U.S. patent application number 09/885165 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for starter pack.
Invention is credited to Tracey, James.
Application Number | 20020030466 09/885165 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11042637 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020030466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tracey, James |
March 14, 2002 |
Starter pack
Abstract
A battery starter pack comprises a housing having a base 2, a
top 3, a rear 4, a front panel 5 and a pair of sides 6, 7. The
sides 6, 7 extend forwardly and rearedly proud of the rear 4 and
front 5 to define an area which protects various switches 25, 26,
27, 28 if the pack is toppled over. The starter pack incorporates a
switching system to avoid accidental switching of the unit into a
24 volt setting while it is connected to equipment which is not
designed to take a 24 volt charging supply.
Inventors: |
Tracey, James; (County
Wicklow, IE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN
PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
400 SEVENTH STREET, N. W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
11042637 |
Appl. No.: |
09/885165 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0029 20130101;
H02J 1/122 20200101; H02J 7/0042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/104 |
International
Class: |
H02J 007/00; H02J
007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 21, 2000 |
IE |
S2000/0503 |
Claims
1. A portable engine starter pack comprising a housing having a
base, a top, a rear wall, a front wall and a pair of sides; a
battery located in the housing, the battery having a positive
terminal and a negative terminal; a socket extending from the
housing, the socket having a positive socket portion connected to
the positive terminal of the battery, and a negative socket portion
connected to the negative terminal of the battery; switch and/or
indicating means extending from the front panel or the rear panel;
the housing having forwardly and/or rearwardly extending
projections which extend proud of the panel carrying the switch
and/or the indicating means to substantially protect the switch
and/or the indicting means against damage if the housing is tipped
into a position in which the panel carrying the switch and/or the
indicating means is lowermost.
2. A starter pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sides are
extended to define the forward and/or rearward projections.
3. A starter pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing
includes an integral top handle.
4. A starter pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the switch is a
switch for switching between different supply voltages.
5. A starter pack as claimed in claim 4 including means for
inhibiting connection to an incorrect voltage supply.
6. A starter pack as claimed in claim 5 wherein the inhibiting
means comprises the switch.
7. A starter pack as claimed in claim 6 wherein the switch has an
operating handle which is movable between an off position and at
least two different supply voltage positions.
8. A starter pack as claimed in claim 7 wherein the operating
handle requires different movements in configurations for different
voltage settings.
9. A pack as claimed in claim 8 wherein the operating handle
requires at least a two step movement to move to one of the supply
voltage settings.
10. A pack as claimed in claim 9 wherein the push or pull movement
is followed by a rotational movement.
11. A starter pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indicating
means is a battery condition indicator.
12. A starter pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pack comprises
a charging socket for charging the battery in the housing.
13. A starter pack as claimed in any claim 1 comprising a warning
indicator for indicating if a user has incorrectly connected to a
battery to be charged.
14. A starter pack as claimed in claim 13 wherein the indicator is
a visual and/or an audible alarm.
15. A portable engine starter pack comprising a housing having a
base, a top, a rear wall, a front wall and a pair of sides; a
battery located in the housing, the battery having a positive
terminal and a negative terminal; a socket having a positive socket
portion connected to the positive terminal of the battery, and a
negative socket portion connected to the negative terminal of the
battery; the pack having at least two different supply voltages; a
switch for switching between the supply voltages; and means for
inhibiting connection to an incorrect voltage.
16. A pack as claimed in claim 15 wherein the means for inhibiting
connection to an incorrect voltage comprises the switch.
17. A pack as claimed in claim 16 wherein the switch has an
operating handle which is movable between an off position and at
least two different supply voltage positions.
18. A starter pack as claimed in claim 17 wherein the operating
handle requires different movements in configurations for different
voltage settings.
19. A pack as claimed in claim 18 wherein the operating handle
requires at least a two step movement to move to one of the supply
voltage settings.
