초록 ▼

A battery powered energy-using device is disclosed which operably distinguishes between batteries having standard and non-standard terminal configurations. The battery compartment in the device is provided with a terminal having first and second insulated contacts, one contact configured to make con

A battery powered energy-using device is disclosed which operably distinguishes between batteries having standard and non-standard terminal configurations. The battery compartment in the device is provided with a terminal having first and second insulated contacts, one contact configured to make contact with a battery of standard terminal configuration and the second contact adapted to make contact with a second terminal. In one embodiment the device is associated with charging circuitry which is adapted to recharge a rechargeable battery having the special non-standard terminal configuration, while permitting discharge but not recharge of a primary battery having a standard terminal configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

An energy-using device energizable by a battery, the battery is selected from a group including a rechargeable battery with a standard terminal configuration, a non-rechargeable battery with a standard terminal configuration and a rechargeable battery with a non-standard terminal configuration, the

An energy-using device energizable by a battery, the battery is selected from a group including a rechargeable battery with a standard terminal configuration, a non-rechargeable battery with a standard terminal configuration and a rechargeable battery with a non-standard terminal configuration, the device being operable in a battery charging mode in association with a power source and charging circuitry, with the battery mounted in the device, to recharge the rechargeable battery having the non-standard terminal configuration while not recharging the non-rechargeable battery and the rechargeable battery having the standard terminal configuration, comprising: a housing and a load associated therewith; a battery compartment in the housing for receiving the battery for powering the load; a first electrically conductive terminal positioned in one portion of the compartment making contact with one terminal of the battery; and a second electrically conductive terminal positioned in a second portion of the compartment making contact with the other terminal of the battery, the second terminal comprised of a first conductive contact for making contact with the other terminal of one of the standard terminal configured batteries, and a second conductive contact spaced and insulated from said first conductive contact for making contact with the other terminal of the non-standard terminal configured battery.