Adapter system for battery-powered tools

• US 7,629,766 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2006
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BBS Licensing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: BBS Licensing, Inc.
• Inventors: Sadow, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fantu; Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US11/488,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20080012526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 320/111, 320112-114, 320/150, 173/217
• US Class Current: 320/111
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

An adapter system for providing power to a portable power tool when the original equipment rechargeable battery is removed from the tool and carried separately by the user includes a power tool connector having a contact member configured for insertion into the tool handle receptacle to provide electrical connectivity, a battery connector having a battery receptacle configured to receive the contact member of the battery and a power cord coupled to the tool connector and the battery connector; the adapter system can optionally include a supporting holster or carrier for the battery and connector that can be affixed to the user'"'"'s belt or a strap or harness worn by the user.

Claims

1. An adapter system for providing power to a portable power tool that includes a tool housing having a rechargeable battery receptacle, said tool'"'"'s battery receptacle having electrical terminals and configured to receive a battery contact member having electrical terminals of a first releasably attachable original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery, said adapter system comprising:

a tool connector having a contact member provided with electrical contacts, said contact member being configured for insertion into and retention by said tool'"'"'s battery receptacle to provide electrical connectivity with the tool receptacle terminals;

at least one battery connector, each at least one battery connector having a receptacle provided with electrical contacts, each of the at least one battery connector'"'"'s receptacle being configured to receive the contact member of the OEM battery and provide electrical connectivity with the battery terminals, wherein the battery receptacle of the tool housing and the battery connector receptacle of each at least one battery connector are configured to directly and interchangeably receive the first releasably attachable OEM battery; and

an electrically conductive power cord operably coupled to the terminals of the tool connector and the at least one battery connector.

2. The adapter system of claim 1, wherein said tool connector includes a base, and said contact member of said tool connector extends from said base.

3. The adapter system of claim 1, wherein said contact member of said tool connector is hollow and includes a pair of external electrical terminals, portions of which terminals extend to the interior of the contact member.

4. The adapter system of claim 3, wherein each of said pair of electrical terminals are coupled to a first end of a corresponding conductor in said power cord.

5. The adapter system of claim 3, wherein said power cord is coupled to said pair of terminals through the base of the tool connector.

6. The adapter system of claim 2, wherein said base of the tool connector comprises at least one retaining means for releasably attaching said connector to said tool housing.

7. The adapter system of claim 6, wherein the retaining means is compatible with a fastener on the OEM battery.

8. The adapter system of claim 6, wherein the power cable extends from the contact member of the battery connector.

9. The adapter system of claim 3, wherein said base of said tool connector is configured to cover at least a portion of said tool receptacle when said contact member of said connector is inserted into said tool receptacle.

10. The adapter system of claim 1, wherein each at least one battery connector comprises a base and a contact member housing extending from a surface of said base, said contact member housing having an interior defining the battery receptacle of the battery connector.

11. The adapter system of claim 10, wherein said battery receptacle of said battery connector includes a pair of electrical terminals configured to provide electrical connectivity with corresponding terminals on said OEM battery.

12. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein each of said pair of electrical terminals of said at least one battery connector are coupled to a second end of the corresponding conductor in said power cord.

13. The adapter system of claim 11, wherein said power cord is coupled to the terminals through the battery receptacle of said at least one battery connector.

14. The adapter system of claim 10, wherein said base of each at least one battery connector comprises at least one retaining means for removably attaching said connector to said OEM battery.

15. The adapter system of claim 14, wherein the retaining means is compatible with a fastener on the OEM battery.

16. The adapter system of claim 14, wherein said power cord is detachable from one or both of the tool and battery connectors.

17. The adapter system of claim 3, wherein each at least one battery connector has a base sized to cover at least a portion of said battery when the contact member of the OEM battery is inserted into said battery connector'"'"'s receptacle.

18. The adapter system of claim 1, wherein each at least one battery connector includes fastening means for releasably attaching the connector and battery to clothing or an accessory worn by a user of the tool.

19. The adapter system of claim 18, wherein said fastening means comprises a fastener selected from the group consisting of a clip, a hook, a strap, a clasp and a carabiner.

20. The adapter system of claim 1, further comprising at least one carrier for securely receiving and retaining the at least one battery connector and OEM battery respectively, each carrier including means for releasably attaching the carrier on clothing or an accessory being worn by a user of the tool.

21. The adapter system of claim 1, wherein the at least one battery connector comprises a first battery connector and a second battery connector.

22. The adapter system of claim 21, further comprising a second releasably attachable battery, wherein the first and second battery connectors are configured to receive either one of the first and second releasably attachable batteries.

23. The adapter system of claim 21, wherein the first battery connector and the second battery connector are electrically coupled in parallel to electrically couple the first and second releasably attachable batteries in a parallel circuit.

24. The adapter system of claim 21, further comprising a switch for activating one of the first or second releasably attachable batteries to individually provide power to the portable power tool.