GB2518517A

GB2518517A - Replacement clip

Info

Publication number: GB2518517A
Application number: GB1414508.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Hanna; Philip James Durham
Original assignee: BITEA Ltd
Current assignee: BITEA Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-16
Filing date: 2014-08-15
Publication date: 2015-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-15
Also published as: GB201414508D0; GB2518517B; GB201314687D0

Abstract

A replacement clip 31, 45 for a mobile communication device battery 16,arranged to replace a non-functional integral clip 17 for retaining the battery 16 in a housing 12 of the mobile communication device 10. The clip 31, 45comprises a base plate 32, 34 having a surface 33 configured for adhering to the battery 16 and a retaining tab 41 carried by the base plate 32, 34. The retaining tab 41 is arranged to interact with the mobile communication device 10 by resilient deformation of the base plate 32, 34 so as to hold the battery 16 thereto. The mobile communication device may be a TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) terminal.

Description

Replacement Clip This invention relates to a clip for a mobile communication device battery, the clip being arranged to replace a non-functional integral clip for retaining the battery in a housing of the mobile communication device.

The invention has been developed in connection with retaining batteries in hand-held Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) terminals and therefore will be described herein with particular emphasis on this use. The apparatus of the invention may be applied to many other types of radio terminals besides TETRA and indeed to other mobile communication apparatus in general.

TETRA is a digital trunked mobile radio standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The largest TETRA network market is that of public safety, where the trend is for the deployment of nationwide networks shared by all public safety organisations, such as police, ambulance and fire services, coast guards, mountain rescue agencies and so on. The operation of such networks and radio terminals is relied upon by safety organisations. As such, it is vital that each radio terminal is provided with a charged battery. To achieve this, each terminal is usually supplied with at least two batteries, so that there is always a replacement when required. The batteries used are typically lithium batteries some of which have an integral back plate configured to interface with the terminal housing.

For some terminals the co-operating battery is provided with an integral plastic retaining clip which extends from the battery housing at two points in a bridging fashion and which includes engaging tabs which serve to retain the battery in the radio terminal. There are problems associated with the retaining clips of such batteries as they are susceptible to breaking; this happens easily and often. When the retaining clip is broken, it cannot retain the battery in the terminal.

A known undesirable method for solving this problem is to strap the battery to the terminal using adhesive tape. Not only is such a method aesthetically displeasing but the wrapping of tape around the terminal impairs the function of the front of the terminal, and this is not acceptable. As such, batteries having a non-functioning retaining clip are usually discarded. There are currently around several hundred thousand radios in use, each supplied with at least two batteries. In addition to this, there are many batteries simply held in stock. The life span of a typical radio terminal battery is between one to two years. As a result, many batteries even though they are electrically sound are discarded due to a non-functional retaining clip.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a replacement clip for the battery of a mobile communication device, which serves to address the above problems and which enables a battery to be retained in the device when the original retaining clip is non-functional.

According to this invention, there is provided a clip for a mobile communication device battery, the clip being arranged to replace a non-functional integral clip for retaining the battery in a housing of the mobile communication device, the clip comprising a base plate having a surface configured for adhering to the battery and a retaining tab carried by the base plate and arranged to interact with the mobile communication device by resilient deformation of the base plate so as to hold the battery thereto.

The term "integral' as used herein with reference to the battery is intended to mean formed as part of the original battery and this may include a single piece form or a fixed connection. In a preferred arrangement, the mobile communication device is a TETRA radio terminal, though it will be appreciated that the clip may be used on batteries of other types of mobile communication devices.

The base plate may include a planar flange. Preferably, the surface configured for adhering the clip is provided on the planar flange. The planar flange may then be adhered to an appropriate part of the battery. Preferably the planar flange is aggressively adhered to the battery. Adhering may be carried out with the use of double-sided adhesive tape or any other non-mechanical means. Preferably, a layer of exposed adhesive is provided on the surface. A backing sheet may be arranged to cover the adhesive. The backing sheet may be peeled off when the clip is to be adhered to a battery.

An insert or shoulder may be provided on the battery base and the planar flange may be configured for adhering thereto. The planar flange ensures that the clip may be secured to a battery over a greater surface area than is provided with integral battery clips. This may minimise the risk of the replacement clip being damaged easily.

