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 [Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 320]   CLASS 320,ELECTRICITY: BATTERY OR CAPACITOR CHARGING OR DISCHARGING
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

Where a term, phrase, or derivation thereof appears in italics in this class definition, that term or phrase is defined in the Glossary, below. Use of such italics may be limited to once per sentence or paragraph for better readability.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

This class provides for a method or apparatus for controlled or regulated charging, discharging, or combined charging and discharging of one or more voltaic cells, batteries, or capacitors.

SCOPE OF CLASS

This is the residual class for subject matter relating to:

1. a method or apparatus for charging or electrically rejuvenating (e.g., depolarizing, etc.) a voltaic cell, battery, or electrical capacitor, wherein said charging or rejuvenating is accomplished by controlled addition of electrical energy into the cell, battery, or capacitor;

2. a method or apparatus for discharging a voltaic cell, battery, or electrical capacitor, wherein discharging is accomplished by controlled release of electrical energy from the cell, battery, or capacitor into a nominal electrical load, and further wherein the voltaic cell, battery, capacitor, or combination thereof comprises the only source of supply for the load;

3. a method or apparatus for combined charging and discharging, whether or not the charging and discharging occur simultaneously;

4. a method or apparatus for charging, discharging, or combined charging and discharging, in combination with subject matter auxiliary or appurtenant thereto for measuring, testing, signalling or indicating a charge or related condition of a cell, battery, capacitor, or operation of a related charge or discharge circuit with respect to a charging or discharging function or condition; or

5. a cell, battery, or capacitor structurally combined with a generator or electrical converter, whether or not electrical interconnection therebetween is recited.

(1) Note. The term "capacitor" has replaced the archaic term "condenser" used in previous definition(s) of this class. However, these terms are to be interpreted herein as being interchangeable and therefor synonymous in scope and breadth, irrespective of the modern accepted interpretation of the term "condenser." See Glossary, below.
(2) Note. This class provides for charging or discharging of a plural battery or capacitor arrangement (e.g., battery pack, etc.), with or without a controlled generator. However, charging or discharging of a single battery or capacitor with a controlled generator is classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.
(3) Note. This class provides for a charging circuit where a cell, battery, or capacitor forms the only intended useful load for the circuit. Where a load diverse from a cell, battery, or capacitor to be charged is recited, or where there is recited an additional circuit having utility outside of this class, original classification is outside of this class unless specifically provided for herein.
(4) Note. A nominal electrical load for receiving discharge energy may be either a single load or a plural load that functions or appears as a single load to a discharge circuit. The load must be recited only by its electrical characteristics (e.g., a D.C. load, a capacitive load, etc.), and may also be recited as a nominal variable load. Unless specifically provided for herein, original classification is outside of this class where: (a) the recited load is identified by its nonelectrical characteristics or its particular-art purpose (e.g., electric motor, welding, electrolysis, etc.); (b) plural loads function or appear to a discharge circuit as other than a single or merely variable electrical load; or (c) a source, other than a voltaic cell, battery, capacitor, or combination thereof, is recited for supplying the load, unless specifically provided for herein (See (8) Note, below).
(5) Note. If an electrical load is disclosed as a battery or a capacitor, then claimed recitation of the load as a "battery," "capacitor," etc., is sufficient basis for classification herein. If, however, the load is recited as an "electric device," an "electric load," a "translation device," etc., classification is based upon another significant limitation and not on the basis of the disclosure of the particular load device, unless there is no appropriate place for the classification elsewhere.
(6) Note. If a supply source for a single load is disclosed as a battery or capacitor and the load is not specified or limited to a particular art, claimed recitation of the source as a "battery" or "capacitor" is sufficient basis for classification herein. However, classification of the same is elsewhere if the claimed recitation of the load is in general terminology, e.g., "a source," "a source of emf," "a source of voltage or current," etc., where proper classification is based upon a limitation other than the claimed source.
(7) Note. A method or apparatus for manufacturing a battery, capacitor, or part thereof is classified elsewhere (see References to Other Classes, below), even if combined with charging or discharging. However, an apparatus for charging or discharging, per se, is classified in this class even if an intended use is recited for charging or discharging, per se, during, or as a subcombination of, a manufacturing process. This should be contrasted with a method for charging or discharging which is limited to being incident to manufacture, which is excluded from this class and controls classification when subject matter for this class is also claimed.
(8) Note. Where there is a combination of charging and discharging recited: (a) there may be one or more sources of charge energy, which may include one or more cells, batteries, or capacitors; (b) a cell, battery, or capacitor to be charged may be the cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged; (c) a source of charge energy other than a cell, battery or capacitor (hereinafter nonbattery source) may supply a load or discharge circuit simultaneously with a cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged, except where: (i) the cell, battery or capacitor to be discharged can supply the load or discharge circuit only when the nonbattery source is connected to supply the load or discharge circuit; (ii) the nonbattery source can energize the load or discharge circuit without the cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged.
(9) Note. Where no subclass specifically provides for a method appropriate for this class, classification is proper in a subclass that provides for a device to practice the method. STATEMENT CONCERNING THE SEARCH CLASS NOTES IN REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES, BELOW Since substantially any electrical system or any special-art combination in which an electrical system is a part may charge or discharge a battery or capacitor, whereby said charging or discharging is inherent in the operation thereof, the following SEARCH CLASS notes in References to Other Classes, below, are not represented as being exhaustive of such subject matter.

SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

136, Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric,   for a structure for converting heat or light directly into electrical energy.
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,   for a process involving the use of electrolysis or wave energy, a product solely disclosed as made by such process, apparatus for performing such process, or an electrolyte composition for use in such process.
290, Prime-Mover Dynamo Plants,   for a combination of a prime mover (other than a dynamoelectric machine) and a dynamoelectric machine which supplies energy to or absorbs energy from a battery, particularly subclass 16 and 50 and the subclasses indicating that the dynamoelectric machine is for starting purposes.
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 9.1+ for an electrical system for a vehicle, such as railway car or automobile, which typically include a storage battery therein; subclass 46 for an electrical system having plural sources, one of which is a battery connected to the system through an intervening converter; subclasses 48+ for an electrical system in which a storage battery floats across another source of current; subclasses 66+ in which a storage battery serves as an emergency or substitute source of current; subclass 108 for an electrical system for producing a pulse by use of a capacitor; and subclasses 109+ for an electrical system that includes a capacitor for a purpose such as a voltage dropping impedance or a voltage doubler.
315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems,   for an electric lamp or discharge device as a load into which a battery or condenser discharges, particularly subclasses 33 and 86 through 87 for a battery combination, and appropriate subclasses for a capacitor combination.
318, Electricity: Motive Power Systems,   subclass 139 for an electric motor system wherein the motor is supplied only by a primary or secondary battery and subclasses 440+ for an electric motor system wherein the motor is supplied by plural sources, one of which might be a primary or secondary battery.
322, Electricity: Single Generator Systems,   for a generator system that supplies a single load circuit.
323, Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems,   for voltage-magnitude control system.
324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 425+ for testing an electrolytic device such as a battery.
330, Amplifiers,   appropriate subclasses for amplifier circuitry, per se.
331, Oscillators,   particularly subclasses 111+ , 129+, and 143+ for a relaxation oscillator that utilizes an RC time-constant network to determine the period of a pulse or oscillation.
332, Modulators,   appropriate subclass, for a modulator circuit, per se.
333, Wave Transmission Lines and Networks,   particularly subclasses 175+ for a wave filter for passing electrical energy of one frequency or range of frequencies, while attenuating electrical energy of another frequency or range of frequencies.
361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,   subclasses 271+ for an electrostatic capacitor and subclasses 502+ for an electrolytic capacitor.
362, Illumination,   particularly subclasses 459+ for battery-supplied vehicle lighting and subclasses 157+ for a portable, self-contained, battery-supplied illuminating device.
363, Electric Power Conversion Systems,   subclasses 13+ (and subclasses mentioned in the notes thereto) for a rectifying system.
378, X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices,   subclass 103 for an X-ray electrical system with capacitor discharge.
429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, and Process,   for pertinent subclass (es) as determined by schedule rewiew.
441, Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,   subclass 18 for a buoy having a battery-supplied illuminating means.
607, Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application,   for medical application of electric energy to the body, particularly subclass 149 for body wear that includes electrodes of dissimilar materials which form a battery with body perspiration as the electrolyte.

SECTION III - GLOSSARY

BATTERY

A unit source of D.C. voltage consisting of a plurality of voltaic cells electrically connected in series, parallel, or both, to increase available voltage or power from a single cell. "Plural batteries" include a combination or association of two or more structurally dependent, or independent, battery units.

