Cordless power tool battery release mechanism

A mechanism for releasably securing a battery having battery terminals to a power tool housing, the mechanism comprising:

• (a) a battery receiving portion integral with the power tool housing, the battery receiving portion having battery contacts disposed therein and further having at least one guide channel;
• (b) an attachment portion integral with the battery, the attachment portion having at least one guide rail and being constructed and arranged for engaging the battery receiving portion such that the battery terminals engage the battery contacts and the at least one guide channel and the at least one guide rail interlock;
• (c) a closure member operable with and arranged substantially perpendicular to the battery receiving portion and configured to secure the battery within the battery receiving portion when the closure member is in a lock position and to disengage the battery when the closure member is in a release position, the closure member including:
• (i) first and second opposite ends;
• (ii) a body portion;
• (iii) a locking portion integral with and extending from the body portion substantially near the second end of the closure member, the locking portion being constructed and arranged for releasably securing the battery within the battery receiving portion when the battery is positioned within the battery receiving portion,
• wherein the first end of the closure member is disposed through a side wall of the battery receiving portion and defines a push button for selectively moving the closure member from the lock position to the release position when the push button is depressed.

A method of releasably securing a battery to a power tool housing comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a battery receiving portion integral with the tool housing and being configured with at least one guide channel, the battery receiving portion being operable with a closure member at least partially disposed transversely within the battery receiving portion, the closure member having first and second opposite ends, the first end being exposed through a wall of the tool housing and defining a finger engaging portion for selectively moving the closure member from a lock position to a release position, the closure member being movably biased in the lock position, the first end defining a push button;
• (b) providing an attachment portion integral with the battery, the attachment portion being constructed and arranged for engaging the battery receiving portion, the attachment portion having at least one guide rail;
• (c) aligning the attachment portion with the battery receiving portion;
• (d) moving the battery in a direction such that the attachment portion slidably engages the battery receiving portion;
• (e) wherein the at least one guide channel in the battery receiving portion and the at least one guide rail on the attachment portion interlock;
• (f) positioning the battery within the battery receiving portion such that the closure member moves away from the lock position and then, once the battery is inserted fully, to the lock position, thereby securing the battery to the power tool;
• (g) depressing the push button such that the closure member moves from the lock position to the release position;
• and
• (h) moving the battery in a second direction such that the attachment portion disengages from the battery receiving portion.

A cordless power tool comprising a battery, the power tool comprising:

• (a) a battery receiving portion, integral with the power tool and having at least one guide channel;
• (b) an attachment portion, integral with the battery and having at least one guide rail, wherein the at least one guide channel in the battery receiving portion interlocks with the at least one guide rail on the attachment portion;
• and
• (c) a closure member operable with and transversely disposed in relation to said battery receiving portion and attachment portion for releasably securing the battery in the power tool,
• wherein an end of the closure member defines a push button for selectively moving the closure member from a lock position to a release position when the push button is depressed.

A cordless power tool comprising a battery, the power tool comprising:

• (a) a battery receiving portion, integral with the power tool;
• (b) an attachment portion, integral with the battery, that attaches to the battery portion;
• and
• (c) a closure member for securing the attachment portion to the battery receiving portion, the closure member having a push button on a first end and an opposing second end, wherein depressing the push button inward relative to the battery receiving portion permits the attachment portion to be released from the battery receiving portion,
• wherein when the push button is depressed the second end of the closure member protrudes from the battery receiving portion.

A cordless power tool comprising a battery, the power tool comprising:

• (a) a battery receiving portion, integral with the power tool;
• (b) an attachment portion, integral with the battery, that attaches to the battery portion;
• and
• (c) a closure member for securing the attachment portion to the battery receiving portion, the closure member having a push button on a first end and an opposing second end, wherein depressing the push button inward relative to the battery receiving portion permits the attachment portion to be released from the battery receiving portion,
• wherein the battery receiving portion has at least one guide channel and the attachment portion has at least one guide rail, wherein the at least one guide channel in the battery receiving portion interlocks with the at least one guide rail on the attachment portion.