Adapter for a power tool battery

• US 6,525,511 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Crisp, Robert, Kubale, Mark, Rozwadowski, David, Stegehuis, Pamela
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/755,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 320/112, 320/113, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/112
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

An adapter for a power tool battery. The adapter enables a battery having a first configuration, such as a “slide-on” configuration, to be used with a power tool and/or to be charged by a battery charger having a second configuration, such as a “tower” configuration. The adapter may also enable a battery having one general configuration, such as a “slide-on” configuration or a “tower” configuration, and a first connecting structure to be used with a power tool and/or to be charged by a battery charger having the same general configuration, such as the “slide-on” configuration or the “tower” configuration, respectively, and a second connecting structure different than the first connecting structure.

Claims

1. An adapter for use with an electrical component and a battery, the electrical component including a component housing, the battery being electrically connectable to the electrical component to transfer power between the electrical component and the battery, the adapter comprising:

an adapter housing separate from and connectable between the battery and the component housing to support the battery on the component housing; and

an adapter electrical assembly electrically connectable between the electrical component and the battery to selectively transfer power between the electrical component and the battery;

wherein the component housing defines an opening, wherein the adapter housing includes an insertion portion insertable into the opening to support the adapter on the component housing;

wherein the adapter housing further includes an adapter support portion connected to the insertion portion, wherein the battery is connectable to and supportable on the adapter support portion; and

wherein the battery is selectively connectable to the adapter support portion along a battery attachment axis in a first direction, in which the battery is supported in a first orientation relative to the component housing, and in a second direction, in which the battery is supported in a second orientation relative to the component housing.

2. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical component is a power tool including a tool housing and a motor supported by the housing, wherein the battery is electrically connectable with the motor to selectively supply power to the motor, and wherein the adapter is connectable between the tool housing and the battery to support the battery on the tool housing.

3. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical component is a battery charger including a charger housing and a charging circuit electrically connectable to a power source, wherein the charging circuit is electrically connectable with the battery to selectively supply power to the battery to charge the battery, and wherein the adapter is connectable between the charger housing and the battery to support the battery on the charger housing.

4. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical component further includes a electrical component terminal assembly supported in the opening and electrically connected to the electrical component, and wherein the adapter electrical assembly includes an adapter terminal assembly supported on the insertion portion and connectable to the electrical component terminal assembly to electrically connect the battery to the electrical component.

5. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 wherein the battery is selectively connectable to the adapter support portion along the battery attachment axis in the first direction, in which the battery is supported in a first orientation relative to the adapter, and in the second direction, in which the battery is supported in a second orientation relative to the adapter.

6. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 wherein the battery includes a battery terminal assembly and the adapter electrical assembly includes a forward first terminal assembly and a rearward first terminal assembly, wherein, in the first orientation, the battery terminal assembly is electrically connected to the forward first terminal assembly, and wherein, in the second orientation, the battery terminal assembly is electrically connected to the rearward first terminal assembly.

7. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 wherein the battery includes a battery terminal assembly, wherein the electrical component further includes a component terminal assembly electrically connected to the electrical component, and wherein the adapter electrical assembly includes

a first adapter terminal assembly electrically connectable to the battery terminal assembly, and

a second adapter terminal assembly electrically connectable to the component terminal assembly to electrically connect the battery to the electrical component.

8. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a locking assembly for locking the battery to the adapter, the locking assembly including

a locking member movable between a locked position, in which the battery is locked to the adapter, and an unlocked position, and

an actuating member operable to move the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.

9. The adapter as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a locking assembly for locking the adapter to the component housing, the locking assembly including

a locking member movable between a locked position, in which the adapter is locked to the component housing, and an unlocked position, and

an actuating member operable to move the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.

10. An adapter for use with an electrical component and a battery, the electrical component including a component housing, the battery being electrically connectable to the electrical component to transfer power between the electrical component and the battery, the adapter comprising:

an adapter housing separate from and connectable between the battery and the component housing to support the battery on the component housing; and

an adapter electrical assembly electrically connectable between the electrical component and the battery to selectively transfer power between the electrical component and the battery;

wherein the battery includes a battery housing having a battery support portion, wherein the component housing has a component support portion, the component support portion not being connectable with the battery support portion to support the battery on the component housing, and wherein the adapter housing includes

a first connecting portion having a first adapter support portion connectable with the battery support portion to support the battery on the adapter, and

a second connecting portion having a second adapter support portion connectable with the component support portion to support the adapter on the component housing;

wherein the battery support portion defines a battery groove, wherein the component support portion defines a component groove, wherein the first adapter support portion includes a first adapter projection engageable in the battery groove to connect the battery to the adapter, and wherein the second adapter support portion includes a second adapter projection engageable in the component groove to connect the adapter to the component housing.

11. The adapter as set forth in claim 10 wherein battery support portion includes a battery projection, wherein the component support portion includes a component projection, wherein the first adapter support portion defines a first adapter groove, the battery projection being engageable in the first adapter groove to connect the battery to the adapter, and wherein the second adapter support portion defines a second adapter groove, the component projection being engageable in the second adapter groove to connect the adapter to the component housing.

12. An adapter for use with an electrical component and a battery, the electrical component including a component housing defining an opening, the battery being electrically connectable to the electrical component to transfer power between the electrical component and the battery, the adapter comprising:

an adapter housing separate from and connectable between the battery and the component housing to support the battery on the component housing, the adapter housing including

an insertion portion insertable into the opening to support the adapter on the component housing, and

an adapter support portion connectable with the battery to support the battery on the adapter; and

an adapter electrical assembly electrically connectable between the electrical component and the battery to selectively transfer power between the electrical component and the battery;

wherein the opening extends along an opening axis, the insertion portion being insertable into the opening along the opening axis, and wherein the battery is connectable to the adapter support portion along a battery attachment axis generally perpendicular to the opening axis.

13. An adapter for use with an electrical component and a battery, the electrical component including a component housing defining an opening, the battery being electrically connectable to the electrical component to transfer power between the electrical component and the battery, the adapter comprising:

an adapter housing separate from and connectable between the battery and the component housing to support the battery on the component housing, the adapter housing including

an insertion portion insertable into the opening to support the adapter on the component housing, and

an adapter support portion connectable with the battery to support the battery on the adapter; and

an adapter electrical assembly electrically connectable between the electrical component and the battery to selectively transfer power between the electrical component and the battery;

wherein the battery is selectively connectable to the adapter support portion along a battery attachment axis in a first direction, in which the battery is supported in a first orientation relative to the component housing, and in a second direction, in which the battery is supported in a second orientation relative to the component housing.

14. The adapter as set forth in claim 13 wherein the electrical component is a power tool including a tool housing and a motor supported by the housing, wherein the battery is electrically connectable with the motor to selectively supply power to the motor, and wherein the adapter is connectable between the tool housing and the battery to support the battery on the tool housing.

15. The adapter as set forth in claim 13 wherein the electrical component is a battery charger including a charger housing and a charging circuit electrically connectable to a power source, wherein the charging circuit is electrically connectable with the battery to selectively supply power to the battery to charge the battery, and wherein the adapter is connectable between the charger housing and the battery to support the battery on the charger housing.

16. The adapter as set forth in claim 13 wherein the electrical component further includes an electrical component terminal assembly supported in the opening and electrically connected to the electrical component, and wherein the adapter electrical assembly includes an adapter terminal assembly supported on the insertion portion and connectable to the electrical component terminal assembly to electrically connect the battery to the electrical component.

17. The adapter as set forth in claim 13 wherein the battery is selectively connectable to the adapter support portion along the battery attachment axis in the first direction, in which the battery is supported in a first orientation relative to the adapter, and in the second direction, in which the battery is supported in a second orientation relative to the adapter.

