The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 25, 1997
Filed:
Jul. 03, 1995
Dennis J Toms, Boulder, CO (US);
Other;
Abstract
The invention provides method and apparatus for supplying electrical energy to battery powered equipment of the type utilizing removable batteries. The method of the invention includes the steps of: placing within the battery compartment or battery holder of the equipment a rechargeable storage means for storing electrical energy to which is permanently attached and electrically connected a conversion means for converting light to electrical energy; establishing electrical connection between the rechargeable storage means and the equipment; utilizing the equipment in the normal manner until the rechargeable storage means is depleted of energy; removing the rechargeable storage means together with the attached conversion means from the battery compartment of the equipment; placing the rechargeable storage means together with the conversion means in such location and position that the conversion means is illuminated by light; conducting electrical charge from the conversion means to the rechargeable storage means; waiting until the rechargeable storage means is recharged; and reinserting the rechargeable storage means together with the conversion means in the battery compartment of the equipment. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is characterized by a flexible member which contains the conversion means and which may be unfurled during charging so as to maximize the area of the conversion means exposed to incident light. After charging the flexible member is rolled up or wrapped around the circumference of the unit so that the entire unit will fit into the battery compartment or battery holder of the equipment to be powered.