Patent Document

[0001]    This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/461,563, filed May 1, 2012 which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/974,513, filed Oct. 12, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of PCT/US2006/016129, filed Apr. 27, 2006 which claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/755,234, filed Dec. 12, 2005, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/218,874, filed Sep. 2, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a battery holder for use in storing, dispensing and packaging batteries. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the field of aviation, an airplane pilot is required to use many battery-powered devices, which devices serve either a primary or backup function. It is imperative that a pilot have ready access to a fresh supply of batteries in the event that batteries become inoperative or spent during flight. Some of these battery-powered devices include: handheld global positioning systems (GPS), handheld emergency radio transceivers, handheld calculators, “EGB”&#39;s, flashlights, and intercom systems for additional communication headsets. 
         [0004]    Different battery-powered devices use different size batteries. Batteries are available in standard sizes and voltages, such as sizes: AAA, AA, C, D and 9V. It has been known for pilots to carry an assortment of batteries loosely in a pilot&#39;s flight bag, a hand carried case used by pilots to carry personal items or small items needed in the performance of piloting an airplane. However, when a battery is required it must be located within the flight bag by the pilot during flight. During an emergency, if cabin lighting is lost or the pilot is preoccupied with controlling the aircraft, finding batteries loosely stored in a flight bag can be troublesome and time-consuming. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,670,268; 4,109,980; D490,375 and D301,575 describe various battery holding and storage devices. 
         [0006]    The present inventors have recognized that in the aviation field particularly, there is a need for a battery holding and dispensing device that is compact, easy to locate in a dark environment, is conveniently sized to be carried in a pilot&#39;s flight bag, is easy to manipulate to dispense a desired battery even when in a dark environment, and can hold an assortment of batteries. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a battery holding and dispensing device that holds a plurality of batteries. The battery holding and dispensing device includes a frame having a plurality of compartments or bays for releasably retaining a battery in each compartment. The compartments are preferably sized and shaped to each receive a battery of the battery size corresponding to the compartment. 
         [0008]    According to one aspect of the invention, the compartments in the frame are preferably sized and shaped to correspond to the batteries needed by a particular profession. For example, for an airline pilot, the frame includes compartments for the following battery sizes: (2) C&#39;s, (12) AA&#39;s, (4) AAA&#39;s and (1) 9V. 
         [0009]    Although the invention is particularly advantageous for pilots, it also encompasses a battery holding and dispensing device that is adaptable for other professions that use batteries, such as for photographers, medical personnel such as paramedics, military personnel, etc. The invention is also suitable for home use as it provides a convenient holder for storing and dispensing batteries. 
         [0010]    Preferably, each compartment of the frame of the present invention has an open top end and is open at least through an edge portion of a bottom thereof, to permit contact of a user&#39;s thumb or finger onto a bottom surface of the battery held within the compartment. Each compartment is also open along a lower portion of the sidewall of the compartment contiguous with the open edge portion. These openings allow the finger or thumb of the user to contact the bottom of the battery and induce ejection of a battery from the compartment, and through the top open end of the compartment. 
         [0011]    One or both ends of the compartment can be partially closed by a releasable detent. The detent preferably extends into the compartment near to the open face and retains a battery within the compartment. If detents are used on both ends of the compartment, a battery held therein can be ejected through either top or bottom end. As an alternate to detents, bumps extending into the compartment from an inside surface of the compartment sidewalls, or ribs, or a soft liner portion within each compartment that is resiliently compressible to grip a battery held therein, or resilient compartment walls, can be used to releasably retain a battery within the frame. The bottom edge, side ant top openings allow the finger or thumb of the user to contact the bottom of the battery and induce ejection of a battery from the compartment, by moving the battery past the detent, and through the top open end of the compartment. 
         [0012]    As a further embodiment of the invention, the detent can be a metal spring clip that is molded into an otherwise plastic frame. 
