Holster for receiving rechargeable batteries for power tools

Abstract

A holster assembly (100) for carrying a rechargeable battery has a receptacle member (102) that holds the battery to an attachment member (152) that is connected to the belt of a user. The receptacle member (102) has a disc member (110) that interfaces with a disc member (160) of the attachment member (152) allowing the battery to be rotated relative to the attachment member (152), allowing the user to position the battery relative to their body.

Description

HOLSTER FOR RECEIVING RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FOR POWER TOOLSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 584,228, filed September 21, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND1. Field of the Disclosed Subject Matter

[0002] The disclosed subject matter relates to power tools for use in construction, carpentry, and roofing. In particular the disclosed subject matter relates to apparatus for receiving and holding rechargeable batteries used in such power tools.2. Background

[0003] Power tools are a staple item in the equipment necessary for any worker to perform their job and are used in practically all fields of work. Power tools enhance the efficiency of tasks such as drilling, driving nails, and tightening bolts to name a few of such tasks. When such tasks are performed remotely from an electrical source, it is necessary to operate the tools with batteries.

[0004] Most power tools have rechargeable battery packs that can be charged in a charger station. It is desirable for a power tool operator to have multiple battery packs so that work can continue with a spare battery pack while another is being charged. Batteries can exhaust their charge relatively quickly, so a worker may need to replace the battery packs attached to the power tool frequently during the work period.

[0005] Rechargeable battery packs range in size from 2-6 inches in length and width and can be cumbersome for the worker to carry on his person if not otherwiseprovided in a toolbox or other carrier. Typically, spare rechargeable batteries may be kept in the worker’s toolbox along with a myriad of other tools. Naturally, it can be impractical to carry the toolbox throughout the job site. As a consequence, the spare batteries may not be close by when a worker needs to replace the battery in the power tool. That problem is exacerbated when the worker is on a roof and the toolbox containing the spare batteries are on the ground. That necessitates the worker stopping what he is doing, making trips up and down a ladder, and locating his toolbox to retrieve the replacement battery. This wastes time and is aggravating to the worker.10006] Safety on the job site is always a concern. When working at height, or on a ladder, it can be dangerous for a worker to reach and fumble for a spare battery when the battery needs to be changed. If the battery is not immediately within reach, the worker can be placed off balance as he reaches for the replacement battery and can fall from his at-height position or from the ladder.|0007] It would therefore be desirable to provide a carrier for one or more replacement batteries that a worker can wear on his person. The carrier should be made to be worn in a manner that places the battery in a readily accessible position. Also, the carrier should be positioned during wearing in a manner that does not interfere with the worker’s movements in carrying out the job at hand. Furthermore, the carrier should be comfortable to wear.SUMMARY[0008| The disclosed subject matter comprises a holster assembly for receiving and carrying a rechargeable battery of the type used in power tools. The holster assembly comprises a receptacle member adapted for receiving and retaining a battery body. An embodiment of the receptacle assembly forms a cradle having a structural configuration matching the charging port used to charge the battery. The cradle receives the battery in a releasably locking engagement for ready attachment and removal of the battery from the cradle. The holster assembly further comprises anattachment member in the form of a belt engagement clip to which the cradle is connected. The belt engagement clip is releasably engageable with the user’s belt or other article worn by the user.

[0009] The inventive holster assembly of the present disclosed subject matter enables a worker to carry a spare battery by which to power one or more tools with which he is working. The inventive holster assembly also enables a worker to temporarily store a spent battery after exchanging for the spare charged battery.

[0010] The inventive holster assembly provides efficiency and safety to the worker in enabling a carrier for rechargeable batteries for power tools. The holster assembly provides a quick connect and disconnect receptacle member to receive the battery that can be connected and disconnected to the body by one hand.

