Abstract: A battery pack (10) comprises a housing having two members (2 and 4), a header frame (11), detachably mounted on at least one of the members of the housing, a plurality of cells (12) for insertion into the header frame, a plurality of leaded electronic components (30 and 40) on the header frame, and circuitry (21 and 22) on the header frame for providing intercell connections, battery contacts, charger contacts and for providing weldless circuit connections for the plurality of leaded electronic components.

Abstract: A battery (10) integrally formed in a substrate (2) comprises a first current collector (4) inlaid in the substrate (2) and further coupled to a first electrode (14), a second current collector (6) coupled to a second electrode (16), and a solid state electrolyte (8) between the first electrode (14) and the second electrode (16).

Abstract: A communication unit (10), capable of operating in either cellular or trunked communication modes, comprises a receiver (14), a transmitter (16), and a dual synthesizer (18), coupled to the receiver and to the transmitter. The dual synthesizer comprises a main synthesizer (124) and an offset synthesizer (132). The offset synthesizer comprises a phase modulator (131) and an offset voltage-controlled oscillator (134). A protocol controller (20) comprises modulator circuitry for modulating only the offset voltage-controlled oscillator when communication unit operates in the cellular mode, and for modulating both the phase modulator and the offset voltage-controlled oscillator when the communication unit operates in the trunked mode.

Abstract: A shock absorbing battery pack (5) comprises a battery housing (15) having a plurality of cells within the housing. The cells each have a negative cell terminal (24) coupled to a can (20) and a positive cell terminal (22). Between the cell terminal resides a spring means (12) for providing shock absorption.

Abstract: A method of forming flat solder bumps (16 and 18) on contact areas (12 and 14) of a first side and second side of a printed circuit board (12, 14 and 10) comprises the steps of applying solder paste in a predetermined pattern and a predetermined thickness on the contact areas of the first side and the second side of the printed circuit board forming joint areas. Next, the solder paste is reflowed. Then, the solder joints on the first side are flattened (17). Before surface mounted components (20 and 26) are mounted on the printed circuit board, tack media (32) is dispensed onto the joint areas. Subsequently, the printed circuit boards is reflowed. Now the second side of the printed circuit board is flattened (19). As with the first side, tack media (34) is dispensed on the solder joints on the second side before surface mounted components (40 and 46) are mounted on the second side. Finally, the printed circuit board is reflowed again.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display assembly (1) comprises a liquid crystal display (6), a lens (2), and a membrane (4) filled with substantially clear liquid between the lens (2) and the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Direct access to internal radio circuits is provided without requiring additional space on the radio housing to mount a test jack. The threaded aperture (104a) of a bushing (104) is aligned with an aperture (102c) in a radio housing (102). The bushing is attached to the radio housing and the base of an antenna (106) is inserted through the housing aperture and screwed into the bushing, thereby electrically connecting the antenna to the bushing. A printed circuit board (110) is attached to the housing. An electrically conductive spring (112) is held in contact with the bushing and provides an electrical connection between the printed circuit board and the bushing. A test jack (108) is mounted on the printed circuit board and is aligned with the apertures in the housing and bushing.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly (10) comprises a housing having a bottom portion (26) and a top portion (24), the top portion having a first inverted wall section (29) and a second inverted wall section (28), the housing having at least one aperture (31 and 32), the aperture extending from the bottom of the first inverted wall section to the bottom of the second inverted wall section. The assembly further comprises a substrate (20) within the housing having at least one contact area (22), and a contact finger (11) for placement in the housing aperture, the contact finger having at least a first portion (12), a second portion (14) and a third portion (16). The first portion protrudes below the aperture and contacts the contact area (22) on the substrate. The second portion (14) clips on to opposing walls of the second inverted wall (28) and the third portion (16) protrudes from the aperture (31) forming an external contact area.

Abstract: A method for solder deposition by the use of a laser (24), comprises the steps of applying a predetermined thickness of solder (6) to a substrate (2) including over a printed circuitry pattern (4) on the substrate, laser printing (24) to a reflow temperature the solder on the printed circuitry pattern, leaving an un-reflowed portion (9) and then removing (26) the un-reflowed portion of the substrate, leaving solidified solder (7) on the printed circuitry pattern of the substrate. Additionally, if desired, a part (12) having solder pads (14) can be placed on the solder (7) after tack media (13) is placed on the solder. Then the part (12) and substrate can be reflowed in an oven (34).

Abstract: A pivotable spring probe (30) includes a housing (36) having an opening, a plunger (34) within and guided by the housing, the plunger being slidingly movable between an extended position and a retracted position, a pivotable contact head (32) mounted on the plunger for making electrical contact with a conductive surface external to the housing, and a spring (42) mounted on the bottom of the plunger for biasing the plunger towards the housing opening.

Abstract: A battery charging unit communicates with an operational device while contemporaneously charging a battery to power the device. The device provides information to the charging unit indicating its present operational status, which enables the charging unit to determine the magnitude of the proper charging current under such operating conditions. In this way, battery life is maximized while battery charging time is minimized.

Abstract: A slide switch (10) comprises a housing (12) having at least one cantilever beam (22 and 23) integrally formed in the housing (12). A keypad (24 and 25) is arranged and constructed below at least one of the cantilever beams (22 and 23). A horizontal slide actuator (30) is arranged and constructed to slide over the cantilever beam (22 and 23) for substantially biasing the cantilever beam (22 and 23) toward the keypad (24 and 25).

Abstract: A battery (50) comprises a plurality of interconnected cells (56) each cell having a positive (60) and negative terminal (62) and a plurality of resistive fusible material (58) serving as interlinks interspersed between unlike terminals of the cells (56) in the plurality of interconnected cells.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) comprises a radio receiver disposed in a housing (22) having two opposed ends, a wrist band (24) having a conductor (40) throughout the length of the wrist band from a first end (26) to a second end (28), and a connector (32, 34, and 36) within the opposed ends of the radio receiver housing and within the first end and second end of the wrist band for detachably coupling the wrist band to the radio receiver housing forming a loop antenna.

Abstract: A battery cycle counter comprises a rechargeable battery having supply and charger contacts, a circuit for providing an input signal when the rechargeable battery is being charged, and a counter powered by the battery and responsive to the input signal which increments a cycle count. The counter has input and output ports. An analog output circuit coupled to the counter output ports provides a unique analog output signal indicative of said cycle count.

Abstract: A battery comprises a housing having at least one rechargeable cell within the housing, wherein the cells have a predetermined characteristic. Magnetized elements within the housing provide information to a charger, wherein the arrangement and number of the magnetized elements is indicative of the predetermined characteristic of the cell or cells.

Abstract: A solder joint inspection system comprises a substrate (60) having at least one solder pad (56), a predetermined amount of solder (54) on the solder pad, and an image fluxing material (52) that fluoresces when an ultraviolet light source (42) is applied to the solder (54) and the fluxing material (52). When an ultraviolet light source is applied to the substrate having a predetermined amount of solder and fluxing material, a visual inspecting device (40) can verify if, in fact, the predetermined amount of solder and fluxing material is present.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a battery pack (50) comprising a plurality of cells (58) within a housing (52), each cell having a positive and negative terminals (57 and 59). The battery pack (50) further comprises molded-in circuitry means (54) on the surface of the housing (52) for providing interconnection between the plurality of cells (58). Optionally, the housing (52) further comprises molded-in or integral spring fingers (56). The spring fingers (56) are preferably biased toward the positive and negative terminals and provide at least some interconnection for the plurality of cells (58).