         [0013]    One or more of the compartments can be formed with a lid. The corresponding compartment can be used to store small items, such as small watch batteries, flashlight bulbs, keys, pills, film, fuses, etc. Alternatively, a container corresponding substantially to the shape and volume of a battery, can be provided as an accessory item to be inserted into a corresponding battery compartment in the frame and to be releasably retained within the compartment in the same manner as a battery could be held within the compartment. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the invention, the frame can be composed of a luminescent (“glow in the dark”) plastic material. Accordingly, the battery holder and dispensing device can be easily located by a user in a dark environment, such as in a dark airplane cabin. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the invention, the frame can be illuminated by one or more lamps that are powered by a battery within the frame. The lamps are preferably light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s). The lamps are preferably located within an interior portion of the frame and the frame is composed of a translucent or transparent plastic. The light emitted by the lamps will then diffuse throughout the frame to effectively provide a luminescent effect without the need for constructing the frame from a special luminescent plastic material. A switch can be provided to selectively power the lamps. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the invention, a light accessory can be provided that comprises a separate sub frame having contacts and carrying at least one lamp wired to the contacts. A battery fit into the sub frame engages its terminals with the contacts and illuminates the lamp. The lamp is positioned to illuminate the frame when the sub frame is inserted into one of the bays of the frame. A switch usable to selectively power the lamp from the battery can be provided as part of the accessory. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the invention, the frame can be assembled from modular sections or modules that releasably engage together. The modules can each contain a plurality of batteries of a single battery size, or can each contain a collection of different battery sizes. Thus, the particular battery needs of a selected profession can be accommodated by the selection of modules to be assembled together into a frame. The battery needs of the selected profession would depend on the battery-powered equipment used by that profession. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the invention, the device is easily held in a user&#39;s one hand while a thumb or finger of the user&#39;s one hand can be used to eject a desired battery. Additionally, the user&#39;s hand can locate by feel the appropriate size battery due to the contour of the frame conforming to the battery sizes. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the invention, a handle or bracket can be provided on an end of the frame for holding or hanging the frame. If the device is used in the home or workshop, the bracket can be used to hang the frame for convenient access to the batteries. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the invention, the frame has a plurality of compartments or bays for releasably retaining a battery in each compartment. The compartments are preferably sized and shaped to each receive a battery of the battery size corresponding to the compartment. 
         [0021]    Preferably, each compartment of the frame of the present invention has an open top end and is open at least through an edge portion of a bottom thereof, to permit contact of a user&#39;s thumb or finger onto a bottom surface of the battery held within the compartment. Each compartment is also open along a lower portion of the sidewall of the compartment contiguous with the open edge portion. Preferably, the open top end and the open portion of the bottom edge and sidewall can be covered by top and bottom membranes, such as film or foil seals, respectively. These openings allow the finger or thumb of the user to push through the bottom seal, or to push in the bottom seal, to the extent that allows the user to press the bottom of the battery and induce ejection of a battery from the compartment, by moving the battery through the top open end of the compartment. The top seal holds the battery within the compartment for retailing and storage purposes but will allow sufficient force from the user&#39;s finger to eject the battery through the top seal, breaking the seal. The bottom seal could be breakable or be a flexible or stretchable covering that need not be broken in order for the user to push up on the battery with a finger. 
         [0022]    The top and bottom membranes close the openings of the frame and hold batteries therein. This can make the frame a package to hold batteries that is waterproof, or water resistant, and which resists infiltration of dirt and debris into the package. This aspect of the invention provides an attractive vehicle for marketing batteries and for retail sales of a battery and caddy combination. 
         [0023]    The devices of the present invention provide further advantages over the known storage containers for batteries. The convenient and compact configurations of the frames of the devices allow the devices to be used in homes, planes, cars, offices and shops. The frames described herein keep batteries separated compared to loose batteries, to avoid inadvertent electrical contact between batteries. The compact arrangement and ergonomic shaping of the frames allows for easy handling of the frames and one-handed holding and dispensing of a selected battery. The open design of the sidewalls and a bottom wall of the frames allow the frames to shed debris which would otherwise collect in the compartments. 
