Power supply with plug-receiving receptacles carried on bracket affixed to battery casing

[0002] The present invention relates to portable power supplies for providing power to DC-operated equipment, and more particularly to a versatile carrying pouch including a 12 volt battery with attached receptacles for supply of DC power to and from the battery.

[0003] The proliferation of portable electronic devices which operate on DC has led to the provision of likewise portable DC power supplies which may be used to-operate such equipment and/or to recharge the batteries thereof. Examples of such devices are laptop and notebook computers, cellular telephones, portable CD and audio tape players, and portable video equipment. Often one or more charging cords are provided with the purchase of such equipment to permit operation and/or recharging the batteries thereof from an AC outlet or from a car battery via the cigarette lighter receptacle.

[0004] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a portable DC power supply having novel and improved structural features.

[0005] A further object is to provide a portable DC power system including a versatile carrying case having a compartment for a battery of convenient size with easily accessible receptacles for supply of power to and from the battery as well as compartments for other uses.

[0006] Another object is to provide a portable DC power system wherein receptacles for transmitting DC power both from and to a battery physically accessible only upon opening a compartment of a carrying case wherein the battery is mounted.

[0007] Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

[0008] The present invention includes a commercially available storage battery of the lead-acid type in a plastic casing of box-like configuration. In the disclosed embodiment, the battery has a 12 volt output at 2.9 ampere-hours. An L-shaped bracket is affixed to one side of the battery casing with one leg of the bracket extending outwardly from that side. The outwardly extending leg has a pair of openings in which are respectively mounted a first receptacle corresponding in size and configuration to a standard automobile cigarette lighter receptacle, and a second receptacle sized and configured to accept a conventional charging connector.

[0009] The battery is mounted within, and preferably affixed to, an internal compartment of a carrying case of flexible fabric. Although the carrying case may take any of a wide variety of configurations, it preferably includes a plurality of zippered, or otherwise selectively closured, compartments one of which contains the internal compartment for the battery. Relative dimensions are such that a portion of the battery extends above the upper edge of the internal compartment wherein it is mounted and the outwardly extending leg of the bracket is substantially flush with the upper edge of the internal compartment, offering unobstructed access to the two receptacles while concealing all or most of the wires connecting the receptacles to one another and to the battery terminals. A fuse is placed in the positive lead from the lighter receptacle to the battery terminal and is positioned in a holder accessible on the side of the battery opposite the receptacles. A diode is positioned in the lead from the charging receptacle to the positive side of the battery.

[0010] Electrical leads with suitable connectors at opposite ends are preferably provided with the portable power supply and, when not in use, stored in one or more of the compartments of the carrying case. One such lead has a plug on one end matable with a cigarette lighter receptacle on one end and a connector matable with a charging receptacle on the other end. This lead may be used for supplying power either to or from the portable battery. That is, the plug may be inserted into the lighter receptacle of the portable power supply and the connector into the charging receptacle of the portable electronic equipment to provide operating and/or charging power to the latter; alternatively, the plug may be inserted into the lighter receptacle of a vehicle and the connector into the charging receptacle of the portable power supply to charge the battery thereof from the vehicle battery. A second such lead has on one end a connector matable with the charging receptacle of the portable power supply and on the other end an AC-DC converter with prongs for insertion into a standard AC outlet for charging the battery of the portable power supply. A third such lead may be provided, having plugs on both ends for respective insertion into the lighter receptacles of both the portable power supply and a vehicle for purposes of supplying DC power to a vehicle having a dead battery; although the power provided would probably not be sufficient to start the vehicle, it could operate the emergency flashers or other low-power electrical elements of the vehicle for a limited time.

[0011] The foregoing and other features of construction and operation of the invention will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the carrying case of the portable power supply of the present invention, with all external compartments in closed positions, as seen from front and rear sides, respectively;

[0013] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the carrying case from the front and rear sides, respectively with the external compartments in opened or partially opened positions, the upper portions of the battery, bracket and fuse holder being seen in FIG. 4 within an internal compartment;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery and associated elements, removed from the carrying case;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic of the circuitry of the portable power supply; and

[0016] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of three types of electrical leads for use with the portable power supply.

[0017] The carrying case component of the portable power supply is indicated generally in FIGS. 1-4 by reference numeral 10. Case 10 is constructed of heavy-duty, flexible fabric and includes various zippered closures, clips, brackets, etc. Carrying strap 12, of adjustable length, is releasably connected to case 10. An external compartment in the nature of a pocket on the front side of case 10 is closed by flap 14 which is releasably secured by clip 16. Another compartment or pocket, fitted with zipper 17, is provided within flap 14. A further, externally accessible compartment on the front side is opened and closed by zipper 18. An externally accessible. compartment on the rear side is provided by flap 20 which is releasably secured to the body of case 10 by zipper 22. Fabric strip 24 is stitched along upper and lower sides to the outer surface of flap 20 and is open on both sides for passage of a belt or other waist carrying strap (not shown).

[0018] As seen in FIG. 4, opening of flap 20 provides access to a plurality of internal compartments including open-topped pockets 26 and 28 on the inner surface of flap 20 and on the facing surface of partition layer 30, respectively. Relatively small pocket 32, closable by Velcro-secured flap 34, and elongated compartments 36 for pens, pencils, etc. are provided on the outer surface of pocket 28. Although the number and location of the various compartments and pockets may be varied as desired, carrying case 10 preferably includes a plurality of both externally and internally accessible pockets for convenient storage and transport of not only electrical components of the portable power supply, but also many other items of diverse purposes. In any event, it is preferred that the battery itself, and components mounted thereon, be mounted in an internal compartment of case 10, accessible by opening a releasably secured external compartment.

