Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Cell or battery charger structure – For battery pack
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-05-01
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Cell or battery charger structure
For battery pack
CD13S103000, C429S100000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225777
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to latching mechanisms, and more particularly to a latching mechanism for a removable cell battery pack.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
As portable radios and other portable electronic devices increase in popularity, the need for improved battery packs for powering these devices increases dramatically. A removable-cell battery pack allows standard off-the-shelf cells (e.g., standard AA cells) to be used to power the device, in place of a rechargeable battery pack. This is highly advantageous, as the operator may frequently find himself in situations where the device cannot be recharged for long periods, such as when traveling. Depending on the particular electronic device, data may be lost when the available battery power is lost. Thus, it is critical to have surplus power available to prevent data loss and to ensure that the device has sufficient power available for handling unforeseen situations in which the device is needed.
For example, removable-cell battery packs can be particularly critical for providing longer lasting power to electronic devices in situations such as voyages at sea, travel into wilderness areas, and in military applications. These situations often demand frequent and prolonged use of electronic devices such as radios and global positioning systems (GPSs), so a battery pack that provides sufficient battery power is essential. These types of situations also demand a battery pack that is rugged and that can withstand impacts and other unforeseen abuses without disengaging from the electronic device and causing a loss of power. Disengagement of the battery pack from the electronic device also increases the risk of damage to the device and battery pack, and can cause battery cells to be lost or damaged.
A battery pack must have a latching mechanism that meets these demands, yet enables the battery cells to be efficiently accessed and easily replaced. Ideally, the battery pack should have enough versatility to allow battery replacement either while the battery pack is attached to the electronic device or while the two are separated. Conventional battery packs do not provide the desired combination of substantial impact resistance and efficient access to the battery compartment for easy battery cell replacement. For example, conventional electronic device and battery pack combinations are not capable of withstanding a four foot drop (as is often encountered in real-world situations) without the battery pack disengaging from the radio. Furthermore, conventional battery packs typically allow battery replacement either while the battery pack is attached to the electronic device or while they are separated, but do not offer the versatility of providing both options to the operator.
Thus, there is a need for an improved removable cell battery pack having a latching mechanism that is efficient in operation, simple in design, reliable, and inexpensive to manufacture. The improved latching mechanism should allow the battery pack to be easily latched to and unlatched from a radio or other electronic device, and should allow easy battery cell replacement, preferably either while the pack is attached to the electronic device or while the two are completely separated. Furthermore, the latching mechanism should enable the battery pack to sustain at least a four foot drop from any angle without the battery pack disengaging from the electronic device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5314763 (1994-05-01), Aksoy et al.
patent: 5738954 (1998-04-01), Latella et al.
patent: 5857148 (1999-01-01), Weishappel et al.
patent: 6014010 (2000-01-01), Yao
patent: 6117575 (2000-09-01), Dinsdale
Crawford Christopher D.
Dzung Danielle P.
Garcia Jorge L.
Hooks, Jr. Larry K.
Motorola Inc.
Scutch, III Frank M.
Toatley Jr. Gregory J
Wong Peter S.
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