Portable power charger

Abstract

A portable charger is provided for charging one or more electronic devices simultaneously from a rechargeable internal battery. To accommodate multiple electronic devices, a portable charger unit is combined with multiple connectors for connecting to more than one electronic device, as necessary. For example, the charger unit can include at least one power output for connection to electronic devices via connectors or charging cables, including a squid connector providing multiple connection interfaces adaptable to a variety of electronic devices. Alternatively, the charger unit can include two or more connector cables connected to the charger unit and stored within the charger housing for connection to electronic devices when needed. An adapter unit is provided for connection to the charger unit for recharging the internal battery of the charger unit.

1 . A portable charger unit for simultaneously recharging a plurality of electronic devices, each having a rechargeable internal battery, said portable charger unit comprising:
 a charger housing internally storing a rechargeable battery;   a power input port operatively connected to the internal battery for providing an electrical charge from an external power source to the charger unit and for recharging the internal battery when the charger unit is connected to said power source;   at least one power output port operatively connected to the internal battery for providing an electrical charge from the internal battery to an electronic device when said electronic device is connected to the charger unit via the output port; and   connector means capable of connecting two or more electronic devices to the charger unit via said at least one output port.   
     
     
         2 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector means comprise two or more connector cables operatively connected with a respective output port on the charger housing for attachment to respective electronic devices for recharging the internal rechargeable batteries of said devices when so attached. 
     
     
         3 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 2 , wherein each of said connector cables is attached to the charger housing. 
     
     
         4 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said charger housing includes a storage cavity for each of said two or more connector cables for receiving said cables in a non-use condition. 
     
     
         5 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 4 , wherein each connector cable comprises:
 a proximal end attached to the charger housing,   a distal end having a connection interface adapted for engagement with an electronic device; and   a cord portion extending between said proximal and distal ends of said connector cable.   
     
     
         6 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 5 , wherein each storage cavity receives the connector cable within the exterior volume of the charger housing. 
     
     
         7 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 6 , wherein each storage cavity includes a channel portion for receiving the cord portion of a respective connector cable, and an interface portion for receiving the distal end of said respective connector cable. 
     
     
         8 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 4 , wherein each of said two or more connector cables are removably attached to respective power output port on the charger housing such that they may be disconnected from the charger housing. 
     
     
         9 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 2 , comprising two connector cables operatively connected with a respective output port on the charger housing for attachment to respective electronic devices for recharging the internal rechargeable batteries of said devices when so attached, and
 wherein said charger housing includes two storage cavities, one for each of said connector cables, for receiving said cables in a non-use condition, wherein said storage cavities are positioned on opposing sides of said charger housing.   
     
     
         10 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 2 , comprising three connector cables operatively connected with a respective output port on the charger housing for attachment to respective electronic devices for recharging the internal rechargeable batteries of said devices when so attached, and
 wherein said charger housing includes three storage cavities, one for each of said connector cables, for receiving said cables in a non-use condition, wherein two of said storage cavities are positioned on opposing sides of said charger housing, and the third of said storage cavities is positioned on a top side of said storage housing.   
     
     
         11 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a processing unit operatively connected to the internal battery for controlling recharging of the internal battery when said charger unit is connected to an external power source via the power input port and for controlling recharging of electronic devices connected to the charger unit via the at least one power output port. 
     
     
         12 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 11 , further comprising power indicator means provided on the charger housing and operatively controlled by the processing unit to indicate at least one of the power capacity in the internal battery of the charger unit and the power capacity of an electronic device connected to the charger unit via said at least one output port. 
     
     
         13 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector means comprise a detachable squid connector having a first end comprising a connection interface for engagement with the power output port of the charger unit and a second end comprising two or more connection interfaces for engagement with respective electronic devices. 
     
     
         14 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter unit designed for connection with an external power source and for connection to the power input port of the charger unit for supply a power charge from said external power source when the adapter unit is connected with both the external power source and the charger unit, said adapter unit comprising:
 a main body;   a connector cable for engagement with the power input port of the charger unit; and   at least one of a wall socket plug interface, a car charger interface, an airplane charger interface, and a USB connection interface.   
     
