Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 1 of 16 PageID #: 23
`Case 1:20-cv-02651—RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 1 of 16 PageID #: 23
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`EXHIBIT 1
`EXHIBIT 1
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`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 2 of 16 PageID #: 24
`case 1:2°'°V'02651'RRM'VMS “C“mem HIIIIlllllllflllflllllll‘flllllflllflllllfllllllllllllllllll‘“ 2“
`
`US007287648B2
`
`United States Patent
`
`(12)
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,287,648 B2
`
`Foreman et a].
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`(54) BATTERY HOLDER AND DISPENSER
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Richard F‘orelnana \Vaynea IL ms);
`Kathleen Foreman, Wayne, IL (US);
`Timothy Moreau, DeKalb, IL (US);
`Brad Cherkas, Etobicoke (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: Tools Aviation, LLC, St. Charles, IL
`(US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/2133374
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 2, 2005
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2007/0051663 A1
`Mar. 83 2007
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B65D 85/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`...................... 206/703; 206/477; 206/485;
`206/462; D13/119
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........ 206/7034705,
`206/461, 462, 471a 4773 485
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U S PATENT DOCUMENTS
`'
`'
`4,109,980 A
`4,510,215 A *
`
`8/ 1978 Brockman et a1.
`4/1985 Adam ......................... 429/99
`
`133015575 S
`5,137,693 A *
`5,261,535 A *
`5,369,565 A *
`D376,690 S
`D380,611 S
`
`6/1989 CTanerda Jr
`8/1992 MaWhm """""" 422/104
`......
`11/1993 Light et al.
`206/391
`
`................. 363/146
`11/1994 Chen et al.
`12/1996 Lockerby
`7/1997 Mancusi
`
`5,670,268 A
`5,855,422 A *
`5,866,276 A *
`134095559 S
`D409’560 S
`6,174,618 B1
`D442,542 S
`2:92:38?) :2
`D477,531 s
`6,602,637 B1
`D483,722 5
`6,677,728 B2
`D488,443 s
`D490,375 S
`
`9/1997 Mancusi
`1/1999 Naef ........................... 312/42
`2/1999 Ogami et 3.1.
`............... 429/120
`5/1999 Shim
`5/1999 $1.1m.
`1/2001 Nrshryama et al.
`5/2001 Dougherty et al.
`15388: fig?
`7/2003 Wilczewski
`8/2003 Kurasawa et al.
`12/2003 Bailey
`1/2004 Takedomi et al.
`4/2004 Bailey
`5/2004 Pomerance
`
`................... 429/99
`2001/0046624 A1* 11/2001 Goto et al.
`2003/0076673 A1*
`4/2003 DialdGhanem ............. 362/101
`
`.
`.
`* crted by examiner
`
`Primary Examinerilila M Mohandesi
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiThe Law Office of Randall
`T. Erickson, RC.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A battery holding and dispensing device holds a plurality of
`battefiess in an aSSOITmem of battery sizes The battery
`holding and dispensing device includes a frame having a
`plurality of compartments sized and shaped to each receive
`a battery of a particular battery size and each having a detent
`for releasably retaining the battery in the compartment. Each
`compartment has at least one opening in the bottom and
`lower side to expose a corner of the battery to allow finger
`ejection of the battery from the compartment past the detent,
`and to allow the user to touch the batteries to ascertain
`
`battery size by feel. The assortment of batteries held in the
`frame is preferably pre-selected to correspond to the batter-
`~
`~
`~
`les needed by a pamwlar pmfessmn‘
`
`28 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 3 of 16 PageID #: 25
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 3 of 16 PageID #: 25
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
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`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 4 of 16 PageID #: 26
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 4 of 16 PageID #: 26
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 5 of 16 PageID #: 27
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 5 of 16 PageID #: 27
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
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`
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`160
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`167
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`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 6 of 16 PageID #: 28
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 6 of 16 PageID #: 28
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
`
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`160
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`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 7 of 16 PageID #: 29
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 7 of 16 PageID #: 29
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
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`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 8 of 16 PageID #: 30
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 8 of 16 PageID #: 3O
