Motor vehicles – Power – Battery mountings and holders
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-05-15
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Power
Battery mountings and holders
C224S902000, C429S100000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230834
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention concerns a versatile mounting system for an automotive vehicle battery.
PRIOR DEVELOPMENTS
An automotive vehicle battery must be securely attached within and to a vehicle to prevent damage to it from vibrations. Previously, one or two rods or arms were extended from a battery tray which was mounted to the vehicle. The arms were attached to a structure passing over or around the upper edge of the battery which secured the battery to the tray. However, in the effort to make battery casings smaller and to occupy less space in the engine compartment, and also to prevent problems from the clamp contacting a battery terminal, a newer clamping design style has evolved. The newer style is to have an angled ledge-like configuration formed on a lower surface on the battery casing which is engaged by a clamp which bears against the ledge-like configuration to secure the battery to the tray.
In the U.S. and Europe, two similar, but dimensionally different standards have evolved with respect to the above described battery ledge-like configurations. The Comit'e European de Normalisation Electrotechnique (CENELEC) governs the European mounting standards while the Battery Council International (BCI) governs North American mounting standards. However, the mounting provisions for both standards include a protruding angled ledge along the lower side of the battery. Although similar, the length, width, depth and location of these angled ledges are different for each of the standards. In most cases, the dimensional differences are only a few millimeters, however, the small differences are enough to produce undesirable clamping forces when an alternative battery is installed.
Vehicles built in the U.S. and shipped to Europe for sale are typically built with standard U.S. batteries compliant to BCI standards. During the vehicle life in Europe it will most likely become necessary to replace the battery, normally with a European mounting system as a standard U.S. battery may be difficult and expensive to obtain. Previously, standard clamping methods did not accommodate readily available European batteries for replacement in U.S. built vehicles. Similarly the same is true for a vehicle built in Europe and sold in North America. It is desirable to provide a battery mounting system which can accommodate either a European or North American style battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a battery mounting system which can securely mount batteries built according to European or to North American battery mounting standards. The drawings illustrate a battery mounting system which is a preferred embodiment and includes a strap member which extends underneath the battery. The strap member has a hooked first end which contacts a first side of the battery and compliantly engages the battery casing. A retainer member is attached to the strap on an opposite second side of the battery casing. One end of the retainer member has a hook-like configuration which compliantly engages and urges the battery toward the opposite end of the strap member. To support the retainer member, the strap has a lateral surface and a ramped end portion which cammingly engages the retainer and urges it toward the second side of the battery. A fastener secures the retainer member to the strap. This battery mounting system according to the present invention accommodates batteries built to both European and North American standards. Additionally the mounting system of the present invention accommodates batteries of the same standards which differ slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile battery mounting system which can accommodate a battery built to either North American or European standards.
The above-noted object of the present inventive battery mounting system will become more apparent to those skilled in the art as the invention is further explained in the accompanying drawings and detailed description.
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Denomy Gregory
Van Hout James E.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
MacLean Kenneth H.
Shriver J. Allen
Swann J. J.
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