BATTERY CONNECTION FOR A POWER TOOL

• US 20090202894A1
• Filed: 02/11/2009
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Bublitz, Scott D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,852,776 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/99
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A power tool includes a housing configured to house a motor. The housing defines a body axis and has a hand grip for a user, wherein the hand grip is positioned between a first end and a second end of the housing. The power tool further includes a tool element positioned at the first end of the housing and a battery connection port adapted to receive a battery pack. The battery connection port defines a removal axis for the battery pack and includes a first portion located at one end of the removal axis and a second portion located at an other end of the removal axis opposite the first portion. The second portion is positioned closer to the tool end than the first portion.

Claims

1. A power tool comprising:

a housing configured to house a motor, the housing defining a body axis and having a hand grip for a user, wherein the hand grip is positioned between a first end and a second end of the housing;

a tool element positioned at the first end of the housing; and

a battery connection port adapted to receive a battery pack;

wherein the battery connection port defines a removal axis for the battery pack,

wherein the battery connection port includes a first portion located at one end of the removal axis and a second portion located at an other end of the removal axis opposite the first portion, and

wherein the second portion is positioned closer to the tool end than the first portion.

2. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the battery pack includes a fuel gauge positioned for the user to view the fuel gauge without manipulation of the power tool when the battery pack is coupled to the battery connection port.

3. The power tool of claim 2 wherein the fuel gauge includes a visual indication of a battery pack state.

4. The power tool of claim 2 wherein the fuel gauge is positioned proximate the first portion of the battery connection port when the battery pack is coupled to the battery connection port.

5. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the removal axis is slanted such that the first portion of the battery connection port is positioned at an angle of less than ninety degrees measured from the body axis.

6. The power tool of claim 5 wherein the angle is approximately twenty-five degrees.

7. A battery-operated power tool comprising:

a housing assembly configured to house a motor, the housing assembly defining a body axis and having a hand grip for a user, wherein the hand grip is positioned between a first end and a second end of the housing;

a tool element positioned at the first end of the housing; and

a connection port adapted to receive a battery pack having a fuel gauge,

wherein the connection port includes an interface surface having a first portion and a second portion,

wherein the second portion is positioned closer to the first end than the first portion; and

wherein the first portion is positioned at an angle of less than ninety degrees measured from the body axis.

8. The battery-operated power tool of claim 7 wherein the fuel gauge is positioned for the user to view the fuel gauge without manipulation of the power tool when the battery pack is coupled to the connection port.

9. The battery-operated power tool of claim 7 wherein the fuel gauge includes a visual indication of a battery pack state.

10. The battery-operated power tool of claim 7 wherein the fuel gauge is positioned proximate the first portion of the connection port when the battery pack is coupled to the connection port.

11. The battery-operated power tool of claim 7 wherein the angle is approximately twenty-five degrees.

12. The battery-operated power tool of claim 7 wherein the interface surface defines a removal axis slanted with respect to the body axis.

13. A battery-operated power tool comprising:

a housing configured to house a motor, the housing defining a body axis and having a hand grip for a user, wherein the hand grip is positioned between a first end and a second end of the housing;

a side handle extending from the housing;

a tool element positioned at the first end of the housing; and

a connection port adapted to receive a battery pack,

wherein the connection port includes an interface surface having a first portion and a second portion, and

wherein the second portion is positioned closer to the tool end than the first portion.

14. The battery-operated power tool of claim 13 wherein the battery pack includes a fuel gauge positioned for the user to view the fuel gauge without manipulation of the power tool when the battery pack is coupled to the connection port.

15. The battery-operated power tool of claim 14 wherein the fuel gauge includes a visual indication of a battery pack state.

16. The battery-operated power tool of claim 14 wherein the fuel gauge is positioned proximate the first portion of the connection port when the battery pack is coupled to the connection port.

17. The battery-operated power tool of claim 13 wherein the first portion is positioned at an angle of less than ninety degrees measured from the body axis.

18. The battery-operated power tool of claim 17 wherein the angle is approximately twenty-five degrees.

19. The battery-operated power tool of claim 13 wherein the interface surface defines a removal axis slanted with respect to the body axis.