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
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`
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 9 of 16 PageID #: 31
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 9 of 16 PageID #: 31
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
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`US 7,287,648 B2
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`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 10 of 16 PageID #: 32
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 10 of 16 PageID #: 32
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
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`FIG. 19
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 11 of 16 PageID #: 33
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 11 of 16 PageID #: 33
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2007
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 7,287,648 B2
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`HG. 21
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`
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`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 12 of 16 PageID #: 34
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`US 7,287,648 B2
`
`1
`BATTERY HOLDER AND DISPENSER
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a battery holder for use in
`storing batteries.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In the field of aviation, an airplane pilot is required to use
`many battery-powered devices, which devices serve either a
`primary or backup function. It is imperative that a pilot have
`ready access to a fresh supply of batteries in the event that
`batteries become inoperative or spent during flight. Some of
`these battery-powered devices include: handheld global
`positioning systems (GPS), handheld emergency radio trans-
`ceivers, handheld calculators, “EGB”’s,
`flashlights, and
`intercom systems for additional communication headsets.
`Different battery-powered devices use different size bat-
`teries. Batteries are available in standard sizes and voltages,
`such as sizes: AAA, AA, C, D and 9V. It has been known for
`pilots to carry an assortment of batteries loosely in a pilot’s
`flight bag, a hand carried case used by pilots to carry
`personal items or small items needed in the performance of
`piloting an airplane. However, when a battery is required it
`must be located within the flight bag by the pilot during
`flight. During an emergency, if cabin lighting is lost or the
`pilot is preoccupied with controlling the aircraft, finding
`batteries loosely stored in a flight bag can be troublesome
`and time-consuming.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,670,268; 4,109,980; D490,375 and
`D301,575 describe various battery holding and storage
`devices.
`
`The present inventors have recognized that in the aviation
`field particularly, there is a need for a battery holding and
`dispensing device that is compact, easy to locate in a dark
`environment, is conveniently sized to be carried in a pilot’s
`flight bag, is easy to manipulate to dispense a desired battery
`even when in a dark environment, and can hold an assort-
`ment of batteries.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a battery holding and
`dispensing device that holds a plurality of batteries. The
`battery holding and dispensing device includes a frame
`having a plurality of compartments or bays for releasably
`retaining a battery in each compartment. The compartments
`are preferably sized and shaped to each receive a battery of
`the battery size corresponding to the compartment.
`According to one aspect of the invention, the compart-
`ments in the frame are preferably sized and shaped to
`correspond to the batteries needed by a particular profession.
`For example, for an airline pilot, the frame includes com-
`partments for the following battery sizes: (2)C’s, (l2)AA’s,
`(4)AAA’s and (1) 9V.
`Although the invention is particularly advantageous for
`pilots, it also encompasses a battery holding and dispensing
`device that
`is adaptable for other professions that use
`batteries, such as for photographers, medical personnel such
`as paramedics, military personnel, etc. The invention is also
`suitable for home use as it provides a convenient holder for
`storing and dispensing batteries.
`Preferably, each compartment of the frame of the present
`invention has an open top end and is open at least through
`an edge portion of a bottom thereof, to permit contact of a
`user’s thumb or finger onto a bottom surface of the battery
`
`10
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`held within the compartment. Each compartment is also
`open along a lower portion of the sidewall of the compart-
`ment contiguous with the open edge portion. These openings
`allow the finger or thumb of the user to contact the bottom
`of the battery and induce ejection of a battery from the
`compartment, by moving the battery past the detent, and
`through the top open end of the compartment.
`One or both ends of the compartment can be partially
`closed by a releasable detent. The detent preferably extends
`into the compartment near to the open face and retains a
`battery within the compartment. If detents are used on both
`ends of the compartment, a battery held therein can be
`ejected through either top or bottom end. As an alternate to
`detents, bumps extending into the compartment from an
`inside surface of the compartment sidewalls, or ribs, or a soft
`liner portion within each compartment that is resiliently
`compressible to grip a battery held therein, or resilient
`compartment walls, can be used to releasably retain a battery
`within the frame.
`
`One or more of the compartments can be formed with a
`lid. The corresponding compartment can be used to store
`small items, such as small watch batteries, flashlight bulbs,
`keys, pills, film, fuses, etc. Alternatively, a container corre-
`sponding substantially to the shape and volume of a battery,
`can be provided as an accessory item to be inserted into a
`corresponding battery compartment in the frame and to be
`releasably retained within the compartment
`in the same
`manner as a battery could be held within the compartment.
`According to another aspect of the invention, the frame
`can be composed of a luminescent (“glow in the dark”)
`plastic material. Accordingly, the battery holder and dis-
`pensing device can be easily located by a user in a dark
`environment, such as in a dark airplane cabin.
`According to another aspect of the invention, the frame
`can be assembled from modular sections or modules that
`
`releasably engage together. The modules can each contain a
`plurality of batteries of a single battery size, or can each
`contain a collection of different battery sizes. Thus,
`the
`particular battery needs of a selected profession can be
`accommodated by the selection of modules to be assembled
`together into a frame. The battery needs of the selected
`profession would depend on the battery-powered equipment
`used by that profession.
`According to another aspect of the invention, the device
`is easily held in a user’s one hand while a thumb or finger
`of the user’s one hand can be used to eject a desired battery.
`Additionally, the user’s hand can locate by feel the appro-
`priate size battery due to the contour of the frame conform-
`ing to the battery sizes.
`According to another aspect of the invention, a handle or
`bracket can be provided on an end of the frame for holding
`or hanging the frame. If the device is used in the home or
`workshop, the bracket can be used to hang the frame for
`convenient access to the batteries.
`
`invention provide further
`The devices of the present
`advantages over the known storage containers for batteries.
`The convenient and compact configurations of the frames of
`the devices allow the devices to be used in homes, planes,
`cars, oflices and shops. The frames described herein keep
`batteries separated compared to loose batteries,
`to avoid
`inadvertent electrical contact between batteries. The com-
`
`pact arrangement and ergonomic shaping of the frames
`allows for easy handling of the frames and one-handed
`holding and dispensing of a selected battery. The open
`design of the sidewalls and a bottom wall of the frames
`allow the frames to shed debris which would otherwise
`
`collect in the compartments.
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 13 of 16 PageID #: 35
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`US 7,287,648 B2
`
`3
`Numerous other advantages and features of the present
`invention will be become readily apparent from the follow-
`ing detailed description of the invention and the embodi-
`ments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a device in
`accordance with the invention shown holding batteries;
`FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the device shown in
`FIG. 1 with batteries removed;
`FIG. 2A is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate
`embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the device shown
`in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3
`of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5
`of FIG. 4
`
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 2;
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7-7
`of FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 9 a sectional view taken generally along 9-9 of FIG.
`
`8;
`
`FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken generally along line
`10-10 of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken generally along line
`11-11 of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodi-
`ment device of the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken generally along line
`14-14 of FIG. 13;
`FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a further embodiment
`of the device in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken generally along line
`16-16 of FIG. 15;
`FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an accessory usable
`with one or more of the previous embodiment devices;
`FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a further accessory
`usable with one or more of the previously described embodi-
`ments;
`FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, exploded elevational view of a
`further embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally
`along line 20-20 of FIG. 19; and
`FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally
`along line 20-20 of FIG. 19, but showing the device in an
`assembled condition.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`in
`While this invention is susceptible of embodiment
`many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and
`will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments
`thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is
`to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of
`the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the
`
`specific embodiments illustrated.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a battery holding device 18 including a
`frame 20 that holds a plurality of batteries “B”. The frame
`20, as well as each of the alternate embodiment frames or
`modules described herein,
`is preferably a unitary molded
`piece. The frame 20 includes a bottom wall 26 sidewalls 28,
`
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`4
`30 and end walls 32, 34. A bracket 35 extends from the end
`wall 34. The bracket can include an aperture 36 for hanging
`of the frame 20. The sidewalls 28, 30 include an upper row
`of openings 38 and a lower row of openings 44. The
`sidewalls 28, 30 have outside partial-cylindrical contours
`that are substantially parallel to the outside contours of the
`batteries held within the frame 20. Thus, even in a dark
`environment, a user can, by feel of the outside contour of the
`frame 20, ascertain the size of a battery held within the
`frame. Furthermore, the openings, either the upper row 38 or
`the lower row 44 can be sized sufficiently such that a user’s
`finger can actually directly feel the outside contour of a
`battery held within the frame to determine the size of the
`battery, even in the dark.
`The batteries held within the frame are exposed through
`the openings 38, 44. Furthermore, the bottom wall 26 is
`recessed adjacent each of the lower row of openings 44 such
`that a bottom surface “S” of a battery held within the frame
`is exposed to a user’s touch.
`According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG.
`1, the frame has an overall length “L” (FIG. 12), without the
`bracket 35, of about 197 m, an overall height “H” (FIG.
`3A) of about 54 mm, and an overall width “W” (FIG. 3A)
`of about 35 mm. The frame is preferably injection molded
`plastic having an average thickness “TH” (FIG. 3A) of about
`2 mm.
`FIG. 2 illustrates the frame 20 in more detail with the
`
`batteries removed. The frame 20 includes compartments or
`bays for receiving an assortment of batteries. According to
`the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 20 is
`substantially mirror image identical across a longitudinal
`vertical center plane indicated by the centerline 50 and a
`lateral vertical center plane indicated by the centerline 52,
`except for the bracket 35.
`In FIG. 2, an assortment of bays is provided to the right
`of the lateral centerline 52. Straddling the centerline 52 is a
`first bay 60 for holding a rectangular 9V battery. Adjacent
`first bay 60 are two rows of three bays for holding cylin-
`drical, size AA batteries. These bays are marked 61-66.
`Adjacent to the bays 63, 66 is an eighth bay 67 for holding
`a size C battery. Adjacent to the bay 67 are bays 68, 69 for
`holding size AAAbatteries. The bays to the left of the lateral
`centerline 52 are mirror image identical. Thus, the frame 20
`illustrated can hold 19 batteries.
`
`The bays 61-66 are formed as cylindrical tubes with open
`top and bottom ends and with portions removed. For
`example, the bay 65 includes an open top and 65a and an
`open bottom end 65b that is partially closed by the bottom
`wall 26. The bay 65 includes a lower sidewall opening 4411
`that is about 3%; inch tall and circumscribes about 90° of the
`circumference of the cylindrical tube. The bay 65 includes
`an upper sidewall opening 38a that is about 7/8 inch in height
`and circumscribes about 180° of the cylindrical tube cir-
`cumference. The remaining bays 61-64 and 66 are substan-
`tially identical to the bay 65 except that the bays 61, 64 have
`upper openings 3811 that circumscribes about 130° of the
`circumference of the cylindrical tube.
`The bays 61, 64 form an interior end wall 72 of the first
`bay 60. Likewise, the mirror image bays on the left side of
`the lateral centerline 52 form an opposite interior end wall
`74 of the first bay 60. The first bay 60 includes a substan-
`tially flat first sidewall 78 and a substantially flat second
`sidewall 80. Lower substantially rectangular openings 44b
`are formed between the sidewalls 78, 80 and the bottom wall
`26. Upper openings 38b are formed through the sidewall 78
`and through the sidewall 80.