20. A pack as claimed in claim 19 wherein a push or pull movement
is followed by a rotational movement.
21. A starter pack as claimed in any of claims 15 to 20 wherein the
indicating means is a battery condition indicator.
22. A starter pack as claimed in any of claims 15 to 21 wherein the
pack includes a charging socket for charging the battery in the
housing.
23. A starter pack as claimed in any of claims 15 to 22 comprising
a warning indicator for indicating if a user has incorrectly
connected to a battery to be charged.
24. A starter pack as claimed in claim 23 wherein the indicator is
a visual and/or an audible alarm.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The invention relates to a portable engine starter pack
which is used for over-riding malfunctioning or discharged
batteries to start engines or the like.
[0002] One of the problems with conventional starter packs of this
type is that they are relatively easily damaged, particularly as
they are often roughly handled. Another problem is that such
starter packs are often either very basic with minimum functions or
highly complex requiring considerable operator experience.
[0003] There is a need for an improved starter pack which will
overcome at least some of these difficulties.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
[0004] According to the invention there is provided a portable
engine starter pack comprising
[0005] a housing having a base, a top, a rear wall, a front wall
and a pair of sides;
[0006] a battery located in the housing, the battery having a
positive terminal and a negative terminal;
[0007] a socket extending from the housing, the socket having a
positive socket portion connected to the positive terminal of the
battery, and a negative socket portion connected to the negative
terminal of the battery;
[0008] switch and/or indicating means extending from the front
panel or the rear panel;
[0009] the housing having forwardly and/or rearwardly extending
projections which extend proud of the panel carrying the switch
and/or the indicating means to substantially protect the switch
and/or the indicting means against damage if the housing is tipped
into a position in which the panel carrying the switch and/or the
indicating means is lowermost.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment the sides are extended to define
the forward and/or rearward projections.
[0011] Preferably the housing includes an integral top handle.
[0012] In one embodiment the switch is a switch for switching
between different supply voltages.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the starter pack
comprises means for inhibiting connection to an incorrect voltage
supply. Preferably the inhibiting means comprises the switch.
[0014] In one embodiment the switch has an operating handle which
is movable between an off position and at least two different
supply voltage positions.
[0015] Most preferably the operating handle requires different
movements in configurations for different voltage settings. For
example, the operating handle may require at least a two step
movement to move to one of the supply voltage settings. In one case
a push or pull movement is followed by a rotational movement.
[0016] Preferably the indicating means is a battery condition
indicator.
[0017] In one embodiment the starter pack includes a charging
socket for charging the battery in the housing.
[0018] In one embodiment of the invention the starter pack includes
a warning indicator for indicating if a user has incorrectly
connected to a battery to be charged. The indicator may be a visual
and/or an audible alarm.
[0019] According to another aspect the invention provides a
portable engine starter pack comprising
[0020] a housing having a base, a top, a rear wall, a front wall
and a pair of sides;
[0021] a battery located in the housing, the battery having a
positive terminal and a negative terminal;
[0022] a socket having a positive socket portion connected to the
positive terminal of the battery, and a negative socket portion
connected to the negative terminal of the battery;
[0023] the pack having at least two different supply voltages;
[0024] a switch for switching between the supply voltages; and
[0025] means for inhibiting connection to an incorrect voltage.
[0026] In this case preferably the means for inhibiting connection
to an incorrect voltage comprises the switch.
[0027] Preferably the switch has an operating handle which is
movable between an off position and at least two different supply
voltage positions. Ideally the operating handle requires different
movements in configurations for different voltage settings. In one
case the operating handle requires at least a two step movement to
move to one of the supply voltage settings. A push or pull movement
may be followed by a rotational movement.
[0028] In one embodiment the indicating means is a battery
condition indicator.