[0011] These and other features of the present disclosed subject matter are described in greater detail below in the Detailed Description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present disclosed subject matter is described herein with reference to the following drawing figures, with greater emphasis being placed on clarity rather than scale:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view from the rear of a receptacle embodying aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an isometric view from above of the receptacle of FIG. 1.[0015| FIG. 3 is front plan view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.[0016[ FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.[0018[ FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the receptacle of FIG. 1[0019[ FIG. 7 is a bottom elevation view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.[0020[ FIG. 8 is a top elevation view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.[00211 FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the recess of the receptacle of FIG. 1 taken generally within circle 9 in FIG. 1.[0022[ FIG. 10 is an isometric view from the front of a holster assembly embodying aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

[0023] FIG. 11 is an isometric view from the rear of the holster assembly of FIG. 10. |0024] FIG. 12 is an isometric view from the front of a holster assembly embodying aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

[0025] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the protrusion of the attachment member of FIG. 12 taken generally within circle 13 in FIG. 12.[0026| FIG. 14 is a plan view of an alternative dial arrangement according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter.DETAILED DESCRIPTION|(>027] With reference to the figures, a holster assembly 100 for receiving rechargeable batteries for power tools is herein described, shown, and otherwise disclosed in accordance with various embodiments, including a preferred embodiment, of the present disclosed subject matter.

[0028] The use of power tools having rechargeable batteries is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The battery may be either in its charged state or drained of power. The power pack is capable of being charged with a battery charger (not shown) and may be re-charged after the charge is drained through use of the power tool. The battery pack may be charged in multiple cycles following its drainage of power.10029] Power tools are typically provided with multiple power packs so that one power pack can be charged while the other power pack is connected to the power tool. The power tool owner may obtain multiple power packs so that the power tool has a constant supply of power throughout the work period as provided by the multiple charged power packs. This way, a continuous supply of power packs can be made to be at the ready to the worker so that time is not wasted in waiting for a re-charge of a drained power pack.|0030] Given that multiple power packs may be needed to charge one’s power tool throughout a particular work period, it can be a problem to stage the multiple spare power packs that is readily accessible to the worker when needed. The staging problem creates a number of concerns. As one concern, the power packs can be lost or stolen if the power tool owner does not take care to put the power packs in a secure location. Another concern is that time is wasted for the worker to have to retrieve a replacement power pack if it is staged a distance away from the worker’s job area. That problem is exacerbated if the worker has to climb up and down a ladder. That further creates safety risks to the worker the more he has to climb up and down aladder. The disclosed subject matter therefor provides for a holster assembly 100 by which to carry spare battery packs to replace spent battery packs in the power tool as the power in the battery pack currently used becomes depleted.

[0031] In one embodiment, the receptacle member 102 is specifically configured to receive the power pack of a particular cordless power tool manufacturer, such as DeWalt. Such receptacle members 102 may be obtained through various sources such as those sold by third party suppliers on on-line e-commerce websites. Similar receptacle members 102 configured to receive the battery packs of other cordless power tool manufacturers may also be used.|0032] The power pack holster assembly 100 of the present disclosed subject matter allows a worker to carry a replacement battery for his power tool thereby keeping it nearby when the worker needs to replace the battery in his power tool. A worker can wear multiple such holsters assemblies 100 in order to carry more than one power pack on his person. The quick connect and disconnect point of attachment of the power pack to the receptacle member 102 enables the worker to carry multiple power packs to his immediate work site and remove them while he is working so as not to be bothered by the extra weight. When one power pack is depleted, the worker can simply switch out the batteries from the receptacle member 102 thereby enabling the worker to keep track of the depleted battery as well.|0033] Referring to FIGS. 1-13, an implementation of the holster assembly 100 is shown and described, wherein a receptacle member 102 adapted to releasably engage the battery of a cordless power tool is attached to and rotatable about an attachment member 152 adapted for attaching the holster assembly 100 to a strap, such as a belt of a user. An exemplar attachment member 152 is shown with a strap engaging mechanism 180 comprising a clip. In an alternate implementation, the strap engaging mechanism 180 forms a downwardly-open passage that slides onto a belt, similar to a belt clip used for a knife or a firearm.[0034| The receptacle member 102 is rotatable relative to the attachment member 152. This enables the positioning of the battery pack to be angularly adjusted to suit the wearer. Typically, the receptacle member 102 may be oriented in a position with respect to the attachment member 152 such that the held battery pack within the receptacle member 102 is aligned vertically with the wearer’s leg and upper torso. At times, it may be more comfortable for the wearer to position the battery pack at a different angle along the wearer’s body. For example, when the wearer climbs a ladder while wearing the holster assembly 100 and carrying a battery pack, he may wish to adjust the positioning of the battery pack so that it does not hamper the movement of the wearer as he climbs the ladder. In such a position, the receptacle member 102 may be oriented in a position with respect to the attachment member 152 such that the held battery pack within the receptacle member 102 is aligned transversely with the wearer’s leg and upper torso. Because the battery pack typically has a width dimension less than that of its length, the battery pack as positioned transversely in the holster assembly 100 may be less likely to inhibit sideways movements by the wearer. Similarly, if the wearer crouches down while wearing the holster assembly 100, he may wish to move the positioning of the carried battery pack to allow freer movement of his leg so as not to be restricted by the battery pack.[0035j To facilitate the relative movement of the receptacle member 102 with the attachment member 152, an embodiment of the holster assembly 100 provides for a first rotatable member or first disc member 160 to be placed at the front face 156 of the attachment member 152 that is engageable with a second rotatable member or second disc member 110 at the rear face 106 of the receptacle member 102 with the first disc member 160 and second disc member 110 adapted to rotate against each other. The rotatable member may comprise a dial arrangement that is configured to permit rotation of the receptacle with respect to the attachment member and to be retained in certain relative angular positions.|0036J The receptacle member 102 has a rear wall 104 with a first sidewall 130and an opposing second sidewall 134 connected by a bottom wall 138, each extending from the rear wall 104. The interior of the first and second sidewalls 130, 134 form first and second rails 132, 136, respectively, extending along the sidewalls for engaging the receivers formed by the battery, and provides a quick connection and quick disconnection between the battery and the holster assembly 100. The rails 132, 136 are elongated without detents, allowing the battery to frictionally engage the receptacle member 102.