`
`

`

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`US 7,287,648 B2
`
`5
`The bays 63, 66 form an interior sidewall 86 and the bays
`68, 69 form an interior sidewall 88 of the bay 67. A cylinder
`that forms the bay 67, with portions removed as described
`below, blends into the sidewalls 86, 88. The cylinder
`includes an open top end 6711 and an open bottom end 67b
`at least partially closed by the bottom wall 26. The cylinder
`includes two lower sidewall openings 440, one on each side
`of the centerline 50, that are approximately 3%; inch in height
`and each circumscribes approximately 90° of the circum-
`ference of the cylinder. The cylinder includes two upper
`sidewall openings 380, one on each side of the centerline 50,
`that are approximately 7%; inch in height and each circum-
`scribes approximately 120° of the circumference of the
`cylinder.
`The bays 68, 69 are each formed by a cylinder having
`portions removed as described below. For example, the bay
`69 includes an open top end 6911 and an open bottom end
`69b. A lower opening 44d is approximately 3%; inch in height
`and circumscribes about 180° of the circumference of the
`
`cylinder. An upper opening 38d is about 5/8 inch in height
`and circumscribes approximately 180° of the circumference
`of the cylinder.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom wall 26 includes an
`irregular longitudinal edge 126 that extends along the lon-
`gitudinal extent of the frame 20 except for the bays 68, 69.
`The edge 126 is recessed from a lateral extent of the bays to
`form bottom openings to expose the bottom surface “S” of
`the batteries “B” held within the bays to a user’s touch to
`allow the user’s finger to press the batteries from below. The
`lower sidewall openings 44a-44d of the bays are contiguous
`with the bottom openings formed by the edge 126 to allow
`the user’s finger to not only press the bottom surface “S” of
`the batteries but to slide the batteries toward the top open
`ends of the bays to eject the batteries.
`The bottom wall provides apertures 128 for the bays
`61-66 to receive the positive terminal “T” of a typical battery
`“B”. The bottom wall also includes an aperture 132 in bay
`67 for receiving the terminal of a typical battery. As shown
`in FIG. 3A, because of the apertures 128, a battery can be put
`into the compartment with the extending terminal either
`oriented at the top or bottom of the battery.
`The bays 68, 69 include a support gusset 136 that supports
`a bottom wall portion 138 for holding batteries within the
`bays 68, 69. The bottom wall portion 138 includes a partial
`aperture 142 for receiving a terminal of a typical battery.
`Each of the bays 60-69 includes a mechanism for releas-
`ably holding a battery within the individual bays. According
`to the preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises one
`or two resilient detents or hooks which overlies or protrudes
`into the bay near to the otherwise open end of each bay. The
`detents are resiliently flexible outwardly to allow battery to
`be removed through the open end of each bay.
`FIG. 2 illustrates two variations of the detent structures.
`
`Although two variations are described, in practice, probably
`one detent structure or the other would be used for all the
`detent structures. A first variation in shown in FIGS. 4-5 and
`a second variation is shown in FIGS. 6-7. FIG. 4 shows a
`
`sidewall of the bay 62 having a slot opening 139 and a detent
`140 formed within that slot opening. The detent 140, due to
`the cantilever arrangement, exhibits a resilient flexibility.
`The detent includes a neck portion 142 and a head portion
`144 extending therefrom. The head portion 144 includes a
`ramp surface 146 which allows the detent 140 to flex
`outwardly as a battery B (shown dashed in FIG. 5) is forcibly
`ejected through the top open end of the bay 62
`FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate embodiment for the
`
`detent, a detent 160 which is shaped similarly to the detent
`
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`140. However, according to this embodiment the detent is
`formed within a closed opening 162 in the sidewall of the
`bay 67, not a slotted opening.
`As can be observed in the figures, the smaller bays 61-66
`and 68, 69 each include a single detent, while the larger bay
`60, 67 include two detents, that are opposing across a width
`of the bays 60, 67.
