Makita Corporation

Kiyoshi Nishibe

Hitoshi Suzuki

Tomoyuki Ota

An electric power tool includes a main body supporting a tool. An electric motor is housed in the main body and configured to drive the tool. A plurality of battery interfaces is integrally formed on the main body, each battery interface having a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal. Each battery interface is configured to removably receive a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal of a corresponding one of a plurality of battery packs and to electrically connect the plurality of attached battery packs in series with the electric motor. Each of the plurality of battery packs comprises a movable latch configured to engage a corresponding engagement structure defined on or near the corresponding battery interface.

Electric tool powered by a plurality of battery packs and adapter therefor

An electrical device, such as a power tool, includes a first battery pack receptacle configured to receive a first battery pack and a second battery pack receptacle configured to receive a second battery pack. The second battery pack is electrically connected in a series-type configuration with the first battery pack. The electrical device also includes circuitry with an electronic processor. The circuitry is configured to alter a first signal output from the electronic processor to at least one selected from a group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack, and to alter a second signal received by the electronic processor from at least one selected from the group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

An adapter connects a plurality of first battery packs, each having a nominal voltage of about 18-36 volts, in series to an power tool having a rated voltage that is 36 volts or higher. The power tool includes a second battery interface configured to removably attach a second battery pack. The adapter includes a plurality of first battery interfaces configured to removably attach the plurality of first battery packs and having a different physical configuration than the second battery interface. A connector of the adapter is configured to be removably attached to the second battery interface. A plurality of visual indicators is disposed on the adapter such that they have the same or substantially the same illumination direction and they visually indicate at least a level of charge of each of the first battery packs attached to the adapter.

Adapter for connecting a plurality of battery packs to a power tool

An electric power tool comprises a main body supporting a tool and an electric motor housed in the main body for driving the tool. A plurality of first battery interfaces is configured to removably receive or attach a plurality of first battery packs and to electrically connect the plurality of attached first battery packs in series with the electric motor. A plurality of indicators is configured to communicate information concerning the respective conditions of the plurality of attached first battery packs. The plurality of indicators is arranged such that all of the indicators are simultaneously viewable by a user of the electric power tool.

Growing community of inventors

Anjo, Japan

Kiyoshi Nishibe