Patent Publication Number: US-2021167459-A1

Title: Gang vent cap

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/862,797 filed on Apr. 30, 2020 which is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/606,417 filed May 26, 2017 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/344,443, filed on Jun. 2, 2016. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to batteries, and more particularly to a battery cover assembly including a vent cap gang which is easily installed and removed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many devices use a quarter-turn or bayonet-style attachment in applications where quick installation and removal are desired. For example, lead-acid batteries use this method of attachment for securing the vent caps within the vent ports. The same attachment method is often used in the manufacture of battery watering systems to mount the watering valves to the vent ports. 
     A typical prior art battery cover assembly for a battery includes a battery vent cap and a battery cover having a vent port. The vent cap and the vent port each include a pair of diametrically opposed bayonet tabs. The tabs have substantially similar lead angles. The individual vent cap is manually tightened within the vent port as the vent cap is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (quarter-turn method) by field personnel. This tightening secures the vent cap and provides a seal between a flange of the vent cap and a rim of the vent port. The seal prevents a migration of battery acid out of the battery. The vent cap can be easily rotated 90° counterclockwise by the user to remove the vent cap from the vent port for routine battery maintenance and inspections. The described bayonet attachment system has been used for decades and continues to be a common system of attachment for battery vent caps and watering systems on deep-cycle batteries. 
     Additionally, a push-in style of cap has also been introduced, particularly for caps which are part of battery watering systems. The push-in style of construction enables the cap to be pushed into place without substantial rotation. The push-in caps are being used on an assembly line by battery manufacturers and manufacturers of battery-powered equipment such as golf cart manufacturers, for example. The caps also enable faster installation of battery watering systems. After the caps are pushed into place, the caps can rotate 360 degrees within the vent port, which is helpful in aligning connection ports on the caps with watering system tubing. 
     A vent cap gang such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0034756, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, is employed to easily install and remove multiple vent caps of the above-described types simultaneously. Specifically, the vent cap gang includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member operably coupled to vent caps by first and second pins. An actuator is operably coupled to the elongate members and at least one of the vent caps to cause simultaneous rotation thereof. 
     However, the position of battery terminals for the batteries may vary between different types of batteries. In certain cases, the elongate members interfere or otherwise collide with the battery terminal posts. Therefore, there is a need for vent cap gangs that accommodate varying positions of battery terminals. In order to accommodate the varying positions of the battery terminals, vent cap gangs with a primary member and a pair of secondary members is often employed. The pair of secondary members each have a length shorter than the primary member and are diagonally disposed relative to each other about the primary member. The shorter translation members do not interfere with the battery terminal posts. An example of a vent cap gang with this configuration is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,542, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Disadvantageously, manufacturing and assembly of the vent cap gangs with a primary member and a pair of translation members may be expensive and inefficient. Additionally, vent cap gangs known are not optimally rigid and ergonomically structured. It is important that the vent cap gangs not only seal the vent ports but are also easy to install and remove with minimal effort. 
     It is an object of the present invention to produce a battery cover assembly including a vent cap gang which is easily installed and removed, wherein a cost and inefficiency of manufacturing and assembly is minimized. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In concordance and agreement with the present invention, a battery cover assembly including a vent cap gang which is easily installed and removed, wherein a cost and inefficiency of manufacturing and assembly is minimized, has surprisingly been discovered. 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a battery vent cap gang includes a plurality of vent caps. A primary member is operably coupled to each of the plurality of vent caps. A first translation member is operably coupled to a first one of the plurality of vent caps and spaced from the primary member in a first direction. A second translation member is operably coupled to a second one of the plurality of the vent caps and spaced from the primary member in a second direction. An actuator is operably coupled to the primary member, the first translation member, and the second translation member to cause substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the plurality of vent caps. 
     According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a battery vent cap gang is disclosed. The battery vent cap includes a plurality of vent caps and a primary member operably coupled to each of the plurality of vent caps. A first translation member is operably coupled to a first one of the plurality of vent caps and spaced from the primary member in a first direction. A second translation member is operably coupled to a second one of the plurality of vent caps and spaced from the primary member in a second direction. The first translation member is diagonally positioned from the second translation member. An actuator is operably coupled to the primary member, the first translation member, and the second translation member to cause substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the vent caps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above objects and advantages of the invention, as well as others, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic fragmentary top plan view of a battery cover assembly illustrating a vent cap gang with respect to battery terminal posts of a battery cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary top perspective view of a battery cover of the battery cover assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one of the vent ports of the battery cover; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the vent cap gang of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the vent cap gang of  FIG. 1 , taken through the line  4 - 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a first translation member of the vent cap gang of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a second translation member of the vent cap gang of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the second translation member of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of an actuator of the vent cap gang of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. As used herein, the term “substantially” means “mostly, but not perfectly” or “approximately” as a person skilled in the art would recognize in view of the specification and drawings. As used herein the term “about” means “reasonably close to” as a person skilled in the art would recognize in view of the specification and drawings. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a vent cap gang  103  of a battery cover assembly  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery cover assembly  100  includes a battery cover  102  and the vent cap gang  103 . It is understood that the battery cover  102  can be any suitable battery cover  102  as desired to form a substantially fluid-tight seal with a battery (not shown). The battery cover  102  includes a plurality of spaced apart vent ports  104  formed therein. The vent ports  104  can be formed in the battery cover  102  in any pattern or configuration as desired such as in a diagonal configuration or a linear configuration, for example. The vent ports  104  include a rim and a pair of diametrically opposed, radially inwardly extending bayonet tabs  106 . The battery cover  102  may also include other features and components necessary for operation of the battery such as a pair of terminals  105  and a pair of mounting structures (not shown), for example. 
     The vent cap gang  103  includes a plurality of vent caps  117  (a first vent cap  117   a , a second vent cap  117   b , and a third vent cap  117   c ). It is understood that the vent cap gang  103  can include any number of vent caps  117  as desired such as three vent caps  117 , as shown, or four vent caps, for example corresponding to the number of the vent ports  104 . Each of the vent caps  117  cooperates with the respective vent ports  104  formed in the battery cover  102 . Each of the vent caps  117  includes a cylindrical body  118  and a sealing member  119 . It is understood that the body  118  can be formed from any suitable material as desired such as a plastic material, for example. 
     The body  118  includes an upper portion  120  and a lower portion  121 . In a non-limiting example, the lower portion  121  of the vent cap  117  has a diameter slightly less than a diameter between the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104 . Each of the lower portions  121  has a pair of diametrically opposed, radially outwardly extending bayonet tabs  122 . Intermediate the upper portion  120  and the lower portion  121  of each body  118  is a radially outwardly extending flange  125 . A lower surface of the flange  125  is in abutting contact with the sealing member  119  which encircles the lower portion  121 . 
     Each of the upper portions  120  has a first pin  126  extending axially outwardly from a center with respect to a rotational axis thereof. The first pins  126  operably couple the vent caps  117  to an elongate primary member  132 . Each of the first pins  126  includes a cylindrical section having an enlarged end. A configuration of the enlarged end, wherein the enlarged end has slots formed therein, permits the enlarged end of the first pins  126  to be inserted into a respective aperture formed in the primary member  132 . The slots permit a compression of the enlarged end through the respective aperture of the primary member  132  to engage the primary member  132  to each of the vent caps  117 . A diameter of each of the apertures of the primary member  132  is slightly smaller than a diameter of each of the enlarged ends of the first pins  126 . 
     Each of the vent caps  117  includes a radially outwardly extending arm  134  (a first arm  134   a  extending from the first vent cap  117   a , a second arm  134   b  extending from the second vent cap  117   b , and a third arm  134   c  extending from the third vent cap  177   c ). Each of the arms  134  includes a second pin  136   b  extending laterally outwardly from a distal end thereof. 
     The upper portion  120  of the first vent cap  117   a  includes the radially outwardly extending first arm  134   a  having a second pin  136   a  extending laterally outwardly from a distal end thereof. As shown, the second pin  136   a  is offset in respect of a center of the body  118  of the first vent cap  117   a  and spaced from the first vent cap  117   a . The second pin  136   a  operably couples the first vent cap  117   a  to a first translation member  138   a  at a first end of the first translation member  138   a . The first translation member  138   a  is substantially parallel to and laterally offset in a first direction from the primary member  132  prior to and after an installation of the vent cap gang  103  into the battery cover  102 . The second pin  136   a  includes a cylindrical section having an enlarged end. A configuration of the enlarged end, wherein the enlarged end has slots formed therein, permits the enlarged end of the second pin  136   a  to be inserted into a respective aperture formed in the first end of the first translation member  138   a . The slots permit a compression of the enlarged end through the respective aperture of the first translation member  138   a  to engage the first translation member  138   a  to the first vent cap  117   a . A diameter of the aperture of the first translation member  138   a  is slightly smaller than a diameter of the enlarged end of the second pin  136   a.    
     The upper portion  120  of the second vent cap  117   b  includes a radially outwardly extending second arm  134   b  having a second pin  136   b  extending laterally outwardly from a distal end thereof. The second arm  134   b  extends from the second vent cap  117   b  in a direction parallel to a direction of the first arm  134   a . As shown, the second pin  136   b  of the second vent cap  117   b  is offset in respect of a center of the body  118  of the second vent cap  117   b  and is spaced from the second vent cap  117   b . The second pin  136   b  operably couples the second vent cap  117   b  to the first translation member  138   a  at a second end thereof. The second pin  136   b  of the second vent cap  117   b  includes a cylindrical section having an enlarged end. A configuration of the enlarged end, wherein the enlarged end has slots formed therein, permits the enlarged end of the second pin  136   b  to be inserted into a respective aperture formed in the second end of the first translation member  138   a . The slots permit a compression of the enlarged end through the respective aperture of the first translation member  138   a  to engage the first translation member  138   a  to the second vent cap  117   b . A diameter of the aperture of the first translation member  138   a  is slightly smaller than a diameter of the enlarged end of the second pin  136   b  of the second vent cap  117   b.    
