Abstract:
Batteries having different form factors and power tools that are capable of using such batteries are described. In some embodiments, a power tool may use batteries having a post form factor as well as batteries having a slide form factor.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Various embodiments relate to batteries, and more particularly, to power tool batteries and the power tools that use them. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many homeowners, technicians, contractors, businesses, etc. own a vast array of battery-powered tools. Many of these power tools utilize rechargeable batteries that have been specifically designed for such power tools. Moreover, a line of power tools commonly uses the same specifically designed batteries. Thus, power tool owners may share batteries between power tools of the same line (e.g., an impact drill, impact wrench, circular saw, etc.). However, despite sharing batteries between power tools, power tool owners are still likely to acquire a large number of rechargeable batteries. As such, power tool owners may consider their inventory of batteries as a significant investment in the line of tools. Such investment may aid a power tool vendor in retaining current customers. Unfortunately, such investment may also impede an power tool vendor from adopting and introducing improved battery technology that happens to use a different form factor than the batteries currently in use. In particular, power tool vendors may fear that introducing batteries with a new form factor may alienate their existing customers who have a significant collection of batteries of the current form factor. 
         [0003]    Limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches should become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Apparatus and methods of promoting the sale of products in an e-commerce environment are substantially shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and are set forth more completely in the claims. 
         [0005]    These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a power tool with battery having a first form factor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the power tool of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  with battery having a second form factor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the battery of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  with an adapter that permits a battery of the second form factor to be used with a battery charger designed for charging batteries of the first form factor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 4A-4C  show cutaway side views of a power tool and batteries in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 5A-5C  show perspective views of a power tool and a slide battery in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Aspects of the present invention are related to power tools and batteries used by such tools. More specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to power tools that may use batteries having a new form factor (e.g., slide batteries) and batteries having an existing form factor (e.g., post batteries). Thus, a power tool vendor may introduce a new battery form factor into the market without alienating their existing customers who may continue to use their stock of existing batteries with the new power tools. 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a power tool  10  such as an impact drill, impact wrench, circular saw, etc. with a battery  20  having a first form factor. In particular,  FIG. 1B  depicts a post battery  20  detached from the power tool  10  and  FIG. 1A  depicts the post battery  20  attached to the power tool  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the power tool  10  may having a battery compartment  11 . The battery compartment  11  may include a cavity  12  configured to receive a post portion  22  of the post battery  20 . In particular, the post portion  22  may be inserted into a proximal end of the cavity  12 . The post portion  22  may slide longitudinally into the cavity  12  and toward a distal end of the cavity  12  until properly seated and attached to power tool  10 . When properly seated, a base portion  24  and possibly part of the post portion  22  may remain visible beyond a base portion  13  of the battery compartment  11 . 
         [0013]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict the same power tool  10  with a battery  30  having a second form factor. In particular,  FIG. 2B  depicts a slide battery  30  detached from the power tool  10  and  FIG. 2A  depicts the slide battery  30  attached to the power tool  10 . Unlike the battery  20 , the slide battery  30  does not have a post portion  22  to be inserted into the cavity  12  of the power tool  10 . Instead, the power tool  10  and the battery  30  include tabs  14 ,  34  that engage one another and permit the slide battery  30  to be attached to the battery compartment  11  by sliding the battery  30  transversely across the base portion  13  and the cavity  12 . 
         [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict a battery charger  50  with a cavity  52  configured to receive the post portion  22  of the post battery  20 . See,  FIG. 1B . The battery charger  50  is configured to charge the post battery  20  when the post portion  22  is inserted in cavity  52  and the post battery  20  is properly seated in the battery charger  50 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  further depict an adapter  70  having a post portion  72 . The post portion  72  is dimensioned and configured in a manner similar to the post portion  22  of the post battery  20 . In particular, the post portion  72  includes first electrical contacts (not shown) that are configured to electrically couple to electrical contacts (not shown) in the cavity  52  of the battery charger  50  when the post portion  72  is properly inserted and seated in the cavity  52 . 
