Adapter for cordless power tools

Abstract

An electrical combination including a power tool, charger and an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing or battery charger to support the battery on the tool housing or the battery charger, the adapter having adapter leads for electrically coupling the battery to the power tool or the battery charger, the adapter having a mechanical lockout for allowing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the power tool while preventing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the battery charger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrical combination comprising:
 a battery having a switching member indicating information about the battery;   a battery charger having a detecting device for detecting the presence of the switching member when the battery is physically connected to the battery charger and a battery charging management circuit for transmitting power to the battery from the charger upon detection of the switching member.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein the switching member is a magnet. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical combination as recited in  claim 2  wherein the detecting device is a Hall-effect sensor. 
     
     
         4 . An electrical combination comprising:
 a first battery pack having an electromechanical interface and having a switching member;   an electrical device having an electromechanical interface configured to mate with the first battery pack and a detecting device for detecting the presence of the switching member when the first battery pack is mated to the electrical device thereby permitting the first battery pack to operate with the electrical device;   a second battery pack having an electromechanical interface configure so as to not mate with the electrical device and sans a switching member;   an adapter having a first electromechanical interface configured to mate with the electrical device and a second electromechanical interface configured to mate with the second battery pack but not mate with the first battery pack wherein the second battery pack does not operate with the electrical device.   
     
     
         5 . The electrical combination as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the electrical device is a battery charger. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical combination as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the electrical device is a power tool. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical combination as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a second electrical device that operates with the first battery pack and the combination of the second battery pack and the adapter. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical combination as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the first electrical device is a battery charger and the second electrical device is a power tool. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical combination as recited in  claim 4  wherein the switching member is a magnet. 
     
     
         10 . An electrical combination comprising:
 a first battery pack having an electromechanical interface;   an electrical device having an electromechanical interface configured to mate with the first battery pack;   a second battery pack having an electromechanical interface configure so as to not mate with the electrical device;   an adapter having a first electromechanical interface configured to mate with the electrical device and a second electromechanical interface configured to mate with the second battery pack but not mate with the first battery pack, the adapter comprising a mechanical device providing functionality beyond coupling the second battery pack to the electrical device.   
     
     
         11 . The electrical combination, as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical device is a spirit level. 
     
     
         12 . The electrical combination, as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical device is a plumb bob. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical combination, as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical device is a tape ruler.