     The upper portion  120  of the third vent cap  117   c  includes a radially outwardly extending third arm  134   c  having a second pin  136   c  extending laterally outwardly from a distal end thereof. The third arm  134   c  extends in a direction opposite the direction of the first arm  134   a  and the second arm  134   b . As shown, the second pin  136   c  of the third vent cap  117   c  is offset in respect of a center of the body  118  of the third vent cap  117   c  and spaced from the third vent cap  117   c . The second pin  136   c  operably couples the third vent cap  117   c  to a first end of a second translation member  138   b . The second translation member  138   b  is substantially parallel to and laterally offset in a second direction, opposite the first direction, from the primary member  132  prior to and after an installation of the vent cap gang  103  into the battery cover  102 . 
     As illustrated, the second vent cap  117   b  is also operably coupled to at least one actuator  160  by the first pin  126  of the second vent cap  117   b  and the second pin  136   b  of the second arm  134   b . The actuator  160  is operably coupled to the second translation member  138   b  by a connecting pin  137  formed on a second end of the second translation member  138   b . The actuator  160  shown includes axially opposed grips  162 . In a non-limiting example, the actuator  160  is received in an indentation  163  formed in a top portion of each of the primary member  132  and the translation members  138   a ,  138   b . The indentation  163  formed in the primary member  132  is formed in a substantially central portion of the primary member  132  with respect to a lengthwise direction thereof. The indentations  163  formed in each of the translation members  138   a ,  138   b  are formed in the second ends of each of the translation members  138   a ,  138   b . Although, it is understood, the indentations  163  can be formed at any portion of the respective primary member  132  and translation members  138   a ,  138   b , as desired. Shoulder portions  164  of the members  132 ,  138   a ,  138   b  defining the indentations  163  are configured as end stops during a pivoting of the actuator  160 . It is understood that the vent cap gang  103  may further include at least one locking feature such as a protuberance, a detent, or the like, for example, which maintains a position of the vent cap gang  103  prior to the installation thereof into the battery cover  102 . 
     The translation members  138   a ,  138   b  are diagonally positioned with respect to each other. Each of the translation members  138   a ,  138   b  has a length smaller than a length of the primary member  132 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the translation members  138   a ,  138   b  are substantially similar to each other, except the second translation member  138   b  includes the connecting pin  137  formed thereon. Advantageously, the connecting pin  137  is formed on the second translation member  138   b  so the second vent cap  117   b  is not required to include an additional arm, beyond the second arm  134   b , extending radially outwardly from the second vent cap  117   b . Consequently, because each of the vent caps  117  are similar, each of the vent caps  117  can be manufactured by the same process. 
     The second translation member  138   b  includes a pair of windows  170  having an arcuate shape laterally formed adjacent the connecting pin  137 . During manufacturing, the windows  170  militate against the use of molding slides, which minimizes manufacturing costs. 
     When installation of the vent cap gang  103  within the battery cover is desired, the vent caps  117  of the vent cap gang  103  are aligned with the vent ports  104  of the battery cover  102 . More particularly, the tabs  122  of each of the vent caps  117  are offset from the bayonet tabs  106  of each of the vent ports  104 . In certain embodiments, the locking feature militates against an undesired movement of the actuator  160 , the translation members  138   a ,  138   b , and hence, the vent caps  117  after an assembly of the vent cap gang  103 . Accordingly, the tabs  122  of each of the vent caps  117  are offset from the bayonet tabs  106  of each of the vent ports  104  without requiring additional adjustment by field personnel. 
