Abstract:
A battery assembly comprises a battery and a housing adapted for use in an environment often exposed to water. The housing preferably has recessed portions spaced far apart at the top end thereof, with electrical terminals disposed in the recessed portions. The recessed portions are configured to securely receive corresponding downward-facing compartments disposed at the top of the battery, wherein the compartments have recessed openings housing electrical terminals. Accordingly, the electrical terminals of the housing are configured to contact the electrical terminals of the battery when the battery&#39;s compartments are disposed in the housing&#39;s recessed portions, forming a substantially watertight seal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is directed to battery assemblies in general, and in particular, to batteries and housings therefor for outdoor use or use otherwise subject to moisture and/or debris.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Batteries are commonly used as power sources in a variety of devices and vehicles. For example, they can be used as a primary source of power, in place of bulkier or more polluting sources, such as internal combustion engines. Alternatively, batteries can supplement other power sources, such as solar cells.  
         [0005]     However, because of how conventional batteries are designed and mounted, their use is limited to certain operating conditions, which limits the type of devices that can be powered with batteries. For example, conventional batteries are generally mounted to a platform or housing with their electrical terminals exposed, so exposure to water would short-circuit the battery assembly. Accordingly, conventional battery designs are not suitable for use with devices that will likely be exposed to water.  
         [0006]     Additionally, conventional batteries having exposed terminals are susceptible to short-circuiting if used in an open environment. This is possible even where the terminals are spaced relatively far apart. For example, a branch or other object could fall onto the battery and touch its electrical terminals, causing the battery to short-circuit. Water and other liquids can similarly cause short-circuiting across the terminals.  
         [0007]     Furthermore, installation and removal of conventional batteries often involves a number of time-consuming steps. For example, vehicle batteries are generally disposed on a supporting platform. Battery cables are then connected to each of the battery&#39;s exposed terminals by tightening, for example, clamping rings of the cables about the terminals using a screwdriver, crescent wrench, or the like. Disconnection of the battery involves loosening the rings about the terminals and performing the steps above in reverse order. Such fixation schemes are typical wherever motors or other sources of vibration risk loosening of contacts.  
         [0008]     Thus, there is a need for a battery and housing design that addresses the problems identified above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     In one aspect of the present application, a battery assembly is provided comprising a battery and a housing configured to removably receive the battery. The battery has a body with compartments disposed on opposite sides of the body, each compartment housing an electrical terminal. The housing has recessed portions on opposite side walls of the housing, each recessed portion housing also housing an electrical terminal. The recessed portions of the housing removably receive the battery body compartments therein so that the electrical terminals of the battery and housing operatively contact each other.  
         [0010]     In another aspect of the invention, a battery assembly is provided comprising a battery with battery electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the battery. The battery assembly also comprises a housing with housing electrodes disposed on opposite side walls of the housing. The housing is configured to removably receive the battery therein so that the housing electrodes operatively contact the battery electrodes. The battery assembly also has means for preventing the short-circuiting of the battery.  
         [0011]     In still another aspect of the invention, a method for installing a battery is provided. The method comprises providing a battery having battery electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the battery. The method also comprises providing a housing having housing electrodes disposed on opposite side walls of the housing. The method further comprises moving the battery and housing relative to each other so that the battery electrodes and housing electrodes operatively contact each other.  
         [0012]     In yet another aspect of the present application, a method for operating a hose reel mechanism is provided. The method comprises providing a motor operatively connected to a drum of the hose reel mechanism. The method also comprises providing a battery assembly comprising a battery with battery electrodes on opposite sides of the body and a housing defining a housing recess and having housing electrodes on opposite side walls of the housing, wherein the housing is operatively connected to the motor. The method further comprises inserting the battery into the housing so that the battery body is disposed in the housing recess and the battery electrodes operatively contact the housing electrodes. The battery is configured to provide power to the motor to rotate the drum. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front, top and right side isometric view of one embodiment of an assembled battery assembly.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of the battery assembly in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the battery, taken along lines  2   b - 2   b  of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front, top and left side isometric view of the battery and housing in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top and front isometric view of the housing in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the housing in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a front and top isometric view of the battery in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the battery in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the battery in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the assembled battery and housing in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 9B  is a sectional view of the assembled battery and housing, taken along lines  9 B- 9 B of in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a partial top and side isometric view of a hose reel mechanism having a battery assembly, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a battery assembly  100 . The assembly  100  preferably comprises a battery  10  and a housing  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly  100  is shown fully assembled, with the battery  10  disposed in the housing  20 .  
         [0026]      FIGS. 2A-3  show the battery  10  and housing  20  of  FIG. 1  aligned for loading or insertion. The battery  10  has a body  11  that preferably extends between a base  10   a  and a top  10   b . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  10   a  is generally planar, so that it is generally perpendicular to an axis Y extending between the base  10   a  and top  10   b  of the battery  10 . However, in other embodiments, the base can have different shapes, such as curved. The battery  10  also defines side faces  10   c ,  10   d  extending between the base  10   a  and top  10   b . The side faces  10   c ,  10   d  are preferably generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to an axis X extending between the side faces  10   c ,  10   d . The battery  10  also has front and back faces  10   e ,  10   f  extending between the base  10   a  and the top  10   b . In one embodiment, the front and back faces  10   e ,  10   f  are generally parallel to the axis Y. In the illustrated embodiment, the side faces  10   c, d  and front and back faces  10   e, f  are generally planar, so that the battery  10  has a generally rectangular cross-section. However, in other embodiments the faces  10   c, d, e, f  are curved, so that the battery  10  has, for example, an oval or round cross-section.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 3 , the battery  10  comprises a handle  12  attached thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  12  extends between the side faces  10   c ,  10   d  and attaches to the top  10   b  and side faces  10   c ,  10   d  of the battery  10 . However, in other embodiments, the handle  12  can attach solely to the top face  10   b , solely to the side faces  10   c ,  10   d , or solely to the front and back faces  10   e, f . Preferably, the handle  12  is adapted to support the weight of the battery  10  when a user lifts or raises the battery  10  by the handle  12 . Preferably, the handle  12  is integrally formed with the battery  10 . In other embodiments, the handle  12  can be removably connected to the battery  10  by, for example, screws, bolts, adhesives, or bands. The handle  12  preferably defines an opening O (see  FIG. 6 ) between the handle  12  and the top  10   b  of the battery  10 , where the opening O is adapted to receive a human hand, a hook, or any other object suitable for lifting and supporting the weight of the battery  10 .  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the battery  10  also comprises at least one compartment  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the battery  10  has a compartment  14  connected to each of the side faces  10   c ,  10   d  (see  FIG. 6 ). The compartment  14  defines at least one side surface  14   a  about its periphery. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment  14  has three generally flat side surfaces  14   a . However, the side surface  14   a  can have other configurations, such as cylindrical. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment  14  is attached to the handle  12  proximal the top  10   b  of the battery  10 . However, in some embodiments, the compartment  14  can be independent of said handle  12 . The compartment  14  defines an open end  14   b  preferably facing generally in the direction of the base  10   a  of the battery  10 . The compartment  14  also defines a cavity  14   c  that communicates with the open end  14   b . The cavity  14   c  houses at least one electrical terminal  16  (e.g., a battery terminal or electrode) therein. The electrical terminal  16  is operatively connected to the battery  10  in a manner that is well known in the art. Preferably, the electrical terminal  16  is shaped as a receptacle, and is configured to receive therein a corresponding terminal on the housing (discussed in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, a skirt  15  extends about the side surface  14   a  of the compartment  14 . The skirt  15  preferably has a free end  15   a  and defines a longitudinal slot  15   b  between the skirt  15  and the at least one side surface  14   a.    
