handle

Abstract

The battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell, and a handle assembly. The battery cell is disposed within the housing. The handle assembly is coupled to the housing. The handle assembly includes a first handle catch, an elongated flexible member, a second handle catch, and a grip layer. The elongated flexible member has a first end and a second end. The elongated flexible member is coupled to the first handle catch. The first handle catch is disposed closer to the first end than the second end. The second handle catch is coupled to the elongated flexible member closer to the second end than the first end. The grip layer is disposed over at least a portion of each of the first handle catch, the elongated flexible member, and the second handle catch.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 078,231, filed September 14, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to handles, and more particularly, to handles for battery packs. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, a battery pack. The battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell, and a handle assembly. The battery cell is disposed within the housing. The handle assembly is coupled to the housing. The handle assembly includes a first handle catch, an elongated flexible member, a second handle catch, and a grip layer. The elongated flexible member has a first end and a second end. The elongated flexible member is coupled to the first handle catch. The first handle catch is disposed closer to the first end than the second end. The second handle catch is coupled to the elongated flexible member closer to the second end than the first end. The grip layer is disposed over at least a portion of each of the first handle catch, the elongated flexible member, and the second handle catch.

[0004] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a battery pack including a housing and a movable handle assembly. A recess is defined in a surface of the housing. A longitudinal axis extends through the housing. The movable handle assembly is coupled to the housing. The movable handle assembly includes an elongated flexible member. The elongated flexible member spans at least a portion of the recess. The movable handle assembly transitions from a retracted position to an extended position. The extended position includes the elongated flexible member disposed further from the housing than the retracted position. A plane including the longitudinal axis bisects the movable handle assembly and the recess.

[0005] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a battery pack including a housing, at least one battery cell, and a handle assembly. A recess is defined in a surface of the housing. A longitudinal axis extends through the housing. The battery cell is disposed within the housing. The handle assembly is coupled to the housing. The handle assembly includes a first handle catch, an elongated flexible member, a second handle catch, and a grip layer. The elongated flexible member spans at least a portion of the recess. The elongated flexible member has a first end and a second end. The elongated flexible member is coupled to the first handle catch. The first handle catch is disposed closer to the first end than the second end. The second handle catch is coupled to the elongated flexible member closer to the second end than the first end. The grip layer is disposed over at least a portion of each of the first handle catch, the elongated flexible member, and the second handle catch. The handle assembly transitions from a stowed position to an extended position, the extended position including the elongated flexible member disposed further from the housing than the stowed position, and a plane including the longitudinal axis bisects the movable handle assembly and the recess.

[0006] Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a detailed top perspective view of a battery pack having a handle according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed top perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. 1 with the handle in the extended position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handle of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the handle of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the handle of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the handle of FIG. 3 without the grip. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the handle mount of the battery pack of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the handle mount of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the handle mount of FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Before describing any embodiment of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0009] 1 and 2, a battery pack 4 is shown. The battery pack 4 includes a housing 8 having a recess 6 defined in a surface 10 thereof. At least one battery cell 11 is contained within the housing 8. Coupled to the housing 8 is a handle assembly 12 configured to transition between a stored position (FIG. 1) and an extended position (FIG. 2) in which a portion of the handle assembly 12 is disposed further from the housing 8 than the stored position. In the illustrated embodiment, the stored position includes the handle assembly 12 lying relatively flat against the housing 8, and the extended position includes the handle assembly 12 curved outwardly relative to the housing 8. The handle assembly 12 is coupled to the housing 8 via first and second handle mounts 16, 20 (shown in detail in FIGS. 8-10) disposed on opposite sides of the recess 6. Each of the first and second handle mounts 16, 20 is configured to receive a portion of the handle assembly 12 such that the handle assembly 12 is slidable between the stored and extended positions relative to the handle mounts 16, 20.

[0010] 1 and 2, the housing 8 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a recess 6 defined on a surface 10 that spans the width of the housing 8. A plane P1 that includes a longitudinal axis A1 of the housing 8 bisects the recess 6 and the handle assembly 12. Additionally, the surface 10 is at an angle relative to the height of the housing 8. The handle assembly 12 spans the recess 6 such that the recess 6 provides easy access for a user to grasp the handle assembly 12. In some embodiments, the handle assembly 12 spans the majority of the width of the housing 8.

[0011] The handle assembly 12 will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 3-7. The handle assembly 12 includes at least a first handle catch 24, an elongated flexible member 28, a second handle catch 32, a first fastener 36, a second fastener 40, and a grip layer 44. As best shown in Figure 5, the elongated flexible member 28 is relatively arcuate and includes a first end 48 and a second end 52. The first handle catch 24 is coupled to the elongated flexible member 28 near the first end 48, and the second handle catch 32 is coupled to the elongated flexible member 28 near the second end 52. In other words, the first handle catch 24 is disposed closer to the first end 48 than the second end 52, and the second handle catch 32 is disposed closer to the second end 52 than the first end 48. A first fastener 36 connects the first handle catch 24 to the first end 48, and a second fastener 40 connects the second handle catch 32 to the second end 52. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first fastener 36 and the second fastener 40 is a rivet. However, in other embodiments, the first and second handle catches 24, 32 may be connected to the elongated flexible member 28 in other manners, such as, for example, welding, adhesives, screws, bolts, etc.

[0012] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, a grip layer 44 is included in the handle assembly 12 and covers a majority, and in some cases, the entire, elongated flexible member 28. The grip layer 44 may be made of a material that is resilient, pliable, or relatively soft compared to the remainder of the handle assembly 12, such as a polymer. The grip layer 44 is intended to provide additional comfort and / or ergonomic benefits to the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip layer 44 surrounds the entire elongated flexible member 28. With reference to FIG. 5, the grip layer 44 is also disposed on each of the first handle catch 24, the first fastener 36, the second handle catch 32, and the second fastener 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip layer 44 covers the first and second fasteners 36, 40 while being disposed on only a portion of the first and second handle catches 24, 32. A portion of the handle assembly 12, such as the elongated flexible member 28, is insert molded into the grip layer 44 to apply the grip layer 44 to the handle assembly 12. In other embodiments, the grip layer 44 may be a multi-piece clamshell structure that is formed separately from the handle assembly 12 and coupled to the handle assembly 12 during assembly.

[0013] 3, 6, and 7, each of the first and second handle catches 24, 32 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes an elongated slot 56 oriented along the longitudinal axis of the catch 24, 32. Additionally, each handle catch 24, 32 includes a proximal end near which a corresponding fastener 36, 40 is applied, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. In the case of the gripping layer 44 disposed over a portion of the handle catch 24, 32, the gripping layer 44 covers at least a portion of the proximal end. Each distal end is angled relative to the remainder of the handle catch 24, 32. The angled distal end can provide a resting orientation for the handle assembly 12 when in the extended position. In some embodiments, this feature encourages the handle to settle and remain in the extended position. In the illustrated embodiment, each distal end is angled relative to the remainder of the handle catch 24, 32 at an obtuse angle. The handle catches 24, 32 may be made from one or more metals including, for example, hardened steel.

[0014] 5-7, the elongated flexible member 28 is relatively arcuate or arcuate and may comprise a strap of spring steel. The spring steel is arcuate in a relaxed state and is deformable to allow the handle to be in an extended state when engaged by a user. The arc of the spring steel has a smaller radius in the extended state than in the stored / relaxed state. The spring steel biases the elongated flexible member 28 towards a stored position which corresponds to the relaxed state.

[0015] The handle mounts 16, 20 will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 8-10. Each of the handle mounts 16, 20 includes an outer body 60 that defines an enclosed space 64. Extending from the outer body 60 is a post 68 having a passageway 72 therein. The passageway 72 is configured to receive a fastener for selectively securing the handle mounts 16, 20 to the housing 8. Each post 68 is sized to be received within the elongated slot 56 of each of the handle catches 24, 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the post 68 is cylindrical, although other geometric shapes are contemplated herein. Disposed on the sides of the handle mounts 16, 20 are two rectangular cutouts 76. The surface of the mount disposed between the two rectangular cutouts 76 corresponds in size and shape to the elongated slots 56. In this manner, the handle catches 24, 32 are prevented from rotating but slidably moving relative to the handle mounts 16, 20 by the elongated slots 56. The mounts 16, 20 may be formed from metal, polymer, or other materials. In some embodiments, the post 68 may be formed from a different, relatively harder material than the remainder of the mounts 16, 20.

[0016] During use of the handle in manipulating the battery pack 4, a user can pull the handle assembly 12 away from the battery pack 4 (e.g., to an extended position) in order to properly grip the handle assembly 12. As the handle assembly 12 is pulled away from the battery pack 4, each mount 16, 20, and therefore each post 68, remains in place relative to the housing 8 while the corresponding handle catch 24, 32 slidably moves relative to the post 68. Each handle catch 24, 32 is prevented from rotating by the notch 76, while the elongated slot 56 allows it to freely slidably move relative to the corresponding post 68. Additionally, pulling the handle assembly 12 away from the battery pack 4 allows the elongated flexible member 28 to bend into a smaller radius arc shape.

[0017] When the user is finished using the handle, the user can push the handle assembly 12 back into the stored position (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the return to the stored position is assisted by the spring steel of the elongated flexible member 28 returning to its relaxed shape. In some embodiments, the user does not need to push the handle assembly 12 at all to return it to the stored position. In other embodiments, each handle catch 24, 32 can be mounted within a respective handle mount 16, 20 with a bias that pulls the handle catches 24, 32 away from each other and returns the handle assembly 12 to the stored position.

[0018] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure described.

[0019] Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. Housing and at least one battery cell disposed within the housing; a handle assembly coupled to the housing, the handle assembly comprising: a first handle catch including a first slot; an elongated flexible member having a first end and a second end, the elongated flexible member coupled to the first handle catch, the first handle catch being located closer to the first end than to the second end; a second handle catch coupled to the elongated flexible member closer to the second end than to the first end, the second handle catch including a second slot; a gripping layer disposed over at least a portion of each of the first handle catch, the elongated flexible member, and the second handle catch; a first handle mount coupled directly to the housing and including a first post having a passageway for receiving a fastener, the first slot receiving the first post, and the first handle catch being slidable relative to the first handle mount; a second handle mount coupled directly to the housing and including a second post having a passage for receiving a fastener, the second slot receiving the second post, and the second handle catch being slidable relative to the second handle mount; Battery pack.

2. 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the grip layer covers a majority of the elongated flexible member.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the elongated flexible member is insert molded within the grip layer.

4. the handle assembly further includes a first fastener coupling the first handle catch to the elongate flexible member and a second fastener coupling the second handle catch to the elongate member; the grip layer is disposed over at least a portion of each of the first fastener and the second fastener.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2.

5. 5. The battery pack of claim 4, wherein each of the first fastener and the second fastener is a rivet.

6. 10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein each handle catch has a distal end that is angled relative to a remainder of the handle catch.

7. The battery pack of claim 6 , wherein the distal end is at an obtuse angle relative to the remainder of the handle catch.

8. 10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the elongated flexible member comprises a strip of spring steel.

9. Housing and a recess defined in a surface of the housing; a longitudinal axis extending through the housing; a movable handle assembly coupled to the housing, the movable handle assembly comprising: an elongated flexible member spanning at least a portion of the recess, the movable handle assembly transitioning from a retracted position to an extended position, the extended position being disposed farther from the housing than the retracted position; a handle mount directly coupled to the housing on each of two opposite sides of the recess, each handle mount defining a closure space and having a post extending into the closure space, each post having a passage therethrough; a plane including the longitudinal axis bisects the movable handle assembly and the recess; Battery pack.

10. The movable handle assembly includes a catch coupled to the elongated flexible member adjacent each handle mount; the closure space of each mount is configured to receive the catch; 10. The battery pack of claim 9.

11. 11. The battery pack of claim 10, wherein each handle mount includes a wall having two notches and a central portion defined between the two notches, the central portion being disposed within a slot of the catch.

12. 12. The battery pack of claim 11, wherein the central portion and the slot are rectangular in cross section.

13. 10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein the elongated flexible member extends across a majority of the width of the battery pack.

14. 10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein the surface is angled relative to a height direction of the housing, the height direction being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

15. 10. The battery pack of claim 9, wherein the movable handle assembly is biased toward the stowed position.

16. Housing and a recess defined in a surface of the housing; a longitudinal axis extending through the housing; at least one battery cell disposed within the housing; a handle assembly coupled to the housing, the handle assembly comprising: a first handle catch having a first slot; an elongated flexible member spanning at least a portion of the recess and having a first end and a second end, the elongated flexible member coupled to the first handle catch, the first handle catch being disposed closer to the first end than to the second end; a second handle catch coupled to the elongated flexible member closer to the second end than to the first end, the second handle catch having a second slot; a gripping layer disposed over at least a portion of each of the first handle catch, the elongated flexible member, and the second handle catch; a first handle mount directly coupled to the housing on a first side of the recess and including a first post having a passageway for receiving a fastener, the first slot receiving the first post, and the first handle catch being slidable relative to the first handle mount; a second handle mount coupled directly to the housing on a second side of the recess and including a second post having a passage for receiving a fastener, the second slot receiving the second post, and the second handle catch being slidable relative to the second handle mount; the handle assembly is movable from a retracted position to an extended position, the extended position including the elongated flexible member disposed further from the housing than the retracted position; a plane containing the longitudinal axis bisects the handle assembly and the recess; Battery pack.

17. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a mounting protrusion configured to engage a power tool, and the handle assembly is coupled to the housing on a side of the housing opposite the mounting protrusion.

18. A battery pack as described in claim 9, wherein the housing includes a mounting protrusion configured to engage with a power tool, the movable handle assembly is coupled to the housing on a side of the longitudinal axis opposite the mounting protrusion, and the plane bisects the mounting protrusion.

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