[0037] The rear wall 104 has a rear face 106 forming a circular recess 108. The recess 108 has a bottom wall forming an outer circular disc member 110 surrounding a central circular further recessed hub 122, and an outer sidewall 120 extending from the disc member 110 to the rear face 106. The recessed hub 122 surrounds a first centrally-located aperture 124. The disc member 110 forms a plurality of segments radiating from a point originating at the center of the disc member 110 and terminating at the sidewall 120. The segments comprise a raised engagement face 112 and an adjacent recessed engagement portion 114 that each extend from a narrow first end 126 adjacent the recessed hub 122 to a wide second end 128 adjacent the sidewall 120. The raised engagement faces 112 and recessed engagement portions 114 of the disc member 110 alternate across the surface of the disc member 110 providing contact with complementary features of the attachment member 152. The recessed engagement portions 114 have a first sidewall 116 and a second sidewall 118 forming a V-shaped channel 119.

[0038] The attachment member 152 has a strap engaging mechanism 180, and a front wall 154 with a front face 156 forming a circular protrusion 158. The protrusion 158 forms an outer circular disc member 160 surrounding a central circular raised hub 172 and includes an outer sidewall 170 extending from the disc member 160 to the front face 156. The raised hub 172 surrounds a second centrally-located aperture 174. The disc member 160 forms a plurality of segments radiating from a point originating at the center of the center of the disc member 160 and terminating at the sidewall 170.The segments comprise a recessed engagement face 162 and an adjacent raised engagement portion 164 that each extend from a narrow first end 176 adjacent the raised hub 172 to a wide second end 178 adjacent the sidewall 170. The recessed engagement faces 162 and raised engagement portions 164 of the disc member 160 alternate across the surface of the disc member 160 providing contact with the raised engagement faces 112 and recessed engagement portions 114 of the receptacle member 102. The raised engagement portions 164 have a first sidewall 166 and a second sidewall 168 forming a tooth 169 with a pyramid shaped cross-section. 9] The receptacle member 102 is attached to the attachment member 152 as shown in FIG. 10 by aligning the aperture 124 of the receptacle member 102 recess 108 with the aperture 174 of the attachment member 152 protrusion 158, whereby the rear face 106 is opposite the front face 156. The receptacle member 102 and attachment member 152 are then joined by an attachment member or a fastener 140, such as a bolt, passing through the apertures 124, 174. The raised engagement faces 112 of the receptacle member 102 are adapted to engage the recessed engagement faces 162 of the attachment member, and the recessed engagement portions 114 of the receptacle member 102 are adapted to engage the raised engagement portions 162 of the attachment member 152, whereby these respective portions rest in a complementary fitting relationship. As a result, the receptacle member 102 is rotatable relative to the attachment member 152, with the rotation causing the raised engagement portions 164 to slide out of engagement with the recessed engagement portions 114 and bias against the raised engagement face 112 as the raised engagement portions 164 slide across the adjacent raised engagement faces 112. Further rotation of the receptacle member 102 will cause the raised engagement portions 164 to slide into engagement with the adjacent recessed engagement portions 114. As such, the receptacle member 102 can be rotated by the user to position the attached battery relative to the user. The secure fitting relationship between the receptacle member 102 and attachment member 152 retains the receptacle member 102 and attached battery in the user-adjusted position.