Battery adapter for a cordless power tool system and related method

• US 6,876,173 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2004
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mastaler, Thomas, May, Nathan, Gross, Paul G., Watts, Fred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/776,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20040160212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 320/112, 320/113, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

An adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with An electrical apparatus such as a cordless power tool or a charger. The adapter includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion provides releasable attachment to the electrical apparatus. The second portion physically receives at least a portion of the battery pack. A method of converting an electrical apparatus for use with a battery pack not directly attachable to the electrical apparatus includes the steps of providing an adapter for electrically connecting the battery pack to an electrical apparatus, releasably attaching the adapter to the electrical apparatus and physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the electrical apparatus and the battery pack.

Claims

1. An adapter for electrically and mechanically connecting a battery pack with a power tool, the battery pack and the power tool being otherwise incompatible, the adapter comprising:

a first portion for releasable attachment to the power tool;

a second portion for physically and securely receiving at least a portion of the battery pack;

a latching mechanism for securing the adapter to the power tool, the latching mechanism including a button connected to a housing of the adapter; and

whereby the adapter completes an electrical circuit between the battery pack and the power tool;

wherein the adapter defines an aperture for receiving a nose portion of the battery pack.

2. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 1, wherein the adapter includes a nose portion for receipt into an aperture of the power tool and defines an aperture for receiving a nose portion of the battery pack.

3. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 2, wherein the aperture defined by the adapter extends in a direction generally parallel to the nose portion of the adapter.

11. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 1, wherein the aperture defined by the adapter extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the nose portion of the adapter.

12. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 1, wherein the adapter includes a pair of rails for slidably engaging the power tool.

13. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 12, wherein the button is connected to the housing of the adapter through a cantilevered portion.

14. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 13, wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a spring for outwardly biasing the button.

15. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 13, wherein the button includes a flange for engaging a groove defined by the housing of the power tool when the adapter is secured to the power tool.

16. The adapter for electrically connecting a batter pack with a power tool of claim 12, wherein the pair of rails extend in a direction parallel to an axis defined by the aperture of the adapter.

17. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with a power tool of claim 1, in combination with the battery pack and power tool.

4. A cordless power tool assembly comprising:

a tool housing;

an external working member extending from the tool housing for performing a working operation on a workpiece;

a motor in the housing for driving the working member;

a battery pack for providing power to the motor; and

an adapter for electrically connecting the battery pack and the motor, the adapter releasably attached to the tool housing and physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack;

wherein the adapter includes a nose portion receiving an aperture of the tool housing and defines an aperture receiving a nose portion of the battery pack.

5. The cordless power tool assembly of claim 4, wherein the adapter includes a pair of rails slidably engaging the tool housing and defines an aperture receiving a nose portion of the battery pack.

6. The cordless power tool assembly of claim 4, wherein the aperture defined by the adapter extends in a direction generally parallel to the nose portion of the adapter.

7. A method of adapting a power tool for use with a battery pack which is not directly attachable to the power tool, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an adapter for electrically connecting the battery pack to the power tool;

releasably attaching the adapter to the housing of the power tool;

physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the power tool and the battery pack;

driving an external working member of the power tool under the power of the battery pack to perform a working operation on a workpiece; and

removing the battery pack from the adapter by depressing a latching mechanism carried by the battery pack;

wherein the step of physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the power tool and the battery pack includes the steps of providing the battery pack with a nose portion and inserting the nose portion into an aperture defined by the adapter.

8. A method of adapting a power tool for use with a battery pack which is not directly attachable to the power tool of claim 7, wherein the step of releasably attaching the adapter to the housing includes the steps of providing the adapter with a pair of rails and slidably engaging the rails with the housing.

9. A method of adapting a power tool for use with a battery pack which is not directly attachable to the power tool of claim 7, wherein the step of releasably attaching the adapter to the housing includes the steps of providing the adapter with a nose portion and inserting the nose portion into an aperture defined by the housing.

10. A method of adapting a power tool for use with a battery pack which is not directly attachable to the power tool of claim 7, wherein the step of physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the power tool and the battery pack includes the steps of providing the battery pack with a pair of rails and slidably engaging the rails with the adapter.

18. An adapter for electrically and mechanically connecting a battery pack with an electrical apparatus of a power tool system, the battery pack and the electrical apparatus being otherwise incompatible, the adapter comprising:

a first portion for releasable attachment to the electrical apparatus of the power tool system; and

a second portion for physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack;

whereby the adapter completes an electrical circuit between the battery pack and the electrical apparatus.

19. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with an electrical apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a latching mechanism for securing the adapter to the electrical apparatus, the latching mechanism comprising a button connected to a housing of the adapter through a cantilevered portion.

20. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with an electrical apparatus of claim 19, wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a spring for outwardly biasing the button.

21. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with an electrical apparatus of claim 19, wherein the button includes a flange for engaging a groove defined by the housing of the electrical apparatus when the adapter is secured to the power tool.

22. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with an electrical apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electrical apparatus is a power tool.

23. The adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with an electrical apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electrical apparatus is a charger.