WO1993023888A1

WO1993023888A1 - Battery pack housing

Info

Publication number: WO1993023888A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/004558
Authority: WO
Inventors: Najib E. Habiby; John R. Brophy, Sr.
Original assignee: Jabro Batteries, Inc.
Priority date: 1992-05-13
Filing date: 1993-05-13
Publication date: 1993-11-25

Abstract

A battery housing connectable to a plurality of differently configured devices having a face plate (10) with a front wall (20), side walls (12, 14), and end walls (16, 18), a plurality of contact slots (24, 24a, 24b, 26, 26a, 26b) each for electrical engagement with different ones of the electrical device and plural mechanical means interacting with each of the devices for permitting attachment of the housing to the devices and retention thereon.

Description

BATTERY PACK HOUSING

Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to batteries and battery pack housings or cases and, more particularly, to battery cases capable of connection to a plurality of different portable electronic devices such as video tape recorders.

Background Of The Invention

The large number and variety of portable battery operated devices has resulted in a corresponding large number of different replacement batteries and battery packs. Many devices use "standard" batteries, e.g., 9 volt and 1.5 volt "D", "C", "AA" and "AAA" batteries. Even with this limited number of "standard" batteries, there are different brands and different types of batteries in each size.

Other devices, such as video cameras for recording on video tape (camcorders) use special battery configurations, e.g., rechargeable battery packs. Such battery packs are typically contained within battery cases or housings each uniquely configured for mechanical attachment to specific ones of such devices and for electrical connection thereto.

Camcorders using the smaller tape cassettes, have become more and more popular. Such camcorders not only act as cameras for recording images, but also may be connected directly to television sets or other video systems to view the recorded tapes.

Many devices such as camcorders have similar, but different, physical configurations and require the same electrical power source. In spite of this, differences in the mechanical configuration of devices such as camcorders, has resulted in different battery cases for use with each different device, even when the battery packs in each case or housing are electrically indistinguishable. The proliferation of different replacement battery cases, in which substantially identical battery packs are installed, for home video cameras or camcorders is but one such example.

For the most part, different camcorder manufacturers utilize different camcorder face plates for connection to power sources such as battery packs, even though the electrical requirements for the various camcorders are not meaningfully different. The physical differences between different manufacturers' camcorders has resulted in physically different battery housings, because battery housings configured for use with one manufacturer's camcorder have not been suitable for connection either mechanically or electrically to the camcorder of another manufacturer.

Although there are many brands of camcorders, a large number are produced by three manu acturers, Sony, Panasonic and Hitachi. As a result, in spite of the variety of different brand names under which the camcorders are sold, replacement battery packs installed in three different housing configurations normally accommodate a large number of different camcorders. This still results in an unnecessarily large number of different physical battery configurations in order to satisfy the need for replacement batteries for just the three primary configurations.

It would be desirable and beneficial, therefore, if the number of different replacement battery packs and housings therefor intended for specialized use with devices such as camcorders, could be reduced, producing cost savings and improved convenience and a reduction in the number of different components. Additional savings arise because in most cases the replacement parts are not just cases or housings for batteries, but battery packs installed therein. Thus, while the electrical components may be substantially the same in all instances, the physical configuration and electrical contact arrangements of different camcorders has resulted in different components. This duplication could be avoided if a single battery pack housing could be utilized for a plurality of different devices such as camcorders.

Summary Of The Invention

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a battery pack and case adapted to fit a plurality of different devices such as camcorders having substantially the same electrical power requirements, but utilizing different mechanical and electrical interface configurations and contact arrangements. A battery pack and housing incorporating the present invention includes a plurality of electrical contact pairs positioned for connection to each of a plurality of different devices such as camcorders, each exhibiting different contact arrangements. A battery pack and housing incorporating the present invention further includes attachment means with a plurality of different mechanical interconnection configurations for interacting with each of the plurality of devices and facilitating mechanical connection thereto and retention thereon. A battery housing incorporating the present invention includes a plurality of electrical contact pairs located in a contact area, each pair being arranged thereon for electrical connection to a different pair of electrical contacts on each of the different devices to which the housing can be connected when the battery housing is mechanically positioned in operative association therewith. Each of the contact pairs is connected to a source electrical energy such as a battery pack disposed within the housing in accordance with the electrical requirements of the device to which the housing and battery pack contained therein is attached. The housing incorporating the present invention further includes attachment means associated with the contact area permitting the housing to be operatively mechanically associated with each of the plurality of different devices which are intended to receive a different battery housing configuration and be mechanically and electrically connected therewith.

Numerous other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and an embodiment thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings in which the details of the invention are fully and completely disclosed as a part of this specification.

Brief Description Of The Drawing

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the contact surface of a battery housing incorporating the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view thereof; FIGURE 3 is an opposite end view thereof; and FIGURE 4 is a side view thereof.

This invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. There is shown in the drawing and will be described herein in detail a specific embodiment thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown the face plate 10 of a housing for a battery pack incorporating the present invention. The face plate includes side walls 12, 14 and end walls 16, 18 and a front wall 20 defining a contact area. The free edge of the side and end walls of the face plate 10 include a flange 22 for insertion into the open end of and attachment to a case or housing containing a battery pack, such as by adhesive or welding. The case and face plate may be produced from a suitable plastic material. The face plate for the battery pack case incorporating the present invention as illustrated in the drawing is particularly useful for attachment to and providing power to videotape recorders or camcorders of relatively small size. However, cases or housings incorporating the principles of the present invention can be configured for attachment to a other devices having similar electrical requirements and designed for connection to mechanically and electrically similar battery packs for devices having different configurations. The front wall 20 of the battery housing face plate 10 as shown in the drawing defines a generally planar surface provided with a plurality of recesses and contact apertures formed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two sets of contact apertures 24, 26. The contact apertures extend through the front wall 20 of the housing face plate 10 and are closed by suitable electrical contacts adapted to be electrically connected to the terminals of a battery pack contained within the housing. The battery pack within the housing could be replaceable batteries, but usually are made up of rechargeable batteries. When the battery pack within the housing is rechargeable, the housing is permanently sealed to protect the batteries contained therein.

The illustrated embodiment of the battery case face plate is disclosed as being adapted for connection to three different camcorder configurations. In this regard, the first set of contact apertures 24 includes a pair of contacts, positive contact 24a and negative contact 24b for connection to a variety of camcorders made by Sony. The first contacts 24a, 24b are spaced apart and generally centered between the sides 12, 14 and are located closer to one end wall 16.

The second contact set 26 includes three apertures, including two active contacts, positive contact 26a and negative contact 26b. These two contacts 26a, 26b are spaced farther apart from each other than are the first contacts 24a, 24b and are located closer to the side walls 12, 14. The third aperture is for an additional, inactive contact 26σ and is positioned between the active contacts 26a, 26b offset towards contact 26a. The second contact set 26 is positioned closer to the opposite end wall 18 of the case and is intended to engage corresponding electrical contacts on a variety of camcorders made by Panasonic. A third contact set 28 is disposed on the end walls 16, 18 of the face plate 10. The third contact set includes a positive contact 28a resiliently mounted on a projection 18a formed on the end wall 18 and a negative contact 28b resiliently mounted on a pro ection 16a formed on the end wall 16. As shown the contacts are in alignment and are intended to engage corresponding contacts on camcorders manufactured by Hitachi.

In addition to the provision of a plurality of separate pairs of contacts for use with each of a number of differently configured camcorders to which the battery case is to be connected, the battery housing face plate incorporating the present invention is mechanically configured to facilitate mechanical attachment to the camcorders and retention thereon. In this regard, the end wall 16 includes projections 16a, 16b and a stop 16c, while the end wall 18 includes projections 18a, 18b and an L-shaped stop 18c. The projections and stops on the end walls 16, 18 define detents which open toward the opposite sides to facilitate slidable reception of the battery housing into tracks formed on the various camcorders and corresponding battery chargers to interact therewith for retaining the housing in place.

A plurality of recesses or notches are formed in the front wall 20 of the battery housing face plate 10 and interact with spring biased projections and latches on the various devices to prevent removal of the battery housing therefrom and to retain the battery housing in place when properly positioned. For example, the illustrated embodiment of a battery housing incorporating the present invention includes for use with Sony type camcorders and chargers a pair of charger positioning slots 30, 32 and a charger locking slot 34 adjacent the side wall 14, and a camcorder retaining slot 36 adjacent the side wall 12 for receiving a retractable locking pin on the camcorder. These slots correspond in position to similar structures in face plates of battery housings designed exclusively for use with Sony type camcorders. The battery housing is installed on Sony type camcorders by orienting the battery housing to position the contacts to engage corresponding spring biased contacts on the camcorder. The opposite ends of the battery housing are located so that the projections and stops engage the corresponding track members formed on the camcorder device. The battery is positioned into locking engagement with the camcorder device which has track portions engaging the projections on the ends of the battery housing for locking engagement therewith. A spring biased latch protrudes from the surface of the camcorder near the battery contacts and enters the retaining slot 36 to prevent transverse movement of the battery out of engagement with the camcorder and the resultant inadvertent disengagement until the spring biased projection is released.

The illustrated embodiment of a battery housing incorporating the present invention also includes for use with Panasonic type camcorders and chargers the locking slot 30 adjacent the side wall 14, and an end wall recess defined by the L-shaped stop 18c. These slots correspond in position to similar structures in face plates of battery housings designed exclusively for use with Panasonic type camcorders.

