BATTERY CHARGER FOR A MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

1 . A battery charging system for a communication device, the battery charging system comprising:

a housing;

a charging circuit positioned within the housing, the charging circuit comprising electrical components configured to convert an electrical input into a regulated output suitable for use in charging the communication device;

an electrical prong pivotally coupled to the housing, the electrical prong having a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the electrical prong is positioned substantially within a cavity of the housing, and, in the open position, the electrical prong extends from a back surface of the housing in a configuration enabling the electrical prong to be inserted into an electrical outlet to close an electrical connection between the charging circuit and the electrical outlet,

wherein the electrical prong comprises a protrusion positioned at a base of the prong, the protrusion sized to produce an interference fit with the electrical outlet; and

an electrical connector at least partially protruding from a bottom surface of the housing, the electrical connector configured to engage a mating electrical jack of the communication device to enable the regulated output to charge the communication device.

2 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a sleeve extending around the base of the prong.

3 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a resilient material.

4 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises silicone.

5 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical prong is configured to pivot about a first axis, the first axis being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

6 . The battery charging system of claim 5 , wherein the electrical prong is further configured to pivot about a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

7 . The battery charging system of claim 5 , further comprising:

a second electrical prong pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the second electrical prong is configured to pivot about a second axis, the second axis being parallel to the first axis,

wherein the second electrical prong comprises a second protrusion positioned at a base of the second prong, the second protrusion sized to produce an interference fit with the electrical outlet.

8 . The battery charging system of claim 5 , wherein the electrical prong is mechanically coupled to a second electrical prong such that both electrical prongs pivot together about the first axis.

9 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an electrically conductive material and the battery charging system further comprises:

an insulating layer comprising a material having electrical insulating properties, the insulating layer positioned at least partially between the housing and the charging circuit.

10 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an end cap comprising a cavity sized to cover the electrical connector when the electrical connector is not connected to the communication device.

11 . The battery charging system of claim 10 , wherein the end cap is hingedly connected to the housing.

12 . The battery charging system of claim 10 , wherein the end cap is removably connected to the housing, and the end cap and housing each comprise a magnetic portion configured to enable the end cap to be stored magnetically affixed to the housing when the end cap is not covering the electrical connector.

13 . The battery charging system of claim 12 , wherein the magnetic portion of the end cap comprises at least one magnet, and the magnetic portion of the housing comprises a ferrous material.

14 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connector comprises a movable protrusion configured to be positioned within a cavity of the electrical jack to at least partially support a weight of the communication device.

15 . The battery charging system of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a maximum thickness of about 8 millimeters.

16 . A battery charging system for a communication device, the battery charging system comprising:

a housing comprising an electrically conductive material;

a charging circuit positioned within the housing, the charging circuit comprising electrical components configured to convert an electrical input into a regulated output suitable for use in charging the communication device;

an electrical prong sized to be inserted into an electrical outlet to close an electrical connection between the charging circuit and the electrical outlet;

an electrical connector at least partially protruding from a bottom surface of the housing, the electrical connector configured to engage a mating electrical jack of the communication device to enable the regulated output to charge the communication device; and

a first insulating layer comprising a material having electrical insulating properties, the insulating layer positioned at least partially between the housing and the charging circuit.

17 . The battery charging system of claim 16 , wherein the housing comprises aluminum.

18 . The battery charging system of claim 16 , wherein the first insulating layer comprises plastic.

19 . The battery charging system of claim 16 , further comprising:

a second insulating layer comprising a material having electrical insulating properties,

wherein the first insulating layer is positioned at least partially between a front portion of the housing and the charging circuit, and

wherein the second insulating layer is positioned at least partially between a back portion of the housing and the charging circuit.

20 . The battery charging system of claim 16 , wherein the electrical prong is pivotally coupled to the housing, the electrical prong having a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the electrical prong is positioned substantially within a cavity of the housing, and, in the open position, the electrical prong extends from the back surface of the housing in a configuration enabling the electrical prong to be inserted into the electrical outlet.

21 . The battery charging system of claim 20 , wherein the electrical prong comprises a protrusion positioned at a base of the prong, the protrusion sized to produce an interference fit with the electrical outlet.

22 . The battery charging system of claim 20 , wherein the electrical prong is pivotally coupled to the housing such that the electrical prong can rotate about a first axis, and the electrical prong is further configured to pivot about a second axis oriented perpendicular to the first axis.

23 . The battery charging system of claim 20 , wherein the electrical prong is mechanically coupled to a second electrical prong such that pivoting of one of the prongs causes the other prong to also pivot.

24 . A battery charging system for a communication device, the battery charging system comprising:

a housing;

a charging circuit positioned within the housing, the charging circuit comprising electrical components configured to convert an electrical input into a regulated output suitable for use in charging the communication device;

an electrical prong pivotally coupled to the housing, the electrical prong having a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the electrical prong is positioned substantially within a cavity of the housing, and, in the open position, the electrical prong extends from the back surface of the housing in a configuration enabling the electrical prong to be inserted into an electrical outlet to close an electrical connection between the charging circuit and the electrical outlet;

an electrical connector at least partially protruding from a bottom surface of the housing, the electrical connector configured to engage a mating electrical jack of the communication device to enable the regulated output to charge the communication device; and

a locking member configured to engage the communication device to at least partially support a weight of the communication device while the electrical connector is engaged with the electrical jack of the communication device.

25 . The battery charging system of claim 24 , wherein the electrical connector comprises the locking member.

26 . The battery charging system of claim 24 , wherein the housing comprises the locking member.

27 . The battery charging system of claim 24 , wherein the locking member is configured to engage a cavity of the communication device to at least partially support the weight of the communication device.

28 . The battery charging system of claim 24 , wherein the locking member is configured to at least partially support the weight of the communication device using friction.

29 . The battery charging system of claim 24 , wherein the electrical prong is mechanically coupled to a second electrical prong such that pivoting of one of the prongs causes the other prong to also pivot.

30 . The battery charging system of claim 24 , wherein the electrical prong is pivotally coupled to the housing such that the electrical prong can rotate about a first axis, and the electrical prong is further configured to pivot about a second axis oriented perpendicular to the first axis.