`FIG. 2A illustrates an alternate embodiment frame 190
`
`wherein each bay includes a top open end 192 and a bottom
`open end 193, and at least one central sidewall opening 194.
`Each bay includes one or two detents 160 (or 140) adjacent
`the open ends 192, 193. A battery can be ejected through
`either the top open end or the bottom open end. According
`to this embodiment, the frame 190 is also configured to be
`mirror image identical across a horizontal plane that con-
`tains the centerline 50, 52.
`As an alternate to detents, bumps extending into the
`compartment from an inside surface of the compartment
`sidewalls, or ribs, or a soft liner portion within each com-
`partment that is resiliently compressible to grip a battery
`held therein, or resilient compartment walls, can be used to
`releasably retain a battery within the frame.
`FIGS. 8 through 12 illustrate additional views of the
`device 20 for further understanding of the structure.
`FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an alternate embodiment device
`
`200 wherein the bay 60 of the previous embodiment is
`replaced with a box-like container 206. The box-like con-
`tainer 206 includes substantially solid sidewalls 208, 210,
`212, 214 and a solid bottom wall 216. A film hinge 222
`connects a lid 224 to the sidewall 214. The lid 224 includes
`
`a resilient catch 228 which, once the lid is pressed closed
`onto the container 206, resiliently engages a groove 232 to
`hold the lid closed onto the container 206. The container 206
`
`is conveniently used for holding small items, such as small
`watch batteries, flashlight bulbs, keys, pills, film, fuses, etc.
`FIG. 13 also illustrates that the compact arrangement of
`batteries in the frame 200, or similarly the first described
`frame 20, is such that the frame can be held in a user’s hand
`260 (shown in phantom), clasped between a user’s thumb
`266 and fingers 268, and resting in a user’s palm, whereas
`a finger 270 can simultaneously be used to eject a battery
`“B” from a bay, in this example the bay 65.
`FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a further embodiment device
`300, similar to the embodiment 200 described in FIGS. 13
`and 14 but with a modified container 306. Rather than a film
`
`hinge, a rounded pin 308 is formed onto a sidewall 314 of
`the container 306. A lid 320 is hingedly engaged to the pin
`306, by C-shaped portions 322, in snap fit fashion. The lid
`320 need not completely cover an open top 326 of the
`container 306 as shown. Such a configuration would allow
`a user to view into the container 306, through the areas on
`opposite sides of the lid 320, at least to a limited extent. The
`remaining portions of this container 306 are similar to the
`container 206.
`
`FIG. 17 illustrates an accessory container 350 that can be
`used in any of the heretofore described embodiments. The
`container 350 includes a cylindrical body 354 having an
`open top 356 and a closed bottom 360. A lid 362 is
`connected to the body 354 by a film hinge 366. As can be
`readily understood,
`the lid 362 can be folded over and
`pressed down around the body 354 to close the open top 356
`to form an enclosed container. Sidewalls 370 of the lid 362
`
`are sized to the resiliently engaged by the body 354 to hold
`the lid in the closed configuration. The container 350 is sized
`and shaped substantially identically to a C size battery. Thus,
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 15 of 16 PageID #: 37
`Case 1:20-cv-02651-RRM-VMS Document 1-1 Filed 06/15/20 Page 15 of 16 PageID #: 37
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`US 7,287,648 B2
`
`7
`the container 350 can be held in any of the compartments
`sized and shaped to hold a C size battery, such as the bay 67
`shown in FIG. 2.
`
`FIG. 18 illustrates a further accessory container 380 that
`can be used in any of the heretofore described embodiments.
`The container 380 includes a rectangular body 384 having
`an open top 386 and a closed bottom 390. A lid 392 is
`connected to the body 384 by a film hinge 396. As can be
`readily understood,
`the lid 392 can be folded over and
`pressed down around the body 384 to close the open top 386
`to form an enclosed container. Sidewalls 400 of the lid 392
`
`are sized to the resiliently engaged by the body 384 to hold
`the lid in the closed configuration. The container 380 is sized
`and shaped substantially identically to a 9V size battery.
