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Battery chargerBattery charger description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080100261, Battery charger. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/289,621, filed on Nov. 7, 2002; which claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/379,068, filed May 9, 2002, and Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/344,431, filed Nov. 9, 2001, and is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Design patent application Ser. No. 29/160,301, filed May 7, 2002. BACKGROUND [0002] Typically, a battery charger includes a charger housing and a charging circuit supported by the charger housing that is electrically connectable to a power source. A battery is supported by the charger housing and electrically connected to the charging circuit so that power is selectively supplied to the battery to charge the battery. The battery is connected to the charging circuit by charger terminals supported on the charger housing. SUMMARY [0003] Existing battery chargers and their individual components are not suited for heavy-duty use commonly found at a work site including impacts from falling objects or from the battery charger falling. Also, existing battery chargers and their individual components are not suited for outdoor use including being exposed to weather (i.e. sun, rain, wind, etc.) and other contaminants (i.e. dirt, sand, gravel, mud, sawdust, etc.). Weather and contaminants can damage the components of the battery charger and may render the battery charger inoperable. [0004] In existing battery chargers, the charging terminals are typically exposed to the outside environment. Contaminants (such as dirt, sand, mud, sawdust, etc.) may block the charger terminals and prevent electrical connection between the charger terminals and the battery (and charging circuit) or cause a short circuit of the charging circuit. Also, with existing battery chargers, the charge status indicators are not easily seen in outdoor sunlight. [0005] Existing battery chargers may employ an inefficient charging routine when charging batteries. Some battery chargers maintain charging even after the battery has reached full charge. Such a routine leads to unnecessary heating of the battery, therefore, decreasing the cycle life of the battery. Other battery chargers terminate charging when a pre-set time limit is reached. This routine can also result in overheating and a decrease in battery cycle life or may result in a battery not being fully charged when the charging routine has terminated. Existing multiple-port battery chargers include a single charging circuit for all the multiple ports and for all the batteries being charged such that a failure of any component of the charging circuit renders all of the charging ports inoperable. [0006] The present invention provides a battery charger which substantially alleviates one or more of the above-described and other problems with existing battery chargers. In some aspects, the battery charger is a multiple-port battery charger for charging power tool batteries. In some aspects, the battery charger is a heavy-duty battery charger designed to be used outdoors and/or in harsh working conditions. [0007] More particularly, in some aspects, the invention provides a battery charger including a housing having an outer surface, a battery being supportable on the outer surface, a charging circuit supported by the housing and electrically connectable to a power source and to the battery, and protective structure connected to and extending from the outer surface of the housing, the protective structure extending from the outer surface beyond the battery. [0008] Also, in some aspects, the invention provides a battery charger including a housing having an outer surface, a battery being supportable on the outer surface, a charging circuit supported by the housing and electrically connectable to a power source and to the battery, a base connected to the housing for supporting the battery charger on a surface, the base extending beyond the outer surface of the housing and beyond the battery, and a bar connected to the housing at a first end of the housing, the bar extending beyond the outer surface of the housing and beyond the battery. [0009] In addition, in some aspects, the invention provides a battery charger including a housing, a charging circuit supported by the housing and electrically connectable to a power source and to a battery, a vent defined by the housing, the vent releasing heated air from the housing and impeding entry of contaminants into the housing, the vent causing the heated air to turn downwardly turn through the vent before being released from the housing, and a drain defined by the housing, the drain releasing contaminants from the housing. [0010] Further, in some aspects, the invention provides a battery charger including a housing, a charging circuit supported by the housing and electrically connectable with a power source, and a battery port connected to the housing and operable to support a battery. The battery port includes a charger terminal electrically connectable to the charging circuit to electrically connect the battery to the charging circuit, a charger terminal support defining an opening, the terminal being supported in the opening, and a charger terminal cover supported by the battery port, the terminal cover closing the opening when the battery is not supported by the battery port. [0011] In addition, in some aspects, the invention provides a battery charger including a housing, a charging circuit supported by the housing and electrically connectable to a power source and a battery, an LED positioned at least partially outside of the housing and electrically connected to the charging circuit, the LED being operable to display a charge status of the battery, and a translucent cover connected to the housing and at least partially enclosing the LED. [0012] Also, in some aspects, the invention provides a battery charger including a charging routine having a temperature rate termination technique. This charging routine is designed to function with, for example, Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Lithium-ion (Li-ion) etc. battery cells and includes a maintenance routine and boost routine that follows the normal charge execution. [0013] In addition, in some aspects, the invention provides a multiple-port battery charger including a separate and dedicated charging circuit for each charging port. This configuration allows the remaining charging circuits to be operable if one charging circuit should fail. [0014] In some aspects of the invention, the heavy-duty construction of the battery charger allows the battery charger and its components to withstand impacts after falling several feet or being impacted by other objects, in addition to protecting an attached battery from jarring loose as a result of the impact. [0015] In some aspects of the invention, the contaminant-resistant air vents prevent any liquid or solid contaminants from entering the charger housing. Also, a series of drains are incorporated within the charger to purge any contaminant that may enter the housing, and the suspended charging circuits are kept out of contact from such contaminants. [0016] In some aspects of the invention, the terminal cover prevents any contaminants from contacting the charger terminals when a battery is not connected with the battery charger. The cover also provides a sweeping action to keep clean the interconnection between the charging terminals and the battery. [0017] In some aspects of the invention, the LED charge status indicators are bright enough to see in the outdoor sunlight and are viewable from a long distance about a wide range of viewing angles. [0018] In some aspects of the invention, the temperature rate termination technique of the charging routine reduces charge time by several minutes, reduces heat due to charging, and/or increases the cycle life of the battery. [0019] In some aspects of the invention, the independent charging circuits provide the user increased reliability such that a failure of one charging circuit does not result in a complete failure of the multiple port battery charger. [0020] Independent features and independent advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading about Battery charger... Full patent description for Battery charger Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Battery charger patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Battery charger or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Charging control method for lithium battery Next Patent Application: Mobile terminal device Industry Class: Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Battery charger patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.31237 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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