FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a utility device which serves as a battery terminal protector cap as well as a load bearing device that provides protection of battery terminal/lead terminal pole against breakage, corrosion due to ambient atmosphere and also against damages during transportation and stacking.
BACKGROUND ART:
The battery terminals of a storage battery extend higher above the plane of the top surface of the battery. When the batteries are stacked without providing suitable spacers between the top surface of a battery in the stacking and the lower surface of the battery place above the said battery, it is terminal which is required to bear the entire load of the battery thereby causing damage to these terminals. Usually, plastics and other spongy materials are used as a suitable spacer between the two batteries stacked together. Ordinarily the honeycomb structure like paper foam is used during stacking to safeguard the terminals separately from a terminal protector cap which is being placed in between two batteries placed one above another. However, during transportation, stocking and shipping due to load and other factors said honeycomb structure cannot bear the entire load of the battery terminals which over a prolonged exposure to load may result in breakage, damage or erosion of the said battery terminals.
US4323156 discloses an open-bottomed storage battery container made of paperboard material, for protecting components such as the terminals projecting from the top of the battery case from being pressed when batteries in the containers are stacked. The container has four walls and a flap extending from a horizontal score line on each wall. Two opposed flaps have multiple angular score lines to enable folding them into tapered beams that rest on the top of the battery case. The other two opposed flaps serve as container covers. The other flaps each have an angular score line defining cover and tongue sections. The tongue sections interface at an angle when the covers are closed and their ends rest on top of the battery case to provide support in addition to that provided by the beams.
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US5283137 discloses a device for both covering a multi-cell rechargeable battery having upper terminal connections and for use as a mounting spacer for the battery. The device includes a cover sized and shaped to shield the top surface of the battery when attached thereto and has a plate with apertures disposed therein to provide limited access to the upper terminal connections. A mechanism is provided for spacing the lid from the top surface of the battery to recess the upper terminal connections relative to the upper surface of the plate for protection against surface contact and electrical shorting, the spacing mechanism being integral with the plate. An attachment device is also provided for selectively attaching the cover to the battery to protect the battery top surface and upper terminal connections from damage from objects placed on the plate. The attachment device is further adapted for selectively securing the cover to the bottom surface of the battery to function as a spacer for battery mounting. Finally, a mechanism is provided for testing of the electrical condition of the battery without removing the cover.
CN102136559A discloses a storage battery terminal protective device which is characterized by comprising a terminal connecting sheet, a terminal protective cap and an acid proofing protective cap, wherein, the terminal connecting sheet is embedded into the terminal protective cap of an injection molding piece; the terminal protective cap is connected with the acid proofing protective cap into a whole through a connection line; the outer diameter of the terminal protective cap is matched with the inner diameter of the acid proofing protective cap; and the side wall of the acid proofing protective cap is provided with a connection groove which is convenient to be connected with a copper bar or the connection line. The storage battery terminal protective device provided by the invention has the beneficial effects that a sealing structure is formed at the local part of the battery terminal, thus solving the drawback of electrochemical corrosion of the battery terminal, and achieving the purpose of protecting the battery terminal; the storage battery terminal protective device has a simple structure and good insulation performance, is convenient in installation, and can be recycled; and by the storage battery terminal protective device, the raw materials or anti-corrosion materials like Vaseline for secondary brush plating of the terminal are saved, the washing materials
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are saved, the pollutants are reduced, the process and relevant human resources are saved, and the production cost of the storage battery is obviously lowered.
US2022595 provides a battery protector in the form of a cover, two sides of which are adapted to rest on the edge of the battery casing. The cover prevents moisture or foreign material from getting to the terminals or cell connectors and thus effectually guards against damage thereto or short circuiting thereof. The cover affords an even top surface
US2674369 discloses a carton for storage batteries. The carton of US’369’ is made up of fiberboard or paperboard (which would have been appeared as inexpensive material) which is adapted to be placed over a battery and afford a protection to the terminal posts, filler caps, cell connectors and the sealing compound for the cell covers that the batteries may be safely stacked one on another for storage or shipment. The carton comprises an open bottom box like collar having a battery top protector or load supporting member incorporated in the top. which permits the stacking of the batteries in such a way that no weight is borne by the soft composition material or the terminals of the battery, but only by the relatively hard battery casing. The protector is particularly advantageous in transporting batteries in less than carload lots because it is light in weight and because it occupies a minimum amount of space. The cover may protrude around the periphery of the battery casing and is thus adapted to protect the casing from damage or marking so that the battery will remain in a readily marketable condition upon reaching its destination. The cover is furthermore securely prevented from accidental displacement or slippage during transportation.