     
         15 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said charger unit is capable of recharging the internal battery of the charger unit by a connection with an external power source at the same time as one or more electronic devices are being recharged by the charger unit. 
     
     
         16 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said charger unit recharges two or more electronic devices connected to the charger unit via said connector means simultaneously. 
     
     
         17 . A portable charger unit for simultaneously recharging a plurality of electronic devices, each having a rechargeable internal battery, said portable charger unit comprising:
 a charger housing internally storing a rechargeable battery;   a power input port operatively connected to the internal battery for providing an electrical charge from an external power source to the charger unit and for recharging the internal battery when the charger unit is connected to said power source; and   a plurality of power output ports operatively connected to the internal battery for providing an electrical charge from the internal battery to an electronic device when said electronic device is connected to the charger unit via one of said output ports;   wherein said charger unit recharges two or more electronic devices connected to the charger unit via said power output ports simultaneously.   
     
     
         18 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 17 , further comprising two or more connector cables operatively connected with a respective output port on the charger housing for attachment to respective electronic devices for recharging the internal rechargeable batteries of said devices when so attached. 
     
     
         19 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 18 , wherein each of said connector cables is attached to the charger housing. 
     
     
         20 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 19 , wherein said charger housing includes a storage cavity for each of said two or more connector cables for receiving said cables in a non-use condition. 
     
     
         21 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 20 , wherein each connector cable comprises:
 a proximal end attached to the charger housing,   a distal end having a connection interface adapted for engagement with an electronic device; and   a cord portion extending between said proximal and distal ends of said connector cable.   
     
     
         22 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 21 , wherein each storage cavity receives the connector cable within the exterior volume of the charger housing. 
     
     
         23 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 22 , wherein each storage cavity includes a channel portion for receiving the cord portion of a respective connector cable, and an interface portion for receiving the distal end of said respective connector cable. 
     
     
         24 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 20 , wherein each of said two or more connector cables are removably attached to respective power output port on the charger housing such that they may be disconnected from the charger housing. 
     
     
         25 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 18 , comprising two connector cables operatively connected with a respective output port on the charger housing for attachment to respective electronic devices for recharging the internal rechargeable batteries of said devices when so attached, and
 wherein said charger housing includes two storage cavities, one for each of said connector cables, for receiving said cables in a non-use condition, wherein said storage cavities are positioned on opposing sides of said charger housing.   
     
     
         26 . The portable charger unit according to  claim 18 , comprising three connector cables operatively connected with a respective output port on the charger housing for attachment to respective electronic devices for recharging the internal rechargeable batteries of said devices when so attached, and
 wherein said charger housing includes three storage cavities, one for each of said connector cables, for receiving said cables in a non-use condition, wherein two of said storage cavities are positioned on opposing sides of said charger housing, and the third of said storage cavities is positioned on a top side of said storage housing.   
     
     
         27 . A portable charger kit for simultaneously recharging a plurality of electronic devices, each having a rechargeable internal battery, said portable charger kit comprising:
 a portable charger unit, comprising:
 a charger housing internally storing a rechargeable battery; 
 a power input port operatively connected to the internal battery for providing an electrical charge from an external power source to the charger unit and for recharging the internal battery when the charger unit is connected to said power source; 
 at least one power output port operatively connected to the internal battery for providing an electrical charge from the internal battery to an electronic device when said electronic device is connected to the charger unit via the output port; and 
   an adapter unit designed for connection with an external power source and for connection to the power input port of the charger unit for supply a power charge from said external power source when the adapter unit is connected with both the external power source and the charger unit, said adapter unit comprising:
 a main body; 
 a connector cable for engagement with the power input port of the charger unit; and 
 at least two of a wall socket plug interface, a car charger interface, an airplane charger interface, and a USB connection interface. 
   
     
     
         28 . The portable charger kit according to  claim 27 , further comprising a detachable squid connector having a first end comprising a connection interface for engagement with the power output port of the charger unit and a second end comprising two or more connection interfaces for engagement with respective electronic devices.