Portable Power Package

Abstract

A portable power supply which may be strapped to the body or carried by hand, including a carrying case adapted to receive batteries and appropriate electrical connections, the case further including a switch which aids in converting from 6 to 12 volt power. The package output may be typically adapted to power a head lamp, which lamp or other output is typically connected to the carrying case by a cord of sufficient length to allow freedom of movement of the output with respect to the carrying case.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a new and improved portable power supply package for supplying power to such outputs as portable head lamps, adapted for use in the field and remotely located from permanent sources of power. The power package can be strapped to the body or carried by hand, and if a head lamp is utilized as the power output, the lamp may, for example, be mounted on the head by means of a suitable hat arrangement, to provide sufficient light in a selected direction without the necessity of using the hands to direct the light. The power package is capable of providing both 6 and 12 volt energy by adjustment of the battery arrangement in the carrying case. The carrying case may be adapted for belt mounting, back mounting, mounting by shoulder straps, or alternative methods of mounting on the body to leave the hands free while using the package as a source of power. The package may be adapted for use by firemen, police, hunters, soldiers in combat, and has many other uses as a source of light; the invention may also be utilized to power battery-operated tools and equipment at points remotely located from permanent sources of power.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Heretofore, various types of apparatus have been developed to allow use of a portable power unit while in the field and away from permanent power sources. Most of these devices have embodied the use of a single, 6 volt dry cell battery, to which is attached a head lamp or other power output utility item, which lamp is generally mounted on the head by a flexible band in order to leave the hands free. These devices are subject to considerable inconvenience in that there has heretofore been no satisfactory carrying case developed to accommodate the battery while the user has his hands otherwise occupied. For example, the conventional dry cell battery is frequently forced into a pocket while working, and may easily fall out, jerking the head lamp off the user's head or otherwise constituting an inconvenience to the working operation.

Still another disadvantage frequently found in conventional portable power devices is a lack of capability to vary the power output when such variation is needed. For example, in the case of head lamps, the intensity of the lamp beam cannot be varied from 6 volts to 12 volts as is deemed necessary. A still further inconvenience frequently found in conventional packages is a poorly designed carrying case. Furthermore, in the case of head lamps, the most generally used consists of a flexible band having a head lamp mounting thereon with a direct connection from lamp to battery. Such a band frequently slips loose from a tight mount on the head and causes the light to drop to an undesirable angle from the head, thereby necessitating frequent readjustment.

Accordingly, an object of the instant invention is to provide a portable power package so constructed and designed as to be capable of providing a 12 volt or a 6 volt output by manipulation of at least one of the batteries in the case.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a carrying case for accommodating a battery or batteries, which case is capable of being placed on the belt, hung from the shoulder, or otherwise strapped to the body in a convenient manner, leaving the hands free.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a portable head lamp with accompanying carrying case which is simple and easy to use, and which lamp may be placed on the head without misalignment and maladjustment due to the wearer moving his head up and down and from side to side while the lamp is in use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a portable power system in which the output power intensity may be varied from 12 volts to 6 volts as desired, by manipulation of at least one of the batteries in the pack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the invention are provided in a portable power package for use in areas remotely located from permanent sources of power, which includes the following elements:

1. A carrying case constructed of leather or other suitable material designed for accommodating at least one battery to supply power to a selected output;

2. Means for attaching the carrying case to the body leaving the hands free;

3. An output means in electrical attachment to the power supply by a cord which is sufficiently long to allow freedom of movement of the output with respect to the carrying case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood in view of the following description presented with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrates a head lamp as the typical output utility of the invention.

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of the portable power package of this invention, including carrying case and illustrative head lamp output;

FIG. 2 is a top-sectional view along lines 2--2 in FIG. 1, illustrating the electrical contact points, battery supports, and connections in the carrying case for operation of the head lamp output;

FIG. 3 is a side-sectional view along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2, further illustrating the contact points, electrical connections and typical battery positions in the carrying case;

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic of the portable power package system;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the back plate of the carrying case illustrating a preferred method of attaching the carrying case to the body;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the battery divider feature of the invention, which divider is used to maintain good contact between the battery and contact points in the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a conventional, 6 volt, dry cell battery of the design preferred for use in the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the portable power package of this invention, generally illustrated by reference numeral 1, is disclosed, with carrying case 2 illustrated for accommodation of two-6 volt dry cell batteries 12, and battery divider 22 (illustrated in FIG. 6). Attached to carrying case 2 is back plate 3, equipped with belt apertures 4, electrical contact plate 6, electrical contact screws 7 for mating with apertures (illustrated in FIG. 5) in electrical contact plate 6 to provide electrical contact connection points, and connectors 9a and 9b attached to electrical contact plate 6 by means of electrical contact screws 7. Back plate 3 is preferably braded onto carrying case 2, but may be otherwise connected as is convenient. Carry case 2 is additionally equipped with shoulder strap apertures 5, and top strap 10 carrying snaps 11, which strap and snaps are positioned to keep batteries 12 from falling out of carrying case 2 if the case were turned upside down or otherwise sharply jolted. In electrical connection with electrical contact screws 7, and electrical contact plate 6, is one end of output head lamp cord 8, the other end of this cord being attached to head lamp 13 or other electrical output, via switch 14 (optional). Head lamp 13 is equipped with bulb 15, which may be adapted for either 12 or 6 volt output, and may be in attachment to head harness 16 for convenient mounting on the head of a user. Head lamp cord 8 is, of course, sufficiently long to permit unrestricted movement of the head and head lamp or other output means with respect to carrying case 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates the bottom section of carrying case 2, more particularly depicting the electrical connections and contact system thereto. Connectors 9A and 9B join contacts 23A and 23B, respectively, mounted on the bottom portion of carrying case 2, and contacts 23, 24, and 24A are additionally provided to function as hereinafter discussed. Likewise, switch 9C joins contacts 23A and 24, connector 9D links contact 24 and contact 24A, and connector 9E joins contacts 23 and 23B. Battery supports 21 are provided on the bottom of carrying case 2 to support batteries 12 firmly in position to provide positive electrical contact between negative battery terminal 19, and its respective contact, and positive terminal 20, and its respective contact when the batteries are placed in functional position.

