Abstract:
The present invention relates to rechargeable hand-held electrical devices, chargers and accessories for use therewith. The present invention provides an accessory and charging system for a rechargeable hand-held electrical device. The system includes an electrical device, an accessory and a charger. The electrical device includes a first connecting portion, the charger includes a second connecting portion and the accessory includes a third connecting portion. The first connecting portion of the electrical device is configured to mate with the second connecting portion for enabling the charger to recharge the electrical device. The first connecting portion of the electrical device is also configured to mate with the third connecting portion for enabling the electrical device to supply power to the accessory. Accordingly, the system provides a hand-held electrical device which can serve at least one primary function as well as an accessory which, when attached to the device, can serve at least one secondary function whilst requiring only a single power storage means associated with the device and a single charger to charge the device. In one form, the electrical device is an electrical appliance, such as a hand held power tool, and in another form the accessory includes an electric light.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to rechargeable hand-held electrical devices, chargers and accessories for use therewith. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Rechargeable hand-held electrical devices can include a rechargeable power storage means in the form of a rechargeable battery. Such devices may employ a charger to recharge the power storage means when, as a result of use of the device, the charge in the power storage means has been drawn down. Examples of such rechargeable hand-held electrical devices include hand held electrical screw-drivers, drills and other appliances. 
         [0003]    The rechargeable power storage means of rechargeable hand-held electrical devices are typically bulky, heavy and expensive. Accordingly, having multiple types of rechargeable hand-held electrical device serving multiple distinct functions, each with their own rechargeable power storage means, is expensive, requires a large amount of space for storage and is heavy and difficult to transport. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a system which provides the functionality of multiple hand-held electrical devices serving multiple distinct functions without requiring multiple distinct rechargeable power storage means for each device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an accessory and charging system for a rechargeable hand-held electrical device, the system including an electrical device, an accessory and a charger, wherein the electrical device includes a first connecting portion, the charger includes a second connecting portion and the accessory includes a third connecting portion, wherein the first connecting portion of the electrical device is configured to mate with the second connecting portion for enabling the charger to recharge the electrical device and with the third connecting portion for enabling the electrical device to supply power to the accessory. 
         [0005]    The above aspect is advantageous in that the system provides a rechargeable hand-held electrical device that has a connecting portion that enables the device to be mounted to a charger to recharge the device when, as a result of use of the device, the electrical power stored in the device has been drawn down. The above aspect is also advantageous in that the same connecting portion used to mate the device to the charger to allow the charger to recharge the device can also be used to mate the device with an accessory requiring electrical power in a manner that enables the device to supply electrical power to the accessory. Accordingly, the system provides a hand-held electrical device which can serve at least one primary function as well as an accessory which, when attached to the device, can serve at least one secondary function whilst requiring only a single power storage means associated with the device and a single charger to charge the device. Furthermore, by enabling the charger and the accessory to be connected to same connecting portion of the device the device can be produced with a minimal amount of connecting portions to satisfy the requirement of being able to connect to both the charger and the accessory in order for the charger to recharge the power storage means of the device and for the device to supply power to the accessory, respectively. 
         [0006]    In one form, the first, second and third connecting portions include first, second and third electrical contact respectively and the first electrical contact is configured to engage with the second electrical contact for conducting electrical power from the charger to the electrical device and with the third electrical contact for conducting electrical power from the electrical device to the accessory. 
         [0007]    In another form, the first, second and third connecting portions include first, second and third mechanical interfaces respectively wherein the first mechanical interface is configured to engage with the second mechanical interface for connecting the charger and the electrical device and to engage with the third mechanical interface for connecting the electrical device and the accessory. 
         [0008]    In yet another form, the first and second mechanical interfaces include first and second latching portions respectively wherein the first latching portion is configured to engage the second latching portion. 
         [0009]    In yet another form, the first and third mechanical interfaces include first and third latching portions respectively wherein the first latching portion is configured to engage the third latching portion. 
         [0010]    In yet another form the first and second mechanical interfaces include first and second guide portions respectively wherein the first and second guide portions are configured to align the electrical device and the charger for connection therebetween. 