[0040| Referring to FIG. 14, in another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter whereby the disc members 160, 110 differ from the above disclosed implementation, the dial arrangement comprises a first disc member 160 affixed to the attachment member 152 and a second disc member 110 affixed to the receptacle member 102. Each of the first- and second-disc members 160, 110 have alternating raised portions 184 placed along arcs in their circumferential faces 156, 106. As an example, the disc member 160 associated with the attachment member 152 may have alternating, equally sized raised portions 184 and channel 186 or recessed portions, with raised portions 184 on its face placed at each of the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions, or in the alternative, at zero degrees, ninety degrees, one hundred eighty degrees, and two hundred seventy degrees, and recessed portions on its face placed at each of the 1 :30, 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30 o’clock positions, or in the alternative, at forty- five degrees, one hundred thirty-five degrees, two hundred twenty five degrees, and three hundred fifteen degrees. The disc member 110 associated with the receptacle member 102 may have alternating equally sized raised portions 184 and channel 186 or recessed portions, with raised portions 184 placed on its face at offset positions at each of the 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30 o’clock positions, or in the alternative, at forty- five degrees, one hundred thirty-five degrees, two hundred twenty five degrees, and three hundred fifteen degrees, and recessed portions on its face placed at each of the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions, or in the alternative, at zero degrees, ninety degrees, one hundred eighty degrees, and two hundred seventy degrees. Each raised portion 184 on the respective disc members extends an arc distance of slightly less than the arc distance of the space between adjacent raised portions.

[0041] The portions of the disc members between the raised portions provides a channel 186 in which the raised portions 184 may rest in or is received in a complementary fitting relationship. In this fashion, the receptacle member 102 may be rotated relative to the attachment member 152 to bring a raised portion 184 of the disc member associated with the receptacle member 102 into complementary alignment with a channel 186 provided in the disc member associated with the attachment member 152.Correspondingly, a raised portion 184 of the disc member associated with the attachment member 152 will come into complementary alignment with a channel 186 provided in the disc member associated with the receptacle member 102. The receptacle member 102 is rotatable relative to the attachment member 152, where rotation causes the raised portion 184 of the first disc member to slide out of engagement with the channel 186 of the second disc member and bias against the raised portions 184 of the second disc member as the raised portions 184 slide across the face of the adjacent raised portions 184 of the second disc member. Further rotation of the receptacle member 102 will cause the raised portions 184 to slide into engagement with the adjacent channels 186 in the second disc member, thereby changing the orientation of the receptacle member 102 with respect to the attachment member 152, and thus the orientation of the battery held by the receptacle member 102 relative to the user. Through these complementary and reciprocal alignments of the raised portions 184 and channels 186 on the respective disc members, the attachment member 152 holster and battery pack will be held in an angled position with the user being able to adjust the angular position of the battery to the desired position.10042] The receptacle member 102 and attachment member 152 are manufactured from a resilient material, such as plastic, and can be formed by three-dimensional printing or injection molding.[0043| Although the disclosed subject matter has been disclosed with reference to various particular implementations and embodiments, it is understood that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

Claims

CLAIMSHaving described the disclosed subject matter, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A holster assembly for carrying a rechargeable battery, comprising: a receptacle member adapted to releasably engage the rechargeable battery, comprising: a rear wall forming a first disc member; an attachment member forming a strap engaging mechanism adapted for attaching to a strap, comprising: a front wall forming a second disc member; and wherein the first disc member and second disc member are adapted to rotate against each other.

2. The holster assembly of claim 1, wherein the strap engagement mechanism is a clip that attaches to the strap.

3. The holster assembly of claim 1, wherein the strap engagement mechanism is a downwardly-open passage that slides onto the strap.