18. The adapter as set forth in claim 13 wherein the battery includes a battery terminal assembly and the adapter electrical assembly includes a forward first terminal assembly and a rearward first terminal assembly, wherein, in the first orientation, the battery terminal assembly is electrically connected to the forward first terminal assembly, and wherein, in the second orientation, the battery terminal assembly is electrically connected to the rearward first terminal assembly.

19. The adapter as set forth in claim 13 wherein the battery includes a battery housing defining a battery groove, and wherein the adapter support portion includes an adapter projection engageable in the battery groove to support the battery on the adapter.

20. The adapter as set forth in claim 13 wherein the battery includes a battery housing having a battery projection, and wherein the adapter support portion defines an adapter groove, the battery projection being engageable in the adapter groove to support the battery on the adapter.

21. An electrical combination comprising:

a power tool including a tool housing and an electric motor supported by the tool housing and operable to drive a tool element;

a battery electrically connectable to the motor to selectively power the motor; and

an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing to support the battery on the tool housing;

wherein the tool housing defines an opening, wherein the adapter includes an insertion portion insertable into the opening to support the adapter on the tool housing;

wherein the adapter further includes an adapter support portion connected to the insertion portion, wherein the battery is connectable to and supportable on the adapter support portion; and

wherein the opening extends along an opening axis, the insertion portion being insertable into the opening along the opening axis, and wherein the battery is connectable to the adapter support portion along a battery attachment axis generally perpendicular to the opening axis.

22. An electrical combination comprising:

a power tool including a tool housing and an electric motor supported by the tool housing and operable to drive a tool element;

a battery electrically connectable to the motor to selectively power the motor; and

an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing to support the battery on the tool housing;

wherein the tool housing defines an opening, wherein the adapter includes an insertion portion insertable into the opening to support the adapter on the tool housing;

wherein the adapter further includes an adapter support portion connected to the insertion portion, wherein the battery is connectable to and supportable on the adapter support portion; and

wherein the battery is selectively connectable to the adapter support portion along a battery attachment axis in a first direction, in which the battery is supported in a first orientation relative to the tool housing, and in a second direction, in which the battery is supported in a second orientation relative to the tool housing.

23. The combination as set forth in claim 22 wherein the power tool further includes a motor terminal assembly supported in the opening and electrically connected to the motor, and wherein the adapter includes an adapter terminal assembly supported on the insertion portion and connectable to the motor terminal assembly to electrically connect the battery to the motor.

24. The combination as set forth in claim 22 wherein the battery is selectively connectable to the adapter support portion along the battery attachment axis in the first direction, in which the battery is supported in a first orientation relative to the adapter, and in the second direction, in which the battery is supported in a second orientation relative to the adapter.

25. The combination as set forth in claim 22 wherein the battery includes a battery terminal assembly and the adapter includes a forward first terminal assembly and a rearward first terminal assembly, wherein, in the first orientation, the battery terminal assembly is electrically connected to the forward first terminal assembly, and wherein, in the second orientation, the battery terminal assembly is electrically connected to the rearward first terminal assembly.

26. The combination as set forth in claim 22 and further comprising a first locking assembly for locking the battery to the adapter and a second locking assembly for locking the adapter to the tool housing.

27. The combination as set forth in claim 26 wherein the first locking assembly includes

a first recess on the adapter support portion,

a first projection on the battery, the first projection being movable between a locked position, in which the first projection engages the first recess to lock the battery to the adapter, and an unlocked position, in which the first projection is disengaged from the first recess, and

a first actuating member operable to move the first projection between the locked position and the unlocked position, and

wherein the second locking assembly includes

a second recess on the tool housing,

a second projection on the adapter, the second projection being movable between a locked position, in which the second projection engages the second recess to lock the adapter to the tool housing, and an unlocked position, in which the second projection is disengaged from the second recess, and

a second actuating member operable to move the second projection between the locked position and the unlocked position.