         [0024]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of a device in accordance with the invention shown holding batteries; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  with batteries removed; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2A  is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3A  is a sectional view taken generally along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged detail view taken from  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken generally along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4   
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged detail view taken from  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken generally along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  a sectional view taken generally along  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken generally along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken generally along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment device of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken generally along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of a further embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken generally along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of an accessory usable with one or more of the previous embodiment devices; 
           [0044]      FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of a further accessory usable with one or more of the previously described embodiments; 
           [0045]      FIG. 19  is a fragmentary, exploded elevational view of a further embodiment of the invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 20  is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 21  is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 , but showing the device in an assembled condition; 
           [0048]      FIG. 22  is a fragmentary, schematical sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 23  is a front side view of a further accessory useable with the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 24  is a right side view of the accessory of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 25  is a top view of the accessory of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a further embodiment battery holder of the invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 27  is an elevation view of the battery holder of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 28  is a plan view of the battery holder of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 29  is a sectional view taken along line  29 - 29  of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 30  is an elevation view of a still further embodiment battery holder of the invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 31  is a plan view of the battery holder of  FIG. 30 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 32  is a sectional view taken along line  32 - 32  of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 33  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from  FIG. 32 ; and 
           [0060]      FIG. 34  is a fragmentary right side view of  FIG. 33 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0061]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0062]      FIG. 1  illustrates a battery holding device  18  including a frame  20  that holds a plurality of batteries “B”. The frame  20 , as well as each of the alternate embodiment frames or modules described herein, is preferably a unitary molded piece. The frame  20  includes a bottom wall  26  sidewalls  28 ,  30  and end walls  32 ,  34 . A bracket  35  extends from the end wall  34 . The bracket can include an aperture  36  for hanging of the frame  20 . The sidewalls  28 ,  30  include an upper row of openings  38  and a lower row of openings  44 . The sidewalls  28 ,  30  have outside partial-cylindrical contours that are substantially parallel to the outside contours of the batteries held within the frame  20 . Thus, even in a dark environment, a user can, by feel of the outside contour of the frame  20 , ascertain the size of a battery held within the frame. Furthermore, the openings, either the upper row  38  or the lower row  44  can be sized sufficiently such that a user&#39;s finger can actually directly feel the outside contour of a battery held within the frame to determine the size of the battery, even in the dark. 
         [0063]    The batteries held within the frame are exposed through the openings  38 ,  44 . Furthermore, the bottom wall  26  is recessed adjacent each of the lower row of openings  44  such that a bottom surface “S” of a battery held within the frame is exposed to a user&#39;s touch. 
         [0064]    According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the frame has an overall length “L” ( FIG. 12 ), without the bracket  35 , of about 197 mm, an overall height “H” ( FIG. 3A ) of about 54 mm, and an overall width “W” ( FIG. 3A ) of about 35 mm. The frame is preferably injection molded plastic having an average thickness “TH” ( FIG. 3A ) of about 2 mm. 
         [0065]      FIG. 2  illustrates the frame  20  in more detail with the batteries removed. The frame  20  includes compartments or bays for receiving an assortment of batteries. According to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame  20  is substantially mirror image identical across a longitudinal vertical center plane indicated by the centerline  50  and a lateral vertical center plane indicated by the centerline  52 , except for the bracket  35 . 
         [0066]    In  FIG. 2 , an assortment of bays is provided to the right of the lateral centerline  52 . Straddling the centerline  52  is a first bay  60  for holding a rectangular 9V battery. Adjacent first bay  60  are two rows of three bays for holding cylindrical, size AA batteries. These bays are marked  61 - 66 . Adjacent to the bays  63 ,  66  is an eighth bay  67  for holding a size C battery. Adjacent to the bay  67  are bays  68 ,  69  for holding size AAA batteries. The bays to the left of the lateral centerline  52  are mirror image identical. Thus, the frame  20  illustrated can hold 19 batteries. 
         [0067]    The bays  61 - 66  are formed as cylindrical tubes with open top and bottom ends and with portions removed. For example, the bay  65  includes an open top and  65   a  and an open bottom end  65   b  that is partially closed by the bottom wall  26 . The bay  65  includes a lower sidewall opening  44   a  that is about ⅜ inch tall and circumscribes about 90° of the circumference of the cylindrical tube. The bay  65  includes an upper sidewall opening  38   a  that is about ⅞ inch in height and circumscribes about 180° of the cylindrical tube circumference. The remaining bays  61 - 64  and  66  are substantially identical to the bay  65  except that the bays  61 ,  64  have upper openings  38   a  that circumscribes about 130° of the circumference of the cylindrical tube. 
         [0068]    The bays  61 ,  64  form an interior end wall  72  of the first bay  60 . Likewise, the mirror image bays on the left side of the lateral centerline  52  form an opposite interior end wall  74  of the first bay  60 . The first bay  60  includes a substantially flat first sidewall  78  and a substantially flat second sidewall  80 . Lower substantially rectangular openings  44   b  are formed between the sidewalls  78 ,  80  and the bottom wall  26 . Upper openings  38   b  are formed through the sidewall  78  and through the sidewall  80 . 