         [0015]    The adapter  70  may further include a base portion  74  having channels/tabs  76  that are configured to slidably engage the channels/tabs  34  of the slide battery  30 . The adapter  70  may include second electrical contacts (not shown) positioned toward the base portion  74  that are configured to electrically couple with contacts of the slide battery  30  when the slide battery  30  is properly engaged with the adapter  70 . Moreover, the adapter  70  may provides electrical pathways between the first and second contacts in order to permit the battery charger  50  to charge the battery  30  when the battery  30  is properly engaged to the adapter  70  and the adapter  70  is properly seated in the cavity  52  of the charger  50 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  provides a cutaway, side view of the power tool  10  with the slide battery  30  in a disengaged position. As shown, the power tool  10  includes a battery compartment  11  having the cavity  12  despite not needing the cavity  12  to accommodate the slide battery  30 . Moreover, a power block  60  and one of its male, electrical spade connectors  62  are shown in the battery compartment  11  of the power tool  10 . As explained in further detail below, the connectors  62  are positioned to engage corresponding connectors of slide battery  30  when the slide battery  30  is in an engaged position. 
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  provides a cutaway, side view of the power tool  10  with the post battery  20  in a disengaged position.  FIG. 4B  clarifies the relationship between electrical contacts  26  of the post battery  20  and the electrical contacts  16  of the power tool  10  that are positioned toward a distal end of the cavity  12 . In particular, the post battery electrical contacts  26  engage the power tool electrical contacts  16  when the post portion  22  is inserted into the cavity  12 . Such engagement of contacts provides an electrical pathway between battery cells in the base portion  24  of the post battery  20  and thus permits the battery cells to power various electrical components of the power tool  10  such as motors, lights, circuitry, controllers, etc. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4C  provides a cutaway, side view of the power tool  10  with the slide battery  30  in an engaged position. In particular, a male, electrical spade connector  62  of the power block  60  is shown extended through a front portion  41  of the engaged slide battery  30  and engaged with a female, electrical spade connector  45  of the slide battery  30 . Moreover, a first set of wires  80  are coupled to the power block  60  and the connectors  62  to provide an electrical pathway between electrical components of the power tool  10  and battery cells  29  of the engaged slide battery  30 . Similarly, a second set of wires  82  are coupled to connectors  16  to provide an electrical pathway between electrical components of the power tool  10  and battery cells of an engaged post battery  20 . 
         [0019]    Referring now to the cutaway and perspective views of  FIGS. 4A-4C  and  FIGS. 5A-5C , aspects of the mechanical and electrical interface between the power tool  10  and the slide battery  30  are described in greater detail. The slide battery  30  includes one or more battery cells  29  in a housing  31 . The housing  31  may include a base portion  32 , a rear portion  33 , and a mechanical/electrical connector portion  36 . The base portion  32  generally houses the one or more battery cells  29 . The connector portion  36  generally provides a mechanical/electrical interface between the battery  30  and the power tool  10 . The rear portion  33  may provide a mechanical stop that prevents the slide battery  30  from being slid too far along the battery compartment  11 . As such, the rear portion  33  may prevent possible damage to the power tool  10  and/or slide battery  30 . As shown, the rear portion  33  may also extend above the connector portion  36 . As shown in  FIG. 5C , the base portion  13  of the battery compartment  11  may include an opening  67  to receive the slide battery  30 . Such a configuration of the rear portion  33  may permit the rear portion  33  to cover the opening  67  when the slide battery  30  is in an engaged positioned. 
         [0020]    The connector portion  36  includes a shallow, central projection  38  that extends upward from an upper surface  40  of the base portion  32 . The central projection  38  further includes tabs  34  that outwardly extend from opposite sides  39  of the projection  38 . In particular, each side  39  includes several tabs  34  relatively evenly spaced from the front portion  41  of the central projection  38  to the back portion  43  of the central projection  38 . Moreover, each tab  34  generally extends outwardly from the sides  39  and parallel to the upper surface  40 . Accordingly, lower surfaces  35  of the tabs  34  and the upper surface  40  of the base portion  32  define a channel  42 . Openings  44  between the tabs  34  may receive corresponding tabs  14  of the power tool  10 . Such received tabs  14  may slidably traverse the channels  42  as the slide battery  30  is slid into an engaged position. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, each side  39  may include a single tab  34  that runs the length or nearly the length of the central projection  38  from the front portion  41  to the back portion  43  of the central projection  38 . In such an embodiment, openings  44  between spaced apart tabs  34  are not present. However, each channel  42  still has an opening  47  toward the front portion  41  of the central projection  38 . As such, each channel  42  may receive tabs  14  of the power tool  10  via its respective opening  47  and permit the tabs  14  to slidably traverse the channel  42 . 
