Abstract:
Provided is a charger, wherein capability of storing codes connected to the charger is improved. The charger is provided with: a housing case for housing therein a charger body; a wind-around recess section that is formed on the outer circumference of the housing case, and around which a first code to be connected to the charger body can be wound; and a plug recess section that is formed on the housing case, and that is for storing a plug to be connected to the front end of the first code. A housing section that is opened in the upper direction, and that houses therein a second code to be connected to the charger body, is formed on the housing case.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a charger installation structure with an improved ability to store cords connected to the charger. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In order to improve the appearance of a charger for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, there has been disclosed a charger structure in which an AC cord and a DC cord connected to the charger extend out of a charger housing and are wound along a direction in which the cords extend (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-079320). 
     If a charger, which is separate from a vehicle body, is used, there is a need to store the cords of the charger in order to prevent the cords of the charger from becoming lowered in quality. According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-079320, however, although the cords can be stored, nothing is taken into account concerning storage of plugs, etc., that are connected to distal ends of the charger cords. When the charger is placed in a storage box and is carried, the plugs, etc., tend to interfere with other objects that are housed in the storage box, and hence the ability to store the charger is poor. 
     An AC cord and a DC cord of chargers often are different in length. It is a troublesome task to wind AC and DC cords that are of different lengths. When AC and DC cords having different lengths are wound, the DC cord, which is shorter than the AC cord, is positioned inwardly of the AC cord. Therefore, it becomes difficult to remove the DC cord while the AC cord remains in a wound state. Also, if the AC and DC cords are wound in the same location, then they are likely to become entangled with each other. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned difficulties. An object of the present invention is to provide a charger that improves the ability for storage of cords connected to the charger. 
     To accomplish the above object, there is provided a charger comprising a storage case storing a charger unit therein, a winding groove defined in an outer circumferential surface of the storage case for winding therein a first cord that is connected to the charger unit, and a plug cavity defined in the storage case for storing a plug that is connected to a distal end of the first cord, wherein the storage case includes an upwardly open storage pouch for storing a second cord that is connected to the charger unit. 
     According to the invention, the first cord in the charger comprises a cord for charging a battery, and the second cord comprises a power supply cord. 
     According to the invention, the second cord is longer than the first cord. 
     According to the invention, the charger further comprises a protector mounted on an upper end of the storage pouch for protecting the upper end of the storage pouch. 
     According to the invention, the charger further comprises a first holder disposed in an upper portion of the storage pouch for holding the second cord. 
     According to the invention, the charger further comprises a protector mounted on the first holder. 
     According to the invention, the charger further comprises a second holder disposed in an upper portion of the storage pouch for holding a plug of the second cord. 
     According to the invention, the charger further comprises a cap mounted on an upper portion of the storage pouch for covering an opening of the storage pouch. 
     According to the invention the storage pouch in the charger opens upwardly on one side of the charger along a longitudinal direction of a grip that is mounted on an upper portion of the charger, and the winding groove is defined in a lower half portion of the charger and extends circumferentially around at least a side surface of the charger. 
     According to the invention the charger comprises a charger for charging a battery mounted on a saddle-type electric vehicle, the plug of the first cord is connected to a charging connector that is connected to the battery, the second cord is connected to a power outlet, and when the charger charges the battery, the charger is placed on a low floor of the saddle-type electric vehicle. 
     According to the invention, the first cord is held in the winding groove, and the second cord is stored in the storage pouch. Therefore, the ease with which the cords are stored is increased. Since the plug of the first cord is stored in the plug cavity, the ability to store the first cord is increased, and the appearance of the charger is improved. Also, the charger itself is made compact. 
     According to the invention, the first cord, which is a charging cord and is thicker than the second cord that serves as a power supply cord, is simply wound in the winding groove. Therefore, the first cord can be stored with ease. Since the second cord is thinner than the first cord, the second cord can be coiled in a small ring shape and can be stored with ease. 
     According to the invention, since the second cord is longer than the first cord, the charger can be positioned close to a charging connector. The charger can be used with ease even if the distance to a power outlet is large. 
