HOLDER FOR SECURING ONE OR MORE BATTERIES Technical Field The present invention relates to a holder for securing a battery, such as, for example, a nine volt battery having both its positive and negative terminals on one end of the battery. A battery is placed in the battery holder by firmly pressing the battery terminals against electrical contacts while rotating the opposite end of the battery under an opposed lip. The contacts, which are upwardly biased, yield to pressure to enable the battery to be secured beneath the lip. When the downward pressure is released, the upward bias of the contacts encourages the battery toward the battery holder upper lip, holding the battery in tension between the contacts and the upper lip. This configuration provides for push, pivot, and release installation of the battery. The battery holder secures one battery or alternative embodiments secure two batteries in parallel or in series configuration to provide additional current or additional voltage, respectively. The contacts of the battery holder may be electrically connected to a power adapter, such as a cigarette lighter socket, in order to provide battery power to a portable electronic apparatus having a cigarette lighter adapter plug. Alternatively, the contacts of the battery holder may be hardwired to an electronic apparatus requiring battery power or wired to an electrical fitting, such as, for example, a plug or socket, to enable an electronic apparatus requiring battery power to connect to the battery holder.

Further, the battery holder may have a cavity for storage of the wires and electronic fitting when not in use.

Background Art Applicant is aware of no prior art where a battery is held in tension between an opposed lip and an upwardly biased contact, wherein the battery terminal is engaged by and the battery is urged upward toward the opposed lip, by the bias of the contact.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention relates to a holder for securing a battery, such as a nine volt battery. Electronic apparatuses, such as cellular telephones, are often powered either by utilizing rechargeable battery power, by plugging the apparatus into an electrical outlet, or by plugging the apparatus into the electronic system of a motor driven vehicle via the use of a cigarette lighter adapter plug.

However, at times the need or desire arises to use such an apparatus when the charge in the internal battery of the apparatus is depleted and other sources of power are either inoperative or unavailable. The battery holder of the present invention is designed to easily and securely hold a battery in tension between a lip portion of the battery holder and one or more electronic contacts, which can be employed in a portable device for providing power to such electronic apparatuses.

Alternatively, the battery holder of the present invention may be integrated into a battery powered electronic apparatus, such as a smoke detector, to provide a useful, convenient method of securing a battery in the apparatus. In this case, the battery held within the holder could provide a primary or secondary source of power to the apparatus.

Alternatively, additional embodiments of the battery holder of the present invention are configured to secure two batteries either in parallel or in series configuration to provide electrical apparatuses with additional current or additional voltage, respectively. In a dual battery holding configuration, one battery, preferably nine volt, may be held, or two batteries, preferably nine volt, may be held in parallel configuration or series configuration.

It is an object of the invention that the battery holder securely restrain commonly available batteries, which may be easily, simply, and repeatedly replaced or removed as the need arises by a combination of pressure on the electrical contacts and rotation beneath the restraining lip.

It is a further object of the invention that the battery holder be inexpensive to manufacture and lightweight.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a battery holder for an electronic apparatus which operates on battery power, for a device which provides battery power to an electronic apparatus which has a cigarette lighter adapter plug, or for a device which provides battery power to electronic apparatuses which can run on battery power.

More particularly, the present invention provides a battery holder comprising a body, having a top end, a bottom end, and a mid-portion therebetween; at least one foot portion, extending from the body at a location toward the bottom end and including at least one contact for engaging a battery terminal; at least one lip portion extending from the body at a location toward the top end; the at least one lip portion and the at least one foot portion being in an opposed relationship; and the at least one contact and the at least one lip portion having a spaced relationship for holding at least one battery in tension therebetween.

Brief Description of the Drawings A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a battery holder of the present invention without a battery installed; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a battery which may be used with the battery holder of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the battery holder of Figure 1 without the battery installed; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the battery holder of Figure 1 taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the battery holder of Figure 1 with a battery installed; Figure 6 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the battery holder of Figure 1, taken along a line similar to line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the battery holder of Figure 1, where the battery holder has a dual battery holding capability where two batteries are held in parallel configuration; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the battery holder of Figure 1, where the positive and negative contacts are hardwired to an electronic apparatus; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the battery holder of Figure 1, where the positive and negative contacts are hardwired to an electrical fitting; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the battery holder of Figure 9, where the battery holder has a storage area with a door and latch; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the battery holder of Figure 10, where the storage area has flanges for securing wires.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the battery holder of Figure 1, where the battery holder has a single battery holding capability or a dual battery holding capability where two batteries are held in series configuration.

