Charger for batteries of different type
First Claim
1. In combination, first and second rechargeable batteries of different ampere hour charge storage capability for different ones of a family of battery powered surgical tools, and a battery charger for charging said first and second batteries at different charge current flow rates, wherein:
- said battery charger has first and second polarity charging contacts and sensor means having different states;
said first battery has first contact means for receiving charging current from said charging contacts, including means for causing said sensor means to be in a first said state;
said second battery having second contact means for receiving charging current from said charging contacts, including means for causing said sensor means to be in a second said state;
said battery charger further having means responsive to the state of said sensor means for charging said first and second batteries at said different charging current flow rates wherein, on said batteries, said first and second contact means each include a first polarity contact and a second polarity contact, said causing means on said first battery comprising a blank area adjacent said second polarity contact, said causing means on said second battery comprising an extension of said second polarity contact.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charger for alternately receiving batteries having substantially different charging rate requirements in which the charger has contacts engaged by a battery pack to be recharged, for the purpose of carrying out such recharging. A difference in at least one of the charger contacts is engageable by one of the high and low charge rate battery packs, but not the other. Whether or not that one charger contact is engaged by a battery pack causes the battery charger to supply charging current at different levels to automatically charge such high and low charge rate battery packs at corresponding high and low charge rates.
905 Citations
6 Claims
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1. In combination, first and second rechargeable batteries of different ampere hour charge storage capability for different ones of a family of battery powered surgical tools, and a battery charger for charging said first and second batteries at different charge current flow rates, wherein:
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said battery charger has first and second polarity charging contacts and sensor means having different states; said first battery has first contact means for receiving charging current from said charging contacts, including means for causing said sensor means to be in a first said state; said second battery having second contact means for receiving charging current from said charging contacts, including means for causing said sensor means to be in a second said state; said battery charger further having means responsive to the state of said sensor means for charging said first and second batteries at said different charging current flow rates wherein, on said batteries, said first and second contact means each include a first polarity contact and a second polarity contact, said causing means on said first battery comprising a blank area adjacent said second polarity contact, said causing means on said second battery comprising an extension of said second polarity contact. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. In combination, first and second rechargeable batteries of different ampere hour charge storage capability for different ones of a family of battery powered surgical tools, and a battery charger for charging said first and second batteries at different charge current flow rates, wherein:
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said battery charger has first and second polarity charging contacts and sensor means having different states; said first battery has first contact means for receiving charging current from said charging contacts, including means for causing said sensor means to be in a first said state; said second battery having second contact means for receiving charging current from said charging contacts, including means for causing said sensor means to be in a second said state; said battery charger further having means responsive to the state of said sensor means for charging said first and second batteries at said different charging current flow rates, in which said charger includes means for normally maintaining said sensor means at a first voltage level, said second polarity charging contact of said battery charger being normally at a second voltage level different from said first voltage level, said causing means on said second battery comprising a conductor simultaneously engageable with said sensor means and said second polarity charging contact of said battery charger for shorting said sensor means to said second polarity charging contact and therewith shifting said sensor means from said normal first voltage level to said second voltage level, said normal first voltage level defining said first state of said sensor means, said second voltage level defining said second state of said sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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4. A battery charger for charging first and second batteries at different charge flow rates, said first and second batteries being of different ampere hour charge storage capability for different ones of a family of battery powered surgical tools, the battery charger comprising:
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means for alternative reception of batteries to be charged at different charging rates; spaced first and second charging contacts exposed in said reception means for charging engagement of a battery, said second charging contact being shorter than said first charging contact; a sensor contact exposed in said reception means and being arranged parallel to and spaced from said first charging contact, said sensor contact being aligned with and spaced from said second charging contact; first circuit means for holding said sensor contact normally at a voltage level different from the voltage level of said second contact; second circuit means responsive to shorting of said sensor contact to said second charging contact by a battery in said reception means for shifting said sensor contact substantially to said voltage level of said second contact; third circuit means responsive to said first and second circuit means for charging a battery alternatively at first and second charging rates dependent on which of said two voltage levels appears on said sensor contact. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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Specification