Low voltage, high current capacity connector assembly and mobile power tool and appliance operating system
First Claim
1. A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
- a portable battery pack;
electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof;
whereinsaid electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component, wherein the socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said one of said tools and appliances;
whereinsaid socket component includes means for receiving a selective one of said plug component and conventional low-voltage low-current appliance plugs of the type usable in automotive cigarette light sockets; and
whereinsaid plug component includes safeguard means for preventing insertion into an automotive cigarette lighter socket.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile power tool and appliance operating system includes a portable lead-acid battery pack having a high current capacity socket compatible with existing low current plugs used with appliances intended to operate from automotive cigarette lighter sockets. Matable high current capacity plugs are attached to power tools and appliances through retractable cords. The battery pack is receivable in a 120 VAC powered charging base having a self-contained charging circuit including a transformer and a voltage regulator. The high current socket housing prevents inadvertent operation with an automotive cigarette lighter plug, and the high current plug housing prevents electrical contact in a automotive cigarette lighter socket, for safety reasons. In another embodiment, the battery pack is provided with two sockets for delivering different power outputs at each respective socket. Recharging of the battery pack can also be accomplished via connection made to one of the sockets.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a portable battery pack; electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof;
whereinsaid electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component, wherein the socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said one of said tools and appliances;
whereinsaid socket component includes means for receiving a selective one of said plug component and conventional low-voltage low-current appliance plugs of the type usable in automotive cigarette light sockets; and
whereinsaid plug component includes safeguard means for preventing insertion into an automotive cigarette lighter socket.
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2. A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a portable battery pack; electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof;
whereinsaid electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component, wherein the socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said one of said tools and appliances;
whereinsaid socket component includes means for receiving a selective one of said plug component and conventional low-voltage low-current appliance plugs of the type usable in automotive cigarette light sockets; and
whereinsaid socket component includes lockout means for preventing insertion of an automotive cigarette lighter.
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3. A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a portable battery pack; electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof; wherein said electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component, wherein the socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said one of said tools and appliances;
whereinsaid plug component includes safeguard means for preventing insertion into an automotive cigarette lighter socket;
whereinsaid socket component includes means for receiving a selective one of said plug component and conventional low-voltage low-current appliance plugs of the type usable in automotive cigarette lighter sockets; and
whereinsaid socket component also includes lockout means for preventing insertion of an automotive cigarette lighter.
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4. A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a portable battery pack; first electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof; wherein said first electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component; wherein said socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said any one of the plurality of tools and appliances connected to said battery pack; wherein said plug component includes a generally cylindrical housing formed from a non-conductive material and having an axis and an axial end insertable in said socket component, and including a first wiping contact member positioned at said insertable housing end; and wherein said socket component also includes means for receiving, and electrically connecting to, low current tool and appliance plugs intended for operation in an automotive cigarette lighter socket. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a rechargeable portable battery pack; first electrical connector means, incorporated in said battery pack, for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, said first electrical connector means including a low current connector assembly of the plug-and-socket type; and second electrical connector means, incorporated in said battery pack, for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, and including a high current connector assembly of the plug-and-socket type. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, directed current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a rechargeable portable battery pack; first electrical connector means for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof; second electrical connector means for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof; and circuit means for selectively delivering a first voltage level to said first electrical connector means and a second voltage level to said second electrical connector means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a rechargeable portable battery pack; first electrical connector means for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, said first electrical connector means including a lower current connector assembly having wiping contacts; a second electrical connector means for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means also including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, and wherein said second electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having wiping contacts; and circuit means for selectively delivering a first voltage level to said first electrical connector means and a second voltage level to said second electrical connector means. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:
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a rechargeable portable battery pack including at least one battery; first electrical connector means for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, said first electrical means including a low current connector assembly; second electrical connector means for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means also including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, and wherein said second electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly; and circuit means, coupled between said battery pack and said first and second electrical connector means, for delivering power from said battery pack to said first and second electrical connector means to power the tools and appliances connected thereto and for delivering a charge supplied to said second electrical connector means to recharge said battery pack, said circuit means including thermostat means coupled in thermal relation to said battery pack for sensing overheating of said battery pack during recharging. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification