Rapid replacement battery system

• US 9,711,765 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2015
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultralife Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ultralife Corporation
• Inventors: Ladd, Jeffrey C., Domm, John, Manna, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Ben
• Application Number:
  US14/598,434
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A replacement battery system design incorporating a pivoting battery holster and other features enabling one-handed battery removal for devices requiring a battery.

Claims

1. A battery power system for use in providing power to a device, comprising:

a removable battery including a handle to grab the battery; and

a battery holster for receiving said battery, where said holster is operatively connected on a surface of a structure associated with the device, and wherein at least a portion of said holster pivots relative to the device to enable removal and insertion of said battery using the handle, said holster further comprising a latch, operatively associated with said device, said latch engaging the handle of the removable battery when the holster is rotated into a closed position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said latch includes a tab and a catch, wherein the tab is an extension of the catch and extends therefrom such that the tab, when lifted, opens the catch to release the handle of the removable battery from contact with the catch.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein release of the handle from the catch allows the handle to be pulled away from the device such that the removable battery is pivoted with the holster.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said removable battery includes a connector on a bottom surface thereof, and where said holster includes a mating connection on the interior thereof, also on said bottom, where the mating connection is electrically connected to the device, and where said battery and holster further include mating alignment guides, such that when said removable battery is slidably inserted into said holster, the connection of the battery and the mating connection of said holster are aligned to permit the respective electrical connections to mate.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein a housing of said battery further comprises;

over-molded corners to reduce damage to the battery housing resulting from contact with other objects or surfaces; and

scalloped sides that retain at least some battery cells within the housing.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said latch includes a tab and a catch, wherein the tab is an extension of the catch and extends therefrom such that the tab, when lifted, opens the catch to release the handle of the removable battery from contact with the catch.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein release of the handle from the catch allows the handle to be pulled away from the device such that the removable battery is pivoted with the holster.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein said removable battery includes a connector on an exterior of the housing at the bottom, and where said holster includes a mating connection on the interior thereof, also on said bottom, where the mating connection is electrically connected to the device, and where said battery and holster further include mating alignment guides, such that when said removable battery is slidably inserted into said holster, the connection of the battery and the mating connection of said holster are aligned to permit the respective electrical connections to mate.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said removable battery further comprises an integrated state of charge indicator, electrically connected to the battery, said state of charge indicator including a push button switch to activate, where upon activation the state of charge indicator displays the state of charge for a period of time.

10. A battery holster for holding a removable battery having a battery housing, said battery housing including a handle, the holster comprising:

a battery pocket for receiving said battery housing, wherein the handle of the battery housing remains at least partially exposed when said battery housing is received in said battery pocket and where at least a portion of said pocket pivots to enable removal and insertion of said battery housing in the holster, and

a latch, operatively associated with the holster, said latch engaging the handle of the battery housing when said pocket is rotated into a closed position,

wherein the battery holster is mounted on an exterior surface of an electronic device.

11. The battery holster according to claim 10, wherein said handle may be disengaged from said latch and the battery housing removed by a single hand while concurrently grasping the handle.

12. The battery holster according to claim 11, wherein said latch includes a tab and a catch, wherein the tab is an extension of the catch and extends therefrom such that the tab, when lifted, opens the catch to release the handle from contact with the catch.

13. The battery holster according to claim 10, wherein the housing of said battery further comprises over-molded corners.

14. The battery holster according to claim 10, wherein the housing of said battery further comprises scalloped sides that retain at least one battery cell within the housing.