Primary and secondary latching system for securing and protecting a replaceable portable battery pack

A latching assembly for a removable power supply for use with a portable electronic device having a housing with first and second detents therein, the housing being adapted to receive at least a portion of the removable power supply within a housing interior chamber, the latching assembly comprising:

• a primary securing member connected to a first portion of the power supply and adapted to releasably engage the first detent to removably secure the power supply at least partially within the housing interior chamber in an installed position, said primary securing member being adapted to move between a first engaged position with said primary securing member releasably engaging the first detent and a first released position with said primary securing member released from the first detent;
• a primary release device coupled to said first securing member and adapted to move said primary securing member from said first engaged position to said first released position;
• a secondary securing member connected to a second portion of the power supply and adapted to releasably engage the second detent to removably secure the power supply in a partially removed position, said secondary securing member being adapted to move between a second engaged position with said secondary securing member releasably engaging the second detent and a second released position with said secondary securing member released from the second detent;
• and
• a secondary release device coupled to said second securing member and adapted to move said secondary securing member between said second engaged position and said second released position.

A battery pack and switch assembly for use with a portable electronic device having a plurality of internal components and a housing that removably receives at least a portion of the battery pack and switch assembly within a housing interior chamber, the housing having first and second engagement portions in the housing interior chamber, the housing being adapted to electrically contact the battery pack to receive electrical signals and electrical power from said battery pack, the battery pack assembly comprising:

• a battery case with at least one battery held therewithin, said battery case being adapted to at least partially fit within the housing interior chamber;
• a primary securing member connected to a first portion of said battery case, said primary securing member being adapted to releasably engage the first engagement portion to releasably secure said battery case within the housing interior chamber in an installed position;
• a secondary securing member connected to a second portion of said battery case, said secondary securing member being adapted to releasably engage the second engagement portion to releasably secure said battery case within the housing interior chamber in a partially removed position;
• electrical contacts connected to said battery case and adapted to maintain electrical contact with the electronic device when said battery case moves between said installed position and said partially removed position;
• and
• a switch device coupled to said battery case that is adapted to provide an electrical signal to the electronic devise.

A method of removing a removable battery pack assembly that is installed in a housing of a hand held electronic device to assure electronic connection between the battery pack assembly and the electronic device is maintained until data in the electronic device is stored, the battery pack assembly having primary and secondary latching devices that engage detents in the housing, the secondary latching devices being inaccessible when the primary latching device engages at least one of the detents, comprising the steps of:

• moving the primary latching device from an engaged position to a released position with primary latching device disengaged from at least one of the detents;
• moving the battery pack from a first inserted position to a second partially removed position whereat the battery pack is blocked from moving beyond the second position by the secondary latching device, while maintaining the electrical connection between the battery pack and the hand held electronic device as the battery pack moves between the first and second positions;
• moving the secondary latching devices from an engaged position to a released position with the secondary latching device disengaged from the housing;
• and
• after moving the secondary latching device to the released portion, sliding the battery pack out of the housing to terminate the electrical connection therewith and disengage the battery pack from the housing.

A method of replacing a removable battery pack assembly that is installed in a housing of a hand held electronic device to assure electronic connection between the battery pack assembly and the electronic device is maintained until data in the electronic device is stored, the battery pack assembly having a primary latch and two secondary latches that engage detents in the housing, the secondary latches being inaccessible when the primary latch engages at least one of the detents, comprising the steps of:

• disengaging the first latch from at least one detent wherein the first latch is disposed on a front portion of the battery pack;
• sliding the battery pack from a first inserted position with the battery pack fully installed in the electronic device and in electrical connection with the electronic device to a second partially removed position with the battery pack partially removed from the electronic device and in electrical connection with the electronic device whereat the battery pack is blocked from sliding past the second position by the secondary latches;
• disengaging the secondary latches from the detents wherein the second latches are positioned on the battery pack assembly away from the primary latch;
• terminating the electrical connection between the battery pack and electrical device;
• sliding the battery pack out of engagement with the housing;
• inserting a second battery pack into the housing interior chamber;
• sliding the second battery pack past the partially removed position to the first position whereat the battery pack is fully installed in the electronic device;
• and
• securing the battery pack in the first position.