United States Patent [19]
`Tsang
`
`US005780993A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,780,993
`Jul. 14, 1998
`
`[54] COMBINATION BATTERY CHARGER AND
`POWER SOURCE FOR ELECTRICALLY
`POWERED DEVICES
`
`[76] Inventor: John Moong Hung Tsang. 5947 King
`Hill Dr.. Farmington. NY. 14425
`
`[21] Appl. N0.: 560,322
`[22] Filed:
`Nov. 17, 1995
`
`[51] Int. Cl.6 .................................................. .. H01M 10/46
`[52] U.S.Cl. ........................................... .. 320/111; 320/112
`[58] Field of Search .................................. .. 320/2. 15. 56.
`320/107. 110. 111. 112. 137. 101. 104,
`155; D13/103. 107-108; 429/96-100
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4.211.968
`
`7/1980 Sugalski .................................... .. 320/2
`
`
`
`4,611,160 4,636,703
`
`
`
`9/1986 Camens .... .. 111987 Tohya et a1.
`
`5.136.229
`
`8/1992 Galvin .......... ..
`
`
`
`5,160,879 11/1992 Tortola et a1. 5,226,540 7/1993 Bradbury ..... ..
`
`
`
`
`
`5,304,917 5,333,176
`
`
`
`4/1994 Somerville 7/1994 Burke et a1.
`
`..
`
`5,423,083
`5,522,943
`5.525.888
`
`6/1995 Stellmach .............................. .. 455/127
`6/1996 Spencer eta].
`..
`6/1996 Toy-a .......................................... .. 320/2
`
`Primary Examiner—-Edward Tso
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Cumpston & Shaw
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`A combination charger and power source for an electrically
`powered device having a removable battery pack that has
`one or more batteries enclosed within a battery pack case
`having a mechanical connector for removably mechanically
`attaching the battery pack to the device and an electrical
`connector for electrically connecting batteries within the
`case to the device when the battery pack is mechanically
`attached to the device comprises a case having a mechanical
`connector adapted to engage the mechanical connector of
`the battery pack for attaching the battery pack to the charger.
`an electrical connector adapted to make an electrical con
`nection to the battery pack when the battery pack is attached
`to the charger. a recess in the case and an integral plug in the
`recess and pivotally attached to the case for movement
`between an extended position permitting the charger to be
`plugged directly into a conventional AC connector. and a
`recessed position in which the plug is disposed substantially
`within the recess in the case.
`
`5,418,445
`
`5/1995 Alpert et a]. ............................ .. 320/14
`
`9 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 1
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 1993
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`Sheet 1 of4
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`5,780,993
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`FIG. 2
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 2
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 14, 1998
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`Sheet 2 0f 4
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`5,780,993
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`F/G3
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`F/G6
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`22
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`:20
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`54/
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`FIG. 4
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`F/G5
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 3
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 14, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`5,780,993
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 4
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 14, 1998
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`Sheet 4 0f 4
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`5,780,993
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 5
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`

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`1
`COMBINATION BATTERY CHARGER AND
`POWER SOURCE FOR ELECTRICALLY
`POWERED DEVICES
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to battery chargers. and
`more particularly to a one piece wall mountable battery
`charger and adapter for receiving a battery pack of the type
`that is adapted to be removably attached to a battery pow
`ered item. such as a cellular telephone or video camera or the
`like.
`Battery chargers for removable battery packs for cellular
`telephones. video cameras and the like are known. However.
`known chargers are not as convenient as is desirable for a
`number of reasons. Some such chargers allow the battery
`pack to be slid into place in a charger in a manner that
`permits the batteries to be charged while still attached to the
`device on which it is normally used. Other chargers have an
`electrical connector with a cord for attaching to the battery
`pack for charging. Chargers known to applicant all include
`a conventional ?exible power cord with a plug at one end for
`attaching the charger to a power source. such as a conven
`tional AC connector. either in a wall or at the end of an
`extension cord.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a battery charger
`and power source for an electrically powered device that is
`more convenient. has fewer parts and is more ?exible in its
`operation than those known before.
`In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of
`the invention. a combination charger and power source for
`an electrically powered device having a removable battery
`pack that has one or more batteries enclosed within a battery
`pack case having a mechanical connector for removably
`mechanically attaching the battery pack to the device and an
`electrical connector for electrically connecting batteries
`within the case to the device when the battery pack is
`mechanically attached to the device comprises a case having
`a mechanical connector adapted to engage the mechanical
`connector of the battery pack for attaching the battery pack
`to the charger. an electrical connector adapted to make an
`electrical connection to the battery pack when the battery
`pack is attached to the charger. a recess in the case and an
`integral plug in the recess and pivotally attached to the case
`for movement between an extended position permitting the
`charger to be plugged directly into a conventional AC
`45
`connector. and a recessed position in which the plug is
`disposed substantially within the recess in the case.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention. the
`combination charger and power source includes a connector
`for supplying power from a battery attached to the charger
`directly to the device. or supplying power from the source to
`the device when no battery is attached. or the battery has
`insu?icient charge to operate the device.
