Abstract:
A space saving automobile appliance, is disclosed comprising a housing with an internal volume. Within the inner volume is a rechargeable battery for receiving power from a recharging source and for storing the power from said recharging source, and for outputting power stored in the rechargeable battery. Further within the inner volume is an electrical circuit coupled to the rechargeable battery, an external device that receives power and an power supply to recharge said battery. More specifically in one embodiment of the present invention, the battery is a the cadmium, or the metal hydride type. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the automobile appliance further comprises a light capable of motion to allow the light to be directed in a given direction. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the automobile appliance contains a strap that is adjustable in length.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an appliance of the type which may perform multiple functions, for example during an emergency situation in an automobile, including use as a power source for starting cars with dead batteries, assisting in a repair operation and providing power to devices that run on an automobile&#39;s twelve-volt outlet. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not applicable.) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automobile battery charging devices have been known in the art for some time. In recent years many automotive stores offer a battery device that can be kept charged to be in use in the event that a person&#39;s car battery goes dead. During use, the device is plugged into the cigarette lighter of the car, and is used to provide the power necessary to start to the engine. However, if the battery goes dead in a dark place, the car&#39;s lights cannot be used to assist in finding the device and the proper receptacles, since the car battery is dead. 
     Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) rechargeable batteries have been used for some time for relatively low power application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A space saving automobile appliance comprising a housing with an internal volume is disclosed. A rechargeable battery within the inner volume receives power from a recharging source and stores the power from the recharging source, and outputs power stored in the rechargeable battery. An electrical circuit is coupled to the rechargeable battery. An external device is used to recharge the battery. More specifically in one embodiment of the present invention, the rechargeable battery is of the cadmium, or the metal hydride type. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the automobile appliance further comprises a light capable of motion to allow the light to be directed in a given direction. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the automobile appliance contains a strap that is adjustable in length. 
     The rechargeable battery can be recharged using a cigarette lighter or equivalent, or with an alternating current attachment. 
     In addition, the appliance has a port for outputting direct current at multiple, user selected voltages to an electronic device. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the user has the options of three-volt, six-volt or a nine-volt output. 
     Further, a light source mounted on the inventive appliance can be coupled to the rechargeable battery through the electrical circuit. Depending on the motion coupling mechanism used, the light may be moved in one plane, two planes or may be angularly deflectable with the use of a goose neck connection. If the light only has motion in one plane, then in the alternative embodiment that further comprises a strap, the light source housing rotates along an axis of rotation generally extending in the same direction as the strap the appliance is hanging from the shoulder of a user. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment, a switch having an “on” setting, an “off” setting and a flashing setting to turn the light on, off, and intermittently on. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the strap has first and second ends, the first end of the strap is secured at a first point on the housing, and the second end of the strap is secured to a second point on the housing. Because of the distance between the first and second points on the housing, when the strap is displaced by being slid along the shoulder of a user, when hanging from the shoulder of the user, this results in varying the pitch at which the inventive appliance hangs. These variations in pitch complement variations in yaw enabled by rotation of the rotatably mounted housing which houses a light mounted on the appliance. 
     In addition to the above, the strap may be adjusted in length whereby the position at which the appliance hangs from the shoulder of a user may be varied, whereby adjustments in pitch, yaw and point origination may be made by adjustment of the strap position, the light source housing, and the strap length, respectively, for the purpose of precisely controlling the illumination of a particular area, for example in an engine, which is being repaired by the user. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Several embodiments of the invention and ways of making and using the invention, as well as the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention, are described in detail below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment according to present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a magnified view of a DC output power switch to be used in accordance of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the AC power connector to be used in accordance of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the male to male twelve-volt connector to be used in accordance of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the DC output connector and multiple adaptors to be used in accordance of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a magnified view of the DC output connector and an adaptor of FIG. 7, showing how the two parts connect; 
     FIG. 9 is a top perspective view an alternative embodiment of the present invention, with the addition of a movable light; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9; 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 are magnified views showing the grooves and indentations of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, with the addition of a strap member; 
     FIG. 14 is a magnified view of the support member for the strap of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, with the addition of a strap member; 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 except the light is capable of motion in two planes; 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of the light and motion coupler of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16; and 
     FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, except the light is coupled to the housing using a gooseneck connector. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which illustrate examples of the invention. Such examples, however, are not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore, reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention. 
     As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the inventive appliance serves as an automobile starter and direct current (“DC”) appliance  10 . Appliance  10  has a top housing member  12  and a bottom housing member  14 , fastened together by any means common in the art, such as fasteners, clips, adhesive, welding, or, as in the preferred embodiment, by four screws  16 . Appliance  10  is compact in size, with a length of 22.5 cm, a width of 5.2 cm and a height of 5.0 cm, and weighs 730 grams. 
