The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 19, 1988
Filed:
May. 08, 1986
George W McCarty, Lutherville, MD (US);
Somers H Smith, III, Columbia, MD (US);
Solid State Chargers Research and Development Limited Partnership, Lutherville, MD (US);
Abstract
A multistation charging system is provided for charging batteries within a plurality of cordless tools, appliances or the like, each of which has at least one rechargeable battery therein. A plurality of modules, which act as charging stations, are arranged substantially adjacent to one another. Normally closed pairs of conductive contacts are provided in each of the modules. The electrical pairs of contacts in the modules are connected in a series circuit arrangement with each other. On one of the modules, electrical connection is provided to a single current regulated solid-state charging device which produces charging current pulses. The device may alternatively be in the one module. Each of the modules removably supports a respective tool or appliance and each tool or appliance has means for electrically connecting the respective battery therein within the series circuit arrangement and in series therewith only one wall outlet or a.c. power connection is required. Any combination of batteries per tool or appliance and any number of tools or appliances may be provided. Any number of the modules may be unoccupied. The modules are of standard construction, allowing charging of batteries or cells within many different tools and appliances provided with standardized connections.