         [0069]    The bays  63 ,  66  form an interior sidewall  86  and the bays  68 ,  69  form an interior sidewall  88  of the bay  67 . A cylinder that forms the bay  67 , with portions removed as described below, blends into the sidewalls  86 ,  88 . The cylinder includes an open top end  67   a  and an open bottom end  67   b  at least partially closed by the bottom wall  26 . The cylinder includes two lower sidewall openings  44   c , one on each side of the centerline  50 , that are approximately ⅜ inch in height and each circumscribes approximately 90° of the circumference of the cylinder. The cylinder includes two upper sidewall openings  38   c , one on each side of the centerline  50 , that are approximately ⅞ inch in height and each circumscribes approximately 120° of the circumference of the cylinder. 
         [0070]    The bays  68 ,  69  are each formed by a cylinder having portions removed as described below. For example, the bay  69  includes an open top end  69   a  and an open bottom end  69   b . A lower opening  44   d  is approximately ⅜ inch in height and circumscribes about 180° of the circumference of the cylinder. An upper opening  38   d  is about ⅝ inch in height and circumscribes approximately 180° of the circumference of the cylinder. 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bottom wall  26  includes an irregular longitudinal edge  126  that extends along the longitudinal extent of the frame  20  except for the bays  68 ,  69 . The edge  126  is recessed from a lateral extent of the bays to form bottom openings to expose the bottom surface “S” of the batteries “B” held within the bays to a user&#39;s touch to allow the user&#39;s finger to press the batteries from below. The lower sidewall openings  44   a - 44   d  of the bays are contiguous with the bottom openings formed by the edge  126  to allow the user&#39;s finger to not only press the bottom surface “S” of the batteries but to slide the batteries toward the top open ends of the bays to eject the batteries. 
         [0072]    The bottom wall provides apertures  128  for the bays  61 - 66  to receive the positive terminal “T” of a typical battery “B”. The bottom wall also includes an aperture  132  in bay  67  for receiving the terminal of a typical battery. As shown in  FIG. 3A , because of the apertures  128 , a battery can be put into the compartment with the extending terminal either oriented at the top or bottom of the battery. 
         [0073]    The bays  68 ,  69  include a support gusset  136  that supports a bottom wall portion  138  for holding batteries within the bays  68 ,  69 . The bottom wall portion  138  includes a partial aperture  142  for receiving a terminal of a typical battery. 
         [0074]    Each of the bays  60 - 69  includes a mechanism for releasably holding a battery within the individual bays. According to the preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises one or two resilient detents or hooks which overlies or protrudes into the bay near to the otherwise open end of each bay. The detents are resiliently flexible outwardly to allow battery to be removed through the open end of each bay. 
         [0075]      FIG. 2  illustrates two variations of the detent structures. Although two variations are described, in practice, probably one detent structure or the other would be used for all the detent structures. A first variation in shown in  FIGS. 4-5  and a second variation is shown in  FIGS. 6-7 .  FIG. 4  shows a sidewall of the bay  62  having a slot opening  139  and a detent  140  formed within that slot opening. The detent  140 , due to the cantilever arrangement, exhibits a resilient flexibility. The detent includes a neck portion  142  and a head portion  144  extending therefrom. The head portion  144  includes a ramp surface  146  which allows the detent  140  to flex outwardly as a battery B (shown dashed in  FIG. 5 ) is forcibly ejected through the top open end of the bay  62   
         [0076]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate an alternate embodiment for the detent, a detent  160  which is shaped similarly to the detent  140 . However, according to this embodiment the detent is formed within a closed opening  162  in the sidewall of the bay  67 , not a slotted opening. 
         [0077]    As can be observed in the figures, the smaller bays  61 - 66  and  68 ,  69  each include a single detent, while the larger bay  60 ,  67  include two detents, that are opposing across a width of the bays  60 ,  67 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an alternate embodiment frame  190  wherein each bay includes a top open end  192  and a bottom open end  193 , and at least one central sidewall opening  194 . Each bay includes one or two detents  160  (or  140 ) adjacent the open ends  192 ,  193 . A battery can be ejected through either the top open end or the bottom open end. According to this embodiment, the frame  190  is also configured to be mirror image identical across a horizontal plane that contains the centerline  50 ,  52 . 
