EP0332475A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery charger and battery packs
Assignee: Black and Decker Inc
•
Filing: 1989-03-13
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2009-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A battery charger (12) accepts battery packs (14, 16, 18) of several configurations and size (number of cells). The common feature of the battery packs (14, 16, 18) is (at least) one cell (124, 124 c ) housed on end and substantially coaxial with a specific terminal block (22, 22 a ). Terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) are shielded from external contact and engage the terminal blades (90) of a charger terminal assembly (88) on the floor (46) of a receptacle (20). Charger terminal assembly (88) is at one end of the receptacle (20) which is elongated so that it can accommodate a battery pack "nose" portion (130, 242, 180) with either one or two cells (124, 124 c ) housed on end and side-by-side. Upright side walls (36, 37) of the receptacle (20) support the battery pack (14, 16, 18). In the battery pack portion (136, 170, 182) outside the receptacle (20), cells (124, 124 c ) may be arranged in any configuration to suit tool or other requirements. Terminal blades (90) are normally biased away from their respective terminal apertures (60, 62) to minimized risk of accidental contact. Insertion of an elongated insulation member (166, 166′) displaces the terminal blades (90) to a position in which they contact the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250). Charging control circuitry, including means (118) for sensing battery temperature, is all contained in the battery charger (12), with a visible indication of charging condition being given by light emitting diodes (120, 121) and transmitted externally through optic tubes (72, 73). In assembly of the battery charger (12), accurate register of charger terminal assembly (88) carried on a printed circuit board (82), with corresponding terminal apertures (60, 62) in the floor (46) of the receptacle (20) is achieved through the mutual engagement of a tapered dowel (68) and mating hole (86) in these parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Billy J. Gardner
- 👤 Frank O'hara
- 👤 Benjamin C. Jelovich
- 👤 Ralph Alan Secoura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M10/441; H01M10/48; H01M10/488; H01M10/443; H01M10/46; H01M50/00; H01M50/20; H01M50/204; H01M50/207; H01M50/213; H01M50/296; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/70; H02J7/751; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A battery charger (12) including a charger terminal assembly (88) having a pair of terminal blades (90) for contacting respective terminal pins (158, 160) of a battery pack (14, 16, 18) insertable in the battery charger (12) for charging said battery pack (14, 16, 18), characterized in that insertion of an actuator (166, 166′) permits said terminal blades (90) to come into contact with the terminal pins (158, 160) on said battery pack (14, 16, 18).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A battery charger (12) including a charger terminal assembly (88) having a pair of terminal blades (90) for contacting respective terminal pins (158, 160) of a battery pack (14, 16, 18) insertable in the battery charger (12) for charging said battery pack (14, 16, 18), characterized in that insertion of an actuator (166, 166′) permits said terminal blades (90) to come into contact with the terminal pins (158, 160) on said battery pack (14, 16, 18).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery charger according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises displaceable means (92) for displacing said terminal blades (90).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A battery charger according to Claim 2, characterized in that said displaceable means (92) includes cam means (94) engageable by said actuator (166, 166′), and responsive to such engagement to effect engagement of said terminal blades (90) and said terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A battery charger according to Claim 3, characterized in that said cam means (94) include two arms (92) cantilevered within said charger terminal assembly (88) and each arm (92) having a free end (98) and a cam (94) disposed adjacent said free end (98), said cams (94) facing each other and overlapping at a common centre line when said actuator (166, 166′) is not inserted therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A battery charger according to Claim 4, characterized in that each arm (92) includes a fulcrum (100) effective between the respective arm (92) and terminal blade (90), each fulcrum (100) resisting the deflection of its respective terminal blade (90) to intensify resilient engagement of said terminal blade (90) with a terminal pin (158, 160).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A battery charger according to any preceding Claim, characterized in that each terminal blade (90) has a contoured free end (102) so that when a battery pack (14, 16, 18) is inserted in the battery charger (12) the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) thereof engage the contoured free end (102) and resiliently urge the terminal blades (90) towards a common centre line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A battery charger according to any preceding Claim, characterized in that it comprises means for sensing (118) changes in the temperature of a battery pack (14, 16, 18) inserted in the charger terminal assembly (88), so that when the battery pack (14, 16, 18) is inserted in the battery charger (12) the sensing means (118) is in a close heat-conducting relationship with one of the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) of the battery pack (14, 16, 18), and thus in a heat receiving relationship with at least one cell (124, 124 c ) of the battery pack (14, 16, 18).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A battery charger according to Claim 7, characterized in that the charger terminal assembly (88) includes a metallic element (112) which, in use, is in direct contact with said one of the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) and with said sensing means (118).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A battery charger according to any preceding Claim, characterized in that it includes a housing (28, 30) for substantially enclosing the charger terminal assembly (88), said housing including a receptacle (20) with a floor (38) and side walls (36), and the floor (38) including apertures (60, 62) registering with the charger terminal assembly (88).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A battery charger according to Claim 9, characterized in that the receptacle floor (38) includes a terminal assembly pedestal (50) spaced from the side walls (36) of the receptacle (20) so that a moat-like space surrounds the terminal assembly pedestal (50), the terminal assembly pedestal (50) having a substantially planar top wall (56) containing the apertures (60, 62).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A battery charger according to Claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a shielding wall (64) which extends downwardly from said top wall (56) adjacent at least one of said apertures (60, 62), and a deflector member (104), said shielding wall (64) and said deflector member (104) together inhibiting an object inserted in said aperture (60, 62) making electrical contact with a terminal blade (90) in the absence of an actuator (166, 166′).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
A battery pack for use with a battery charger (12) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said battery pack comprises a terminal block (22, 22a) which includes a base (128, 252) carrying a pair of spaced apart terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250), the base (128, 252) including an actuator comprising an elongated insulating member (166, 166′) which extends between the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250), the insulating member (166, 166′) and the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) being generally parallel and extending in a first direction when the battery pack (14, 16, 18) is inserted into the battery charger (12).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A battery pack according to Claim 12, characterized in that the elongated insulating member (166, 166′) extends beyond the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) in the first direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
A battery pack according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) and the elongated insulating member (166, 166′) are surrounded by a shroud (142), said shroud (142) extending beyond the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) in the first direction, and the elongated insulating member (166, 166′) substantially spanning the width of the shroud (142) between the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) so that each terminal pin (158, 160; 248, 250) is substantially shielded from inadvertent external or short circuiting contact.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A battery pack according to Claim 14 when appended directly or indirectly on Claim 10, characterized in that when the battery pack (14, 16, 18) is inserted in the receptacle (20) of the battery charger assembly (12) said shroud (142, 174) enters the moat-like space of the receptacle (20) and axially overlaps the terminal assembly pedestal (50).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A battery pack according to Claim 12, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the elongated insulating member (166, 166′) bisects the space between the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250), and that when the battery pack (14, 16) is inserted in the battery charger (12), the charger terminal assembly (88) and the terminal assembly (22, 22 a ) of the battery pack (14, 16, 18) share a common centre line defined by said elongated insulating member (166, 166′).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
163 words
A battery charger (12) for selectively charging a first and a second battery pack (16, 14), said first battery pack (16) having a nose portion (242) housing only a single cell (124 c ), said second battery pack (14) having a nose portion (130) housing at least two side-by-side cells (124 a ), and said nose portion (242, 130) of each of said first and second (16, 14) battery packs including first and second terminal blocks (22 a , 22) respectively, characterized in that said battery charger (12) comprises: a housing (28, 30); a receptacle (20) within said housing (28, 30) for selectively receiving, engaging and stably supporting for charging said first and second battery packs (16, 14); and a charger terminal assembly (88) in said housing (28, 30), for selectively engaging one of said first and second terminal blocks (22 a , 22) when a selected one of said first and second battery packs (16, 14) is inserted into the receptacle (20).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
163 words
A battery charger (12) for selectively charging a first and a second battery pack (16, 14), said first battery pack (16) having a nose portion (242) housing only a single cell (124 c ), said second battery pack (14) having a nose portion (130) housing at least two side-by-side cells (124 a ), and said nose portion (242, 130) of each of said first and second (16, 14) battery packs including first and second terminal blocks (22 a , 22) respectively, characterized in that said battery charger (12) comprises: a housing (28, 30); a receptacle (20) within said housing (28, 30) for selectively receiving, engaging and stably supporting for charging said first and second battery packs (16, 14); and a charger terminal assembly (88) in said housing (28, 30), for selectively engaging one of said first and second terminal blocks (22 a , 22) when a selected one of said first and second battery packs (16, 14) is inserted into the receptacle (20).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A battery charger according to Claim 17, characterized in that the receptacle (20) is elongated and the charger terminal assembly (88) is disposed towards an end of the receptacle (20).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
A battery charger according to Claim 18, characterized in that the housing (28, 30) includes walls (44, 36) associated with the receptacle (20) for selectively engaging the nose portions (242, 130) of the respective battery packs (16, 14) and contributing to the stable support of said battery packs (16, 14).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
