U.S. patent application number 10/334444 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-15 for power tool and convertible remote battery pack therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Snap-on Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cornog, Robert A., Eggert, Daniel M., Mowry, Michael R., Pagac, William T..
Application Number | 20030090162 10/334444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22486685 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030090162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cornog, Robert A. ; et
al. |
May 15, 2003 |
Power tool and convertible remote battery pack therefor
Abstract
A battery pack has a housing with a plug portion mateably
receivable in a socket of a battery-powered power hand tool on
which the battery back is designed to be mounted. The battery pack
also has a connector cable with a connector plug at its distal end
mateably receivable in the tool socket so that the battery pack can
be disposed remotely from the tool. The battery pack can be mounted
on tools with which it does not mate by use of an adapter having a
plug portion mateably receivable in the tool socket, and an adapter
socket mateably receiving the battery pack plug portion. Multiple
battery packs may be interconnected on a wearable carrier and
connected to the tool by a cable with a plug connector.
Inventors: |
Cornog, Robert A.; (Kenosha,
WI) ; Mowry, Michael R.; (Kenosha, WI) ;
Pagac, William T.; (Kenosha, WI) ; Eggert, Daniel
M.; (Kenosha, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW
Suite 4200
55 East Monroe Street
Chicago
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Assignee: |
Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
22486685 |
Appl. No.: |
10/334444 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10334444 |
Dec 31, 2002 |
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09596182 |
Jun 16, 2000 |
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6501197 |
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60139444 |
Jun 16, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
307/150 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 50/244 20210101;
H01M 50/543 20210101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 10/46 20130101;
B25F 5/00 20130101; H01M 50/20 20210101; H01M 6/42 20130101; H01M
50/50 20210101; H01M 10/06 20130101; H01M 50/209 20210101; H01M
50/247 20210101; H02J 7/0045 20130101; H01M 50/256 20210101; H01M
50/296 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
307/150 |
International
Class: |
H02J 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A battery pack comprising: a small portable housing of a size
adapted to be mounted on a power hand tool, a battery disposed in
the housing and having positive and negative terminals, a plug
portion projecting from the housing and adapted to be received in a
socket portion in an associated power hand tool, first connector
terminals on the plug portion respectively connected to the battery
terminals, a cable connectable to the battery terminals and
extending outside the housing to a distal end, and a plug connector
having second connector terminals connected to the distal end of he
cable and adopted to be received in a socket portion in an
associated power hand tool.
2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the battery is a
rechargeable battery.
3. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the plug portion is unitary
with the housing.
4. A battery pack assembly comprising: a carrier adapted to be worn
on a user's person, at least one battery pack mounted on the
carrier, a cable having a proximal end electrically connected to
the network and a distal end, and a connector connected to the
distal end of the cable.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the connector is a male
plug-type connector.
6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the carrier is in the form of a
belt.
7. The assembly of claim 4, and further comprising a plurality of
electrically interconnected battery packs on the carrier.
8. An adapter for connecting terminals of a battery pack plug
portion to terminals of a socket portion of an associated power
hand tool, the adapter comprising: a body, an adapter plug portion
projecting from the body and mateably receivable in a mounted
condition in the socket portion of an associated power hand tool,
first terminals on the adapter plug portion connectable with
terminals in the socket portion of the associated hand tool when
the adapter plug portion is in its mounted condition, an adapter
socket in the body adapted for mateably receiving the plug portion
of an associated battery pack in a mounted condition, and second
terminals in the adapter socket connectable with terminals of an
associated battery pack plug portion when the battery back plug
portion is in its mounted condition in the adapter socket.
9. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the adapter plug portion is
unitary with the body.
10. In combination: a power hand tool having a socket formed
therein, and tool terminals disposed in socket; and a battery pack
including a small portable housing of a size adapted to be mounted
on the hand tool, a battery disposed in the housing and having
positive and negative battery terminals, a plug portion projecting
from the housing and adapted to be received in the socket of the
hand tool for mounting the battery pack on the hand tool, first
connector terminals on the plug portion respectively connectable
with the tool terminals when the plug portion is disposed in the
socket, a cable connectable to the battery terminals and extending
outside the battery pack housing to a distal end, and a plug
connector having second connector terminals connected to the distal
end of the cable, the connector being adapted to be received in the
tool socket for connection of the second connector terminals to the
tool terminals.