         [0079]    As an alternate to detents, bumps extending into the compartment from an inside surface of the compartment sidewalls, or ribs, or a soft liner portion within each compartment that is resiliently compressible to grip a battery held therein, or resilient compartment walls, can be used to releasably retain a battery within the frame. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 8 through 12  illustrate additional views of the device  20  for further understanding of the structure. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate an alternate embodiment device  200  wherein the bay  60  of the previous embodiment is replaced with a box-like container  206 . The box-like container  206  includes substantially solid sidewalls  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214  and a solid bottom wall  216 . A film hinge  222  connects a lid  224  to the sidewall  214 . The lid  224  includes a resilient catch  228  which, once the lid is pressed closed onto the container  206 , resiliently engages a groove  232  to hold the lid closed onto the container  206 . The container  206  is conveniently used for holding small items, such as small watch batteries, flashlight bulbs, keys, pills, film, fuses, etc. 
         [0082]      FIG. 13  also illustrates that the compact arrangement of batteries in the frame  200 , or similarly the first described frame  20 , is such that the frame can be held in a user&#39;s hand  260  (shown in phantom), clasped between a user&#39;s thumb  266  and fingers  268 , and resting in a user&#39;s palm, whereas a finger  270  can simultaneously be used to eject a battery “B” from a bay, in this example the bay  65 . 
         [0083]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a further embodiment device  300 , similar to the embodiment  200  described in  FIGS. 13 and 14  but with a modified container  306 . Rather than a film hinge, a rounded pin  308  is formed onto a sidewall  314  of the container  306 . A lid  320  is hingedly engaged to the pin  306 , by C-shaped portions  322 , in snap fit fashion. The lid  320  need not completely cover an open top  326  of the container  306  as shown. Such a configuration would allow a user to view into the container  306 , through the areas on opposite sides of the lid  320 , at least to a limited extent. The remaining portions of this container  306  are similar to the container  206 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 17  illustrates an accessory container  350  that can be used in any of the heretofore described embodiments. The container  350  includes a cylindrical body  354  having an open top  356  and a closed bottom  360 . A lid  362  is connected to the body  354  by a film hinge  366 . As can be readily understood, the lid  362  can be folded over and pressed down around the body  354  to close the open top  356  to form an enclosed container. Sidewalls  370  of the lid  362  are sized to the resiliently engaged by the body  354  to hold the lid in the closed configuration. The container  350  is sized and shaped substantially identically to a C size battery. Thus, the container  350  can be held in any of the compartments sized and shaped to hold a C size battery, such as the bay  67  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 18  illustrates a further accessory container  380  that can be used in any of the heretofore described embodiments. The container  380  includes a rectangular body  384  having an open top  386  and a closed bottom  390 . A lid  392  is connected to the body  384  by a film hinge  396 . As can be readily understood, the lid  392  can be folded over and pressed down around the body  384  to close the open top  386  to form an enclosed container. Sidewalls  400  of the lid  392  are sized to the resiliently engaged by the body  384  to hold the lid in the closed configuration. The container  380  is sized and shaped substantially identically to a 9V size battery. Thus, the container  380  can be held in any of the compartments sized and shaped to hold a 9V size battery, such as the bay  60  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0086]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate a further aspect of the invention wherein a device  600  includes a frame  604  that is modular in construction. A first frame module  604   a  is connectable to a second frame module  604   b . The first frame module  604   a  includes a plurality of bays  606 . The bays  606  illustrated are configured and sized to hold D size batteries. The second frame module  604   b  includes a plurality of bays  610 . The bays  610  illustrated are configured and sized to hold AAA size batteries. 
         [0087]    The first frame module  604   a  includes a base frame rail  614  that is connected to, or molded with, the bays  606 . The second frame module  604   b  includes a base frame rail  616  that is connected to, or molded with, the bays  610 . The first frame module  604   a  includes hooks  620 ,  622  that curve away from each other. The hook  620  is molded with the base frame rail  614 . The hook  622  is molded with an upper portion of one of the bays  606 . The hooks  620 ,  622  are substantially vertically aligned. The second frame module  604   b  includes hooks  630 ,  632  that curve toward each other. The hook  630  is molded with the base frame rail  616 . The hook  632  is molded with an upper portion of one of the bays  610 . The hooks  630 ,  632  are substantially vertically aligned. 
         [0088]    To assemble the frame  604 , the modules  604   a , and  604   b  are relatively slid along the direction “Z” to interlock the hooks as shown in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0089]    To enhance versatility of assembling modules, each module  604   a ,  604   b  includes, on a side opposite to the heretofore described hooks  620 ,  622  and  630 ,  632 , additional hooks having an opposite curvature. For example, the module  604   b  includes hooks  640 ,  642  that curve away from each other, identically configured to the hooks  620 ,  622  of the module  604   a . Thus, a series of modules identical to the module  604   b  could be assembled together, with hooks  630 ,  632  engaged to hooks  640 ,  642  of a like module, engaged in similar fashion to that shown in  FIG. 21 . A stack of modules of like or unlike types can be assembled in series, or “daisy chained”, to form a modular frame. 
