GB2183081A - Battery case - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery case is shaped internally to receive a battery (7) having a complementary external shape, the case having closure means (2) provided with electrical terminals (6) to engage with complementarily shaped terminals (7) of a battery when the closure is closed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Battery case In a normal manner, the battery of a vehicle such as a car, truck or lorry is usually mounted as follows. A metal tray is provided, usually near the inner wing of the vehicle, whereon the battery is held in place by either side or bytop clamps, orbya complete metal frame, and the electrical connections are made to both lead terminals mounted on the battery, either by a clamping arrangement or by bolting the cable ter minationsthrough the pillars. Such an arrangement is both unsatisfactory and unnecessary, inasmuch that, because ofthe exposed position ofthe battery, it can lead to corrosion, leaks etc. and with modern sealedfor-life batteries, there is no need for accessibility, which meansthatthe unit could be mounted out of sight.

According to the present invention, there is provided a battery case shaped internally to receive a battery having a complementary external shape, the case having closure means provided with electrical terminals to engage with complementarily shaped terminals of a battery when the closure means is closed.

The present invention will now be described, byway of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery casewith a lid open; Figure 2 is a plan view of the inside of the case; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a battery; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the case with the lid closed.

A battery case shown in Figures 1, 2 and4 is a unit which could be manufactured out of any proprietary polypropylene, nylon orotherformable rigid plastics material which is imperviousto water, petrol, oil, reasonable heat, battery acid, etc. The case has a hinged lid 2, which opens to reveal a capacious interior. The exterior of the case could be moulded in such amannerasto be instantly demountable in its own right, from the vehicle, and it could also be moulded to follow the contours ofthe associated panel to which it could be mounted, allowing the wholeunitto be mounted in a semi-accessible position.

The interior of the case is moulded with a form of reveals 3 (orsplines) vertically, to enable a matching battery to mount only in one position and, when fitted, without any possibility of movement. The battery itselfwould be an identical match by virtue of splines 4, see Figure 4, (or reveals) as a male part of the female case, meaning that only a battery designed to fit the case, would, in fact, do so. The added advantage of mounting a battery in this manner would obviate any possible movement if the host vehicle was involved in impact, where, perhaps, the vehicle may end up on its roof.

The lid 2 of the battery case, when closed, complete ly seals the battery from the ingress of any dirt, oil, water, etc. and, of course, the exit of any battery acid.

The lid itself has a complete piano type hinge along one side and is mounted in such a manner that, when closed, it acts as the aforesaid barrier. Closure ofthe lid is effected by up and over latch clips 5.

Moulded into the underside of the lid ofthe case are master connecting terminals 6, as described below.

A battery 7 (see Figure 3) is manufactured in the normal manner using standard processes, except that the design would differ as below.

Since the design of the actual case 1 itself necessitates a matching component, the battery is designed to mirror, in the male nature, the attributes ofthe case into which it is to be installed for the reasons as described previously. Also,a majordeparturefrom standard concept and design is, instead of having terminal posts in the traditional manner, the battery has positive and negative terminal sockets. These avoid the use of standard protuberances to which cables would be bolted, butarefemale parts ofthe male counterparts which are the terminals 6 premoulded into the lid ofthe battery case.The designs of the terminals 6 could be semi-pyramidal, "V" shaped orfrusto-conical, the ideal being to bring maximum surface area to bear and to make contact The terminals 6 could be of traditional lead, or aluminium, orthey could be formed in a conductive plastics material.

Connection would be made bythe action of closing the battery case lid, thus bringing down to bearthe male counterparts ofthe battery connection, ensuring, undertension, complete fit, doubly enhanced by thefactthatthe batterywould be exactly located because of the reveals in the actual battery itself.

Instant disconnection is effected byflicking open the latch clips 5. Thus no power/current can flow, obviating any need for a battery master switch.

The lid 2 contains not only the terminals 6, but actual master cables themselves premoulded to the terminals and emanating from the side of the lid into a multi-type socket 8. This once again could be used for connection/disconnection. Reference numeral 9 designates an optional furthersocketfor powertake-off.

1. A battery case shaped internally to receive a battery having a complementary external shape, the case having closure means provided with electrical terminalstoengagewith complimentarilyshaped terminals of a battery when the closure means is closed.

