Abstract: A collapsible plug that can fit into a motor vehicle's cigarette lighter. It comprises two flat members that are generally rectangular, except at one end where they are semicircular. The members are pivotally connected at an axis midway between their longer edges. The members may be rotated around the axis so that they lie together in a flat position for storage. The members may be rotated in an opposite direction, until they are at right angles to each other, in an open position in which they may be retained in a cigarette lighter. The semicircular ends of the members are inserted into the cigarette lighter. Electricity is conducted from contacts on the flat edges and the semicircular ends of the members to a cord on the opposite end of the collapsible plug, and through the cord to a second plug, where it can power a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A universal battery charger for cellular telephones and other battery operated devices. It also may be used to power a battery operated device when there are no batteries in the device. It can charge a battery from power sources having different voltages (e.g., a 12 volt car cigarette lighter, or a 110 or 120 volt wall outlet) and can charge a battery when no external power source is available. It has a built in battery pack, using a no-memory battery, that can be charged from any of the power sources. The battery pack can hold a charge and be discharged only upon demand. The preferred embodiment includes a 110/220 AC plug, and male and female 12 volt cigarette lighter plugs. Optionally, a DC to DC converter or similar device may be incorporated, so that the invention can recharge batteries requiring different voltages (e.g. 6 and 12 volt batteries).

Abstract: A switching apparatus and method designed to control a car radio or other device with only one connection to the vehicle and with no modification to the original wiring. (However, the scope of the invention is not limited to vehicles.) In the first preferred embodiment it is used to power a cell phone or other device from the line to the car radio. In both preferred embodiments, the power to the radio is cut off when the cell phone is in use. The fuse in the fuse box for the car radio is replaced with a dummy fuse. That fuse is then inserted into an in-line fuse holder. A connector on each leg of the output from the dummy fuse can supply power to the cell phone. A third connector may be plugged into one of the other connectors for powering of hand-free cellular phones that may be independently fused.