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Title:
DC POWER SUPPLY USING CELLULAR PHONE TECHNOLOGY
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2001/076048
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A DC power supply unit (30) comprising a flashlight (32). A rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) is provided, having a positive terminal (36) and a negative terminal (38). The rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) is supported in the flashlight (32). An adjustable structure (40) is in the flashlight (32) for electrically connecting the flashlight (32) to the positive terminal (36) and the negative terminal (38) of the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) so that the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) can operate the flashlight (32). A facility (42) in the flashlight (32) is for electrically connecting the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) to a remote electrical device, so that the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) can operate the remote electrical device.

Inventors:
HEE ROBERT K (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/008785
Publication Date:
October 11, 2001
Filing Date:
April 03, 2000
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
HEE ROBERT K (US)
International Classes:
F21L4/08; H01M2/10; H02J7/00; H04B1/16; H01M2/20; H01M6/50; (IPC1-7): H02M/
Foreign References:
US4816971A1989-03-28
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KROLL, Michael, I. (Syosset, NY, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
DC POWER SUPPLY USING CELLULAR PHONE TECHNOLOGY Claims 1. A DC power supply unit comprising: a) a flashlight; b) a rechargeable cellular telephone battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said rechargeable cellular telephone battery supported in said flashlight; c) adjustable means in said flashlight for electrically connecting said flashlight to said positive terminal and said negative terminal of said rechargeable cellular telephone battery, so that said rechargeable cellular telephone battery can operate said flashlight ; d) said flashlight including a housing to receive said rechargeable telephone battery, a cover to engage with said housing, a light panel mounted near a forward end of said housing, a lens cap affixed at the forward end of said housing in front of said light panel, an electrical circuit in said housing extending between said electrically connecting adjustable means and said light panel, and a switch mounted on the outside of said housing for selectively completing or opening said electrical circuit; e) means in said flashlight for electrically connecting said rechargeable cellular telephone battery to a remote electrical device through said electric circuit for permitting said rechargeable cellular telephone battery to operate the remote electrical device when said switch closes said electrical circuit; f) said housing further including a U-shaped stationary member and a rear slide member which locks into said U-shaped stationary member with said rear slide member carrying said adjustable means thereon; and g) said electrically connecting adjustable means comprising a positive adjustable contact arm having a positive contact point at a forward end, said positive adjustable contact arm being pivotally mounted at a rearward end to said rear slide member of said housing and electrically connected to said electric circuit and extending over said rechargeable battery with said positive contact point engaging said positive terminal of said rechargeable battery, and a negative adjustable contact arm spaced from and parallel to said positive contact arm having a negative contact point at a forward end, said negative adjustable contact arm being pivotally mounted at a rearward end to said rear slide member of said housing and electrically connected to said electrical circuit extending over said rechargeable cellular telephone battery with said negative contact point engaging said negative terminal of said rechargeable battery.
2. A DC power supply unit as recited in Claim 1, wherein said remote electrically connecting means includes: a) a positive external screw terminal threaded into said rear slide member of said housing and electrically connected to said electric circuit; and b) a negative external screw terminal threaded into said rear slide member of said housing and electrically connected to said electric circuit.
3. A DC power supply unit comprising: a) a flashlight; b) a rechargeable cellular telephone battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said rechargeable cellular telephone battery supported in said flashlight; c) adjustable means in said flashlight for electrically connecting said flashlight to said positive terminal and said negative terminal of said rechargeable cellular telephone battery, so that said rechargeable cellular telephone battery can operate said flashlight; d) said flashlight including a housing to receive said rechargeable cellular telephone battery, a lid hinged at a first side of said housing, a latch mechanism on said lid at a second side of said housing to keep said lid closed on said housing, a light assembly carried in a forward end of said housing, a lens mounted in the forward end of said housing in front of said light assembly, and an electric circuit in said housing extending between said electrically connecting adjustable means and said light assembly; e) a switch mounted on said housing for selectively completing or opening said electrical circuit; f) means in said flashlight for electrically connecting said rechargeable cellular telephone battery through said electrical circuit in said housing to a remote electrical device so that said rechargeable cellular telephone battery can operate the remote electrical device when said switch closes said electrical circuit ; and g) said electrically connecting adjustable means comprising a track assembly adjustably carried within said housing, said track assembly having a positive electrical strip and a negative electrical strip thereon to engage with said electric circuit in said housing, a positive contact clip having a positive contact point to slide upon said track assembly to engage with said positive electrical strip and said positive terminal of said rechargeable cellular telephone battery, and a negative contact clip having a negative contact point to slide upon said track assembly to engage with said negative electrical strip and said negative terminal of said rechargeable cellular telephone battery.
4. A DC power supply unit as recited in Claim 3, wherein said remote electrically connecting means is a jack in said housing electrically connected to said electric circuit, so that a plug from the remote electrical device can engage with said jack.
5. A DC power supply unit as recited in Claim 3, wherein said track assembly includes: a) a horizontal member having a portion of said positive electrical strip and a portion of said negative electrical strip extending therealong; b) a positive vertical member having a portion of said positive electrical strip thereon and a top hook end to engage with said electrical circuit in said housing; c) a first spring biased plunger in said positive vertical member to help firmly interlock a lower end of said positive vertical member to a first end of said horizontal member, with said portions of said positive electrical strip contacting each other; d) a negative vertical member having a portion of said negative electrical strip thereon and a top hook end to engage with said electrical circuit in said housing; and e) a second spring biased plunger in said negative vertical member to help firmly interlock a lower end of said negative vertical member to a second end of said horizontal member, with said portions of said negative electrical strip contacting each other.
Description:

