WO2000038256A1

WO2000038256A1 - Flexible strap for providing power to a portable electrical device

Info

Publication number: WO2000038256A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/028067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary D. Havey; Steven A. Lewis
Original assignee: Honeywell Inc.
Priority date: 1998-12-18
Filing date: 1999-11-23
Publication date: 2000-06-29

Abstract

A flexible battery strap (110) for providing electrical power to a portable electrical device (100) is provided. The flexible strap is capable of housing flat, flexible batteries for powering wearable electrical equipment, such as watches, computers, or radios, which may be worn around the user's body, such as the arm, head, leg or torso. The strap contains connectors (102) on each end for attachment to the electrical device, which allow for adjustment to a user's body size and provide electrical contacts between the batteries and the electrical device. When the strap is depleted of electrical power, the connectors allow the strap to be removed recharging or for a replacement strap to be inserted in its place. Alternatively, the batteries may be removed from the strap allowing the user to replace the power source without disassembling the electrical device.

Description

FLEXIBLE STRAP FOR PROVIDING POWER TO A PORTABLE ELECTRICAL

DEVICE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a means for attaching an electrical device to a person's body such as a wearable computer or a radio frequency communications device. It is well known that many portable electrical devices suitable for attachment to the body, such as the arm, head, leg, or torso of a user require a small, durable, yet easily replaceable power source. These devices have typically housed their power sources inside the housing, taking up valuable space and increasing the size of the electrical device. In addition, the placement of the power source inside the housing often requires disassembly of the device, often requiring specialized tools, in order to replace the power source once the stored electrical energy has been depleted. Over time, personal computers have become faster, smaller, and more efficient. As computers have been reduced in size, so too have their housing requirements. A computer that once required a large building to house it, how is available small enough to be comfortably attached to the human body. U.S. Patent No. 5,555,490 (Carroll) describes one such wearable personal computer system. Carroll provides a wearable support and interconnection structure for a microcomputer housed within a wearable garment. One problem with this approach is the necessity of carrying an adequate power source to meet the electrical demands of the system. Due to the power requirement, typical computer batteries are often large and cumbersome, creating an uneven load on the spine of a user. Prolonged wearing of such devices creates strain in the supporting muscles opposite the place where the battery is harnessed.

U.S. Patent No. 5,305,181 (Schultz) is related art, which discloses an arm, or wrist mounted terminal with a flexible housing. Schultz provides a terminal that incorporates typical solid batteries into a space created above the wrist strap. Because solid batteries are used, two problems arise. First, solid batteries cannot conform to a user's body and often result in unnecessary pressure causing the user to be uncomfortable. Second, solid batteries placed above the strap of such a device does not significantly reduce the size of the terminal, which results in a bulky and awkward device.

U.S. Patent 4,748,603 (Ray et al.) is related art, which discloses a chronograph watch that houses a small button type battery. This placement of the battery in this configuration causes two problems. First, such a watch is not user serviceable should the battery fail, as special tools are often required to disassemble the housing in order to replace the battery. Second, this design results in a larger size housing in order to accommodate the battery, which may not always be comfortable for the user. U.S. Patent 4,935,761 (Suzuki et al.) is related art that discloses a camera using a packed battery. The placement of the packed battery inside the camera requires the camera housing to extend to accommodate such a battery, often resulting in an awkward and unbalanced camera. Furthermore, as explained previously, placing a battery inside the housing often requires disassembly of the housing in order to replace a depleted battery. U.S. Patent No. 4,481,458 (Lane) is related art disclosing a miners lamp power pack suitable for powering a miner's helmet mounted lamp. The size and type of battery used significantly increases the weight of the helmet and the clearance room needed to maneuver.

In addition to typical solid batteries, thin flexible batteries are generally known in the art, such as U.S. Patent No. 3,023,259 to Coler et al. A common form of flexible batteries includes those of the Lithium Polymer type, as available from Valence Technology and others. Due to recent technological advances in Lithium Polymer flexible batteries, many are now available which provide an adequate power to weight ratio suitable for powering a small electrical device. Such batteries have the unique benefits of being thin and capable of conforming or bending without a significant decrease in the power output or any physical destruction of the battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

