BATTERY TESTING DEVICE

• US 3,818,325 A
• Filed: 01/24/1973
• Issued: 06/18/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William A. Boshers
• Original Assignee: William A. Boshers
• Inventors: Boshers, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Alfred E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hille, Rolf
• Application Number:
  US05/326,327
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 324/29.5,72.5,158P 136/182 320/48 339/95B,95R,97T,18TB,15B,151B
• US Class Current: 324/437
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery

Abstract

A battery testing device for testing the cells of a multiplecell battery, the battery having a cover plate with access holes to provide access to the connecting straps between cells. A panel defines a plurality of probe assembly receiving holes located to correspond to the location of the access holes when the panel is positioned on top of the battery. A probe assembly is positioned within each probe assembly receiving hole, having a spring biased electrically conductive plunger operative to make electrical contact with the connecting strap through the corresponding access hole when the panel is pushed towards the top of the battery. There is a certain play between the probe assembly receiving hole and the probe assembly to permit lateral adjustment of the latter within the probe assembly receiving hole to enable the probe assemblies to be slightly adjusted in position to properly align with their corresponding access holes.

Claims

1. A battery testing device for testing the cells of a multiplecell battery, the battery having a cover plate with access holes to provide access to the connecting straps between cells, comprising:

a panel of electrical insulating material defining a plurality of probe assembly receiving holes located to correspond to the location of the access holes when the panel is positioned on top of the battery;

a probe assembly positioned within each probe assembly receiving hole of said panel, each of said probe assemblies comprising a sleeve of electrical insulating material extending through said receiving hole and containing a spring-biased electrically conductive plunger operative to make electrical contact with the connecting strap through the corresponding access hole when the panel is pushed toward the top of the battery;

the diameter of said sleeve being substantially less than the diameter of said assembly receiving hole whereby said sleeve may shift laterally within said hole to enable the probe assembly to be laterally adjusted to properly align with the corresponding hole;

means for maintaining firm support for said sleeve while permitting lateral adjustment thereof, said means comprising a washer and a disc spring encompassing said sleeve with said washer being urged toward said panel by said spring;

said plunger having a threaded adjustable extension at the end thereof which contacts the corresponding connecting strap to vary the length of plunger to ensure a firm electrical contact with said strap;

connection means at the end of the plunger opposite said adjustable extension for connecting said plunger to an electrical instrument for testing the electrical characteristics of the cells.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said sleeve has an integral lip thereon on the end remote from said washer, said lip bearing on the side of said panel opposite said washer.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein an electrical conducting wire is connected to said connecting means of said plunger of each of said probe assemblies, said wires being mechanically interlaced and connected to a common first end plug for connection to said electrical instrument.