Battery storage case

• US 6,573,684 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamashita, Kenichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherry, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tibbits, Pia
• Application Number:
  US09/862,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20020043956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 320/112, 320/107, 320/110, 429/96, 429/99, 429/100, 429/149, 429/151, 429/153, 307/150, D13/103, D13/107
• US Class Current: 320/112
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

There is provided a battery storage case which is capable of accommodating batteries of different selected types without an unused space being left in a battery storage case thereof and is therefore very convenient to handle by users. A receiving section receives a plurality of AA battery cells that provide a predetermined voltage. A battery cover closes the receiving section. The receiving section has a space for accommodating the plurality of AA battery cells. The space has a first part for accommodating a smaller number of lithium battery cells than a number of the AA battery batteries, that provide the predetermined voltage, and a second part that is not used when the AA battery cells are received in the receiving section, the second part being used for accommodating spare batteries for the lithium battery cells.

Claims

1. A battery storage case comprising:

a) a receiving section for receiving a plurality of first batteries that provide a predetermined voltage; and

b) a battery cover for closing said receiving section; and

wherein said receiving section has a space for accommodating the plurality of first batteries, said space having a first part for accommodating a smaller number of second batteries than a number of the first batteries, that provide the predetermined voltage, and a second part that forms a free space in said receiving section when the second batteries are received in said receiving section,

said second part being used for accommodating spare batteries for the second batteries.

2. A battery storage case according to claim 1, wherein the spare batteries have outer shells, and wherein said battery cover has inner curved surfaces being designed to conform a shape of the outer shells of the spare batteries.

3. A battery storage case according to claim 1, further comprising movable terminals that are movable into a position in which said movable terminals are positioned inside said receiving section, to hold the second batteries in contact therewith when the second batteries are received in said receiving section.

4. A battery storage case, comprising:

a receiving section for receiving a plurality of first batteries,

said receiving section having a space for accommodating the plurality of first batteries, said space having a part for accommodating second batteries shorter in whole length than the first batteries; and

movable terminals that are moveable into a first position in which said space is expanded when the first batteries are received in said receiving portion, and into a second position in which said space is contracted and said moveable terminals are positioned to hold the second batteries in contact therewith when the second batteries are received in said receiving section.

5. A battery storage case according to claim 4, further comprising a pivotally movable terminal base to which said movable terminals are attached, and a stage connected to said terminal base and extending longitudinally of batteries received in said receiving section, at least said terminal base and said stage forming a translation link mechanism allowing said stage to perform a translation in a direction radial of the batteries received in said receiving section when said terminal base is pivotally moved to bring said movable terminals into said first position for permitting the first batteries to be received in said receiving section or to bring said movable terminals into said second position for permitting the second batteries to be received in said receiving section.

6. A battery storage case according to claim 5, wherein the first batteries and the second batteries have outer shells, and wherein said stage has first surfaces formed thereon for being brought into contact with the outer shells of the first batteries when said movable terminals are in the first position, and second surfaces formed thereon for being brought into contact with the outer shells of the second batteries when said movable terminals are in the second position.