Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack for portable electronic devices such as a portable video camera possesses improved durability and longevity. The rechargeable battery pack includes an insulated housing; at least one rechargeable battery permanently encased in the housing; and terminal means adapted to electrically engage the portable electronic device. The terminal means includes open-ended anode and cathode pin terminals formed within opposed corner sections of the housing. Each pin terminal includes an open-ended metal contact arranged within the pin terminal in electrical contact with the rechargeable battery means. Each pin terminal has a relatively smaller diameter or cross-sectional area than a relatively larger diameter or cross-sectional area of a complementary terminal pin of an electronic device adapted to be inserted into the pin terminal.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter adapter for use in a cigarette lighter adapter assembly enables use of a cellular phone while driving in an automobile. By plugging the adapter into a car cigarette lighter, power is provided from the car battery to the cell phone. The adapter includes a plunger retention mechanism for insuring that a metal contact plunger of the adapter is not lost while replacing or checking a fuse in the adapter. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the adapter further includes a force-absorbing element to prevent force from being accidentally applied to the plunger retention mechanism by the metal contact plunger not only while the adapter is assembled and in use, but also should the adapter be accidentally dropped and unforeseen force applied to the plunger.