105 words
A battery charger according to Claim 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that said receptacle (20) includes a primary chamber (34) having a pair of opposite side walls (36, 36), a pair of opposite end walls (37, 37) and a floor (38), the spacing between the end walls (37, 37) defining the receptacle length, and a secondary chamber (42) opening into the floor (38) of the primary chamber (34) and having opposite side walls (44), opposite end walls (43) and a floor (46), and that the charger terminal assembly (88) extends from the floor (46) of the secondary chamber (42) toward the primary chamber (34).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A battery charger according to Claim 20, characterized in that the primary chamber (34) is elongated between the first and second end walls (37, 37) to receive the nose portion (130) of the second battery pack (14).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
A battery charger according to Claim 20 or 21, characterized by a rib (40) located on each side wall (36, 36) of the primary chamber (34) and extending substantially parallel to the end walls (37, 37) of the primary chamber (34) to provide support for a battery pack (14, 16) inserted into the receptacle (20).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
A battery charger (12) according to Claim 20, 21 or 22, characterized in that the charger terminal assembly (88) includes a raised pedestal (50) which extends from the floor (46) of the secondary chamber (42) and has a top wall (56) provided with terminal apertures (60, 62) included in said top wall (56).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
A battery charger according to any of Claims 20 to 23, characterized by a battery pack supporting platform (32) spaced from the floor (38) of the primary chamber (34), the walls (36, 37) of the primary chamber (34) terminating at the battery pack supporting platform (32).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
A battery charger having a battery charging control system, including a means for sensing (118) changes in battery cell temperature when being charged by the battery charger (12), characterized in that the means for sensing (118) is enclosed in the battery charger (12) and spaced from the battery cell (124 a , 124 c ) but is in a thermally conductive relationship with a battery cell (124 a , 124 c ) of the battery (14, 16, 18) via an element (156), the temperature of said element (156) varying according to the temperature of the at least one battery cell (124 a , 124 c ) under charge.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
108 words
A battery charger having a battery charging control system, including a means for sensing (118) changes in battery cell temperature when being charged by the battery charger (12), characterized in that the means for sensing (118) is enclosed in the battery charger (12) and spaced from the battery cell (124 a , 124 c ) but is in a thermally conductive relationship with a battery cell (124 a , 124 c ) of the battery (14, 16, 18) via an element (156), the temperature of said element (156) varying according to the temperature of the at least one battery cell (124 a , 124 c ) under charge.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
A battery charger according to Claim 25, characterized in that the element (156) is an external connecting terminal pin (156) of a battery pack (14, 16, 18) connected electrically and thermally to the at least one cell (124 a , 124 c ) of the battery pack (14, 16, 18).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
A battery charger according to Claim 26, characterized in that the sensing means (118) is mounted on a resilient member (112) which, in use, engages said external connecting terminal pin (156).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery charger according to Claim 25, 26 or 27, characterized in that the sensing means (118) is a thermistor (118).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
133 words
A terminal block (22, 22 a ) for use in a battery pack (14, 16, 18) which is insertable in a battery charger (12), the battery pack (14, 16, 18) having a housing (126, 170) for holding at least one elongated cell (124 a , 124 c ), the cell (124 a , 124 c ) having a longitudinal axis and an end characterized by: a base (128, 252) for disposition adjacent the end of the cell (124 a , 124 c ); a pair of spaced apart terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) extending substantially perpendicularly from the base (128, 252); and an insulating member (166, 166′) extending between and generally parallel to the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) to shield the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) from one another.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
133 words
A terminal block (22, 22 a ) for use in a battery pack (14, 16, 18) which is insertable in a battery charger (12), the battery pack (14, 16, 18) having a housing (126, 170) for holding at least one elongated cell (124 a , 124 c ), the cell (124 a , 124 c ) having a longitudinal axis and an end characterized by: a base (128, 252) for disposition adjacent the end of the cell (124 a , 124 c ); a pair of spaced apart terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) extending substantially perpendicularly from the base (128, 252); and an insulating member (166, 166′) extending between and generally parallel to the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) to shield the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) from one another.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A terminal block according to Claim 29, characterized in that the insulating member (166, 166′) extends further from the base (128, 252) than the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A terminal block according to Claim 29 or 30, characterized by a shroud (142, 172) surrounding the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) and insulating member (166, 166′).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
77 words
