NZ272495A - Physical size adaptors for dry cell batteries - Google Patents

Description

27 2 4 9 5 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION BATTERY ADAPTOR KIT I, PHILIP EDWARD FREW SALES, a New Zealand citizen, of 16 Waitohu Road, York Bay, Eastbourne, Wellington, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to diy cell battery adaptors, in particular to a kit having a collection of interfitting elements which enable the effective diameter and length of a small dry cell * to be increased for use in place of a larger cell.

A variety of adaptor kits are known, such as described in US Patent 4,767,358 and GB Patent 1,441,645, and most seem capable of working tolerably well. The main requirements for a commercially successful kit are a simple, robust, low cost construction with an ability to adapt a wide range of standard battery sizes.

Naturally occurring fluctuations in the standard sizes must also be accommodated. The following range of dimensions has been found in the four main types of cylindrical dry cell.

AAA ! AA C D Diameter (mm) .35 14.2 ±0.1 .7 ± 0.3 33.1 ±0.3 Length (mm) 44.2 ±0.1 49.7 ± 0.5 49.7 ±0.4 60.8 ±0.5 A useful kit will be able to adapt any smaller size to fit in place of any larger size. For example, a AA battery could be adapted for use in an appliance ordinarily requiring a D battery, but where the larger battery was not on hand. The greatest adaptation in size occurs where a AAA battery is to be used in place of a D battery, for which a 33% increase in effective length and a threefold increase in effective diameter are required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative battery adaptor kit for use in relation to cylindrical dry cells.

Accordingly, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a dry cell size adaptor kit comprising a plurality of substantially cylindrical elements of at least three co-operating types: I - tubular elements which fit around a dry cell to create a larger effective cell diameter, II - tubular elements which fit within certain of the type I elements to create a longer effective cell length, and III - discoid elements which fit within certain of the type I or II elements to provide an electrical connection when a cell has been effectively lengthened.

Preferably the type I elements are provided in pairs which fit the two ends of each cell to be adapted.

Preferably each of the type II elements has a similar diameter to a corresponding type I element but is shorter in length.

Preferably the type I and II elements are a solid plastics material and the type III elements are solid metal or other suitable conductive material.

A preferred embodiment will be described as an example of the invention with respect to the drawings of which: Figure 1 shows primary element types in a battery adaptor kit, and Figure 2 shows various combinations of the elements of Figure 1 in use.

Referring to these drawings it will be appreciated that the invention may take various forms, so that a range of changes may yet occur to the shapes and dimensions of the elements shown. These will depend to some extent on the manufacturing capabilities which are or may become available for plastic moulding, and similarly on the range of diy cell battery shapes and sizes.

Figure 1 indicates the primary elements of an adaptor kit according to the invention, grouped in three rows. In the first row, three type I elements 10, 11, 12 are shown as short tubes or rings having an internal diameter slightly greater than that of one of the standard battery sizes AAA, AA or C, and an external diameter approximately equal to that of the next greatest size AA, C or D respectively.

In the second row of Figure 1, two type II elements 13,14 are also shown as short tubes or rings. Their internal diameters are slightly greater than those of standard battery sizes AAA and AA, with external diameters approximately equal to those of AA and C. The type II elements are generally shorter than type I, so that elements 13, 14 will fit snugly within elements 11, 12 for example. Both element types are generally of an insulating plastics material.

The inside of each type I or II element may have a regularly or irregularly roughened surface for an improved friction fit with a battery or other element, for example, the inside surface may have longitudinal ridges or fluting. The outside of each element may also be textured for improved grip and appearance.

In the third row of Figure 1, two type III elements 15, 16 are shown as solid discs of differing thickness. Their diameters are approximately equal to those of standard batteiy sizes AAA and C, so that element 15 will fit snugly within element 10 or 13, and element 16 will fit within element 12 if necessary. Type III elements are generally of an electrically conducting material.

A prototype kit was constructed having lengths of 15mm and 10mm for type I and II elements respectively, with 5mm and 1mm for elements 15 and 16 of type III. The kit included two of each type I element, one of each type n, with three of element 15 and one of element 16 from type III. This enables at least one battery of any of sizes AAA, AA or C to be adapted to any larger size. The number of each element in a commercial kit has yet to be determined.

Figure 2 shows in three columns X, Y, Z, how the elements of the prototype kit may be used. In column X an AAA size battery 20 is first shown having an element 10 placed at each end to effectively create the diameter of an AA size battery as indicated by die dashed lines. One of die elements 10 has been slid beyond its end to accommodate an element 15 and effectively create the length of an AA size battery. By placing an element 11 around each element 10 the diameter and length of a C size battery is then obtained. By further placing an element 12 around each element 11, the diameter of a D size battery is obtained, and if each collection of elements is slid beyond its respective battery end, two further elements 15 may be accommodated to effectively create the lengtii of a D size battery.

In column Y of Figure 2, an AA size battery 21 is shown having an element 11 placed at each end to effectively create the diameter of a C size battery as indicated by the dashed lines. The lengths of AA and C size batteries are equal as can be seen from the table set out above. By placing an element 12 around each element 11, the diameter of a D size battery is obtained. By sliding a pair of elements partially from one end of the battery an element 13 and two elements 15 may be accommodated to effectively create the length of a D size batteiy. The number of elements incorporated one within the other indicates the need for a suitably firm friction fit between each pair of contacting surfaces.

In column Z of Figure 2, a C size battery 22 is shown having an element 12 placed around each end to effectively create the diameter of a D size battery. An element 12 has been slid from one end of the batteiy to accommodate one each of elements 13 and 14 and two elements 15 to create die length of a D size battery. In use an element 16 may be placed to overlay the collection of elements 13,14, 15 to ensure proper electrical contact with a battery powered appliance. The use of element 16 is optional to some extent.

The batteries in Figure 2 have been shown in a simplified form and it will be appreciated that the two ends of each battery are not identical, one end being a flattened negative terminal and the other being a raised positive terminal. It will be appreciated than an extension of the length of the battery will normally take place at the flattened terminal so that satisfactory electrical contact can be made with an element 15. It will also be appreciated that some care will often be necessary when handling and installing a battery of extended length.

Although the prototype kit has been shown using an idealised minimum number of distinct elements, alternative constructions are readily envisaged. For example, pairs of elements 10, 11 or 12 may be joined in single tubes to encompass essentially the entire length of an adapted battery. This would increase the cost and bulk of an adapter kit but may nevertheless be a viable alternative. A further type m element may also be provided, particularly a double thickness equivalent of element 15. This would simplify extending the length of some batteries but would add an additional distinct component to each kit. Other combinations of the idealised elements may also be considered.

Claims (5)

-6- WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A dry cell size adaptor kit comprising a plurality of substantially cylindrical elements of at least three co-operating types: I - substantially tubular elements which fit around a dry cell to create a larger effective cell diameter, II - substantially tubular elements which fit within certain of the type I elements to create a longer effective cell length, and III ? substantially discoid elements which fit within certain of the type I or II elements to provide an elecnical connection when a cell has been effectively lengthened.

2. A dry cell size adaptor kit according to claim 1 wherein the type I elements are provided in pairs which fit the two ends of each cell to be adapted.

3. A dry cell size adaptor kit according to claim 1 wherein the type II elements have a similar diameter to corresponding type I elements but are shorter in length.

4. A diy cell size adaptor kit according to claim 1 wherein the type I and II elements are a solid plastics material and the type III elements are solid metal or other electrically conductive material.

5. A dry cell size adaptor kit substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 272495