2. A battery case, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The drawing(s) originally filed were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Battery case In a normal manner, the battery of a vehicle such as a car, truck or lorry is usually mounted as follows. A metal tray is provided, usually near the inner wing of the vehicle, whereon the battery is held in place by either side or bytop clamps, orbya complete metal frame, and the electrical connections are made to both lead terminals mounted on the battery, either by a clamping arrangement or by bolting the cable ter minationsthrough the pillars. Such an arrangement is both unsatisfactory and unnecessary, inasmuch that, because ofthe exposed position ofthe battery, it can lead to corrosion, leaks etc. and with modern sealedfor-life batteries, there is no need for accessibility, which meansthatthe unit could be mounted out of sight. According to the present invention, there is provided a battery case shaped internally to receive a battery having a complementary external shape, the case having closure means provided with electrical terminals to engage with complementarily shaped terminals of a battery when the closure means is closed. The present invention will now be described, byway of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery casewith a lid open; Figure 2 is a plan view of the inside of the case; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a battery; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the case with the lid closed. A battery case shown in Figures 1, 2 and4 is a unit which could be manufactured out of any proprietary polypropylene, nylon orotherformable rigid plastics material which is imperviousto water, petrol, oil, reasonable heat, battery acid, etc. The case has a hinged lid 2, which opens to reveal a capacious interior. The exterior of the case could be moulded in such amannerasto be instantly demountable in its own right, from the vehicle, and it could also be moulded to follow the contours ofthe associated panel to which it could be mounted, allowing the wholeunitto be mounted in a semi-accessible position. The interior of the case is moulded with a form of reveals 3 (orsplines) vertically, to enable a matching battery to mount only in one position and, when fitted, without any possibility of movement. The battery itselfwould be an identical match by virtue of splines 4, see Figure 4, (or reveals) as a male part of the female case, meaning that only a battery designed to fit the case, would, in fact, do so. The added advantage of mounting a battery in this manner would obviate any possible movement if the host vehicle was involved in impact, where, perhaps, the vehicle may end up on its roof. The lid 2 of the battery case, when closed, complete ly seals the battery from the ingress of any dirt, oil, water, etc. and, of course, the exit of any battery acid. The lid itself has a complete piano type hinge along one side and is mounted in such a manner that, when closed, it acts as the aforesaid barrier. Closure ofthe lid is effected by up and over latch clips 5. Moulded into the underside of the lid ofthe case are master connecting terminals 6, as described below. A battery 7 (see Figure 3) is manufactured in the normal manner using standard processes, except that the design would differ as below. Since the design of the actual case 1 itself necessitates a matching component, the battery is designed to mirror, in the male nature, the attributes ofthe case into which it is to be installed for the reasons as described previously. Also,a majordeparturefrom standard concept and design is, instead of having terminal posts in the traditional manner, the battery has positive and negative terminal sockets. These avoid the use of standard protuberances to which cables would be bolted, butarefemale parts ofthe male counterparts which are the terminals 6 premoulded into the lid ofthe battery case.The designs of the terminals 6 could be semi-pyramidal, "V" shaped orfrusto-conical, the ideal being to bring maximum surface area to bear and to make contact The terminals 6 could be of traditional lead, or aluminium, orthey could be formed in a conductive plastics material. Connection would be made bythe action of closing the battery case lid, thus bringing down to bearthe male counterparts ofthe battery connection, ensuring, undertension, complete fit, doubly enhanced by thefactthatthe batterywould be exactly located because of the reveals in the actual battery itself. Instant disconnection is effected byflicking open the latch clips 5. Thus no power/current can flow, obviating any need for a battery master switch. The lid 2 contains not only the terminals 6, but actual master cables themselves premoulded to the terminals and emanating from the side of the lid into a multi-type socket 8. This once again could be used for connection/disconnection. Reference numeral 9 designates an optional furthersocketfor powertake-off. CLAIMS

1. A battery case shaped internally to receive a battery having a complementary external shape, the case having closure means provided with electrical terminalstoengagewith complimentarilyshaped terminals of a battery when the closure means is closed.

2. A battery case, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The drawing(s) originally filed were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.