     According to the invention, since the protector is mounted on the upper end of the storage pouch, when the second cord is moved around, or is pulled over a long distance in order to reach a power outlet, for example, the upper end of the storage pouch and the second cord are prevented from becoming scratched or damaged due to abrasive contact. 
     According to the invention, the charger includes the first holder for holding the second cord. When the second cord is pulled over a long distance in order to reach a power outlet, for example, since the second cord is held by the first holder, the storage pouch and the second cord are prevented from becoming scratched or damaged due to abrasive contact. Furthermore, when the charger is carried by hand, the second cord is prevented from protruding from the storage pouch. 
     According to the invention, since the protector is mounted on the first holder, the first holder and the second cord are prevented from becoming scratched or damaged due to abrasive contact. 
     According to the invention, since the second holder for holding the plug of the second cord is disposed in the upper portion of the storage pouch, the second cord is prevented from protruding from the storage pouch when the charger is carried by hand. 
     According to the invention, since the cap for covering the opening of the storage pouch is mounted on the upper portion of the storage pouch, the second cord is prevented from protruding from the storage pouch when the charger is carried by hand. 
     According to the invention, inasmuch as the storage pouch opens upwardly on one side of the charger along the longitudinal direction of the grip that is mounted on the upper portion of the charger, the user can easily store the second cord in the storage pouch while carrying the charger with one hand, and without being obstructed by the first cord. Since the second cord is often left connected to a power outlet, the second cord can be stored roughly in the storage pouch. Since the winding groove is defined in the lower half portion of the charger and extends circumferentially around the side surface of the charger, the first cord can easily be tidied up and stored in the winding groove each time that the first cord is used after the charger has charged a vehicle. If the charger is placed in a low floor type of vehicle, which is higher than the ground, the first cord can be removed and wound easily since the user is not required to bend deeply. 
     According to the invention, since the charger is placed in a low floor type of vehicle, the charger and the vehicle can remain connected together reliably. Also, compared to placing the charger on the ground, the user can remove and wind the first cord with greater ease and without having to bend deeply. 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view showing a central structure of an electric two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a charger according to the embodiment, showing the charger when in storage; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a charger according to the embodiment, showing the charger when in use; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the charger shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the charger shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a charger according to Modification 1; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a charger according to Modification 2, showing the charger when in storage; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a charger according to Modification 3; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a charger according to Modification 4, showing the charger when in storage; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a charger according to Modification 5. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Chargers according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view showing a central structure of an electric two-wheeled vehicle (saddle-type electric vehicle)  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric two-wheeled vehicle  10  includes a step floor (low floor)  12  as part of a vehicle cover. The electric two-wheeled vehicle  10  has a rear wheel WR driven by rotational drive power from an electric motor (motor)  16  mounted on a swing arm  14 . The electric motor  16  is supplied with electric power from a main battery (battery)  18 , which is disposed beneath the step floor  12 . The main battery  18  is charged by a charger  100 , which is connected to a charging connector  20  disposed in the vehicle body. 
     A head pipe  26 , by which a steering system  24   a  is rotatably supported, is connected to the upper end of a main frame  22 . A front wheel WF is rotatably supported by a front fork  28 , which includes a pair of left and right fork members, and which is joined to the steering system  24   a . The front wheel WF can be steered by a pair of left and right handles  24  mounted on an upper portion of the steering system  24   a.    
     Two left and right side frames  30  have respective upper ends coupled to a substantially vertical central portion of the main frame  22 . The side frames  30  extend obliquely downward from the coupled upper ends, and are bent and extend horizontally. The main battery  18 , which is a 72-volt battery, for example, for supplying electric power to the electric motor  16 , is disposed between horizontal portions of the left and right side frames  30 . The left and right side frames  30  rise obliquely rearward from the horizontal portions of the left and right side frames  30 , are bent upwardly of the vehicle body, and are coupled to a rear frame  32 . 
