Abstract:
A mobile device charger with a folding electrical plug and a battery on a key chain with a retractable cord is disclosed. Our invention allows the user to charge their mobile device either from the battery or using an electrical outlet while it is still attached to their bag so that they do not forget it in the outlet. Our invention allows the user to protect the cord and the metal tip used to charge mobile devices because the cord and metal tip retracts into the protective housing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to the United States Provisional Patent Application for “A mobile device charger—called a Bibicord—with a folding electrical plug and an optional battery on a key chain with a retractable cord,” Ser. No. 62/185,870 filed on Jun. 29, 2015, and currently co-pending. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains generally to chargers for mobile electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a mobile device charger with a mechanism for convenient storage of the cable and increased portability of the charger, and attachment of the charger to a purse or backpack. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a personal electronic device charger for persons temporarily in places away from home. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mobile device charger cords and metal tips are exposed to damage because they are not protected. In addition, people leave mobile device chargers at home and in hotel rooms, resulting in loss of the charger and depletion of the battery within the device. 
         [0004]    Existing electric mobile device chargers do not attach to anything else via a clip/key chain. Existing electric mobile device chargers do not have batteries built into them. They are disorganized, easily forgotten and easily broken. The present invention allows the user to charge their mobile device either from the battery or using an electrical outlet while it is still attached to their bag so that they do not forget it in the outlet. 
         [0005]    The present invention allows the user to protect the cord and the metal tip used to charge mobile devices because the cord and metal tip retracts into the protective housing. 
         [0006]    Mobile device chargers provide a means for charging the batteries of personal electronic devices by connecting them to a power source. The power source to which a mobile device charger connects is generally either a standard power outlet in a building or a vehicle&#39;s power source through a cigarette lighter outlet or dedicated charging port. 
         [0007]    Mobile device chargers currently offered for sale are easily damaged. The cords and connectors are not protected by the charger itself, and so they often sustain damage through exposure to people, pets, or other objects. Additionally, currently available mobile device chargers are often accidentally left at home or away from home in places where the owner was using them, such as offices or hotel rooms. Thus, special care must be taken to avoid damage or loss of currently available mobile device chargers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a device for charging portable electronic devices that is durable, easy to use, and comparatively cost effective. 
         [0009]    One object of the present invention is convenient portability and storage of a mobile device charger. Another object of the present invention is the avoidance of damage to a mobile device charger or loss of the charger. 
         [0010]    As stated above, mobile device charger cords and metal tips are exposed to damage because they are not protected. In addition, people leave mobile device chargers at home and in hotel rooms. The invention claimed here solves this problem. 
         [0011]    The present invention, called a “Bibicord”, can be attached to a backpack, purse or computer bag so that people do not forget them. It can stay attached even when charging the mobile device. Also, the present invention allows the charging cord and the metal tip to retract into the protective housing when not in use to protect them from damage. 
         [0012]    The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. The present invention allows the user to charge their mobile device either from the internal battery or using an electrical outlet while it is still attached to their bag so that they do not forget it in the outlet. 
         [0013]    The present invention allows the user to protect the cord and the metal tip used to charge mobile devices because the cord and metal tip retracts into the protective housing. 
         [0014]    This invention is an improvement on what currently exists. The present invention allows the user to charge their mobile device either from the battery or using an electrical outlet while it is still attached to their bag so that they do not forget it in the outlet. 
         [0015]    Existing mobile device chargers do not have a clip on them to allow them to be attached to anything else, so they are easily forgotten. Existing mobile device charger cords and metal tips are often damaged because they are exposed. 
         [0016]    The present invention includes a clip, a chain, a cord housing, a battery, a retractable cord with charger tip, and a folding electrical outlet plug. 
         [0017]    The present invention consists of a protective enclosure containing a transformer and AC/DC converter circuit and a retractable cable with a connector at the end. The connector plugs into a mobile device in order to provide current from the transformer and AC/DC converter circuit to the mobile device. When the invention is not in use, the enclosure protects the retracted cable and its connector, thus avoiding damage to the mobile device charger. 
         [0018]    The enclosure on the present invention includes a connector for a chain. In one embodiment, this is a recessed part of the enclosure in which one side of the enclosure connects to the opposite side over the recess via a bridge or rod extending across the recess. A chain may be attached to the bridge or rod. In an alternative embodiment, the enclosure is extended on one end and the connector consists of an opening in the extension through which a chain may be connected. A clip or keychain may thus be attached to the enclosure through a cord or chain. By attaching the invention to another object via the clip, loss of the mobile device charger can be avoided. 