     Disposed on the top surface  18  of the inventive power source is a three way switch  20 , an alternating current (“AC”) charging indicator  22 , and a battery charge indicator  24 . Switch  20  has an output position, an off position and a battery read position. 
     AC charging indicator  22  can be of any type of indicator common in the art, such as a sound generating device, or a visual signaling device, such as a solid or flashing light. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, AC charging indicator is a light  22 , which takes the form of a light-emitting diode or “LED”. When light  22  is illuminated, it is indicating that the battery is being charged and, accordingly, the user knows that further charging is required. 
     It is noted that the implementation of the circuitry employed by the appliance of the present invention is of a routine nature and its design is well within the scope of what is easily implemented by an electronic designer of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Battery charge indicator  24  can be any type of indicator common in the art, such as a sound generating device or visual signaling device. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, battery charge indicator  24  is made up of three LED&#39;s, one labeled empty  26 , one labeled half charge  28  and one labeled full charge  30 . Indicators  26 - 30  can be of the same colors or of different colors. In the preferred embodiment, empty indicator  26  is lit red when the voltage in the battery drops below 12.2 volts, half-charged indicator  28  is illuminated yellow when the voltage in the battery is between 12.3 and 13.4 volts and the full indicator glows green when the battery has a charge of 13.5 volts. 
     Top surface  18  can optionally have a label  32  affixed to it. Front surface  34 , which is made up of a portion of top housing member  12  and bottom housing member  14 , has a DC output switch  36  and a DC output connector  38 . DC output switch  36  is a four position switch with positions labeled, off position  40 , three-volt position  42 , six- volt position  44 , and nine-volt position  46 , as is illustrated in FIG.  2 . Referring to FIG. 3, bottom surface  48  of bottom housing member  14  can optionally have a label affixed to it. 
     Rear surface  50 , which is made up of a portion of top housing member  12  and bottom housing member  14 , supports a twelve-volt DC outlet  52  with an optional cover  54 , mounted on a plastic living hinge  55  which connects it to a support  57  which is secured to the body of the housing (FIG. 4) and an electrical connector  56  used to couple the input of appliance  10  to an AC charger. 
     As is illustrated in FIG. 4, top housing member  12  and bottom housing member  14  houses all of the parts mentioned above, and in addition houses a rechargeable battery  58 , and a printed circuit board  60 . Printed circuit board  60  controls all of the electronic functions of the appliance  10  as will be described in detail below. 
     In the preferred embodiment, battery  58  is a nickel cadmium (“NiCad”) type, twelve volt, 1.5 ampere-hour battery. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, battery  58  can be a metal hydride battery. 
     AC charge indicator  22  and battery charge indicator  24  are disposed on the top of circuit board  60 . 
     AC charge indicator  22  is electrically attached to circuit board  60 . Circuit board  60  is, in turn, electrically connected to battery  58 . Circuit board  60  contains circuitry to cause AC charge indicator  22  to indicate that battery  58  is receiving a normal charge from an AC charger connected to electrical connector  56 , which is coupled to circuit board  60 . Circuit board  60  is electrically connected to battery charge indicators  24  and three-way switch  20 . Circuit board  60  has electronic circuitry to cause the applicable one of battery charge indicators  24  to indicate whether battery  58  substantially has no charge, a half charge, or a full charge. 
     Battery  58  is electrically connected to AC charger connector  56  (FIG.  5 ). An AC charger  62  can be connected to electrical connector  56 . 
     Battery  58  is also electrically connected to twelve volt DC outlet  52  and three-way switch  20 . A male to male power coupling car cord assembly  64  (FIG. 6) can be connected to twelve-volt D.C. outlet  52 . Male to male car cord assembly  64  has on the outer surface of one of its ends a power indicator light  68 . Also at the same end, a twenty-five amp fuse is housed within the connector  64 . Additionally, twelve-volt outlet cover  54  is designed to snap onto and cover twelve-volt outlet assembly  52 . Further, battery  58  is electrically connected to D.C. output switch  36  and D.C. output connector  38 . A DC power converter cable  66  (FIG. 7) can be connected to D.C. output connector  38 . D.C. converter cable  66  can be connected to multiple adapter plugs, which are of various dimensions to accommodate different jacks. In the preferred embodiment of the present intervention five adaptor plugs are supplied, specifically a 5.5 mm×2.5 mm plug  68 , 5.5 mm×2.1 mm plug  70 , 5 mm×2.5 mm plug  72 , 3.5 mm×1.35 mm plug  74  and a 4.7 mm×1.7 mm plug  76 . The adapter plugs are configured and dimensioned to plug into D.C. converter cable  66 , as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     When a user needs to charge a dead automobile battery using the inventive appliance  10 , the user attaches car cord assembly  64  to D.C. twelve-volt outlet  52  at one end, and attaches the other end of car cord  64  to the automobile cigarette lighter. The user then moves three position switch  20  to the output position. Indicator light  68  will then light up indicating that appliance  10  is providing power to the automobile battery. Appliance  10  should be allowed to remain attached as described for a minimum of 35 minutes before the user attempts to start the car. 