DC POWER SUPPLY USING CELLULAR PHONE TECHNOLOGY Description Technical Field The instant invention relates generally to rechargeable battery systems and more specifically it relates to a DC power supply unit. The DC power supply unit is a flashlight with internal adjustable positive and negative contacts, so that the flashlight can be operated by any type of rechargeable cellular telephone battery placed therein.

The flashlight contains exterior terminals or a jack which allows for an electrical connection between the rechargeable cellular telephone Disclosure of the Invention A primary object of the present invention is to provide a DC power supply unit that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

Another object is to provide a DC power supply unit that is a flashlight with internal adjustable positive and negative contacts, so that the flashlight can be operated by any type of rechargeable cellular telephone battery placed therein.

An additional object is to provide a DC power supply unit in which the flashlight contains exterior terminals or a jack, which allows for an electrical connection between the rechargeable cellular telephone battery and other remote electrical devices.

A further object is to provide a DC power supply unit that is simple and easy to use.

A still further object is to provide a DC power supply unit that is economical in cost to manufacture.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged front perspective view of the cover, as indicated by arrow 3 in Figure 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged front perspective view of the rear slide member of the housing, as indicated by arrow 4 in Figure 2.

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 5-5 in Figure 4 FIGURE 6 is a rear perspective view, taken in the direction of arrow 6 in Figure 4.

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 7-7 in Figure 6, FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the U-shaped stationary member of the housing, taken in the direction of arrow 8 in Figure 2.

FIGURE 9 is a rear perspective view of the light panel, taken in the direction of arrow 9 in Figure 2.

FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional view of the lens cap, taken along line 10-10 in Figure 2.

FIGURE 11 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 12 is an exploded rear perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the track assembly with the positive and negative contact clips, as indicated by arrow 13 in Figure 12.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged diagrammatic top plan view of the housing, taken in the direction of arrow 14 in Figure 12.

FIGURE 15 is a further enlarged perspective view of the positive contact clip, taken in the direction of arrow 15 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 16 is a further enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 16-16 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 17 is a further enlarged perspective view of the negative contact clip, taken in the direction of arrow 17 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 18 is a cross sectional view taken along line 18-18 in Figure 17.

FIGURE 19 is a further enlarged top plan view of the horizontal member of the track assembly, taken in the direction of arrow 20 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 20 is a further enlarged bottom plan view of the horizontal member of the track assembly, taken in the direction of arrow 20 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 21 is still a further enlarged cross sectional view, taken along line 21- 21 in Figure 19.

FIGURE 22 is a still further enlarged cross sectional view, taken along line 22- 22 in Figure 19.

FIGURE 23 is a further enlarged rear elevational view of the positive vertical member of the track assembly, taken in the direction of arrow 23 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 24 is a further enlarged front elevational view of the positive vertical member of the track assembly, taken in the direction of arrow 24 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 25 is a side elevational view, taken in the direction of arrow 25 in Figure 24.

FIGURE 26 is a further enlarged front elevational view of the negative vertical member of the track assembly, taken in the direction of arrow 26 in Figure 13.

FIGURE 27 is a side elevational view, taken in the direction of arrow 27 in Figure 26.

FIGURE 28 is a further enlarged rear elevational view of the negative vertical member of the track assembly, taken in the direction of arrow 28 in Figure 13.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

.

With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.

30 DC power supply unit 32 flashlight of 30 34 rechargeable cellular telephone battery of 30 36 positive terminal of 34 38 negative terminal of 34 40 electrically connecting adjustable structure of 30 42 remote electrically connecting facility of 30 44 housing of 32 46 cover of 32 48 light panel of 32 50 lens cap of 32 52 electric circuit of 32 54 switch of 32 56 U-shaped stationary member of 44 58 rear slide member of 44 60 positive adjustable contact arm of 40 62 positive contact point on 60 e 64 negative adjustable contact arm of 40 66 negative contact point on 64 68 positive external screw terminal of 42 70 negative external screw terminal of 42 72 housing of 32 74 lid of 32 76 latch mechanism of 32 78 light assembly of 32 80 lens of 32 82 electric circuit of 32 84 switch of 32 86 track assembly of 40 88 positive electrical strip on 86 90 negative electrical strip on 86 92 positive contact clip of 40 94 positive contact point on 92 96 negative contact clip of 40 98 negative contact point on 96 100 horizontal member of 86 102 positive vertical member of 86 104 top hook end on 102 106 first spring biased plunger in 102 108 negative vertical member of 86 110 top hook end on 108 112 second spring biased plunger in 108 114 jack for 42 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, Figures 1 through 28 illustrate the present invention being a DC power supply unit 30.

