adapter is connected to at least one portable electronic device.

5. A universal adapter apparatus for connecting portable electronic devices to a direct current external power source comprising an anode post and at least one cathode post, the adapter apparatus comprising:

a conductive block sized to be attached to the external power source, the conductive block comprising a central axis, a bottom side, first and second longitudinal sides, and non-conductive exterior surfaces;

attachment means to position the conductive block onto at least one anode post of the external power source, the attachment means comprising two arcuate channels of equal length on the conductive block bottom side, each channel having a first and second end, wherein each channel is sized to engage and receive one anode post, wherein one channel has an open first end flush with one block longitudinal side and the other channel has an open first end flush with one block longitudinal side, whereby the anode posts are positioned at the channel open first ends and received into the respective channel by rotation of the conductive block about the central axis;

locking means to lock the conductive block into place on at least one anode post of the external power source;

alignment means to define a conductive block interior surface whereby the external power source cathode post is self centered within the conductive block after the block is attached and lock onto the power source; and

connecting means to connect the adapter to at least one portable electronic device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein locking means comprises closed channel second ends defining a diameter sufficient to receive and lock onto a anode post by rotation of the conductive block about the central axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein alignment means comprises first and second annular apertures centered on the conductive block central axis, wherein the first annular aperture has a larger diameter than the second annular aperture and the second annular aperture is on the bottom side.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein connecting means comprises a cable with a plug end having a central cathode contact and periphery anode contacts and an adapter end, wherein the first annular aperture is sized to receive and engage the plug end and align the plug end central cathode contact with the external power source cathode within the second annular aperture and the periphery anode contacts communicate with the block interior surface once the conductive block is positioned and locked onto the anode posts.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the conductive block comprises any conductive material.