US5015543 discloses a shipping and display cap for an electric storage battery terminal which includes a base permanently secured about a root of the terminal and a separable tower adapted for ready separation from the base when the battery is put in service. US’543’ also discloses an electric storage battery with such cap for battery terminal whose external terminal post is axially offset from the battery’s internal cell element for securing the cap’s base about the terminal root and preventing accidental lifting or rotation of the terminal with respect to the cell element post.
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CN102386343A provides a protective cover for a terminal of a storage battery, which has the structure as follows: one end of a protective cover plate is rectangular and the other end thereof is round, a terminal fastener is arranged at the top of the rectangular end, a screw-head fastener is arranged at the center of the round end, and a plastic sheet clamp slot and a connecting tube clamp slot are formed on the same side of the two ends and extend towards the same face of the protective cover plate respectively. The protective cover is applied to protect a battery terminal. When the protective cover is used, all that is needed is to insert one end on the end pole column which is positioned below the connecting lug of the battery terminal and bend the other end and then clamp the other end on the screw head and the connecting tube of the terminal. The protective cover is mounted rapidly and conveniently, has a good protection effect, is not liable to loosening or falling, and does not cause the damage to the power supply circuit of the battery.
CN101944583A provides to a flexible connection device for a storage battery and a production method thereof, belonging to the technical field of lead-acid storage battery production, and relating to a connection device of a storage battery and a production method thereof. Rigid connection requires high area evenness and high battery frame accuracy, can generate stress to battery posts and is easy to cause loose connection and even post breakage; when the loose connection occurs, heat emission and spark striking are easy to be caused, seriously, even fire and the other phenomena can be caused, thereby resulting in potential safety hazard. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises a flexible connection line and two conducting strips, wherein the two conducting strips are respectively arranged at two ends of the flexible connection line; the periphery of the flexible connection line is covered with a flexible line protecting jacket; and the middle of the conducting strip is provided with a waist-type slot hole, the outer surface of the conducting strip is covered with an insulation sleeve the middle of which is provided with a connection hole concentric with the waist-type slot hole. The storage battery pole adopts flexible connection, which eliminating the stress of the pole; the storage battery pole is simple in installation, reliable and safe; and the waist-type slot hole enables the connection between the poles to be more flexible and free, thereby further reducing the pull force or the push force to the pole.
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We note that copper is used in this prior art which has some obvious disadvantages as above discussed.
In order to safeguard the battery terminals during storage and stacking, the option left is to keep the batteries in a large open area without keeping one over another. This means that a large area is required to store the batteries. However the problems relating to transportation remain since for transportation batteries are required to stack together.
Therefore, the need exists in the art is to develop a device that serves the dual purpose i.e. one it provides a protective cap for the battery terminal and second it provides a load bearing structure too for stacking of the batteries.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the invention to provide a device that serves the dual purpose i.e. one it provides a protective cap for the battery terminal and second it provides a load bearing structure too for stacking of the batteries.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a battery terminal protector which permits multiple stacking i.e. the stacking of the batteries in railroad cars, trucks or other conveyances for transportation or in warehouses for storage in such manner such that superimposed load is dispersed equally along with giving full protection to the battery terminals.
It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a battery terminal cap which is adapted to prevent from chipped or otherwise damaged from the handling to which they are subjected during shipment and transportation.
It is further objective of the invention to provide a battery terminal protector cap which is light in weight, easy to handle, replaceable, strong, inexpensive, and thoroughly capable of protecting the battery terminals as well as strong enough to bear the load of the batteries during stacking.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to present invention there is provided a device for protecting battery terminals and stacking of the batteries while place over the battery terminal extending upwards from the top surface of the battery, said device comprising first hollow structure and second hollow structure having equal dimension; said hollow structures being connected by a plastic strip; wherein upper part of each hollow structure being uneven shape to the lower part.
Other objects, features and advantages of the inventions will be apparent from the
following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 illustrates the device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 1a illustrates cross section of the device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 1b illustrates front view of the device in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 1c illustrates side view of the device in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
The present invention provides a device that serves the dual purpose i.e. one it provides a protective cap for the battery terminal and second it provides a load bearing structure too for stacking of the batteries.