The DC power supply unit 30 comprises a flashlight 32. A rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34 is provided having a positive terminal 36 and a negative terminal 38. The rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34 is supported in the flashlight 32. An adjustable structure 40 is in the flashlight 32 for electrically connecting the flashlight 32 to the positive terminal 36 and the negative terminal 38 of the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34, so that the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34 can operate the flashlight 32. A facility 42 in the flashlight 32 is for electrically connecting the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34 to a remote electrical device, so that the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34 can operate the remote electrical device.

The flashlight 32, as shown in Figures 1 through 10 includes a housing 44 to receive the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34. A cover 46 engages with the housing 44. A light panel 48 is mounted near a forward end of the housing 44. A lens cap 50 is affixed at the forward end of the housing 44 in front of the light panel 48. An electrical circuit 52 in the housing 44 extends between the electrically connecting adjustable structure 40 and the light panel 48. A switch 54 on the housing 44 is connected to the electric circuit 52 to selectively energize the light panel 48.

The housing 44 consists of a U-shaped stationary member 56 and a rear slide member 58, which locks into the U-shaped stationary member 56. The rear slide member 58 carries the electrically connecting adjustable structure 40 thereon.

The electrically connecting adjustable structure 40 comprises a positive adjustable contact arm 60, having a positive contact point 62 at a forward end. The positive adjustable contact arm 60 is pivotally mounted at a rearward end to the rear slide member 58 of the housing 44. It electrically extends to the electric circuit 52 and extends over the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34 to be moved, so that the positive contact point 62 will engage with the positive terminal 36 of the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34. A negative adjustable contact arm 64 has a negative contact point 66 at a forward end. The negative adjustable contact arm 64 is pivotally mounted at a rearward end to the rear slide member 58 of the housing 44. It is electrically connected to the electric circuit 52 and extends over the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34 to be moved, so that the negative contact point 66 will engage with the negative terminal 38 of the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34.

The remote electrically connecting facility 42, as best seen in Figure 6, includes a positive external screw terminal 68 threaded into the rear slide member 58 of the housing 44 and is electrically connected to the electric circuit 52. A negative external screw terminal 70 is threaded into the rear slide member 58 of the housing 44 and is electrically connected to the electric circuit 52.

The flashlight 32, as shown in Figures 11 through 28, includes a housing 72 to receive the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34. A lid 74 is hinged at a first side of the housing 72. A latch mechanism 76 on the lid 74 at a second side of the housing 72 keeps the lid 74 closed on the housing 72. A light assembly 78 is carried in a forward end of the housing 72. A lens 80 is mounted in the forward end of the housing 72 in front of the light assembly 78. An electric circuit 82 in the housing 72 extends between the electrically connecting adjustable structure 40 and the light assembly 78.

A switch 84 on the housing 72 is connected to the electric circuit 82 to selectively energize the light assembly 78.

The electrically connecting adjustable structure 40 includes a track assembly 86 adjustably carried within the housing 72. The track assembly 86 has a positive electrical strip 88 and a negative electrical strip 90 thereon, to engage with the electric circuit 82 in the housing 72. A positive contact clip 92 has a positive contact point 94, to slide upon the track assembly 86 to engage with the positive electrical strip 88 and the positive terminal 36 of the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34. A negative contact clip 96 has a negative contact point 98, to slide upon the track assembly 86 to engage with the negative electrical strip 90 and the negative terminal 38 of the rechargeable cellular telephone battery 34.

The track assembly 86 consists of a horizontal member 100 having a portion of the positive electrical strip 88 and a portion of the negative electrical strip 90 extending therealong. A positive vertical member 102 has a portion of the positive electrical strip 88 thereon and a top hook end 104 to engage with the electrical circuit 82 in the housing 72. A first spring biased plunger 106 is in the positive vertical member 102 to help firmly interlock a lower end of the positive vertical member 102 to a first end of the horizontal member 100, with the portions of the positive electrical strip 88 contacting each other.

A negative vertical member 108 has a portion of the negative electrical strip 90 thereon and a top hook end 110, to engage with the electrical circuit 82 in the housing 72. A second spring biased plunger 112 is in the negative vertical member 108 to help firmly interlock a lower end of the negative vertical member 108 to a second end of the horizontal member 100, with the portions of the negative electrical strip 90 contacting each other. The remote electrically connecting facility 42 is a jack 114 in the housing 72 electrically connected to the electric circuit 82, so that a plug from the remote electrical device can engage with the jack 114.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.