U.S. patent application number 11/838303 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for power tool case.
Invention is credited to Kenneth F. Collister, Brenden J. Jones.
Application Number | 20080035507 11/838303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39049581 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080035507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collister; Kenneth F. ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
Power Tool Case
Abstract
A power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools
includes a housing, an electrical connector, and an internal
electrical outlet. The housing defines at least one compartment for
storing a battery charger and has a handle for transporting the
case. The electrical connector is carried by the housing and is
adapted to electrically couple with an electrical power source to
provide power for the case. The internal electrical outlet is also
carried by the housing and is electrically coupled with the
electrical connector to allow the battery charger to remain plugged
into the internal electrical outlet while the battery charger is
stored in the compartment.
Inventors: |
Collister; Kenneth F.;
(North Branch, MI) ; Jones; Brenden J.; (Rochester
Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REISING, ETHINGTON, BARNES, KISSELLE, P.C.
P O BOX 4390
TROY
MI
48099-4390
US
|
Family ID: |
39049581 |
Appl. No.: |
11/838303 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60822262 |
Aug 14, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/349 ;
206/722 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 15/00 20130101;
B25H 3/006 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/349 ;
206/722 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00; A45C 13/02 20060101 A45C013/02; B65D 85/86 20060101
B65D085/86 |
Claims
1. A power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools
comprising: a housing defining at least one compartment for storing
a battery charger; a handle carried by the housing to allow a user
to transport the case; an electrical connector carried by the
housing adapted to electrically couple with an electrical power
source to provide power for the case; and an internal electrical
outlet carried within the compartment and electrically coupled with
the electrical connector; wherein the location of the internal
electrical outlet allows the battery charger to remain plugged into
the internal electrical outlet while the battery charger is stored
in the compartment.
2. The case of claim 1 further comprising an external electrical
outlet carried by the housing and electrically coupled with the
electrical connector and wherein the external electrical outlet is
available to power an external device when the electrical connector
is coupled with the electrical power source.
3. The case for storing tools of claim 1 further comprising a
visual device for indicating a characteristic state of the battery
charger.
4. The case for storing tools of claim 1 wherein the electrical
connector is a plug mounted on the housing.
5. The case for storing tools of claim 1 wherein the connector is
an electrical power cord having a plug disposed on a distal
end.
6. The case for storing tools of claim 5 further including a
compartment for storing the electrical power cord.
7. The case for storing tools of claim 1 further including a vent
for preventing heat from building up within the case.
8. The case for storing tools of claim 1 further including a
circuit protection device electrically coupled with the electrical
connector.
9. The case for storing tools of claim 8 wherein the circuit
protection device includes a switch for resetting the circuit
protection device.
10. A power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools
comprising: a housing defining a first compartment for storing a
battery charger; the housing defining a second compartment for
storing an electrical power cord; an electrical connector carried
by the housing and adapted to be electrically coupled with an
electrical power source; an internal electrical outlet electrically
coupled with the electrical connector; and wherein the case is
enabled to power a battery charger stored inside the case when the
battery charger is plugged into the internal electrical outlet and
the electrical connector is coupled with an electrical power
source.
11. The case of claim 10 further comprising an external electrical
outlet carried by the housing and electrically coupled with the
electrical connector to provide power to outside the case; wherein
the external electrical outlet is available to power an external
device when the electrical connector is coupled with the electrical
power source.
12. The case for storing tools of claim 10 further comprising a
light for indicating a characteristic state of the battery
charger.
13. The case for storing tools of claim 10 further comprising a
translucent portion carried by the housing for providing visibility
inside the case to view a charge indicator located on the battery
charger.
14. The case for storing tools of claim 11 wherein the connector is
a plug mounted on the housing.
15. The case for storing tools of claim 11 wherein the connector is
a plug mounted on an end of an electrical power cord electrically
coupled with the internal electrical outlet.
16. The case for storing tools of claim 10 wherein the compartment
for storing the electrical power cord further includes projections
to wrap the electrical power cord around.
17. The case for storing tools of claim 10 wherein the compartment
for storing the electrical power cord further includes a retracting
device to retract the power cord into the compartment.
18. The case for storing tools of claim 10 further including a vent
for preventing heat from building up within the case.
19. The case for storing tools of claim 10 further including a
circuit protection device electrically coupled with the electrical
connector.
