US3694729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable electric power apparatus
Assignee: National Can Retinning Co
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Filing: 1971-12-28
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1991-12-28
Abstract
Abstract Two portable battery packs are removably mounted on a truck and connected to the truck''s electrical system. Each pack contains four 6-volt battery units which are wired to a battery pack connector mounted at the rear of the battery pack housing. Means are provided for connecting the battery units in parallel for charging by the truck generator alternator or battery. When the pack is (1) withdrawn from the truck, and (2) used to power a tool, the battery units are connected in suitable series parallel - to provide output voltages greater than the charging voltage. In one embodiment, a charging rack is permanently mounted on and to the truck, the rack having a mating connector which during the charging process engages the battery pack connector. A program connector at other times engages the battery pack connector to provide proper output voltage at the battery pack output connector. In another embodiment, the charging rack is dispensed with and two double pole double throw switches are used to effect the different series or parallel connections in and to the battery pack.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack D Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:24
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/50; H02J7/575; H02J7/14; H02J7/1423; H02J7/70; H02J7/865
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
An electric power apparatus comprising: a. a portable battery pack comprising: 1. a plurality of battery units mounted in said pack, each battery unit having a positive and a negative pole; 2. a battery pack electrical connector having a pair of contacts for each battery unit and having each pole of each battery unit connected to a different one of said contacts; 3. a pair of output power terminals for connection to a power consuming tool; and 4. means for conductively connecting one output terminal to a positive pole of one battery unit and the other output terminal to the negative pole of another battery unit; and b. a cooperating battery charging apparatus comprising: 1. a source of input d-c charging power having a positive pole and a negative pole; 2. means for at times conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source; whereby when said source is so connected the battery units are connected to said source in parallel and the batteries are charged in parallel; and c. means for at times conductively interconnecting the poles of said battery units to select the output voltage to said output power terminals to provide for selected consumption of power by said power tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
An electric power apparatus comprising: a. a portable battery pack comprising: 1. a plurality of battery units mounted in said pack, each battery unit having a positive and a negative pole; 2. a battery pack electrical connector having a pair of contacts for each battery unit and having each pole of each battery unit connected to a different one of said contacts; 3. a pair of output power terminals for connection to a power consuming tool; and 4. means for conductively connecting one output terminal to a positive pole of one battery unit and the other output terminal to the negative pole of another battery unit; and b. a cooperating battery charging apparatus comprising: 1. a source of input d-c charging power having a positive pole and a negative pole; 2. means for at times conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source; whereby when said source is so connected the battery units are connected to said source in parallel and the batteries are charged in parallel; and c. means for at times conductively interconnecting the poles of said battery units to select the output voltage to said output power terminals to provide for selected consumption of power by said power tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
a battery pack electrical connector having a pair of contacts for each battery unit and having each pole of each battery unit connected to a different one of said contacts;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
a battery pack electrical connector having a pair of contacts for each battery unit and having each pole of each battery unit connected to a different one of said contacts;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
means for at times conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source; whereby when said source is so connected the battery units are connected to said source in parallel and the batteries are charged in parallel; and c. means for at times conductively interconnecting the poles of said battery units to select the output voltage to said output power terminals to provide for selected consumption of power by said power tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
means for at times conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source; whereby when said source is so connected the battery units are connected to said source in parallel and the batteries are charged in parallel; and c. means for at times conductively interconnecting the poles of said battery units to select the output voltage to said output power terminals to provide for selected consumption of power by said power tool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for at times conductively interconnecting the poles of the battery units at times interconnect the poles of at least two of the battery units in series to at least double the output voltage of said battery pack above the output voltage of any individual battery unit; whereby the portable electric power apparatus is charged in a parallel circuit and provides output for power consuming tools by a series circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
a charging electrical connector matingly engageable at times with said battery pack connector and having its electrical terminals conductively connected to said source of power for conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source whenever said charging connector is conductively engaged to said battery pack connector; and c. a program connector matingly engageable at times to said battery pack connector and having its terminals conductively interconnected for suitably interconnecting the poles of said battery units to permit selection of the output voltage and consumption of power by said power tool when said program connector is engaged in said battery pack connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
a charging electrical connector matingly engageable at times with said battery pack connector and having its electrical terminals conductively connected to said source of power for conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source whenever said charging connector is conductively engaged to said battery pack connector; and c. a program connector matingly engageable at times to said battery pack connector and having its terminals conductively interconnected for suitably interconnecting the poles of said battery units to permit selection of the output voltage and consumption of power by said power tool when said program connector is engaged in said battery pack connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
a first support cradle comprising a track extending substantially horizontally from said rear panel for slidably receiving said battery pack;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
a first support cradle comprising a track extending substantially horizontally from said rear panel for slidably receiving said battery pack;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
a battery pack electrical connector having a pair of contacts for each battery unit and having each pole of each battery unit connected to a different one of said contacts; and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
a battery pack electrical connector having a pair of contacts for each battery unit and having each pole of each battery unit connected to a different one of said contacts; and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
a pair of output power terminals for connection to a power consuming tool; one output terminal conductively connected to a positive pole of one battery unit and the other output terminal conductively connected to the negative pole of another battery unit; and b. a cooperating battery charging apparatus comprising
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
a pair of output power terminals for connection to a power consuming tool; one output terminal conductively connected to a positive pole of one battery unit and the other output terminal conductively connected to the negative pole of another battery unit; and b. a cooperating battery charging apparatus comprising
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