         [0090]    Thus, one group of bays  606  that are sized and shaped for holding one or more batteries can be attached to one or more bays  610  sized and shaped to hold one or more batteries of a same size as the batteries held in bays  606 , or a different size as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 .  FIGS. 19 and 20 , for simplicity of illustration, illustrate only a few bays  606  and a few bays  610 , it should be understood however that any number of bays within a module could be configured into a modular frame. Also, the parting plane of the modules could be across a vertical lateral plane, or across a vertical longitudinal plane, or across a horizontal plane, taken with the device oriented upright as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0091]    According to the preferred embodiments, the heretofore described frames are composed of a suitable plastic such as polypropylene or polycarbonate, and are preferably injection molded. As an enhancement, the plastic can be a phosphorescent resin such as a Resin Series 100(PP) polypropylene or Series 300(PC) polycarbonate available from RTP Company of Winona, Minn., USA. Such plastics will make the frames luminescent (“glow in the dark”). Accordingly, the frames will glow after absorbing light and can be easily located and handled even in a dark room or in a dark airplane cabin. 
         [0092]      FIG. 22  illustrates an alternate embodiment  700  that can be configured in accordance with any of the heretofore described embodiments except as modified as described. For example the frame  700  can be configured substantially identically to the frame  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . The frame  700  includes contacts  706 ,  708  imbedded into, or otherwise carried by, the bottom wall  26  of the frame. The contacts  706 ,  708  are configured to engage the corresponding contacts  712 ,  714  of an inverted, rectangular 9 volt battery  716 . A plurality of lamps  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c ,  720   d  are arranged each within one void  722   a ,  722   b ,  722   c ,  722   d  that are arranged within the frame  20 ,  700 . 
         [0093]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 22 , the void  722   c  is formed centrally between the four bays  61 ,  62 ,  64 ,  65  and the void  722   d  is formed centrally between the four bays  62 ,  63 ,  64 ,  65 . The voids  722   a ,  722   b  are similarly formed on an opposite longitudinal side of the frame  20 ,  700 . 
         [0094]    The lamps  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c ,  720   d  are preferably light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s). Although four lamps are shown, any number equal to or greater than one is encompassed by the invention. 
         [0095]    One contact, such as the negative contact  708 , is wired in parallel to a first contact of each lamp  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c ,  720   d , via a wire system or bus  730 . The respective other contact, such as the positive contact  706  is wired via a lead  732  to a switch  734 . The switch  734  includes a button or slide  734   a  operable by the user to change the open/closed state of the switch  734 . The switch  734  is wired via a wire system or bus  738  to a second contact of each lamp  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c ,  720   d . Preferably the wire systems and lead  730 ,  732 ,  738  are embedded into the bottom wall  26  of the frame  700 . The wire systems and lead can be actual wires or printed or deposited conductors, such as used in a printed circuit board. The lamps  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c ,  720   d  can be embedded into the bottom wall  26  or frictionally or adhesively fit or otherwise fixed into the voids  722   a ,  722   b ,  722   c ,  722   d.    
         [0096]    The switch  734  can be located on either end of the frame or anywhere else on the frame. The switch can be embedded into a wall of the frame or otherwise secured to the frame. 
         [0097]      FIGS. 23-25  illustrates an alternate accessory  800  that can be configured to be usable with any of the heretofore described embodiments. For example the accessory  800  can be configured to fit within the central bay  60  of the frame  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The accessory  800  includes a sub frame  802  having a bottom wall  803  and upright side walls  804 ,  805 . The sub frame can be composed of an optical grade plastic. Contacts  806 ,  808  are imbedded into, or otherwise carried by, the bottom wall  803  of the sub frame  802 . The contacts  806 ,  808  are configured to engage the corresponding contacts of an inverted, rectangular 9 volt battery  716  (shown in phantom). 
         [0098]    Lamps  820   a ,  820   b  are carried by the upright walls  804 ,  805  respectively at an elevation approximately half way up the height of the battery  716 . The lamps  820   a ,  820   b  can be wired to the contacts  806 ,  808  by leads  806   a ,  806   b ;  808   a ,  808   b  embedded into, or guided by, the walls  804 ,  805  and bottom wall  803  of the sub frame  802 . The contacts  806 ,  808  and the leads  806   a ,  806   b ,  808   a ,  808   b  can be overmolded with the optical grade plastic of the sub frame. 