28. A combination for charging a power tool battery, the combination comprising:

a battery charger including a charger housing and a charging circuit supported by the charger housing and selectively electrically connectable with a power source;

a battery electrically connectable with the charging circuit such that the charging circuit selectively supplies power to the battery to charge the battery; and

an adapter separate from and connectable between the charger housing and the battery to support the battery on the charger housing and to electrically connect the battery with the charging circuit;

wherein the charger housing defines an opening, wherein the adapter includes an insertion portion insertable into the opening to support the adapter on the charger housing;

wherein the adapter further includes an adapter support portion connected to the insertion portion, wherein the battery is connectable to and supportable on the adapter support portion; and

wherein the opening extends along an opening axis, the insertion portion being insertable into the opening along the opening axis, and wherein the battery is connectable to the adapter support portion along a battery attachment axis generally perpendicular to the opening axis.

29. The combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein the charger further includes a charger terminal assembly supported in the opening and electrically connected to the charging circuit, and wherein the adapter includes an adapter terminal assembly supported on the insertion portion and connectable to the charger terminal assembly to electrically connect the battery to the charging circuit.

30. The combination as set forth in claim 28 and further comprising a locking assembly for locking the battery to the adapter, the locking assembly including

a locking member movable between a locked position, in which the battery is locked to the adapter, and an unlocked position, and

an actuating member operable to move the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.

31. The adapter as set forth in claim 28 and further comprising a locking assembly for locking the adapter to the charger housing, the locking assembly including

a locking member movable between a locked position, in which the adapter is locked to the charger housing, and an unlocked position, and

an actuating member operable to move the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.

32. A combination for charging a power tool battery, the combination comprising:

a battery charger including a charger housing and a charging circuit supported by the charger housing and selectively electrically connectable with a power source;

a battery electrically connectable with the charging circuit such that the charging circuit selectively supplies power to the battery to charge the battery; and

an adapter separate from and connectable between the charger housing and the battery to support the battery on the charger housing and to electrically connect the battery with the charging circuit;

wherein the battery includes a battery housing having a battery support portion, wherein the charger housing has a charger support portion, the charger support portion not being connectable with the battery support portion to support the battery on the charger housing, and wherein the adapter includes

a first connecting portion having a first adapter support portion connectable with the battery support portion to support the battery on the adapter, and

a second connecting portion having a second adapter support portion connectable with the charger support portion to support the adapter on the charger housing;

wherein the battery support portion defines a battery groove, wherein the charger support portion defines a charger groove, wherein the first adapter support portion includes a first adapter projection engageable in the battery groove to connect the battery to the adapter, and wherein the second adapter support portion includes a second adapter projection engageable in the charger groove to connect the adapter to the charger housing.

33. The combination as set forth in claim 32 wherein battery support portion includes a battery projection, wherein the charger support portion includes a charger projection, wherein the first adapter support portion defines a first adapter groove, the battery projection being engageable in the first adapter groove to connect the battery to the adapter, and wherein the second adapter support portion defines a second adapter groove, the charger projection being engageable in the second adapter groove to connect the adapter to the charger housing.

34. An electrical combination comprising:

a power tool including a tool housing and an electric motor supported by the tool housing and operable to drive a tool element;

a battery charger including a charger housing and a charging circuit supported by the charger housing and selectively electrically connectable with a power source;

a battery; and

an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and one of the power tool and the battery charger to support the battery on the one of the power tool and the battery charger and to transfer power between the battery and the one of the power tool and the battery charger;

wherein the adapter is alternatively connectable between the battery and the power tool to support the battery on the tool housing and to electrically connect the battery to the motor and between the battery and the battery charger to support the battery on the charger housing and to electrically connect the battery to the charging circuit.