     A lower cross front frame  34  is connected between front portions of the side frames  30 , and a lower cross rear frame  36  is connected between rear portions of the side frames  30 . The main frame  22  has a lower end coupled to a central portion of the lower cross front frame  34 . The main battery  18  is disposed between the lower cross front frame  34  and the lower cross rear frame  36 . Since the main battery  18  is surrounded by the left and right side frames  30 , the lower cross front frame  34 , and the lower cross rear frame  36 , the main battery  18  is firmly secured to the vehicle body. 
     Side brackets  38  are mounted respectively on each of the side frames  30 . The main battery  18 , which is disposed on the side brackets  38 , is secured in place by a securing plate  40  that is mounted on the side brackets  38 . 
     Pivot plates  44  with a swing arm pivot  42  mounted thereon are attached to a rear portion of the side frames  30 . The swing arm  14 , which is disposed on the left side of the vehicle body and serves as a cantilevered arm for supporting the rear wheel WR, has a front end, which is swingably supported on the swing arm pivot  42 . The rear wheel WR is rotatably supported by an axle  46  on a rear portion of the swing arm  14 . A rear end of the swing arm  14  is suspended from the rear frame  32  by a rear shock absorber unit  48 . 
     A power drive unit  50  is mounted on a lower portion of the swing arm  14 . The power drive unit  50  converts direct current supplied from the main battery  18  into an alternating current, and supplies the alternating current to the electric motor  16 . The power drive unit  50  supplies electric power to the electric motor  16  through cables L. The electric motor  16  transmits drive power to the axle  46 , and thereafter to the rear wheel WR, successively through a first speed reduction gear G 1  and a second speed reduction gear G 2 . Reference character H indicates a smoothing capacitor. 
     The vehicle cover, which covers the electric two-wheeled vehicle  10 , includes a front cover  54 , which is disposed in front of the handles  24 . A meter unit  56  including a speedometer is mounted on an upper portion of the front cover  54 . A head lamp  58  and a front luggage carrier  60  are mounted on a front side of the front cover  54 . The vehicle cover also includes a leg shield  55 , which is disposed behind the head pipe  26  contiguous to the front cover  54 . The leg shield  55  covers front portions of the legs of a rider seated on a seat  94 . 
     A front fender  96  is disposed above the front wheel WF. The step floor  12 , on which the rider&#39;s feet are placed, is disposed above the main battery  18 . The vehicle cover includes a seat cover  62 , which is disposed outside of the rear frame  32 . The seat  94  is disposed above the seat cover  62 . A tail lamp  64 , a rear fender  66 , and a rear luggage carrier  68  are mounted on a rear end portion of the seat cover  62 . 
     A central stand  70  having two legs, which are spaced from each other in a transverse direction of the electric two-wheeled vehicle  10 , is mounted on the pivot plates  44 . A side stand  72  is attached to one of the pivot plates  44 . On the illustrated electric two-wheeled vehicle  10 , which is designed for use in Japan, the side stand  72  is disposed on the left side of the vehicle body. 
     A charging lid  74  is openably and closably mounted on a side of the seat cover  62  where the side stand  72  is positioned. The charging lid  74  is openable and closable about a hinge  76 . An opening and closing button  78  is used to open the charging lid  74 . When the opening and closing button  78  is pressed, the charging lid  74  is opened, thereby exposing the charging connector  20 . The charging connector  20  is disposed on the same side of the vehicle body where the side stand  72  is positioned. A plug  114 , which is provided on the distal end of a first cord  108  of a later-described charger  100 , can be connected to the charging connector  20 . The charging lid  74  includes a non-illustrated recess defined therein for preventing the charging lid  74  and the first cord  108  from interfering with each other, thereby allowing the charging lid  74  to become fully closed during times that the plug  114  is connected to the charging connector  20 , i.e., while the main battery  18  is being charged. 
     A 12-volt auxiliary battery  80 , which supplies electric power to an ECU (not shown) that controls accessories including the head lamp  58 , etc., and the electric motor  16  through the power drive unit  50 , is disposed on the right side of the head pipe  26  in the transverse direction of the electric two-wheeled vehicle  10 . The auxiliary battery  80  is charged using electric power supplied from the main battery  18 . Within the seat cover  62  and behind the main battery  18 , there are disposed a DC-DC converter  82  for converting a 72-volt voltage from the main battery  18  into a 14.5-volt voltage, and a contactor box  84  that houses fuses and relays. Although in the present embodiment the electric two-wheeled vehicle  10  includes the auxiliary battery  80 , the auxiliary battery  80  may be dispensed with. 