Figure 13 is a top view of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a front view of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a side view of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the battery holder of Figure 12 with one battery installed.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the battery holder of Figure 12 with two batteries installed.

Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 19 is a top view of the base of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the base of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 21 is a front view of the base of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 22 is a side view of the base of the battery holder of Figure 12.

Figure 23 is a perspective view of the base of the battery holder of Figure 12, with electrical contacts in place.

Figure 24 is a top view of the battery holder of Figure 12, depicting the body installed over the base.

Figure 25 is a sectional view of the battery holder of Figure 12, taken along line 25-25 of Figure 24.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment With references to the figures, Figures 1-5 show a first embodiment of the present invention including a battery holder 10 and a battery 12. The battery holder 10 encases a power socket 14, a first positive contact 16, and a first negative contact 18. First positive contact 16 and first negative contact 18 are preferably fabricated from spring tempered brass or suitable corrosion-resistant coated steel.

As shown in Figure 1, the battery holder 10 has a body 22, generally cylindrical in shape, which has a top end 60, a bottom end 62, and a mid-portion 64 therebetween. A foot 20 extends outwardly from the bottom end 62 of the body 22, and an upper lip 24 extends outwardly from the top end 60 of the body 22, the lip 24 being parallel to and on the same side of the body 22 as foot 20.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, battery 12 includes a base end 26 and an opposed terminal end 28. Protruding outwardly from terminal end 28 and parallel to the central axis of battery holder 10 body 22 is positive terminal 30 and negative terminal 32. Preferably, the battery 12 is a battery the size of a nine volt battery, which was determined to supply adequate voltage and current to meet the objectives of this invention.

As best shown in Figure 1, foot 20 is provided with an upper surface 34 with first positive terminal receiving hole 36 and first negative terminal receiving hole 38 disposed thereon.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, power adapter socket 14 includes a hollow, cylindrical adapter receiving body 40, a body conductor lug 42 which extends downwardly from the adapter receiving body 40 and is electronically connected thereto, and an electrically isolated center conductor lug 44 providing an electrically conductive path through the bottom of the adapter receiving body 40 which extends from the inside bottom center to the outside bottom center of the adapter receiving body 40. The power adapter socket 14 may be part of a stock product of Casco Products Corporation, part number 216481C.

First positive contact 16 and first negative contact 18 are soldered or otherwise mechanically and electrically connected to center conductor lug 44 and body conductor lug 42, respectively, and extend internally through foot 20 being positioned under first positive terminal receiving hole 36 and first negative terminal receiving hole 38, respectively.

As shown in Figure 4, elastomer pads 46 are affixed under the first positive terminal receiving hole 36 position of first positive contact 16 and first negative terminal receiving hole 38 position of first negative contact 18 to provide an upward bias on the contacts 16,18 at the position where the contacts 16 and 18 are under the receiving holes 36 and 38.

To properly install battery 12 into battery holder 10, battery terminal end 28 is placed downwardly toward foot 20 upper surface 34 such that battery 12 positive terminal 30 protrudes through first positive terminal receiving hole 36 coming in contact with first positive contact 16. Likewise, when battery 12 is properly installed into battery holder 10, battery 12 negative terminal 32 will protrude through first negative terminal receiving hole 38 coming in contact with first negative contact 18. Upon application of downward

pressure on battery 12 against contacts 16,18 and elastomer pads 46, the contacts 16,18 and elastomer pads 46 will give, allowing battery base end 26 to be rotated about the contact points and under battery holder 10 upper lip 24. Upon release of said downward pressure, the upward bias of the elastomer pads 46 will urge the contacts 16,18 toward their original position, moving battery 12 upward and forcing battery 12 base end 26 against battery holder 10 upper lip 24. Thus, battery 12 will be positively held in place by the containment of battery terminals 30,32 within terminal receiving holes 36,38 and by the rotational containment of battery 12 base end 26 under battery holder 10 upper lip 24.