35. The combination as set forth in claim 34 wherein the battery includes a battery terminal assembly, wherein the power tool further includes a motor terminal assembly electrically connected to the motor, wherein the battery charger further includes a charger terminal assembly electrically connected with the charging circuit, and wherein the adapter includes a first adapter terminal assembly electrically connectable to the battery terminal assembly and a second adapter terminal assembly alternatively electrically connectable to the motor terminal assembly to electrically connect the battery to the motor and to the charger terminal assembly to electrically connect the battery to the charging circuit.

36. The combination as set forth in claim 34 wherein the battery includes a battery housing providing a first connection configuration, wherein the one of the power tool and the battery charger provides a second connection configuration different than the first connection configuration, and wherein the adapter includes

a first connecting portion having the first connection configuration and connectable with the battery housing to support the battery on the adapter, and

a second connecting portion having the second connection configuration and connectable with the one of the power tool and the battery charger to support the adapter on the one of the power tool and the battery charger.

37. A combination for charging a power tool battery, the combination comprising:

a battery charger including a charger housing and a charging circuit supported by the charger housing and selectively electrically connectable with a power source, the charger housing including a charger support portion;

a battery electrically connectable with the charging circuit such that the charging circuit selectively supplies power to the battery to charge the battery, the battery including an insertion portion; and

an adapter separate from and connectable between the housing and the battery to support the battery on the charger housing and to electrically connect the battery with the charging circuit, the adapter including an adapter housing defining an opening, the insertion portion being insertable into the opening along an opening axis to support the battery on the adapter, the adapter housing further including an adapter support portion connectable to the charger support portion along an adapter attachment axis, the opening axis being generally parallel with the adapter attachment axis.

38. The combination as set forth in claim 37 wherein the adapter support portion includes an adapter projection and an adapter groove, and wherein the charger support portion includes a charger projection and a charger groove, the adapter projection being engageable with the charger groove and the adapter groove being engageable with the charger projection to connect the adapter to the battery charger.

39. An adapter for use with an electrical component and a battery, the electrical component including a component housing, the battery being electrically connectable to the electrical component to transfer power between the electrical component and the battery, the adapter comprising:

an adapter housing separate from and connectable between the battery and the component housing to support the battery on the component housing; and

an adapter electrical assembly electrically connectable between the electrical component and the battery to selectively transfer power between the electrical component and the battery;

wherein the component housing defines an opening, wherein the adapter housing includes an insertion portion insertable into the opening to support the adapter on the component housing;

wherein the adapter housing further includes an adapter support portion connected to the insertion portion, wherein the battery is connectable to and supportable on the adapter support portion;

wherein the opening extends along an opening axis, the insertion portion being insertable into the opening along the opening axis, and wherein the battery is connectable to the adapter support portion along a battery attachment axis generally perpendicular to the opening axis.

40. An electrical combination comprising:

a power tool including a tool housing and an electric motor supported by the tool housing and operable to drive a tool element;

a battery electrically connectable to the motor to selectively power the motor; and

an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing to support the battery on the tool housing;

wherein the battery includes a battery housing having a battery support portion, wherein the tool housing has a tool support portion, the tool support portion not being connectable with the battery support portion to support the battery on the tool housing, and wherein the adapter includes

a first connecting portion having a first adapter support portion connectable with the battery support portion to support the battery on the adapter, and

a second connecting portion having a second adapter support portion connectable with the tool support portion to support the adapter on the tool housing;

wherein the battery support portion defines a battery groove, wherein the tool support portion defines a tool groove, wherein the first adapter support portion includes a first adapter projection engageable in the battery groove to connect the battery to the adapter, and wherein the second adapter support portion includes a second adapter projection engageable in the tool groove to connect the adapter to the tool housing.

41. The combination as set forth in claim 40 wherein battery support portion includes a battery projection, wherein the tool support portion includes a tool projection, wherein the first adapter support portion defines a first adapter groove, the battery projection being engageable in the first adapter groove to connect the battery to the adapter, and wherein the second adapter support portion defines a second adapter groove, the tool projection being engageable in the second adapter groove to connect the adapter to the tool housing.