         [0011]    In yet another form the first and third mechanical interfaces include first and third guide portions respectively wherein the first and third guide portions are configured to align the electrical device and the accessory for connection therebetween. 
         [0012]    In one form, the electrical device includes an integral power storage device. 
         [0013]    The power storage device may include an ultracapacitor. 
         [0014]    In one form, the electrical device is an electrical appliance. In another form, the electrical device is a hand-held power tool. 
         [0015]    In yet another form, the electrical device is a hand-held power screw-driver. 
         [0016]    In one form, the accessory includes an electric light. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of the invention. The particularity of the drawings and the related detailed description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding broad description of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an electrical device in the form of a rechargeable hand-held power screw-driver. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a charger for charging the electrical device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an accessory in the form of an electric light that is configured for attachment to the electrical device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the electrical device and charger of  FIGS. 1 and 2  wherein the electrical device is mated with the charger for recharging the electrical device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic view of the electrical device of  FIG. 1  and the charger of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 3  connected to the electrical device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates another perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 3  connected to the electrical device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another electrical device in the form of a hand-held power screw-driver in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a charger configured for attachment to the electrical device of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an accessory in the form of an electric light configured for attachment to the electrical device of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 10  attached to the electrical device of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 10  attached to the electrical device of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6  there is illustrated an electrical device in the form of a hand-held power screw-driver  10 . The screw-driver  10  includes a housing  12 , a switch  13 , an output shaft  17  and a first connection portion  20 .  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5  illustrate a charger  100 . The charger  100  includes a second connecting portion  120 . The second connecting portion  120  is configured to mate with the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 4  and described in more detail below.  FIGS. 3 and 7  illustrate an accessory  50  which includes the functionality of an electric light. The accessory  50  includes a third connecting portion  70  that is configured to mate with the first connecting portion  20  of the powered screw-driver  10 . As will be described in more detail below, the first connecting portion  20  of the screw-driver  10  is configured to connect to the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  100  to enable the charger  100  to recharge the power screw-driver  10  when required. Furthermore, the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  is configured to mate with the third connecting portion  70  of the accessory  50  to enable the power screw-driver  10  to supply power to the accessory  50 . 
         [0031]    Although in the embodiments illustrated in the Figures the electrical device is a powered screw-driver  10 , it is to be appreciated that the electrical device may take any other suitable form such as a power tool including a power drill, power sander and so on. Furthermore, although the accessory  50  illustrated in the Figures is in the form of an electric light accessory, it is to be appreciated that the accessory  50  may include any other device requiring electrical power to function. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , the charger  100  includes a housing  110  containing a transformer and control device  115 . The transformer and control device  115  receives power from an external power supply such as a mains power supply via an electrical cord  117 . The transformer and control device  115  supplies power via an outlet wire  119  to a second electrical contact  128  associated with the second connecting portion  120 . The second electrical contact  128  is positioned within a recess  122  formed within the housing  110 . The recess  122  is shaped to receive the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The first connecting portion  20  includes a first electrical contact  28  which is configured to engage with the second electrical contact  128  when the first connecting portion  20  is received within the recess  122  of the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the first electrical contact  28  is in the form of a pin made out of an electrically conductive material and the second electrical contact  128  is in the form of a clamping mechanism formed also out of an electrically conductive material. However, it is to be appreciated that the form of the first electrical contact  28  and the second electrical contact  128  may take any suitable form that enables electrical power to be conducted from the charger  100  to the power screw-driver  10 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic view of the power screw-driver  10  and the charger  100 . The power screw-driver  10  includes a motor  15  and a power storage device  18  in the form of a pair of ultracapacitors contained within the housing  12 . The switch  13  is arranged on the outside of the housing  12  to enable a user to operate the switch  13  to control the supply of power from the power storage device  18  to the motor  15  when the power screw-driver  10  is in use. The motor  15  is connected via a gearbox  16  to the output shaft  17 . The gearbox  16  can take any suitable form and may include, for example, a planetary gearbox or a parallel shaft gearbox. The purpose of the gearbox is to transmit rotation provided from the motor  15  to the output shaft  17 . In doing so, the gearbox  16  causes the output shaft  17  to rotate at a different speed of rotation relative to the speed of rotation from the motor  15  at a predetermined ratio by employing a predetermined gear ratio. In one form, the gearbox  16  causes the output shaft  17  to rotate at a slower speed of rotation than the speed of rotation of the motor  15  such that the amount of torque applied to the output shaft  17  is greater than the amount of torque from the motor  15 . The output shaft  17  extends from the housing  12  and is configured for attachment with a screw-driver bit (not shown). 
