Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Cell or battery charger structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-11
2001-07-10
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Cell or battery charger structure
C320S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259228
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This application relates to protective enclosures for tools and equipment and, in particular, to portable enclosures. The invention relates in particular to jump-starting battery packs of the portable type and protective enclosures therefore.
It is known to provide battery packs for the purpose of jump-starting internal combustion engines. Such packs typically include one or more storage battery cells and suitable electronics housed in a case, from which project a pair of jumper cables, each with a standard connector clamp at its distal end for attachment to the terminals of an automotive battery. The battery pack is typically rechargeable. Since the connector clamps are “live,” i.e., directly connected to the terminals of the storage battery, it is important that they be maintained electrically insulated and isolated from each other and from nearby electrical conductors, when not in use. It is also useful to have a convenient means for carrying the battery pack without jeopardizing the insulation and isolation of the connector clamps.
It is known to provide various types of carrying cases, holsters and the like for various types of tools and electronic equipment. Prior electronic equipment cases have typically been designed to simply provide a means for transporting the equipment and many such devices completely enclose the equipment. While this is useful for maximizing protection of the equipment, it also impairs access to parts of the equipment, such as the recharging jack of the battery pack case.
Housings have heretofore been provided for jump-starting batteries or battery packs with provision for separating or isolating the battery cable clamps from each other, but these prior techniques have involved rigid housings which are relatively bulky and do not provide complete insulation of the connector clamps.
SUMMARY
There is described an improved housing arrangement for a portable battery pack which avoids the disadvantages of prior housing arrangements while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
An important feature is the provision of a housing which is of light weight and is easily transported.
In connection with the foregoing feature, another feature is the provision of a housing of the type set forth, which is of simple and economical construction and effectively insulates the connector clamps of the jumper cables from each other and from adjacent objects.
Another feature is the provision of a housing of the type set forth which permits access to portions of the battery pack case, for recharging or the like, without opening the housing.
In connection with the foregoing features, another feature is the provision of a housing of the type set forth, which is in the nature of a flexible and foldable sheet which can be wrapped around the battery pack case and the connector clamps.
Still another feature is the provision of a jump starter assembly including a battery pack and a housing therefor of the type set forth.
Certain ones of these and other features are attained by providing a protective housing for a battery pack having two jumper cables with connector clamps, the housing comprising: a flexible foldable sheet of protective material, retaining structure on the sheet for retaining an associated battery pack thereon, two clamp supports on the sheet respectively engageable with the clamps of an associated battery pack for supporting the clamps out of contact with each other, the sheet being shaped and dimensioned to be foldable around an associated battery pack in a closed condition completely encircling the battery pack, and a closure structure for holding the sheet in its closed condition.
The subject matter sought to be protected consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the described subject matter.
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Snap-on Tools Company Catalog page for TQJE930 Holster, pre-1999.
Becker Thomas P.
Doyle Bryan L.
Eggert Daniel M.
Prince Richard W.
Putney Gordon A.
Shaw Seyfarth
Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
Tibbits Pia
Wong Peter S.
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