Modular cordless tools

A modular battery and charger assembly comprising a power handle module having an enclosing casing, one side of said power handle being configured to provide a hand grip, a plurality of battery cells enclosed within said casing, switch means comprising an electric switch mounted within said casing and a switch operator extending externally of said casing for engagement and manipulation by an operator having his hand in place on said hand grip, said power handle being provided with a plurality of exposed electrical contacts, means internally of said casing connecting two of said contacts with said battery cells, said second means internally of said casing connecting one of said two contacts and a third one of said exposed contacts with said electric switch, an elongated pilot surface extending along the maximum dimension of a second side of said power handle;

• a charger module including a housing, electrical output means on said housing comprising a pair of contact means exposed thereon for interengagement with said two electrical contacts on said power handle which are connected to said battery cells, an elongated pilot region exposed in one side of said charger module housing and extending along a maximum dimension thereof for engaging said pilot surface on said power handle;
• and complementary male and female interconnection means provided on said second side of said power handle and on said one side of said charger module housing permitting sliding interengagement and disengagement of said power handle and said charger module, said charger module being stably connected mechanically to said power handle module and electrically connected to said batteries when said power handle and said charger module are engaged.

A modular battery and charger assembly comprising a power handle module having an enclosing casing, said casing forming a multi-sided loop about a central opening, one of said sides being configured to provide a hand grip, a plurality of battery cells enclosed within said casing, switch means comprising an electric switch mounted within said casing and a switch operator extending externally of said casing for engagement and manipulation by an operator having his hand in place on said hand grip, said power handle being provided with a plurality of exposed electrical contacts, means internally of said casing connecting two of said contacts with said battery cells, and second means internally of said casing connecting one of said two contacts and a third one of said exposed contacts with said electrical switch, an elongated pilot surface extending along the maximum dimension of a second side of said power handle;

• a charger module including a housing, electrical output means on said housing comprising a pair of electrical contact means exposed thereon for interengagement with said two electrical contacts on said power handle which are connected to said battery cells, an elongated pilot region exposed in one side of said charger module housing and extending along a maximum dimension thereof for engaging said pilot surface on said power handle;
• and complementary male and female interconnection means provided on said second side of said power handle and on said one side of said charger module housing permitting sliding interengagement and disengagement of said power handle and said charger module, said charger module being stably connected mechanically to said power handle module and electrically connected to said batteries when said power handle and said charger module are engaged.