         [0034]    As can be appreciated, when the power within the power storage device  18  is used up as a result of use of the power screw-driver  10  the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  can be mounted to the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  100  to facilitate the flow of electrical power from the charger  100  to recharge of the power storage device  18  of the power screw-driver  10 . The charger  100  further includes a switching mechanism  116  which is responsive to the insertion of the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  into the recess  122  of the second connecting portion  120  to initiate the supply of power from the transformer and control device  115  via the second electrical contact  128  and the first electrical contact  28  to the power storage device  18 . 
         [0035]    When it is required to use the power screw-driver  10  the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  is disconnected from the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  100 . A user can then transport the power screw-driver  10  to a location remote from the charger  100  for use thereof. If required, a user can connect the accessory  50  to the power screw-driver  10  if the user requires the functionality of the accessory  50  in addition to, or instead of, the functionality of the power screw-driver  10 . To achieve this, the accessory  50  has a housing  52  which includes a recess  54  that is shaped to receive the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  similar to the way in which the recess  122  of the charger  100  receives the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10 . The accessory  50  includes a third electrical contact  56  which is located within the recessed portion  54  of the housing  52  of the accessory  50 . The third electrical contact  56  may be of a similar type to the second electrical contact  128  of the charger  100 . Accordingly, the third electrical contact  56  may be a clamping arrangement formed out of electrically conductive material that is capable of receiving the pin shaped first electrical contact  28  of the power screw-driver  10 . Thus, when the accessory  50  is connected to the power screw-driver  10  in the manner described above the first electrical contact  28  of the power screw-driver  10  and the third electrical contact  56  of the accessory  50  facilitate conduction of electrical power from the power storage device  18  of the power screw-driver  10  to the accessory  50 . 
         [0036]    The accessory  50  includes an electrical light (not shown) which is arranged within a light emitting portion  58  of the housing  52  that is located at an opposite end of the housing  52  to the recessed portion  54 . The electric light is electrically connected to the third electrical contact  56  via a light switch  75 . The light switch  75  is arranged on the outside of the housing  52  of the accessory  50  so that a user can operate the light switch  75  by hand between on and off positions whereby in the on position electrical power is conducted via the first electrical contact  28  and the third electrical contact  56  from the power storage device  18  of the power screw-driver  10  to the electric light of the accessory  50  when connected together as described above. In another form, the light switch  75  may have a plurality of settings. Each setting may correspond to different power settings or to different light intensity settings where the accessory  50  is of the type which includes an electric light. The light emitting portion  58  may include a single light source or a plurality of light sources. Thus, selecting different settings of the light switch  75  can result in different light intensity settings by being configured to supply varying voltages, currents or both to one or more light sources. In another form, selecting different settings of the light switch  75  can result in different light intensity settings by being configured to supply or cease supply of voltage and current to a particular number of light sources associated with each setting of the light switch  75 . The one or more light sources of the light emitting portion  58  may include an incandescent filament light globe, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser or ultraviolet light sources or combinations thereof. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the first connecting portion  20  and the second connecting portion  120  include respective first and second latching portions  24 ,  124 . The first and second latching portions  24  and  124  of the power screw-driver  10  and the charger  100  are configured so that when the first connecting portion  20  is inserted into the recess  122  of the second connecting portion  120 , the first latching portion  24  is configured to engage the second latching portion  124  to thereby positively retain the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  within the recess  122  of the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  100 . When the charger  100  has charged the power storage device  18  on board the power screw-driver  10  a user can remove the power screw-driver  10  from the charger  100  by depressing a release button  125  which disengages the second latching portion  124  from the first latching portion  24  to release the power screw-driver  10  from the charger  100 . 
