Cordless power tool system having cordless power tool and battery pack that employ cooperating rails and grooves for connection of battery pack to cordless power tool

#The present disclosure generally pertains to power tools. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a system of cordless power tools. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present disclosure relates to a system of cordless power tools with an improved battery pack interface.

#Cordless power tools including interchangeable battery units are widely known in the prior art. For example, one such system is shown and described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,239. U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,239 discloses a system of tools utilizing individual tool heads, each of which incorporates its own essential elements such as a motor and a blade or chuck. This type of system reduces space requirements for tool storage and increases the life span for each motor. Another significant aspect of systems such as that disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,239 is the fact that they permit improved utilization of incorporated nickel-Black cadmium batteries and an associated battery charger which are particularly high cost elements of the system.

#While prior art systems, including but not limited to the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,239, have proven to be suitable for many intended uses, they are all associated with certain disadvantages and/or limitations. Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved system of cordless power tools.

#Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIGS. 1A-1C are illustrations of a first cordless power tool of a cordless power tool system constructed in accordance with the teachings of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged and exploded perspective view of a first battery pack of the cordless power tool system which is shown in FIG. 1A;

#With general reference to the drawings, a system of cordless power tools constructed in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Exemplary cordless power tools of the system are shown to include, by way of examples, a circular power saw 10 (FIG. 1), a reciprocating saw 12 (FIG. 13), and a drill 14 (FIG. 15). The tools 10-14 each include a conventional DC motor (not shown) adapted to be powered with a common voltage. In the exemplary embodiment, the tools 10-14 are intended to be driven by a 24 volt power source. It will become evident to those skilled that the present invention is not limited to the particular types of tools shown in the drawings nor to specific voltages. In this regard, the teachings of the present invention are applicable to virtually any type of power tool and any supply voltage.

#With continued reference to the drawings, the system of the present invention is additionally shown to generally include a first battery pack 16. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the battery pack is a rechargeable battery pack 16. Alternatively, it will be understood that in certain applications the battery pack 16 is a disposable battery.

#The system 10 of the present invention is further shown to generally include an AC/DC converter 18 and a battery charger 20 for charging the battery pack 16. The battery charger 20 is shown in FIG. 11 partially cut-away and operatively associated with the battery pack 16. The AC/DC converter is shown in FIG. 13 removably attached to the reciprocating saw 12. As used herein, the term power source shall include rechargeable and disposable battery packs and an AC/DC converter.