[0029] Preferably the pack includes a charging socket for charging
the battery in the housing.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment the pack comprises a warning
indicator for indicating if a user has incorrectly connected to a
battery to be charged. The indicator is a visual and/or an audible
alarm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The invention will be more clearly understood from the
following description thereof given by way of example only in
which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a starter pack according to
the invention with a cable connected;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the starter pack;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the starter pack;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a front view of the starter pack;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the starter pack;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the starter pack;
[0038] FIG. 7 is an underneath plan view of the starter pack;
and
[0039] FIG. 8 is a side view of the starter pack tipped over.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a front view of another starter pack housing
according to the invention;
[0041] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the housing of FIG. 9;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a user battery connection
system for use with the starter pack;
[0043] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a charger system for use with
the starter pack;
[0044] FIG. 13 is a wiring diagram of the starter pack; and
[0045] FIG. 14 is a wiring diagram of a switching system used in
the starter pack of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 to 8
there is illustrated a portable engine starter pack according to
the invention. The starter pack has a metallic housing comprising a
base 2, a top 3, a rear 4, a front panel 5 and a pair of sides 6,
7. The sides 6, 7 extend upwardly above the top 3 to define
brackets 8, 9 between which a carrying handle 10 is mounted.
[0047] A battery (not shown) having a positive and a negative
terminal is located in the housing. A socket 20 extends from the
housing for connection to leads 21 with crocodile clips 22 for
connection to the terminals of a battery. The socket 20 has a
positive socket portion connected to the positive terminal of the
battery in the housing and a negative socket portion connected to
the negative terminal of the battery. In this case there are two
batteries located in the housing and a manual rotary switch 25 is
mounted on the front panel 5 for movement between an off position
and two different voltage supply positions such as 12 volt and 24
volt supply. The front panel 5 also has test buttons 26 and a
battery condition indicator 27. In this case the front panel 5 also
carries a re-charging socket 28 for connection to a mains supply
after the starter pack has been used.
[0048] The sides 6, 7 extend below the level of the base 2 to
define support feet 12. The sides 6, 7 also extend both forwardly
and rearwardly proud of the panels of the front 5 and the rear 4 of
the housing to define an area which substantially protects the
various switches and indicators 25, 26, 27, 28 carried by the first
panel 5 if the pack is toppled over with the front panel 5
lowermost as illustrated in FIG. 8. In this way the sensitive
switches etc are protected against damage and an extremely robust
starter pack is thereby provided.
[0049] It will also be noted that the front panel 5 is recessed and
angled rearwardly to allow easy viewing and operation of the
unit.
[0050] The starter pack includes two thermal trip fuses to protect
the internal wiring from damage should the rotary switch 25 be
turned to the incorrect voltage position. The unit also includes
visual and/or audible alerting means in the form of an alarm buzzer
if a user incorrectly connects the crocodile clips 22.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 14 there is illustrated another
starter pack of the invention together with an ancillary charging
system (FIG. 12) and user battery connection system (FIG. 11). The
unit incorporates a switching system to avoid accidental switching
of the unit into a 24 volt setting while it is connected to
equipment not designed to take 24 volt current and thus damaging
the equipment. In these diagrams the numerals represent the
following components.
[0052] 51. A mild steel casing fabricated and welded, front panel
1.5 mm, side and back panels 2 mm finished in a powder coating.
[0053] 52. 10 amp thermal trip fuse (circuit breaker) used in the
charging circuit which trips out if the unit is switched to 24 volt
during the charging process.
[0054] 53. Momentary push button switch used to activate the
battery condition indicator.
[0055] 54. Main transfer switch 12 volt-(off)-24 volt. The switch
handle 83 may be turned anti-clockwise from the off position to the
12 volt position, which will give 12 volts dc at power connector
58. To attain 24 volt power at power connector 58 the switch handle
83 must be pulled out towards the operator and then turned
clockwise from the off position to the 24 volt position.
[0056] 55. 10 amp thermal trip fuse (circuit breaker) used in the
charging circuit.
[0057] 56. Battery condition indicator, which, when push button 53
is depressed gives a reading of the state of charge contained in
the batteries.