CAPACITOR

An electrical energy storage device consisting essentially of two electrically conductive surfaces (e.g., plates, electrodes, etc.) separated by an insulator or dielectric (e.g., air, paper, mica glass, plastic, oil, etc.), whereby an electric charge, in the form of a direct voltage between said conductive surfaces, can be either stored on said surfaces or released therefrom to a load. "Plural capacitors" include a combination or association of two or more structurally dependent, or independent, capacitor units.

CELL

Short for, or used interchangeably with, a voltaic cell only in this class.

CHARGE: BATTERY OR CELL

The act of adding electrical energy (e.g., supplying current, etc.) into a battery or cell from a diverse source of electrical energy to increase the amount of useful and available chemical energy stored in the battery or cell; or, the amount of chemical energy stored in a battery or cell that is available for useful conversion to electrical energy for supplying an electric load.

CHARGE: CAPACITOR

The act of applying an electric potential across the electrodes or plates of a capacitor from a diverse source of electrical energy to increase the amount of useful and available electrical energy stored in the capacitor, or the amount of energy stored in a capacitor that is available for release to usefully supply electrical energy to an electric load.

CHARGING CIRCUIT

The electric circuit or path that extends from a charging source to a battery, cell, or capacitor to be charged.

CHARGING SOURCE

The immediate source from which electric energy is derived for addition into a battery, cell, or capacitor, where the polarity of the source is such as to cause current to flow in opposition to the normal polarity of the battery, cell, or capacitor, if the latter is polarized, and may be, for example: (1) a mere charging circuit; (2) means for collecting atmospheric, parasitic, or other stray electric charge or currents; (3) means for converting electrical energy having one or more particular electrical characteristics into electrical energy having a different characteristic (e.g., electrical converters such as a combination alternating current source and rectifier, where the rectifier is considered to be the "immediate source"; (4) means for converting energy, other than electrical, into electric energy (e.g., electrical generator, fuel cell, etc.).

CHARGING SOURCE CONTROL

Any control that effects the flow of energy from a charging source, including (a) direct control of the charging source itself or (b) the flow or delivery of energy from the charging source to a load.

CIRCUIT MAKING AND/OR BREAKING

Fully establishing and/or fully interrupting the conductivity of an electrical path between two or more points in an electrical circuit by physical movement of electrically conductive elements into and out of physical contact with each other.

CONDENSER

An obsolete or out-of-favor term for "capacitor." Although still used in the automotive field to refer to a capacitor used across ignition points to prevent arcing, it is interpreted as being synonymous with "capacitor" in this class, with no implied limitation to its use.

DEPOLARIZATION

The process of preserving or restoring a primary cell by partially or completely removing its increased resistance (i.e., polarization) as the potential of an electrode changes during electrolysis.

DISCHARGE

The act of removing available electrical energy from storage in a battery, cell, or capacitor via flow of electric current from the battery or capacitor to a load.

DISCHARGE CIRCUIT

An electrical device or path which allows flow of electrical current from a battery or capacitor to an electrical load, especially that path or device that controls or regulates said flow.

FUEL CELL

An electrochemical generator that uses the reaction of oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel, or derivative thereof (e.g., hydrogen, etc.), to convert chemical energy into electricity. It is distinguishable from a voltaic cell because of its use of a hydrocarbon for fuel, and because it can operate continuously without a voltaic cell"s inherent chemical degradation of electrodes, as long as fuel and oxygen are available or supplied.

LOAD, LOAD DEVICE, OR LOAD CIRCUIT

Any electrical device for usefully converting or consuming electrical energy other than those devices which are merely accessory, auxiliary, or appurtenant to the source and/or the circuit which supplies electric energy. [An accessory or auxiliary device is a device used to affect operation, control, or care of a source and/or supply circuit and may, for example, comprise a device employed: (i) to test, indicate, or measure a condition of or in a source or supply circuit, or (ii) to regulate or control the flow of electric energy from or through the source or supply circuit.]

PRIMARY CELL OR BATTERY

A cell or battery that cannot have its available charge usefully increased (i.e., recharged like a secondary cell) by an electric current passing through it after having been discharged from a usefully charged condition (i.e., the chemical reaction is not reversible). (See the definition of Depolarization, above).