4. The holster assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle member further comprises: a first sidewall forming a first rail; a second sidewall forming a second rail; and wherein the first rail opposes the second rail, with the rails adapted for engaging the battery.

5. A holster assembly for carrying a rechargeable battery, comprising: a receptacle member adapted to releasably engage the rechargeable battery, the receptacle member comprising:a rear wall forming a first disc member, the first disc member comprising: a raised portion at each of about zero degrees, ninety degrees, one hundred eighty degrees, and two hundred seventy degrees; and a recessed portion at each of about forty-five degrees, one hundred thirty-five degrees, two hundred twenty-five degrees, and three hundred and fifteen degrees; an attachment member forming a strap engaging mechanism adapted for attaching to the strap, the attachment member comprising: a front wall forming a second disc member, the second disc member comprising: a raised portion at each of about forty-five degrees, one hundred thirty -five degrees, two hundred twenty-five degrees, and three hundred and fifteen degrees; and a recessed portion at each of about zero degrees, ninety degrees, one hundred eighty degrees, and two hundred seventy degrees; and wherein the raised portions of the first disc member are received in a fitting relationship with the recessed portions of the second disc member.

6. The holster assembly of claim 5, wherein the strap engagement mechanism is a clip that attaches to the strap.

7. The holster assembly of claim 5, wherein the strap engagement mechanism is a downwardly-open passage that slides onto the strap.

8. The holster assembly of claim 5, wherein the first disc member and second disc member are adapted to rotate against each other.

9. A holster assembly for carrying a rechargeable battery, comprising:a receptacle member adapted to releasably engage the rechargeable battery, the receptacle member comprising: a rear wall forming a first disc member, the first disc member comprising: a plurality of raised engagement faces radiating from the center of the disc member; and a plurality of recessed engagement portions radiating from the center of the disc member; an attachment member forming a strap engaging mechanism adapted for attaching to the strap, the attachment member comprising: a front wall forming a second disc member, the second disc member comprising: a plurality of raised engagement faces radiating from the center of the disc member; and a plurality of recessed engagement portions radiating from the center of the disc member; and wherein the raised engagement faces of the first disc member are received in a fitting relationship with the recessed engagement portions of the second disc member.

10. The holster assembly of claim 9, wherein the first disc member and second disc member are adapted to rotate against each other.

11. The holster assembly of claim 9, further comprising: wherein the recessed engagement portions of the first disc member comprise: a first sidewall; a second sidewall; and wherein the first and second side wall form a V-shaped channel.

12. The holster assembly of claim 9, further comprising: wherein the raised engagement portions of the second disc member comprise:a first sidewall; a second sidewall; and wherein the first and second sidewall form a pyramid-shaped tooth having a pyramid shaped cross-section.

13. The holster assembly of claim 9, further comprising: wherein the receptacle member further comprises: a circular recess formed by the rear wall, the circular recess forming an outer sidewall; wherein the first disc member is formed within the recess; a recessed circular hub; wherein the first disc member surrounds the recessed circular hub; a first aperture; and wherein the recessed circular hub surrounds the first aperture; and wherein the attachment member further comprises: a circular protrusion formed by the front wall; wherein the second disc member is formed by the protrusion; a raised circular hub; wherein the second disc member surrounds the raised circular hub; a second aperture; and wherein the raised circular hub surrounds the second aperture.

14. The holster assembly of claim 9, wherein the strap engagement mechanism is a clip that attaches to the strap.

15. The holster assembly of claim 9, wherein the strap engagement mechanism is a downwardly-open passage that slides onto the strap.

16. The holster assembly of claim 13, further comprising:wherein the receptacle member raised engagement faces extend from a narrow first end adjacent the recessed hub to a wide second end adjacent the sidewall; and wherein the receptacle member recessed engagement portions extend from a narrow first end adjacent the recessed hub to a wide second end adjacent the sidewall.

17. A holster assembly for carrying a rechargeable battery, comprising: a receptacle member adapted to releasably engage the rechargeable battery; the receptacle member comprising: a first sidewall forming a first rail; a second sidewall forming a second rail; and wherein the first rail opposes the second rail, with the rails adapted for frictionally engaging the battery; and an attachment member connected to the receptacle member, the attachment member forming a strap engaging mechanism adapted for attaching to a strap.

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