     The main battery  18  has an opening defined in a rear portion thereof, with a sirocco fan  88  disposed over the opening. The main battery  18  also includes an opening defined in a front portion thereof, which is connected to an upwardly extending intake pipe  90 . An upper end of the intake pipe  90  is connected to an air cleaner  92 , which is disposed above the step floor  12 . The intake pipe  90  and the air cleaner  92  are housed in the front cover  54 , whereas the sirocco fan  88  is housed in the seat cover  62 . An ambient air inlet of the air cleaner  92  is disposed on the leg shield  55 . The air cleaner  92  allows ambient air to be introduced through the intake pipe  90  into the main battery  18 . The sirocco fan  88  discharges air to the atmosphere from the main battery  18 , thereby dissipating heat generated in the main battery  18  to the atmosphere. 
     The step floor  12  includes multiple cavities (e.g., four cavities)  98  defined therein. The charger  100  includes plural teeth (e.g., four teeth)  99  defined on a bottom surface thereof, which are fitted respectively into the cavities  98 . During a time that the main battery  18  is charged, the teeth  99 , which are defined in the bottom surface of the charger  100 , are fitted respectively into the cavities  98  of the step floor  12 , thereby enabling the charger  100  to be placed securely on the step floor  12 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views of the charger  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the charger  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the charger  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows the charger  100  when in storage, whereas  FIG. 3  shows the charger  100  when in use. For facilitating understanding of the invention, the directions indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 2  will be referred to as front and rear, left and right, and upper and lower directions in  FIGS. 2 through 4 . In  FIG. 5 , a second cord  118  is omitted from illustration. 
     The charger  100  includes a storage case  104  in which a charger unit  102  (see  FIG. 4 ) is stored. The storage case  104  has a grip  106  on an upper portion thereof, and a winding groove  110  defined in an outer circumferential surface thereof for enabling the first cord  108 , which is connected to the charger unit  102 , to be wound therein. The winding groove  110  is defined in a lower half portion of the storage case  104  and extends circumferentially around the side surface of the storage case  104 . A first hole  112  is defined in the storage case  104  and opens into the winding groove  110 . The first cord  108 , which is connected to the charger unit  102  that is housed in the storage case  104 , extends from the first hole  112  and outside of the storage case  104 . Since the first cord  108  extends from the first hole  112 , which opens in the winding groove  110 , the first cord  108  can easily be wound in the winding groove  110 . Therefore, the first cord  108  can be placed neatly in the winding groove  110  and thus the ability to store the first cord  108  is improved. 
     The plug  114 , which can be connected to the charging connector  20  on the vehicle body that is connected to the main battery  18 , is mounted on the distal end of the first cord  108 . The storage case  104  includes a plug recess  116  defined therein for enabling storage of the plug  114 . The first cord  108  is a cord for charging the main battery  18 . The plug recess  116  is disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the plug  114 , such that the plug  114  is placed in the plug recess after the first cord  108  has been wound in the winding groove  110 . Therefore, when the plug  114  is stored in the plug recess  116  after the first cord  108  has been wound in the winding groove  110 , loosening of the first cord  108  is prevented. Consequently, the first cord  108  can be stored neatly and compactly. Since the plug  114  is stored in the plug recess  116  when the charger  100  is stored in a storage box or the like and is carried around, the plug  114  is prevented from interfering with other objects that are stored in the storage box or the like. 
