Duracell Inc.

Richard B Smith

David Suske

Cely O'Brien

George N Kringel

Bruce McDonald

Jay R Lucas

Alexander Forman

Battery case

Disclosed is a charger unit for charging a rechargeable energy storage device. In particular, a universal charger unit is disclosed which comprises a connector having a set of externally accessible contacts for making electrical contact with a corresponding set of receptor contacts on a rechargeable energy storage device. The connector, which may comprise a removable module, also preferably includes a sensor to interact with the structure of the receptor on the rechargeable device, so that the output of the charger unit can be regulated to be compatible with the electrical characteristics of the rechargeable device as determined by the sensor. The charger unit and/or connector may include one or more replaceable electronics modules.

Universal battery charger

A battery pack has a plurality of female contacts for supplying electricity to different electrical devices. The contacts are recessed in cavities in the pack which open outwardly to two adjacent exterior surfaces of the pack, such as the bottom surface and a front or rear wall surface. Each female contact comprises a parallel and opposing pair of contact arms having a curved contact surface for gripping various types and sizes of male contacts from an electrical device. This combination of the female contacts and their accessibility to a mating male contact from two adjacent, external surfaces of the pack enables a single pack to be useful for a variety of different electrical devices.

Universal energy pack

The present invention is directed to a cartridge comprising a rectangular base and four side walls which form a cavity into which an energy pack or a plurality of individual battery cells, either primary or secondary, are locatable. The cartridge is securable to an electrical apparatus by a latching mechanism. Alternatively, the cartridge can be integral therewith. In a first embodiment, a plurality of cells are locatable such that their positive and negative contacts are positioned against a set of positive and negative contact areas located along the first and second side walls. The first embodiment optionally comprises a contact arm, locatable substantially parallel to the second side wall, which includes a plurality of positive contact areas corresponding to and across from the negative contact areas located on the second side wall. A plurality of cells, having a shorter length than the battery cells locatable between the first and second side walls, are locatable between the contact arm and the second side wall. In a second embodiment, the cartridge includes first and second contact arms positionable substantially parallel to the third and fourth side walls, between the first and the second side walls. The plurality of battery cells are locatable between the third side wall and the first contact arm, between the first and the second contact arm, and between the second contact arm and the fourth side wall. The cartridge also provides circuitry to recharge the energy pack and/or secondary cells located therein.

Energy pack and individual battery cell cartridge

Growing community of inventors

Bethel, CT, United States of America

Richard B Smith