         [0038]    As mentioned above, the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  is inserted into the recess  54  of the third connecting portion  70  of the accessory  50  to facilitate a connection between the first electrical contact  28  and the third electrical contact  56 . The third electrical contact  56  is a clamping arrangement formed out of electrically conductive material that is capable of receiving the pin shaped first electrical contact  28  of the power screw-driver  10 . The clamping force applied by the third electrical contact  56  to the first electrical contact  28  is sufficient to retain the power screw-driver  10  and the accessory  50  together. The third electrical contact  56  may be formed out of a pair of opposing, resiliently deflectable members that are configured to deflect upon receiving the first electrical contact  28  therebetween. 
         [0039]    Although not shown in the figures the third connecting portion  70  of the accessory  50  may include a third latching portion. The third latching portion may be a similar arrangement to the second latching portion  124  of the charger  100 . Thus, when the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  is inserted into the recess  54  of the third connecting portion  70  the third latching portion positively engages the first latching portion  24  to retain the accessory  50  together with the power screw-driver  10 . The accessory  50  may also include a release button (not shown) that when depressed disengages the third latching portion and the first latching portion  24  to enable the power screw-driver  10  to be separated from the accessory  50 . 
         [0040]    In the arrangements illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  the first connecting portion  20  and the second connecting portion  120  include respective first and second guide portions  23 ,  123 . The first guide portion  23  is in the form of an elongate recess in the housing  12  of the power screw-driver  10 . The second guide portion  123  is in the form of an elongate protrusion within the recess  122  of the charger  100 . When the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  is inserted into the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  100  the second guide portion  123  is received into the first guide portion  23  to thereby align the power screw-driver  10  and the charger  100  to facilitate connection between first electrical contact  28  and the second electrical contact  128 . 
         [0041]    The third connecting portion  70  of the accessory  50  includes a third guide portion  74  in the form of an elongate protrusion within the recess  54  of the third connecting portion  70 . When the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  10  is inserted into the third connecting portion  70  of the accessory  50  the third guide portion  74  is received into the first guide portion  23  to thereby align the power screw-driver  10  and the accessory  50  to facilitate connection between first electrical contact  28  and the third electrical contact  56 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 12  there is shown another Embodiment of the Invention. Like references numerals are used for like features in relation to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  and  8  to  12 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 8 to 11  includes a power screw-driver  111 , a charger  150  and an accessory  60 . The power screw-driver  111  of  FIGS. 8 ,  11  and  12  includes a housing  12  made up of a first housing portion  9  and a second housing portion  11  wherein the first housing portion  9  and the second portion  11  are pivotally connected about a pivot connection  14  therebetween. The pivot connection  14  enables the first housing portion  9  to pivot relative to the second housing portion  11  between a pistol like configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  11  and  12  and a linear configuration similar to the arrangement of the power screw-driver  111  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 . Furthermore, the switch  13  of the power screw-driver  111  is in the form of a trigger which is arranged adjacent to an exterior gripping surface  8  of the second housing portion  11 . 
         [0043]    Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  described above, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 12 , the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  111  is configured to be received within the recess  122  of the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  150 . However, unlike the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 12  does not include first and second latching portions  24  and  124  associated with the power screw-driver  111  and the charger  150 . Furthermore, the first electrical contacts  228  of the power screw-driver  111  are not arranged in the form of pins but rather are plates that are arranged in the lateral side portions of the second housing portion  11  at the connecting portion  20  thereof. The second electrical contacts (not shown) of the charger  150  are arranged as flat plates disposed in the lateral sides of the recess  122  at the lower portion thereof so that they make contact with the first electrical contacts  228  of the power screw-driver  111  when the first connecting portion  20  is inserted within the recess  122  of the second connecting portion  120  of the charger  150 . 
         [0044]    When the charger  150  has charged the power storage device  18  located on board the power screw-driver  111  a user can remove the power screw-driver  111  from the charger  150  and attach a screw-driver bit to the driven member  17  and operate the trigger  13  to drive screws into a work piece. Furthermore, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 12  includes another form of the accessory  60  which also includes a housing  152 , a third connecting portion  170  with third electrical contacts  156  disposed within a recess  154 . The third electrical contacts  156  are in the form of flat plates that are disposed on the lateral surfaces defining the recess  154  within the housing  152 . Thus, when the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  111  is inserted into the recess  154  of the accessory  60  the first electrical contacts  228  come into contact with the third electrical contacts  156 . Contact between the first electrical contacts  228  and the third electrical contacts  156  enables electrical power to be conducted from the power storage device  18  on board the power screw-driver  111  to the accessory  60  and the light emitting portion  58  which is disposed in the housing  152  opposite to the recess  154 . 