     The storage case  104  has an upwardly open storage pouch  120  defined in a front side thereof for enabling storage of a second cord  118 , which serves as a 100-volt AC power supply cord and is connected to the charger unit  102 . The storage pouch  120  opens upwardly on one side of the charger  100  along the longitudinal direction of the grip  106 . The second cord  118  is thinner and longer than the first cord  108 . The storage pouch  120  is formed by a storage cover  122  and the storage case  104 . Ends (lower and side ends) of the storage cover  122 , except for the upper end thereof, are joined to the storage case  104 . A plug  124  for connection to a power outlet is disposed on the distal end of the second cord  118 . A second hole  126  is defined at the bottom of the storage pouch  120  in a portion of the storage case  104  that is covered with the storage cover  122 . In other words, the second hole  126  is disposed in the storage pouch  120 . The second cord  118 , which is connected to the charger unit  102 , extends from the second hole  126  and outside of the storage case  104 . Since the second cord  118  extends from the second hole  126  in the storage pouch  120  and outside of the storage case  104 , the user can easily store the second cord  118  in the storage pouch  120 . If the second cord  118  is coiled in a ring shape, then the second cord  118  can be stored neatly in the storage pouch  120 . 
     The storage pouch  120  includes a first holder  128  on an upper end thereof, i.e., on the upper end of the storage cover  122 , for holding the second cord  118 . The first holder  128  is in the form of a slot and has an inlet portion, which is narrower than a deep portion of the first holder  128 . Therefore, the first holder  128  can hold the second cord  118  without allowing the second cord  118  to become dislodged easily from the first holder  128 . The first holder  128  includes a protector  132  for protecting the first holder  128 . The protector  132  is made of an elastic material such as a resin material or the like. The protector  132  protects the first holder  128  and the second cord  118 , thus enhancing durability and protecting against scratching and damage, which would otherwise be caused by abrasive contact between the first holder  128  and the second cord  118 . Therefore, the protector  132  is disposed in a location where the first holder  128  would come into contact with the second cord  118  when the second cord  118  is held by the first holder  128 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , when the charger  100  is in use, the charging lid  74  of the electric two-wheeled vehicle  10  is opened, and the plug  114  of the first cord  108  is removed from the plug recess  116  and is connected to the charging connector  20 . The second cord  118  is removed from the storage pouch  120 , and the plug  124  thereof is inserted into a non-illustrated power outlet. 
     At this time, inasmuch as the second cord  118  is pulled in order to reach the power outlet, the second cord  118  and the upper end of the storage pouch  120  tend to rub against each other. If the second cord  118  is pulled strongly, then the junction between the second cord  118  and the charger unit  102  is subjected to stress, leading to the possibility that the second cord  118  will become dislodged from the charger unit  102 . To alleviate such difficulties, the second cord  118  is held by the first holder  128 , or stated otherwise, the second cord  118  is fitted into the slot, which serves as the first holder  128 , so that the second cord  118  and the upper end of the storage pouch  120  do not rub against each other, thereby reducing stresses that are applied at the junction between the second cord  118  and the charger unit  102  when the second cord  118  is pulled. Therefore, the durability of the end of the storage pouch  120  and the second cord  118  is increased, together with enhancing the durability of the charger  100 . 
     The storage case  104  has a cooling fan  134  disposed on a left side of the charger unit  102  for cooling the charger unit  102 . The storage case  104  also has a discharge port  136  defined in a left wall thereof for discharging a stream of air from the cooling fan  134  out of the storage case  104 , and an inlet port (not shown), which is defined in a right wall of the storage case  104  for introducing ambient air into the storage case  104 . The discharge port  136  and the inlet port are positioned above the winding groove  110 . 
     As described above, the charger  100  according to the above embodiment includes the winding groove  110 , which is defined in the outer circumferential surface of the storage case  104  for enabling winding of the first cord  108 , and the plug recess  116 , which is defined in the storage case  104  for enabling storage of the plug  114  that is connected to the distal end of the first cord  108 . Therefore, the charger  100 , with the first cord  108  wound thereon, has a smart and pleasing appearance, and the charger  100  per se is made compact. Since the storage case  104  includes the storage pouch  120  for enabling storage of the second cord  118 , the second cord  118 , which is lengthy, can easily be stored in place, thereby making the appearance of the charger  100  aesthetically pleasing. 
     The above embodiment may be modified in the following ways. 