11. In combination: a power hand tool having a socket formed
therein, and tool terminals disposed in socket; an adapter body, an
adapter plug portion projecting from the adapter body and mateably
receivable in a mounted condition in the tool socket, first adapter
terminals on the adapter plug portion connectable with the tool
terminals when the adapter plug portion is disposed in the tool
socket, an adapter socket in the body, and second adapter terminals
in the adapter socket connected with the first adapter terminals;
and a battery pack including a small portable housing of a size
adapted to be mounted on the tool, a battery disposed in the
housing and having positive and negative battery terminals, a
battery pack plug portion projecting from the housing and adapted
to be received in the adapter socket, and battery pack connector
terminals on the battery pack plug portion respectively connectable
with the adapter second terminals when the battery pack plug
portion is disposed in the adapter socket, thereby to mount the
battery pack on the tool and connect the battery terminals to the
tool terminals although the battery pack plug portion does not mate
with the tool socket.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
copending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/139,444, filed Jun.
16, 1999.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This application relates to power tools and, particularly,
electrically powered tools. The application relates in particular
to battery-powered power tools and battery packs for powering
same.
[0003] Various types of power hand tools have been utilized for
many years, including both electrically powered tools and
pneumatically powered tools. Originally, such tools had to be
connected by an electrical cable or a pneumatic hose to a source of
electricity, typically AC, or a source of compressed air or the
like. This limited the usefulness of the tools to the length of the
cable or hose connecting the tool to the power source.
[0004] Accordingly, cordless electric tools have been provided for
a number of years. Such tools typically include a DC electric motor
powered by a battery, which is typically embodied in a battery pack
which may be either built into the power tool or embodied in a
portable battery pack which may be removably attached to the power
tool. The size of such battery packs is necessarily limited,
otherwise the power tool will become too hearty and/or unwieldy for
convenient use. Thus, the power delivery capacity and running time
of such cordless power tools is necessarily limited.
SUMMARY
[0005] This application discloses an improved battery-powered power
tool and battery pack therefor which avoid the disadvantages of
prior battery-powered tools, while affording additional structural
and operating advantages.
[0006] An important feature is the provision of a power tool and a
battery pack therefor which can be positioned remotely from the
tool being powered.
[0007] In connection with the foregoing feature, another feature is
the provision of a battery-powered tool of the type set forth,
wherein the battery pack can be disposed either on the tool or
remotely therefrom.
[0008] Another feature is the provision of a battery-powered tool
which can have large power delivery capacity and/or running time
while maintaining an ergonomic design characterized by relatively
small size and light weight.
[0009] Still another feature is the provision of a remote battery
pack which is usable with existing battery-powered power tools
without modification of the tools.
[0010] In connection with the foregoing feature, another feature is
the provision of an adapter for use with an existing
battery-powered power tool to permit it to be powered by the remote
battery pack in accordance with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the
subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of
which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its
construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be
readily understood and appreciated.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a battery pack in
accordance with a first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack belt
including a plurality of interconnected battery packs in accordance
with another embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a power tool with a
remote battery pack connected thereto by cable;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the battery
pack of FIG. 1 connected directly to the tool;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an adapter for adapting
the battery pack or belt of FIGS. 1 and 2 to be plugged into an
existing power tool;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating a use of the
adapter of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of the arrangement of
FIG. 4; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of the arrangement of
FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, there is illustrated a battery
pack 10, in accordance with a first embodiment. The battery pack 10
has a housing 11, which encloses one or more rechargeable battery
cells 11a, sufficient to generate the required output voltage and
current. The battery cells 11a may be thin metal film lead-acid
battery cells, which may be of the type sold by Johnson Controls
under the designation "Inspira," or by Bolder Technologies under
the designation "Bolder 9/5 sub-C TMF" (Thin Metal Film). The
housing 11 may have an upstanding plug connecting portion 12, which
includes electrical contacts 12a adapted for electrical connection
to mating contacts 12b (FIG. 7) in an associated power tool. The
battery pack 10 is also provided with a connector 14, preferably of
the same size and configuration as the connecting portion 12, and
connected or connectable by an elongated cable 15 to the battery
cells in the housing 11. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,
the cable 15 is stored on a take-up reel 16 mounted in the housing
11, so that the connector 14 is disposed in the housing 11 out of
sight when not in use. Alternatively, the bulk of the length of the
cable 15 may be permanently disposed outside the housing 11 and
either permanently or removably connected thereto. For this
eventuality, the housing 11 may be provided with a plurality of
grooves 17 in the outer surface thereof to facilitate winding of
the cable 15 around the housing 11 for storage purposes.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an alternative
embodiment in the nature of a battery belt 20, comprising an
elongated strip of any suitable material provided with coupling or
buckle portions 21 at the opposite ends thereof and adapted to be
fastened around a wearer's waist, shoulder, or the like. The belt
20 is provided with a plurality of sets of retaining straps 22
thereon, which may be Velcro-type straps, for example, for
respectively securing in place on the belt 20 a plurality of
battery packs 23, which are illustrated in the shape of
parallelepipeds, but which could have any desired configuration.
