Versatile battery/charger module and system

• US 5,191,276 A
• Filed: 07/10/1991
• Issued: 03/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frederal Express Corporation
• Original Assignee: Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Zainaleain, Mortaza
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINCAID, KRISTINE LYNN
• Application Number:
  US07/727,980
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/6, 320/7, 320/15, 320/16, 320/48, 307/149, 307/150, 429/96, 429/97, 429/98, 429/99, 429/100
• US Class Current: 320/110
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A battery/battery charger housing having multiple exterior surfaces. The housing includes an interior area sized to hold a battery pack, that interior area provided with connectors for electrically connecting the housing and the battery pack. The housing also includes a second interior area sized to hold the battery charger, that area provided with connections for electrically connecting the housing and the battery charger, and connectors for electrically connecting to an electrical power source and for electrically connecting to the battery charger with the battery pack. Additionally, electrical junctions on at least two of the exterior surfaces of the housing allow for the housing to be electrically connected to another battery/battery charger housing.

Claims

1. A battery/battery charger module for holding a battery pack and a battery charger and for connecting with a power source, the module comprising:

a housing having multiple exterior surfaces;

first electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with the battery pack;

second electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with an input of the battery charger;

third electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with an output of the battery charger;

additional electrical connections for connecting the electrical power source to the second electrical connections and connecting the third electrical connections with the first electrical connections; and

electrical junctions on respective ones of at least two of the exterior surfaces, the junctions connected to the power source and allowing the module to be electrically connected to another battery/battery charger module, said junctions selected from the type of junctions which are retractable and removable.

2. A battery/battery charger module for holding a battery pack and a battery charger and for connecting with a power source, the module comprising:

a housing having multiple exterior surfaces;

first electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with the battery pack;

means for using the weight of the battery pack to aid in securing the first electrical connections;

second electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with an input of the battery charger;

third electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with an output of the battery charger;

additional electrical connections for connecting the electrical power source to the second electrical connections and connecting the third electrical connections with the first electrical connections;

electrical junctions on at respective ones of least two of the exterior surfaces, the junctions connected to the power source and allowing the module to be electrically connected to another battery/battery charger module.

3. The module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the weight using means comprises a sloped base upon which the battery pack rests.

4. The battery/battery charger module for holding a battery pack and a battery charger and for connecting with a power source, the module comprising:

a housing having multiple exterior surfaces;

first electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with the battery pack;

second electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with an input of the battery charger;

third electrical connections located in the housing and positioned for connection with an output of the battery charger;

additional electrical connections for connecting the electrical power source to the second electrical connections and connecting the third electrical connections to the first electrical connections; and

electrical junctions on respective ones of at least two of the exterior surfaces, wherein each of said electrical junctions include at least three electrical connectors per exterior surface having one of said electrical junctions, the junctions being connected to the power source and allowing the module to be connected to another battery/battery charger module.

5. The module as claimed in claim 4, wherein each exterior surface having one of said electrical junctions has four connectors.

6. The housing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the four connectors include four female banana plugs.

7. The housing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the four connectors include four nuts capable of holding male banana plugs.

8. The module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electrical junctions include a keyhole connector.

9. A battery/battery charger module, comprising in one unit:

a battery;

a battery charger; and

a junction portion including an AC input plug connectable to an AC power source and multiple mating connectors each capable of mating with another battery/battery charger module, said mating connectors selected from a removable type and a retractable type.

10. A battery/battery charger module, comprising in one unit;

a battery;

a battery charger; and

a junction portion including an AC plug connectable to an AC power source and multiple mating connectors each capable of mating with another battery/battery charger module,

wherein the module has multiple mating surfaces which include said mating connectors and each of said mating surfaces includes at least three plugs.

11. A battery/battery charger module, comprising:

a housing;

a battery contained within a first portion of the housing;

a battery charger contained within a second portion of the housing; and

a junction portion of the housing containing at least three mating connectors, each connector configured for mating to a respective other battery/battery charger module.