         [0099]    A switch  810  can be provided wired into said leads. The switch provides a lever or button  811  which selectively connects the lamps  820   a ,  820   b  to the battery  716  via the contacts  806 ,  808 . The button is preferably located on the sub frame  802  at a position to be finger accessible through the frame  20 , when the sub frame is installed on the frame. The switch  810  can be located on any side or bottom of the frame or anywhere else on the frame. The switch can be embedded into a wall of the frame or otherwise secured to the frame. The switch  810  is optional as the means of turning on the lamps can be merely the snapping of the battery  716  down onto the contacts  806 ,  808 . When the sub frame  802  is placed into the bay  60 , the lamps  820   a ,  820   b  are received into triangular voids  822   a ,  822   b  shown in  FIG. 8 . When powered by the battery  716 , the lamps  820   a ,  820   b  will illuminate the frame  20  by conduction of light throughout the frame  20 , given a selection of translucent material for the construction of the frame. 
         [0100]    The lamps  820   a ,  820   b  are preferably light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s). Although two lamps are shown, any number equal to or greater than one is encompassed by the invention. 
         [0101]    The side walls  804 ,  805  each include a prong  804   a ,  805   a  for removably securing the sub frame  202  to the frame  20  in a snap fitting fashion. 
         [0102]      FIGS. 26-29  illustrate an alternate battery holding device  900  including a frame  920  that can hold a plurality of batteries “B” ( FIG. 29 ). The frame  920  is preferably a unitary molded plastic piece. The frame  920  includes a bottom wall  926  and sidewalls  928 ,  930 . At least one of the sidewalls  928  includes a lower row of openings  944 . The sidewalls  928 ,  930  have outside contours that are substantially parallel to the outside contours of the batteries held within the frame  920 . Thus, even in a dark environment, a user can, by feel of the outside contour of the frame  920 , ascertain the size of a battery held within the frame. According to the illustrated embodiment, the frame holds four AA size cylindrical batteries. 
         [0103]    The sidewall openings  944  can be sized sufficiently such that a user&#39;s finger can actually directly feel the outside contour of a battery held within the frame to determine the size of the battery, even in the dark. 
         [0104]    The batteries held within the frame  920  can be exposed through the openings  944 . Furthermore, the bottom wall  926  is recessed adjacent to the lower row of openings  944  such that a bottom surface “S” of a battery held within the frame can be exposed to a user&#39;s touch. 
         [0105]    According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the frame is preferably injection molded plastic having an average thickness “TH” ( FIG. 29 ) of about 2 mm. 
         [0106]    According to the embodiment of  FIGS. 26-29  the frame  920  provides four bays  961 - 964  that are generally formed as cylindrical tubes. Each bay includes a top opening  961   a  and a bottom opening  961   b  that is partially closed by the bottom wall  926 . Each bay also includes the lower sidewall opening  944  that is open to the bottom opening  961   b . The opening  944  can be about ⅜ inch tall and circumscribes about 90°-120° of the circumference of the cylindrical tube. 
         [0107]    As shown in  FIG. 26 , the bottom wall  926  includes an irregular longitudinal edge  927  that extends along the longitudinal extent of the frame  920 . The edge  927  is recessed from a lateral extent of the bays to limit the bottom openings  961   b  and to expose the bottom surface “S” of the batteries “B” held within the bays to a user&#39;s touch to allow the user&#39;s finger to press the batteries from below. The bottom wall  926  also provides apertures  928  for the bays to receive the positive terminal “T” of a typical battery “B”. 
         [0108]    According to the invention, a top packaging membrane  980  such as a polymer film or a foil closes the top opening  961   a  and retains the battery “B” within the bay. A bottom membrane  982 , such as a polymer film or foil closes the bottom openings  961   b ,  944 . The membranes  980 ,  982  can comprise shrink wrap films or foils, or adhesively secured membranes. Preferably, the top membrane  980  is one wherein sufficient upward force by a battery with respect to the frame  920  will cause a bursting or tearing of the foil by the thrusting battery and allow removal of the battery. Alternately, the connection between the membrane and the frame could be designed, such as by adhesive selection, such that the membrane could be broken away from the frame, without necessarily tearing, by user force on the battery to allow removal of the battery. The lower membrane  982  can be selected such that radial inward force on the membrane  982  either tears, separates the membrane from the frame, or stretches the membrane such that the user&#39;s finger can underlie the battery bottom edge within the compartment, whether by direct contact or through the thickness of the membrane  982 , to thrust the battery upward and through or past the top membrane  980 . 
