Latchable battery pack for battery-operated electronic device having controlled power shutdown and turn on

A battery-powered device, comprising:

• a) a main housing having a receiving recess;
• b) a battery pack separate from said main housing, including a portion received in said receiving recess of said main housing in an assembled position of said battery pack with respect to said main housing, and having a latching recess;
• c) means for latching said battery pack in said assembled position thereof, including
• a support secured to said main housing at said receiving recess,
• a latching member mounted on said support for movement between an extended position in which the latching member extends into said latching recess of said battery pack then assuming said assembled position thereof and thus latches said battery pack in place, and an unlatching position in which the latching member releases said battery pack for extraction of said portion thereof from said receiving recess of said main housing, and
• a locking member mounted on said support for movement between a locking position in which said locking member extends into the path of movement of said latching member toward said unlatching position thereof, and a releasing position in which the locking member releases said latching member for such movement;
• and
• d) control means for generating a control signal indicative of the impending removal of the battery pack, said control signal being also indicative of the completion of installation of the battery pack, said control means including a switch having a casing stationary relative to said support, and an actuating element movable relative to said casing and extending into the path of movement of said locking member, and operative for initiating the generation of said control signal in dependence on the position of said actuating element relative to said casing.

A battery-powered device, comprising:

• a) a main housing having a receiving recess;
• b) battery means mounted in said receiving recess in an assembled position with respect to said main housing, said battery means including at least one battery mounted in a battery pack separate from said housing, said battery pack including a portion received in said receiving recess of said main housing in said assembled position, said battery pack having a latching recess;
• c) means for latching said battery pack in said assembled position, said latching means including a latching member movable along a path of movement between extended and unlatching positions thereof, and a locking member movable into the path of movement of said latching member between locking and releasing positions thereof;
• and
• d) control means for generating a control signal indicative of the impending removal of said battery means from said receiving recess, said control means including a switch having an actuating element in force-transmitting relationship with said latching means, said actuating element of said switch being operatively connected to said locking member.