12. A battery/battery charger module, comprising:

a housing;

a battery contained within a first portion of the housing;

a battery charger contained within a second portion of the housing; and

a junction portion of the housing containing multiple mating connectors each configured for mating to a respective other battery/battery charger module, wherein each of said mating connectors includes at least three plugs for establishing an electrical circuit between the battery/battery charger module and the respective other battery/battery charger module.

13. The module as claimed in claim 12 wherein the plugs include keyhole connectors.

14. A modular unit for holding a battery charger to be powered by a main power source and a battery pack to be charged, the unit comprising:

a housing having a plurality of exterior walls forming an accessible compartment for receiving the battery charger and the battery pack;

electrical circuitry connectable to the power source and incorporated in said housing for establishing connection among the power source, the battery pack, and the battery charger; and

electrical junctions on respective ones of at least three of said exterior walls, each junction being electrically connected to said power source and configured to allow the housing to be electrically connected to a respective other modulator unit.

21. The modular unit of claim 14 further comprising a safety fuse connected between said inlet plug and both of said electrical circuitry and said electrical junctions, whereby the battery charger and the battery are protected from power surges.

15. A modular unit for holding a battery charger to be powered by a main power source and a battery pack to be charged, the unit comprising:

a housing having a plurality of exterior walls forming an accessible compartment for receiving the battery charger and the battery pack;

electrical circuitry connectable to the power source and incorporated in the housing for establishing electrical connections among the power source, the battery pack and the battery charger;

electrical junctions on respective ones of at least two of said exterior walls, each junctions being electrically connected to said power source and configured to allow the housing to be electrically connected to a respective other modular unit; and

a plurality of connection means formed on each of said respective at least two exterior walls of said housing for facilitating the connection of one housing to a complementary housing, wherein said electrical junctions are incorporated as part of at least some of said connection means.

16. The modular unit of claim 15 wherein said connection means on one exterior wall include electrically conducting female plugs and said connection means on the other wall include electrically conducting means capable of holding an electrically conducting male member for insertion into said female plugs.

23. The modular unit of claim 16 wherein said female plug includes means for receiving said male member in a first position where there is no electrical connection between said female plug and said male member and means for allowing the received male member to move to a second position where there is an electrical connection between said female plug and said male member.

24. The modular unit of claim 23 wherein the male member is sized so that it is not exposed when in said second position.

17. A modular unit for holding a battery charger to be powered by a main power source and a battery pack to be charged, the unit comprising:

a housing having at least four opposing exterior walls forming an accessible compartment for receiving the battery charger and the battery pack;

electrical circuitry connectable to the power source and incorporated in said housing for establishing connection among the power source, the batter pack and the battery charger; and

electrical junctions on respective ones of at least two of said exterior walls, each junction being electrically connected to said power source and configured to allow the housing to be electrically connected to a respective other modular unit,

wherein electrically conducting female plugs are formed on one of two opposing exterior walls to provide electrical functions and connection means on that set of opposing walls, the opposing exterior walls comprising one of said exterior walls of the housing and an exterior wall of said respective other modular unit, and wherein electrically conducting attachment means, capable of holding an electrically conducting male member for insertion into said female plugs, are formed on other of the opposing exterior walls to provide electrical junctions and connection means on the other of the opposing walls.

18. The modular unit of claim 17 wherein said female plugs and said attachment means are received below the exterior surface of said exterior walls.

19. The modular unit of claim 17 further comprising removable plugs for covering said female plugs and said attachment means when they are not in use.

20. The modular unit as claimed in claim 17 further comprising removable plugs for covering said female plugs and means for retracting the male plugs when not in use.

22. A modular unit for holding multiple battery chargers to be powered by a main power source and multiple battery packs to be charged, the unit comprising:

a housing having a plurality of exterior walls forming at least two accessible compartments for receiving the battery chargers and at least two accessible compartments for receiving the battery packs;

electrical circuitry connectable to the power source and incorporated in said housing for establishing connection among the power source, the battery packs and the battery chargers; and

electrical junctions on respective ones of at least two of said exterior walls, each junction being electrically connectable to said power source and configured to allow the housing to be electrically connected to a respective other modular unit.