         [0045]    The third electrical contacts  156  of the accessory  60  may be disposed on opposing lateral surfaces defining the recess  154  within the housing  152 . Thus, when the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  111  is inserted within the recess  154  of the third connecting portion  170  of the accessory  60  the third electrical contacts of the accessory  156  clamp the first electrical contacts  228  of the power screw-driver  111  therebetween in order to help retain the power screw-driver  111  and the accessory  60  together. To achieve the clamping action the third electrical contacts  156  of the accessory  60  may be formed in a manner that enables them to resiliently deflect when the first connecting portion  20  of the power screw-driver  111  is inserted within the recess  122  of the third connecting portion  70  of the accessory  60  and the first electrical contacts  228  of the power screw-driver  111  are received between the third electrical contacts  156  of the accessory  60 . 
         [0046]    The accessory  60  includes a switch  61  which enables the light emitting portion  58  to be turned on and off. Furthermore, the accessory  60  includes a second light emitting portion  59  which may be one or more light emitting diodes (LED), a laser light source or an ultraviolet light source which is arranged to direct light towards the driven member  17  of the power screw-driver  111  to cast light on the screw or the work piece when the power screw-driver  111  is in use. The second light emitting portion  59  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 12  is configured to be operable when the first housing portion  9  is pivoted relative to the second housing portion  11  to the pistol like configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  11  and  12  to direct light towards the driven member  17  of the power screw-driver  111  to cast light on the screw or the work piece when the power screw-driver  111  is in use. 
         [0047]    In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures the power storage device  18  is located on board and is integral with the power screw-driver  10 ,  110 . To achieve this, the power storage device  18  is positioned within the housing  12  of the power screw-driver  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  and within the second housing portion  11  of the power screw-driver  111  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 12 . Accordingly, the power storage device  18  is integral with the power screw-driver  10 ,  110 . In preferred forms of the invention, the power storage device  18  is in the form of one or more ultracapacitors only. Such ultracapacitors may include any one or more electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC), pseudocapacitors or the like. However, it is to be appreciated that the power storage device  18  may include one or more rechargeable batteries of any other suitable form. Further, the power storage device  18  may include a combination of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC), pseudocapacitors, and rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, the power storage device  18  may be configured to remain permanently connected to the power screw-driver  10 ,  110  or it may be configured to be removable from the power screw-driver  10 ,  110 . 
         [0048]    Although in the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the electrical device is a hand-held power screw-driver  10 ,  110 , it is to be appreciated that the electrical device may be in the form of a household electrical appliance or any other portable electrical device such as an electromechanical device. Thus, the electrical device may include hand held electrical appliances for personal use such an electric toothbrushes, shavers and the like. Alternatively, the electrical device may be another type of power tool other than a powered screw-driver such as a hand-held power drill, power sander or the like. Furthermore, although the accessory  50 ,  60  illustrated in the figures is in the form of an accessory  50 ,  60  incorporating either a single light source in the form of the light emitting portion  58  or more than one light source in the form of the light emitting portion  58  in conjunction with a second light emitting portion  59 , it is to be appreciated that the accessory  50 ,  60  may include other types of electrically powered devices such as a laser light source, a sound emitting device such as a radio, an electromechanical device or combinations thereof. 
         [0049]    An advantage of the invention, as described in detail above, is that it provides a rechargeable hand-held electrical device which can be recharged by a charger to perform the ordinary function associated with the device and also provides an accessory which can be attached to the device to undertake one or more additional functions without the need for an entirely separate power storage device associated with the accessory alone. Another advantage of the invention is that the same connecting portion associated with the device is utilised to connect the device with the charger to recharge the device and to connect with the accessory to provide electrical power to the accessory. 
         [0050]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0051]    Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to, or omitted from, the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.