Patent ID: 8323814

Claim:
An intrinsically safe electronic device comprising: a circuit board assembly comprising: a circuit board; at least one battery terminal coupled to the circuit board; a battery interlock element removably coupled to the circuit board and providing a physical barrier to a battery associated with the at least one battery terminal when the interlock element is installed, wherein the battery interlock element comprises a barrier arm and a switch actuator, wherein the switch actuator is located on an end of the barrier arm, and wherein the switch actuator comprises a magnet; and a switch coupled to the circuit board, the switch responsive to a presence or absence of the interlock element to open or close a circuit path on the circuit board to the at least one battery terminal; wherein the switch closes the circuit path when the interlock element is installed; wherein the switch opens the circuit path when the interlock element is removed; wherein the switch comprises a reed switch responsive to a position of the magnet; and wherein the circuit board has opposing first and second major surfaces, the magnet being positioned on one of the first and second major surfaces when installed, and the reed switch being positioned on the other of the first and second major surfaces.