Battery charging device with secured contact unit

• US 5,220,270 A
• Filed: 04/24/1992
• Issued: 06/15/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comerica Bank (Comerica Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Automatic Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Peickert, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINCAID, KRISTINE LYNN
• Application Number:
  US07/873,021
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 429/96, 429/97, 429/98, 429/99, 429/100, 429/163, 439/71, 439/72, 439/289, 439/500
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 Connecting base plate or shelf type holder

Abstract

A charging device for a portable battery device in which the device includes a housing and a contact unit for charging engagement with the battery device. The contact unit is secured in place within the housing by wedging the platform of the contact unit under a beveled lip. The platform is then secured in place by a retaining ring.

Claims

1. A battery charging unit comprising a housing, said housing including a wall, said wall having an outer surface and an inner surface and an opening extending through the wall from said outer surface to said inner surface, said wall outer surface defining means for receiving a battery powered portable device, a contact unit including a platform and a contact, said wall at its inner surface having a beveled lip, said contact unit resting against said wall and having an edge thereof fitted under said beveled lip with said contact thereof extending into said wall opening from said wall inner surface to said wall outer surface, and a securement device in addition to said wall lip securing said contact unit against said wall.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said wall includes internal ribs projecting outwardly from said wall inner surface at opposite sides of said wall opening, each rib terminating in said beveled lip, said contact of the contact unit located between said ribs.

3. The unit of claim 1 wherein said wall includes internal supports projecting outwardly from said wall inner surface upon which said contact platform rests.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said wall includes an enclosure means projecting outwardly from said wall inner surface for supporting and preventing lateral movement of said contact unit.

5. The unit of claim 1 wherein said securement device includes a post which extends outward from said wall inner surface opposite from said beveled lip and a retainer ring carried by said post overlying said platform.

6. The unit of claim 1 wherein said opening includes a plurality of openings extending through the wall from said outer surface to said inner surface, said wall including a plurality of ribs, each rib projecting outwardly from said inner surface thereof along each of said wall openings, said contact unit having a plurality of contact means each extending into one of said wall openings from said wall inner surface to said wall outer surface.