         [0109]    The lower membrane  982  can be on an inside surface of each bay as shown or on an outside surface as shown by  982 ′. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower membrane  982  (or  982 ′) seals each bay individually so that if one battery is removed and the membrane  982  (or  982 ′) is ruptured or otherwise opened, the sealed integrity of the remaining bays by the membranes  982  (or  982 ′) is maintained. 
         [0110]    The invention of  FIGS. 26-29  allows for packaging of the batteries for retail and also provides a battery holder that can have all the convenience attributes set forth in the initially described embodiment. The membranes  980 ,  982  can surround the frame  920  and batteries to seal off the batteries completely from the ambient atmosphere. This makes the retail battery package waterproof or water resistant and protects the batteries from dirt and debris. 
         [0111]      FIGS. 30-34  illustrate an alternate battery holder  1000  including a frame  1020  that can hold a plurality of batteries “B” ( FIG. 32 ). The frame  1020  is preferably a unitary molded piece. The frame  1020  includes a bottom wall  1026  and sidewalls  1028 ,  1030 . One of the sidewalls  1028  includes an upper row of openings  1038  and a lower row of openings  1044 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls  1028 ,  1030  have outside partial-cylindrical contours that are substantially parallel to the outside contours of the batteries held within the frame  1020 . Thus, even in a dark environment, a user can, by feel of the outside contour of the frame  1020 , ascertain the size of a battery held within the frame. Furthermore, the openings, either the upper row  1038  or the lower row  1044  can be sized sufficiently such that a user&#39;s finger can actually directly feel the outside contour of a battery held within the frame to determine the size of the battery, even in the dark. 
         [0112]    The sidewall  1030  includes an intermediate, vertically arranged elongated opening  1045 . 
         [0113]    The batteries held within the frame are exposed through the openings  1038 ,  1044 ,  1045 . Furthermore, the bottom wall  1026  is recessed adjacent each of the lower row of openings  1044  such that a bottom surface “S” of a battery held within the frame is exposed to a user&#39;s touch. 
         [0114]    According to the embodiment, the frame  1020  is preferably injection molded plastic having an average thickness “TH” ( FIG. 33 ) of about 2 mm. 
         [0115]    Bays  1061 - 1064  are formed as cylindrical tubes which include a top opening  1061   a  and a bottom opening  1061   b  that is partially closed by the bottom wall  1026 . The lower sidewall opening  1044  is about ⅜ inch tall and circumscribes about 90°-120° of the circumference of the cylindrical tube. The bays  1061 - 1064  each includes an upper sidewall opening  1038  that is about ⅜ inch in height and circumscribes about 90°-120° of the cylindrical tube circumference. 
         [0116]    The bottom wall  1026  includes an irregular longitudinal edge  1027  that extends along the longitudinal extent of the frame  1020 . The edge  1027  is recessed from a lateral extent of the bays to limit the bottom openings  1061   b  and to expose the bottom surface “S” of the batteries “B” held within the bays to a user&#39;s touch to allow the user&#39;s finger to press the batteries from below. The lower sidewall openings  1044  of the bays are contiguous with the bottom openings  1061   b  formed by the edge  1027  to allow the user&#39;s finger to not only press the bottom surface “S” of the batteries but to slide the batteries toward the top open ends of the bays to eject the batteries. 
         [0117]    The bottom wall provides apertures  1028  for the bays to receive the positive terminal “T” of a typical battery “B”. Because of the apertures  1028 , a battery can be put into the compartment with the extending terminal either oriented at the top or bottom of the battery. 
         [0118]      FIGS. 33 and 34  illustrate the frame  1020  in more detail with the batteries removed. A metallic spring detent  1090  is fixed to the frame  1020  within each bay  1061 - 1064  for releasably holding a battery “B” within individual bays. The detent  1090  is set within a slot  1091  at the top end of the bay. The detent  1090  includes a base portion  1092  that is embedded or molded into the plastic material of the frame  1020 . The detent  1090  also includes a shallow, Z-shaped clasp portion  1094  that is cantilevered from the base portion  1092  and is resiliently biased to a position within the top opening  1061   a  but can be resiliently deflected away from the top opening  1061   a , outwardly, in order to insert or remove a battery through the top opening  1061   a.    
         [0119]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

Technology Category: 5