These and other shortcomings of the referenced patents are solved by the present invention which is capable of housing thin flexible batteries, such as the Lithium Polymer type, which can be mounted inside a flexible strap for attachment to a user's body to secure a portable electrical device. Such a strap is not limited to the application of securing a portable electrical device, but may also be used to provide power to devices that require a small flexible power source, capable of conforming to the shape of the device. A power source of this type could be employed to operate small electrical equipment, such as watches, radios or computers, while securely attaching such equipment to the user's body. Another advantage of such a flexible battery strap is that it may be employed in applications having limited or no space available to accommodate a typical battery inside the housing. When the strap is depleted of electrical power, the connectors allow the strap to be removed for recharging or for a replacement strap to be inserted in its place. Alternatively, the batteries may be removed from the strap allowing the user to replace the power source without disassembling the electrical device. Other alternatives would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. The connectors used on each end of the strap may take many forms, including forms suitable for quick and efficient replacement in the field, or forms for environmentally sealing the connectors for use in outdoor weather conditions. Such connectors may allow a user to replace the power source without the need for professional service or specialized tools. In addition, the connectors may be expanded to allow for additional signal paths to accommodate electronic circuitry housed within the flexible strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the flexible battery strap as connected to an electrical device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded assembly view of the battery terminal end with the outer housing partially removed.

Figure 5 is an orthographic cross sectional view of the present invention.

Figure 6 is partial perspective view of a connector.

Figure 7 is an alternate embodiment of a connector. Figure 8 is an alternate embodiment of a connector.

Figure 9 is an alternate embodiment of a connector.

Figure 10 is an alternate embodiment of a connector.

Figure 11 is an alternate embodiment of a connector.

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of a connector and receiving connector. Figure 13 is an alternate embodiment of a connector and receiving connector.

Figure 14 is an alternate embodiment of a connector and receiving connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention. Flexible strap 110 is attached to an electrical device 100 such as a personal wrist computer. Flexible strap 1 10 attaches at a first end of electrical device 100, which comprises an electrical receiving means 104. Flexible strap 110 is attached at the first end of the electrical device 100 by means of two snapping means 102 which also serve as electrical contacts for supplying electrical power from the batteries (not shown) to the electrical device 100. The strap is also secured at a second end 106 of the electrical device 100 by means of a hook and loop fastener system 108. Adjusting the hook and loop fastener system 108 can, thereby alter the length of the strap 110. Although, a hook and loop fastener illustrated in Figure 1 it is contemplated that any means that allows for the adjustment of the length of strap 110.

Figure 2 demonstrates an alternate embodiment for attaching the flexible strap 110 to the electrical device 100. Replacing the snapping means 102, as shown in figure 1, a plug-in type connector 212 may alternatively be attached to the electrical receiving side 104 of the electrical device 100. Embodiments of connector 212 include, but are not limited to the embodiments shown in figure 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14.

Other possible embodiments exist for securing the flexible strap 110 at second end 106 of electrical device 100 such as snapping means, latches, screws, or other integrally mounted means. These securing means may also include additional electrical contacts for directing power from the batteries to electrical device 100.

Figure 3 demonstrates another embodiment of the flexible strap 110 where connecting means 314 are common metallic snaps placed on opposite ends. As shown in this embodiment, the strap 110 would include an elastic section (not shown) for stretching to accommodate different length requirements. Connecting means 314 provides for the electrical connection at the first end 104 of electrical device 100 of one of the battery terminals and for the electrical connection at the second end 106 of electrical device 100. Connecting means 314 includes any connector capable of transferring electrical power from the battery to the electrical device 100.

Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of the flexible battery enclosed in strap 110 of figure 1 through 3. In the preferred embodiment, strap 110 contains flexible batteries 426, separated by a spacing material 420 having a low coefficient of friction such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) commonly known as "TEFLON," a trademark of the Dupont Co. Depending on the number of batteries 426 used in strap 110, and the composition of the outer covering of batteries 426, spacing material 420 may not be necessary.

Flexible batteries 426 are electrically connected to small receiving boards 418 by means of electrically conductive adhesive or other electrically securing means. As shown in figure 4, one battery terminal 416 may be electrically connected on the top of receiving board 418 while the other terminal (not shown) may be electrically connected on the bottom of receiving board 418, thereby electrically isolating the terminals. Receiving boards 418 may then be wired in parallel or series by means of a small wire (not shown), or other electrically conductive medium. To prevent undue wear and breakage tension relieving means 424 is provided. Tension relieving device allows the stress from bending or flexing to be taken off battery terminals 418. Tension relieving device 424 may be attached by means of an epoxy, clamping means, or other securing means. Receiving boards 418, spacing material 420, tension relieving means 424 and the flexible batteries 426 are all secured inside strap 110 by flexible shell 430. While thus us the preferred embodiment, other embodiments are contemplated. For example it is possible to install the batteries without receiving board 418 and electrically connect flexible batteries 426 directly to electrical device 100.