     When a user chooses to use appliance  10  as a DC twelve-volt power source, for example to run a radar detector, portable search light, air compressor, portable CD player, or cell phone, the user can plug the device into D.C. twelve volt outlet  52 , just as one would do normally into a cigarette lighter of an automobile. 
     Should the user decide to use the appliance  10  as a DC power source for a three to nine-volt device, the user should attach a DC power converter cable  66  to D.C. output connector  38 . The user should attach the proper adapter plug and attach the appropriate adapter plugs to DC power output cable  66 . The user selects the desired voltage on the D.C. output switch  36 . The user then attaches the output plug to the device to be used. The user then puts three-way switch  20  into the output position. The desired device can now be used. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10 , when battery  58  is fully charged, the average cell phone will be provided with four hours of talk time and five days of standby mode, a camcorder with a 0.6 amp load will be provided with 2½ hours of use or a camcorder with a 0.4 amp load will be provided with 3.6 hours of use, a three watt CD player will be provided with five hours of use, a four watt dual fluorescent camping lantern will be provided with three and one half hours of use, or a twelve and one half watt spotlight will be provided with two hours of use. 
     To check the charge level of battery  58  of appliance  10 , three-way switch  20  should be placed in a battery reader position. It is noted that the battery charge indicator lights  24  only work when switch  20  is placed in the battery reader position. This is done for the purpose of conserving charge. Once the switch has been put in the battery reader position, the charge level indicator lights  24  will indicate whether battery  58  has a full charge  30 , half charge  28 , or no charge  26 . 
     Battery  58  of appliance  10  can be charged using the male to male adapter  64  or AC charger  62 . To charge battery  58  with male to male adapter  64 , the user need only attach car cord assembly  64  to twelve-volt outlet  52  at one end and attach the other end of car cord  64  to the automobile cigarette lighter while the engine of the car is running. The three-way switch  20  should be left in the center, off position. Battery  58  will have a full charge at thirty to sixty minutes. Once a full charge has been achieved, the user should remove appliance  10  from its connection to the automobile cigarette lighter. 
     To charge battery  58  with AC charger  62 , the user should connect AC charger  62  to the electrical connector  56 . AC charger  62  can then be plugged into any typical AC outlet and then battery  58  will be charged in thirty to sixty minutes. Once a full charge has been achieved the user should remove AC charger  62  from its connection to appliance  10 . 
     As noted above, the invention is disclosed in the form of several embodiments. For the purposes of clarity of illustration, where possible and practical, similar part or parts performing a similar or identical function are labeled with numerals which differ by a multiple of  100  from similar or analogous parts in prior embodiments. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 12, power source  110  is similar to appliance  10  with the addition of a light  182 , which performs a function of or providing illumination. At one end of top cover piece  112 , is an indented section  184  which contains grooves  186  toward the end portion of cover  112 . Bottom portion  114  contains a similar indented section  188  and grooves  190 . When cover piece  112  is assembled upon bottom piece  114 , indented sections  184  and  188 , and grooves  186  and  190  combine to form the housing for light  182 . Grooves  186  and  190  are disposed on two sides of the indentation such that the central axis  187  through the center of grooves  186  are in a straight line, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. 
     Light  182  is made up of a light body  192 . In the preferred embodiment, light body  192  has an outside wall which is hemispheric in shape. Disposed on opposing surfaces of the outside wall of light body  192 , aligned at 180 degrees are projections  194 . Projection was  194  are surrounded by washer-like devices or roops  196 . Within light body  192  is a light bulb  198 . In the preferred embodiment light bulb  198  is a twelve-volt, three-watt type. Inserted within light body  192  is a light cup  199 . Light cup  199  is a conical shaped element with the point of the cone removed. Light cup  199  is inserted into light body  192  in the direction of the point of the cone. The removed pointed area accommodates light bulb  198 . Disposed on the open-end of the cone is a transparent, or translucent lens  200 . Lens cover  202  is then attached to light body  192 . Lens cover  202  holds lightbulb  198 , light cup  199 , and lens  200  in place within light body  192 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, lens cover  202  is screwed onto the flattened portion of the hemisphere of light body  192 . 
