Patent Publication Number: US-2013249467-A1

Title: Stuffed animal cell phone charger

Description:
This patent application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/614,948 filed on Mar. 23, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to cell phone charging devices and, more particularly, a stuffed animal cell phone charging device having a rechargeable internal battery that can be used to charge the battery of a cell phone. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Cell phone users predominantly charge their cell phones using an AC wall charger in combination with an AC power outlet or a car charger adaptor in combination with an automobile power outlet. Both methods are limiting in that they require the cell phone to remain plugged in and within close proximity of either the AC power outlet or the automobile in order to be charged. Consequently, there are a number of problematic scenarios if a user&#39;s cell phone battery were to die while not having access to either an AC power outlet or an automobile, such as while on an airplane or a camping trip. 
     Furthermore, there are times when charging a cell phone using an AC power outlet, even when available, is not desirable. For example, it can be inconvenient to answer a call or browse the internet while in bed if the cell phone is hooked up to an AC outlet. Furthermore, a number of individuals leave their cell phone on their bed while it charges over night, which can be inconvenient due to the hard exterior of the cell phone case and accompanying cord in connection with the AC power outlet. The phone can also get lost in the sheets or fall under the bed. 
     Many people also use their phones to listen to music or watch movies. However, listening to music or watching videos can drain the battery quickly. Most portable docking stations that play music still require being plugged into a wall and any wireless ones would not be comfortable to have in bed. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a portable cell phone charging device that includes a rechargeable internal battery, speakers, and cell phone connections, including power and audio connections, which is provided in the form of a stuffed animal, pillow or other cushioned object. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a portable cell phone charging device having a rechargeable internal battery. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cell phone charging device in the form of a stuffed animal or other cushioned object. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cell phone charging device having multiple cell phone power plug adaptors for use with a variety of different cell phones, tablet PC&#39;s, or other electronic devices including mp3 players. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cell phone charging device having a pocket for releasably holding a cell phone to the charging device. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cell phone charging device having an audio plug in connection with speakers. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cell phone charging device that supports the upper portion of a cell phone while connected to the charging device. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cell phone charging device that is machine washable. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a stuffed animal (or other shaped cushioned object) cell phone charging device including a cushioned body and having an internal rechargeable battery and a clip member or pocket for releasably securing a cell phone while it charges. The charging device utilizes an inductive charger, i.e. wireless charger, for charging the cell phone that is secured thereto. Alternatively, the charging device may include one or more power plug adaptors for use in conjunction with one or more varieties of cell phones. A retractable or removable AC power plug in connection with the rechargeable battery may be connected to an AC power plug for recharging the battery inside the device. Alternatively, a solar powered recharging system may be employed for recharging the battery inside the device. The charging device further includes wireless data exchange connectivity (e.g. BLUETOOTH®) and/or audio connection wiring in communication with speakers for playing music stored on the secured cell phone. In one embodiment, the speakers are vibratory speakers (i.e. vibration transducers) for utilizing solid surfaces in contact with the speakers to amplify sound. In addition to a stuffed animal, further embodiments of the charging device may include a pillow or other cushioned object. The internal battery, speakers, power plug adaptors and/or inductive charger, audio connections and AC power plug may be removed so that the stuffed animal, or other cushioned object, may be machine laundered. The device further includes a handle or “back pack”-like strap for carrying the charging device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the stuffed animal cell phone charging device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isolated view of the stuffed animal cell phone charging device taken from  FIG. 2  illustrating the pocket, including two power plug adaptors and an audio plug for connection to a cell phone; 
         FIG. 3  is an isolated view of an another embodiment of the pocket, including an elastomeric transparent band for securing the upper portion of a cell phone; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, shown in partial cross-section, illustrating the stuffed animal cell phone charging device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cell phone charging device, wherein the components of the device are included in a cushioned pillow; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the stuffed animal cell phone charging device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stuffed animal cell phone charging device is shown and is generally indicated as  10 . In each embodiment, the cell phone charging device  10  includes an internal rechargeable battery  50  for charging a cell phone  100  or other electronic device (e.g. portable music player) while providing a cushioned exterior for added safety of the cell phone  100  and added comfort for the user. In a preferred embodiment, the charging device  10  utilizes an inductive charger, i.e. wireless charger, for charging the cell phone  100  that is secured thereto. 
     The cell phone charging device  10  includes a main body member  12  having an exterior made of a soft material, and having a cushioning material, such as cotton, contained therein. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a securing member, such as a lower pocket  14 , is provided for snuggly receiving and securing a bottom portion of a cell phone  100 . The rechargeable battery  50  uses an inductive charger, i.e. wireless charger, for inductively coupling and charging the cell phone  100  secured to the device  10 . Alternatively, one or more power plug adaptors  16 A and  16 B, such as a micro USB power adaptor, may be provided for connection with a variety of different cell phones  100  when secured in the lower pocket  14 . A light source  17 , such as an LED, may be included on the power plug adaptors  16 A and  16 B to assist the user in plugging in his or her cell phone  100  in low light level conditions. An inverted upper pocket  18  securely holds the top portion of the cell phone  100  to the device  10 . 
     The charging device  10  further includes wireless data exchange connectivity (e.g. BLUETOOTH®) and/or an audio plug  20  in communication with speakers  22  extending from the device  10  for playing music stored on the cell phone  100 . The speakers  22  may also be used in conjunction with a connected cell phone  100  during a phone call as a speakerphone. In one embodiment, the speakers  22  are vibratory speakers (i.e. vibration transducers) for utilizing solid surfaces in contact with the speakers  22  to amplify the sound emitted therefrom. A battery power indicator  24  is provided for indicating the remaining battery power in the internal rechargeable battery  50 . An ON/OFF switch  26  may be included for turning the device  10  on and off. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of the mechanism for securing the cell phone  100  to the charging device  10 . In this instance, an elastomeric transparent band  28  is used to secure the upper portion of the cell phone rather than an inverted upper pocket  18 . The transparent band  28  securely holds the upper portion of the cell phone  100  in place while also allowing a user to see any portion of the cell phone&#39;s screen that is covered by the band  28 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the internal rechargeable battery  50  is in connection with an AC power adaptor  30 , which is used to charge the internal battery  50 . The AC power adaptor  30  may be retractable and moveable between a retracted position, wherein a portion of the adaptor is within the body of the device  10 , and an extended position, wherein the adaptor is extended outward of the device  10 . In another embodiment, the AC power adaptor  30  may be removable, as shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a plug  32  receives the adaptor  30  for connecting the rechargeable battery  50  to the adaptor  30 . Alternatively, a solar powered recharging system may be employed for recharging the battery  50  inside the device  10 . 
     The charging device  10  may be in the form of other cushioned objects, such as a pillow, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Additionally, the device  10  may include straps  34 , similar to those found on a handbag or a backpack, to assist a user in transporting the device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the cell phone charging device  10  is shown, wherein the cell phone  100  is securable to the main body  12  using a clip member  36  that may be expanded and retracted for engaging opposite sides of a cell phone  100 , thereby making clip member  36  useful for securing various sizes of cell phones  100  and other electronic devices. 
     The internal battery  50 , speakers  22 , power plug adaptors  16 A and  16 B, audio plug  20  and AC power plug  30  may be removed so that the stuffed animal, or other cushioned object, may be machine washed. 
     While the device  10  has been shown and described for use in combination with a cell phone  100 , the device  10  may also be used in combination with other portable electronic devices, such as portable music players and computer tablets. Moreover, it is recognized that technological advances are expected and the device  100  is considered adaptable to accommodate such advances. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention.