Electronic apparatus and transportation case

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving the convenience of an electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus comprises: a main body case that defines a housing space; a battery attachment part that is provided at the main body case, and to which a battery pack used for a power supply of an electric power tool is detachably attached; an external terminal that is provided at the main body case, and is electrically connected to the battery pack via the battery attachment part; a left side handle that is provided at a left surface of the main body case, and includes a left side handling part that can be handled by a user; and a right side handle that is provided at a right surface of the main body case, and includes a right side gripping part that can be gripped by the user. The left side handle can be moved between a left side dropping position and a left side elevated position where the left side gripping part is elevated as compared with the left side dropping position, with respect to the main body case. The right side handle can be moved between the right side dropping position and the right side elevated position where the right side gripping part is elevated as compared with the right side dropping position, with respect to the main body case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to electrical equipment and a carrying case.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a carrying case including a main body case defining an accommodation space, a left handle provided on the left side surface of the main body case and including a left grip portion that can be gripped by a user, and a right handle provided on the right side surface of the main body case and including a right grip portion that can be gripped by the user. The left handle and the right handle are each fixed in position with respect to the main body case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By providing a battery attachment portion to which a battery pack is detachably attached and an external terminal that is electrically connected to the battery pack via the battery attachment portion in the carrying case of Patent Document 1, the carrying case can function as, for example, an electrical device capable of charging and discharging the battery pack. However, the user of this electrical device may feel inconvenient with the left handle and / or the right handle that are fixed in position with respect to the main body case. This specification provides a technology capable of improving the convenience of the electrical device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The electrical equipment disclosed in this specification includes a main body case that defines an accommodation space, a battery attachment portion provided on the main body case to which a battery pack used as the power source of a power tool is detachably attached, an external terminal provided on the main body case and electrically connected to the battery pack via the battery attachment portion, a left handle provided on the left side surface of the main body case and including a left grip portion that can be gripped by a user, and a right handle provided on the right side surface of the main body case and including a right grip portion that can be gripped by the user. The left handle is movable relative to the main body case between a left lowered position and a left raised position where the left grip portion is raised compared to the left lowered position. The right handle is movable relative to the main body case between a right lowered position and a right raised position where the right grip portion is raised compared to the right lowered position.

[0006] When the position of the left grip portion (right grip portion) with respect to the main body case is upward, when the user grips the left grip portion (right grip portion) and carries the electrical equipment, the position of the center of gravity of the electrical equipment as seen from the user becomes lower, so the user can carry the electrical equipment stably. On the other hand, when the position of the left grip portion (right grip portion) with respect to the main body case is upward, for example, when the user puts things in and out of the accommodation space, the left grip portion (right grip portion) may get in the way. According to the above configuration, the user can change the vertical position of the left grip portion (right grip portion) with respect to the main body case. Therefore, for example, when the user carries the electrical equipment, the left grip portion (right grip portion) can be raised with respect to the main body case, so the user can carry the electrical equipment stably. Also, when the user puts things in and out of the accommodation space, the left grip portion (right grip portion) can be lowered with respect to the main body case, so it is possible to prevent the left grip portion (right grip portion) from getting in the way. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the convenience of the electrical equipment can be improved.

[0007] The carrying case disclosed in this specification is a carrying case for a user to carry at least one of a hand tool, a power tool, and a battery pack used for the power supply of the power tool. The carrying case includes a main body case that defines a storage space, a left handle provided on the left side surface of the main body case and including a left grip portion that can be gripped by the user, and a right handle provided on the right side surface of the main body case and including a right grip portion that can be gripped by the user. The left handle is rotatable about a left handle rotation axis between a left lower position with respect to the main body case and a left upper position where the left grip portion is raised compared to the left lower position. When the left handle is in the left lower position, the upper end of the left grip portion is disposed below the left handle rotation axis. When the left handle is in the left upper position, the lower end of the left grip portion is disposed above the left handle rotation axis. The right handle is rotatable about a right handle rotation axis between a right lower position with respect to the main body case and a right upper position where the right grip portion is raised compared to the right lower position. When the right handle is in the right lower position, the upper end of the right grip portion is disposed below the right handle rotation axis. When the right handle is in the right upper position, the lower end of the right grip portion is disposed above the right handle rotation axis.

[0008] When the position of the left gripping part (right gripping part) with respect to the main body case is above, when the user grips the left gripping part (right gripping part) and carries the carrying case, the position of the center of gravity of the carrying case as seen by the user becomes lower, so the user can carry the carrying case stably. On the other hand, when the position of the left gripping part (right gripping part) with respect to the main body case is above, for example, when the user puts things in and out of the storage space, the left gripping part (right gripping part) may get in the way. According to the above configuration, the user can change the vertical position of the left gripping part (right gripping part) with respect to the main body case. For this reason, for example, when the user carries the carrying case, the left gripping part (right gripping part) can be raised with respect to the main body case, so the user can carry the carrying case stably. Also, when the user puts things in and out of the storage space, the left gripping part (right gripping part) can be lowered with respect to the main body case, so it is possible to prevent the left gripping part (right gripping part) from getting in the way. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the convenience of the carrying case can be improved. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the upper end of the left gripping part (right gripping part) can be raised above the left handle rotation axis (right handle rotation axis), so when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the electric device stably.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

[0010] Representative and non - limiting specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to show those skilled in the art the details for implementing preferred examples of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Also, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately from, or together with, other features and inventions to provide further improved electrical devices and carrying cases.

[0011] Also, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for practicing the present invention in the broadest sense and are described only for the purpose of explaining representative specific examples of the present invention. Further, the various features of the following representative specific examples, as well as the various features recited in the claims, need not be combined as shown in the specific examples described herein or in the order recited.

[0012] All features described in this specification and / or in the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of one another as limitations to the initial disclosure and to the specific matters described in the claims, apart from the configuration of the features described in the embodiments and / or in the claims. Further, all descriptions regarding numerical ranges and groups or collections are made with the intention of disclosing intermediate configurations as limitations to the initial disclosure and to the specific matters described in the claims.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the left handle may be rotatable about a left handle rotation axis between the left lower position and the left upper position with respect to the main body case. When the left handle is in the left lower position, the upper end of the left grip portion may be disposed below the left handle rotation axis. When the left handle is in the left upper position, the lower end of the left grip portion may be disposed above the left handle rotation axis. The right handle may be rotatable about a right handle rotation axis between the right lower position and the right upper position with respect to the main body case. When the right handle is in the right lower position, the upper end of the right grip portion may be disposed below the right handle rotation axis. When the right handle is in the right upper position, the lower end of the right grip portion may be disposed above the right handle rotation axis.

[0014] If the upper end of the left grip portion (right grip portion) cannot be raised above the left handle rotation axis (right handle rotation axis), when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as seen by the user may not be low enough. As a result, the user may not be able to carry the electric device stably. According to the above configuration, since the upper end of the left grip portion (right grip portion) can be raised above the left handle rotation axis (right handle rotation axis), when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the electric device stably.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the left handle rotation axis and the right handle rotation axis may be disposed above a horizontal plane that bisects the electrical device in the vertical direction.

[0016] When the left handle rotation axis (right handle rotation axis) is disposed below the horizontal plane (also referred to as the bisecting horizontal plane in this specification) that bisects the electrical device in the vertical direction, the attachment position of the left handle (right handle) to the main body case becomes relatively low. For this reason, when the user carries the electrical device, the position of the center of gravity of the electrical device as viewed by the user does not become sufficiently low, and there is a possibility that the user cannot carry the electrical device stably. According to the above configuration, since the left handle rotation axis (right handle rotation axis) is disposed above the bisecting horizontal plane, the attachment position of the left handle (right handle) to the main body case becomes relatively high. Thereby, when the user carries the electrical device, the position of the center of gravity of the electrical device as viewed by the user can be made sufficiently low, so that the user can carry the electrical device stably.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, when the left handle is in the left raised position, the lower end of the left gripping portion may be disposed above a horizontal plane that bisects the electrical device in the vertical direction. When the right handle is in the right raised position, the lower end of the right gripping portion may be disposed above the horizontal plane that bisects the electrical device in the vertical direction.

[0018] If the lower end of the left gripping part (right gripping part) cannot be raised above the bisecting horizontal plane, when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as seen by the user may not be low enough. As a result, there is a possibility that the user cannot carry the electric device stably. According to the above configuration, since the lower end of the left gripping part (right gripping part) can be raised above the bisecting horizontal plane, when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the electric device stably.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the accommodation space of the main body case may be open upward. The electric device may be provided above the main body case, and may further include a lid for opening and closing the accommodation space. When the left handle is in the left raised position, the upper end of the left gripping part may be disposed above the upper end of the main body case. When the right handle is in the right raised position, the upper end of the right gripping part may be disposed above the upper end of the main body case.

[0020] If the upper end of the left gripping part (right gripping part) cannot be raised above the upper end of the main body case, when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as seen by the user may not be low enough. As a result, there is a possibility that the user cannot carry the electric device stably. According to the above configuration, since the upper end of the left gripping part (right gripping part) can be raised above the upper end of the main body case, when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the electric device stably.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, when the left handle is in the left raised position, the distance between the outer surface of the main body case and the outer surface of the left grip portion may be 25 mm or more. When the right handle is in the right raised position, the distance between the outer surface of the main body case and the outer surface of the right grip portion may be 25 mm or more.

[0022] When the hand of the user gripping the left grip portion (right grip portion) contacts the outer surface of the main body case, there is a risk of causing discomfort to the user. According to the above configuration, a gap sufficiently larger than the thickness of the user's hand is provided between the outer surface of the main body case and the outer surface of the left grip portion (right grip portion). Thereby, it is possible to suppress the hand of the user gripping the left grip portion (right grip portion) from contacting the outer surface of the main body case, and thus it is possible to suppress causing discomfort to the user.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the electric device may further include a lid movable between an open position for opening the accommodation space and a closed position for closing the accommodation space with respect to the main body case. When the lid is in the closed position and the left handle is in the left raised position, the distance between the outer surface of the lid and the outer surface of the left grip portion may be 25 mm or more. When the lid is in the closed position and the right handle is in the right raised position, the distance between the outer surface of the lid and the outer surface of the right grip portion may be 25 mm or more.

[0024] When the hand of the user gripping the left grip portion (right grip portion) contacts the outer surface of the lid, there is a risk of causing discomfort to the user. According to the above configuration, a gap sufficiently larger than the thickness of the user's hand is provided between the outer surface of the lid and the outer surface of the left grip portion (right grip portion). Thereby, it is possible to suppress the hand of the user gripping the left grip portion (right grip portion) from contacting the outer surface of the lid, and thus it is possible to suppress causing discomfort to the user.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, when the left handle is in the left raised position and the right handle is in the right raised position, the lower end of the left grip portion and the lower end of the right grip portion may be disposed above the center of gravity of the electric device with the battery pack attached to the battery attachment portion.

[0026] If the lower end of the left grip portion (right grip portion) cannot be raised above the center of gravity of the electric device, when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as viewed by the user may not be low enough. As a result, the user may not be able to carry the electric device stably. According to the above configuration, since the lower end of the left grip portion (right grip portion) can be raised above the center of gravity of the electric device, when the user carries the electric device, the position of the center of gravity of the electric device as viewed by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the electric device stably.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the main body case may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the front-rear direction is the short side direction and the left-right direction is the long side direction.

[0028] For example, a single user may hold the left grip portion with one hand and the right grip portion with the other hand to carry the electric device. In this case, since the main body case is disposed in front of the user's body, if the front-rear direction of the main body case is the long side direction, the main body case may interfere with the user's body. Thereby, it may become difficult for the user to carry the electric device. On the contrary, according to the above configuration, since the front-rear direction of the main body case is the short side direction, it is possible to suppress the main body case from interfering with the user's body when the user carries the electric device. Thereby, it becomes easy for the user to carry the electric device.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the battery attachment portion may be disposed inside the accommodation space.

[0030] If the battery attachment part is arranged outside the accommodation space (for example, on the outer surface of the main body case), the battery pack attached to the battery attachment part will be exposed outside the accommodation space. In this case, the battery pack may hit other objects (for example, tools, the ground, a wall) and be damaged. According to the above configuration, since the battery attachment part is arranged inside the accommodation space, the battery pack attached to the battery attachment part is suppressed from being exposed outside the accommodation space. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the battery pack from hitting other objects and being damaged.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the accommodation space of the main body case may be open upward. The electric device may be provided above the main body case, and may further include a lid for opening and closing the accommodation space. The battery pack may be attached to the battery attachment part by sliding it along the vertical direction with respect to the battery attachment part.

[0032] According to the above configuration, it becomes easy for the user to attach and detach the battery pack to and from the battery attachment part.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the carrying case may be provided on the main body case, and may further include a battery attachment part to which the battery pack is detachably attached.

[0034] According to the above configuration, by attaching the battery pack to the battery attachment part, the battery pack can be positioned with respect to the carrying case.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may include a main body case that defines an accommodation space, a battery attachment portion provided on the main body case to which a battery pack used as a power source for a power tool is detachably attached, an external terminal provided on the main body case and electrically connected to the battery pack via the battery attachment portion, a first surface that is a side surface of the main body case, a first handle provided on the first surface, and a first leg portion provided on the first surface. The first handle may be movable between a storage position arranged along the first surface with respect to the main body case and a deployed position protruding from the first surface. By bringing the first leg portion into contact with a placement surface, the electrical device may be placed on the placement surface such that the first surface faces the placement surface. When the first handle is in the storage position and the first leg portion is in contact with the placement surface so that the electrical device is placed on the placement surface, the vertical lower end of the first handle may be arranged vertically above the vertical lower end of the first leg portion.

[0036] In some cases, the electrical device may be placed on the placement surface such that the first surface of the main body case faces the placement surface. In this case, if the first handle provided on the first surface comes into contact with the placement surface, dirt (e.g., sand) present on the placement surface may adhere to the first handle. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when the electrical device is placed on the placement surface such that the first surface of the main body case faces the placement surface, the vertical lower end of the first handle is arranged vertically above the vertical lower end of the first leg portion that contacts the placement surface. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the first handle from contacting the placement surface, and thus it is possible to suppress dirt present on the placement surface from adhering to the first handle.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the first handle may be rotatable about a first handle rotation axis between the storage position and the deployed position with respect to the main body case.

[0038] According to the above configuration, a configuration for moving the first handle between the storage position and the deployed position can be realized by a simple mechanism.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the first leg portion may include a contact portion that contacts the placement surface. A rubber material may be used for the contact portion.

[0040] According to the above configuration, when the first leg portion (contact portion) is brought into contact with the placement surface and the electrical device is placed on the placement surface, the frictional resistance generated between the first leg portion (contact portion) and the placement surface becomes relatively large. Thereby, even if an impact or vibration is applied to the electrical device, it is possible to suppress a change in the position of the electrical device with respect to the placement surface.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may further include a second surface that is a side surface of the main body case and faces in a direction opposite to the first surface, and a second handle provided on the second surface.

[0042] According to the above configuration, the user can hold and carry the electrical device by gripping the first handle with one hand and the second handle with the other hand. Thereby, it becomes easier for the user to carry the electrical device.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may further include a third surface that is a side surface of the main body case and is different from the first surface and the second surface, and a second leg portion provided on the third surface. By bringing the second leg portion into contact with the placement surface, the electrical device may be placed on the placement surface such that the third surface faces the placement surface.

[0044] According to the above configuration, the electrical device can be placed on the placement surface such that the surface (third surface) on which the first handle and the second handle are not provided faces the placement surface.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the carrying case may be a carrying case for a user to carry at least one of a hand tool, a power tool, and a battery pack used for the power supply of the power tool. The carrying case may include a main body case defining an accommodation space, a first surface that is a side surface of the main body case, a first handle provided on the first surface, and a first leg portion provided on the first surface. The first handle may be movable between a storage position arranged along the first surface with respect to the main body case and a deployment position protruding from the first surface. By bringing the first leg portion into contact with a placement surface, the carrying case may be placed on the placement surface such that the first surface faces the placement surface. When the first handle is in the storage position and the first leg portion is in contact with the placement surface so that the carrying case is placed on the placement surface, the vertical lower end of the first handle may be arranged vertically above the vertical lower end of the first leg portion.

[0046] In some cases, the carrying case may be placed on the placement surface such that the first surface of the main body case faces the placement surface. In this case, if the first handle provided on the first surface comes into contact with the placement surface, dirt (e.g., sand) present on the placement surface may adhere to the first handle. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when the carrying case is placed on the placement surface such that the first surface of the main body case faces the placement surface, the vertical lower end of the first handle is arranged vertically above the vertical lower end of the first leg portion that contacts the placement surface. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the first handle from coming into contact with the placement surface, and thus it is possible to suppress dirt present on the placement surface from adhering to the first handle.

[0047] (Example 1: Charger 2) The charger 2 shown in Fig. 1 is an electrical device capable of charging a plurality of battery packs B. The charger 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The charger 2 includes a main body case 4 that defines an accommodation space S1 for accommodating an object (e.g., the battery pack B), and a lid 6 that opens and closes the accommodation space S1. For the main body case 4 of the present embodiment, for example, PC + ABS (polycarbonate-based polymer alloy) is used. For the lid 6, for example, PC (polycarbonate) is used. The lid 6 is movable between an open position (see Fig. 1) where the accommodation space S1 is opened with respect to the main body case 4 and a closed position (see Fig. 2) where the accommodation space S1 is closed. The user can take in and out an object from the accommodation space S1 with the lid 6 moved to the open position. Further, an external terminal 8 for connecting a dedicated AC adapter (not shown) is provided on the main body case 4. The AC adapter can convert AC power supplied from an external power source such as a commercial power supply into DC power and supply the DC power to the charger 2.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the charger 2 can be placed on a placement surface P such as the ground so that the accommodation space S1 is opened upward in the vertical direction, and the top surface of the lid 6 in the closed position faces upward in the vertical direction. The vertical upward direction mentioned here can also be said to be the direction perpendicular to the placement surface P. In this specification, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the charger 2 are defined based on the posture of the charger 2 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Specifically, when the charger 2 is in the posture shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the vertical up-down direction is defined as the up-down direction of the charger 2. And the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and along the longitudinal direction of the charger 2 is defined as the left-right direction of the charger 2. Among the left-right directions, the direction along which the lid 6 moves from the open position (see Fig. 1) to the closed position (see Fig. 2) is defined as the left direction, and the direction along which the lid 6 moves from the closed position to the open position is defined as the right direction. And the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction is defined as the front-rear direction of the charger 2. Among the front-rear directions, the direction in which the external terminal 8 is exposed is defined as the rear direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the front direction. In some drawings after Fig. 2 (Figs. 3 - 9, Figs. 12 - 20), the illustration of the placement surface P is omitted.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, a tray member 10 is fixed to the main body case 4. The tray member 10 includes a front wall portion 12, a rear wall portion 14, and a bottom wall portion 16. The front wall portion 12 extends in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions along the front wall of the main body case 4. The rear wall portion 14 extends in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions along the rear wall of the main body case 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom wall portion 16 extends in the front-rear, left-right directions at a position spaced apart from the bottom wall of the main body case 4. As shown in FIG. 3, eight battery attachment portions 18 are provided on the tray member 10. Four battery attachment portions 18 are provided on the rear surface of the front wall portion 12, and four battery attachment portions 18 are provided on the front surface of the rear wall portion 14. The battery attachment portion 18 includes a guide rail 20 and a latch receiver 22. When attaching the battery pack B (see FIG. 1) to the battery attachment portion 18, the battery pack B is slid downward with respect to the battery attachment portion 18. As a result, when the guide rail 20 enters a guide groove (not shown) provided in the battery pack B and a latch 24 (see FIG. 1) provided in the battery pack B engages with the latch receiver 22, the attachment of the battery pack B is completed. Thereafter, when removing the battery pack B from the battery attachment portion 18, the latch 24 is operated to release the engagement between the latch 24 and the latch receiver 22, and the battery pack B is slid upward with respect to the battery attachment portion 18. As a result, when the guide rail 20 comes out of the guide groove of the battery pack B, the removal of the battery pack B is completed. Also, eight connection terminals 26 (partially not shown) are provided on the rear surface of the front wall portion 12 and the front surface of the rear wall portion 14. One connection terminal 26 is provided for each battery attachment portion 18. The connection terminal 26 is electrically connected to the battery pack B attached to the battery attachment portion 18. When the charger 2 charges the battery pack B, power is supplied from the charger 2 to the battery pack B via the connection terminal 26. Also, eight charging status display portions 28 are provided on the upper surface of the front wall portion 12 and the upper surface of the rear wall portion 14. One charging status display portion 28 is provided for each battery attachment portion 18. The charging status display portion 28 includes a light-emitting element (for example, an LED) not shown and a display window 30 through which the light emitted by the light-emitting element passes.The charging status display unit 28 displays the charging status of the battery pack B attached to the battery attachment unit 18 by the light emitted by the light-emitting element. For example, the charging status display unit 28 displays that the battery pack B is being charged, that the charging of the battery pack B is completed, and that an abnormality (for example, overcurrent) has occurred during the charging of the battery pack B.

[0050] The battery pack B shown in FIG. 1 is used as a power source for a power tool (for example, a driver, a chainsaw) (not shown) and is configured to be detachable from the power tool. The unit weight of the battery pack B is, for example, 2 kg. Further, the weight of the charger 2 in a state where the battery pack B is not attached to any of the eight battery attachment units 18 is, for example, 6 kg. Therefore, the weight of the charger 2 in a state where the battery pack B is attached to all of the eight battery attachment units 18 is, for example, 22 kg.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the charger 2 further includes a control board 32 that controls the charger 2. The control board 32 is disposed in a board arrangement space S2 provided below the tray member 10 in the main body case 4. The accommodation space S1 and the board arrangement space S2 are isolated from each other by the tray member 10. The control board 32 is electrically connected to the external terminal 8, the connection terminal 26, and the charging status display unit 28 via a wiring (not shown) provided in the board arrangement space S2. The control board 32 can charge the battery pack B, for example, by supplying the power supplied to the charger 2 via the external terminal 8 to the battery pack B via the connection terminal 26.

[0052] (Regarding the connection mechanism 34) As shown in FIG. 5, the charger 2 further includes a connection mechanism 34 that connects the main body case 4 and the lid 6 to each other. The connection mechanism 34 is disposed on the right side surface of the charger 2. The connection mechanism 34 includes a first connection member 36 and a second connection member 38 disposed forward when viewed from the first connection member 36. The first connection member 36 and the second connection member 38 are each detachably attached to the main body case 4.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 6, the first connecting member 36 includes a first connecting pin 40. The first connecting pin 40 extends in the front-rear direction. The main body case 4 is provided with a first case-side shaft cylinder portion 42 for inserting the first connecting pin 40. The lid 6 is provided with a first lid-side shaft cylinder portion 44 for inserting the first connecting pin 40. The first connecting pin 40 is inserted into each of the first case-side shaft cylinder portion 42 and the first lid-side shaft cylinder portion 44, thereby rotatably connecting the main body case 4 and the lid 6 to each other. Further, the second connecting member 38 includes a second connecting pin 46. The second connecting pin 46 extends in the front-rear direction. The main body case 4 is provided with a second case-side shaft cylinder portion 48 for inserting the second connecting pin 46. The lid 6 is provided with a second lid-side shaft cylinder portion 50 for inserting the second connecting pin 46. The second connecting pin 46 is inserted into each of the second case-side shaft cylinder portion 48 and the second lid-side shaft cylinder portion 50, thereby rotatably connecting the main body case 4 and the lid 6 to each other. Therefore, the lid 6 is configured to move between the open position shown in Fig. 1 and the closed position shown in Fig. 2 by rotating about the first connecting pin 40 and the second connecting pin 46. In this specification, the opening degree of the lid 6 is indicated by the rotation angle of the lid 6 with respect to the closed position. The opening degree of the lid 6 when in the open position shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, within the range of 45 degrees to 180 degrees, and is 115 degrees in this embodiment.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 6, the first connecting member 36 further includes a first operating portion 52. The first operating portion 52 includes a holding portion 54 that holds the front end of the first connecting pin 40, a protruding portion 56 that protrudes upward from the holding portion 54, an extending portion 58 that extends downward from the holding portion 54, a finger-hooking portion 60 connected to the lower end of the extending portion 58, a wall portion 62 connected to the front end of the extending portion 58, and an engaging rib 64 provided on the right surface of the extending portion 58. The wall portion 62 extends in the vertical and horizontal directions (directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the first connecting pin 40). The finger-hooking portion 60, the wall portion 62, and the engaging rib 64 are each offset downward (in the radial direction of the first connecting pin 40) with respect to the first connecting pin 40. Further, the second connecting member 38 further includes a second operating portion 66. The second operating portion 66 includes a holding portion 68, a protruding portion 70, an extending portion 72, a finger-hooking portion 74, a wall portion 76, and an engaging rib 78. Since the shape of the second operating portion 66 is symmetric with respect to the first operating portion 52 of the first connecting member 36 in a mirror image, the description thereof is omitted.

[0055] The main body case 4 is provided with a guide portion 80 that slidably receives the first operating portion 52 and the second operating portion 66 in the front-rear direction (axial direction of the connecting pins 40 and 46). The guide portion 80 includes a guide surface 82 that slidably abuts against the left surfaces of the first operating portion 52 and the second operating portion 66 in the front-rear direction, and a guide wall 84 that slidably supports the lower ends of the first operating portion 52 and the second operating portion 66 in the front-rear direction. Further, an engaging piece 86 is provided on the main body case 4 at a position facing the right surface of the extending portion 58. An engaging groove 88 that engages with the engaging rib 64 is formed on the left surface of the engaging piece 86. Similarly, an engaging piece 90 is provided on the main body case 4 at a position facing the right surface of the extending portion 72. An engaging groove 92 that engages with the engaging rib 78 is formed on the left surface of the engaging piece 90.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, the first connecting member 36 and the second connecting member 38 are usually attached to the outer surface of the main body case 4. That is, in the first connecting member 36, the first connecting pin 40 (see FIG. 6) is inserted through the first case-side shaft cylinder portion 42 and the first lid-side shaft cylinder portion 44, and the engaging rib 64 (see FIG. 6) is engaged with the engaging groove 88 (see FIG. 6). In this specification, the position of the first connecting member 36 at this time is referred to as the "first connecting position". Further, in the second connecting member 38, the second connecting pin 46 (see FIG. 6) is inserted through the second case-side shaft cylinder portion 48 and the second lid-side shaft cylinder portion 50, and the engaging rib 78 (see FIG. 6) is engaged with the engaging groove 92 (see FIG. 6). In this specification, the position of the second connecting member 38 at this time is referred to as the "second connecting position".

[0057] The lid 6 is provided with an interference convex portion 94. The interference convex portion 94 protrudes downward from the lower end portion of the right wall of the lid 6. When the lid 6 is in the closed position, when viewed along the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the connecting pins 40, 46), the interference convex portion 94 overlaps with the protruding portion 56 (the protruding portion 70 of the second connecting member 38) (see FIG. 6) of the first connecting member 36. In this state, even if the user tries to move the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) forward (backward) from the first connecting position (the second connecting position), the protruding portion 56 (the protruding portion 70) interferes with the interference convex portion 94. Thereby, it is prohibited to move the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) further forward (backward). However, as shown in FIG. 7, when the opening degree of the lid 6 exceeds a predetermined interference avoidance opening degree, when viewed along the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the connecting pins 40, 46), the interference convex portion 94 does not overlap with the protruding portion 56 (the protruding portion 70) (see FIG. 6). For this reason, when moving the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) forward (backward) from the first connecting position (the second connecting position), the protruding portion 56 (the protruding portion 70) does not interfere with the interference convex portion 94. Therefore, it is allowed to move the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) in the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the connecting pins 40, 46). The interference avoidance opening degree mentioned here is, for example, within the range of 45 degrees to 180 degrees, and in this embodiment, it is 90 degrees.

[0058] When the opening degree of the lid 6 exceeds the interference avoidance opening degree, the user can release the engagement between the engagement rib 64 and the engagement groove 88 by applying a forward force to the first connecting member 36, and move the first connecting member 36 forward from the first connecting position. At this time, the user can put a finger on the finger hook portion 60 and apply a forward force to the finger hook portion 60 (the first connecting member 36). Alternatively, the user can insert a plate-like element (not shown) such as a coin into the gap formed between the rear surface of the wall portion 62 and the front surface of the engaging piece 86, and use the plate-like element as a lever to apply a forward force to the wall portion 62 (the first connecting member 36). In this case, the portion of the plate-like element that contacts the engaging piece 86 becomes the fulcrum, the point where the plate-like element contacts the user becomes the effort point, and the portion of the plate-like element that contacts the wall portion 62 becomes the point of application of force.

[0059] Also, when the opening degree of the lid 6 exceeds the interference avoidance opening degree, the user can release the engagement between the engagement rib 78 and the engagement groove 92 by applying a rearward force to the second connecting member 38, and move the second connecting member 38 rearward from the second connecting position. At this time, the user can put a finger on the finger hook portion 74 and apply a rearward force to the finger hook portion 74 (the second connecting member 38). Alternatively, the user can insert a plate-like element (not shown) such as a coin into the gap formed between the front surface of the wall portion 76 and the rear surface of the engaging piece 90, and use the plate-like element as a lever to apply a rearward force to the wall portion 76 (the second connecting member 38). In this case, the portion of the plate-like element that contacts the engaging piece 90 becomes the fulcrum, the point where the plate-like element contacts the user becomes the effort point, and the portion of the plate-like element that contacts the wall portion 76 becomes the point of application of force.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 8, when the first connecting member 36 is moved forward from the first connecting position (the position shown in Fig. 7), the first connecting pin 40 comes out of the first lid-side shaft cylinder portion 44 (see Fig. 6), whereby the connection between the main body case 4 and the lid 6 by the first connecting pin 40 is released. In this specification, the position of the first connecting member 36 when the first connecting pin 40 comes out of the first lid-side shaft cylinder portion 44 is referred to as the "first connection release position". When the first connecting member 36 is further moved forward from there, the first connecting pin 40 also comes out of the first case-side shaft cylinder portion 42 (see Fig. 6). Thereby, the first connecting member 36 can be removed from the main body case 4. Note that the second connecting member 38 at the second connecting position is arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the first connecting member 36 in the process in which the first connecting pin 40 is pulled out from the first case-side shaft cylinder portion 42 and the first lid-side shaft cylinder portion 44.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 9, when the second connecting member 38 is moved backward from the second connecting position (the positions shown in Figs. 7 and 8), the second connecting pin 46 comes out of the second lid-side shaft cylinder portion 50 (see Fig. 6), whereby the connection between the main body case 4 and the lid 6 by the second connecting pin 46 is released. In this specification, the position of the second connecting member 38 when the second connecting pin 46 comes out of the second lid-side shaft cylinder portion 50 is referred to as the "second connection release position". When the second connecting member 38 is further moved backward from there, the second connecting pin 46 also comes out of the second case-side shaft cylinder portion 48 (see Fig. 6). Thereby, the second connecting member 38 can be removed from the main body case 4.

[0062] In the example shown in Figs. 7 - 9, the second connecting member 38 is removed after the first connecting member 36 is removed. However, differently from this, the first connecting member 36 may be removed after the second connecting member 38 is removed.

[0063] In this embodiment, when one of the first connecting member 36 and the second connecting member 38 is removed from the main body case 4 and the other of the first connecting member 36 and the second connecting member 38 is moved to the disconnection position, the connection between the main body case 4 and the lid 6 is released, and the lid 6 can be removed from the main body case 4. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, by installing the charger 2 in the state where the lid 6 is removed from the main body case 4, when the user accesses the accommodation space S1, there is no need to open and close the lid 6. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to access the accommodation space S1. Further, in this state, since the size of the charger 2 is reduced by the absence of the lid 6, the space required for installing the charger 2 is reduced.

[0064] When attaching the lid 6 removed from the main body case 4 back to the main body case 4 as shown in FIG. 6, first, the lid 6 and the main body case 4 are aligned so that the first lid-side shaft cylinder portion 44, the first case-side shaft cylinder portion 42, the second case-side shaft cylinder portion 48, and the second lid-side shaft cylinder portion 50 are aligned in the axial direction of each other. Then, after adjusting the posture of the lid 6 with respect to the main body case 4 so that the opening degree of the lid 6 exceeds the interference avoidance opening degree, the first connecting member 36 and the second connecting member 38 are attached. Note that the attachment procedure of the first connecting member 36 and the second connecting member 38 corresponds to the reverse of the removal procedure of the first connecting member 36 and the second connecting member 38 described with reference to FIGS. 7-9, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0065] (Regarding the fastener 96 and the locking portion 100) As shown in FIG. 2, on the left surface of the main body case 4, there is provided a fastener 96 (e.g., a snap lock) for holding the lid 6 in the closed position. The lid 6 is provided with a groove 98 for passing the fastener 96. Further, in front of the fastener 96 and the groove 98, on the left part of the charger 2, there is provided a locking part 100 for locking with a padlock (not shown). The locking part 100 includes a case-side locking hole 102 provided in the main body case 4 and a lid-side locking hole 104 provided in the lid 6. The user can lock the locking part 100 by passing the shackle of the padlock through the case-side locking hole 102 and the lid-side locking hole 104. In the state where the locking part 100 is locked, it is prohibited to move the lid 6 from the closed position to the open position. Specifically, in the state where the locking part 100 is locked, the lid 6 can only be opened to such an extent that objects (e.g., the battery pack B) cannot be taken in and out through the accommodation space S1.

[0066] (Regarding the sealing member 110) As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 6 is formed with a mating groove 108 for receiving the opening end 106 of the main body case 4. The mating groove 108 is provided at the end of the side wall of the lid 6. As shown in FIG. 12, a sealing member 110 is accommodated in the mating groove 108. As shown in FIG. 4, when the lid 6 is in the closed position, the opening end 106 of the main body case 4 enters the mating groove 108, and the sealing member 110 accommodated in the mating groove 108 is crushed between the opening end 106 of the main body case 4 and the bottom surface of the mating groove 108. Therefore, when the lid 6 is in the closed position, the space between the main body case 4 and the lid 6 is sealed by the sealing member 110. Thereby, it is suppressed that liquid such as water enters from the outside of the main body case 4 into the inside of the main body case 4 (i.e., the accommodation space S1).

[0067] (Regarding the surface treatment of the lid 6) The lid 6 of this embodiment has visible light transmissibility. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the inside of the main body case 4 (i.e., the accommodation space S1) through the lid 6.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, the outer surface of the lid 6 includes a clear surface 112 and a patterned surface 114. The clear surface 112 has the advantage of high visible light transmittance, although scratches are more noticeable when it is scratched. On the other hand, although the visible light transmittance of the patterned surface 114 is lower than that of the clear surface 112, it has the advantage that scratches are less noticeable when it is scratched. In FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, for simplicity of illustration, the patterned surface 114 is provided with a mesh pattern. However, the pattern of the patterned surface 114 is not limited to the mesh pattern. The pattern of the patterned surface 114 may be, for example, a pattern imitating the wrinkles (so-called shibo) formed on the surface of a leather product.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 13, substantially the entire left surface of the lid 6 is the clear surface 112. Substantially the entire rear surface of the lid 6 is the patterned surface 114. Further, the upper surface of the lid 6 includes a top surface 116, a first concave surface 118 recessed downward from the top surface 116 by a first depth (for example, 2 mm), a second concave surface 120 recessed downward from the top surface 116 by a second depth (for example, 3 mm), and a third concave surface 122 recessed downward from the top surface 116 by a third depth (for example, 4 mm). Among the upper surface of the lid 6, the top surface 116 is the patterned surface 114. Among the upper surface of the lid 6, the first concave surface 118, the second concave surface 120, and the third concave surface 122 are the clear surface 112.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 14, when the charger 2 is viewed from above with the lid 6 in the closed position, the display window 30 of the charging status display unit 28 entirely overlaps with the first concave surface 118 (clear surface 112). Therefore, when the user views the charging status display unit 28 from above through the lid 6, the user can visually recognize the charging status display unit 28 relatively clearly.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 15, substantially the entire front surface of the lid 6 is the patterned surface 114. Substantially the entire right surface of the lid 6 is the clear surface 112.

[0072] (Regarding the left handle 124 and the right handle 136) As shown in FIG. 2, a left handle 124 is attached to the left side surface of the main body case 4. The weight of the left handle 124 is, for example, 100 g. The left handle 124 includes a front arm portion 126, a rear arm portion 128, and a grip portion 130. The grip portion 130 extends in the front-rear direction and connects between one end of the front arm portion 126 and one end of the rear arm portion 128. The other end of the front arm portion 126 and the other end of the rear arm portion 128 are respectively rotatably attached to the main body case 4 about a handle rotation axis AL (see FIGS. 16 and 17) extending in the front-rear direction. Further, the main body case 4 is provided with a handle accommodation recess 132 formed by concaving the left side surface of the main body case 4 rightward. The handle accommodation recess 132 has a shape corresponding to the left handle 124. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the left handle 124 is partially accommodated in the handle accommodation recess 132. Also, the right side surface of the left handle 124 is in contact with the bottom surface of the handle accommodation recess 132. In this state, the left handle 124 cannot be further rotated clockwise when viewed from the front. FIG. 16 shows a view of the charger 2 in this state as viewed from the front. When the left handle 124 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front from the position shown in FIG. 16, eventually, the upper surface of the left handle 124 comes into contact with a stopper surface 134 provided on the main body case 4 (see FIG. 17). In the state where the upper surface of the left handle 124 is in contact with the stopper surface 134 as shown in FIG. 17, the left handle 124 cannot be further rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front. Therefore, the left handle 124 is rotatable between the position shown in FIG. 16 and the position shown in FIG. 17. During the rotation of the left handle 124, the vertical position of the grip portion 130 is at the lowest position when the left handle 124 is in the position shown in FIG. 16 and at the highest position when the left handle 124 is in the position shown in FIG. 17. For this reason, in this specification, the position of the left handle 124 shown in FIG. 16 is referred to as the "left lower position", and the position of the left handle 124 shown in FIG. 17 is referred to as the "left upper position".

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5, a right handle 136 is attached to the right side surface of the main body case 4. The weight of the right handle 136 is, for example, 100 g. The right handle 136 includes a front arm portion 138, a rear arm portion 140, and a grip portion 142. The grip portion 142 extends in the front-rear direction and connects between one end of the front arm portion 138 and one end of the rear arm portion 140. The other end of the front arm portion 138 and the other end of the rear arm portion 140 are respectively rotatably attached to the main body case 4 about a handle rotation axis AR (see FIGS. 16 and 17) that extends in the front-rear direction. Further, the main body case 4 is provided with a handle housing recess 144 formed by recessing the right side surface of the main body case 4 leftward. The handle housing recess 144 has a shape corresponding to the right handle 136. In the state shown in FIG. 5, the right handle 136 is partially housed in the handle housing recess 144. Also, the left side surface of the right handle 136 is in contact with the bottom surface of the handle housing recess 144. In this state, the right handle 136 cannot be further rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front. FIG. 16 shows a view of the charger 2 in this state as viewed from the front. When the right handle 136 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front from the position shown in FIG. 16, eventually, the upper surface of the right handle 136 comes into contact with a stopper surface 146 provided on the main body case 4 (see FIG. 17). In the state where the upper surface of the right handle 136 is in contact with the stopper surface 146 as shown in FIG. 17, the right handle 136 cannot be further rotated clockwise when viewed from the front. Therefore, the right handle 136 is rotatable between the position shown in FIG. 16 and the position shown in FIG. 17. During the rotation of the right handle 136, the vertical position of the grip portion 142 is at the lowest position when the right handle 136 is in the position shown in FIG. 16 and at the highest position when the right handle 136 is in the position shown in FIG. 17. For this reason, in this specification, the position of the right handle 136 shown in FIG. 16 is referred to as the "right-side lowered position", and the position of the right handle 136 shown in FIG. 17 is referred to as the "right-side raised position".

[0074] For example, the user can carry the charger 2 by moving the left handle 124 to the left raised position and the right handle 136 to the right raised position, gripping the gripping portion 130 with one hand and the gripping portion 142 with the other hand. Further, the user can move the left handle 124 to the left lowered position and the right handle 136 to the right lowered position to move the left handle 124 and the right handle 136 to positions where they do not interfere with the opening and closing of the lid 6 or the taking in and out of objects through the storage space S1.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 16, the handle rotation axis AL of the left handle 124 is disposed above the bisecting horizontal plane H that bisects the charger 2 in the vertical direction and above the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2. When the left handle 124 is in the left lowered position, the upper end 130u of the gripping portion 130 is disposed below the handle rotation axis AL and below the bisecting horizontal plane H. Further, the upper end 130u of the gripping portion 130 is disposed below the opening end 106 (i.e., the upper end of the main body case 4) (see FIG. 1) of the main body case 4. Similarly, the handle rotation axis AR of the right handle 136 is disposed above the bisecting horizontal plane H. When the right handle 136 is in the right lowered position, the upper end 142u of the gripping portion 142 is disposed below the handle rotation axis AR and below the bisecting horizontal plane H. Further, the upper end 142u of the gripping portion 142 is disposed below the opening end 106 (i.e., the upper end of the main body case 4) (see FIG. 1) of the main body case 4. Also, the upper end 130u of the gripping portion 130 and the upper end 142u of the gripping portion 142 are each disposed below the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2. In this embodiment, the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2 is determined in a state where the battery packs B are attached to all eight battery attachment portions 18 (see FIG. 3).

[0076] As shown in FIG. 17, when the left handle 124 is in the left ascending position, the lower end 130s of the grip portion 130 is disposed above the handle rotation axis AL and above the bisecting horizontal plane H. Also, the upper end 130u of the grip portion 130 is disposed above the opening end 106 of the main body case 4 (i.e., the upper end of the main body case 4) (see FIG. 1). Similarly, when the right handle 136 is in the right ascending position, the lower end 142s of the grip portion 142 is disposed above the handle rotation axis AR and above the bisecting horizontal plane H. Also, the upper end 142u of the grip portion 142 is disposed above the opening end 106 of the main body case 4 (i.e., the upper end of the main body case 4) (see FIG. 1). Further, the lower end 130s of the grip portion 130 and the lower end 142s of the grip portion 142 are each disposed above the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2. In this embodiment, the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2 is defined at the same position regardless of the positions of the left handle 124 and the right handle 136. This is because the weights of the left handle 124 and the right handle 136 are very small compared to the weight of the charger 2, and even if the positions of the left handle 124 and the right handle 136 change, the position of the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2 does not substantially change.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 14, when the left handle 124 is in the left ascending position, a gap 148 is formed between the outer surface of the grip portion 130 and the outer surfaces of the main body case 4 and the lid 6. The left - right width WL of the gap 148 is, for example, in the range of 25 mm to 55 mm, and is 28 mm in this embodiment. The left - right width WL of the gap 148 can also be said to be the distance between the outer surface of the grip portion 130 and the outer surfaces of the main body case 4 and the lid 6. Similarly, when the right handle 136 is in the right ascending position, a gap 150 is formed between the outer surface of the grip portion 142 and the outer surfaces of the main body case 4 and the lid 6. The left - right width WR of the gap 150 is, for example, in the range of 25 mm to 55 mm, and is 29 mm in this embodiment. The left - right width WR of the gap 150 can also be said to be the distance between the outer surface of the grip portion 142 and the outer surfaces of the main body case 4 and the lid 6.

[0078] (Regarding the legs 154, 156, 158, 160) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the main body case 4 is provided with legs 154, 156, 158, and 160 that protrude from the outer surface of the main body case 4. The legs 154, 156, 158, and 160 include a lower leg 154 provided on the lower surface of the main body case 4, a front leg 156 provided on the front surface of the main body case 4, a rear leg 158 provided on the rear surface of the main body case 4, and a left leg 160 provided on the left surface of the main body case 4. The lower leg 154 abuts on the placement surface P when the charger 2 is placed on the placement surface P such that the downward direction of the charger 2 is vertically downward. The front leg 156 abuts on the placement surface P when the charger 2 is placed on the placement surface P such that the forward direction of the charger 2 is vertically downward. The rear leg 158 abuts on the placement surface P when the charger 2 is placed on the placement surface P such that the rearward direction of the charger 2 is vertically downward. The left leg 160 abuts on the placement surface P when the charger 2 is placed on the placement surface P such that the leftward direction of the charger 2 is vertically downward.

[0079] Among the legs 154, 156, 158, and 160, the front leg 156, the rear leg 158, and the left leg 160 are coated with a rubber material (for example, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber)). That is, a rubber material is used for the front contact portion 156c of the front leg 156 that abuts on the placement surface P, the rear contact portion 158c of the rear leg 158 that abuts on the placement surface P, and the left contact portion 160c of the left leg 160 that abuts on the placement surface P.

[0080] For example, when the charger 2 is placed on a table or a shelf (i.e., a place higher than the ground), if the accommodation space S1 faces vertically upward, it may be difficult for the user to access the accommodation space S1. On the contrary, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the charger 2 can be placed on the placement surface P by bringing the rear leg portion 158 (see FIG. 2) into contact with the placement surface P. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the charger 2 can be placed on the placement surface P by bringing the left leg portion 160 (see FIG. 2) into contact with the placement surface P. Although not shown, the charger 2 can be placed on the placement surface P by bringing the front leg portion 156 into contact with the placement surface P. By these means, since the accommodation space S1 faces horizontally, it becomes easy for the user to access the accommodation space S1.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 16, the left end of the left handle 124 at the left lowered position is arranged to the right of the left end of the left leg portion 160 (left contact portion 160c). For this reason, when the left leg portion 160 is brought into contact with the placement surface P as shown in FIG. 11 with the left handle 124 moved to the left lowered position, the vertical lower end of the left handle 124 (the left end of the left handle 124 in FIG. 16) is arranged vertically above the vertical lower end of the left leg portion 160 (the left end of the left leg portion 160 in FIG. 16). Thereby, since the left handle 124 is prevented from contacting the placement surface P, it is possible to prevent dirt (e.g., sand) existing on the placement surface P from adhering to the left handle 124.

[0082] (Regarding the multiple connection of the charger 2) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the lid 6 is provided with four engaging members 162. Four engaging receiving portions 164 corresponding to the four engaging members 162 are provided at the lower part of the main body case 4. As shown in FIG. 18, in a state where the main body case 4 is placed on the lid 6, the engaging member 162 and the engaging receiving portion 164 can be engaged with each other. To give a specific example, when two chargers 2 are prepared and stacked in the vertical direction, the engaging member 162 of one charger 2 and the engaging receiving portion 164 of the other charger 2 can be engaged with each other. Thereby, the two chargers 2 can be connected to each other.

[0083] Hereinafter, regarding the engagement between the engaging member 162 and the engagement receiving portion 164, the engaging member 162 provided at the left portion of the front surface of the lid 6 (see FIG. 5) and the engagement receiving portion 164 provided at the left portion of the front surface of the main body case 4 (see FIG. 5) will be described with attention.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 19, the engaging member 162 includes an operation portion 166, cavity portions 168a, 168b, 168c, 168d, snap portions 170a, 170b, and shaft portions 172a, 172b. The operation portion 166 is provided at the upper portion of the engaging member 162 and has a shape that can be operated by the user. The cavity portions 168a, 168b, 168c, 168d are respectively formed by recessing the rear portion of the engaging member 162 forward. The cavity portions 168a, 168b are arranged side by side in the left - right direction and are disposed below the operation portion 166. The cavity portions 168c, 168d are arranged side by side in the left - right direction and are disposed below the cavity portions 168a, 168b. The snap portion 170a is provided at the central portion of the left surface of the engaging member 162 and is elastically deformable in the left - right direction. The snap portion 170b is provided at the central portion of the right surface of the engaging member 162 and is elastically deformable in the left - right direction. The shaft portion 172a is provided below the snap portion 170a on the left surface of the engaging member 162 and protrudes leftward from the left surface of the engaging member 162. The shaft portion 172b is provided below the snap portion 170b on the right surface of the engaging member 162 and protrudes rightward from the right surface of the engaging member 162.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 20, the lid 6 is provided with grooves 174a and 174b for receiving the shaft portions 172a and 172b (see FIG. 19) of the engaging member 162 in a vertically movable and circumferentially rotatable manner. Further, the lid 6 is provided with lid-side protrusions 176a and 176b that can enter the cavity portions 168a, 168b, 168c, and 168d of the engaging member 162. When the engaging member 162 is in its normal position (the position shown in FIG. 5), the lid-side protrusions 176a and 176b are inserted into the cavity portions 168a and 168b (see FIG. 19). By the lid-side protrusions 176a and 176b entering the cavity portions 168a and 168b, the engaging member 162 is prohibited from moving vertically with respect to the lid 6. Also, when the engaging member 162 is in its normal position (the position shown in FIG. 5), the snap portions 170a and 170b of the engaging member 162 are snap-fitted into the grooves 174a and 174b. When a force is applied to pull the operation portion 166 forward with respect to the engaging member 162 in its normal position, the snap fit between the snap portions 170a and 170b and the grooves 174a and 174b is released, and the engaging member 162 rotates about the shaft portions 172a and 172b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the lid-side protrusions 176a and 176b come out of the cavity portions 168a and 168b, and the engaging member 162 is allowed to move vertically with respect to the lid 6.

[0086] In a state where the main body case 4 is placed on the lid 6, the engagement receiving portion 164 is disposed above the engagement member 162. The engagement receiving portion 164 is provided with case-side protrusions 178a, 178b that can enter the cavity portions 168a, 168b of the engagement member 162. In a state where the main body case 4 is placed on the lid 6, by moving the engagement member 162 in the vertical direction, the cavity portions 168a, 168b can be aligned with the case-side protrusions 178a, 178b, and the cavity portions 168c, 168d can be aligned with the lid-side protrusions 176a, 176b. Further, when the engagement member 162 is pushed backward from there, the case-side protrusions 178a, 178b enter the cavity portions 168a, 168b, the lid-side protrusions 176a, 176b enter the cavity portions 168c, 168d, and the snap portions 170a, 170b snap-fit into the grooves 174a, 174b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the engagement member 162 and the engagement receiving portion 164 engage with each other. When the operation portion 166 is pulled forward from this state, the snap fit between the snap portions 170a, 170b and the grooves 174a, 174b is released, and the engagement member 162 rotates about the shaft portions 172a, 172b, and the case-side protrusions 178a, 178b and the lid-side protrusions 176a, 176b come out of the cavity portions 168a, 168b, 168c, 168d. Thereby, the engagement between the engagement member 162 and the engagement receiving portion 164 is released.

[0087] (Embodiment 2: Charger 202) The charger 202 shown in FIG. 21 is different from the charger 2 (see FIG. 1) of Embodiment 1 in that a tray member 204 is provided instead of the tray member 10 (see FIG. 4). Other parts of the charger 202 are configured substantially the same as those of the charger 2 of Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the tray member 204.

[0088] The tray member 204 includes a first vertical wall portion 206, a second vertical wall portion 208, a third vertical wall portion 210, and a bottom wall portion 212. The first vertical wall portion 206 extends in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions along the front wall of the main body case 4. The second vertical wall portion 208 extends in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions behind the first vertical wall portion 206. The third vertical wall portion 210 extends in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions behind the second vertical wall portion 208. The bottom wall portion 212 extends along the front-back and left-right directions at a position spaced apart from the bottom wall of the main body case 4, similar to the bottom wall portion 16 (see FIG. 4) of the tray member 10 in the first embodiment. The tray member 204 is provided with eight battery mounting portions 214, eight connection terminals 216, and eight charge status display portions 218. Four battery mounting portions 214 are provided on the rear surface of the first vertical wall portion 206, and four battery mounting portions 214 are provided on the rear surface of the second vertical wall portion 208. One connection terminal 216 and one charge status display portion 218 are provided for each battery mounting portion 214. Since the configurations of the battery mounting portion 214, the connection terminal 216, and the charge status display portion 218 are substantially the same as those of the battery mounting portion 18, the connection terminal 26, and the charge status display portion 28 (see FIG. 3) in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Further, the accommodation space S1 behind the third vertical wall portion 210 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space. In this space, for example, hand tools, power tools, and / or accessories for power tools can be accommodated. In the example of FIG. 21, a power tool T is accommodated in the accommodation space S1 behind the third vertical wall portion 210.

[0089] (Modification example) The charger 2 (charger 202) may be configured to supply the power supplied from the battery pack B to the outside via the external terminal 8. That is, the charger 2 (charger 202) may function as a power supply device that supplies power to the outside.

[0090] The charger 2 (charger 202) may include an operation unit that performs a predetermined operation (for example, heating, keeping warm, keeping cold) using the power supplied from the battery pack B. The charger 2 (charger 202) may function as, for example, a microwave oven, a warming cabinet, or a cold storage.

[0091] The charger 2 (charger 202) does not necessarily include an external terminal 8, a tray member 10 (tray member 204), and a control board 32. In this case, the charger 2 (charger 202) may function as a carrying case for carrying objects.

[0092] A battery attachment portion 18 may be formed on the outer surface of the main body case 4. As a result, the battery pack B may be detachably attached to the outer surface of the main body case 4.

[0093] The arrangement and orientation of the battery attachment portion 18 (battery attachment portion 214) in the tray member 10 (tray member 204) may be changed. As a result, the sliding direction of the battery pack B when attaching and detaching the battery pack B to and from the battery attachment portion 18 (battery attachment portion 214) may be a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction (for example, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction).

[0094] The main body case 4 may have a shape different from a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially hexagonal prism shape).

[0095] The main body case 4 and the lid 6 may be slidably connected to each other. For example, a long hole extending in the left-right direction may be formed in the lid 6, and the first connecting pin 40 and the second connecting pin 46 may be inserted into the long hole. By sliding the first connecting pin 40 and the second connecting pin 46 in the left-right direction with respect to the long hole, the lid 6 may be slid in the left-right direction with respect to the main body case 4. Also in this case, by removing the first connecting pin 40 and the second connecting pin 46 from the main body case 4, the connection between the main body case 4 and the lid 6 may be released.

[0096] (See FIG. 6) The finger hook portion 60 and / or the wall portion 62 may be arranged side by side with the first connecting pin 40 in the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the first connecting pin 40). Also, the finger hook portion 74 and / or the wall portion 76 may be arranged side by side with the second connecting pin 46 in the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the second connecting pin 46).

[0097] (See FIG. 6) Instead of being provided on the main body case 4, the guide portion 80 and the engaging pieces 86, 90 may be provided on the lid 6. That is, instead of being attached to the main body case 4, the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) may be attached to the lid 6. Further, in this case, the interference convex portion 94 may be provided on the main body case 4.

[0098] (See FIG. 6) Instead of being provided on the outer surface of the main body case 4, the guide portion 80 and the engaging pieces 86, 90 may be provided on the inner surface of the main body case 4 (inside the accommodation space S1). That is, instead of being attached to the outer surface of the main body case 4, the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) may be attached to the inner surface of the main body case 4 (inside the accommodation space S1).

[0099] (See FIG. 5) The lid 6 may not be provided with the interference convex portion 94. In this case, regardless of the opening degree of the lid 6, it may be allowed to move the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) between the first connecting position (the second connecting position) and the first connecting release position (the second connecting release position).

[0100] (See FIG. 6) The first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) may not be provided with the engaging rib 64 (the engaging rib 78). Further, the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) may not be provided with the finger hook portion 60 (the finger hook portion 74). Further, the first connecting member 36 (the second connecting member 38) may not be provided with the wall portion 62 (the wall portion 76).

[0101] (See FIGS. 2 and 5) The configuration for changing the position of the gripping portion 130 (the gripping portion 142) of the left handle 124 (the right handle 136) may be realized by means other than rotatably attaching the left handle 124 (the right handle 136) to the main body case 4. For example, this configuration may be realized by slidably attaching the left handle 124 (the right handle 136) to the main body case 4. Alternatively, this configuration may be realized by providing a telescopic mechanism (for example, a telescopic) on the arm portions 126, 128 (the arm portions 138, 140) of the left handle 124 (the right handle 136).

[0102] (See FIGS. 16 and 17) The arrangement and shape of the left handle 124 may be changed. As a result, the handle rotation axis AL of the left handle 124 may be disposed below the bisecting horizontal plane H. When the left handle 124 is in the left raised position, the lower end 130s of the gripping portion 130 may be disposed below the handle rotation axis AL. When the left handle 124 is in the left raised position, the lower end 130s of the gripping portion 130 may be disposed below the bisecting horizontal plane H. When the left handle 124 is in the left raised position, the upper end 130u of the gripping portion 130 may be disposed below the opening end 106 (i.e., the upper end of the main body case 4) of the main body case 4 (see FIG. 1). The left-right width WL of the gap 148 may be smaller than 25 mm or may be larger than 55 mm.

[0103] (See FIGS. 16 and 17) The arrangement and shape of the right handle 136 may be changed. As a result, the handle rotation axis AR of the right handle 136 may be disposed below the bisecting horizontal plane H. When the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the lower end 142s of the gripping portion 142 may be disposed below the handle rotation axis AR. When the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the lower end 142s of the gripping portion 142 may be disposed below the bisecting horizontal plane H. When the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the upper end 142u of the gripping portion 142 may be disposed below the opening end 106 (i.e., the upper end of the main body case 4) of the main body case 4 (see FIG. 1). The left-right width WR of the gap 150 may be smaller than 25 mm or may be larger than 55 mm.

[0104] When the left handle 124 is in the left raised position and the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the lower end 130s of the gripping portion 130 and the lower end 142s of the gripping portion 142 may each be disposed below the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2 (charger 202).

[0105] (See FIGS. 2 and 5) The charger 2 (charger 202) may not include the front legs 156 and / or the rear legs 158.

[0106] (See FIGS. 2 and 5) The front leg 156, the rear leg 158, and / or the left leg 160 may not be coated with a rubber material. That is, the same material as that of the main body case 4 (for example, PC + ABS) may be used for the front leg 156, the rear leg 158, and / or the left leg 160.

[0107] (See FIGS. 2 and 5) The front leg 156, the rear leg 158, and / or the left leg 160 may be in a different form from those of the first and second embodiments. For example, the front leg 156, the rear leg 158, and / or the left leg 160 may be formed by attaching a sheet made of a rubber material (so-called rubber sheet) to the outer surface of the main body case 4. Alternatively, the front leg 156, the rear leg 158, and / or the left leg 160 may be formed by inserting a block made of a rubber material into the main body case 4. Alternatively, the front leg 156, the rear leg 158, and / or the left leg 160 may be formed by screwing a block made of a rubber material to the main body case 4.

[0108] (See FIG. 5) The charger 2 (charger 202) may not include the right handle 136. In this case, the user can carry the charger 2 (charger 202) by gripping the left handle 124 with one hand (or both hands).

[0109] (Features of the embodiments) In one or more embodiments, the chargers 2, 202 (examples of electrical devices) include a main body case 4 that defines an accommodation space S1, a battery attachment portion 18, 214 provided on the main body case 4 to which a battery pack B used as a power source for a power tool is detachably attached, an external terminal 8 provided on the main body case 4 and electrically connected to the battery pack B via the battery attachment portion 18, 214, a left handle 124 provided on the left surface of the main body case 4 and including a grip portion 130 (an example of a left grip portion) that can be gripped by a user, and a right handle 136 provided on the right surface of the main body case 4 and including a grip portion 142 (an example of a right grip portion) that can be gripped by the user. The left handle 124 is movable relative to the main body case 4 between a left lowered position and a left raised position where the grip portion 130 is raised compared to the left lowered position. The right handle 136 is movable relative to the main body case 4 between a right lowered position and a right raised position where the grip portion 142 is raised compared to the right lowered position.

[0110] When the position of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) with respect to the main body case 4 is upward, when the user grips the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) and carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as viewed by the user becomes lower, so that the user can stably carry the chargers 2, 202. On the other hand, when the position of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) with respect to the main body case 4 is upward, for example, when the user puts things in and out of the accommodation space S1, the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) may get in the way. According to the above configuration, the user can change the vertical position of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) with respect to the main body case 4. Therefore, for example, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) can be raised with respect to the main body case 4, so that the user can stably carry the chargers 2, 202. Also, when the user puts things in and out of the accommodation space S1, the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) can be lowered with respect to the main body case 4, so that it is possible to prevent the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) from getting in the way. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the convenience of the chargers 2, 202 can be improved.

[0111] In one or more embodiments, the left handle 124 is rotatable relative to the main body case 4 about a handle rotation axis AL (an example of a left handle rotation axis) between a left lowered position and a left raised position. When the left handle 124 is in the left lowered position, the upper end 130u of the grip portion 130 is disposed below the handle rotation axis AL. When the left handle 124 is in the left raised position, the lower end 130s of the grip portion 130 is disposed above the handle rotation axis AL. The right handle 136 is rotatable relative to the main body case 4 about a handle rotation axis AR (an example of a right handle rotation axis) between a right lowered position and a right raised position. When the right handle 136 is in the right lowered position, the upper end 142u of the grip portion 142 is disposed below the handle rotation axis AR. When the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the lower end 142s of the grip portion 142 is disposed above the handle rotation axis AR.

[0112] If the upper end 130u (upper end 142u) of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) cannot be raised above the handle rotation axis AL (handle rotation axis AR), when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user may not be low enough. As a result, there is a possibility that the user cannot carry the chargers 2, 202 stably. According to the above configuration, since the upper end 130u (upper end 142u) of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) can be raised above the handle rotation axis AL (handle rotation axis AR), when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the chargers 2, 202 stably.

[0113] In one or more embodiments, the handle rotation axis AL and the handle rotation axis AR are disposed above a bisecting horizontal plane H that bisects the chargers 2, 202 in the vertical direction.

[0114] When the handle rotation axis AL (handle rotation axis AR) is disposed below the bisecting horizontal plane H, the mounting position of the left handle 124 (right handle 136) with respect to the main body case 4 becomes relatively low. For this reason, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user does not become sufficiently low, and there is a possibility that the user cannot carry the chargers 2, 202 stably. According to the above configuration, since the handle rotation axis AL (handle rotation axis AR) is disposed above the bisecting horizontal plane H, the mounting position of the left handle 124 (right handle 136) with respect to the main body case 4 becomes relatively high. Thereby, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low, so that the user can carry the chargers 2, 202 stably.

[0115] In one or more embodiments, when the left handle 124 is in the left raised position, the lower end 130s of the grip portion 130 is disposed above the horizontal plane that bisects the chargers 2, 202 in the vertical direction. When the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the lower end 142s of the grip portion 142 is disposed above the horizontal plane that bisects the chargers 2, 202 in the vertical direction.

