Battery charging apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for charging a plurality of batteries, comprising:
- means for receiving and automatically orienting the plurality of batteries to produce a plurality of oriented batteries;
a housing having a first aperture for receiving the plurality of oriented batteries therethrough and a second aperture for facilitating the removal of at least one battery therefrom, the housing including at least two slots capable of being rotatively indexed between positions at the first and second apertures for accommodating the plurality of oriented batteries therein during a charging process;
means for charging the plurality of oriented batteries accommodated within the at least two slots; and
means for rotatively indexing the at least two slots so as to position a slot accommodating at least one battery at the second aperture to facilitate the removal of the at least one battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (112) for charging a plurality of batteries, having at least one aperture (300) capable of receiving a plurality of batteries therethrough, and including at least two slots (110I and 110I+1) for accommodating the plurality of batteries therein during a charging process. The apparatus (112) charges the plurality of batteries, and collectively rotates the slots (110I and 110I+1) so as to position a slot (110I) accommodating at least one charged battery with an aperture (400) to facilitate the removal of a charged battery. Optionally, a date coding machine (130) applies a representation of a calendar date to the charged batteries.
8 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for charging a plurality of batteries, comprising:
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means for receiving and automatically orienting the plurality of batteries to produce a plurality of oriented batteries; a housing having a first aperture for receiving the plurality of oriented batteries therethrough and a second aperture for facilitating the removal of at least one battery therefrom, the housing including at least two slots capable of being rotatively indexed between positions at the first and second apertures for accommodating the plurality of oriented batteries therein during a charging process; means for charging the plurality of oriented batteries accommodated within the at least two slots; and means for rotatively indexing the at least two slots so as to position a slot accommodating at least one battery at the second aperture to facilitate the removal of the at least one battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for charging a plurality of batteries in an apparatus comprising a housing having a first aperture for receiving a plurality of batteries therethrough and a second aperture for facilitating the removal of at least one charged battery therefrom, the housing including at least two slots capable of being rotatively indexed between the first and second apertures for accommodating the plurality of batteries therein during a charging process, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving at least one battery into a slot at the first aperture; (b) rotatively indexing the at least two slots so as to position the slot substantially aligned with the second aperture; (c) charging the at least one battery within the slot; and (d) delivering the at least one charged battery at the second aperture. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for charging a plurality of batteries, comprising:
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a housing having a first aperture for receiving a plurality of batteries therethrough and a second aperture for facilitating the removal of at least one battery therefrom, the housing including at least two slots capable of being rotatively indexed between positions at the first and second apertures for accommodating the plurality of batteries therein during a charging process; means for receiving and automatically orienting the plurality of batteries to produce a plurality of oriented batteries, as well as for delivering at least a portion of the plurality of oriented batteries at the first aperture and into a slot; battery polarity sensing means for indicating when any of the plurality of oriented batteries is misoriented within the slot; means for charging the plurality of oriented batteries within the at least two slots using a constant current source; a ratchet and lever mechanism constructed and arranged for rotatively indexing the at least two slots so as to position one of the slots accommodating at least one charged battery at the second aperture, thereby facilitating the removal of the at least one charged battery; control means for monitoring battery receiving and removing, slot positioning, and the battery charging process; and coding means for applying a representation of a calendar date to the at least one charged battery.
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Specification