FIG. 3 further illustrates a typical position of batteries 12 with respect to battery supports 21, the respective connectors, and contacts. FIG. 3 also particularly illustrates the battery terminal -- contact positions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, either 6 or 12 volt power can be supplied to output bulb 15 of head lamp 13, or other power output, depending upon the configuration and positioning of batteries 12 in carrying case 2. For example, when switch 9C is open and output cord 8 is attached to connectors 9A and 9B, (and ultimately to contacts 23A and 23B, respectively), and when positive battery terminal 20 of battery 12 is placed on contact 23B, and negative battery terminal 19 on contact 23A, 6 volts are supplied to the output (in the illustrated case to bulb 15 in head lamp 13). Subsequent activation of head lamp switch 14 then provides the desired illumination.

When a double amperage, parallel electrical connection to provide longer battery life is desired in the system, the battery connection discussed above is effected, and a second battery is placed in case 2 with positive terminal 20 touching contact 23, and negative terminal 19 touching contact 24A. Switch 9C is then closed, and a double-amperage, parallel power output is effected.

Alternatively, when a 12 volt power supply is desired, switch 9C is opened and the following battery and connector configuration is utilized: Head lamp cord 8 is positioned on connectors 9A and 9B, as above, which provides electrical connection to contacts 23A and 23B, respectively. The first battery is then placed with positive battery terminal 20 on contact 23A, and negative battery terminal 19 on contact 24; the other battery is then positioned as above described, with positive battery terminal 20 on contact 23, and negative battery terminal 19 on contact 24A. This arrangement provides a 12 volt power supply to the output, in the illustrated case, to bulb 15, via head lamp 13 upon activation of head lamp switch 14.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawing, an electrical schematic illustrating bulb 15, head lamp switch 14, electrical contact plate 6, electric connector screws 7, connectors 9A, and 9B, contacts 23, 23A, 23B, 24 and 24A, and batteries 12, is as illustrated. The function of this circuit is to provide a 6 volt, single amperage power output as previously discussed, depending upon battery location and positioning.

FIG. 5 more particularly illustrates back plate 3, showing the position of electrical connector plate 6, threaded apertures 7A (designed to receive electrical contact screws 7), brad apertures 17, designed to receive brads 18 in fastening the back plate to the carrying case, and belt apertures 4, for mounting the carrying case on the belt of a user.

FIG. 6 illustrates battery divider 22, equipped with attached cord 22A, for removing the battery divider from its position between batteries 12 when it is desired to remove the batteries from the portable power package. Battery divider 22 serves to hold batteries 12 tightly into position in the carrying case to keep battery terminals 19 and 20 on the contacts as the package is used, thereby insuring a continuous power supply to the output. The battery divider is removed from its position between the batteries by pulling cord 22A upward when it is desired to remove the batteries from carrying case 2.

While the power package output of this invention has been illustrated as applied to a light, and particularly, a head light or lamp, it will be appreciated that the invention may be similarly used to supply power to battery powered tools, such as direct current hedge clippers, cattle shockers, dental equipment, radios, and explosive equipment. Use of rectifiers for conversion of the direct current into alternating current can be utilized where desired, and several power packages can be utilized in series or parallel connection to provide the desired current and voltage necessary for a designated task.

It will be appreciated that use of switch 9C illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing, is not necessary in changing from 6 to 12 volt operation, although it serves as a safety device to prevent bulb burnout. For example, if the power package is adjusted for 6 volt operation and it is desired to convert from 6 to 12 volt use, switch 9C may be first checked to be sure it is closed, the batteries arranged in the appropriate positions as heretofore discussed for 12 volt operation, and the 6 volt bulb removed and a 12 volt bulb inserted. Switch 9C may then be opened to provide 12 volt power to the output without bulb damage, while the process of opening switch 9C prior to changing bulbs would have resulted in burning out the 6 volt bulb.

Claims

I claim:

1. A portable power package comprising:

a. A carrying case adapted to receive a first battery, a second battery, a first, second, and third contact point for selectively receiving the terminals of said first battery, and a fourth and fifth contact point for receiving the terminals of said second battery, said first and said second contact points each being adapted for electrical contact with an output means, said second and said third contact points being selectively interconnected, said third and said fourth contact points being interconnected; and said first and said fifth contact points being interconnected;

b. A switch located between said second and said third contact points, said switch being placed in the open position;

c. Battery supports mounted in said carrying case and adapted to receive said first and said second battery;

d. The positive terminal of said first battery placed in contact with said first contact point, and the negative terminal in contact with said second contact point; and

e. The positive and negative terminals of said second battery placed in contact with said battery supports adjacent said fourth contact point and said fifth contact point.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein:

a. Said switch is closed; and

b. The positive terminal of said second battery is placed in contact with said fifth contact point, and the negative terminal is placed in contact with said fourth contact point.

3. The package of claim 2 further including a battery divider positioned between said first battery and said second battery to provide firm electrical contact between the terminals of said first battery and said second battery and said contact points.

4. The package of claim 2 wherein:

a. Said switch is opened; and

b. The positive terminal of said first battery is placed in contact with said second contact point, and the negative terminal is placed in contact with said third contact point.

5. The package of claim 1 further including a battery divider positioned between said first battery and said second battery to provide firm contact between the terminals of said first battery and said contact points.