Charger with universal battery pack receptacle
US5148094A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1990 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A charger 11 is configured to receive alternatively for charging, one at a time, battery packs having three different shapes, namely, a large oval pack 213 (FIG. 10), a small oval pack 219 (FIG. 11) and a D-shaped pack 225 (FIG. 12). When pack 219) is inserted into receptacle 25, a pack locater 77 biases pack 219 against the receptacle sidewall 29 and into a location to properly mate with electrical contacts 65, 66. When pack 225 is inserted into receptacle 25, locater 77 biases pack 225 against a retractable abutment 85 spaced from locater 77 and into a proper location to mate with contacts 65, 66. When pack 213 is inserted into receptacle 25, receptacle contacts 47, 49 mate with pack terminals 24. When pack 213 is in receptacle 25, contacts 65, 66, pack locater 77 and abutmet 85 serve no function and are substantially retracted from receptacle 25 by engagement with pack sidewall 216. Thus, charger 11 is automatically adaptable for charging a plurality of battery pack designs in a simple and low cost manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.