`Thus, the container 380 can be held in any of the compart-
`ments sized and shaped to hold a 9V size battery, such as the
`bay 60 shown in FIG. 2.
`FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a further aspect of the invention
`wherein a device 600 includes a frame 604 that is modular
`in construction. A first frame module 60411 is connectable to
`a second frame module 6041). The first frame module 604a
`
`includes a plurality of bays 606. The bays 606 illustrated are
`configured and sized to hold D size batteries. The second
`frame module 6041) includes a plurality of bays 610. The
`bays 610 illustrated are configured and sized to hold AAA
`size batteries.
`The first frame module 604a includes a base frame rail
`
`614 that is connected to, or molded with, the bays 606. The
`second frame module 6041) includes a base frame rail 616
`
`that is connected to, or molded with, the bays 610. The first
`frame module 604a includes hooks 620, 622 that curve away
`from each other. The hook 620 is molded with the base
`
`frame rail 614. The hook 622 is molded with an upper
`portion of one of the bays 606. The hooks 620, 622 are
`substantially vertically aligned. The second frame module
`6041) includes hooks 630, 632 that curve toward each other.
`The hook 630 is molded with the base frame rail 616. The
`
`hook 632 is molded with an upper portion of one of the bays
`610. The hooks 630, 632 are substantially vertically aligned.
`To assemble the frame 604, the modules 604a, and 60419
`are relatively slid along the direction “Z” to interlock the
`hooks as shown in FIG. 21.
`
`To enhance versatility of assembling modules, each mod-
`ule 604a, 6041) includes, on a side opposite to the heretofore
`described hooks 620, 622 and 630, 632, additional hooks
`having an opposite curvature. For example, the module 6041)
`includes hooks 640, 642 that curve away from each other,
`identically configured to the hooks 620, 622 of the module
`604a. Thus, a series of modules identical to the module 6041)
`could be assembled together, with hooks 630, 632 engaged
`to hooks 640, 642 of a like module, engaged in similar
`fashion to that shown in FIG. 21. A stack of modules of like
`
`or unlike types can be assembled in series, or “daisy
`chained”, to form a modular frame.
`Thus, one group of bays 606 that are sized and shaped for
`holding one or more batteries can be attached to one or more
`bays 610 sized and shaped to hold one or more batteries of
`a same size as the batteries held in bays 606, or a different
`size as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. FIGS. 19 and 20, for
`simplicity of illustration, illustrate only a few bays 606 and
`a few bays 610, it should be understood however that any
`number of bays within a module could be configured into a
`modular frame. Also, the parting plane of the modules could
`be across a vertical lateral plane, or across a vertical longi-
`tudinal plane, or across a horizontal plane, taken with the
`device oriented upright as shown in FIG. 2.
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`According to the preferred embodiments, the heretofore
`described frames are composed of a suitable plastic such as
`polypropylene or polycarbonate, and are preferably injection
`molded. As an enhancement, the plastic can be a phospho-
`rescent resin such as a Resin Series 100(PP) polypropylene
`or Series 300(PC) polycarbonate available from RTP Com-
`pany of Winona, Minn., USA. Such plastics will make the
`frames luminescent (“glow in the dar ”). Accordingly, the
`frames will glow after absorbing light and can be easily
`located and handled even in a dark room or in a dark airplane
`cabin.
`
`From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
`variations and modifications may be effected without depart-
`ing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be
`understood that no limitation with respect to the specific
`apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
`The invention claimed is:
`
`1. A battery holding and dispensing apparatus, compris-
`ing:
`a first frame, sized and configured to be held and sup-
`ported in a user’s hand, said first frame including a
`plurality of first compartments, each first compartment
`sized and configured to hold a battery, each first com-
`partment including an open end and a detent protruding
`into said open end to overlie a portion of a