[0116] If the lower end 130s (lower end 142s) of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) cannot be raised above the bisecting horizontal plane H, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user may not become sufficiently low. As a result, there is a possibility that the user cannot carry the chargers 2, 202 stably. According to the above configuration, since the lower end 130s (lower end 142s) of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) can be raised above the bisecting horizontal plane H, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the chargers 2, 202 stably.

[0117] In one or more embodiments, the accommodation space S1 of the main body case 4 is open upward. The chargers 2, 202 are provided above the main body case 4 and further include a lid 6 for opening and closing the accommodation space S1. When the left handle 124 is in the left upward position, the upper end 130u of the grip portion 130 is disposed above the opening end 106 (upper end) of the main body case 4. When the right handle 136 is in the right upward position, the upper end 142u of the grip portion 142 is disposed above the opening end 106 (upper end) of the main body case 4.

[0118] If the upper end 130u (upper end 142u) of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) cannot be raised above the opening end 106 (upper end) of the main body case 4, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user may not be low enough. As a result, the user may not be able to carry the chargers 2, 202 stably. According to the above configuration, since the upper end 130u (upper end 142u) of the grip portion 130 (grip portion 142) can be raised above the opening end 106 (upper end) of the main body case 4, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the chargers 2, 202 stably.

[0119] In one or more embodiments, when the left handle 124 is in the left upward position, the left-right width WL of the gap 148 (the distance between the outer surface of the main body case 4 and the outer surface of the grip portion 130) is 25 mm or more. When the right handle 136 is in the right upward position, the left-right width WR of the gap 150 (the distance between the outer surface of the main body case 4 and the outer surface of the grip portion 142) is 25 mm or more.

[0120] When the user's hand holding the holding part 130 (holding part 142) touches the outer surface of the main body case 4, it may cause discomfort to the user. According to the above configuration, a gap 148 (gap 150) that is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the user's hand is provided between the outer surface of the main body case 4 and the outer surface of the holding part 130 (holding part 142). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user's hand holding the holding part 130 (holding part 142) from touching the outer surface of the main body case 4, and thus it is possible to prevent discomfort to the user.

[0121] In one or more embodiments, the chargers 2, 202 further include a lid 6 that is movable between an open position that opens the accommodation space S1 and a closed position that closes the accommodation space S1 with respect to the main body case 4. When the lid 6 is in the closed position and the left handle 124 is in the left raised position, the left - right width WL (the distance between the outer surface of the lid 6 and the outer surface of the holding part 142) of the gap 148 is 25 mm or more. When the lid 6 is in the closed position and the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the left - right width WR (the distance between the outer surface of the lid 6 and the outer surface of the holding part 142) of the gap 150 is 25 mm or more.

[0122] When the user's hand holding the holding part 130 (holding part 142) touches the outer surface of the lid 6, it may cause discomfort to the user. According to the above configuration, a gap 148 (gap 150) that is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the user's hand is provided between the outer surface of the lid 6 and the outer surface of the holding part 130 (holding part 142). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user's hand holding the holding part 130 (holding part 142) from touching the outer surface of the lid 6, and thus it is possible to prevent discomfort to the user.

[0123] In one or more embodiments, when the left handle 124 is in the left raised position and the right handle 136 is in the right raised position, the lower ends 130s of the holding part 130 and the lower ends 142s of the holding part 142 are disposed above the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2 with the battery pack B attached to the battery attachment part 18.

[0124] If the lower end 130s (lower end 142s) of the holding part 130 (holding part 142) cannot be raised above the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2, when the user carries the charger 2, the position of the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2 as seen by the user may not be low enough. As a result, there is a possibility that the user cannot carry the charger 2 stably. According to the above configuration, since the lower end 130s (lower end 142s) of the holding part 130 (holding part 142) can be raised above the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2, when the user carries the charger 2, the position of the center of gravity G1 of the charger 2 as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the charger 2 stably.

[0125] In one or more embodiments, the main body case 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the front - rear direction is the short - side direction and the left - right direction is the long - side direction.

[0126] For example, when a single user holds the holding part 130 with one hand and the holding part 142 with the other hand to carry the chargers 2 and 202, since the main body case 4 is arranged in front of the user's torso, if the front - rear direction of the main body case 4 is the long - side direction, the main body case 4 may interfere with the user's torso. Thereby, it may become difficult for the user to carry the chargers 2 and 202. In contrast, according to the above configuration, since the front - rear direction of the main body case 4 is the short - side direction, it is possible to suppress the main body case 4 from interfering with the user's torso when the user carries the chargers 2 and 202. Thereby, it becomes easy for the user to carry the chargers 2 and 202.

[0127] In one or more embodiments, the battery mounting parts 18 and 214 are arranged inside the accommodation space S1.

[0128] If the battery attachment parts 18 and 214 are arranged outside the accommodation space S1 (for example, on the outer surface of the main body case 4), the battery pack B attached to the battery attachment parts 18 and 214 will be exposed outside the accommodation space S1. In this case, the battery pack B may hit other objects (for example, tools, the ground, a wall) and be damaged. According to the above configuration, since the battery attachment parts 18 and 214 are arranged inside the accommodation space S1, the battery pack B attached to the battery attachment parts 18 and 214 is suppressed from being exposed outside the accommodation space S1. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the battery pack B from hitting other objects and being damaged.

[0129] In one or more embodiments, the accommodation space S1 of the main body case 4 is open upward. The chargers 2 and 202 are provided above the main body case 4 and further include a lid 6 for opening and closing the accommodation space S1. The battery pack B is attached to the battery attachment parts 18 and 214 by sliding it along the vertical direction with respect to the battery attachment parts 18 and 214.

[0130] According to the above configuration, it becomes easy for the user to attach and detach the battery pack B to and from the battery attachment parts 18 and 214.

[0131] In one or more embodiments, the charger 2, 202 (an example of a carrying case) is a carrying case for a user to carry at least one of a hand tool, a power tool, and a battery pack B used as a power source for the power tool. The charger 2, 202 includes a main body case 4 that defines an accommodation space S1, a left handle 124 provided on the left side surface of the main body case 4 and including a grip portion 130 that can be gripped by the user, and a right handle 136 provided on the right side surface of the main body case 4 and including a grip portion 142 that can be gripped by the user. The left handle 124 is rotatable about a handle rotation axis AL (an example of a left handle rotation axis) between a left lower position with respect to the main body case 4 and a left upper position where the grip portion 130 is raised compared to the left lower position. When the left handle 124 is in the left lower position, the upper end 130u of the grip portion 130 is disposed below the handle rotation axis AL. When the left handle 124 is in the left upper position, the lower end 130s of the grip portion 130 is disposed above the handle rotation axis AL. The right handle 136 is rotatable about a handle rotation axis AR (an example of a right handle rotation axis) between a right lower position with respect to the main body case 4 and a right upper position where the grip portion 142 is raised compared to the right lower position. When the right handle 136 is in the right lower position, the upper end 142u of the grip portion 142 is disposed below the handle rotation axis AR. When the right handle 136 is in the right upper position, the lower end 142s of the grip portion 142 is disposed above the handle rotation axis AR.

[0132] When the position of the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) with respect to the main body case 4 is above, when the user grips the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) and carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user becomes lower, so the user can carry the chargers 2, 202 stably. On the other hand, when the position of the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) with respect to the main body case 4 is above, for example, when the user puts things in and out of the storage space S1, the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) may get in the way. According to the above configuration, the user can change the vertical position of the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) with respect to the main body case 4. Therefore, for example, when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) can be raised with respect to the main body case 4, so the user can carry the chargers 2, 202 stably. Also, when the user puts things in and out of the storage space S1, the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) can be lowered with respect to the main body case 4, so it is possible to prevent the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) from getting in the way. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the convenience of the chargers 2, 202 can be improved. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, since the upper end 130u (upper end 142u) of the gripping part 130 (gripping part 142) can be raised above the handle rotation axis AL (handle rotation axis AR), when the user carries the chargers 2, 202, the position of the center of gravity of the chargers 2, 202 as seen by the user can be made sufficiently low. Thereby, the user can carry the chargers 2, 202 stably.

[0133] In one or more embodiments, the chargers 2, 202 are provided in the main body case 4 and further include battery attachment parts 18, 214 to which the battery pack B is detachably attached.

[0134] According to the above configuration, by attaching the battery pack B to the battery attachment parts 18, 214, the battery pack B can be positioned with respect to the chargers 2, 202.

[0135] In one or more embodiments, the chargers 2, 202 (examples of electrical devices) include a main body case 4 that defines an accommodation space S1, a battery attachment portion 18, 214 provided on the main body case 4 to which a battery pack B used as a power source for a power tool is detachably attached, an external terminal 8 provided on the main body case 4 and electrically connected to the battery pack B via the battery attachment portion 18, 214, a left side surface (example of a first surface) that is a side surface of the main body case 4, a left handle 124 (example of a first handle) provided on the left side surface, and a left leg portion 160 (example of a first leg portion) provided on the left side surface. The left handle 124 is movable between a left lowered position (example of a storage position) arranged along the left side surface with respect to the main body case 4 and a left raised position (example of a deployed position) protruding from the left side surface. By bringing the left leg portion 160 into contact with the placement surface P, the chargers 2, 202 can be placed on the placement surface P such that the left side surface faces the placement surface P. When the left handle 124 is in the left lowered position and the left leg portion 160 is in contact with the placement surface P so that the chargers 2, 202 are placed on the placement surface P, the vertical lower end of the left handle 124 is arranged vertically above the vertical lower end (left contact portion 160c) of the left leg portion 160.

[0136] In some cases, the chargers 2, 202 may be placed on the placement surface P such that the left side surface of the main body case 4 faces the placement surface P. In this case, if the left handle 124 provided on the left side surface comes into contact with the placement surface P, dirt (e.g., sand) present on the placement surface P may adhere to the left handle 124. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when the chargers 2, 202 are placed on the placement surface P such that the left side surface of the main body case 4 faces the placement surface P, the vertical lower end of the left handle 124 is arranged vertically above the vertical lower end (left contact portion 160c) of the left leg portion 160 that contacts the placement surface P. Thereby, contact between the left handle 124 and the placement surface P can be suppressed, and thus adhesion of dirt present on the placement surface P to the left handle 124 can be suppressed.

[0137] In one or more embodiments, the left handle 124 is rotatable about a handle rotation axis AL (an example of a first handle rotation axis) between a left lowered position and a left raised position with respect to the main body case 4.

[0138] According to the above configuration, a configuration for moving the left handle 124 between the left lowered position and the left raised position can be realized by a simple mechanism.

[0139] In one or more embodiments, the left leg portion 160 includes a left contact portion 160c that contacts the placement surface P. A rubber material is used for the left contact portion 160c.