The device according to present invention is hollow and is molded in such a manner so that it fits suitable with the battery terminal as extended upwards from the top surface of the battery. This hollow device serves as a protective cap for the battery terminal thereby helps in reduction of corrosion, damage and breakage of the said terminal. This protective cap according to present invention is joint by an elongated strip made of
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Polypropylene B120MA (hereinafter PPB120MA) with another hollow structure which is exactly similar with the protective cap internally as well as externally. The other hollow structure is exactly similar in thickness and is also made of PP B120MA which can bear a load upto 500kg. Accordingly, the said hollow structures can be used interchangeably as a terminal protective cap as well as load bearing structure.
The protecting device is prepared with a dual hollow conical structure, molded in a manner to fit suitably with the size and shape of the battery terminal extending upwards from the top surface of the battery. The said conical round hollow structure covers the battery terminal completely and is joined with another conical hollow structure by way of an elongated strip.
The conical hollow structure of the battery terminal protecting device cum load bearing device are molded in such a manner so that the diameter of each of the conical hollow structure is larger at the base and gradually tapers towards top and wherein the top of the said conical structure is opened at the centre to accommodate the battery terminal top. .
Material PPB120MA is herein used for manufacturing the said product. This material is known for use in injection molding process, where medium impact strength is required. It is an ideal material for use in industrial and automotive component house wares, thermo wares, and sanitary wares, furniture, industrial and automotive components. This material contains agent that reduces static charge buildup in products. This material is having several good features viz: high flow behavior, good stiffness-impact balance, good surface gloss, low static charge build up and reduced dust pickup, which make its use ideal for the said purpose.
Referring to the Figure 1 the protective cap in the form of two similar hollow structures 1 and 2 which is connected each other by an elongated strip 3. The protective caps is having base 4 shown in Figure 1a rested on the top surface of battery and a hole 5 on the top of the protective cap to be fitted on the top of the battery terminal. The strip is
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made of the same material (PPB120MA) used for making the protective cap. This strip also rests on the top surface of the battery.
The process used for manufacturing the product is started with procurement and inspection of raw material (PPB120MA). The process used for manufacturing the product is injection molding. The raw material is melted and then injected into the mold, where it cools and solidifies into a structure in which temperature is in the range of 1800C- 2400C, Injection Pressure is in range of 55-95Kg/Cm2
The dimensions checked are inner diameter (ID), outer diameter (OD) height of the cap (H), diameter of top hole (TD), length, height and width of the strip and color of the device. Dimensions of the product can be changed as per the requirement. The product of the present invention is of dimensions as shown in Fig (1a-c) in which ID: Ø32, OD: Ø34.5, H: 25.5 and TD: Ø11.5. The strip of the present invention is of dimensions as shown in Figure 1a and 1b in which the width: 10mm, height: 2mm and length: 56.1mm. All dimension standardization of conventional lids N50 and N70 accordingly. , Injection time is 12Sec., Holding time is 2Sec. and cooling time is 35sec. Now the product is transferred to the blade and cutter section. In this section deflashing and cutting operations performed. Now the final part is checked manually on the basis of different product parameters like flow line, gas marks, shrinkage, extra flash and appearance.
During use of the hollow structures is being placed over the battery terminal extending upwards from the top surface of the battery thereby hollow structure which is conjoint with this battery terminal protective cap is also get placed on the top surface with exactly at the same height as that of the battery terminal protective cap. Another battery is then being placed over and similarly the battery terminal is being covered with the said device and so on. The entire batteries stacked together are then covered by a packaging material for stacking and transportation.
Since the top surface of the two hollow structures is exactly same, the load of a battery during stacking or transportation is dispersed equally and evenly and thereby reduces damages to the battery terminal.
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Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with references to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equally entitled.

WE CLAIM:
1. A battery terminal protecting device with a dual hollow structure, molded in a manner to fit suitably with the size and shape of the battery terminal extending upwards from the top surface of the battery, wherein said device comprises of,
- Conical round hollow structure wherein the hollow structure covers the battery terminal completely;
- Said conical hollow structure is joined with another conical hollow structure by way of an elongated strip; and
wherein one of the said hollow structure is placed over a battery terminal in a way so that the other hollow structure bears the load of the battery placed over it during stacking.
2. A battery terminal protecting device cum load bearing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated strip conjoining the two conical hollow structures is a flat strip.
3. A battery terminal protecting device cum load bearing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of each of the conical hollow structure is larger at the base and gradually tapers towards top and wherein the top of the said conical structure is opened at the centre to accommodate the battery terminal top.
4. A battery terminal protecting device cum load bearing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein conical hollow structures and the flat strip connecting the two is made of plastic material or insulating material.
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5. A battery terminal protecting cap cum load bearing device as claimed in claim 1 which can withstand the load upto 500 Kg.