         [0029]     In some embodiments, the battery  10  also comprises a longitudinal spline  18  extending between the compartment  14  and the base  10   a  of the battery  10 , as best seen in  FIGS. 2A, 6  and  7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spline  18  extends along a majority of the length between the compartment  14  and the base  10   a.    
         [0030]     As shown in FIGS.  2 A and  3 - 5 , the housing  20  comprises at least one side wall  22 , wherein the side wall defines a free end  22   a  at a top portion thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  20  has two side walls  22  generally parallel to each other that extend between a base  23  and the free end  22   a  of the side walls  22 . The side walls  22  are preferably separated by a distance generally equal to the distance between the side faces  10   c ,  10   d  of the battery  10 .  
         [0031]     The housing  20  shown in FIGS.  2 A and  3 - 5  also comprises a rear wall  24  connected to the base  23  and the side walls  22 , and defines a housing recess  25  between the side walls  22 , the base  23 , and the rear wall  24 . The housing recess  25  is preferably configured to receive at least a portion of the battery  10  therein. In one embodiment, the base  23  is generally planar and configured to contact the base  10   a  of the battery  10  when the battery  10  is disposed in the recess  25 . However, the base  23  can have any shape, preferably corresponding to the shape of the base  10   a  of the battery  10 , such as concave or convex. In other embodiments, the base  23  of the housing  20  does not contact the base  10   a  of the battery  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  23  includes at least one raised portion  23   a  thereon, which contacts the base  10   a  of the battery  10  when the battery is disposed in the recess  25 . In one embodiment, the raised portions  23   a  can be made of a compressible material, such as rubber, or the like, to provide shock absorption when the battery  10  is dropped into the recess  25 .  
         [0032]     As seen in FIGS.  2 A and  3 - 5 , each side wall  22  preferably defines a longitudinal groove  26  extending between the base  23  and a recessed portion  28  formed at the free end  22   a  of the side wall  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal groove  26  extends along a majority of the length between the base  23  and the recessed portion  28 . The longitudinal groove  26  is preferably configured to slidingly receive the longitudinal spline  18  of the battery  10 , and preferably tapers toward the base  23  to provide a friction fit with the spline  18 .  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the recessed portion  28  at the free end  22   a  of each side wall  22  houses at least one electrical terminal  29  (e.g., a housing terminal or electrode), wherein the electrical terminal  29  faces away from the base  23 . The electrical terminal  29  is preferably configured to extend into the cavity  14   c  of the battery compartment  14  and contact the electrical terminal  16  when the battery compartment  14  is disposed in the housing recessed portion  28 .  
         [0034]     As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the rear wall  24  of the housing  20  is disposed a distance D from the centerpoints of the longitudinal grooves  26 , which also correspond to the centerpoints of the recessed portions  28  that house the housing electrodes  29 . The distance D preferably corresponds to the distance D′ between the back face  10   f  and the centerpoints of the splines  18  of the battery  10  (see  FIG. 7 ), which in turn correspond to the centerpoints of the compartments  14  that house the battery electrodes  16 . Accordingly, the rear wall  24  is configured to be proximal to the back face  10   f  of the battery  10  when the battery  10  is disposed in the housing recess  25  and the longitudinal splines  18  are disposed in the longitudinal grooves  26 . In one embodiment, the rear wall  24  of the housing  20  substantially contacts the back face  10   f  of the battery  10  when the battery  10  is disposed in the housing recess  25  and the splines  18  are disposed in the grooves  26 .  
