Abstract:
A battery terminal protection assembly includes a battery having at least one terminal with a plurality of tabs. A cover for protecting the battery terminal includes a cap including an outer wall and a plurality of inner segments attached to the outer wall and including a radially outwardly extending ledge adjacent the bottom surface of the inner segments. The cap being placed overtop of the terminal with the radially outwardly extending ledges engaging the plurality of tabs. An insert including a top portion with a post extending from a bottom surface of the top portion and the post including a first radially outwardly extending flange, the post being received within the cap so that the first radially outwardly extending flange engages the inner segment in an abutting relationship to secure the radially outwardly extending ledge in engagement with the one of the plurality of tabs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of United States patent application Ser. No. 14/631,882 filed on Feb. 26, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to batteries, and, specifically, to battery terminal covers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art. 
         [0004]    The most common form of nine-volt battery has a rectangular prism shape with rounded edges and a polarized snap connector at the top. This format is commonly available in primary carbon-zinc and alkaline chemistry, in primary lithium iron disulfide, and in rechargeable form in nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion. 
         [0005]    Most nine-volt alkaline batteries are constructed of six individual 1.5V LR61 cells enclosed in a wrapper. These cells are slightly smaller than LR8D425 AAAA cells and can be used in their place for some devices, even though they are 3.5 mm shorter. Carbon-zinc types are made with six flat cells in a stack, enclosed in a moisture-resistant wrapper to prevent drying. 
         [0006]    Lithium 9-volt batteries are consumer-replaceable, high energy density batteries designed to last up to 5 times longer than alkaline 9-volt batteries and up to 10 times longer than carbon-zinc 9-volt batteries in many applications. In addition, lithium PP3 batteries have a long shelf life of up to 10 years. 
         [0007]    The battery has both terminals in a snap connector on one end. The smaller circular (male) terminal is positive, and the larger hexagonal or octagonal (female) terminal is the negative contact. The connectors on the battery are the same as on the connector itself; the smaller one connects to the larger one and vice versa. The same snap style connector is used on other battery types in the Power Pack (PP) series. Battery polarization is normally obvious since mechanical connection is usually only possible in one configuration. Several nine-volt batteries can be connected to each other in series to provide higher voltages. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
         [0009]    A battery terminal protection assembly includes a battery having at least one terminal with a plurality of tabs. A cover for protecting the battery terminal includes a cap including an outer wall and a plurality of inner segments attached to the outer wall and including a radially outwardly extending ledge adjacent the bottom surface of the inner segments. The cap being placed overtop of the terminal with the radially outwardly extending ledges engaging the plurality of tabs. An insert including a top portion with a post extending from a bottom surface of the top portion and the post including a first radially outwardly extending flange, the post being received within the cap so that the first radially outwardly extending flange engages the inner segment in an abutting relationship to secure the radially outwardly extending ledge in engagement with the one of the plurality of tabs. 
         [0010]    A cap configured to cover a terminal of a battery may include a base and a top having a plug and a cavity. The cavity is configured to receive the terminal and the plug is configured to retain the top on the terminal. A tether has a first end fixed to the base and a second end fixed to the top and connects the top to the base. The base is configured to retain the top to the terminal when the top is both connected to the terminal and separate from the terminal. 
         [0011]    The cap may further include a plug further having a foot portion configured to retain the plug within the terminal. 
         [0012]    The cap may further include a diameter of the foot portion of the plug configured to be greater than a diameter of a plurality of tabs of the terminal such that the foot portion deforms when pressed through the tabs and expands on an opposite side of the tabs to retain the foot portion on the opposite side of the tabs. 
         [0013]    The cap may further include a plug having a peak portion. The foot portion and the peak portion may be separated by a body portion and a diameter of the peak portion may be greater than a diameter of the foot portion which is greater than a diameter of the body portion. 
         [0014]    The cap may further include a peak portion and foot portion that are configured to deform when pressed through a plurality of tabs of the terminal and expand on an opposite side of the tabs to retain the foot portion and the peak portion on the opposite side of the tabs. 
         [0015]    The cap may further include an indentation in a top wall of the top. The plug may extend from a base of the indentation. 
         [0016]    The cap may further include a side wall of the indentation that is configured to deform around a plurality of tabs of the terminal to retain the top on the terminal. 
         [0017]    The cap may further include a top and base that are formed from an elastically deformable material. 