     Projection  194 , surrounded by washer-like devices or roops  196  are inserted into grooves  186  and  190 . This configuration allows light  182  to rotate into directions indicated by arrows  203  at a minimum of 180 degrees, being directed from the direction of the top surface to the direction of the bottom surface, and all points in between directed away from power sources  210 . 
     Light  182  can have a battery contained within light body  192 , or be connected to a battery that is disposed within the main housing that is specific to light  182 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, light  182  is electrically connected to light switch  204  which is electrically connected to battery  158 . Light switch  204  can be any type of standard light switch such as a toggle switch, a slide switch, or as in the preferred embodiment a push-on push-off switch. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, lights switch  204  can be a three-way switch, with an on setting, an off setting and a flashing setting. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 13, power source  310  is similar to appliance  10 , with the addition of a strap  309 . On front surfaces  334 , are two projections  306  and  308  for attachment of a strap  309  to the outer housing of power source  310 . Loop projections  306  and  308  are each attached to the outer housing at two points and each defines a void  307  for one end of strap  309  to be placed through, as is illustrated in FIG.  14 . 
     Strap  309  can be of any length, and be adjustable or non-adjustable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, strap  309  is approximately 1.25 meters in length. Strap  309  is secured to projection  306  and then threaded through projection  308  attaching to a buckle  311  on strap  309 . This configuration allows a user to adjust the length of strap  309  by moving the buckle  311  away from projection  308  to shorten strap  309  or towards projection  308  to lengthen strap  309 . 
     At one end, strap  309  is attached to its respective loop projection  308  by being looped around projection  308  and secured to itself by a rivet  315 . 
     Strap  309  allows the user to make use of power source  310 , while leaving his hands free. For example, if the user has a searchlight plug into twelve-volt outlet  352 , the user has two free hands to direct the searchlight and search. 
     In the alternative embodiments of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 15, power source  410  is similar to power source  310 , with the addition of a light, similar to power source  110 . On front surfaces  434 , are two projections  406  and  408  for attachment of a strap  309  to the outer housing of power source  410 . Projections  406  and  408  are each attached to the outer housing at two points leaving a space for strap  409  to be placed through. 
     Strap  409  can be of any length, and be adjustable or non-adjustable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, strap  409  is approximately 1.25 meters in length. Strap  409  is secured to projection  406 , by rivet  415  and then threaded through projection  408  attaching to a buckle  411  on strap  409 . This configuration allows a user to adjust the length of strap  409  by moving buckle  411  away from projection  408  to shorten strap  409  or towards projection  408  to lengthen strap  409 . 
     When strap  409  is used with the embodiment of the present invention with a built-in light  482 , the strap provides the user with a means to hold a light  482  while keeping both hands free. 
     The construction of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 is of particular value in connection with hands-free operation of the device. In particular, the point of origination of the light can be kept steady without use of the hands by the light being hung from the shoulder of a user. The strap length of the strap may be adjusted in order to vary the height of the point of origination of light. Likewise, the strap can be slid on the shoulder of the user in order to vary the pitch of the light, in other words in order to vary the angle at which the light directs its output with respect to the ground. At the same time, the yaw may be adjusted by rotating the light in the plane substantially or most nearly parallel to the plane of the ground. Accordingly, by varying the strap length, the point of origination of the light is varied; by varying the position of the strap by sliding it, the up and down angular orientation of light emanating from the device is varied; and finally by varying the rotation angle of light housing  482 , the horizontal angle can be varied, thus providing substantially complete freedom with respect to orientation of the light while at the same time providing stability and hands-free operation. 
     An alternative embodiment of the power source  510  is illustrated in FIG. 16, which is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, with the exception that the light rotates in two planes. Projections  594  of light  582  and roops  596  are inserted into grooves  587  of motion coupling device  589  as illustrated in FIG.  17 . Coupling device  589  has projections  591  disposed in a plane perpendicular to grooves  587 . Projections  591  surrounded by roops  593  are inserted into grooves  586  and  590  of the main housing. 
     The alternative embodiment of FIG. 18 is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 with a goose-neck connection  789  between the main body and the light  782 . Goose-neck connector is attached to the hemispheric surface of light  782  at one end, and attached to the main housing at groove  789  of top housing member  712  and groove  790  of bottom housing  714 . 
     While illustrative embodiments of the invention has been described, it is, of course, understood that various modifications of the invention will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited and defined by the appended claims.