US 12,266,956 B2
Electric tool powered by a plurality of battery packs and adapter therefor
Tomoyuki Ota, Anjo (JP); Kiyoshi Nishibe, Anjo (JP); and Hitoshi Suzuki, Anjo (JP)
Assigned to MAKITA CORPORATION, Anjo (JP)
Filed by MAKITA CORPORATION, Anjo (JP)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/409,182.
Application 18/409,182 is a division of application No. 18/130,120, filed on Apr. 3, 2023, granted, now 11,909,236.
Application 18/130,120 is a continuation of application No. 16/724,850, filed on Dec. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,646,590, issued on May 9, 2023.
Application 16/724,850 is a continuation of application No. 15/403,344, filed on Jan. 11, 2017, granted, now 10,559,789, issued on Nov. 2, 2020.
Application 15/403,344 is a continuation of application No. 14/808,090, filed on Jul. 24, 2015, granted, now 9,583,746, issued on Feb. 28, 2017.
Application 14/808,090 is a continuation of application No. 13/770,332, filed on Feb. 19, 2013, abandoned.
Application 13/770,332 is a continuation of application No. 12/888,100, filed on Sep. 22, 2010, granted, now 8,984,711, issued on Mar. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of application No. 2010029505 (JP), filed on Feb. 12, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2024/0146079 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01); B25F 5/00 (2006.01); H01M 10/48 (2006.01); H01M 50/213 (2021.01); H01M 50/244 (2021.01); H01M 50/247 (2021.01); H01M 50/267 (2021.01); H01M 50/296 (2021.01); H01M 50/574 (2021.01); H01M 6/42 (2006.01); H01M 10/0525 (2010.01); H01M 10/058 (2010.01)
CPC H02J 7/00309 (2020.01) [B25F 5/00 (2013.01); H01M 10/48 (2013.01); H01M 10/488 (2013.01); H01M 50/213 (2021.01); H01M 50/244 (2021.01); H01M 50/247 (2021.01); H01M 50/267 (2021.01); H01M 50/296 (2021.01); H01M 50/574 (2021.01); H02J 7/0045 (2013.01); H02J 7/0063 (2013.01); H02J 7/007182 (2020.01); B23B 2260/024 (2013.01); H01M 6/42 (2013.01); H01M 10/0525 (2013.01); H01M 10/058 (2013.01); H01M 2200/103 (2013.01); H01M 2220/30 (2013.01); H02J 7/00036 (2020.01); H02J 7/00306 (2020.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric power tool, comprising:
a main body supporting a tool;
an electric motor housed in the main body and configured to drive the tool;
first and second battery interfaces integrally formed side by side on the main body, each of the first and second battery interfaces having a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal; and
first and second battery packs, each of the first and second battery packs having a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal that are respectively detachably contactable with the positive and negative terminals of the first and second battery interfaces;
wherein:
each of the first and second battery packs comprises a movable latch configured to engage a corresponding engagement structure defined on or near the first and second battery interfaces, respectively,
the first and second battery interfaces electrically connect the first and second battery packs in series with the electric motor,
a first plurality of indicators is disposed on the first battery pack, the first plurality of indicators being configured to indicate at least two levels of the state of charge of the first battery pack,
a second plurality of indicators is disposed on the second battery pack, the second plurality of indicators being configured to indicate at least two levels of the state of charge of the second battery pack, and
the first and second battery interfaces and the first and second plurality of indicators are arranged such that the first and second plurality of indicators are simultaneously viewable in at least one direction in a state in which the first and second battery packs are attached to the first and second battery interfaces, respectively.