[0140] According to the above configuration, when the left leg portion 160 (left contact portion 160c) is brought into contact with the placement surface P and the chargers 2, 202 are placed on the placement surface P, the frictional resistance generated between the left leg portion 160 (left contact portion 160c) and the placement surface P becomes relatively large. Thereby, even if an impact or vibration is applied to the chargers 2, 202, it is possible to suppress a change in the position of the chargers 2, 202 with respect to the placement surface P.

[0141] In one or more embodiments, the chargers 2, 202 further include a right surface (an example of a second surface) that is a side surface of the main body case 4 and faces in a direction opposite to the left surface, and a right handle 136 (an example of a second handle) provided on the right surface.

[0142] According to the above configuration, the user can hold the charger 2, 202 by gripping the left handle 124 with one hand and the right handle 136 with the other hand. Thereby, it becomes easier for the user to carry the chargers 2, 202.

[0143] In one or more embodiments, the chargers 2, 202 further include a front surface (or rear surface) (an example of a third surface) that is a side surface of the main body case 4 and is different from the left and right surfaces, and front legs 156 (rear legs 158) (an example of second legs) provided on the front surface (or rear surface). By bringing the front legs 156 (rear legs 158) into contact with the placement surface P, the chargers 2, 202 can be placed on the placement surface P such that the front surface (or rear surface) faces the placement surface P.

[0144] According to the above configuration, the chargers 2, 202 can be placed on the placement surface P such that the surface (front surface or rear surface) where the left handle 124 and the right handle 136 are not provided faces the placement surface P.

[0145] In one or more embodiments, the chargers 2, 202 are carrying cases for the user to carry at least one of a hand tool, a power tool, and a battery pack B used for the power supply of the power tool. The chargers 2, 202 include a main body case 4 that defines an accommodation space S1, a left surface (an example of a first surface) that is a side surface of the main body case 4, a left handle 124 (an example of a first handle) provided on the left surface, and a left leg 160 (an example of a first leg) provided on the left surface. The left handle 124 is movable between a left lowered position (an example of a storage position) arranged along the left surface with respect to the main body case 4 and a left raised position (an example of a deployed position) protruding from the left surface. By bringing the left leg 160 into contact with the placement surface P, the chargers 2, 202 can be placed on the placement surface P such that the left surface faces the placement surface P. When the left handle 124 is in the left lowered position and the left leg 160 is in contact with the placement surface P so that the charger 2, 202 is placed on the placement surface P, the vertical lower end of the left handle 124 is arranged vertically above the vertical lower end of the left leg 160 (left contact portion 160c).

[0146] In some cases, the chargers 2 and 202 may be placed on the placement surface P such that the left side surface of the main body case 4 faces the placement surface P. In this case, if the left handle 124 provided on the left side surface comes into contact with the placement surface P, dirt (e.g., sand) existing on the placement surface P may adhere to the left handle 124. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when the chargers 2 and 202 are placed on the placement surface P such that the left side surface of the main body case 4 faces the placement surface P, the vertical lower end of the left handle 124 is disposed vertically above the vertical lower end (left contact portion 160c) of the left leg portion 160 that abuts against the placement surface P. Thereby, contact between the left handle 124 and the placement surface P can be suppressed, and thus adhesion of dirt existing on the placement surface P to the left handle 124 can be suppressed.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0147] 2: Charger, 4: Main body case, 6: Lid, 8: External terminal, 10: Tray member, 12: Front wall portion, 14: Rear wall portion, 16: Bottom wall portion, 18: Battery mounting portion, 20: Guide rail, 22: Latch receiver, 24: Latch, 26: Connection terminal, 28: Charging status display portion, 30: Display window, 32: Control board, 34: Linking mechanism, 36: First linking member, 38: Second linking member, 40: First linking pin, 42: First case-side shaft cylinder portion, 44: First lid-side shaft cylinder portion, 46: Second linking pin, 48: Second case-side shaft cylinder portion, 50: Second lid-side shaft cylinder portion, 52: First operation portion, 54: Holding portion, 56: Protrusion, 58: Extending portion, 60: Finger hook portion, 62: Wall portion, 64: Engaging rib, 66: Second operation portion, 68: Holding portion, 70: Protrusion, 72: Extending portion, 74: Finger hook portion, 76: Wall portion, 78: Engaging rib, 80: Guide portion, 82: Guide surface, 84: Guide wall, 86: Engaging piece, 88: Engaging groove, 90: Engaging piece, 92: Engaging groove, 94: Interference convex portion, 96: Fastener, 98: Groove, 100: Locking portion, 102: Case-side locking hole, 104: Lid-side locking hole, 106: Open end, 108: Aligning groove, 110: Sealing member, 112: Clear surface, 114: Patterned surface, 116: Topmost surface, 118: First concave surface, 120: Second concave surface, 122: Third concave surface, 124: Left handle, 126: Front arm portion, 128: Rear arm portion, 130: Gripping portion, 130s: Lower end, 130u: Upper end, 132: Handle accommodation recess, 134: Stopper surface, 136: Right handle, 138: Front arm portion, 140: Rear arm portion, 142: Gripping portion, 142s: Lower end, 142u: Upper end, 144: Handle accommodation recess, 146: Stopper surface, 148: Gap, 150: Gap, 154: Lower side leg portion, 156: Front side leg portion, 156c: Front side contact portion, 158: Rear side leg portion, 158c: Rear side contact portion, 160: Left side leg portion, 160c: Left side contact portion, 162: Engaging member, 164: Engaging receiving portion, 166: Operation portion, 168a: Hollow portion, 168b: Hollow portion, 168c: Hollow portion, 168d: Hollow portion, 170a: Snap portion, 170b: Snap portion, 172a: Shaft portion, 172b: Shaft portion, 174a: Groove, 174b: Groove, 176a: Lid-side protrusion, 176b: Lid-side protrusion, 178a: Case-side protrusion, 178b: Case-side protrusion, 202: Charger, 204: Tray member, 206: First standing wall portion, 208: Second standing wall portion, 210: Third standing wall portion, 212: Bottom wall portion, 214: Battery mounting portion, 216: Connection terminal218: Charging status display unit, AL: Handle rotation axis, AR: Handle rotation axis, B: Battery pack, P: Placing surface, S1: Accommodation space, S2: Substrate placement space, T: Power tool,

Claims

1. A main body case that defines an accommodation space, a battery attachment portion provided on the main body case, to which a battery pack used as a power source for a power tool is detachably attached, an external terminal provided on the main body case and electrically connected to the battery pack via the battery attachment portion, a left handle provided on the left side surface of the main body case and including a left grip portion that can be gripped by a user, a right handle provided on the right side surface of the main body case and including a right grip portion that can be gripped by the user, and the left handle is movable relative to the main body case between a left lowered position and a left raised position where the left grip portion is raised compared to the left lowered position, the right handle is movable relative to the main body case between a right lowered position and a right raised position where the right grip portion is raised compared to the right lowered position, an electrical device.

2. The left handle is rotatable about a left handle rotation axis between the left lowered position and the left raised position with respect to the main body case, when the left handle is in the left lowered position, the upper end of the left grip portion is disposed below the left handle rotation axis, when the left handle is in the left raised position, the lower end of the left grip portion is disposed above the left handle rotation axis, the right handle is rotatable about a right handle rotation axis between the right lowered position and the right raised position with respect to the main body case, when the right handle is in the right lowered position, the upper end of the right grip portion is disposed below the right handle rotation axis, when the right handle is in the right raised position, the lower end of the right grip portion is disposed above the right handle rotation axis, the electrical device according to Claim 1.

3. The left handle rotation axis and the right handle rotation axis are disposed above a horizontal plane that bisects the electrical device in the vertical direction, the electrical device according to Claim 2.

4. when the left handle is in the left raised position, the lower end of the left grip portion is disposed above a horizontal plane that bisects the electrical device in the vertical direction, when the right handle is in the right raised position, the lower end of the right grip portion is disposed above the horizontal plane that bisects the electrical device in the vertical direction, the electrical device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The accommodation space of the main body case is open upward, the electric device is provided above the main body case, and further includes a lid for opening and closing the accommodation space, when the left handle is in the left ascending position, the upper end of the left gripping portion is disposed above the upper end of the main body case, when the right handle is in the right ascending position, the upper end of the right gripping portion is disposed above the upper end of the main body case. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. when the left handle is in the left ascending position, the distance between the outer surface of the main body case and the outer surface of the left gripping portion is 25 mm or more, when the right handle is in the right ascending position, the distance between the outer surface of the main body case and the outer surface of the right gripping portion is 25 mm or more. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The main body case further includes a lid that is movable between an open position for opening the accommodation space and a closed position for closing the accommodation space, when the lid is in the closed position and the left handle is in the left ascending position, the distance between the outer surface of the lid and the outer surface of the left gripping portion is 25 mm or more, when the lid is in the closed position and the right handle is in the right ascending position, the distance between the outer surface of the lid and the outer surface of the right gripping portion is 25 mm or more. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. when the left handle is in the left ascending position and the right handle is in the right ascending position, the lower ends of the left gripping portion and the right gripping portion are disposed above the center of gravity of the electric device with the battery pack attached to the battery attachment portion. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The main body case has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the front-rear direction is the short side direction and the left-right direction is the long side direction. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The battery attachment portion is disposed inside the accommodation space. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The accommodation space of the main body case is open upward, the electric device is provided above the main body case, and further includes a lid for opening and closing the accommodation space, The battery pack according to claim 10 is attached to the battery mounting portion by being slid along the vertical direction with respect to the battery mounting portion.

12. A carrying case for a user to carry at least one of a hand tool, a power tool, and a battery pack used as a power source for the power tool, a main body case defining a storage space, a left handle provided on the left surface of the main body case and including a left grip portion that can be gripped by the user, a right handle provided on the right surface of the main body case and including a right grip portion that can be gripped by the user, the left handle is rotatable about a left handle rotation axis between a left lower position with respect to the main body case and a left upper position where the left grip portion is raised compared to the left lower position, when the left handle is in the left lower position, the upper end of the left grip portion is disposed below the left handle rotation axis, when the left handle is in the left upper position, the lower end of the left grip portion is disposed above the left handle rotation axis, the right handle is rotatable about a right handle rotation axis between a right lower position with respect to the main body case and a right upper position where the right grip portion is raised compared to the right lower position, when the right handle is in the right lower position, the upper end of the right grip portion is disposed below the right handle rotation axis, a carrying case, wherein when the right handle is in the right upper position, the lower end of the right grip portion is disposed above the right handle rotation axis.

13. The carrying case according to claim 12, further comprising a battery mounting portion provided on the main body case, to which the battery pack is detachably attached.

Images