Black Decker Inc.

Silvio G Bilanceri

Michael B Uffer

Gary L Kanner

A battery charger system suited for use in a sterilized environment such as an operating room includes a sterilizable battery-containing pack adapted for connection to a non-sterilized battery charger through a sterilizable tray-interface. The tray-interface includes connecting structure on an upper side for mechanical and electrical connection to at least one battery pack and additional connecting structure on a lower side for mechanical and electrical connection to the charger. The upper side and lower side electrical connections are inter-connected to effect electrical coupling between the sterilized battery and the non-sterilized charger so that the battery may be charged, discharged, or tested. A sterilizable drape is adapted to be constrained between the tray-interface and the charger to isolate the charger from the sterilized environment. Encodable switch-operating tabs are provided on the tray-interface to automatically effect the desired operating mode of the charger when the tray-interface is connected to the charger, and indicating apertures are provided through which the operating mode of the charger can be determined.

Battery charger system and method adapted for use in a sterilized

A bi-directional, self-tightening drill chuck suited for surgical and other medical applications in accordance with the present invention includes a chuck body having an internally tapered opening at one end that is defined by first and second cam surfaces and a central, longitudinally extending cannula or passage formed through the length of the chuck body. A plurality of tapered gripping rollers are located within the opening and are resiliently urged against the cam surfaces throughout a range of adjustment by a spring retainer which includes rearwardly extending spring arms. A control sleeve is adjustably mounted on the chuck body and includes a thrust bearing at one end for contacting the forwardly facing ends of the tapered rollers and a split retainer assembly at its other end for contacting the rearwardly extending ends of the spring arms such that the tapered rollers and the spring retainer move as a unit relative to the chuck body when the control sleeve is adjusted to cause the tapered rollers to grip a selected tool bit. The chuck can accept a tool bit, such as a common twist drill, or other implements at one end through a tool receiving opening formed in the control sleeve or from the opposite end through the cannula. In operation, the torque transmitted through the chuck causes the tapered rollers to shift circumferentially relative to the cam surfaces and proportionally increase the gripping force applied to the tool bit.

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Owings Mills, MD, United States of America

Silvio G Bilanceri