REGULATION

Control of one or more characteristics or conditions whereby said characteristics or conditions can be maintained at some predetermined value, or can be varied over a plurality of values.

SECONDARY CELL OR BATTERY

A cell or battery that may have its available charge usefully increased (i.e., recharged) by an electric current passing through it after having been discharged from a usefully charged condition (i.e., the chemical reaction is reversible).

VOLTAIC CELL

An elementary unit source of electrical energy stored as chemical energy, comprising two separated dissimilar electrodes bridged by an electrolyte, wherein said unit source produces a potential difference across said electrodes in a chemical reaction involving said electrodes and electrolyte that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. [Synonymous with cell, but distinguished from a fuel cell, in which the electrodes are not required to be chemically involved in the primary reaction.]

SUBCLASSES

[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 100]    100PRIMARY CELL DEPOLARIZATION:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter for lowering the resistance of a primary cell by addition of electrical energy sufficient to remove a polarized coating from an electrode of the cell or battery.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process,   subclass 52 for activation of an inactive cell and subclasses 96 through 100 for cell support for a removable cell.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 101]    101WIND, SOLAR, THERMAL, OR FUEL-CELL SOURCE:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter including a charging source having means for deriving electrical energy from weather-related air flow, light energy, heat, or from an electrochemical generator in which chemical energy from the reaction of air or oxygen and a fuel (e.g., hydrocarbons, etc.) is converted directly into electricity.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

138,for plural or alternate sources for charging.
139,for pulse-controlled charging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

136, Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric,   subclasses 291+ for applications of photoelectric.
323, Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems,   subclass 906 for solar cell systems.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 102]    102With shuntless charging source control:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 101.  Subject matter including means for regulating only the flow of charging current in series between the charging source and the load (i.e., the means for regulating is absent any means to bypass charging current around the load).

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

128,for battery charging and discharging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

136, Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric,   subclasses 291+ for applications of photoelectric batteries.
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 46 , 64, and 66 for batteries being used as emergency sources.
323, Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems,   subclass 906 for solar cell systems.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 103]    103ONE CELL OR BATTERY CHARGES ANOTHER:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein the charging source for charging a first cell or battery includes a second cell or battery.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

107,for the structure of the battery charger.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 46 , 64, and 66 for batteries being used as substitute sources.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 104]    104Vehicle battery charging:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 103.  Subject matter wherein significance is attributed to the type of battery to be charged, wherein said battery is intended for use with a conveying device (e.g., automobile, etc.).
(1) Note. Commonly, the battery being charged is six volts or a multiple thereof.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

116,for batteries connected in series.
139+,for pulse control during battery charging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 149+ for miscellaneous systems which include power packs.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 105]    105Employing "jumper" cable:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 104.  Subject matter wherein use is made of a charging circuit between the first battery and the second battery that includes a pair of conductors, each of which includes an end connector (e.g., alligator clip, etc.) adapted to be removably connected to a vehicle battery terminal to supply charging current thereto, the pair of conductors being commonly referred to as "jumper cables."

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

107,for the structure of the battery charger.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

191, Electricity: Transmission to Vehicles,   subclass 12.4 for flexible extensions with a connector plug or receptacle.
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 10.1+ for battery protection in vehicle mounted systems..
340, Communications: Electrical,   subclasses 636.1 through 636.21for a condition responsive indicating system for a battery.
439, Electrical Connectors,   subclass 504 for a connector with a flaccid conductor and with an additional connector spaced there along adapted to connect a battery and subclass 624 for plural contacts at the end of a cable having sheath enclosing insulated conductors.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 106]    106MEANS TO IDENTIFY CELL OR BATTERY TYPE:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter including a sensor for determining or recognizing the general attributes of a cell or battery to be charged (e.g., rechargeable vs. nonrechargeable, chemical makeup, charge capacity, etc.).
(1) Note. This subclass provides for determining battery size by means other than merely ascertaining whether the battery physically fits a charging structure aperture shape or cell holder size.
(2) Note. The identifying means of this subclass enables a charging system to proceed with charging or for preventing such an attempt where, for example, the charging system determines that the cell or battery is not of a compatible type to be charged by the charging system.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

