Battery enclosure

• US 4,074,785 A
• Filed: 04/05/1976
• Issued: 02/21/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Towmotor Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Towmotor Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Masevice, Frank V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McGiehan, Donn
• Application Number:
  US05/673,505
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 220/324, 220/71, 220/200, 292/106, 292/207, 292/283, 292/256, 292/DIG. 4, 105/50, 105/51, 280/69 R, 280/69 C
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/04 Automatic release latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0956 Sliding catch

Abstract

A battery enclosure for an electrically driven vehicle includes side panels, and a plastic top panel reinforced by elongated metal rods mounted relative to the top panel by means of plastic securing members bonded to the top panel. Locking means, including a pivotal member adapted for securing an edge portion of the top panel to a side panel, are included.

Claims

1. An enclosure for a battery of a vehicle or the like comprising:

a plurality of side panels;

a top panel supportable by the side panels and on which a load may be placed;

means for selectively limiting lifting of an edge portion of the so-supported top panel relative to one of the side panels comprising a pivotal member secured to said one of the side panels and pivotable to a first position wherein a portion of the pivotal member and a portion of said side panel are disposed on either side of the edge portion of the so-supported top panel in close proximity thereto, whereby said edge portion of the top panel is limited from lifting relative to said side panel, and pivotable to a second position removed from said so-supported top panel to allow lifting of said edge portion of the so-supported top panel from said side panel; and

means for selectively securing the pivotal member in said first position thereof;

wherein the means for selectively securing the pivotal member in said first position thereof comprise a projecting member secured to said one side panel and projecting through an aperture provided in the pivotal member with the pivotal member in said first position, and means for selectively securing the pivotal member relative to the projecting member of the pivotal member in said first position; and

wherein the means for selectively securing the pivotal member relative to the projecting member comprise a slide member slidably mounted on the pivotal member and slidable to seat in a recess in the projecting member with the projecting member disposed through the aperture provided in the pivotal member to secure the pivotal member in the first position thereof, and slidable to be removed from said recess to allow pivoting of the pivotal member to the second position thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the edge portion of the so-supported top panel defines a curved extending portion extending outwardly and downwardly of said side panel, and wherein the pivotal member defines a curved portion substantially mating with said curved portion of the edge portion of the top panel with the pivotal member in the first position thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 and means mounted to another side panel for limiting upward movement of another edge portion of the so-supported top panel relative to said another side panel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the projecting member is provided with an aperture therethrough positioned outward of the pivotal member with the pivotal member in its first position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the projecting member is provided with an aperture therethrough positioned outward of the pivotal member with the pivotal member in its first position.

6. An enclosure for a battery of a vehicle or the like comprising:

a plurality of side panels;

a top panel supportable by the side panels and on which a load may be placed;

reinforcing means for said top panel comprising an elongated rod, and an elongated separate securing member secured to the underside top panel and securing the rod relative to the underside of top panel;

wherein the top panel is of plastic material, the securing member is of plastic material, and the reinforcing rod is of metal material;

wherein the reinforcing rod is substantially fully enclosed by the securing member and top panel; and

wherein the edge portions of the elongated securing member are bonded to the top panel on either side of and along the reinforcing rod.

7. An enclosure for a battery of a vehicle or the like comprising:

a plurality of side panels;

a top panel supportable by the side panels and on which a load may be placed;

first, second and third reinforcing rods positioned adjacent respective first, second and third edge portions and adjacent the underside of the top panel; and

first, second and third separate support members secured to the top panel to secure the first, second and third reinforcing rods respectively relative to the top panel;

wherein the top panel is of plastic material, the securing member is of plastic material, and the reinforcing rod is of metal material;

wherein the reinforcing rod is substantially fully enclosed by the securing member and top panel; and

wherein the edge portions of the elongated securing member are bonded to the top panel on either side of and along the reinforcing rod.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the top panel is substantially rectangular.

9. Top panel means for use with side panels and defining therewith a battery cover of a vehicle or the like comprising:

a substantially rectangular top panel;

first, second and third reinforcing rods positioned adjacent respective first, second and third edge portions and adjacent the underside of the top panel; and

first, second and third separate support members secured to the top panel to secure the first, second and third reinforcing rods respectively relative to the top panel;

wherein the top panel is of plastic material, the securing member is of plastic material, and the reinforcing rod is of metal material;

wherein the reinforcing rod is substantially fully enclosed by the securing member and top panel; and

wherein the edge portions of the elongated securing member are bonded to the top panel on either side of and along the reinforcing rod.