Method and apparatus for battery connection by magnetic means

• US 10,439,411 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2016
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Area Denial Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Area Denial Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Narayanasamy, Lydia Ranjini, Burdine, Dorothy Devine, Burdine, Robert Van
• Primary Examiner(s): Henze-Gongola, David V
• Application Number:
  US15/143,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20170317444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,256 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

A self-aligning magnetic coupling system provides a mechanically moveable electrical connection for an electrical power source to include a battery or plurality of batteries comprising a battery pack and associated connectivity and controls, and magnetically facilitated power coupling to an appliance. Flexible magnetic electrical conductors and connectors provide mechanical and electrical connection of the electrical power source to an appliance such as a tattoo machine.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a reversible magnetically connected battery pack and receiver, the battery pack and receiver comprising:

a battery pack further comprising one or a plurality of batteries, the battery pack being in a housing,

said housing comprising a mounting surface and three electrically conductive magnets attached to the housing in a linear fashion and in a straight line, each electrically conductive magnet with a conduction lead attached to one pole of the battery pack, the outside electrically conductive magnets attached to one electrical pole of the battery pack and the center electrically conductive magnet attached to the opposite pole of the battery pack,

the battery pack being physically reversible without changing the positions of the electrical poles,

the battery pack comprising a safety switch to energize the one or more batteries and magnets when inserted and

the battery pack being supported by mechanical action of the magnets; and

a reversible magnetically connectable battery pack receiver comprising three moveable conductive magnets, the moveable conductive magnets mounting having limited mechanical motion;

wherein the electrical and mechanical connection of the battery pack by the moveable conductive magnets is made through the battery pack receiver; and

wherein the battery pack receiver incorporates a tool power controller and monitor to a hand tool, wherein the hand tool is one of a power tool, a tattoo machine, electrical tool, electric toy, an artistic tool, a weapon, or an electronic device of a type requiring portable electrical power.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical connection of the tool to the battery pack receiver is comprised of a conductive reversible magnetic cable connector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery pack, battery pack receiver, and tool power controller and monitor are mountable on the hand tool, on or in a body, or on or in clothing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further incorporating twist to release action relieving magnetic connection facilitated by magnetically repelling removal magnets.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further incorporating an integrated foot switch controlling the flow of electrical current to the hand tool via wired or wireless controls mounted in the battery pack receiver.

6. The battery pack receiver apparatus of claim 1 receiving electrical power from the battery pack and providing that electrical power to a tool.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conductive magnets of the reversible magnetically connectable battery pack receiver are aligned in a straight line.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conductive magnets are encased in a conductive structural overcoat.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein multiple separate electrical conduction paths are provided on electrically insulated connective structures of the moveable conductive magnets.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery pack is configured to receive electrical power from the battery pack, provide user control of the supplied power, regulating and conditioning the supplied power, display the electrical characteristics of the supplied power to the user, and supply the regulated and conditioned electrical power to a tool.

11. The method of forming a reversible magnetically connected battery pack and receiver, wherein the battery pack and receiver comprises:

a battery pack comprising one or a plurality of batteries, the battery pack being in a housing,

said housing comprising a mounting surface, three electrically conductive magnets attached to the housing in a linear fashion and in a straight line, each electrically conductive magnet with a conduction lead attached to one pole of the battery pack, the outside electrically conductive magnets attached to one electrical pole of the battery pack and the center electrically conductive magnet attached to the opposite pole of the battery pack,

the battery pack being geometrically reversible without changing the positions of the electrical poles,

the battery pack comprising a safety switch to energize the batteries and magnets when inserted, and

the battery pack being supported by mechanical action of the magnets; and

a reversible magnetically connectable battery pack receiver comprising three moveable conductive magnets, the movable conductive magnets mounting having limited mechanical motion;

the method comprising;

making the electrical and mechanical connection of the battery pack to the battery pack receiver by the moveable conductive magnets to the electrically conductive magnets; and

incorporating by the battery pack receiver a tool power controller and monitor to a hand tool, wherein the hand tool is one of a power tool, a tattoo machine, electrical tool, electric toy, an artistic tool, a weapon, or an electronic device of a type requiring portable electrical power.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the electrical connection of the tool to the battery pack receiver is comprised of a conductive reversible magnetic cable connector.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the battery pack, battery pack receiver, and tool power controller and monitor are mountable on the hand tool, on or in a body, or on or in clothing.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising facilitating twist to release action relieving magnetic connection by the action of magnetically repelling removal magnets.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising a controlling the flow of electrical current to the hand tool by a remote switch via wired or wireless control mounted in the battery pack receiver.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising conducting electrical power from the battery pack and providing that that electrical power to the hand tool.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the conductive magnets of the reversible magnetically connectable battery pack receiver are aligned in a straight line.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the conductive magnets are encased in a conductive structural overcoat.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein multiple separate electrical conduction paths separate electrically insulated connective structures of the moveable conductive magnets.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving electrical power from the battery pack, providing user control of the supplied power, regulating and conditioning the supplied power, displaying the electrical characteristics of the supplied power to the user, and supplying the regulated and conditioned electrical power to a hand tool or device.