Battery warmer

• US 4,591,692 A
• Filed: 10/03/1983
• Issued: 05/27/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrance W. Wightman
• Original Assignee: Lawrance W. Wightman
• Inventors: Wightman, Lawrance W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Clifford C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa J.
• Application Number:
  US06/538,522
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 219/209, 219/202, 219/504, 219/505, 219/345, 219/311, 219/205, 219/208, 219/535, 219/521, 24/17 R, 24/17 A, 24/23 B, 24/198, 24/200
• US Class Current: 219/209
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/637 characterised by the use of reversible temperature-sensitive devices, e.g. NTC, PTC or bimetal devices; characterised by control of the internal current flowing through the cells, e.g. by switching means for preventing undesired use or discharge H01M50/572
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6554 Rods or plates
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/14 the material being non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery warmer includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element of a size to maintain the contents of a battery to which it is attached in the range of 45° to φ° F. in ambient temperatures of -30° to 75° F., and a housing for the PTC element, preferably of foamed plastic. The housing is mounted to a flat side of the battery, either adhesively or mechanically. A method of making the warmer includes securing paper to two broad, parallel surfaces of the housing to provide one surface that will take adhesive and another to bear printed instructions, and which together inhibit warping of the housing during its manufacture.

Claims

1. A battery warmer for warming a vehicle battery having a flat side, said battery being in a vehicle compartment, said warmer comprising a molded block of polyurethane foam having a flat bottom surface, a top surface with a heater-receiving well, and side surfaces extending from the edges of said bottom surface to the outer margins of said top surface;

a PTC heater element mounted in said well;

a metal plate, connected in heat transfer relation to said PTC element and extending in substantially flush relation to said upper surface;

electrical means for connecting said PTC element to a source of electric current, and means for mounting said warmer to said flat side of said battery, said mounting means comprising a strap embracing said battery and said warmer and slides, mounted on said strap on both sides of the battery, for sliding toward the said warmer beyond the edge of the battery adjacent the said warmer to tighten the strap after it has been first tightened manually, opposite of said side surfaces of said molded block and said bottom surface defining at their respective arris a notch, said notches being aligned and receiving said strap.

2. A battery warmer for warming a vehicle battery having a flat side, said battery being in a vehicle compartment, said warmer comprising a molded block of polyurethane foam having a flat bottom surface, a top surface with a heater-receiving well, and side surfaces extending from the edges of said bottom surface to the outer margins of said top surface;

a PTC heater element mounted in said well;

a metal plate, connected in heat transfer relation to said PTC element and extending in substantially flush relation to said upper surface;

electrical means for connecting said PTC element to a source of electric current, and means for mounting said warmer to said flat side of said battery, said mounting means comprising a strap embracing said battery and said warmer and slides, mounted on said strap on both sides of the battery, for sliding toward said warmer beyond the edge of the battery adjacent the said warmer to tighten the strap after it has been first tightened manually, said slides having long edges bent toward said battery, said edges digging into said battery when said slides are moved slightly beyond the edges of the battery.