Battery charger pocket apparatus for receiving multiple battery

• US 6,617,824 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2002
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amperex Technology Limited (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lowry, Burton S., Rye, Ryan Patrick, Stanescu, Anda, Zedell, Karl, Thomas, Brent W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/083,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20030160591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/107, 320/110, 320/112, 320/116, 320/113, 320/99, 429/100
• US Class Current: 320/110
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

This invention includes a pocket for a charger that is capable of accommodating a number of different batteries, each battery having a different mechanical and electrical form factor. The pocket includes a pocket divider that may be inserted into multiple pairs of notches. The pocket divider thereby allows the pocket to be reconfigured. The pocket further comprises at least two sets of electrical contacts, and at least two springs for ensuring the proper contact force between a battery and the electrical contacts.

Claims

1. A pocket for accommodating a plurality of batteries in a battery charger, the pocket comprising:

a. a bottom member and at least four side members;

b. apertures in the pocket for accommodating at least a first set of electrical contacts and a second set of electrical contacts wherein the aperture for first set of electrical contacts is physically separate from the second set of electrical contacts;

c. at least a first and second pair of notches disposed in opposing members of the at least four side members;

d. at least a first and second cantilever spring members, the first cantilever spring member having a first physical dimension and the second cantilever spring member having a second physical dimension; and

e. a pocket divider, wherein the pocket divider is capable of being inserted into either the first pair of notches or the second pair of notches, thereby altering the volume of the pocket.

2. The pocket of claim 1, further comprising at least two rib members.

3. The pocket of claim 2, further comprising a third pair of notches.

4. The pocket of claim 3, further comprising a third cantilever spring member.

5. The pocket of claim 4, wherein the third cantilever spring member is dimensionally equivalent to the second cantilever spring member.

6. The pocket of claim 5, further comprising a third rib member.

7. The pocket of claim 6, wherein the at least two rib members are disposed on the bottom member of the pocket.

8. The pocket of claim 7, wherein the third member is disposed on one of the at least four wall members.