Swing-out battery box

• US 4,723,618 A
• Filed: 03/02/1987
• Issued: 02/09/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Coonradt, Joel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Love, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAMBY, RICHARD M
• Application Number:
  US07/020,277
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 180/298, 429/84, 312/322, 312/323, 312/325, 312/328, 105/51
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/242 adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery box including parallel four-bar linkage structure for permitting a battery to be swung downwardly and outwardly, from an operative position wherein the battery is protected by the implement frame, to a maintenance position wherein easy access is provided to the battery for inspection and maintenance. The parallel linkage structure maintains the battery horizontal and serves as a self-locking mechanism at the desired maintenance position. A finger guard on the four-bar linkage also acts as a stop to limit travel of the battery when the battery is returned to its normal operative position.

Claims

1. In a vehicle including a battery compartment for receiving a battery, said battery compartment normally limiting access to the battery, battery support structure permitting convenient access to the batery for inspection and servicing of the battery, said support structure comprising:

a battery holder adapted for receiving the battery in an upright supportive position;

elongated four-bar linkage structure having first and second ends;

means for rockably connecting the first end of the linkage structure to the vehicle adjacent the battery compartment;

means connecting the second end of the linkage structure to the battery holder for permitting the battery holder to rock between a normal operative position generally within the compartment and a service position wherein the holder extends outwardly from the compartment;

stop means for maintaining the battery holder in a preselected attitude in the service position; and

plate means fixed to one of the bars of the four-bar linkage for shielding the area between adjacent bars as the holder is rocked between positions.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stop means comprises a portion of the four-bar linkage structure.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plate means includes second stop means for preventing further rocking of the battery holder upon the holder being rocked to the operative position.

4. In a vehicle having an engine, battery support and protective structure comprising:

a protective compartment area located away from the engine and opening outwardly, upright four-bar linkage structure pivotally connected to the compartment area, a battery support adapted for receiving a battery, means pivotally connecting the battery support to the linkage structure for permitting the battery support to rock between an operative position wherein the battery is supported within the compartment and a maintenance position wherein the battery is located outwardly of the compartment, said means pivotally connecting also for maintaining the battery in a preselected attitude as the support is rocked between positions, and wherein the four-bar linkage structure includes a pair of spaced upright bars defining a gap therebetween, and plate means connected to one of the bars and spanning the gap for eliminating a pinch point between the bars.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein the linkage structure includes stop means for automatically stopping and maintaining the battery support in the maintenance position.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein the plate means includes means for preventing the battery support from rocking beyond the operative position as the support is rocked from the maintenance position.