A battery holder with battery installed is shown in Figure 5.

Preferably, the battery holder 10 is molded of plastic, such as ABS, in two halves, then assembled to encase the socket 14, contacts 16,18, and elastomer pads 46. In the assembly of battery holder 10, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, or a snap-together mechanism is used to affix the two molded halves together.

In an alternate embodiment of the battery holder 110 of the present invention, shown in Figure 6, the contacts 116, 118 are fabricated of a resilient material, such as a spring tempered brass material, formed with a return bend to supply the upward bias of the contacts 116,118 at the position where the contacts 116,118 are under the receiving holes 36 and 38.

First positive terminal receiving hole 36 may be sized such that it will not accept negative terminal 32, thus insuring proper polarity.

Figure 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of the present invention which has a dual battery 12 holding capability and is designed to hold the two batteries 12, preferably nine volt, in parallel configuration. This embodiment may be employed for supplying power to electronic apparatuses which require increased current or for providing a longer lasting, uninterrupted supply of power to an electronic apparatus than may be supplied by the embodiments shown in Figures 1-6.

As shown in Figure 7, the battery holder 210 has a generally"T"shaped body 222 with a top end 260, a bottom end 262, and a mid-portion 264 therebetween. A first foot 20 extends outwardly from the bottom end 262 of the body 222, and a first upper lip 24 extends outwardly from the top end 260 of the body 222, first upper lip 24 being parallel to and on the same side of body 222 as first foot 20. A second foot 21 extends outwardly from bottom end 262 of body 222, and a second upper lip 25 extends outwardly from top end 260 of body 222, second upper lip 25 being parallel to and on the same side of body 222 as second foot 21. First foot 20 and first upper lip 24 are located on a different, preferably opposite, side of body 222 than second foot 21 and second lip 25. First foot 20 has an upper surface 34, with a first positive terminal receiving hole 36 and a first negative terminal receiving hole 38 disposed thereon. Second foot 21 has an upper surface 35, with a second positive terminal receiving hole 37 and a second negative terminal receiving hole 39 (not shown) disposed thereon. First foot 20 and second foot 21 have a first positive contact 216 positioned under positive terminal receiving holes 36 and 37, with first positive contact 216 preferably consisting of a continuous piece of material which passes under both first positive terminal receiving hole 36 in first foot 20 and second positive terminal receiving hole 37 in second foot 21. First foot 20 and second foot 21 have a first negative contact 218 positioned under negative terminal receiving holes 38 and 39, with first negative contact 218 preferably consisting of a continuous piece of material which passes under both first negative terminal receiving hole 38 in first foot 20 and second negative terminal receiving hole 39 in second foot 21.

However, the contacts 216,218 under each terminal receiving hole 36,37,38,39 may consist of discrete pieces of material. Elastomer pads 46 may be affixed under first positive contact 216 and first negative contact 218 in both first foot 20 and second foot 21 to provide an upward bias on the contacts 216,218 at the position where the contacts 216,

218 pass beneath the terminal receiving holes 36,37,38,39.

Alternatively, the contacts 216,218 may be fabricated of either continuous or discrete pieces of a resilient material, such as a spring tempered brass material, formed with a return bend to supply the upward bias of the contacts 216, 218 at the position where the contacts 216,218 are under the terminal receiving holes 36,37,38,39. A power adapter socket 14, as depicted in Figures 1 and 3-6, is received through the top end 260 of body 222. The contacts 216,218 are electrically connected to the power adapter socket 14.

Figure 8 demonstrates an alternate embodiment of the battery holder 310 of the present invention which is designed to be an integral part of an electronic apparatus 48, either integrally molded therewith or attachable thereto. The battery holder 310 of this embodiment may be integrated into an electronic apparatus 48, such as a smoke detector, where it is desirable to have a battery holder 310 permanently affixed to or within the electronic apparatus 48.

