Electric tool powered by a plurality of battery packs and adapter therefor

Abstract

An electric power tool comprises a main body supporting a tool and an electric motor housed in the main body for driving the tool. A plurality of first battery interfaces is configured to removably receive or attach a plurality of first battery packs and to electrically connect the plurality of attached first battery packs in series with the electric motor. A plurality of indicators is configured to communicate information concerning the respective conditions of the plurality of attached first battery packs. The plurality of indicators is arranged such that all of the indicators are simultaneously viewable by a user of the electric power tool.

1 .- 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A power tool comprising:
 a tool housing;   an electric load disposed within the tool housing;   a first battery pack interface defined on the tool housing and electrically connected to the electric load, the first battery pack interface comprising a pair of guide rails configured to slidably receive and engage corresponding rails on the first battery pack in a detachable manner; and   a second battery pack interface defined on the tool housing and electrically connected to the electric load, the second battery pack interface comprising a pair of guide rails configured to slidably and engage corresponding rails on the second battery pack in a detachable manner.   
     
     
         51 . The power tool as in  claim 50 , wherein each of the first and second battery pack interfaces further comprises a latch receiving hole configured to engage with a latch member provided on the first and second slide-type battery packs, respectively. 
     
     
         52 . The power tool as in  claim 51 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are arranged side by side on the tool housing. 
     
     
         53 . The power tool as in  claim 52 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are arranged on a rear portion of the tool housing. 
     
     
         54 . The power tool as in  claim 53 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are configured such that the first and second battery are slidably insertable in the same direction into the respective first and second battery pack interfaces. 
     
     
         55 . The power tool as in  claim 54 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are configured to respectively receive the first and second battery packs from the same direction. 
     
     
         56 . The power tool as in  claim 55 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are physically configured in at least substantially an identical manner. 
     
     
         57 . The power tool as in  claim 55 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are physically configured in an identical manner. 
     
     
         58 . The power tool as in  claim 56 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are substantially identical to a battery pack interface of a different power tool configured to attach only a single battery pack. 
     
     
         59 . The power tool as in  claim 56 , wherein each of the first and second battery pack interfaces further comprises a positive electrode input terminal, a negative electrode input terminal and a battery controller input/output terminal. 
     
     
         60 . The power tool as in  claim 59 , wherein the negative electrode input terminal of the first battery pack interface is electrically connected in series with the positive electrode input terminal of the second battery pack interface. 
     
     
         61 . The power tool as in  claim 60 , wherein the electric load comprises an electric motor configured to drive a tool. 
     
     
         62 . The power tool as in  claim 61 , further comprising:
 a main controller comprising at least one microprocessor electrically connected to the battery controller input/output terminal of each of the first and second battery pack interfaces.   
     
     
         63 . The power tool as in  claim 50 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are arranged side by side on the tool housing. 
     
     
         64 . The power tool as in  claim 50 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are configured such that the first and second battery are slidably insertable in the same direction into the respective first and second battery pack interfaces. 
     
     
         65 . The power tool as in  claim 50 , wherein the first and second battery pack interfaces are physically configured in at least substantially an identical manner. 
     
     
         66 . The power tool as in  claim 50 , wherein each of the first and second battery pack interfaces further comprises a positive electrode input terminal, a negative electrode input terminal and a battery controller input/output terminal. 
     
     
         67 . The power tool as in  claim 66 , wherein the negative electrode input terminal of the first battery pack interface is electrically connected in series with the positive electrode input terminal of the second battery pack interface. 
     
     
         68 . The power tool as in  claim 66 , further comprising:
 a main controller comprising at least one microprocessor electrically connected to the battery controller input/output terminal of each of the first and second battery pack interfaces.   
     
     
         69 . The power tool as in  claim 50 , wherein the electric load comprises an electric motor configured to drive a tool.