Portable battery charging and audio unit

• US 8,604,752 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Credo Technology Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Cole, Steven W. Jr., Voruganti, Ravi, Ng, Wing Hoi, Cheung, Kam Chow
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US11/055,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20050225288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,225 Days
• Field of Search: 320/114, 381/124, 4553431-344
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An audio power unit is disclosed which provides an audio output and charges removable battery packs as well as providing a number of AC receptacles for powering other tools and the like when the unit is connected to a source of AC power. The unit can optionally also provide DC power. When the unit is connected to a source of AC power, the AC power drives the audio unit which may be a radio or a combination radio and CD player and the AC source also powers a charger which recharges a battery pack if a battery pack is inserted into the charger receptacle. If the unit is not connected to a source of AC power, the radio may be powered by a battery pack when it is placed in the charger receptacle. When the unit is connected to a source of AC power, a relay is opened to isolate the radio unit from the charger and battery pack. The unit has a unique protective frame structure that is connected to the housing of the unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing having a number of side walls, a top and a bottom;

a charger located in said housing for charging a removable battery pack of the type which is used to power rechargeable hand tools and other tools;

a receptacle operatively connected to said charger and being capable of receiving a removable battery pack to be charged by said charger;

a signal receiving unit including an amplifier for producing audio and/or video signals located in said housing;

a cord and plug for connecting said apparatus to a source of AC power;

a first circuit for connecting said cord to said charger and said signal receiving unit, whereby AC power is applied to said signal receiving unit to power the same and AC power is also applied to said charger;

an auxiliary signal receiving input receptacle and a DC power socket are located adjacent one another in one of said side walls, said auxiliary signal receiving input receptacle being operatively connected to said amplifier in said unit configured to produce audio and/or video signals from an auxiliary source connected to said input receptacle;

an enclosure receptacle configured to support said auxiliary source and having a power plug for connecting to said DC power socket and an audio plug configured for connecting to said auxiliary audio input receptacle, an audio source connector and circuitry to interconnect said power plug and an auxiliary source placed in said enclosure receptacle and to said auxiliary source to said signal receiving unit amplifier;

a relay connected in circuit between a battery pack located in said receptacle and said signal receiving unit;

a relay coil connected in circuit between said cord and said signal receiving unit, said coil monitoring the presence of AC power being applied to said signal receiving unit and causing said relay to open circuit and isolate said signal receiving unit from said battery when AC power is applied to said signal receiving unit and close circuit when AC power is not applied to said signal receiving unit, thereby enabling said battery pack to power said signal receiving unit when AC power is not applied thereto.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure receptacle further comprises a hinged latched cover for protecting an auxiliary source.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary source comprises a portable digital audio player.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary source comprises a satellite radio.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal receiving unit comprises a TV receiver.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal receiving unit comprises a DVD player.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal receiving unit comprises a VCD player.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal receiving unit comprises a CD player.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal receiving unit comprises an AM/FM radio.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a housing having a number of side walls, a top and a bottom;

a charger located in said housing for charging a removable battery pack of the type which is used to power rechargeable hand tools and other tools;

a receptacle operatively connected to said charger and being capable of receiving a removable battery pack to be charged by said charger;

a signal receiving unit including an amplifier for producing audio and/or video signals located in said housing;

a cord and plug for connecting said apparatus to a source of AC power;

a first circuit for connecting said cord to said charger and said signal receiving unit, whereby AC power is applied to said signal receiving unit to power the same and AC power is also applied to said charger;

an auxiliary audio input receptacle and a DC power socket are located adjacent one another in one of said side walls, said auxiliary audio input receptacle being operatively connected to said amplifier in said unit configured to produce audio and/or video signals from an auxiliary source connected to said input receptacle;

an enclosure receptacle configured to support said auxiliary source and having a power plug for connecting to said DC power socket and an audio plug configured for connecting to said auxiliary audio input receptacle, an audio source connector and circuitry to interconnect said power plug and an auxiliary source placed in said enclosure receptacle and to said auxiliary source to said signal receiving unit amplifier, wherein said enclosure receptacle further comprises a latching mechanism for releasably attaching said enclosure receptacle to said housing;

a relay connected in circuit between a battery pack located in said receptacle and said signal receiving unit;

a relay coil connected in circuit between said cord and said signal receiving unit, said coil monitoring the presence of AC power being applied to said signal receiving unit and causing said relay to open circuit and isolate said signal receiving unit from said battery when AC power is applied to said signal receiving unit and close circuit when AC power is not applied to said signal receiving unit, thereby enabling said battery pack to power said signal receiving unit when AC power is not applied thereto.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said latching mechanism comprises an aperture associated with said housing, said latching mechanism having a latch surface configured to engage said aperture and releasably lock the same.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said aperture is located in a bracket securely attached to said housing, said bracket having a space between its inside surface adjacent said aperture and said housing surface enabling said latch surface to enter said aperture and engage said bracket in holding relation.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said latch surface is part of an elongated tab that is slideable relative to said bracket, said tab being accessible by a user to disengage said latch from said housing.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said tab is slideable in a recess in said enclosure receptacle.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprises means for biasing said tab in locking engagement.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said biasing means comprises a serpentine configuration flexible portion of said tab, one end of which tab bears against said enclosure receptacle, the dimensions of said tab causing said serpentine configuration to be force loaded to provide a biasing force.