`In accordance with still another aspect of the invention.
`the integral plug has ?at bladed connectors for attachment to
`a U.S. style electrical connector. and includes an adapter
`having a female adapter connected to receive the integral
`plug and a male connector having round pins adapted to be
`plugged into a European style electrical outlet. the adapter
`being sized to be received within the recess of the case of the
`combination charger and power source while attached to the
`integral plug. when the plug is in the recessed position.
`In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention. the
`combination charger and power source includes an adapter
`that can be connected to the connector for permitting a
`second battery pack to be connected to the charger for
`charging simultaneously with the ?rst battery pack.
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`2
`In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention.
`the combination charger and power source of claim 1
`comprises a power converter for converting either AC or DC
`power connected to the integral plug to power for charging
`the battery and for powering the device. The combination
`charger and power source is preferably sized to be portable
`and even hand held.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The novel aspects of this invention are set forth with
`particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself.
`together with further objects and advantages thereof may be
`readily comprehended by reference to the following detailed
`description of a presently preferred embodiment of the
`invention. taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawing. in which:
`FIG. 1 is a side-elevation of a combination charger and
`power source in accordance with the invention:
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof showing the battery pack
`in place;
`FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof showing the integral
`plug in its recessed position;
`FIG. 4 is a side elevation thereof showing me recessed
`plug in its extended position and also showing the adapter
`therefor;
`FIG. 5 is a side elevation thereof showing the plug in its
`extended position with the adapter connected thereto;
`FIG. 6 is an end elevation showing the adapter in place
`with the plug pivoted to the recessed position;
`FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of an
`invention having a UK style plug;
`FIG. 8 is a side elevation thereof with the plug extended;
`FIG. 9 is a side elevation thereof with the plug retracted;
`FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof with the plug
`retracted;
`FIG. 11 is a front view thereof with the plug extended;
`FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of a charger/power source
`in accordance with this invention having a dual plug
`assembly. a UK style plug and a US/European style plug;
`FIG. 13 is an end elevation thereof with the UK plug
`extended;
`FIG. 14 is an end elevation thereof with the US/European
`style plug extended;
`FIG. 15 is an end elevation thereof with the US style plug
`extended and the European style adapter removed there
`from;
`FIG. 16 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment
`of the invention having a removable solar powered energy
`source attached thereto; and
`FIG. 17 is a simpli?ed schematic diagram of the charger/
`power source of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring now to FIG. 1. a combination charger and
`power source 10 for an electrically powered device having
`a removable battery pack includes a generally rectangular
`case 16 preferably formed from a durable non-conductive
`plastic material in two parts. a bottom part 18 carrying a
`pivotal plug 20 and a top part 22 which is preferably
`connected to the bottom part 18 by screws or other fasteners
`such as ultrasonic bonding. chemical adhesives not shown
`for clarity. Top part 22 includes a recess 24 for receiving a
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 6
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`5.780.993
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`3
`battery pack 26 in mechanical engagement therewith.
`Preferably. charger 10 includes ?rst and second mechanical
`connectors 30 and 32 that are adapted to engage correspond
`ing connectors 34 and 36 on the battery pack for holding the
`battery pack on the charger/power source. These connectors
`per se form no part of the invention. and di?erent battery
`packs will require different connectors from those shown
`and described. Preferably. the battery pack includes a lock
`40 seen most clearly in FIG. 2. which holds the battery pack
`in place on the charger. and also holds the battery pack in
`place on the device on which it is normally used. such as a
`cellular telephone. Battery charge status indicators 23. 25
`may be provided to give a visual indication of the state of
`charge of the battery pack. and to indicate that the charger
`is powered from an external source.
`Plug 20 is preferably mounted in a generally rectangular
`recess 44 formed in the lower section 18 of the charger.
`Preferably plug 20 is pivotal around an axis 46. which may
`be a conventional pivot pin. or the combination of a pro
`jection extending from the plug and a recess in the case or
`the analog of this or any similar construction. Plug 20 is
`shown in FIG. 1 with an optional adapter attached thereto.
`as will be described in more detail in connection with FIGS.
`4 and 5.