20. A method of charging a power tool battery comprising the steps
of: (a) disposing a battery charger having an electrical plug
inside a case; (b) engaging the power tool battery with the battery
charger; (c) plugging the electrical plug into an AC electrical
outlet carried within the case and coupled with electrical
circuitry inside the case; (d) closing the case; and (e)
electrically coupling the electrical circuitry with an AC
electrical power source, wherein the AC electrical power flows
through the electrical outlet and powers the battery charger inside
the case to charge the power tool battery without needing to open
the case and remove the power tool battery and battery charger.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application 60/822,262, filed Aug. 14, 2006, the teachings of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to cases for storing power tools, and
more particularly to cases for storing battery-operated power
tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Battery-operated power tools often are sold in kits
containing a power tool, a rechargeable battery, a battery charger,
and a storage case. The battery charger typically plugs into
standard electrical outlets to provide alternating current (AC) to
the battery charger. The battery charger converts the AC current
into direct current (DC) to charge the batteries. Although most
batteries today will power a tool for several hours, often the
batteries will require recharging on a work site during long
periods of use. Having a standardized plug on the battery charger
allows it to be plugged into any standard electrical outlet on the
work site.
[0004] At the end of each day, the power tool, the battery, and the
battery charger are typically placed back into the case to
transport them from the work site. It is common for power tool
users to need to charge their tools overnight so that the batteries
can power the tools during their next use. In order to charge the
battery once it has been stored in the case, a typical case must be
opened to remove the battery charger and plug it into an electrical
outlet. The battery charger must then be placed back into the case
after the charge is complete to store the kit or transport it to
the next work site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools. The
power tool case includes a housing, an electrical connector, and an
internal electrical outlet. The housing defines at least one
compartment for storing a battery charger and has a handle for
transporting the case. The electrical connector is carried by the
housing and is adapted to electrically couple with an electrical
power source to provide power for the case. The internal electrical
outlet is also carried by the housing and is electrically coupled
with the electrical connector.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, the power tool
case for storing battery-operated power tools includes a housing,
an electrical connector, and an internal electrical outlet. The
housing defines a first compartment for storing a battery charger
and a second compartment for storing an electrical power cord. The
housing also carries the electrical connector and the internal
electrical outlet. The electrical connector is adapted to be
electrically coupled with an electrical power source.
[0007] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the power
tool case for storing battery-operated power tools includes a
housing, an electrical connector, an internal electrical connector
and a visual device. The housing defines a compartment for storing
the battery charger and carries the electrical connector, the
internal electrical outlet, and the visual device. The electrical
connector is adapted to be electrically coupled with an electrical
power source to provide power for the case. The internal electrical
outlet electrically couples with the electrical connector. The
visual device enables viewing a characteristic state of the battery
charger
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view depicting an example of a power tool
case for storing a power tool in an open position;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the power tool case of FIG. 1 in a
closed position; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of another example of a power
tool case for storing a power tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The drawings show a power tool case generally shown at 10
for storing battery-operated power tools. The case 10 is adapted
for storing and transporting power tools and their accessories,
such as rechargeable batteries and battery chargers. The simplest
embodiments of the power tool case 10 include a housing generally
indicated at 12 and electrical circuitry generally indicated at 14.
The housing 12 includes at least one compartment for storing the
power tool and for storing a battery charger. The housing 12 can be
constructed from plastic, metal, wood, canvas, vinyl, or any other
suitable material and may be sized to allow it to be easily carried
by hand. The electrical circuitry 14 provides power for the case 10
to power the battery charger.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the power tool case 10. The
housing 12 includes a first compartment 20 for storing the battery
charger, a second compartment 22 for storing a power cord, a lid
24, a handle 26, and a visual device 28. The housing 12 defines the
first compartment 20 for storing the power tool, the battery
charger, and the battery. The first compartment 20 may contain
recesses 30 shaped to hold the power tool and the battery charger
in place inside the compartment. The first compartment 20 is sized
to provide sufficient space for the battery charger to fit inside
the first compartment 20 with the battery connected to the battery
charger. The compartment may be sized to accommodate one or more of
each of the following: power tools, battery chargers, batteries,
and other tool accessories.
[0014] The second compartment 22 stores a retractable power cord
and includes a retracting device 34. The retracting device 34 is
mounted on a wall 36 of the housing 12 to wind and store a power
cord within the second compartment 22. The retracting device 34 is
activated by tension to automatically retract the power cord when
it is pulled. Alternatively, the retracting device 34 may retract
manually and include a crank to wind and unwind the power cord from
the retracting device 34. The second compartment 22 contains a
sidewall 38 that defines an opening 40. The opening 40 provides
access to the second compartment 22 from outside the case 10. An
access door 42 is pivotally attached to the sidewall 38 to cover
the opening 40 in one position and pivot away from the opening 40
to allow access to the second compartment 22. As an alternative,
the access door 42 may slide within a pair of tracks in the
sidewall 38 to cover the opening 40 in one position and slide away
from the opening 40 to allow access to the second compartment 22 in
another position.
[0015] The lid 24 is hinged to the first compartment 20 to cover
the first compartment 20 when the lid is closed. The lid 24 and the
first compartment 20 form the handle 26 when the case 10 is closed.