     (Modification 1) 
     Although it has been described above that the first holder  128  for holding the second cord  118  is disposed in the upper portion of the storage pouch  120 , the first holder  128  may be dispensed with. If the first holder  128  is dispensed with, then in order to prevent the second cord  118  and the storage cover  122  from becoming scratched or damaged due to frictional engagement between the second cord  118  and the upper end of the storage cover  122 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , a protector  140  for protecting the upper end of the storage cover  122  is mounted on the upper end of the storage pouch  120 , i.e., the upper end of the storage cover  122 . The protector  140  is made of an elastic material such as a resin material or the like. Further, even if the first holder  128  is not dispensed with, the protector  140  may still be mounted on the upper end of the storage cover  122 . 
     (Modification 2) 
     In the above embodiment and in Modification 1, the first holder  128  serves to hold the second cord  118  during times that the charger  100  is in use. However, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the first holder  128  may be used to hold the second cord  118 , which is stored in the storage pouch  120 , during times that the charger  100  is not in use. Consequently, the second cord  118  can be prevented from protruding from the storage pouch  120  when the charger  100  is carried by hand. 
     (Modification 3) 
     In the above embodiment and in Modifications 1 and 2, the first holder  128  is in the form of a slot, which is defined in the upper end of the storage cover  120 . However, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a first holder  142  may be disposed in an upper portion of the storage pouch  120  at a location separate from the storage cover  122 . In this case, the first holder  142  is in the form of a clip for holding the second cord  118  by clamping the second cord  118 . When the first holder  142  holds the second cord  118  in this manner, the second cord  118  and the upper end of the storage pouch  120  do not rub against each other during times that the charger  100  is in use, and thus the second cord  118  and the storage pouch  120  are of increased durability. 
     The first holder  142  may also include an elastic protector  144  for protecting the first holder  142 . The protector  144  is effective to prevent the first holder  142  and the second cord  118  from coming into contact with each other, thereby enhancing durability and preventing scratching and damage, which would otherwise be caused by abrasive contact between the first holder  142  and the second cord  118 . The protector  144  is disposed in a location where the first holder  142  would otherwise come into contact with the second cord  118  when the first holder  142  holds the second cord  118 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the first holder  142  is disposed on the storage case  104 . However, the first holder  142  may be disposed on the storage cover  122 . Further, the first holder  142 , which is disposed on the storage cover  122 , may include an elastic protector  144  for protecting the first holder  142 . Similar to Modification 2, the first holder  142  may be used to hold the second cord  118 , which is stored in the storage pouch  120  when the charger  100  is not in use. A protector  140  may also be mounted on the upper end of the storage cover  122 . 
     (Modification 4) 
     According to Modification 4, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a second holder  146  for holding the plug  124  of the second cord  118  is disposed in an upper portion of the storage pouch  120 . The second holder  146  holds the plug  124  by sandwiching transverse opposite sides of the plug  124 . Alternatively, the second holder  146  may hold the plug  124  by supporting a lower end of the plug  124 . The second holder  146  is effective to prevent the second cord  118  from protruding from the storage pouch  120  when the charger  100  is carried by hand. 
     (Modification 5) 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , according to Modification 5, a cap  148  is disposed on an upper portion of the storage pouch  120  for covering the storage pouch  120 . The cap  148  is angularly movably connected by a hinge  150  to the upper end of the storage pouch  120 , or stated otherwise, to the upper end of the storage cover  122 . After the second cord  118  has been stored in the storage pouch  120 , the cap  148  covers the upper opening of the storage pouch  120 . Therefore, the second cord  118  is prevented from protruding from the storage pouch  120  when the charger  100  is carried by hand. 
     (Modification 6) 
     The charger  100  may be of a configuration based on any one of various combinations of Modifications 1 through 5. 
     The present invention has been described above with respect to preferred embodiments thereof. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above-disclosed embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various many modifications or improvements can be made with respect to the above embodiments. It is apparent that configurations, which are based on such modifications or improvements, will fall within the technical scope of the present invention. The reference characters shown in parentheses, which are referred to in the appended patent claims, have been added corresponding to the reference characters shown in the accompanying drawings, for thereby facilitating understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the elements denoted by such reference characters.