110,for the structure of a battery charger which will accept different size batteries merely by how the battery physically fits the charger structure.
125,for diverse charging or discharging rates for plural batteries.
138,for plural or alternate sources.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process,   subclass 1 for a battery with a nonbattery electrical component electrically connected within the cell casing other than testing or indicating components, subclass 9 for diverse cells in a support means and subclass 99 for support for plural cells.
455, Telecommunications,   subclass 89 for portable transmitter and receiver.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 107]    107CELL OR BATTERY CHARGER STRUCTURE:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter including battery charger mechanical arrangement or design.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process,   subclass 52 for activation of an inactive cell and subclasses 99 through 100 for support for a plurality of cells and the support itself.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 108]    108Charger inductively coupled to cell or battery:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 107.  Subject matter wherein the charging circuit includes a transformer to transfer electrical energy between the charging source and the load to be charged (e.g., with the primary winding of the transformer connected to the charging source and the secondary winding of the transformer connected to the battery).

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

109,for charging station for electric vehicles.
139,for pulse control battery charging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

336, Inductor Devices,   Dig. 2 for separable inductor devices.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 109]    109Charging station for electrically powered vehicle:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 107.  Subject matter including charging structure constructed and arranged to charge a battery of the type constructed and intended to provide electrical energy for a vehicle having an electrodynamic prime mover, whether or not the battery is mounted in the vehicle or removed therefrom.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

104, Railways,   subclass 34 for vehicle battery replacer.
180, Motor Vehicles,   subclass 65.1 for electric motor vehicles.
191, Electricity: Transmission to Vehicles,   subclasses 2+ for systems of distributions.
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 10.1+ for vehicle mounted systems in an automobile.
414, Material or Article Handling,   subclasses 281+ for charging or discharging means including elevating devices.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 110]    110For diverse sizes of cells, batteries, or battery packs:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 107.  Subject matter including means structurally adapted to accommodate -- or structurally adaptable or rearrangeable to accommodate -- for charging purposes, cells, batteries, or assemblages of plural batteries (i.e., battery packs) having different physical dimensions.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

106,for a battery characteristic determined for other than aperture shape or cell holder size of the battery charger, or for other battery-type determinations other than physical size.
113,for a battery pack with a charger stand or base.
125,for diverse charging or discharging rates for plural batteries or cells, without charger structure.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

429, Chemistry: Electrical current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process,   subclasses 99 through 100for support for a plurality of cells and the support itself.
455, Telecommunications,   subclasses 89 through 90for portable transmitter and receiver and the housing for the transmitter and receiver, respectively.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 111]    111Having plug for A-C receptacle:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 107.  Subject matter wherein the charger structure includes a male connector constructed and arranged to connect to a conventional household alternating-current outlet jack.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

219, Electrical Heating,   subclass 225 for a tool or instrument with heated clamp means.
362, Illumination,   subclass 183 for a container for a rechargeable electrical source with external connections.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 112]    112For battery pack:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 107.  Subject matter wherein the charger structure is constructed and arranged to charge or discharge an assemblage of plural batteries.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

362, Illumination,   subclass 183 for a container for a rechargeable electrical source with external connections.
429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process,   subclasses 96+ for cell support for a removable cell.
455, Telecommunications,   subclass 573 for battery charging in a radiotelephone.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 113]    113With charger stand or base adapted to hold battery pack:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 107.  Subject matter further including a supporting structure for the charger structure, said supporting structure having further means for supporting the battery pack during charging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

362, Illumination,   subclass 183 for a container for a rechargeable electrical source with external connections.
429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process,   subclasses 96+ for cell support for a removable cell.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 114]    114For handheld device:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 107.  Subject matter including means constructed and arranged to charge a battery or cell in a handheld device.
(1) Note. The means constructed to charge a battery may be integral with the handheld device.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,   Dig. 1 for rechargeable devices.
30, Cutlery,   Dig. 1 for rechargeable cutting devices.
310, Electric Generator or Motor Structure,   subclass 50 for a dynamoelectric portable or hand tool.
362, Illumination,   subclass 183 for a container (e.g., flashlight, etc.) for a rechargeable electrical source with external connections.
455, Telecommunications,   subclass 573 for battery charging in a radiotelephone.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 115]    115With charger stand or base:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 114.  Subject matter further including a supporting structure for the charger structure, said supporting structure having further means for supporting the battery pack during charging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,   Dig. 1 for rechargeable devices.
30, Cutlery,   Dig. 1 for rechargeable cutting devices.
310, Electric Generator or Motor Structure,   subclass 50 for a dynamoelectric portable or hand tool.
362, Illumination,   subclass 183 for a container (e.g., flashlight, etc.) for a rechargeable electrical source with external connections.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 116]    116SERIALLY CONNECTED BATTERIES OR CELLS:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein plural individual cells or batteries are recited as being electrically attached to each other in succession or end-to-end relationship such that a single path is provided for flow of current.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