Preferably, the base plate also includes an arm, extending from the planar flange. The retaining tab may be provided on the arm spaced from the planar flange. The arm may be resiliently deformable so as to provide a degree of flexibility, which may be beneficial in minimising the risk of damage to the replacement clip. An opening may be formed mid-way along the arm adjacent the planar flange to aid resilient flexing of the arm. The arm may be generally horizontally disposed relative to the planar flange. The planar flange and arm, together forming the base plate, may be substantially U-shaped in cross section. This shape, along with the resilient properties of the clip serves, in use, to apply pressure to the planar flange so as to assist the adhesion of the flange to the battery.

The clip ideally emulates the arrangement of an integral battery clip and so, in a preferred arrangement, includes a release tab configured to engage the mobile communication device. Two retaining tabs may also be provided, one each side of the release tab. The release tab may be any shape required to be received appropriately in the terminal. Similarly, the retaining tabs may be shaped so as to extend through existing retaining openings formed in the terminal. Where two retaining tabs are provided, the opening may be formed in the arm between the retaining tabs to increase resilient deformability of the clip.

In a preferred arrangement, the clip is formed from metal, such as steel.

The metal may be carbon spring steel and may include a coating to prevent rusting. A clip formed from metal provides the required structural integrity and is also easier and more cost effective to produce than a clip formed from plastics material.

This invention also extends to a kit of parts for carrying out the replacement of a non-functional integral clip, the kit including: a replacement clip as hereinbefore described; and adhering means to secure the replacement clip to a battery. The adhering means may be double sided adhesive tape or other suitable adhesive means. Preferably the adhering means is an aggressive adhesive. Means may also be provided to remove an integral battery clip which is non-functioning but still attached clip.

According to a second closely related aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for replacing a non-functional integral clip for retaining the battery in a housing of the mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps of: removing substantially the whole of the original integral clip from the battery and adhering the surface of the replacement clip, as described herein, to that removed region of the battery.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of clip of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is rear view of a TETRA® radio terminal constituting a mobile communication device, the connection of the battery thereof to be facilitated by the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional enlarged view of a base of a battery of a mobile communication device having an integral clip for retaining the battery in a mobile communication device; Figure 3 is a is a sectional enlarged view of a battery of a mobile communication device with the integral clip removed; Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a first clip of the present invention; Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a battery of a mobile communication device having the clip of figure 4 adhered thereto for retaining the battery in a mobile communication device; Figure 6 is a front view of the battery and clip of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a second clip of the present invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a TETRA® radio terminal 10. The radio terminal 10 has a Peripheral Equipment Interface (PEI) port (not visible) which serves to standardise the connection of the terminal to an external device, such as a programming device or a battery charger (not shown). The terminal 10 has an integral housing 12 which covers all but the battery compartment 13 of the terminal 10. Such terminals 10 are typically used within the UK National Public Safety Radio Network.

The terminal 10 is powered by a replaceable lithium battery 16. Each terminal 10 is usually issued with at least two replaceable batteries 16 so that the terminal 10 can be used on a continuous basis without the problem of depleted charge. The battery housing 16 has a substantially rectangular cross section and forms part of the rear housing 13 of the terminal so that no additional cover is required over the battery. This is advantageous when quick replacement of a battery 10 is required. Each battery 10 typically has a life of around one to two years.

The housing of each battery 16 is formed with an integral plastic clip 17 which serves to retain the battery 16 in the housing of the terminal 10. An indent 18 is formed in the base 19 of the battery housing 16. The clip 17 is connected to the battery 16 at two ends 21 (only one shown) and projects from the non-indented part of the base 19. The clip 17 bridges the indent 18 so that an opening 22 is formed between the clip 17 and the indent 18.

A substantially rectangular locating tab 25 extends from an end of the clip 17, remote from the ends 21. The locating tab 25 is configured to engage with the terminal 10, as shown in Figure 1. The locating tab 25 may be actuated to release the battery 16 from the terminal housing 12. Two holding tabs 26 (only one shown) also extend from the clip 17, one each side of the locating tab 25. The holding tabs 26 are arranged to engage in openings (not shown) formed in the housing 12 of the terminal 10.