As shown in Figure 8, the battery holder 310 has a generally"L"shaped body 322 with a top end 360, a bottom end 362, and a mid-portion 364 therebetween. A foot 20 extends outwardly from the bottom end 362 of the body 322, and an upper lip 24 extends outwardly from the top end 360 of the body 322, the lip 24 being parallel to and on the same side of body 322 as the foot 20. The foot 20 has an upper surface 34 having a first positive terminal receiving hole 36 and a first negative terminal receiving hole 38 disposed thereon. Foot 20 has a first positive contact 316 and a first negative contact 318 positioned under first positive terminal receiving hole 36 and first negative terminal receiving hole 38, respectively. A positive wire 50, having a first end 51 and a second end 52, is connected at its first end 51 to first positive contact 316. A negative wire 54, having a first end 55 and a second end 56, is similarly connected at its first end 55 to first negative contact 318.

The first ends 51,55 of the wires 50,54 may be connected to the contacts 316,318 by soldering, wedging, spring loading,

holding by friction, or in any other appropriate manner.

Second end 52 of positive wire 50 and second end 56 of negative wire 54 are hardwired into the electronic apparatus 48 in an electrically appropriate manner. The wires 50,54 are of a length necessary to hardwire the contacts 316,318 to the electronic apparatus 48.

Figures 9-11 demonstrate alternate embodiments of the present invention. The battery holder 410,510,610 of these embodiments are designed to serve as portable power supply units which provide battery power when plugged into electronic apparatuses requiring such power.

As shown in Figures 9-11, the battery holder 410,510, 610 has a generally"L"shaped body 422,522,622 with a top end 460,560,660, a bottom end 462,562,662, and a mid- portion 464,564,664 therebetween. A foot 20 extends outwardly from the bottom end 462,562,662 of the body 422, 522,622, and an upper lip 24 extends outwardly from the top end 460,560,660 of the body 422,522,622, the lip 24 being parallel to and on the same side of body 422,522,622 as the foot 20. The foot 20 has an upper surface 34 having a first positive terminal receiving hole 36 and a first negative terminal receiving hole 38 disposed thereon. Foot 20 has a first positive contact 316 and a first negative contact 318 positioned under first positive terminal receiving hole 36 and first negative terminal receiving hole 38, respectively.

A positive wire 450, having a first end 51 and a second end 452, is connected at its first end 51 to first positive contact 316. A negative wire 454, having a first end 55 and a second end 456, is connected at its first end 55 to first negative contact 318. The second end 452 of positive wire 450 and the second end 456 of negative wire 454 are hardwired into a female electrical fitting 58 in an electrically appropriate manner. The female electrical fitting 58 may be any of a variety of configurations designed to transmit power when a plug is inserted therein. The electrical fitting 58 may also be also comprise a male electrical fitting where appropriate. The wires 450,454 may be of any length, but

are preferably of a length to enable the electrical fitting 58 to be easily extended to and mated with the corresponding plug contained in the electronic apparatus to be powered.

In Figures 10-11, the body 522,622 of the battery holder 510, 610 has a cavity 66,666 therein, which may be used to store the wires 450,454 and electrical fitting 58 when not in use. The cavity 66,666 has a floor 67,667, a ceiling 68,668, a first wall 69,669, a second wall 70,670, a back wall 71, and a door 74,674. The door 74,674 is connected to an outer edge of one surface 67,667,68,668, 69,669,70,670 of the cavity 66,666 by at least one hinge 76,676. A surface of the cavity 66,666, such as the floor 67,667, ceiling 68,668, first wall 69,669, or second wall 70,670, has a snap fit latch 78,678 thereon or integrated therein. The hinge 76,676 and snap fit latch 78,678 are preferably attached to parallel surfaces 67,667 and 68,668 or 69,669 and 70,670 of the cavity 66,666. The snap fit latch 78,678 has a flange 80 projecting at an angle therefrom. A flange receiving indentation 82,682 is located on the door 74,674, preferably on the interior surface 75, 675, and is formed with a shape and size to receive and retain the projecting flange 80. The flange receiving indentation 82,682 is sized and positioned to mate with the projecting flange 80 and together serve to secure the door 74,674 against the outer edges of the cavity's 66,666 floor 67,667, ceiling 68,668, first wall 69,669, and second wall 70,670.

