Patents Assigned to SelfCHARGE, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6057610
    Abstract: An adapter plug system connectable to AC and DC sources for powering an electrically powered device. The system includes an adapter power cord for translating AC or DC voltages into a predefined DC voltage and a DC adapter. The adapter power cord also includes an adapter circuit in a case that translates a received voltage into a voltage acceptable for an attached electrically powered device. The adapter power cord includes a switch for automatically or manually setting the adapter circuit to translate AC or DC voltages. The system also includes a DC adapter that inserts into a vehicle lighter outlet for supplying a DC voltage to plug prong receiving ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: SelfCHARGE Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Nierescher
  • Patent number: 6034505
    Abstract: A rechargeable apparatus for mounting onto a battery-powered device and providing power. The apparatus includes a housing for slideably receiving the battery-powered device, a jack that is insertable into a power outlet on the battery-powered device, a rotatable AC plug mounted to the housing, and a night light coupled to the AC plug and positioned on the housing to supply illuminating light. Also, the apparatus includes at least one rechargeable battery and a charging circuit mounted inside the housing. The jack and night light may be mounted on a support arm that extends away from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: SelfCharge Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Arthur, David S. Nierescher
  • Patent number: 5693431
    Abstract: A battery pack (20) holds one or more batteries (118) and connects to a mobile telephone (115). The battery pack includes a case (22) for holding the batteries, a recharging circuit (122) disposed in the case, a plug (86) rotatably connected to the case and electrically connected to the recharging circuit, and electrical terminals 46 mounted to the case. The plug includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced prongs (88). The plug rotates from a first position, having the prongs projecting from the case, to a second position having the prongs retracted into the case. Electrical leads (47) extend from each of the electrical terminals to battery terminals. A pair of contacts (110) and (112) spaced from another, interrupts each of the electrical leads. When the prongs retract, each electrical contact of a contact pair electrically connects to one another through a prong. When the prongs extend, the electrical contacts are disconnected from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: SelfCHARGE, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nierescher, Samuel E. Cassese
  • Patent number: 5694022
    Abstract: A battery pack for an electrical device contains rechargeable batteries for supplying power to the electrical device and a transformerless pulse charging circuit. The pulse charging circuit generates a pulse charging current from received AC current, and charges the rechargeable batteries with the generated pulse charging current. A semiconductor switch (12) generates the pulse charging current from the received AC current and supplies the pulse charging current to the batteries. A ramp generator circuit (14) generates a linearly rising waveform beginning at each zero crossing of the rectified AC current. A current sense amplifier circuit (15) measures the average value of current pulses through the battery and generates a signal proportional to an average charging current. A triggering circuit (18) generates the gate firing pulses for the semiconductor switch (12) according to the linearly rising waveform and the average charging current amplifier waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Selfcharge, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Ranta, David S. Nierescher, Steven M. Swedenburg