Due to the design, the integral clip 17 is susceptible to damage and tends to break easily and often. As a result the battery 16 can no longer be retained within the terminal 10 and is conventionally discarded, even when the battery 16 is electrically operational.

The present invention seeks to address this problem by providing a replacement clip; a first clip 31 is shown in Figures 4 to 6 and a second clip 45 is shown in Figure 7. The clips 31, 45 differ in design aspects but each has the same fundamental features.

The first replacement clip 31 is formed from a thin metal such as stainless steel and includes a planar flange 32 which has a surface 33 configured for adhering the clip 31 to the indent 18 of the base 19 of the battery 16. A layer of adhesive (not visible) is provided on the surface 33 and a backing sheet 43 is arranged to cover the adhesive. The backing sheet 43 may be peeled off when the clip 31 is to be adhered to a battery.

A resiliently deformable arm 34 extends from the planar flange 32 in a curved configuration leading to a planar portion 35 which is horizontally disposed relative thereto. An opening 36 is formed through the arm to increase the resilient deformability of the clip 31. The opening extends between the flange 32 and the planar portion 35 of the arm.

The arm 34 is generally planar but includes a release tab 40 and two retaining tabs 41 at one end 42 spaced from the planar flange 32. The arm 34 extends further in the region of the release tab 40 so that the two retaining tabs 41 are offset from the release tab 40. The retaining tabs 41 are essentially flaps which extend from the planar portion 35 of the arm 34, one each side of the release tab 40 and at an incline to the planar portion 35. The release tab 40 is substantially rectangular and extends at approximately 90 degrees from the planar portion 35 of the arm 34 and rests perpendicularly relative to the planar flange 32.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a second clip 45 for use instead of the first clip 31. Like parts with those of the first clip are given like reference characters and will not be described again here. The second clip 45 has a slightly different shape and configuration to that of the first clip 31. In particular, the incline of the retaining tabs 41 and the release tab 40, to the planar portion 35, is less and the opening formed through the arm 34 is reduced in height. Additionally, the edges of the arm 34 are more curved. In functional aspects the second clip 45 is substantially identical to the first clip 31.

To connect the replacement clip 31, 45 to the battery 16, most of the non-functional integral clip 17 of the battery 16 needs to be removed as shown in Figure 3. It is acceptable for the two connection ends 21 to remain attached.

Typically, such removal occurs when the integral clip is broken. The replacement clip 31 may then be secured to the indent 18 of the base 19 of the battery 16 using double sided adhesive tape. The planar flange 32 and the arm 34 together form a general U-shaped configuration in cross-section, with the release tab 40 and the retaining tabs 41 emulating those of the original integral clip 17. The battery 16 may then be removeably retained within the terminal 10 in the same way as with an integral battery clip 17.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A replacement clip for a mobile communication device battery, the clip being arranged to replace a non-functional integral clip for retaining the battery in a housing of the mobile communication device, the clip comprising a base plate having a surface configured for adhering to the battery and a retaining tab carried by the base plate and arranged to interact with the mobile communication device by resilient deformation of the base plate so as to hold the battery thereto.
2. A replacement clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a planar flange, said flange defining the surface configured for adhering.
3. A replacement clip as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is provided a layer of exposable adhesive on the surface.
4. A replacement clip as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is a peelable backing sheet over the adhesive.
5. A replacement clip as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the base plate also includes an arm extending from the planar flange, the retaining tab being provided on the arm, spaced from the planar flange.
6. A replacement clip as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate is generally U-shaped in cross section.
7. A replacement clip as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a release tab configured to engage the mobile communication device.
8. A replacement clip as claimed in claim 7, comprising two retaining tabs, one each side of the release tab.
9. A replacement clip as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile communication device is a TETRJAI radio.
10. A replacement clip as claimed in any of the preceding claims formed from metal.
11. A kit of parts for carrying out the replacement of a non-functional integral clip, the kit including: a replacement clip as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10; and adhering means to secure the replacement clip to a battery.
12. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 11, further comprising means for removing a non-functional integral clip.
13. A method for replacing a non-functional integral clip for retaining the battery in a housing of the mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps of: removing substantially the whole of the original integral clip from the battery and adhering the surface of a replacement clip, as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, to that removed region of the battery.
14. A replacement clip as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.