         [0022]    The slide battery  30  may further include detents  48  and release buttons  49 . In particular, a left and right side of the slide battery  30  may each include a detent  48  and corresponding release button  49 . See, e.g.,  FIG. 5B . The detents  48  are configured to engage corresponding recesses or catches  69  of the power tool  10  and secure the battery  30  to the power tool  10 . See, e.g.,  FIGS. 4A and 5C . When pressed, the release buttons  49  may actuate correspond detents  48  and cause such detents  48  to disengage the recesses  69 , thus permitting the slide battery  30  to be slid into a disengaged position and removed from the power tool  10 . It should be appreciated that the post battery  20  may likewise include detents and release buttons to secure the post battery  20  to the power tool  10 . 
         [0023]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the power block  60 , the spring  63 , and the battery indicator  64  (e.g., an LED) detached from the power tool  10  for illustrative purposes. In normal operation, the power block  60 , the spring  63 , and the battery indicator  64  are not intended to be removed or otherwise detached from the power tool  10 . As explained above, the power block  60  includes male, electrical spade connectors  62  that engage female, electrical spade connectors  45  of the slide battery  30 . As shown, the front portion  41  may include openings  51  that receive the male, electrical spade connectors  62  of the power block  60  and the female, electrical spade connectors  45  may be aligned with openings  51  to receive the male, electrical spade connectors  62 . While  FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict the power block  60  with male spade connectors  62  that engage female, electrical spade connectors  45  of the slide battery  30 , the slide battery  30  in other embodiments may include male connectors that engage female connectors of the power tool  10 . In other embodiments, the power tool  10  and slide battery  30  may include electrical connectors that are not spade connectors, female connectors, and/or male connectors. 
         [0024]    The spring  63  is positioned such that it exerts a force on the power block  60  that is normal to the front portion  41  of the connector  36 . Such force may act as a shock absorber as the slide battery  30  is slid into the engaged position. As such, the spring  63  may help to prevent damage to the electrical connectors  62  as the front portion  41  of the connector  36  engages the power block  60 . Besides providing a protective function, the spring  63  may cause the slide battery  30  to slide toward a disengaged position when a user actuates the release buttons  49 . Such exerted movement may provide tactile feedback to the user that the battery being removed is a slide battery  30  that is removed via a sliding motion that traverses the battery compartment  11  and not a post battery  20  that is removed via a motion directed longitudinally away from the battery compartment  11 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 5C , details regarding the base portion  13  of the battery compartment  11  are shown. As shown, the base portion  13  includes tabs  14  that are similar to the tabs  34  of the slide battery  30 . In particular, tabs  14  extend inwardly from opposite sides  17  of the battery compartment  11 . In particular, each side  17  includes several tabs  14  relatively evenly spaced from the front portion  15  of the battery compartment to a back portion  19  of the battery compartment  11 . Moreover, each tab  14  generally extends inwardly from the sides  17  and parallel to inner surface  21  of the battery compartment  11 . Accordingly, upper surfaces  23  of the tabs  14  and the inner surface  21  define a channel  25 . Openings  27  between the tabs  14  may receive corresponding tabs  34  of the slide battery  30 . Such received tabs  34  may slidably traverse the channels  25  in each side  17  as the slide battery  30  is slid into an engaged position. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, each side  17  may include a single tab  14  that runs the length or nearly the length of the battery compartment  11  from the front portion  15  to the back portion  19  of the battery compartment  11 . In such an embodiment, openings  27  between spaced apart tabs  14  are not present. However, each channel  25  still has an opening  28  toward the back portion  19  of the battery compartment  11 . As such, each channel  25  may receive tabs  34  of the slide battery  30  via its respective opening  28  and permit the tabs  34  to slidably traverse the battery compartment  11 . 
         [0027]    As explained above, each side of the power tool  10  and slide battery  30  may include a single tab  14 ,  34  that substantially runs the length of each side. Such an embodiment may permit engaging the slide battery  30  to the power tool  10  by sliding the slide battery  30  along the length of the battery compartment  11 . However, embodiments in which each side of the power tool  10  and the slide battery  30  have multiple tabs  14 ,  34  may permit use of the slide battery  30  even when the battery compartment  11  is in a confined space. In particular, the tabs  14 ,  34  along with their respective openings  27 ,  44  may permit the slide battery  30  to engage the power tool  10  with a sliding motion that does not slide the length of the battery compartment  11  but only the length of the tabs  14 ,  34  or shorter. As such, the battery compartment  11  may be placed in a confined space that would not permit the slide battery  30  to slide the length of the battery compartment  11 . 
         [0028]    Various embodiments of the invention have been described herein by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For clarity of illustration, exemplary elements illustrated in the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale. In this regard, for example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements to provide clarity. Furthermore, where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
         [0029]    While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention encompasses all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.