a forwardly facing charging connector mounted to said rear panel and positioned to slidingly engage said battery pack connector as said battery pack is slid into said first cradle toward said rear panel, said charging connector being electrically connected to battery charging circuitry which is connected to said charger rack.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
a forwardly facing charging connector mounted to said rear panel and positioned to slidingly engage said battery pack connector as said battery pack is slid into said first cradle toward said rear panel, said charging connector being electrically connected to battery charging circuitry which is connected to said charger rack.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
152 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for at times conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source comprises a charging electrical connector matingly engageable at times with said battery pack electrical connector and having its electrical terminals conductively connected to said source of power; and wherein the means for at times conductively interconnecting the poles of said battery units to select the output voltage to said outlet power terminals comprises a program connEctor matingly engageable at times to said battery pack connector and having its terminals conductively interconnected for suitably interconnecting the poles of said battery units to permit selection of the output voltage and consumption of power by said power tool when said program connector is engaged in said battery pack connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
a pair of output power terminals for connection to a power consuming tool; and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
a pair of output power terminals for connection to a power consuming tool; and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
means for conductively connecting one output terminal to a positive pole of one battery unit and the other output terminal to the negative pole of another battery unit; and b. a cooperating battery charging apparatus comprising:
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
means for conductively connecting one output terminal to a positive pole of one battery unit and the other output terminal to the negative pole of another battery unit; and b. a cooperating battery charging apparatus comprising:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
An electric power apparatus comprising: a. a portable battery pack comprising
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
An electric power apparatus comprising: a. a portable battery pack comprising
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said battery units are parallel connected to said source of charging power by said charging connector when the charging connector is engaged in the battery pack connector and wherein the battery units are series connected to said output terminals by said program connector when the program connector is engaged in the battery pack connector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said battery pack has four, 6 volt battery units and wherein there are two alternative program connectors matingly engageable to said battery pack connector, a first alternative program connector for connecting all the battery units in parallel to said output terminals and the second alternative program connector for connecting the battery units in two series connected pairs and for connecting these pairs in parallel to each other.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a control panel connector, matingly engageable to said program connector, has a pair of first terminals serially interposed between a pole of said source of charging power and said charging connector, said first terminals opening the circuit when not interconnected and said terminals being connected together to close said charging circuit by said program connector when said program connector is engaged to said control panel connector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a series connected ammeter and diode, connected in a polarity to permit charging current flow, are serially interposed between said source of charging power and said charging connector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control panel connector has a pair of second terminals serially connected between said source of power and an indicator lamp and wherein said second terminals are connected together by said program connector when said program connector is engaged in said panel connector and said lamp is illuminated to indicate engagement of the program coNnector to the panel connector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said battery units are parallel connected to said source of charging power by said charger connector when the charger connector is engaged in the battery pack connector and wherein the battery units are series connected to said output terminals by said program connector when the program connector is engaged in the battery pack connector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said apparatus includes a second battery pack similar to said first battery pack, a second cooperating charging connector similar to said first charging connector, a second program connector similar to said first program connector, and a second control panel connector similar to said first panel connector, to permit alternate charging of one battery pack during consumption of power from the other battery pack wherein a substantially continuous supply of power is available.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
99 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a control panel connector, matingly engageable to said program connector, has a pair of first terminals serially interposed between a pole of said source of charging power and said charging connector, said first terminals opening the charging circuit when not interconnected and said terminals being connected together to close said charging circuit by said program connector when said program connector is engaged to said control panel connector, wherein a series connected ammeter and diode, connected in a polarity to permit charging current flow, are serially interposed between said source of charging connector.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein secondary outlet power terminals are mounted to said charging apparatus, the means for at times conductively connecting the positive poles of said battery units to the positive pole of said source and for conductively connecting the negative poles of said battery units to the negative pole of said source and the means for at times conductively interconnecting the poles of said battery units to select the output voltage to said outlet power terminals comprises a double throw gang switch having a plurality of movable blades and having a plurality of fixed contacts for each of said movable blades.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
A portable electric power apparatus comprising a. a battery pack comprising a box-like housing for containing battery units and having a rearwardly facing battery pack connector mounted to a rear wall of said housing, said connector being electrically connected to said battery units, said battery pack also having power outlet terminals for connection to a tool; and b. a charger rack apparatus mountable to a motor vehicle, said rack comprising:
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
70 words
A portable electric power apparatus comprising a. a battery pack comprising a box-like housing for containing battery units and having a rearwardly facing battery pack connector mounted to a rear wall of said housing, said connector being electrically connected to said battery units, said battery pack also having power outlet terminals for connection to a tool; and b. a charger rack apparatus mountable to a motor vehicle, said rack comprising:
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said track comprises four, parallel, right angle structural beams for slidably receiving in their acute angles four side edges of said housing and for retaining said housing against vertical and lateral movement.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a second similar battery pack is provided; wherein the charger rack further comprises a second support cradle vertically above said first support cradle and comprising a second track extending substantially horizontally from said rear panel for slidably receiving said second battery pack; and wherein a second, forwardly facing charging connector is mounted to said rear panel and positioned to sLidably engage a second battery pack connector of said second battery pack as said second battery pack is slid along said second track toward said rear panel, said second charging connector also being connected to said battery charging circuitry.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each of said tracks comprises four, parallel, right right angle structural beams for slidably receiving in their acute angles, four side edges of said housing and for retaining said housing against vertical and lateral movement.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said charging circuitry has a control panel which is mounted intermediate said tracks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |