Low voltage, high current capacity connector assembly and mobile power tool and appliance operating system

A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:

• a portable battery pack;
• electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof;
• wherein
• said electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component, wherein the socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said one of said tools and appliances;
• wherein
• said socket component includes means for receiving a selective one of said plug component and conventional low-voltage low-current appliance plugs of the type usable in automotive cigarette light sockets;
• and wherein
• said socket component includes lockout means for preventing insertion of an automotive cigarette lighter.

A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:

• a portable battery pack;
• electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof;
• wherein said electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component, wherein the socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said one of said tools and appliances;
• wherein
• said plug component includes safeguard means for preventing insertion into an automotive cigarette lighter socket;
• wherein
• said socket component includes means for receiving a selective one of said plug component and conventional low-voltage low-current appliance plugs of the type usable in automotive cigarette lighter sockets;
• and wherein
• said socket component also includes lockout means for preventing insertion of an automotive cigarette lighter.

A system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, low-voltage, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:

• a portable battery pack;
• first electrical connector means for selectively connecting any one of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack, for mobile operation thereof;
• wherein said first electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having a plug component and a socket component;
• wherein said socket component is incorporated in said battery pack and said plug component is connected to said any one of the plurality of tools and appliances connected to said battery pack;
• wherein said plug component includes a generally cylindrical housing formed from a non-conductive material and having an axis and an axial end insertable in said socket component, and including a first wiping contact member positioned at said insertable housing end;
• and
• wherein said socket component also includes means for receiving, and electrically connecting to, low current tool and appliance plugs intended for operation in an automotive cigarette lighter socket.

A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:

• a rechargeable portable battery pack;
• first electrical connector means, incorporated in said battery pack, for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, said first electrical connector means including a low current connector assembly of the plug-and-socket type;
• and
• second electrical connector means, incorporated in said battery pack, for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, and including a high current connector assembly of the plug-and-socket type.

A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, directed current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:

• a rechargeable portable battery pack;
• first electrical connector means for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof;
• second electrical connector means for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof;
• and
• circuit means for selectively delivering a first voltage level to said first electrical connector means and a second voltage level to said second electrical connector means.

A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:

• a rechargeable portable battery pack;
• first electrical connector means for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, said first electrical connector means including a lower current connector assembly having wiping contacts;
• a second electrical connector means for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means also including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, and wherein said second electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly having wiping contacts;
• and
• circuit means for selectively delivering a first voltage level to said first electrical connector means and a second voltage level to said second electrical connector means.

A rechargeable system for operating one-at-a-time a plurality of different hand-held, direct current power tools and appliances, the system comprising:

• a rechargeable portable battery pack including at least one battery;
• first electrical connector means for selectively connecting individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, said first electrical means including a low current connector assembly;
• second electrical connector means for connecting a recharging source to said battery pack for recharging thereof, said second electrical connector means also including means for selectively connecting other individual ones of the plurality of tools and appliances to said battery pack for mobile operation thereof, and wherein said second electrical connector means includes a high current connector assembly;
• and
• circuit means, coupled between said battery pack and said first and second electrical connector means, for delivering power from said battery pack to said first and second electrical connector means to power the tools and appliances connected thereto and for delivering a charge supplied to said second electrical connector means to recharge said battery pack,
• said circuit means including thermostat means coupled in thermal relation to said battery pack for sensing overheating of said battery pack during recharging.