         [0035]     In a preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , the distance D′ differs from the distance E between the longitudinal spline  18  and the front face  10   e  of the battery  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, a longitudinal axis F of the splines  18  is offset from a longitudinal midline C of the battery  10 , so that the distance D′ is shorter than the distance E. Accordingly, the longitudinal grooves  26  of the housing  20  are configured to slidably receive the longitudinal splines  18  such that the back face  10   f  is positioned proximal the rear wall  24  of the housing  20 . Due to the asymmetry of the splines  18  and receiving grooves  26 , and the dimensions selected for a tight fit, the grooves  26  preferably cannot receive the splines  18  when the battery  10  is oriented with its front face  10   e  positioned proximal the rear wall  24  of the housing  20 . Accordingly, the electrical terminals  16 ,  29  are configured to contact each other when the battery  10  is disposed in the housing  20  with the back face  10   f  facing the rear wall  24 , but not with the front face  10   e  facing the rear wall  24 . This arrangement is particularly advantageous where the terminals  16  in the compartments  14  of the battery  10  have different signs (i.e., where one is a positive terminal and the other is a negative terminal).  
         [0036]     In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , each electrical terminal  16  of the battery  10  has the same sign. For example, the battery terminals  16  can be the positive terminals, so that the battery  10  comprises the “hot” terminals of the battery assembly  100 . Similarly, each electrical terminal  29  of the housing  20  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) preferably has the same sign, opposite the sign of the battery terminals  16 . For example, the housing terminals  29  can be the negative terminals, so that the housing  20  comprises the “cold” terminals of the assembly  100 . Accordingly, the battery assembly  100  is configured to prevent a short circuit caused by an elongated object, such as a branch, extending between and substantially contacting each electrical terminal  29  on the housing  20 . Additionally, the recessed location of each electrical terminal  16  within the cavity  14   c  substantially prevents the short-circuiting of the battery assembly  100  by a longitudinal object, such as a branch, touching each electrical terminal  16  of the battery  10 . Moreover, the body of the battery  10  would intervene to obstruct and substantially prevent an object from coming in contact with both battery terminals  16 . Insertion of the battery  10  into the housing recess  25  of the housing  20  also prevents a longitudinal object from coming in contact with each electrical terminal  16 ,  29  on the battery  10  and housing  20 . The battery  10  would break or shatter said object as it was inserted into the housing recess  25  and push said broken or shattered pieces out of the housing recess  25 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 9B  shows a sectional view of the assembled battery assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 9 . In the illustrated embodiment, the free end  22   a  of the housing side walls  22  preferably extends into the longitudinal slot  15   b  between the skirt  15  and the side wall  14   a  of the compartment  14  when the battery  10  is disposed in the recess  25 . Accordingly, the skirt  15  extends about the free end  22   a  of the side walls  22  to provide a labyrinth seal around the electrical terminals  16 ,  29 , minimizing the risk of moisture reaching the terminals  16 ,  29 . As discussed above, the battery terminals  16  are preferably in the shape of a receptacle configured to receive the housing terminals  29  therein, wherein at least a portion of the battery terminals  26  contact the housing terminals  29 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  shows the battery assembly  100  connected to a hose reel mechanism  200 . For example, the battery assembly  100  can be removably mounted to the reel mechanism  200  via screws, bolts, bands or other fasteners. The battery assembly  100  is preferably configured to provide power to the hose reel mechanism  200  to operate the reel mechanism  200 . For example, the battery assembly  100  can provide power to a motor (not shown) that rotates a drum  250  of the reel mechanism  200 .  
         [0039]     The embodiments of the battery assembly  100  described herein and shown in  FIGS. 1-9B  advantageously provide a battery assembly  100  that can be used in environments that may be exposed to fluids, such as water. Advantageously, the skirt  15  fits about the free end  22   a  of each side wall  22  when the battery  10  is disposed in the housing recess  25  of the housing  20 , so as to provide a substantially sealed connection between the compartment  14  and the recessed portion  28 . Accordingly, the battery assembly  100  is configured to substantially prevent fluids, such as water, from coming in contact with the electrical terminals  16 ,  29  of the battery assembly  100 , which could short circuit the battery.  