`Preferably an auxiliary input connector 41 is provided in
`a sidewall of bottom part 18 of case 16 to allow an external
`DC power source such as a vehicle battery or a solar
`powered DC supply to be connected to the combination
`charger and power source when an AC supply is not avail
`able.
`Referring now to FIG. 3. a bottom plan view of the device
`shows plug 20 and adapter 50 pivoted to a recessed position
`within recess 44 of bottom portion 18 of case 10. Preferably
`adapter 50 and plug 20 have cooperating locking elements
`52 for ?xing adapter 50 in engagement with plug 20.
`Adapter 50 has ?rst and second generally round electrical
`contact pins 54 and 56 adapted to engage a standard Euro
`pean style plug. As shown in FIG. 4. plug 20 is provided
`with ?rst and second generally ?at blade style pins 60 and
`62 adapted to engage a conventional U.S. style electrical
`connector. Adapter 50 is preferably provided with two ?at
`blade style receptacles not visible in FIG. 4. for receiving
`pins 60 and 62.
`FIG. 5 shows adapter 50 installed on plug 20. and pivoted
`to the extended position for attaching the charger to a
`European style connector.
`FIG. 6 shows an end elevation view of adapter 50 attached
`to plug 20 and pivoted to the recessed con?guration within
`the bottom portion 18 of housing 10.
`FIGS. 7-11 show an alternative embodiment of the inven
`tion with a single UK connector con?guration. FIG. 7 is a
`bottom plan view of the device showing the three terminals
`100. 102 and 104 in a retracted con?guration. Terminals 100
`and 102 are preferably blade shaped terminals arranged with
`a cross sectional dimension transverse to the major axis of
`the case 16. Terminal 104 is preferably a blade shaped
`connection arranged orthogonally to connectors 100 and
`102. FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the con?guration of FIG.
`7. with the connectors moved to an extended position. and
`FIG. 9 shows the same view as FIG. 8. but with the
`connector retracted.
`FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of one end of the adapter
`with the blade shaped connectors 100. 102 and 104
`extended. and FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the entire adapter
`with the connectors extended
`FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of an adapter in accordance
`with this invention that includes each in a separate recess. a
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`UK style connector. and a US style connector with a
`European style adapter attached to the US style connector.
`The UK style connectors 100. 102 and 104 are substantially
`identical to the like numbered connectors shown or
`described in connection with FIGS. 7-11. The US style
`connector 20 and European adapter with pins 54 and 56 are
`substantially identical to those shown and described in
`connection with FIG. 3.
`FIG. 13 is an end elevation of the adapter of FIG. 12. with
`the UK style connector extended. and the European style
`connector retracted FIG. 14 is an end elevation of the
`adapter of FIG. 12 with the European style adapter at?xed to
`the US style connector. and extended.
`FIG. 15 is an end elevation of the adapter of FIG. 12. with
`the US style connector extended and the European plug
`adapter removed therefrom. FIG. 15 is taken from the
`opposite side from FIG. 14. It is also understood the adapter
`could include a standard Australian style plug format.
`FIG. 16 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the
`invention having a removable solar powered power source.
`A generally ?at array of solar cells is adapted to be mounted
`to the rear of K16 by way of a plurality of projections 122.
`124 and 126 that are adapted to engage cooperatively styled
`recesses formed in the face of K16. Preferably. at least two
`of the projections 122 and 126 also provide electrical
`connections between the solar cell panel and the circuitry
`inside the case. while the third projection 124 engages a
`switch not shown within the case for preventing power from
`the power supply within the case from being applied to the
`solar cells. Battery pack 26 engages the housing in precisely
`the same way already described in connection with FIGS. 1
`and 2. The solar panel is mechanically connectable to the
`charger by the projections 122. 124. 126. as well as a friction
`?t. slide and/or lock mechanism. or other mechanical
`engagements known in the art. In addition. the charger and
`solar panel may include electrical contacts to electrically
`connect the components upon mechanical connection.
`Alternatively. a jump cable may run from the solar panel to
`the DC input of the charge.
`FIG. 17 is a simpli?ed schematic diagram of the electrical
`portion of a combination charger/power source in accor
`dance with this invention. A power converter 70 is connected
`to input pins 60 and 62 for receiving an AC or DC power
`signal. Alternatively. an external DL power source can be
`connected to connector 41. A vehicle battery or solar power
`source can be employed for this purpose. Power converter
`70 produces a DC or quasi-DC signal at positive terminal 72
`and negative terminal 74. which is connected to the respec
`tive positive and negative terminals of a single or multi-cell
`battery 78 for charging the battery light emitting diode 25.