         [0019]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a flyback controller on the primary side of the transformer and a synchronous rectifier circuit on the secondary side. The flyback controller switches the rectified main current through the primary side of the transformer at approximately 80 kHz. The switching speed is dithered to lessen harmonic content and ease EMI compliance. The resulting current is monitored by the flyback controller on an auxiliary winding on the primary side of the transformer, allowing the controller to protect against over-voltage and over-current conditions and the current to be monitored entirely on the primary side of the transformer. The secondary side of the transformer contains a synchronous rectifier circuit in place of the traditional diode, greatly improving the efficiency during use by removing the voltage/power loss across the diode. Further, when the load is removed entirely, a monitor circuit issues a special set of pulses through the transformer indicating to the primary-side flyback controller that there is no load, causing it to enter a low-power standby mode. This feature results in virtually zero standby power when the adapter is not connected to a device. 
         [0020]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a foldable plug that sits flush with the enclosure when folded in, but may be extended in order to connect to a power source. In one variation of said embodiment, a recess around the folded plug allows easy access to the plug in order to extend it. In another variation, the ends of the plug&#39;s prongs, when folded in, sit against the edge of the enclosure, allowing extension by grasping the end of said prongs and pulling outward via a motion of the hand against the edge of the enclosure. By folding in the plug so that it sits flush with the enclosure, the mobile device charger may be easily transported in a pocket or a purse without damaging other objects stored with it. 
         [0021]    Also, a preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a cylindrical enclosure with rounded or beveled edges which allow it to easily be carried in a pocket or a purse without damaging other objects stored with it. 
         [0022]    A battery is included inside the enclosure in an embodiment of the present invention, thus allowing the mobile device charger to provide current to a mobile device when no outside power source is available. 
         [0023]    The Components are related as follows: The clip and chain attach to the cord housing, the cord housing holds the retractable cord and the optional battery, the retractable cord allows the cord to coil into the housing, the housing holds the folding electrical outlet plug on the back, and, finally, the housing holds a picture, statement, words or a logo as well. The clip and chain could be removed from the cord housing if desired. 
         [0024]    The Invention Works as follows: The retractable cord element allows the cord to coil into a compact space so it is protected by the housing. The housing element has the folding electrical outlet plug element built into it so the user can access electricity to charge mobile devices. The housing element holds a battery as well so that the user can charge the battery and use the battery to charge their mobile device when electricity is not available. The housing element has a clip on a chain attached to it so that the unit can be attached and stay attached to a purse, computer bag to backpack even while it is charging a device. 
         [0025]    To use the invention, a person would attach the mobile device charger to their bag or purse. A person would charge a mobile device and the battery by plugging the mobile device charger into an electrical outlet and inserting the metal charging tip into a device, while keeping it attached to their travel bag or back pack. A person would also charge their mobile device using an optional internal battery as an energy source when electricity is not available. A person would retract the cord and metal tip into the housing when he/she is not using the cord and carry it on their bag, purse or backpack so they have it with them at all times. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile device charger with a foldable electrical plug and a retractable cord showing a front face on which a logo may be placed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mobile device charger with a foldable electrical plug and a retractable cord showing a rear face containing the foldable electrical plug; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the mobile device charger showing how the various pieces may be connected in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a cutaway perspective of the printed circuit board used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention and to which the plug and AC/DC converter circuit is attached; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows the schematic of an AC/DC converter circuit in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the printed circuit board containing a battery in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  shows the schematic of the connection of the battery to the AC/DC converter circuit in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and includes mobile device charger  100  consisting of a body or enclosure  102 , which in turn consists of a front face  104  and a rear face  106 . A charging connector  108  rests in a recess  110  on the body when not in use. An electrical plug, consisting of prongs  114  and  116 , also rests in a first configuration flush with the body when not in use, and extends outward into a second configuration in order to connect to an electrical outlet. Another recess  118  in the body, spanned by a rod  120 , allows a chain to connect to the invention, permitting a clip or a keychain to connect the charger to a purse or a set of keys. Finally, a smooth edge  122 , consisting of a bevel or curvature of the edges of the charger, allows the charger to be transported comfortably in a pocket or a purse without damaging other objects kept nearby. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the rear face  106 . The prongs  114  and  116  of the electrical plug can be seen situated inside recesses  124  and  126  so as not to extend significantly beyond the body while at rest in their first configuration. Hinges  128  and  130  allow the prongs to be pulled outward into the extended second configuration, and thus to be connected to a standard electrical outlet. Although the plugs shown fit into the household outlets traditionally found in North America, they may be substituted by the appropriate shape of plugs for any region of the world for which the invention is manufactured. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The cable  140  can be seen to fit inside the enclosure in a first configuration when not in use. It winds around a spool  142 , while a spring  144  provides a torsional force which tends to keep the cable in its first configuration. However, when the cable is extended into a second configuration outside the enclosure in order to charge a portable electronic device, a pawl  146 , consisting of a toothed edge connected to a button  148 , sits against a toothed backside of the spool  142 . The pawl together with the spool act as a ratchet allowing extension of the cable  140  into its second configuration, but preventing the spring  144  from retracting it back into its first configuration. The button  148  is normally held outward by a spring  150 , but when pushed inward, the pawl  146  is disconnected from the spool  142 , and the spring  144  then retracts the cable  140  into its first configuration. 