A terminal block according to Claim 31, characterized in that the shroud (142, 172) extends further from the base (128, 252) than the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250), and the insulating member (166, 166′) substantially spans the width of the shroud (142, 172) to define two cells (202, 204) within the shroud (142, 172), each cell (202, 204) containing and substantially shielding a terminal pin (158, 160; 248, 250) from inadvertent external or short circuiting contact.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
99 words
A terminal block according to any of Claims 29 to 32, characterized in that, as assembled in the battery pack (14, 16, 18), the base (128, 252) is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the at least one cell (124 a , 124 c ), and including a pair of upright spaced apart guide members (168, 274) carried by the base (128, 252) and extending, when in use, into the housing (126, 170) of the battery pack (14, 16) to at least partially determine the position of the at least one cell (124 a , 124 c ).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A terminal block according to Claim 33, characterized in that the guide members (168, 274) and one (158, 248) of the terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) lie in adjacent parallel planes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
132 words
A battery pack (14, 18) for connection, selectively, with a tool as a power source and with a battery charger (12) for charging, characterized by: a housing (126, 182); a battery cell assembly (124 a , 124 c ) contained in the housing (126, 182) and having a nose portion (130, 180) including a terminal block (22, 22 a ) and a body portion (132, 136, 182) substantially contiguous with the nose portion (130, 180), each body portion (132, 136; 182) including at least one cell (124, 124 c ), each cell (124, 124c) having a longitudinal axis and the axis of said at least one cell of each of the nose (130, 180) and body portions (132, 136; 182) extending in first and second directions respectively, said directions being mutually perpendicular.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
132 words
A battery pack (14, 18) for connection, selectively, with a tool as a power source and with a battery charger (12) for charging, characterized by: a housing (126, 182); a battery cell assembly (124 a , 124 c ) contained in the housing (126, 182) and having a nose portion (130, 180) including a terminal block (22, 22 a ) and a body portion (132, 136, 182) substantially contiguous with the nose portion (130, 180), each body portion (132, 136; 182) including at least one cell (124, 124 c ), each cell (124, 124c) having a longitudinal axis and the axis of said at least one cell of each of the nose (130, 180) and body portions (132, 136; 182) extending in first and second directions respectively, said directions being mutually perpendicular.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
61 words
A battery pack according to Claim 35, characterized in that the nose portion (130) and body portions (132, 136) each include at least two cells (124 a , 124 b ), the axes of said cells in the respective nose (130) and body portions (132, 136) being parallel and defining first and second planes, and wherein said planes are mutually perpendicular.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
A battery pack according to Claim 36, characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the at least two cells (124 b ) of the body portion (132, 136) extend perpendicular to the first plane of the nose portion cells (124 a ).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
83 words
A battery pack according to Claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the body portion (132, 136) of the battery cell assembly (124) includes at least four cells (124 b ) including said at least two cells (124 b ) in the second plane and at least two cells (124 b ) disposed so that their axes define a third plane parallel to the second plane and so that the cells (124 b ) of the second and third planes are substantially contiguous.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery pack according to Claim 35, characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the at least one cells (124, 124 c ) of the respective nose and body portions (180, 182) are coplanar.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
126 words
A battery pack according to Claim 35, characterized in that the body portion (132, 136) includes at least four cells (124 b ) said cells (124 b ) being of substantially equal length and having ends (218, 222) of opposite polarity, the cells (124 b ) being stacked side-by-side and end-for-end so that cell ends (218, 222) of opposite polarity are in juxtaposition so as to facilitate electrical connection in series, said juxtapositioned ends defining opposite sides of the body portion (132, 136), and including a plurality of substantially linear connecting elements (230) for coupling selectively contiguous pairs of cell ends (218, 222) at both of the opposite sides of the body portion, so that on both sides the respective connecting elements (230) are substantially coplanar.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
55 words
A battery pack (14, 18) according to any of Claims 35 to 40, characterized in that the housing (126, 182) is a substantially rigid shell and including a flexible envelope (232) interposed between the cell assembly (124, 124 c ) and the housing (126, 182) and substantially enclosing said cell assembly (124, 124 c ).
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery pack according to Claim 41, characterized in that the flexible envelope (232) has a wall and is designed so that said wall is in tension when substantially enclosing said cell assembly.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
85 words
A battery pack according to any of Claims 35 to 42, characterized in that the terminal assembly (22, 22a) includes a base (128) disposed closely adjacent an end of the at least one cell of the nose portion (130, 180) and a pair of terminal members (154, 156) carried by the base (128) and extending parallel to the axis of said cell (124, 124c) and connector means (162, 164) for making substantially direct electrical connection with the at, least one cell (124, 124 c ).