The handle 26 allows the case 10 to be carried by hand. A
translucent portion of the lid 24 acts as the visual device 28. The
translucent portion 28 permits light to pass through the lid 24 and
may diffuse some light or may be completely transparent. The
translucent portion 28 may be composed of a clear or partially
clear plastic, glass, or any other suitable material, or may simply
be an opening 40 in the lid 24. The translucent portion 28 is
located adjacent the battery charger when the case 10 is closed and
provides visibility to the battery charger from outside the case.
The translucent portion 28 may allow visibility into the case 10 to
see if the battery charger is being powered and if a battery is
connected to the battery charger. Typically, battery chargers
include a charge indicator light to indicate a characteristic state
of the battery charger, such as the charging state of a battery.
Thus, the visual device 28 provides visibility to the charge
indicator light when the case 10 is closed and provides an
indication of a characteristic state of the battery charger.
[0016] The electrical circuitry 14 includes an electrical connector
50, an internal electrical outlet 52, external electrical outlets
54, and a circuit protection device 56. The electrical connector 50
is carried by the case 10 and is adapted to electrically couple
with an AC electrical power source to provide power for the case
10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electrical connector 50
is an electrical power cord having a plug 58 disposed on a distal
end of the cord. The plug 58 is configured to plug into a standard
AC electrical outlet. Other embodiments are also possible where the
power source is DC including, for example, a solar power source
such as a solar panel associated with the case itself. The power
cord is electrically coupled with the internal electrical outlet 52
and is stored inside the second compartment 22.
[0017] The internal electrical outlet 52 is carried by the case 10
and is accessible to the first compartment 20. The internal
electrical outlet 52 is adapted to receive a standard electrical
plug and is electrically coupled with the electrical connector 50.
Specifically, the internal electrical outlet 52 is able to receive
a plug on the battery charger while the battery charger is stored
in the first compartment 20. The case 10 may include any suitable
number of internal electrical outlets 52 to power multiple battery
chargers or other devices within the case.
[0018] The external electrical outlets 54 are carried by the case
10 and are electrically coupled with the electrical connector 50.
The external electrical outlets 54 are able to power external
devices when the electrical connector 50 is coupled with the
electrical power source. As shown in FIG. 2, the external
electrical outlets 54 are externally accessible from the housing 12
including when the lid 24 is closed. The external electrical
outlets 54 provide additional electrical outlets to a work site.
The actual number of external electrical outlets 54 provided with
the case 10 may vary.
[0019] The circuit protection device 56 is electrically coupled to
the electrical connector 50 to protect the electrical circuitry 14
from dangerous electrical conditions. Specifically, the circuit
protection device 56 limits the amount of electrical power passing
through the electrical circuitry 14. The circuit protection device
56 includes a circuit breaker 60 to limit the amount of current
that can flow through the electrical circuitry 14. The circuit
breaker 60 includes a switch 62 to reset the breaker in the event
that the breaker is tripped to cut off the flow of excessive
electrical current. Alternatively, the circuit protection device 56
may include a fuse to provide electrical current limiting. The
circuit protection device 56 may also provide electrical
conditioning such as power surge protection or suppression from
transient voltages. For example, the circuit protection device 56
may include metal oxide varisters or gas discharge arrestors to
prevent transient voltages from reaching the internal electrical
outlet 52 or external electrical outlet 54.
[0020] The power tool case 10 allows the battery to charge inside
the case while the case is closed by using a battery charger with a
standard electrical AC plug. When packing the case 10 after using
the power tool, the user may dispose the battery charger in the
first compartment 20, plug the battery charger into the internal
electrical outlet 52, engage the battery to the battery charger,
and close the lid 24. The order of the steps is not critical. For
example, the user may engage the battery with the battery charger
before or after the battery charger is disposed inside the case 10
and/or the battery charger is plugged into the internal electrical
outlet 52. Once the case 10 is closed, the case 10 may be
transported to a location, such as the user's home, for storage. To
charge the battery stored inside the case 10, the user simply pulls
the distal end of the electrical power cord out of the second
compartment 22 and inserts the plug 58 into a power source. The
translucent portion 28 allows the user to see the charge indicator
light on the battery charger which tells the user that the battery
is charging inside the case 10. When the battery is done charging
(typically indicated by the light on the battery charger turning
off), the user simply unplugs the power cord from the power source
and allows the power cord to retract into the second compartment
22. Thus the user is able to recharge the battery without having to
open the case 10, pull out the battery and the battery charger, and
then repack the case when the battery is finished charging.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the power tool case
generally shown at 110. The case 110 includes a housing generally
indicated at 112 and electrical circuitry 114. The housing 112
includes a first compartment 120 for storing the battery charger, a
lid 124, a handle 126, a vent 132, and a second compartment 122 for
storing a power cord. The first compartment 120 stores the power
tool, the battery charger, and at least one battery. In this
embodiment, the second compartment 122 is a drawer that slides out
from the housing 112 to provide access to the second compartment
122. The second compartment 122 includes a pair of projections 146
extending from a sidewall of the compartment to wind the power cord
around for storage.