Figure 11 depicts two arms 84 protruding from the interior surface 675 of the door 674, although the arms 84 may be located on any surface 67,667,68,668,69,669,70, 670,71 of the cavity 66,666. The wires 450,454 may be wrapped around the arms 84 to secure the wires 450,454 partially or entirely within the cavity 666 for storage of the wires 450,454 and electrical fitting 58 when not in use or to secure any unneeded length of wire 450,454.

The door 74,674 or at least one surface 67,667,68, 668,69,669,70,670 of the cavity 66,666 may contain an

opening therethrough, preferably on an outer edge, to allow a desired length of wire 450,454 to protrude from the body 522,622 cavity 66,666 while the door 74,674 is latched shut. If the opening therethrough is located on an outer edge of the door 74,674 or cavity 66,666 surface 67,667, 68,668,69,669,70,670, the wires 450,454 may be fitted through the opening with the electrical fitting 58 external to the cavity 66,666, enabling the door 74,674 to be latched shut while the electrical fitting 58 is external to the cavity 66,666.

The hinge 76,676, door 74,674, latch 78,678, and arms 84 are preferably made of the same material as the body 522, 622, such as molded plastic, and are integral with the body 522,622.

Figures 12-25 depict an alternate embodiment of the present invention which has a dual battery 12 holding capability and is designed to secure one battery, preferably nine volt (Figure 16), or two batteries 12 (Figure 17), preferably nine volt, in series configuration. This embodiment may be employed for supplying power to electronic apparatuses which require a higher voltage than may be supplied by the embodiments shown in Figures 1-11 and may supply up to eighteen volts if two nine volt batteries are utilized.

As shown in Figures 12-18, the battery holder 710 has a body 722, which has a modified"L"shaped front 61 with a modified cylindrically shaped back 63. The body 722 further comprises a top end 760, a bottom end 762, a mid-portion 764 therebetween, a base 65 attached at the bottom end 762, and an orifice 90 with a circular diameter at the top end 760 of the modified cylindrically shaped back 63, and an orifice lip 92. A power adapter socket 114 is received and contained within the modified cylindrically shaped back 63. The diameter of the orifice 90 is smaller than the diameter of the power adapter socket 114 received therein. The orifice 90 has an orifice lip 92 which reduces the orifice 90 diameter and secures the power adapter socket in the modified

cylindrically shaped back 63, thereby preventing the power adapter socket 114 from being inadvertently removed through the top end 762. A foot 120 extends outwardly from the bottom end 762 of the body 722, and an upper lip 24 extends outwardly from the top end 760 of the body 722 front 61, the upper lip 24 being parallel to and on the same side of the body 722 as foot 120.

As best shown in Figures 12,18,23 and 25, foot 120 has an upper surface 134 with a first positive terminal receiving hole 136, a second positive terminal receiving hole 137, a first negative terminal receiving hole 138, and a second negative terminal receiving hole 139 disposed thereon. A first positive contact 416, having an elongated portion 13, is positioned under first positive terminal receiving hole 136, a first negative contact 418, having an elongated portion 11, is positioned under first negative terminal receiving hole 138, and a dual role contact 15 consisting of a continuous piece of material is positioned under both second positive terminal receiving hole 137 and second negative terminal receiving hole 139 comprising a second positive contact 17 and second negative contact 19, respectively. Alternatively, second positive contact 17 and second negative contact 19 may be fabricated of discrete pieces of material which are electrically connected.

As shown in Figures 18-23, contacts 416,418,15 rest within and are supported by base 65. First positive contact 416, first negative contact 418, and dual role contact 15 are fabricated of discrete pieces of a resilient material, such as a spring tempered brass material, formed with a return bend or bends to supply the upward bias of the contacts 416, 17,418,19 at the position where the contacts 416,17,418, 19 pass beneath the terminal receiving holes 136,137,138, 139. Alternatively, elastomer pads 46 may be affixed under contacts 416,17,418,19 to provide an upward bias on the contacts 416,17,418,19 at the position where the contacts 416,17,418,19 pass beneath the terminal receiving holes 136,137,138,139.

