Multi-tip blister card charging system

A single electronic charging system that can be used for different electronic components by changing a tip portion of a charging cord of the charging system. A plurality of tip portions are included with a single charging source that interfaces either with an AC power source, a 12 to 24 volt DC power source or a battery power source by merely threading a connector portion of the charging cord onto an electric cable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a charging system for recharging electronic equipment such as cell phones, MP3 players and other electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the explosion in use of portable electronic equipment, there is a need for a universal type charging system which can be adapted to different types of electronic equipment including cell phones and MP3 players, for example.

Usually, every different electronic component requires its own unique electric charging connection configuration. The charging of the electronic component whether by an AC outlet or a car charging system, usually requires the use of two charging systems, and can prove to be expensive if the consumer decides to often change or buy different components.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a single electronic component charging system which is adapted to be used with many different electronic components and usable with different power sources. This would avoid the need to purchase separate AC power and automobile 12 to 24 volt charging systems for a single component and having to replace these charging systems when a new electronic component is purchased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single electronic charging system that can be used for different electronic components by changing a tip portion of a charging cord of the charging system. A plurality of tip portions are included with a single charging source that interface with either an AC power source, a 12 to 24 volt DC power source or a battery power source by merely threading the tip portion of the charging cord onto an electric cable.

However, when there is a need to change the tip portion, the old tip portion is merely unscrewed from the electric cable and a new tip portion is threadingly secured to the electric cable. The electric cable may be permanently affixed or removably mounted on the charging source.

Further, the plurality of tip portions are included with the charging source in a manner such that an engagement end of the tip portion which engages with the electronic components, is exposed from a blister pack containing the charging source. The exposed engagement ends are readily available for testing by the consumer to see if a particular engagement end of the tip portion correctly inter-engages with their electronic component. By giving the consumer access to a plurality of different tip portions, mistakes are avoided in purchasing the wrong tip portion. This is helpful because even with a single manufacturer of electronic components, different tip portions may be required.

In addition, the charging cords are inter-engaged with a transparent plastic blister, to secure the threaded end of each charging cord within the display package for security purposes while allowing the engagement end of the tip portions to hang freely and exposed from the display package. This provides a secure anchoring of the charging cords in the package for display and testing purposes without affecting the integrity of the package.

It is also easy to access the tip portion for testing inter-engagement with the electronic component. It is not necessary to remove the tip portion, partially or wholly, from engagement in a blister package. The tip portion is always exposed, lying along a surface of the display package.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display card having at least one charging cord having a threaded end and a connector tip end interconnected by a charging wire.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a display card having at least one charging cord having a threaded end and a connector tip end interconnected by a charging wire with a plurality of charging cords mounted on one side of a display card and a charging source located on the opposite side of the display card.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a display card having at least one charging cord having a threaded end and a connector tip end interconnected by a charging wire with a plurality of charging cords mounted on one side of a display card and a charging source located on the opposite side of the display card and the charging tip of the charging cord hanging free from a blister packaging encapsulating the threaded end of the charging cords.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a display card having at least one charging cord having a threaded end and a connector tip end interconnected by a charging wire with a plurality of charging cords mounted on one side of a display card and a charging source located on the opposite side of the display card and the charging tip of the charging cord hanging free from a blister packaging encapsulating the threaded end of the charging cords with the charging source having a direct current connector, an alternating current connector and a battery power connector.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the multi-tip charging system disclosed herein, and are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are substantially similar can use other components that have a different appearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, in general, and toFIGS. 1 and 2, in particular, a multi-tip charging system embodying the teachings of the subject invention is generally designated as10. InFIG. 1, the rear surface12of a charging system display card is shown.FIG. 2illustrates the front surface14. In these figures, the display card includes a substantially oval configuration having an upper opening16for hanging the display card at a point of sale.

Located on the rear surface12of the display card10is a plurality of charging cords20athrough20e, for example. Each of the charging cords includes a charging tip portion22athrough22eand a threaded connector end24athrough24e.