         [0037]    A plug  152  is comprised of prongs  114  and  116 , a housing  156 , and contacts  156  and  160 . The contacts allow for a consistent point of electrical contact with the board despite the fact that the plug itself is foldable. The plug is connected to a printed circuit board  162 , which in turn provides current to the cable  140  via two slipjoint contacts  164  and  166 . When current is being provided to a personal electronic device, a light-emitting diode  168  is activated, providing a visual signal that the connected device is being charged. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates the printed circuit board  162  to which the electrical plug  152  is connected, providing alternating current to the AC/DC converter circuit  180 , which rectifies and transforms the current and in turn provides DC current to the cable  140  via slipjoint contacts  164  and  166 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a schematic of AC/DC converter circuit  200  as used in a preferred embodiment of the invention. The AC input is passed through initial rectifier  202  to a primary side flyback controller  204 . A low-profile transformer  206  then steps down the voltage. A wake-up monitor and synchronous rectifier  208  on the secondary side of the transformer detects the presence or absence of a load, and signals the flyback controller  204  accordingly. The wake-up monitor and synchronous rectifier also acts as a near-ideal diode to rectify the current. An active charge indicator  210  detects when a personal electronic device is being charged and turns on light-emitting diode  168 . 
         [0040]    In the initial rectifier  202 , prong  114  feeds one side of a diode bridge  212 , while prong  116  feeds the other side through a protective fuse  214 . The rectified current is provided to the flyback controller  204 , which is based on a UCC28730 integrated circuit  216 . The flyback controller switches the current through primary winding  218  of transformer  206 , and monitors the current through auxiliary winding  220  of the transformer. The winding ratios of transformer  206  may differ in different embodiments of the invention intended for sale in different regions of the world, as appropriate to the standard household outlet voltage of the region. 
         [0041]    When there is no load, wake-up monitor and synchronous rectifier  208 , based on a UCC24650 integrated circuit  222 , sends a series of pulses through the transformer signaling the flyback controller  204  to shut down, saving power when there is no device connected to the charger. A UCC24610 integrated circuit  224  provides the synchronous rectifier function, acting as a near-ideal diode providing high efficiency and low voltage or power loss. 
         [0042]    Finally, active charge indicator  210  uses a comparator  226  provide a voltage difference across light-emitting diode  168  when a voltage drop across filter inductor  228  indicates an active device is connected. Light-emitting diode  168  thus indicates when a connected personal electronic device is being charged. 
         [0043]    After the AC input is transformed and rectified, an attached personal electronic device is provided with current through 5-volt output  230 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates the use of a battery  280  in a preferred embodiment of the invention as a way to charge a personal electronic device when a power outlet is unavailable. The battery  280  is attached to the circuit board  162  and is charged by AC/DC converter circuit  200  when the charger  100  is connected to a power outlet. The battery  280  in turn provides current to a personal electronic device when one is connected to the charger  100 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustrating circuit  300  which connects the internal battery  280  to the AC/DC converter circuit  200  and provides output to an attached personal electronic device. The 5-volt output  230  of the AC/DC converter circuit acts as a voltage source connected to the positive end of battery  280 . Battery  280  provides its own 5-volt output  302  via a diode  304  to a personal electronic device when one is connected. The negative end of the battery  280  is connected to DC ground. 
         [0046]    While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited according to these factors, but according to the following claims.