Patents by Inventor Larry K. W. Ching

Larry K. W. Ching has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6025086
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a venting mechanism for a battery. The venting mechanism includes a battery vent structure which is located on the battery cover and may be integrally formed therewith. The venting mechanism includes an opening extending through the battery cover such that the opening communicates with a plurality of battery cells located within the battery case. The venting mechanism also includes a vent manifold which attaches to the battery vent structure. The vent manifold includes a first opening which communicates with the battery vent structure opening and second and third openings which allow the vent manifold to be connected to two separate conduits. In this manner, a plurality of batteries may be interconnected for venting purposes, thus eliminating the need to provide separate vent lines for each battery. The vent manifold may be attached to the battery vent structure by a spin-welding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Optima Batteries, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry K. W. Ching
  • Patent number: 6023146
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system in which a battery is provided with a pair of quick connect electrical contact mechanisms. A battery tray, for receiving the battery, is also provided with a pair of quick connect electrical contact mechanisms which are adapted to connect and establish electrical continuity with the battery quick connect mechanisms. The battery pin assemblies may be molded into the battery cover and may be welded to the existing positives and negative battery posts. In this manner, the provision of the pins requires no additional penetrations of the battery container, thus reducing the potential for leakage of electrolyte from the container. The pins may be nested within indentations provided in the container. In this manner, the provision of the pins adds only minimally to the overall dimensions of the battery, thus resulting in a compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Optima Batteries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Casale, Larry K. W. Ching
  • Patent number: 5856037
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a venting mechanism for a battery. The venting mechanism includes a battery vent structure which is located on the battery cover and may be integrally formed therewith. The venting mechanism includes an opening extending through the battery cover such that the opening communicates with a plurality of battery cells located within the battery case. The venting mechanism also includes a vent manifold which attaches to the battery vent structure. The vent manifold includes a first opening which communicates with the battery vent structure opening and second and third openings which allow the vent manifold to be connected to two separate conduits. In this manner, a plurality of batteries may be interconnected for venting purposes, thus eliminating the need to provide separate vent lines for each battery. The vent manifold may be attached to the battery vent structure by a spin-welding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignees: Optima Batteries, Inc., Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Casale, Larry K. W. Ching, Jose T. Baer, David H. Swan
  • Patent number: 5599641
    Abstract: A terminal connector assembly provided for conducting electrical current from an electrolytic device through the wall of a case containing the device for preventing leakage of electrolyte from the case. The terminal connector includes a terminal insert mounted within the case wall. The insert contains a first end portion projecting through the wall forming an exterior connection member. A second end portion is laterally spaced from the first end portion and forms an interior connection member remote from the exterior connection member. A mechanism is provided for substantially reducing the transmittal of mechanical loads from the first end potion to the second end portion. A member is provided for electrically interconnecting the interior connection member with the electrolytic device within the case. Finally, a mechanism seals the connection between the electrically interconnecting member and the interior connection member to prevent leakage of electrolyte from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Gylling Optima Batteries AB
    Inventors: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr., Neil H. Puester
  • Patent number: 5415956
    Abstract: A device is disclosed both for 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Optima Batteries, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry K. W. Ching
  • Patent number: 5283137
    Abstract: A device is disclosed both for 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Optima Batteries, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry K. W. Ching
  • Patent number: 4859547
    Abstract: A battery terminal post of the type for use in electrolytic devices contained by resilient electrolyte-resistant walls, wherein an opening in the electrolytic device wall is radially enlarged to form a bushing, into which is inserted a second T-shaped lead alloy bushing, into which in turn there is inserted a complementary third bushing of pure lead, which three bushings are then forced into intimate sealing contact by being radially expanded by the action of a punch and die in a swaging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Adams, Larry K. W. Ching, Jr., Neil Puester
  • Patent number: 4383011
    Abstract: A recombining lead-acid battery with absorbed electrolyte is disclosed having multiple cells positioned in a sealed monobloc container, and cell partitioning members constructed to define a gas space common to all the cells of the battery. When the battery is overcharged imbalance in electrolyte fill among the cells is reduced as the amount of water in each cell tends to equalize through redistribution via gas recombination preferentially in the drier cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Donald H. McClelland, Toshio Uba, Larry K. W. Ching
  • Patent number: 4346151
    Abstract: A multicell sealed rechargeable battery is disclosed including an open mouth monobloc container formed of a plurality of cup-shaped cell holders interconnected at mutual tangent zones, electrochemical cells of the rechargeable type fitting into the cell holders and interconnected to form the battery, and a closure member attached to the mouth of the monobloc container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Toshio Uba, Larry K. W. Ching, Michael R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4050482
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for the pasting of foraminous battery plate substrates with viscous, thixotropic pastes using an extrusion type bifurcated nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Larry K. W. Ching, Charles E. Coleman, Toshio Uba
  • Patent number: 3964934
    Abstract: A through-the-partition connector particularly for lead-acid cells or batteries is disclosed in which a stud insert of relatively low electrical resistivity is embedded within a deformable lead shroud post which is tightly seated within the partition. In one aspect, the lead shroud and the partition seat are configured with inclined ramp portions, e.g., frustroconical in shape, and an interference fit is formed therebetween for an improved seal. In another aspect, the stud has a lower leg or other extension projecting therefrom, and which is fully encased by the lead shroud, particularly for increasing the current carrying capability of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr., Charles E. Coleman
  • Patent number: D303373
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr.
  • Patent number: D304926
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr.
  • Patent number: D304927
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr., Neil Puester
  • Patent number: D307133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr.
  • Patent number: D307886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr., Neil Puester