Abstract: The present invention provides for a wet, multicell, lead-acid electric storage battery comprising a venting system having vent plugs comprising an inventive sealing arrangement. Specifically, the vent plugs provide a seal to be molded onto the vent body as a permanently attached feature. The present invention consequently eliminates the need to separately manufacture and apply a gasket to a vent body, thus reducing manufacturing costs and greatly improving reliability and safety during both use and handling.

Abstract: A wet, multicell, lead-acid electric storage battery is provided for. The battery comprises a container, a cover, one or more partition walls dividing the space within the container and cover into two or more cell cavities. The cover defines generally cylindrically shaped process holes associated with each cell cavity. The battery further comprises a venting system. The venting system comprises a manifold defined by the cover, the manifold having at least one opening in each process hole and at least one opening in the cover. The manifold is adapted to provide gaseous communication between the process holes and the ambient. The venting systems also comprises a venting plug associated with each process hole and adapted for insertion therein. The venting plugs have a generally cylindrical side wall, a closed upper end, an open lower end, and a central cavity. A vent aperture is located in the side wall of the venting plug and is in gaseous communication with the manifold and the venting plug central cavity.

Abstract: Straps are molded integrally with and hinged to opposite sides of a plastic battery case and may be swung upwardly to form a handle for enabling easy carrying of the battery. In one embodiment, the straps are formed with hand holes and are grabbed individually when the battery is carried. In another embodiment, the straps are secured together at their ends and define a bail-type handle for the battery.

Abstract: An explosion-proof vent barrel having a tubular body, an electrolyte splash baffle and an electrolyte drain funnel molded integrally with one another, there being a porous flame-arresting disc telescoped into the body. Three barrels are ganged on a common frame which protects the flame-arresting discs against dirt and grease. In one embodiment, the underside surface of the frame is formed with a shallow channel to permit positive venting of the gases which diffuse through the arrestor discs. In another embodiment, both the discs and barrels are maintained in closely spaced relation to the underside of the frame for defining a positive escape area about substantially the entire periphery of the disc. In each instance, the depth of the positive vent escape area does not exceed 0.015 inches so as to permit positive venting while retarding the entrance of a flame into the space between the disc and frame.