IP Library › Granted Patent US 12712325
Granted Patent B2
US 12712325 · App. 17/677,322 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Power tool and battery interface

Inventor: Colin G. Knight (Winnetka, IL)
Assignee: TRANSFORM SR BRANDS LLC
H01R27/00B25F5/02H01M50/267H02K7/145H01M2220/30H01R29/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12712325
App. No.
17/677,322
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Batteries having different form factors and power tools that are capable of using such batteries are described. In some embodiments, a power tool may use batteries having a post form factor as well as batteries having a slide form factor.

Claims (58)

1 . A power tool comprising:

an electrical component; and

a battery interface configured to couple a battery to the power tool;

wherein the battery interface includes:

first electrical connectors that engage electrical contacts of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has a first physical configuration and permit the battery to power the electrical component; and

second electrical connectors that engage the electrical contacts of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has a second physical configuration, but do not engage the electrical contacts the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has the first physical configuration.

2 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical connectors do not engage the electrical contacts of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has the second physical configuration.

3 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein:

the first physical configuration is a post battery configuration; and

the second physical configuration is a slide battery configuration.

4 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein:

the battery interface comprises first tabs that define a first channel;

the first tabs of the battery interface are laterally spaced apart by first openings between side surfaces of adjacent first tabs of the battery interface; and

the first openings of the battery interface are sized to permit first tabs of the battery to pass through the first openings and into the first channel when the battery has the second physical configuration.

5 . The power tool of claim 4 , wherein the first channel permits the first tabs of the battery to slide along the first channel and traverse multiple first tabs of the battery interface as the battery is slid into engagement with the second electrical connectors.

6 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein the battery interface comprises a battery compartment cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the battery when the battery has the first physical configuration.

7 . The power tool of claim 6 , wherein:

the battery interface comprises first tabs that extend inwardly from a first side of the battery interface and second tabs that extend inwardly from a second side of the battery interface;

the first tabs of the battery interface define a first channel between a base surface of the battery interface and upper surfaces of the first tabs of the battery interface such that the first channel runs along the first side of the battery interface;

the second tabs of the battery interface define a second channel between the base surface of the battery interface and upper surfaces of the second tabs of the battery interface such that the second channel runs along the second side of the battery interface; and

the first channel and the second channel are configured to receive first tabs and second tabs of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has the second physical configuration.

8 . The power tool of claim 7 , wherein:

the first channel is configured to receive first tabs of the battery via openings between adjacent first tabs of the battery interface; and

the second channel is configured to receive second tabs of the battery via openings between adjacent second tabs of the battery interface.

9 . The power tool of claim 8 , wherein:

a first end of the first channel and a first end of the second channel are open and configured to permit the first tabs and the second tabs of the battery to enter the first channel and the second channel via their respective first ends; and

a second end of the first channel and second end of the second channel are closed and configured to prevent the first tabs and the second tabs of the battery from exiting the first channel and the second channel via their respective second ends.

10 . The power tool of claim 6 , comprising a tool driven by the electrical component.

11 . The power tool of claim 1 , wherein the battery interface comprises a recess that receives a detent of the battery that secures the battery to the power tool when the detent engages the recess.

12 . The power tool of claim 11 , wherein the battery interface comprises a spring that disengages the electrical contacts of the battery from the second electrical connectors when the detent of the battery is released from the recess.

13 . A power tool comprising:

a motor; and

a battery interface configured to couple a battery to the power tool;

wherein the battery interface includes:

first electrical connectors that engage electrical contacts of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has a first physical configuration and permit the battery to supply power for the motor via the first electrical connectors; and

second electrical connectors that engage the electrical contacts of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has a second physical configuration and permit the battery to supply power for the motor via the second electrical connectors.

14 . The power tool of claim 13 , wherein:

the first electrical connectors do not engage the electrical contacts of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has the second physical configuration; and

the second electrical connectors do not engage the electrical contacts the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has the first physical configuration.

15 . The power tool of claim 14 , wherein:

the first physical configuration is a post battery configuration; and

the second physical configuration is a slide battery configuration.

16 . The power tool of claim 13 , wherein the battery interface comprises a battery compartment cavity configured to receive at least a post portion of the battery when the battery has the first physical configuration.

17 . The power tool of claim 13 , wherein:

the battery interface comprises first tabs that extend inwardly from a first side of the battery interface and second tabs that extend inwardly from a second side of the battery interface;

the first tabs of the battery interface define a first channel between a base surface of the battery interface and upper surfaces of the first tabs of the battery interface such that the first channel runs along the first side of the battery interface;

the second tabs of the battery interface define a second channel between the base surface of the battery interface and upper surfaces of the second tabs of the battery interface such that the second channel runs along the second side of the battery interface; and

the first channel and the second channel are configured to receive first tabs and second tabs of the battery when the battery coupled to the battery interface has the second physical configuration.

18 . The power tool of claim 13 , wherein the battery interface comprises:

a first channel configured to receive first tabs of the battery via openings between adjacent first tabs of the battery interface; and

a second channel is configured to receive second tabs of the battery via openings between adjacent second tabs of the battery interface.

19 . The power tool of claim 18 , wherein:

a first end of the first channel and a first end of the second channel are open and configured to permit the first tabs and the second tabs of the battery to enter the first channel and the second channel via their respective first ends; and

a second end of the first channel and second end of the second channel are closed and configured to prevent the first tabs and the second tabs of the battery from exiting the first channel and the second channel via their respective second ends.

20 . The power tool of claim 19 , wherein:

the battery interface comprises first tabs that define the first channel and second tabs that define the second channel;

wherein first openings between adjacent first tabs of the battery interface are configured to permit first tabs of the battery to pass between the adjacent first tabs of the battery interface and into the first channel;

wherein second openings between adjacent second tabs of the battery interface are configured to permit second tabs of the battery to pass between the adjacent second tabs of the battery interface and into the second channel.