Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Cell support for removable cell
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-24
2001-10-23
Chaney, Carol (Department: 1745)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Cell support for removable cell
C429S097000, C429S099000, C429S100000, C429S123000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306538
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a portable information device, such as a memory card, provided with a liquid crystal screen and a volatile memory and capable of retaining stored data by means of batteries even without external power input.
BACKGROUND ART
Disclosed in Japanese patent publications, such as Patent Application KOKAI Nos. 2-23410, 2-140815, 2-264316, 3-121515 and 3-134720, are memory cards, that comprise a static RAM (SRAM) formed of a volatile semiconductor memory, a replaceable main battery as a backup power source for retaining information stored in the SRAM, and a sub-battery connected in parallel with the main battery and used as a backup power source for the SRAM when the main battery is being replaced.
Further, disclosed in Japanese patent publications, such as Patent Application KOKAI Nos. 2-76019 and 3-134720, are memory cards that comprise a battery holder, designed to contain a main battery and to be capable of being loaded into and unloaded from a memory card body, and a locking lever slidable in the memory card and designed to permit or prohibit attachment to and removal of the battery holder from the memory card body by engaging or being disengaged from the battery holder.
Also disclosed in a Japanese patent publication is, Patent Application KOKAI No. 4-104388 relating to a memory card that comprises a RAM, batteries, and an element for switching between the source voltage and an externally supplied voltage, wherein a plurality of batteries for supplying the source voltage are connected in series in the memory card. This memory card is designed to reduce the difference between the supply voltage having so far been supplied externally and the backup source voltage in the memory card, thereby avoiding the destruction of data stored in the memory when the memory card is removed from an external apparatus. Further, the batteries for supplying the backup source voltage are connected in series, so that when the batteries are dead, they must be replaced with new ones with the memory card connected to the external apparatus or the like.
Thus, in the case of a portable information devices such as memory cards, a complicated mechanism has to be used in replacing batteries while maintaining the source voltage for the volatile memory (RAM).
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a portable information device, such as a memory card with two batteries connected in series for supplying power to a load circuit, which is designed so that the batteries can be changed without suspending the power supply to the load circuit.
In order to achieve the above object, a portable information device according to the present invention comprises a body casing containing a circuit board and having first and second battery insertion slots in one end portion thereof, first and second battery holding sections provided in the internal space of the body casing and communicating with the first and second battery insertion slots, respectively, and a locking member for restraining batteries from being removed from the first and second battery insertion slots. The locking member is designed so as to be able to establish a first state in which the batteries housed in the first and second battery holding sections are prohibited from being taken out simultaneously from both the first and second battery insertion slots, a second state in which the battery is allowed to be taken out from the first battery insertion slot but is prohibited from being taken out from the second battery insertion slot, and a third state in which the battery is allowed to be taken out from the second battery insertion slot but is prohibited from being taken out from the first battery insertion slot.
Preferably, a member constituting the two battery holding sections forms a guide portion capable of receiving the circular batteries or battery holders containing the circular batteries through the battery insertion slots of the body casing and guiding to and holding them in predetermined positions. In a type such that the battery holders containing the batteries therein are housed individually in the battery holding sections, a part of the locking member engages a portion of each battery holder, thereby prohibiting the battery holder from being taken out. On the other hand, in a type such that the circular batteries are housed directly in the battery holding sections, battery covers are disposed facing the battery insertion slots of the body casing so that a part of the locking member engages the free end of each battery cover, thereby prohibiting each battery from being taken out.
Further preferably, the member constituting the battery holding sections is fixed to a battery connecting springs for individually connecting the batteries housed in the battery holding sections and power source terminals of the circuit board in the body casing.
Further preferably, moreover, the two battery holding sections and two battery covers are formed of one integrally molded piece of plastics. Further, the battery connecting springs are made available by punching a junction of one metal plate having a shape such that they are connected with one another through the junction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4391883 (1983-07-01), Williamson et al.
patent: 5039580 (1991-08-01), Mori et al.
patent: 5135822 (1992-08-01), Okamoto
patent: 5149604 (1992-09-01), Nakanishi
patent: 5328781 (1994-07-01), Mikake
patent: 2-76019 (1990-03-01), None
patent: 2-23410 (1990-05-01), None
patent: 2-140815 (1990-05-01), None
patent: 2-264316 (1990-10-01), None
patent: 3-121515 (1991-05-01), None
patent: 3-134720 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 3-147251 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 4-104388 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 5-135755 (1993-06-01), None
Kato Yuichi
Koganei Yoshikazu
Saitoh Asao
Yamaguchi Shizuo
Chaney Carol
Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.
McDermott & Will & Emery
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