         [0040]     The assembly  100  also advantageously provides a power source that substantially reduces the risk of physical injury to a user, such as from electrical shock. As described above, each electrical terminal  16  of the battery is housed in the cavity  14   c  of the compartment  14 , wherein the open end  14   b  of the compartment  14  is directed downwardly toward the base  10   a  of the battery  10 . Each electrical terminal  16  comes in contact with its corresponding electrical terminal  29  on the housing  20  when the battery  10  is disposed in the housing recess  25  of the housing  20 . Moreover, the electrical terminals  16 ,  29  contact each other when each compartment  14  is disposed in each recessed portion  28 . Accordingly, the connection of the electrical terminals  16 ,  29  occurs in a substantially enclosed space, substantially preventing the inadvertent touching of any of the electrical terminals  16 ,  29  by a user.  
         [0041]     As previously discussed, in one embodiment the battery  10  preferably houses terminals  16  of the same sign. Likewise, the housing  20  preferably houses the terminals of the same sign, which is opposite to the sign of the battery terminals  16 . For example, in one embodiment the battery terminals  16  can be the positive terminals and the housing terminals  29  can be the negative terminals. In another embodiment, the battery terminals  16  can be the negative terminals and the housing terminals  29  can be the positive terminals. Accordingly, the battery assembly  100  is advantageously configured to prevent a short-circuit caused by an object, such as a branch or other longitudinal object, coming in contact with both of the battery terminals  16 , or with both of the housing terminals  29 .  
         [0042]     If the battery  10  houses terminals of opposite signs, the battery assembly  100  is advantageously configured to prevent the incorrect connection of the terminals  16 ,  29  (see  FIGS. 5 and 7 ), which may result in physical injury to a user or bystander. The housing  20  is configured to receive the battery  10  therein such that the longitudinal splines  18  are received in the longitudinal grooves  26  and the back face  10   f  of the battery  10  faces the rear wall  24  of the housing  20 . However, the housing  20  does not permit receiving the battery  10  in the opposite orientation, i.e., with the front face  10   e  of the battery  10  facing the rear wall  24  of the housing  20 .  
         [0043]     Additionally, the electrical terminals  16 ,  29  are disposed on the battery  10  and housing  20  to substantially prevent the short-circuiting of battery assembly  100  by a body of water. The electrical terminals  16  of the battery  10  are disposed proximal the top  10   b  of the battery  10 . Furthermore, the electrical terminals  16  of the battery  10  are disposed within a downward facing cavity  14   c . Similarly, the electrical terminals  29  of the housing  20  are disposed near the free end  22   a  of the housing  20 . Moreover, the electrical terminals  16 ,  29  are disposed away from their respective base or support surface  10   a ,  23  to minimize the probability of a body of water disposed on said base  23  from coming into contact with the electrical terminals  16 ,  29 .  
         [0044]     The battery assembly  100  advantageously provides a battery  10  that can be easily connected to and disconnected from its corresponding housing  20 . In one embodiment, a user connects the battery  10  by disposing it on the housing  20  such that the splines  18  are slidably inserted in the grooves  26  and the compartments  14  are disposed in the recesses  28 . Similarly, the user can disconnect the battery  10  by pulling the battery  10 , such as by the handle  12 , out of the housing  20  so that the compartments  14  are removed from the recesses  28 . In another embodiment, the battery  10  and housing  20  do not have said splines  18  and grooves  22 , respectively. In such an embodiment, the battery  10  is connected to the housing  20  solely by disposing the compartments  14  in the recesses  28 .  
         [0045]     One or ordinary skill in the art will recognized that the battery assembly  100  described above can be used in combination with a variety of devices requiring electrical power. In one embodiment, the battery assembly  100  can be used to provide power to a vehicle (not shown), such as a golf cart or motorized bicycle. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , the battery assembly  100  is connected to a hose reel assembly  200  and provides power to a motor (not shown) thereof to drive a drum  250  of the reel mechanism  200 .  
         [0046]     For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.  
         [0047]     All of these aspects are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the appended claims and from the preceding detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.