The battery housing is installed on Panasonic type camcorders by orienting the battery housing to position the contacts to engage corresponding spring biased contacts on the camcorder. The opposite ends of the battery housing are located so that the projections and stops engage the corresponding track members formed on the camcorder device. A spring biased latch protrudes from the surface of the camcorder near the battery contacts and enters the retaining slot 42 to prevent transverse movement of the battery out of engagement with the camcorder and the resultant inadvertent disengagement until the spring biased projection is released.

The illustrated embodiment of a battery housing incorporating the present invention also includes for use with Hitachi type camcorders and chargers a positioning slot 52 and the locking slot 36 for receiving a retractable locking pin on the camcorder adjacent the side wall 12. These slots correspond in position to similar structures in face plates of battery housings designed exclusively for use with Hitachi type camcorders.

The battery housing is installed on Hitachi type camcorders by orienting the battery housing to position the contacts to engage corresponding spring biased contacts on the camcorder. The opposite ends of the battery housing are located so that the projections and stops engage the corresponding track members formed on the camcorder device. A bead on the camcorder engages a rib in slot 52 for the purpose of insuring the engagement between the contacts 28a, 28b and the corresponding contacts on the camcorder or charger. The battery is positioned into locking engagement with the camcorder device which has track portions engaging the projections on the ends of the battery housing for locking engagement therewith. A spring biased latch protrudes from the surface of the camcorder near the battery contacts and enters the retaining slot 54 to prevent transverse movement of the battery out of engagement with the camcorder and the resultant inadvertent disengagement until the spring biased projection is released.

As indicated above, where the battery housing contains rechargeable batteries, a number of the indentations in the front wall 20 of the battery face plate 10 typically interact with locking pins in a charger for properly positioning the battery in engagement with the charging contacts to permit recharging of the battery charger and to retain the housing on the battery charger during recharging.

Thus, the battery housing incorporating the present invention includes a plurality of sets of contacts positioned to engage contacts on each of a plurality of electrical devices in which the contact arrangements are different for each of the devices. The battery housing incorporating the present invention includes mechanical configurations of notches, slots, recesses, projections, and stops on the front and on opposite ends of the battery housing for retaining the housing in place on each of the different camcorder devices to which it is attached. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the various notches and recesses formed in the surface of the battery housing are usable to interact with the latches and positioning notches in each of the devices to which the battery is connected, and with chargers therefor to properly position and retain the battery housing in each of the different devices for which it can be used. If necessary, the recesses defining the contacts for one device may be used as a retaining notch for another device as long as proper electrical connection is maintained.

Thus, there has been disclosed a multi-purpose battery housing for a battery pack attachable to each of a plurality of differently configured, although similar, electrical devices to permit use of a single battery pack and housing with each of the different electrical devices such as camcorders.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

We Claim;

1. A universal battery housing connectable to a plurality of differently configured devices comprising: a contact area on the housing; attaching means on the contact area for permitting the housing to be operatively associated with each of a plurality of different devices, each of the different devices being adapted to receive a different battery housing configuration and to connect electrically and mechanically therewith; and a plurality of plural electrical contact sets located on the contact area and arranged thereon for electrical connection of a different set of the electrical contacts to each of the different devices when the battery housing is mechanically positioned in operative association therewith.

2. The housing of claim 1 wherein the contact area comprises a surface of the housing and a plurality of side portions surrounding the surface.

3. The housing of claim 1 wherein at least one set of contacts is located on the side portions surrounding the surface.

4. The housing of claim 3 wherein each contact of the aforesaid side contact set is located on a different side portion.

5. The housing of claim 4 wherein the different side portions are at opposite ends of the surface.

6. The housing of claim 1 wherein a plurality of contact pairs are located on the surface of the contact area.

7. The housing of claim 2 wherein the attaching means comprises a plurality of retaining means positioned on the sides surrounding the surface.

8. The housing of claim 7 wherein the retaining means corresponds with slots provided on each device, said retaining means slidably engaging the slots on each device.

9. The housing of claim 8 wherein the retaining means are a plurality of recessed portions in two of the side portions surrounding the surface which are oriented at opposite ends of the surface, the recessed portions corresponding to the slots provided on each of the devices so that the recessed portions slidably engage each of the devices.

10. The housing of claim 8 wherein the plurality of recessed portions define a plurality of abutments which correspond to the slots provided on each of the devices and which retain the housing on each of the devices when the housing is slidably engaged therewith.

11. The housing of claim 7 wherein the attaching means further comprises a plurality of locking indentations on the contact area which are located to correspond to locking mechanisms provided on each device to permit the housing to be placed in locking engagement with each device.

12. The housing of claim 1 wherein a battery is sealed in the housing.

13. The housing of claim 1 wherein the plurality of differently configured devices are camcorder devices.

14. The housing of claim 1 further comprising second attaching means on the contact area permitting the housing to be placed in operative association with each of a plurality of differently configured battery chargers, wherein each battery charger is adapted to receive a different battery housing configuration and to connect mechanically and electrically therewith.