As best shown in Figure 18, a hollow cylindrical power adapter socket 114 is received through the bottom end 762 of the cylindrically shaped back 63 of body 722. The elongated portion 13 of first positive contact 416 projects beneath the bottom end of power adapter socket 114 to electrically connect with a power adapter plugged into the power adapter socket 114, either through direct communication or through another electrical and mechanical connection between the contact 416 and the power adapter. First negative contact 418 is electrically connected to power adapter socket 114, either through direct communication of an elongated portion 11 of first negative contact 418 with power adapter socket 114 or through another electrical and mechanical connection between power adapter socket 114 and first negative contact 418. Dual role contact 15 is electrically isolated from first positive contact 416, first negative contact 418, and power adapter socket 114.

Alternatively, the power adapter socket 114 may receive a cylindrical adapter receiving body 40 which may contain a body conductor lug 42 which extends downwardly from the adapter receiving body 40 and is electronically connected thereto, and an electrically isolated center conductor lug 44 providing an electrically conductive path through the bottom of the adapter receiving body 40 which extends from the inside bottom center to the outside bottom center of the adapter receiving body 40, as depicted in Figure 4, with first positive contact 416 electrically connected to center conductor lug 44 and first negative contact 418 electrically connected to body conductor lug 42. Dual role contact 15 is electrically isolated from first positive contact 416, first negative contact 418, and adapter receiving body 40.

A battery holder 710 with one battery 12 installed is shown in Figure 16. To properly install one battery 12 into battery holder 710, battery terminal end 28 is placed downwardly toward foot 120 upper surface 134 such that battery 12 positive terminal 30 protrudes through first positive terminal receiving hole 136 coming in contact with

first positive contact 416. Likewise, when battery 12 is properly installed into battery holder 710, battery 12 negative terminal 32 will protrude through first negative terminal receiving hole 138 coming in contact with first negative contact 418. Upon application of downward pressure on battery 12 against contacts 416,418, the return bend of contacts 416,418 will give, allowing battery base end 26 to be rotated about the contact points and under battery holder 710 upper lip 24. Upon release of said downward pressure, the upward bias of the return bend of contacts 416,418 will urge the contacts 416,418 toward their original position, moving battery 12 upward and forcing battery 12 base end 26 against battery holder 710 upper lip 24. Thus, battery 12 will be positively held in place by the containment of battery terminals 30,32 within terminal receiving holes 136, 138 and by the rotational containment of battery 12 base end 26 under battery holder 710 upper lip 24. A dual battery holder 710 of this embodiment, depicted in Figures 12-25, with one nine volt battery 12 installed will provide up to nine volts of electricity to an electrical apparatus.

A battery holder 710 with two batteries 12 installed is shown in Figure 17. To properly install two batteries 12 into battery holder 710, battery terminal end 28 of a first battery 12 is placed downwardly toward foot 120 upper surface 134 such that first battery 12 negative terminal 32 will protrude through second negative terminal receiving hole 139 coming in contact with second negative contact 19. Likewise, when first battery 12 is properly installed into battery holder 710, first battery 12 positive terminal 30 protrudes through first positive terminal receiving hole 136 coming in contact with first positive contact 416. Upon application of downward pressure on first battery 12 firstly against second negative contact 19, then against first positive contact 416, the return bend of contacts 19,416 will give, allowing first battery base end 26 to be rotated about the contact points and under battery holder 710 upper lip 24. Upon release of said downward pressure, the upward bias of the return bend of