Each of the charging tip portions22athrough22eare different. Each of the connector ends24athrough24eis identical for cooperative inter-engagement with a threaded open end26of an electric cable28. The opposite end of the electric cable28includes a USB connector30for inter-engagement of the charging cords with a charging source32. The charging source is held within a plastic blister portion34and projects from the front surface14of the display card.

The charging source32includes a 12 to 24 volt DC power terminal36for engagement with a power plug of an automobile. The charging source also includes a 100-240 volt, AC power source prongs38which are pivotally mounted on the charging source32. Also, 9 volt positive and negative battery terminals40are located on a side of the power source32. A USB inlet42is for receipt of the USB connector30at the end of the electric cable28.

In operation, one of the charging cords20athrough20eis selected based upon the appropriate charging tip22athrough22econfiguration for an electronic component. The selected charging cord20a, for example, is cut out of the blister packaging44on the rear surface12of the display card.

The threaded connector end24ais threaded into the threaded open end26of the electric cable28. The USB connector30, at the opposite end of the electric cable28, is inserted into the USB opening42on the side of the charging source32. The charging source32is then electrically connected with either a 12 to 24 volt DC power source by terminal36, an AC power source by plug prongs38or a 9 volt battery supply source by connection with positive and negative terminals40. The charging tip22a, for example, is then inserted into an appropriate electronic component to initiate charging or to maintain a constant power flow to the electronic component to which the charging tip22ais connected.

At a point of sale, it is possible for a consumer to test the various charging tips22athrough22efor appropriate interconnection with an electronic component such as a cell phone, for example. The charging tips22athrough22eare exposed and lie along the rear surface12of the display card for active engagement by a consumer. The threaded connector ends24athrough24eare restrained within the transparent blister packaging44, but are visible to the consumer.

Retention of the charging cords is accomplished by a portion44aof the blister packaging projecting through an opening12ain the rear surface12of the display card. The remainder44bof the blister packaging is flat and is held between the rear surface12and the front surface14of the display card as shown inFIGS. 3 and 5.

The exposed portion44aof the blister packaging is of a special configuration as shown generally inFIG. 5and more particularly inFIG. 6. The five recessed portions shown inFIG. 6, which when viewed from an opposite side as inFIG. 1, project from the rear surface12, and are shaped to accommodate the charging tips24athrough24eof the charging cords20athrough20e.

In the example shown inFIG. 6, a cylindrical collar46of each connector ends24athrough24eis dimensioned to be held by a friction fit in the recesses48athrough48eof the blister packaging such that a gap50between opposed side walls of each recess48athrough48eis less than the diameter of the collar46. The collar46is thereby forced into the recesses48athrough48eto spread apart the opposite sidewalls forming the gap50and after passage through the gap50, the side walls50a,50bof the gap50snap around the collar46so as to retain the collar46in the recess48a, for example.

The curved sidewalls50a,50bhave an opening50cwhich is of a width less than the diameter of the collar46. The charging cords are thereby rigidly held in place in their respective recesses in the projecting blister portions44a, including the recesses48athrough48e, so that when an individual tests a charging tip portion22athrough22ewith their electronic component, there is a strong resistance against the charging cord being pulled from the display package.

An additional mechanism for retaining the charging cords in place in their respective recesses is that each recess is reduced in width at one end to a width60within which the charging wire interconnecting the tip portion and the connector end may slide without resistance. However, any pulling on the charging tip22awill move the threaded portion24ain the direction of width60. Width60is of a dimension less than that of the threaded connector end24aand particularly collar46so that the charging cord cannot be pulled from the packaging.

The internal threading26aof the open end26of the cable28, is used to inter-engage with the external threading62of the threaded connector ends24athrough24e. This provides a secure connection between the cable28and the charging cords20athrough20e. An electrical connection is completed by the terminal tips of threaded connector ends24athrough24eand an internal pin of the open end26of the cable28.

In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.