A battery retention latch (50, 140) comprises an annular ring member (52, 142), a release button (54, 172, 174) and a spring arm (56, 190, 192, 194, 196). The annular ring (52, 142) retains a battery pack (26) in a cordless device (20, 120) regardless of the angular orientation of the battery pack (26) about a casing axis. The spring arm (56, 190, 192, 194, 196) maintains the ring (52, 142) in a normally engaged position, and upon depressing the push button (54, 172, 174), the battery (26) may be removed from the device (20, 120). Also, a battery retention latch (350) comprises a retaining member (354), a release button (356) and a cam element (362). A biasing member (358) maintains the retention latch in a normally engaged position. The cam element (362) retains a battery pack (26) in a cordless device (352) regardless of the angular orientation of the battery pack (26) about a casing axis. A holding device (382, 394) maintains the battery (26) in the cavity (34) against a spring ejecting force such that the battery (26) partially extends from the device (352) enabling the battery (26) to be removed from the device (352).