`and current limiting resistor 27 provides an indication that
`power is being applied to the battery. Positive and negative
`outputs of power converter 70 are also connected through a
`diode 80 to output terminals 82 and 84 for connection to the
`battery operated device for providing operating power to the
`device or to an external battery that can be charged simul
`taneously with battery 78. Diode 80 permits the external
`device to be powered by battery 78 if power converter 70 is
`unplugged or fails. Preferably. a voltage measuring circuit
`29 and an indicator lamp 23 are provided to provide an
`indication that the battery pack is fully charged.
`While the invention has been described in connection
`with a presently preferred embodiment thereof. those skilled
`in the art will recognize that many modi?cations and
`changes may be made therein without departing from the
`truth and scope of the invention. which accordingly is
`intended to be de?ned fully by the appended claims.
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 7
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`

`

`What is claimed is:
`l. A combination charger and power source for an elec
`trically powered device having a removable battery pack
`that includes one or more batteries enclosed within a case
`having a mechanical connector for removably mechanically
`attaching the battery pack to the device. and an electrical
`connector for electrically connecting the batteries to the
`device when the battery pack is mechanically attached to the
`device. comprising:
`a case having a mechanical connector adapted to engage
`the mechanical connector of the battery pack to attach
`the battery pack to the charger;
`an electrical connector adapted to make an electrical
`connection to the battery pack when the battery pack is
`attached to the charger;
`a recess in the case;
`an integral plug in the recess and pivotally attached to the
`case for movement between an extended position per
`mitting the charger to be plugged directly into a con
`ventional AC connector. and a recessed position sub
`stantially within the recess; and
`a connector for supplying power from a battery attached
`to the charger directly to the device. for supplying
`power from the power source to the device when no
`battery is attached. or the battery has insu?icient charge
`to operate the device.
`2. The combination charger and power source of claim 1
`in which the integral plug comprises a plug having ?at
`bladed connectors for attachment to a US style electrical
`connector. and also comprising an adapter having a female
`connector adapted to receive the integral plug. and a male
`connector adapted to be plugged into a European style
`electrical outlet. the adapter being sized to be received in the
`recess of the case of the combination charger and power
`source while attached to the integral plug. when the plug is
`in the recessed position.
`3. The combination charger and power source of claim 1
`comprising a power converter for converting either ac or dc
`power connected to the integral plug to power for charging
`the battery and for powering the device.
`4. The combination charger and power source of claim 1
`comprising an array of photo voltaic cells detachably
`mounted to the case. and an electrical connection on the case
`for making electrical contact to the array when the array is
`mounted on the case for allowing the array of photo voltaic
`cells to charge the battery.
`5. The combination charger and power source of claim 1
`comprising an electrical connector on the case connected to
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`the battery pack when the battery pack is mounted on the
`case for allowing the battery pack to be charged from an
`external direct current power source.
`6. The combination charger and power source of claim 1
`comprising an indicator light on the case for indicating the
`state of charge of a battery pack mounted on the case.
`7. The combination charger and power source of claim 1
`comprising an indicator light on the case for indicating that
`a battery pack on the case is being charged.
`8. The combination charger and power source of claim 1
`comprising a second recess and a second integral plug in the
`recess and pivotally mounted to the case for movement
`between an extended position permitting the charger to be
`plugged directly into a conventional AC connector of a
`di?erent type from the ?rst connector. and a recessed
`position substantially within the recess.
`9. A combination charger and power source for an elec
`trically powered device having a removable battery pack
`that includes one or more batteries enclosed within a case
`having a mechanical connector for removably mechanically
`attaching the battery pack to the device. and an electrical
`connector for electrically connecting the batteries to the
`device when the battery pack is mechanically attached to the
`device. comprising:
`a case having a mechanical connector adapted to engage
`the mechanical connector of the battery pack to attach
`the battery pack to the charger;
`an electrical connector adapted to make an electrical
`connection to the battery pack when the battery pack is
`attached to the charger;
`a recess in the case; and
`an integral plug in the recess pivotally attached to the case
`for movement between an extended position permitting
`the charger to be plugged directly into a conventional
`AC connector. in a recessed position substantially
`within the recess. wherein the integral plug comprises
`a plug having ?at bedded connectors for attachment to
`a US style electrical connector. and also comprising an
`adapter having a female connector adapted to receive
`the integral plug. and a male connector adapted to be
`plugged into a European style electrical outlet. the
`adapter being sized to be received in the recess of the
`case of the combination charger and power source
`while attached to the integral plug when the plug is in
`the recessed position.
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`* *
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`* *
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`*
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`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1009 p. 8
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