Each of the battery packs 23 includes one or more rechargeable
battery cells, which may be of the thin metal film lead-acid type.
The battery belt 20 is provide with a connector 14, like that of
FIG. 1, connected by an elongated cable 15 to one of the battery
packs 23. The cable 15 could be permanently connected to the
battery pack 23, but is preferably removably connected thereto, as
by a suitable connector 26. The battery packs 23 are interconnected
by jumper cables 27, which may be configured to interconnect the
battery packs in series or in parallel, as desired. In the
illustrated embodiment, each of the jumper cables 27 may be a
multi-conductor cable, and each of the battery packs has plural
terminal locations, each of which may include a pair of terminals,
respectively connected to the output terminals of the battery cell
configuration. However, it will be appreciated that any of a number
of other different types of battery pack terminal configurations
and/or cable configurations could be utilized.
[0022] The battery pack configurations disclosed herein do not have
to be directly mounted on the power tool being powered, as with
prior art battery packs. Rather, the battery pack 10 or the battery
belt 20 can be located remotely from the tool itself and
interconnected thereto by the elongated cable 15. Referring to FIG.
3, there is illustrated a power tool 30, which may be a drill or
impact wrench or the like. While the power tool 30 is shown with a
generally "pistol grip" configuration, it will be appreciated that
the battery packs disclosed herein could be used with other types
of power tools, such as screwdrivers, right angle drills or the
like. The power tool 30 has an elongated handle 31 with a distal
end surface 32 in which is formed a connection socket or receptacle
33 in which the contacts 12b are disposed, the receptacle 33 being
specifically designed to receive the connecting portion 12 of the
battery pack 10 or the connector 14 of either the battery pack 10
or the battery belt 20. This permits the power tool 30 to be
utilized at a location remote from the battery pack or battery belt
by a distance limited only by the length of the cable 15. In this
regard, the cable 15 is preferably designed with low-loss
conductors to minimize power loss.
[0023] This arrangement is particularly advantageous for coupling
to the power tool battery packs of a size and weight which would
normally make them unsuitable for direct mounting on the power
tool. Thus, for example, the battery pack 10 could be made of a
very large size to increase the power delivery capability and/or
the running time of the power tool. In this case, where the battery
pack 10 is of a size which would effectively prohibit its direct
mounting on the tool, it could be provided without the connecting
portion 12. The battery belt 20 is designed to interconnect a
plurality of smaller battery packs to obtain the effect of a single
large battery pack and is designed to be worn about a user's body,
which can accommodate much greater weights than can the user's hand
which is manipulating the power tool.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, there is illustrated the tool 30
of FIG. 1 with the battery pack 10 directly connected thereto and
mounted thereon by means of the coupling portion 12. In this case
the cable 15 is wrapped around the battery pack housing 11, as
opposed to being stored in a take-up reel therein. It will be
appreciated that, alternatively, the cable 15 could be permanently
connected to the power tool and could be stored on a take-up reel
therein, in which case the cable would be adapted to be removably
connected to the battery pack 10 or the battery belt 20.
[0025] For purposes of utilizing the battery packs of the present
invention with existing power tools not specially designed for use
with the battery packs of FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided an
adapter 35, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8. The adapter 35 has a
housing 36 with an upstanding connecting portion 37, which is
substantially the same as the corresponding connecting or turret
portion of a prior-art battery pack of the type designed for use
with a typical prior-art battery-powered power tool, such as that
disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,913, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference. The connecting
portion 37 includes electrical contacts 37a adapted to electrically
engage mating contacts 37b in the associated power tool. Formed in
the bottom surface of the housing 36 is a receptacle 38 dimensioned
to mateably receive the connecting portion 12 of the battery pack
10 or the connector 14 of the battery pack 10 or the battery belt
20 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The receptacle 38 includes suitable electrical
connectors 38a for electrical connection to the terminals 12a of
the connector 14 or connecting portion 12 and to the connectors of
the connecting portion 37.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, there is illustrated a prior
power tool 30A having a handle 31A with a standard battery pack
receptacle or cavity 33A formed in the distal end surface 32A
thereof. In use, the connecting portion 37 of the adapter 35 is
plugged into the receptacle 33A, and the connecting portion 12 of
the battery pack 10 (or the connector 14 of either the battery pack
10 or the battery belt 20) is in turn plugged into the receptacle
38 of the adapter 35.
[0027] The matter set forth in the foregoing description and
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and
not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown
and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of
the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following
claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior
art.
* * * * *