Abstract: A carpet seamer including an iron, a handle, and a neck. The iron includes a base plate and a heater configured to transmit heat to the base plate. The handle has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end faces a direction of travel of the carpet seamer when the carpet seamer is in operation. The neck connects the iron with a lower portion of the handle. The carpet seamer also includes a battery receiving portion positioned at the second end of the handle. The battery receiving portion is configured to receive a releasably attachable battery pack. The carpet seamer further includes a seamer electronic processor coupled to the heater.

Abstract: A battery powered carpet seaming iron system includes a battery powered carpet seaming iron, a base station for receiving the battery powered carpet seaming iron, and a releasable battery pack attached to the carpet seaming iron. Power is supplied to the battery powered carpet seaming iron from either of the base station or the battery pack. The base station receives AC power from an external source and supplies power to operate the battery powered carpet seaming iron, and to charge the batteries of the battery pack. Charging power from the base station is received at the battery powered carpet seaming iron and is transmitted by the carpet seaming iron to the battery pack. The battery pack supplies power to the seaming iron for operation of the seaming iron when the seaming iron is removed from the base station.

Abstract: A charger base station that receives a battery powered carpet seaming iron and includes a removable tray with an upper surface formed to receive the carpet seaming iron. The tray receives a metal insert that is formed to fit between the carpet seaming iron and the tray. The underside of the tray includes a mating formation that mates with mating formations on an upper surface of a charger base station, thus securing the tray to the charger base station. The charger base station also has an interface for receiving and mating with the battery powered carpet seaming iron, which includes electrical connection elements for connecting to the battery powered carpet seaming iron. The charger base station has an AC supply interface that is coupled to an internal power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is also coupled to the interface for receiving and matting with the battery powered carpet seaming iron.

Abstract: A system for displaying a hierarchical organization comprises a processor, memory, a data source, and a network interface. The processor is configured to receive an indication of a selected individual and provide a display. The display includes the selected individual within a group represented by a first circle. The display comprises one or more groups in the hierarchy, each represented by one of a set of circles above or below a level of the group that includes the individual. The memory is coupled to the processor and is configured to provide the processor with instructions. The data source comprises detailed information about the hierarchical organization and its members. The network interface is configured to communicate with remote devices requesting displays comprising selected individuals.

Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a charging port, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power control safety module, a battery charger switch, and an indicator. The controller, the power control safety module, and the battery charger switch work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into the charging port, controls the charging of the battery pack, and controls the illumination or display of the indicator. The power control safety module includes a power control safety circuit that is configured to prevent the charging current and/or the charging voltage from damaging the battery charger or battery pack during a malfunction.

Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact multi-port battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power switching module, one or more power control safety modules, a plurality of battery charger switches, and a plurality of indicators. The controller, the power switching module, the power control safety modules, and the battery charger switches work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into a charging port, selects a charging port for charging, controls the power output from the power switching module, and controls the illumination or display of the indicators. The power switching module uses control signals from the controller to switch the power received from the power supply module such that a charging current is applied to a single charging port.

Abstract: A battery tester engages a power tool battery and includes a housing having a cavity for receiving a stem of the power tool battery. The battery tester has a plurality of electrically conductive contacts disposed in the cavity and is configured to engage corresponding battery electrodes on the stem. A processor is mounted within the housing and communicates with the battery through the electrically conductive contacts. The processor measures a voltage level of the battery, and a loading circuit electrically loads the battery during measuring. One or more indicators are controlled by the processor. The processor activates the loading circuit for a predetermined period of time to measure a voltage level of the battery while under load, and then activates the indicators to provide a visual indication of remaining battery life. The battery tester is a stand-alone device where housing does not have a motor or a battery charger.

Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a charging port, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power control safety module, a battery charger switch, and an indicator. The controller, the power control safety module, and the battery charger switch work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into the charging port, controls the charging of the battery pack, and controls the illumination or display of the indicator. The power control safety module includes a power control safety circuit that is configured to prevent the charging current and/or the charging voltage from damaging the battery charger or battery pack during a malfunction.

Abstract: A lamp includes a light source, a power tool battery for providing a DC voltage level, and a base for housing the power tool battery. A stem is coupled to the base and supports the light source. A power inverter converts the DC voltage level to an AC voltage level, and a current sensing circuit operatively coupled to the converter or the inverter senses an over-current condition when the converter or the inverter draws more than a predetermined amount of current. The converter or inverter is disabled if the over-current condition continues for more than a predetermined amount of time so that the light source receives the AC voltage level and is illuminated for the predetermined amount of time before power is removed.

Abstract: A battery pack that is capable of supplying high- and low-current discharge to end products. The battery pack includes a cylindrical housing with a lithium-ion battery cell enclosed within the housing. The housing also includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a body portion. The first end portion includes a plurality of terminals for electrically connecting to the end product. The terminals include a high-current discharge terminal, a low-current discharge terminal, a battery pack identification terminal, a battery pack temperature terminal, and a positive voltage terminal. The second end portion includes a recess for removably securing the battery pack to an end product, such as a battery charger or a power tool. Included within the battery pack housing is circuitry for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack through the low-current discharge terminal.

Abstract: An energy-efficient and compact multi-port battery charger. The battery charger includes, among other things, a power supply module, a battery charger control module or controller, a power switching module, one or more power control safety modules, a plurality of battery charger switches, and a plurality of indicators. The controller, the power switching module, the power control safety modules, and the battery charger switches work in conjunction with each other to control the operation of the battery charger. The controller is configured to execute a charging control process which detects the insertion of a battery pack into a charging port, selects a charging port for charging, controls the power output from the power switching module, and controls the illumination or display of the indicators. The power switching module uses control signals from the controller to switch the power received from the power supply module such that a charging current is applied to a single charging port.

Abstract: A control system is adapted to control an internal combustion engine, which has a battery for electric start operation and a mechanical starter for manual start operation. The control system includes a transformer configured to generate a high voltage output for providing a spark, and a power regulation circuit having an input adapted to receive the high voltage output and generate a low voltage supply. A battery charging circuit includes a switching element adapted to receive the low voltage supply and operatively couple the low voltage supply to the battery to charge the battery. The battery charging circuit includes a disconnecting circuitry diode operatively coupled to the switching element so that if a voltage level of the battery falls below a predetermined value, the disconnecting circuitry diode turns off the transistor to electrically disconnect the battery from the low voltage supply and disable the electric start operation.

Abstract: A battery tester engages a power tool battery and includes a housing having a cavity for receiving a stem of the power tool battery. The battery tester has a plurality of electrically conductive contacts disposed in the cavity and is configured to engage corresponding battery electrodes on the stem. A processor is mounted within the housing and communicates with the battery through the electrically conductive contacts. The processor measures a voltage level of the battery, and a loading circuit electrically loads the battery during measuring. One or more indicators are controlled by the processor. The processor activates the loading circuit for a predetermined period of time to measure a voltage level of the battery while under load, and then activates the indicators to provide a visual indication of remaining battery life. The battery tester is a stand-alone device where housing does not have a motor or a battery charger.

Abstract: A lamp includes a light source, a power tool battery for providing a DC voltage level, and a base for housing the power tool battery. A stem is coupled to the base and supports the light source. A power inverter converts the DC voltage level to an AC voltage level, and a current sensing circuit operatively coupled to the converter or the inverter senses an over-current condition when the converter or the inverter draws more than a predetermined amount of current. The converter or inverter is disabled if the over-current condition continues for more than a predetermined amount of time so that the light source receives the AC voltage level and is illuminated for the predetermined amount of time before power is removed.