124,for sequential charging or sequential discharging of batteries or cells.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 117]    117Switchable to parallel connection:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 116.  Subject matter wherein the plural individual batteries or cells are recited as being switchable between a series-connected relationship and a parallel-connected relationship.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclass 10.1 for vehicle mounted systems for an automobile, subclass 48 for storage battery or accumulator-type source, subclass 66 for a storage battery or accumulator being used as a substitute or emergency source, and subclass 71 for series-parallel connections of sources.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 118]    118With discharge of cells or batteries:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 116.  Subject matter wherein electrical energy is released from the series-connected cells or batteries.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

124,for sequential charging or sequential discharging of batteries.
127,for battery discharging or battery discharging and charging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclass 66 for a storage battery or accumulator being used as a substitute or emergency source.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 119]    119With individual charging of plural batteries or cells:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 116.  Subject matter wherein each one of plural serially-connected batteries or cells is separately charged by use of multiple charging circuits.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

122,for bypassing certain cells, usually those fully charged, while charging a plural cell battery.
125,for diverse charging or discharging rates for plural batteries or cells.
124,for sequential charging or sequential discharging of batteries or cells.
128+,for battery discharging and charging.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 120]    120Having variable number of cells or batteries in series:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 116.  Subject matter wherein the total quantity of individual cells or batteries connected in series is changeable.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclass 36 for serially connected load circuits and subclass 41 for sequential or alternating connections of load circuits.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 121]    121Switchable cells (e.g., for voltage regulation, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 120.  Subject matter including means for switching a cell or cells into or out of serially-connected relationship with another cell or cells.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

135,for battery discharging with the regulation of the output.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclass 41 for sequential or alternation connections of load circuits.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 122]    122Bypassable battery cell:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 120.  Subject matter including means for shunting charging current away from an individual cell in a plurality of serially-connected cells to another cell or cells when the individual cell is fully charged.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

119,for charging series connected cells or batteries individually and independently using multiple charging lines.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 48+ for storage battery or accumulator-type source, subclass 53 for load current division, and subclass 77 for series connected sources.
361, Electricity, Electrical Systems and Devices,   subclasses 54+ for load shunting by fault responsive means.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 123]    123With generator charging source:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 116.  Subject matter wherein a means for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy is employed as a charging source for the serially-connected cells or batteries.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

138,for plural or alternate source for battery charging.
139,for pulse control battery charging.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 124]    124SEQUENTIAL CHARGING OR DISCHARGING OF BATTERIES OR CELLS:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter including successive charging or discharging of plural batteries or cells.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

119,for charging individual cells in series.
128+,for battery discharging and charging.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclasses 64 and 66 for substitute or emergency sources.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 125]    125DIVERSE CHARGING OR DISCHARGING RATES FOR PLURAL BATTERIES:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter including the addition (or release) of electrical energy from multiple batteries at different energy flow per unit time.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

122,for collectively charging series-connected cells while bypassing a fully charged cell.
160,for multi-rate charging.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 126]    126PARALLEL CONNECTED BATTERIES:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein the positive and negative terminals of each of a plurality of batteries to be charged or discharged are electrically connected, respectively, to the positive and negative terminals of the other batteries.

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124,for sequential charging or discharging of batteries or cells connected in parallel.

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307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclass 56 for load current control of diverse sources and subclass 66 for accumulator substitute sources.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 127]    127BATTERY OR CELL DISCHARGING:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter including the release of stored energy from a battery or cell.

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324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 426+ for using a battery testing device.
340, Communications: Electrical,   subclasses 636.1 through 636.21for a condition responsive indicating system for a battery.
  
[List of Patents for class 320 subclass 128]    128With charging:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 127.  Battery or cell discharging further including addition of electrical energy into the battery or cell sufficient to increase the chemical energy of the battery or cell.

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135+,for battery discharging with regulation of the output.

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307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,   subclass 66 for a battery or accumulator employed as a substitute or emergency source.