contacts 19,416 will urge the contacts 19,416 toward their original position, moving first battery 12 upward and forcing first battery 12 base end 26 against battery holder 710 upper lip 24. Thus, first battery 12 will be positively held in place by the containment of battery terminals 30,32 within terminal receiving holes 139,136 and by the rotational containment of first battery 12 base end 26 under battery holder 710 upper lip 24. To install a second battery 12 in holder 710, battery terminal end 28 of second battery 12 is placed downwardly toward foot 120 upper surface 134 such that second battery 12 positive terminal 30 protrudes through second positive terminal receiving hole 137 coming in contact with second positive contact 17. Likewise, when second battery 12 is properly installed into battery holder 710, second battery 12 negative terminal 32 will protrude through first negative terminal receiving hole 138 coming in contact with first negative contact 418. Upon application of downward pressure on second battery 12 firstly against second positive contact 17, then against first negative contact 418, the return bend of contacts 17,418 will give, allowing second battery base end 26 to be rotated about the contact points and under battery holder 710 upper lip 24. Upon release of said downward pressure, the upward bias of the return bend of contacts 17,418 will urge the contacts 17, 418 toward their original position, moving second battery 12 upward and forcing second battery 12 base end 26 against battery holder 710 upper lip 24. Thus, second battery 12 will be positively held in place by the containment of battery terminals 30,32 within terminal receiving holes 137, 138 and by the rotational containment of second battery 12 base end 26 under battery holder 710 upper lip 24.

As shown in Figures 12 and 24, first positive terminal receiving hole 136 and first negative terminal receiving hole 138 are oval in shape and are sized to accept a positive battery terminal 30 and a negative battery terminal 32, respectively. Second positive terminal receiving hole 137 and second negative terminal receiving hole 139 are generally

circular in shape and are sized to accept a positive battery terminal 30 and a negative battery terminal 32, respectively.

Oval shaped first positive terminal receiving hole 136 and oval shaped first negative terminal receiving hole 138 are oriented on the upper surface 134 of foot 120 so that the terminal receiving holes 136 and 138 angle toward each other.

The angled oval terminal receiving holes 136,138 may be spaced in the range of 6.0 millimeters (0. 236 inches) apart at their nearest edges.

The positive terminal 30 and negative terminal 32 of a nine volt battery 12 are spaced at a second spacing of approximately 1.27 centimeters (0.500 inches) apart, from positive terminal center point to negative terminal center point. When the battery holder 710 is used in single battery configuration as shown in Figure 16, the angled orientation and oval shape of first positive terminal receiving hole 136 and first negative terminal receiving hole 138 allow first positive terminal receiving hole 136 to receive first battery 12 positive terminal 30 and allow first negative terminal receiving hole 138 to receive first battery 12 negative terminal 32.

When the battery holder 710 is used in dual battery configuration as shown in Figure 17, the two batteries 12 are oriented such that first battery 12 positive terminal 30 and second battery 12 negative terminal 32 are spaced at a first spacing of approximately 1.5875 centimeters (0.625 inches) apart, from first battery 12 positive terminal 30 center point to second battery 12 negative terminal 32 center point.

The angled orientation and oval shape of first positive terminal receiving hole 136 allows first positive terminal receiving hole 136 to receive first battery 12 positive terminal 30 and second negative terminal receiving hole 139 to receive first battery 12 negative terminal 32 when the battery holder 710 is used in dual battery configuration.

The angled orientation and oval shape of first negative terminal receiving hole 138 allows first negative terminal receiving hole 138 to receive second battery 12 negative

terminal 32 and second positive terminal receiving hole 137 to receive second battery 12 positive terminal 30 when the battery holder 710 is used in dual battery configuration.

Second positive contact 17 and second negative contact 19 are preferably contained on dual role contact 15, which consists of a continuous piece of material. Therefore, electrical connectivity between contacts 17 and 19 is automatic. When two batteries 12 are inserted into holder 710 as shown in Figure 17, electrical connection of two batteries in series is made from first negative contact 418 to second positive contact 17, from second positive contact 17 to second negative contact 19, and then from second negative contact 19 to first positive contact 416.

Therefore, a dual battery holder 710 of this embodiment, depicted in Figures 12-25, with two nine volt batteries 12 installed as shown in Figure 17 will provide up to 18 volts of electricity to an electrical apparatus.

Preferably, the battery holder 710 is molded of plastic, such as ABS, in two parts, namely the body 722 and the base 65, then assembled to encase the socket 114, and contacts 416,418,15. In the assembly of battery holder 710, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, or a snap-together mechanism is used to affix the two molded pieces together.

Positive terminal receiving holes 136,137 may be sized such that they will not accept negative terminal 32, thus insuring proper polarity.

It is anticipated that the battery holder of the present invention could be modified by one skilled in the art to hold a battery having negative and positive terminals at opposed ends.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.