     The lower portion  121  of each body  118  of the vent caps  117  is substantially simultaneously urged downward into each of the vent ports  104  having the tabs  122  thereof disposed between the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104 . Once the body  118  of each of the vent caps  117  is inserted into the vent ports  104 , the tabs  122  are located below the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104 . A force is then applied against the grips  162  of the actuator  160  to cause a pivotal movement thereof. In certain embodiments, the force applied to the grips  162  of the actuator  160  is such to overcome a resistance force of the locking feature. The pivotal movement of the actuator  160  causes a lateral movement of the translation members  138   a ,  138   b , which in turn causes substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the vent caps  117 . In the embodiment shown, the first translation member  138   a  translates in a direction towards the third vent cap  117   c  and the second translation member  138   b  translates in a direction towards the first vent cap  117   a  until pivotal movement of the actuator  160  is stopped by the shoulders  164  of the primary member  132 . As a non-limiting example, the vent caps  117  are rotated up to about 90 degrees in a first direction or a clockwise direction. It is understood, however, that the vent cap gang  103  can be configured wherein the pivotal movement of the actuator  160  causes the vent caps  117  to rotate in the first direction in a counter-clockwise direction. The rotational movement of the vent caps  117  causes a substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the tabs  122  of the vent caps  117  and an engagement of the tabs  122  with the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104 . As the tabs  122  of the vent caps  117  and the tabs  106  of the vent ports  104  are engaged, the vent cap gang  103  is secured in the battery cover  102 . When the vent cap gang  103  is secured and in the engaged position, each sealing member  119  is compressed between the flange  125  of the vent cap  117  and the rim of the vent ports  104  to form a substantially fluid-tight seal. 
     When removal of the vent cap gang  103  from the vent ports  104  is desired such as for battery maintenance or service, for example, the vent cap gang  103  is disengaged from the vent ports  104 . More particularly, a force is applied against the grips  162  of the actuator  160  in a counter-clockwise or second direction, causing a pivotal movement of the actuator  160  and a substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the vent caps  117 . As a non-limiting example, the vent caps  117  are rotated up to about 90 degrees in the clockwise direction. It is understood, however, that the vent cap gang  103  can be configured such that the pivotal movement of the actuator  160  causes the vent caps  117  to rotate in the second direction in the counter-clockwise direction. The rotational movement of the vent caps  117  causes a substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the tabs  122  of the vent caps  117  and a disengagement of the tabs  122  from the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104 . As the tabs  122  of the vent caps  117  and the tabs  106  of the vent ports  104  are disengaged, the vent cap gang  103  is released from the battery cover  102 . Once released, the vent cap gang  103  can be removed from the battery cover  102  by an axial movement thereof. 
     In another embodiment, the bayonet tabs  122  can be configured for push-in style installation. When installation of the vent cap gang  103  within the battery cover  102  is desired, the vent caps  117  of the vent cap gang  103  are aligned with the vent ports  104  of the battery cover  102 . More particularly, the bayonet tabs  122  of each of the vent caps  117  are aligned with the respective bayonet tabs  106  of each of the vent ports  104 . In certain embodiments, the locking feature militates against an undesired movement of the actuator  160 , the translation members  138   a ,  138   b  and hence, the vent caps  117  after an assembly of the vent cap gang  103 . Accordingly, the bayonet tabs  122  of each of the vent caps  117  are aligned with the respective bayonet tabs  106  of each of the vent ports  104  without requiring additional adjustment by field personnel. 
     The lower portion  121  of each body  118  of the vent caps  117  is substantially simultaneously urged downward into the vent ports  104  by the members  132 ,  138   a ,  138   b  without rotational movement thereof. As the body  118  of each of the vent caps  117  is inserted into the vent ports  104 , the bayonet tabs  122  of the vent caps  117  slidingly contact the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104 . The vent cap gang  103  is urged downward until the bayonet tabs  122  are positioned under a lower surface of the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104  to secure the vent cap gang  103  in the battery cover  102  without rotational movement thereof. When the vent cap gang  103  is secured and in an engaged position, each sealing member  119  is compressed between the flange  125  of the vent cap  117  and the rim of the vent port  104  to form a substantially fluid-tight seal. 
     When removal of the vent cap gang  103  from the vent ports  104  is desired such as for battery maintenance or service, for example, the vent cap gang  103  is disengaged from the vent ports  104 . More particularly, a force is applied to the grips  162  of the actuator  160 , causing a pivotal movement thereof. In certain embodiments, the force applied to the grips  162  of the actuator  160  is such that as to overcome a resistance force of the locking feature  166 . The pivotal movement of the actuator  160  causes a lateral movement of the translation members  138   a ,  138   b , which in turn causes substantially simultaneous rotational movement of the vent caps  117 . As a non-limiting example, the vent caps  117  are rotated up to about 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. It is understood, however, that the vent cap gang  103  can be configured such that the pivotal movement of the actuator  160  causes the vent caps  117  to rotate in a clockwise direction. As the vent caps  117  rotate, the bayonet tabs  122  of the vent caps  117  slidingly contact, and ultimately disengage, the bayonet tabs  106  of the vent ports  104 . Once the bayonet tabs  122  are disengaged, the vent cap gang  103  is removed from the vent ports  104  by an axial movement thereof. 
     Advantageously, the vent cap gang  103  of the present disclosure are efficient and ergonomically structured, while minimizing manufacturing costs. The configuration of the primary member  132  with respect to the translation members  138   a ,  138   b  permits the vent cap gang  103  to be installed and coupled to pre-existing battery covers  102  while avoiding a disturbance or contact with a battery terminal post. 
     From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.