The number of flexible batteries 426 included in strap 110 will vary based on the power requirements of the electrical device and the desired thickness of the strap. Furthermore, the receiving boards 418 described herein may include a removable connector means for detaching the batteries 426 and possibly receiving boards 418 from the tension relieving device 424, so as to replace the batteries 426 without detaching the strap 110 from the electrical device 100. Such a procedure might necessarily involve the opening of the flexible shell 430 to reach the batteries 426 and the receiving boards 418. Figure 5 demonstrates the layout of the batteries and the placement of the tension relieving device 424, securing one end of the flexible batteries 426 to the receiving boards 418. When the strap is bent, flexible shell 430 and the spacing material 420 allows the unattached end of the batteries 536 to flex and slide with respect to each other, while still allowing the strap to lie flat against the user's body. Figure 5 illustrates a cutaway side view of strap 110. Figure 5 illustrates connecting wires 532 and 534 that provide electrical contact from receiving boards 418 and batteries 426 to connecting means 314. Connecting wires 532 and 534 must be flexible and long enough to expand to match the size of flexible strap 110 when attached to an electrical device 100. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, both connecting wires 532 and 534 would attach to the snapping means on one side of the flexible shell 430. Figures 6 through 11 demonstrate other possible embodiments possible for connecting flexible strap 1 10 and batteries 426 to electrical device 100. The connectors of figures 6 through 11 are common connectors and are only representative of the possible connectors available. It is understood that the present invention is not be limited by the connection means shown, but that other connection means are possible as is known by one skilled in the art.

Figure 7 demonstrates a captive hand screw 738 mounted on each side of the plug- in type connector 740. Figure 8 demonstrates a snap-in type connector where pins 840 are spring loaded electrical contacts for providing electricity to the electrical device. Figure 9 demonstrates a locking-clip type connector where the locking clips 942 are pivotally attached to the connector 944 for securely latching to electrical device 100. The locking clips 942 each provide electrical contacts for transferring the electrical energy to the electrical device. Figure 10 demonstrates another connector embodiment where the electrical contacts are thumbscrews 1046, which maybe geared together to facilitate the strap attachment. Figure 11 demonstrates another connector embodiment where the electrical contacts are captive screws 1148 mounted flush with the flexible shell 430. Also shown are the hidden views of the receiving boards 418 and the batteries 426 as well as the electrically connecting wires 532 and 534.

Figures 12 through 14 are end views depicting the various types of electrical contacts possible for the connecting means shown in figures 7 through 9. Figure 12 is a typical pin type connector, the strap housing the female end and the electrical device housing the male end. Figure 13 is a slight variation of the connector of figure 12 where one long electrical contact is inserted into the receiving connector. The receiving end of the connector may be mounted on either the strap or the electrical device. Figure 14 depicts two contact pads 1450 that provide the electrical contacts with the receiving connector.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. An apparatus for securing an electrical device to a person comprising: a flexible shell for substantially conforming to the shape of said person's body part to which said electrical device is to be secured, said flexible shell having a first end and a second end; a securing means for attaching said first end of said flexible shell to a first end of said electrical device; a connector for attaching said second end of said flexible shell to a second end of said electrical device; at least one flexible battery for providing energy to said electrical device disposed within said flexible shell, such that said flexible battery substantially conforms to the shape of said person's body part to which it is to be attached.

2. The apparatus of claim 1. wherein said means for providing electrical energy is at least one Lithium Polymer flexible battery, said battery having a first and second lead.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises at least two flexible batteries wherein; said flexible batteries are separated by at least one layer of material having a low coefficient of friction, allowing said batteries to slide with respect to each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 whereby said securing means allows for length adjustment to said user's body part.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 where said securing means is comprised of a hook and loop fastener system.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connector is secured to said electrical device by a locking means selected from the group consisting of a captive screw system, a latch system, a snapping system, a pin and socket system and a thumb screw system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connector is capable of providing at least one electrical contact between said battery and said electrical device.