Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.

Abstract: It is common for a power tool system from a manufacturer to include a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a battery charger. However, as systems have evolved it has become desirable to provide a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a first battery charger but not a second battery charger. The present disclosure provides a battery pack including a housing, a terminal block, a plurality of terminals, and a mechanical lockout for allowing engagement with a power tool and a first battery charger while preventing engagement with a second battery charger.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A battery pack including a housing, a terminal block, a printed circuit board electrically connected to the terminal block, at least one battery cell, and a spark gap device on the printed circuit board to provide electrostatic discharge protection and disposed between the printed circuit board and the terminal block.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A cordless welding machine includes first and second batteries being connected in parallel, a ground clamp connected to the first and second batteries, and a first welding electrode connected to the first and second batteries. The batteries providing a current output of at least about 40 amps.

Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided including a base portion defining an axial opening, a main portion located above the base portion and having a generally-cylindrical upper portion, and a light module secured to a top portion of the generally-cylindrical upper portion of the main portion. The axial opening of the base portion is sized to receive at least a light module of another lighting apparatus therein in a stacked position.

Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.

Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery charger for charging a battery pack. The battery charger includes a plurality of components including a power supply. The battery charger also includes a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery charger components, for example a transformer. The battery charger power supply is adjusted based on the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of battery charger components.

Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.

Abstract: A method of charging a battery pack is provided. The method includes: providing a charger comprising a battery interface, a set of terminals, and a power supply circuit for providing a charging current scheme; providing a set of battery packs, each battery of the set of battery packs comprising a charger interface having a physical configuration to mate with the battery interface and a set of terminals having a physical configuration to mate with the set of charger terminals; and providing a charging scheme defined by a relationship between the set of battery terminals and the set of charger terminals.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of battery packs, a plurality of battery pack trays, and a kiosk. Each tray includes a battery charging circuit and one or more receptacles for receiving one or more of the battery packs. The kiosk includes a storage unit configured to receive and store the plurality of battery pack trays, a power module configured to deliver power to the battery pack trays, and a controller that is configured to control dispensing of the trays and the battery packs from the kiosk. Each tray is configured to be alternatively powered by the power module in the kiosk or by an external power source apart from the kiosk to enable the charging circuit in the tray to charge the battery pack that is received in each receptacle.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A method of charging a battery pack is provided. The method includes: electronically connecting a battery pack to a charger; detecting information regarding the battery pack; determining an appropriate charging regime based on the detected information; and applying the charging regime to the battery pack. A battery charger may also provided. The battery charger includes: a first terminal for connecting to a battery pack; a second terminal for connecting to a battery pack, a microprocessor operatively connected to the terminals and configured to receive a signal from at least one terminal regarding a battery pack connected to the terminal and control the charger to select and apply a charging regime to the battery pack according to the signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.

Abstract: A power tool/battery pack combination includes an electric motor, one or more electrochemical cells, and a capacitive element. The electric motor is connected in series to a first switch. The series combination of the electric motor and the first switch is connected to a first terminal and a second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells are connected across a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The third terminal and the fourth terminal are coupled respectively to the first terminal and the second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells supply power to the electric motor via the first switch. The capacitive element includes one or more capacitors. The capacitive element is connected across the third terminal and the fourth terminal. The capacitive element is capable of storing inductive energy generated by the one or more electrochemical cells.