[0019] Turning now to FIG. 5, the storage battery, denoted by reference numeral 40, of the portable power supply is illustrated separately from the carrying case. Battery 40 is of a commercially available type, contained within a six-sided, boxlike, plastic casing having external dimensions H. W and T on the order of 17.5 cm, 4.5 cm, and 3.3 cm, respectively. One leg 42 of a rigid, L-shaped bracket is securely attached to one of the side walls of battery 40 and the other leg 44 extends outwardly therefrom. A pair of receptacles 46 and 48 are mounted in registration with respective openings in leg 44. Receptacle 46 corresponds in construction and configuration to a standard vehicle cigarette lighter receptacle for receiving a compatible plug. Receptacle 48 is also of conventional design, sized to accept a standard power-transmitting connector. It will be noted that legs 42 and 44 have a width essentially equal to dimension T of battery 40, and the upper surface of leg 44 is spaced distance D from upper wall 40aof battery 40.

[0020] Positive and negative leads 50 and 52 are electrically connected at opposite ends to the positive and negative terminals, respectively, of each of receptacle 46 and battery 40. Leads 54 and 56 are electrically connected at opposite ends to corresponding terminals of receptacles 46 and 48. As seen in the schematic of FIG. 6, fuse 58 (e.g., 20 amp) is connected in positive lead 50, between receptacle 46 and the positive terminal of battery 40, and diode 60 is inserted in lead 54, between charging receptacle 48 and the positive terminal of the battery. The fuse is positioned in fuse holder 59, seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Lead 54, or-at least the portion thereof including diode 60, is preferably enclosed by shrink wrap tubing. Plastic cap 61, connected to leg 44 of the bracket by flexible tether strap 63, is provided for frictional fit into the open end of receptacle 46 to prevent entry of foreign matter when the receptacle is not in use.

[0021] Referring again to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the lower portion of battery 40 is contained in pocket 28. Relative dimensions of the pocket and battery are such that the upper portion of the battery extends distance D above the upper edge of the pocket. Thus, the upper surface of leg 44 is substantially flush with the upper edge of pocket 28. The width of the pocket is sufficient to accommodate battery 40 and bracket leg 44 with space on the side opposite the leg to receive fuse holder 59. It will be understood that lead 50 is of sufficient length to permit fuse holder 59 to be withdrawn from pocket 28 for replacement of fuse 58.

[0022] Thus, with flap 20 open, the openings in leg 44 communicating with receptacles 46 and 48 are conveniently positioned for manual insertion and withdrawal of plugs and connectors. Essentially all of the wiring and terminals are contained and concealed within pocket 28. It is preferred that battery 40 and associated components, with the exception of fuse holder 58, be permanently (or at least semi-permanently) affixed to case 10, e.g., by a suitable adhesive securing the upper edge of pocket 28 to the opposing surface of the battery casing and the forward edge of the bracket, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the components and electrical connections which may occur in removing and handling such components. Added protection is provided by permitting access to the receptacles only by opening an external compartment of the carrying case, i.e., by mounting all electrical components in an internal compartment.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, electrical leads with various connector means on opposite ends, for use with, or as a part of, the portable power supply, are illustrated. Lead 62 has plug 64 and connector 66 mounted on opposite ends thereof. Plug 64 may be inserted in receptacle 46 and connector 66 inserted into the external power receptacle of an item of equipment powered by 12 volts DC to provide power from battery 40 to operate the equipment and/or to charge the battery or batteries which normally operate such equipment. Alternatively, plug 64 may be inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle of a motor vehicle with a 12 volt battery, and connector 66 inserted into receptacle 48 to provide charging power from the vehicle battery to battery 40.

[0024] Lead 68 (FIG. 8) is connected at one end to AC-DC converter 70 and at the other end to connector 72. Prongs or blades 74 extend from converter 70 for insertion in a standard 110/115 volt AC wall outlet. Connector 72 is inserted in receptacle 48 to effect charging of battery 40 from the AC power of the outlet, which is converted to 12 volts DC by converter 70.

[0025] In FIG. 9, lead 76 is shown with plugs 78 and 80 connected to opposite ends thereof. Plugs 78 and 80 are identical, configured for mating engagement with receptacle 46 and the lighter receptacle of a motor vehicle, thereby providing power from battery 40 to the electrical system of the vehicle. Although, as previously mentioned, the power from battery 40 would not be sufficient to start the engine of a vehicle with a dead battery, situations could arise wherein provision of such power is useful, e.g., for operating the emergency flashing lights on the vehicle, or a cellular phone or radio normally powered by the vehicle battery.

[0026] From the foregoing, it will be understood that the present invention provides a convenient, low-cost, reliable and efficient power source with unlimited portability for operating equipment with a 12 volt power input. Such equipment is commonly provided with internally or externally mounted batteries and the power supply of the present invention may also be used to recharge such batteries. In fact, when the present power supply is connected to, e.g., a cellular telephone, it will simultaneously provide-operating power to the phone and charging power to the phone's battery. Furthermore, operating/recharging power may be provided to the external device even while battery 40 itself is receiving charging power. At the current state of battery technology, batteries provided for operation of typical laptop computers typically have a rating of 1 to 2 ampere-hours and will operate the computer for a maximum of perhaps one or two hours. The portable power supply of the present invention may use a low-cost, lead-acid battery well within present battery production technology having ratings of 2, 2.3 or 2.5 ampere-hours or greater to extend the operating life of the computer to 6 hours before its own batteries and that of the portable power supply are exhausted.