Abstract: A storage battery includes a generally rectangular container having opposed side walls, end walls, a bottom wall and an open top defining a container interior. The container interior is divided into a plurality of cells supporting positive and negative plates. The plates include aligned positive lugs and aligned negative lugs. A pair of conductive straps are provided. One of the straps interconnects the positive lugs while the other strap interconnects the negative lugs. A tombstone extends from each of the straps. Each tombstone is located at a position spaced inwardly from the container walls. A pair of battery terminals are supported within the container end walls. Each battery terminal is directly connected to one of the tombstones. The battery terminals are positioned between the tombstone and the container wall and include a termination location adjacent the container wall for direct disconnectable termination thereat. A cover is provided for enclosing the open end of the container.

Abstract: A battery with a threaded battery terminal for accommodating a threaded terminal bolt is provided. The threaded battery terminal includes a bushing having an axial bore extending between an open end and a closed end; and an insert having a longitudinal axis and a threaded opening extending along the longitudinal axis between an open end and a back wall. The terminal bolt is threadably received in the threaded opening and the back wall of the insert has sufficient strength to cause an overlong bolt to break upon continued threaded insertion subsequent to the bolt contacting the back wall.

Abstract: A battery with a pair of handle assemblies that includes a battery casing having a pair of lips extending outwardly from the end walls near the opening in the battery casing. Each lip has a recessed portion with a slot defined by the end wall and a slot side wall. The battery casing also has a pair of protrusions on each of the end walls located below the slot. Each of the handle assemblies has a handle and an attachment structure that includes a substantially flat, rectangular base and a side wall. The back of the side wall has a cavity and a channel extending from an open end at the top edge to a closed end proximate the cavity. The handle includes a strap connected to the side wall on a first end and a loop on the second end.

Abstract: A storage battery includes a generally rectangular container having opposed side walls, end walls, a bottom wall and an open top defining a container interior. The container interior is divided into a plurality of cells supporting positive and negative plates. The plates include aligned positive lugs and aligned negative lugs. A pair of conductive straps are provided. One of the straps interconnects the positive lugs while the other strap interconnects the negative lugs. A tombstone extends from each of the straps. Each tombstone is located at a position spaced inwardly from the container walls. A pair of battery terminals are supported within the container end walls. Each battery terminal is directly connected to one of the tombstones. The battery terminals are positioned between the tombstone and the container wall and include a termination location adjacent the container wall for direct disconnectable termination thereat. A cover is provided for enclosing the open end of the container.

Abstract: A storage battery includes a battery ease having opposed side walls and a top wall. A battery terminal extends from one of the wails. The battery terminal includes a projecting portion for accommodating termination hardware in mechanical and electrical engagement. The protecting portion of the battery terminal includes a test surface portion externally accessible from the termination hardware for directly accommodating a testing device.

Abstract: A battery with a threaded battery terminal for accommodating a threaded terminal bolt is provided. The threaded battery terminal includes a bushing having an axial bore extending between an open end and a closed end; and an insert having a longitudinal axis and a threaded opening extending along the longitudinal axis between an open end and a back wall. The terminal bolt is threadably received in the threaded opening and the back wall of the insert has sufficient strength to cause an overlong bolt to break upon continued threaded insertion subsequent to the bolt contacting the back wall.

Abstract: A battery with a pair of handle assemblies that includes a battery casing having a pair of lips extending outwardly from the end walls near the opening in the battery casing. Each lip has a recessed portion with a slot defined by the end wall and a slot side wall. The battery casing also has a pair of protrusions on each of the end walls located below the slot. Each of the handle assemblies has a handle and an attachment structure that includes a substantially flat, rectangular base and a side wall. The back of the side wall has a cavity and a channel extending from an open end at the top edge to a closed end proximate the cavity. The handle includes a strap connected to the side wall on a first end and a loop on the second end.

Abstract: A protection system for motor vehicles includes a control circuit including a switching device which is connected between cells of the battery and operable between a first condition in which the voltage provided at the battery terminals insufficient to start the vehicle and a second condition in which the voltage provided at the battery terminals sufficient to start the vehicle, the switching device being operated between the first and second conditions by a control signal that is generated by a portable signal transmitting device which is remotely actuatable.

Abstract: A cast-on strap for use in connecting current collecting lugs in battery systems is disclosed. In the most preferred embodiment, the invention includes a caston strap formed of electrically conductive material, such as lead, having a first elongate portion in electrical contact with a line of spaced apart battery plate lugs. The connector strap includes a second portion lying in a plane which is perpendicular to that of the elongate portion so that the latter is laterally displaced. The preferred cast-on strap also includes an angularly extending portion between the elongate portion and the second portion. Increased current transfer efficiency is achieved using the strap of the present invention.

Abstract: An grid for a lead acid battery plate includes a central plate lug, the lug preferably having an expanded base for the collection of current and the grid being constructed in such a manner that the amount of metal is concentrated in the vicinity of the lug. A unique cast-on strap design for use with the grids is also disclosed. Substantial manufacturing advantages result from the use of such grids, and the performance of the battery can be increased to the point that individual battery plates may be eliminated, resulting in lighter weight batteries and material cost savings.

Abstract: The explosion attenuating vent cap for storage batteries according to the present invention features an electrolyte drain and baffle design adapted for maximizing return to the battery of any liquid which may enter the vent from vibration, tilting, overheating, overcharge and the like. The vent barrel(s) include a step to assist in closure of the fill openings, and baffles within the vent prevent accumulation of electrolyte within the cap. The arrangement of the entrance to the gas escape passage (leading through an explosion attenuation device such as a disc of microporous polymer) is located on the center lines of the barrel and at the highest possible location within the vent to minimize the intrusion of electrolyte into the attenuation material. This location of the entrance prevents accumulation of electrolyte at that location. Preferably, the vent cap is of the ganged variety, i.e. useful for simultaneously capping three or more fill openings of the battery.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle battery system including a main and a reserve battery disposed within a battery housing (10) having conventional external dimensions and battery terminal locations. An illustrated embodiment includes a main battery, comprising a series of thin, flat cells (38) disposed along a first axis, and a reserve battery, comprising a series of cells (42) disposed along a second axis transverse to the first axis. An electrical circuit facilitates selective communication between the reserve battery and the vehicle starter in accordance with the position of a switch assembly (100). An electrically conductive fastener is disposed to simultaneously maintain electrical communication between a main battery termination and an external battery terminal and also between a reserve battery termination and the same external battery terminal.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle battery system including a main and a reserve battery disposed within a battery housing (10) having conventional external dimensions and battery terminal locations. An illustrated embodiment includes a main battery, comprising a series of thin, flat cells (38) disposed along a first axis, and a reserve battery, comprising a series of cells (42) diposed along a second axis transverse to the first axis. An electrical circuit facilitates selective communication between the reserve battery and the vehicle starter in accordance with the position of a switch assembly (100). The circuit illustratively includes a diode (110) configured to permit current flow into the reserve battery (104) during recharging, but which prevents reserve battery drain during normal vehicle operation. A variable resistor (112) is disposed in series with the diode to limit the amount of power, and hence the amount of heat, dissipated by the diode.