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
76 words
A battery pack (14, 16) for, selective, connection with a tool as a power source and with a battery charger (12) for charging, characterized by: a battery cell assembly (124) including a nose portion (130); a housing (126) for substantially enclosing the battery cell assembly (124); and a flexible envelope (232) interposed between the housing (126) and the cell assembly (124) and dimensioned and assembled so as to impose a binding force on the cell assembly.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
76 words
A battery pack (14, 16) for, selective, connection with a tool as a power source and with a battery charger (12) for charging, characterized by: a battery cell assembly (124) including a nose portion (130); a housing (126) for substantially enclosing the battery cell assembly (124); and a flexible envelope (232) interposed between the housing (126) and the cell assembly (124) and dimensioned and assembled so as to impose a binding force on the cell assembly.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
52 words
A battery pack according to Claim 44, characterized in that the flexible envelope (232, 268) comprises an elastic boot (232, 268), said boot (232, 268) having a mouth (234, 272) and being dimensioned so that, in assembly, said mouth (234, 272) encircles the nose portion (124 a ) of the cell assembly.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A battery pack according to Claim 44 or 45, wherein the flexible envelope (232, 268) comprises a plastic membrane applied by a heat shrink process.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
180 words
A battery pack for connection selectively with a tool as a power source and with a battery charger (12) for charging, characterized in that it comprises: a housing (126, 170) having a nose portion (130, 242) including side walls and a terminal end transverse the side walls; a first battery cell (124) having a side wall (220) and first and second opposite ends (218, 222), said ends (218, 222) being of first and second electrical polarities respectively, disposed in the nose portion (130, 242) with the longitudinal axis passing through the terminal end and with the first end (222) of the cell adjacent the terminal end; a terminal block (22, 22 a ) having a pair of spaced apart elongated terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell (124, 124c) and outwardly from the first end (222) of the cell (124, 124 c ) and connecting means (164, 254) included in the terminal assembly for electrically connecting the terminal assembly (22, 22 a ) to the first cell (124, 124 c ).
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
180 words
A battery pack for connection selectively with a tool as a power source and with a battery charger (12) for charging, characterized in that it comprises: a housing (126, 170) having a nose portion (130, 242) including side walls and a terminal end transverse the side walls; a first battery cell (124) having a side wall (220) and first and second opposite ends (218, 222), said ends (218, 222) being of first and second electrical polarities respectively, disposed in the nose portion (130, 242) with the longitudinal axis passing through the terminal end and with the first end (222) of the cell adjacent the terminal end; a terminal block (22, 22 a ) having a pair of spaced apart elongated terminal pins (158, 160; 248, 250) extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell (124, 124c) and outwardly from the first end (222) of the cell (124, 124 c ) and connecting means (164, 254) included in the terminal assembly for electrically connecting the terminal assembly (22, 22 a ) to the first cell (124, 124 c ).
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery pack (14, 16) according to Claim 47, characterized in that the terminal assembly (22, 22 a ) includes a base (128, 252) substantially abutting the first end (222) of the cell.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery pack according to Claim 48, characterized in that said base (128, 252) includes a pair of spaced guides (168, 274) engaging the side wall of said first cell (124, 124 c ).
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
48 words
A battery pack according to Claim 48 or 49, characterized in that the base (128, 252) carries the terminal pins (156, 158; 248, 250) and at least one terminal pin (156, 158; 248, 250) is connected through the base (128, 252) substantially directly with the first end (222).
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
67 words
A battery pack according to any of Claims 47 to 50, characterized in that it comprises a second cell (124, 124c) having first and second opposite ends (218, 222), said ends (218, 222) being of said first and second electrical polarities respectively, and disposed alongside the first cell (124, 124 c ) with respective opposite ends (218, 222) of the cells (124, 124 c ) substantially coplanar.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
78 words
A battery pack according to any one of Claims 47 to 50, characterized in that it comprises a second cell (124) having first and second opposite ends (218, 222) said ends being of said first and second electrical polarities respectively, and disposed generally alongside the first cell (124) with the longitudinal axes of the cells (124) generally parallel, said base (128) including a pair of guides (168) engaging the side walls (220) of the first and second cells.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
41 words
A battery pack according to any of Claims 47 to 52, characterized in that the terminal block is between the housing terminal end and the first end of the cell and at least partially overlaying said first end of the cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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