Pre-wired battery box for rapid installation and connection of batteries

• US 6,564,893 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murray Lipman
• Original Assignee: Murray Lipman
• Inventors: Lipman, Murray
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEDMAN, LAURA
• Application Number:
  US09/812,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 429/187, 429/121, 429/100, 429/48, 429/163, 429/176, 429/179, 296/37.1, 296/37.5, 229/117.09, 229/117.23, 229/117.26, 229/125.08
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A box mounted on a vehicle or stationary frame for holding an automotive type battery. Said battery is kept in contact with internal terminals which are located in the box. The box is internally tapered to match an external taper on the battery, and has guide rails to facilitate insertion of the battery. A means to assist in the removal of the battery is provided, as is a spring loaded battery carrying strap. A plurality of the boxes may be electrically connected in parallel or series.

Claims

1. A battery system for a vehicle, the battery system comprising:

a vehicle battery including a pair of electrical terminals;

a box to be mounted to a portion of the vehicle, the box for holding the vehicle battery, the box including an opening for inserting the battery into the box and a pair of electrical terminals that electrically contact the pair of electrical terminals of the vehicle battery when the vehicle battery is inserted in the box; and

a pair of electrical terminal leads electrically coupled to the electrical terminals of the box;

wherein the electrical terminals of the box have one of a convex and concave shape and the electrical terminals of the battery have the other one of the convex and concave shape, the convex and concave electrical terminals insuring that the battery is inserted into the box in an orientation that maintains correct polarity of the electrical terminals.

2. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical terminal of the box is V-shape and the at least one of the electrical terminal of the battery is V-shape.

3. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the box further comprises a latch that extends across the opening of the box in a locked position to secure the battery inside the box.

4. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the battery further comprises a carrying strap.

5. The battery system according to claim 4, wherein the battery further comprises at least one spring that holds the carrying strap away from a surface of the battery.

6. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the box further comprises at least one spring for biasing the at least one terminal of the box against the corresponding one of the first and second terminals of the battery.

7. The battery system according to claim 6, wherein the box further comprises a pressure plate and at least one spring that biases the pressure plate against the battery.

8. The battery system according to claim 7, wherein the box further comprises a lever, which when actuated, moves the pressure plate away from the battery.

9. The battery system according to claim 1, further comprising a guide rail associated with the box and a complementary shaped guide rail associated with the battery, the guide rails further insuring that the battery is inserted into the box in an orientation that maintains correct polarity of the electrical terminals.

10. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the box further comprises at least one tapered wall and the battery further comprises at least one tapered wall which conforms to the at least one tapered wall of the box.

11. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the battery further comprises a second pair of electrical terminals.

12. The battery system according to claim 11, wherein the second pair of electrical terminals are removable from the battery.

13. The battery system according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second vehicle battery and at least a second box to be mounted to a second portion of the vehicle, the at least second box for holding the at least second vehicle battery, the boxes having means for electrically connecting the boxes in series.

14. The battery system according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second vehicle battery and at least a second box to be mounted to a second portion of the vehicle, the at least second box for holding the at least second vehicle battery, the boxes having means for electrically connecting the boxes in parallel.

15. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical terminals of the battery each lave a non-conductive portion that prevents electrical short circuiting if an attempt is made to insert the battery into the box in an orientation that does not maintain correct polarity of the electrical terminals.

16. A battery system for a vehicle, the battery system comprising:

a vehicle battery including a pair of electrical terminals;

a box to be mounted to a portion of the vehicle, the box for holding the vehicle battery, the box including an opening for inserting the battery into the box and a pair of electrical terminals that electrically contact the pair of electrical terminals of the vehicle battery when the vehicle battery is inserted in the box; and

a pair of electrical terminal leads electrically coupled to the electrical terminals of the box;

wherein at least one of the electrical terminals of the box has one of a convex and concave shape and at least one of the electrical terminals of the battery has the other one of the convex and concave shape, the at least one electrical terminals of the box and battery insuring that the battery is inserted into the box in an orientation that maintains correct polarity of the electrical terminals.

17. A battery system for a vehicle, the battery system comprising:

a vehicle battery including a pair of electrical terminals having one of a convex and concave shape, and a guide rail;

a box to be mounted to a portion of the vehicle, the box for holding the vehicle battery, the box including an opening for inserting the battery into the box and a pair of electrical terminals having the other one of the convex and concave shape that electrically contact the pair of electrical terminals of the vehicle battery when the vehicle battery is inserted in the box, and a guide rail having a shape complementary to the guide rail of the battery; and

a pair of electrical terminal leads electrically coupled to the electrical terminals of the box; and

wherein the guide rails insure that the battery is inserted into the box in an orientation that maintains correct polarity of the electrical terminals.