Abstract: A battery powered energy-using device is disclosed which operably distinguishes between batteries having standard and non-standard terminal configurations. The battery compartment in the device is provided with a terminal having first and second insulated contacts, one contact configured to make contact with a battery of standard terminal configuration and the second contact adapted to make contact with a second terminal. In one embodiment the device is associated with charging circuitry which is adapted to recharge a rechargeable battery having the special non-standard terminal configuration, while permitting discharge but not recharge of a primary battery having a standard terminal configuration.

Abstract: A charger for charging a rechargeable electrochemical cell including: a first conductive terminal having a central opening therein and a first contact end, the first conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a first charging rate; and a second conductive terminal positioned within the opening, the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion extending outwardly from and electrically insulated from the first contact end, the second conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a second charging rate. The charger may have an insulator with an insulating contact end portion in place of the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion.

Abstract: A charger for charging a rechargeable electrochemical cell including: a first conductive terminal having a central opening therein and a first contact end, the first conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a first charging rate; and a second conductive terminal positioned within the opening, the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion extending outwardly from and electrically insulated from the first contact end, the second conductive terminal connected to circuitry capable of providing charging current at a second charging rate. The charger may have an insulator with an insulating contact end portion in place of the second conductive terminal having a second contact end portion.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is provided which is operable in a first mode to deliver electrical energy to the load of an energy-using device and to a rechargeable battery for charging thereof. The circuit is operable in a second mode to deliver energy to the load of the energy-using device alternatively from either the rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a pair of discharge terminals spaced apart by a first preselected distance so as to engage the power terminals of either the rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a charging terminal spaced apart from one of the discharge terminals by a distance greater than said first distance so as to engage a terminal extension carried by one of the power terminal contacts of the rechargeable battery whereby only the rechargeable battery may be charged in the circuit.