Method of distributing jump-start booster packs

• US 6,597,150 B1
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Ortiz, Ronald J., Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Time in patent office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/105, 320/103, 320/107, 307/66
• US Class Current: 320/104
• 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: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2/1072 for starting, lighting or ignition batteries; Vehicle traction batteries; Stationary or load leading batteries batteries in stationary systems H01M2220/10, batteries in motive systems H01M2220/20
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2/206 of large-sized cells or batteries, e.g. starting, lighting or ignition [SLI] batteries, traction or motive power type or standby power batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/20 Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders structural combination of accumulators with charging apparatus H01M10/46
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/502 Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5033 used as charging means for another battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method of distributing jump-start booster packs. The method includes furnishing a jump-start booster pack without an internal booster battery at an origin location and packaging the jump-start booster pack at the origin location. The jump-start booster pack is then shipped to a remote location.

Claims

1. A method of distributing jump-start booster packs, comprising:

furnishing a jump-start booster pack without an internal booster battery at an origin location, the jump-start booster pack comprising a housing having a battery cavity configured to receive a booster battery, the battery cavity further comprising electrical connectors configured to electrically couple to terminals of the booster battery;

packaging the jump-start booster pack at the origin location; and

shipping the jump-start booster pack to a remote location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the origin location is a booster pack manufacturing plant.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote location is an automotive parts retail store.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote location is a wholesale distribution center.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the storage location is at the origin location.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the storage location is at a wholesale distribution center.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the jump-start booster pack at a storage location.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising manufacturing the jump-start booster pack.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining a booster battery for the jump-start booster pack.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising installing the booster battery in the jump-start booster pack.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein installing the booster battery is carried out at the remote location.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the jump-start booster pack comprises a lid configured to secure the booster battery within the battery cavity.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the jump-start booster pack further comprises battery test circuitry configured to electrically couple to the terminals of the booster battery via the electrical connectors, and further configured to test the booster battery.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the jump-start booster pack further comprises battery charging circuitry configured to electrically couple to the terminals of the booster battery via the electrical connectors, and further configured to charge the booster battery.