Structure for sharing batteries

Details Structure for sharing batteries Structure for sharing batteries

1999-05-15

2001-05-08

Kalafut, Stephen (Department: 1745)

Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and

Having diverse cells or diverse removable cells in a support...

C429S096000, C429S100000, C429S007000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06228517

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery casing structure, and more specifically to a structure for sharing batteries of different sizes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Batteries commonly used in electronic devices are classified as size D, size C, size AA and size AAA. An electronic device powered by batteries usually has a battery compartment for housing batteries of a specific size. In general, a battery of a larger size can not be fit into a battery compartment designed for smaller batteries. Although batteries of a smaller size may be housed in a battery compartment designed for larger batteries, the smaller batteries generally can not be used to supply power because the power supply path can not be properly connected.
For environmental protection concern, rechargeable batteries have become very popular and widely used. Similar to the conventional non-rechargeable batteries, a general inconvenience in using the rechargeable batteries is that if the power of batteries of a specific size has been exhausted, batteries of a different size can not be used even if they are available. Because batteries of smaller sizes can actually be accommodated in a battery compartment designed for larger batteries, it is desirable that batteries of smaller sizes be adapted to substitute for the larger batteries when necessary.
Taiwan Patent Publication No. 228968 discloses a “Battery Converting Box” which provides a structure for converting the size of a battery so that it can be used to replace a battery of a different size. By means of the battery converting box, a smaller battery can be directly embedded in the box so as to be used as a large battery. However, the converting box has several drawbacks in that it has a complicated structure and requires high cost to manufacture. In addition, the operation of the box is not convenient.
There is a strong need in providing a simple and low cost structure for converting batteries of smaller sizes so that they can be used as batteries of larger sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a casing structure for converting and sharing batteries of different sizes. Accordingly, the invention provides a first battery converter for converting a size C battery to a size D battery, a second battery converter for converting a size AA battery to a size C battery, and a third battery converter for converting a size AAA battery to a size AA battery.
The first battery converter comprises an upper case and a lower case. One end of the upper case has a hole so that the positive electrode of a battery can be protruded through. The other end of the upper case has a neck portion which can be inserted into the lower case. The bottom of the lower case has a conductive piece to seal the bottom and a conductive spring to support a battery. The inner diameters of the upper and lower cases are large enough to house a size C battery. A circular wall is formed on the bottom of the lower case so that a size AA battery can also be received directly.
The second battery converter also comprises an upper case and a lower case. The upper case is similar to the upper case of the first battery converter except for a smaller size. The bottom of the lower case has a through hole and a plurality of elastic clamping pieces for clamping and holding a size AA battery.
The third battery converter also comprises an upper case and a lower case. The upper case is also similar to the upper case of the first battery converter except for a smaller size. The bottom of the lower case has a conductive piece to seal the bottom and a conductive spring to support a size AAA battery. The inner diameters of the upper and lower cases are large enough to house a size AAA battery.
According to the present invention, the third battery converter can be inserted into the second battery converter to convert a size AAA battery to a size C battery. The combined second and third battery converters can further be inserted into the first battery converter to convert the size AAA battery to a size D battery. Similarly, a size AA battery can also be converted and used as a size D battery.
Another object of the invention is to provide a casing structure that can be stored and carried compactly and conveniently. Accordingly, the third battery converter can be inserted into the second battery converter that can be further inserted into the first battery converter so as to be conveniently stored and carried.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4737420 (1988-04-01), Ikeda et al.
patent: 5071716 (1991-12-01), Petzl et al.
patent: 5733674 (1998-03-01), Law et al.

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