Patent ID: 6057055
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A battery-cover lock mechanism for a battery-operated portable apparatus in which a backup battery is to be used in addition to an operating battery, comprising:a latch for holding the operating battery and the backup battery in position individually or collectively;a lower housing for supporting said latch, said lower housing having a first battery receiving region in which the operating battery is to be received, and a second battery receiving region in which the backup battery is to be received;an operating-battery cover for covering said first battery receiving region; anda backup-battery cover for covering said second battery receiving region;said latch including a lock button extending through said lower housing and a lock lever fixed to said lock button so as to sandwich said lower housing between said lock button and said lock levers, said lock button being movable between first, second and third positions;said lock lever having a first locking portion for releasably locking said operating-battery cover in said first position and a second locking portion for releasably locking said backup-battery cover in said second position, in said third position, said first and second locking portions releasably locking both said operating-battery cover and said backup-battery cover;said operating-battery cover having a first engaging portion adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from said first locking portion of said lock lever;said backup-battery cover having a second engaging portion adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from said second locking portion of said lock lever; andwherein said lock button is movable from said third position to said first position along a first path and is movable from said third position to said second position along a second path substantially perpendicular to said first path.