GB2397286A - Battery holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery holder consisting of a pair of parts (1 and 2) that may be joined together (7) to form a single unit. One half of the pair (1) has a raised area (4) to identify that piece. Batteries or cells (5) are a push fit into both parts such that they remain connected until manually removed. The battery holder may be manufactured to hold batteries or cells of a different size and number. New or charged batteries and cells are inserted with the +ve terminal in part 1 and the -ve terminal in part 2. Old or discharged batteries or cells are placed the opposite way. Each part (1,2) may be a block of plastics or rubber having individual recesses for each battery.

Description

Battery Holder 1a Disposable batteries are usually sold pre-packed. When a

device requires fresh batteries they are taken out of the packing and applied to the device. The depleted batteries are disposed of. Any remaining batteries kept in the packing are known to be ready for use. If empty the packing is disposed of.

Rechargeable batteries have many advantages over disposable batteries hence the use of rechargeable batteries is now widespread. Because rechargeable batteries have a limited capacity it is not unusual for users to carry additional charged batteries to replace batteries as they become discharged.

Once they have been removed from their sales packing for use rechargeable batteries present a handling problem not usually associated with disposable batteries. As the discharged batteries are retained both charged and uncharged batteries are kept unsecured. This can lead to individual batteries being lost or mislaid and charged and uncharged batteries becoming mixed together. There is also the potential for accidental short circit leading to unintentional discharge.

This invention has several objectives.

The first is to secure a number of batteries together to aid handling and storage.

The second is to enable the charge state to be identified and thus allow charged and discharged batteries to be secured together.

The third object of the invention is to prevent loses of individual batteries.

The fourth object of the invention is to keep the battery terminals clean.

The fifth objective is to prevent accidental dischage of a battery by keeping the terminals covered until the battery is required.

The invention can also be used to secure disposable batteries if required.

A typical embodiment of the invention suitable for 4 x "M type" size batteries will now be described with referrence to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the pair of blocks 1 & 2.

FIGURE 2 shows an end view of the pair of blocks 1 & 2 FIGURE 3 shows a top view of the bottom block 2.

FIGURE 4 shows a top view of the top block 1. ; FIGURE 5 shows the arrangement of both blocks 1 & 2 and batteries 5 together.

FIGURE 6 shows the invention made to hold two UC type" batteries.

As shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 3 each block 1 & 2 contains four holes 3 into which the batteries 5 are inserted.

FlGUREs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 all show a typical distinguishing mark 4 on the upper surface of the top block 1.

FIGURE 6 shows an alternative form of distinguishing mark 6 on the upper surface of block 1.

FIGURE 7 shows the arrangement of both blocks 1 & 2 and batteries 5 together with the addition of the connecting strap 7 in place.

The invention consists of a pair of blocks of a plastic or rubber material 1 & 2. The material has elastic properties.

In the blocks 1 & 2 are holes 3 in which fit the batteries 5. The holes 3 are sized to give easy insertion and removal of the batteries 5 when required whilst providing sufficient grip to remain secure until the battery 5 is removed.

The invention n;ay be manufactured with a different number of holes 3 in each block 1 & 2 to accommodate a different number of batteries 5.

The invention may be manufactured with different sized holes 3 to accommodate different size batteries 5. The holes 3 may be other than circular to accommodate batteries of other design.

Each pair of blocks 1 & 2 has the same number and size of holes 3 such that all holes 3 mirror size, shape and position in each pair of blocks 1 & 2.

The dimensions of each pair of blocks 1 & 2 are the same apart from one feature.

Block 1 of each pair has an distinguishing mark 4 on it to allow easy differentiation between blocks 1 & 2.

Blocks 1 & 2 may be also manufactured in different colours to distinguish them.

Charged batteries are placed with their positive terminal 7 in block 1 to match the raised battery terminal with the distinguishing mark 4 or 6. Discharged batteries are reversed with their positive 7 terminal in block 2.

The orientation of the batteries 5 in blocks 1 & 2 makes visual identification of the battery state quick and simple The use of the distinguishing feature 4 & 6 ensures that people who may have seeing disorders can also use the invention with consistent success. The invention can still be used in darkness.

Blocks 1 and 2 may be connected together with a connecting strap 7, either as part of the manufacturing process or by the addition of a connecting strap to harness points after manufacture. À . ::

Claims (9)

1. BATTERY HOLDER 1a Claims 1. A re-usable two part device to fit and hold a

   number of disposable or rechargeable batteries or cells in sets or partial sets.
2. 2. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 1 where the two parts may be secured together to form a single unit.
3. 3. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 where the two parts may be manufactured to hold a different number of rechargeable batteries or cells.
4. 4. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 3 where the two parts may be manufactured to hold a different size of rechargeable batteries or cells.
5. 5. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim that identifies the charge state of each individual battery or cell being held.
6. 6. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim that keeps the battery or cell terminals clean.
7. 7. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim that prevents accidental discharge of a battery or cell by keeping the terminals covered until the battery or cell is required.
8. 8. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim made from an electrically insulating pliant plastic or rubber material such that the batteries or cells are retained within the holder by friction until the battery or cell is manually removed.
9. 9. A battery holder substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.