Battery Pack with Lanyard Receiver and Tether with Quick Attachment

Abstract

A battery tether system for tethering a power tool battery is provided. The battery may include a tether receiver as an integral component of the battery or the battery may be retrofit with a sleeve or bumper including a tether receiver. The sleeve may include a clasp to overlay the retrofit battery and ensure that the tether receptacle remains coupled to the battery. The tether receiver may connect to the tool receiver and provide an electrical connection to the tool and a tether receiver for the battery. The battery system may include tether keys configured to be inserted into a slot and slide into a locking pocket of the sleeve or bumper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery cradle, comprising:
 a power tool battery;   a sleeve configured to receive the battery and surround a portion of the battery;   a clasp coupled to the sleeve, the clasp moveable between an open position and a closed position;   a tether receiver located on at least one of the sleeve and the clasp, the tether receiver configured to be attached to a tether to secure the battery to the tether;   wherein, when the clasp is in the closed position, the clasp overlays a portion of the battery, securing the battery within the sleeve; and   wherein, when the clasp is in the open position the clasp does not overlay the portion of the battery, allowing removal of the battery from the sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The battery cradle of  claim 1 , the sleeve comprising a bumper. 
     
     
         3 . The battery cradle of  claim 1 , the clasp comprising a pin;
 wherein the clasp is coupled to the sleeve with a pin.   
     
     
         4 . The battery cradle of  claim 3 , the clasp further comprising a front arm;
 wherein, when the clasp is in the closed position and the tether receiver is coupled to the pin, the front arm overlays the portion of the battery.   
     
     
         5 . A tether attachment system for a power tool battery, comprising:
 a power tool battery;   a tether key comprising a biasing element; and   a tether attachment, the tether attachment comprising;
 a channel configured to receive the tether key; and 
 two or more adjacent locking pockets, wherein, when the tether key is moved from the channel into the locking pocket, the biasing element creates a friction fit that secures the tether key in the locking pocket. 
   
     
     
         6 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , the tether attachment further comprising a first outer surface coupled to the power tool battery and a second outer surface that opens to define the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , the channel comprising a first end with a first locking pocket and a second end with a second locking pocket;
 wherein the tether key is a first tether key;   wherein the first locking pocket secures a first tether key and the second locking pocket secures a second tether key.   
     
     
         8 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , the power tool battery comprising an outer housing;
 wherein the tether attachment is integral with the outer housing of the power tool battery.   
     
     
         9 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , wherein the tether attachment is a separate component coupled to an outer surface of the power tool battery. 
     
     
         10 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , the tether key further comprising two angled surfaces; 
 wherein the biasing element rotates a first surface about an angle with respect to a second surface, the biasing element causing the rotation of the first surface relative to the second surface and providing the friction fit in the locking pocket.   
     
     
         11 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , wherein the biasing element is a loop of resilient material that pushes the tether key into a friction fit in the locking pocket; and
 wherein a compressive and sliding force removes the tether key from the locking pocket to release the tether key.   
     
     
         12 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , wherein the biasing element is a compression spring internal to the tether key that pushes the tether key into a friction fit in the locking pocket; and
 wherein a compressive and sliding force removes the tether key from the locking pocket to release the tether key.   
     
     
         13 . The tether attachment system of  claim 5 , wherein the tether attachment is coupled to a base surface of the power tool battery. 
     
     
         14 . A tether attachment system for a power tool battery, comprising:
 a tether adapter comprising:
 a tether receiver configured to be attached to a tether; 
 a first tool receiver configured to couple the tether adapter to a power tool and transmit electrical power to the power tool; 
   wherein the tether adapter is configured to engage electrical contacts of a power tool battery such that the tether adapter transmits electrical power between the first tool receiver and the power tool battery.   
     
     
         15 . The tether attachment system of  claim 14 , the tether attachment system further comprising the power tool and the power tool battery;
 wherein the tether adapter is coupled to the power tool and coupled to the power tool battery; and   wherein the tether adapter couples the power tool to the power tool battery.   
     
     
         16 . The tether attachment system of  claim 15 , the power tool battery comprising a second tool receiver configured to receive the power tool; and
 wherein the tether adapter is located between the power tool and the power tool battery such that the tether adapter is coupled to the second tool receiver of the power tool battery and the power tool is coupled to the first tool receiver of the tether adapter.   
     
     
         17 . The tether attachment system of  claim 15 , the power tool battery comprising a plurality of rails;
 wherein the tether adapter engages the plurality of rails of the power tool battery when the tether adapter is coupled to the power tool battery.   
     
     
         18 . The tether attachment system of  claim 14 , the tether adapter further comprising a front arm moveable between an open position and a closed position;
 wherein, when the front arm is in the closed position, the front arm is configured to overlay a portion of the power tool battery, securing the tether adapter to the power tool battery; and   wherein, when the front arm is in the open position, the front arm is configured to not overlay the portion of the power tool battery, allowing removal of the tether adapter from the power tool battery.   
     
     
         19 . The tether attachment system of  claim 18 , wherein the tether receiver is located on the front arm. 
     
     
         20 . The tether attachment system of  claim 18 , the tether adapter further comprising a pin;
 wherein, when the front arm is in the closed position, the front arm is configured to couple to the pin such that the pin prevents the front arm from moving into the open position.