[0058] 57. A 4-pin socket used to individually charge both
batteries by means of a 220 volt ac automatic charger 61 which is
connected to the unit by means of a 4-pin plug and cord 62.
[0059] 58. Snap connector which is used in conjunction with booster
cable 65.
[0060] 59. Stick on label.
[0061] 60. 2 mm mild steel powder coated back panel which is fitted
with a bracket 69 to secure the batteries 70 and 71.
[0062] 61. 220 volt ac automatic charger.
[0063] 62. 4-pin charging plug and cord.
[0064] 63. 200 amp red positive alligator clamp.
[0065] 64. 200 amp black negative alligator clamp.
[0066] 65. 35 mm.sup.2 twinflex red and black booster cable 2 m
long, fitted with a snap-connector at one end and 200 amp pos-neg
alligator clamps at the other end.
[0067] 66. Power connector (snap-connector).
[0068] 67. Safety light which is fitted to the snap-connector 66.
The safety light provides an anti hook-up warning by means of a red
light for wrong hook-up and a green light for correct hook-up.
[0069] 68. Stick on instruction label fitted to back panel 60.
[0070] 69. Bracket for securing batteries which is spot welded to
back panel 60.
[0071] 70. 12 volt 16 Ah sealed lead acid battery.
[0072] 71. 12 volt 16 Ah sealed lead acid battery.
[0073] 72. 35 mm.sup.2 flexible cable used in the 12 volt-(off)-24
volt transfer system
[0074] 73. 5 Amp fuse in auto holder.
[0075] 74. 1.5 mm.sup.2 cable used in charging system.
[0076] 75. Positive battery terminal.
[0077] 76. Positive battery terminal.
[0078] 77. Negative battery terminal.
[0079] 78. Negative battery terminal.
[0080] 79. Female cigar socket.
[0081] 80. Male cigar plug.
[0082] 81. 220v ac plug top.
[0083] 82. Handle for lifting unit.
[0084] 83. Switch handle.
[0085] A switching mechanism is used whereby the switch handle 83
must be pulled out towards the operator before being turned
clockwise to the 24 volt setting, thus avoiding accidental turning
of the switch handle directly into the 24 volt setting. The switch
handle 83 is turned anti-clockwise back to the off setting.
[0086] If the 12 volt setting is required, the switch handle 83 is
turned anti-clockwise from the off setting to the 12 volt
setting.
[0087] This system protects the user from making an error and also
prevents the user from damaging the unit or the equipment being
energised.
[0088] In more detail, the charging plug 62 is wired so as to
charge both 12 volt batteries individually and at the same time.
This is a 12-24 volt system, if the transfer switch 54 is turned to
the 24 volt position during the charging process it would result in
damage to the unit's internal wiring and the charger. To avoid such
damage thermal trip fuses 52 and 55 are provided. In addition, the
wiring circuit is arranged so that if the unit is being charged by
means of the charging plug 62 in conjunction with ac 12 volt
charger 61 and the operator ignores the warning instructions and
still pulls and turns the transfer switch 54 by means of the switch
handle 83 clockwise into the 24 volt setting thus causing a direct
short across the loops in the charging plug 62, both thermal trip
fuses 52 and 55 trip immediately, thus protecting both the internal
charging circuitry and the charging system.
[0089] When the transfer switch 83 is moved to the 24 volt setting
it connects negative battery pole 77 with positive battery pole 76
thus aligning the batteries in series giving 24 volts dc at snap
connector 58. If the transfer switch 54 is in the 24 volt setting
and the charging plug 62 is plugged into the unit the loops in the
charging plug 62 will cause direct shorts across the positive
charging wire coming from battery pole 76 and the negative charging
wire 77 causing both thermal trip fuses 52 and 55 to trip out due
to the internal loops linking the poles in charging plug 62.
[0090] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore
described which may be varied in detail.
* * * * *