[0022] The lid 124 is pivotally connected to the housing 112 and is
operable to cover the first compartment 120 and opens to provide
access to the power tool inside the compartment. The handle 126 is
u-shaped and is pivotally connected to the lid 124 to assist in
carrying the case 110 by hand. The vent 132 is located on a
sidewall of the housing 112 and includes a series of perforations
to provide ventilation to the case 110 and prevent the battery and
battery charger from overheating inside the case 110 when in use.
The housing 112 may further include a fan associated with the vent
for actively cooling the inside of the housing. The fan could be
controlled with a switch or a thermostat. In addition to the fan or
instead of it, the case 110 could include a shut off circuit that
would turn off the power to the circuitry 114 in the event that a
predetermined temperature limit is reached. This would also prevent
overheating.
[0023] The electrical circuitry 114 includes an internal electrical
outlet 152, an electrical connector 150, external electrical
outlets 154, and a visual device 164. The electrical connector 150
is electrically coupled with the internal electrical outlet 152.
The electrical connector 150 is a male electrical plug recessed in
an outer wall of the housing 112 to provide connectivity to an
external power source. The electrical connector 150 shown in FIG. 3
is adapted to mate with a female connector on the power cord to
couple the electrical connector 150 with the external power source
through the power cord. Alternatively, the electrical connector 150
may comprise other electrical connector types capable of connecting
with power cords and may be located elsewhere on the housing 112,
such as within the second compartment 122, to provide power to the
case 110.
[0024] In this embodiment, the visual device 164 is a light carried
by the case 110 for indicating a characteristic state of the
battery charger. Specifically, the light 164 is a light emitting
diode (LED) electrically coupled with the internal electrical
outlet 152, although any other light emitting device may be used
such as a standard light bulb. The LED 164 is located on the
housing 112 so that it is externally visible. The LED 164 monitors
the current level flowing through the internal electrical outlet
152. The LED 164 glows brightly when the current level is at or
above a predetermined threshold, indicating that the battery
charger is charging a battery. The LED 164 turns dim when the
current level is below the threshold, indicating that the battery
charger is not charging a battery.
[0025] To charge a battery while it is stored inside the case 110,
the battery charger is placed inside the first compartment 120,
plugged into the internal electrical outlet 152, and the battery is
connected to the charger. The user opens the second compartment
122, removes the power cord, plugs the female connector on the
power cord into the electrical connector 150, and plugs the male
plug on the power cord into a power source. The LED 164 glows to
indicate that the battery is charging. The battery charger may stop
charging after a predetermined period of time or when the battery
charge has reached a desired level. Generally, battery chargers
reduce their current draw when they stop charging a battery. When
the charger is done charging a battery, the current draw falls
below a threshold causing the LED 164 to dim, thus indicating that
the battery is done charging.
[0026] Alternatively, the LED 164 may be adapted to indicate other
characteristics of the battery charger. For example, the LED 164
may glow to indicate when the battery charger is drawing any
current through the internal electrical outlet 152. Moreover, the
LED 164 may indicate when the battery charger is plugged into the
internal electrical outlet 152 by sensing that the device plugged
into the internal electrical outlet 152 forms a completed circuit
with the internal electrical outlet 152. In another embodiment,
multiple LEDs may be provided to indicate multiple characteristics
of a single battery charger. Moreover, multiple LEDs may be
provided, each associated with a separate internal electrical
outlet 152.
[0027] It is to be understood that the foregoing description is not
a description of the invention itself, but of one or more preferred
exemplary embodiments. The invention is not limited to the
particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined
solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained
in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and
are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except
where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other
embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed
embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All
such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to
come within the scope of the appended claims.
[0028] For example, the case 10 need not contain a separate
compartment for storing a power cord. A power cord may be stored in
the first compartment 20 having an access door to remove the power
cord from the case 10 without having to open the lid 24. Likewise,
the case 10 may contain a pair of projections extending from an
outer sidewall of the housing 12 to store the power cord by winding
it around the projections. In another alternative, the case 10 may
be in the form of a canvas or vinyl bag. The case 10 or bag may
have a zipper or snaps to keep it closed, rather than a lid. In
addition, the handle 26 may be any number of suitable types, such
as a shoulder strap attached to the case 10.
[0029] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "for
example" and "such as," and the verbs "comprising," "having,"
"including," and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction
with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each
to be construed as open-ended, meaning that that the listing is not
to be considered as excluding other, additional components or
items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest
reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires
a different interpretation.
* * * * *