         [0018]    The cap may further include a top and base that are formed from an electrically insulating material. 
         [0019]    A cover to protect a battery terminal may include a base and a top having a cylindrical wall, an open end, and a closed end. The closed end has an end wall connected to the cylindrical wall. A cavity within the top receives the battery terminal. The open end provides access to the cavity. A plug extends into the cavity from the end wall for engaging the battery terminal. A tether has a first end fixed to the base and a second end fixed to the top and connects the top to the base. 
         [0020]    The cover may further include a plug that has a body portion and a foot portion configured to retain the plug within the terminal. 
         [0021]    The cover may further include a diameter of the foot portion of the plug that is greater than a diameter of the body portion. 
         [0022]    The cover may further include a plug that has a peak portion. The foot portion and the peak portion are separated by the body portion, and a diameter of the peak portion is greater than a diameter of the foot portion and the body portion. 
         [0023]    The cover may further include a peak portion and foot portion that are configured to deform when pressed through a plurality of tabs of the battery terminal and expand on an opposite side of the tabs to retain the foot portion and the peak portion on the opposite side of the tabs. 
         [0024]    The cover may further include an indentation in the end wall. The plug extends into the cavity from a base of the indentation. 
         [0025]    The cover may further include a side wall of the indentation that is configured to deform around a plurality of tabs on the battery terminal to retain the top on the battery terminal. 
         [0026]    The cover may further include a base that is configured to retain the top to the battery terminal when the top is both connected to the battery terminal and separate from the battery terminal. 
         [0027]    The cover may further include a plug that is cylindrical. 
         [0028]    The cover may further include a top and base that are formed from an elastically deformable material. 
         [0029]    The cover may further include a top and base that are formed from an electrically insulating material. 
         [0030]    A battery terminal protection assembly may include a battery having at least one terminal, a plurality of tabs extending from the terminal, and a cover for protecting the battery terminal. The cover may further include a base surrounding the terminal and a top having an open end, and a closed end. A cavity within the top may receive the terminal, and the open end provides access to the cavity. A plug extends into the cavity from the end wall and engages the plurality of tabs extending from the terminal. A tether has a first end fixed to the base and a second end fixed to the top and connects the top to the base. The base is configured to retain the top to the terminal when the top is both connected to the terminal and separate from the terminal. 
         [0031]    The battery terminal protection assembly may further include a plug having a body portion and a foot portion configured to retain the plug within the terminal. A diameter of the foot portion of the plug is greater than a diameter of the plurality of tabs and a diameter of the body such that the foot portion deforms when pressed through the tabs and expands on an opposite side of the tabs to retain the foot portion on the opposite side of the tabs. 
         [0032]    The battery terminal protection assembly may further include a plug having a peak portion. The foot portion and the peak portion are separated by a body portion. A diameter of the peak portion is greater than the diameter of the foot portion and the diameter of the body portion. The peak portion and foot portion deform when pressed through the plurality of tabs and expand on an opposite side of the tabs to retain the foot portion and the peak portion on the opposite side of the tabs. 
         [0033]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of a battery and cover according to the present disclosure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is an elevated perspective view of the assembled battery and cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a section view cut at  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is another embodiment of a cover according to the present disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a section view of the cover of  FIG. 5  cut in the same location as section  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a battery and terminal cover assembly according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is perspective view of the terminal cover assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the battery and terminal cover assembly of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a section view of the terminal and terminal cover assembly in a disengaged state taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is a section view of the terminal and terminal cover assembly in an engaged state taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 12  is a section view of the terminal and terminal cover assembly in a disengaged state taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 13  is a section view of the terminal and terminal cover assembly in an engaged state taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
       [0048]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0050]    Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
         [0051]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate various example embodiments of a cover for a battery terminal. The cover is configured to protect and/or electrically insulate the battery terminal from establishing an undesired current between the positive and negative terminals such as by coming into contact with an electrically conductive article. 
         [0052]    Now referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a battery  10  is illustrated having a container  14  with a top wall  18 . The battery may have a rectangular prism shape with rounded edges and a polarized snap connector for the top wall  18 . For example, the battery may be a nine (9) volt battery, and may be lithium, lithium-ion, alkaline, or NiMH. The container  14  may be formed of a rectangular metal jacket or wrapper and may hold a plurality of smaller cells wired in series (not shown). For example only, six individual 1.5 volt LR61 cells may be enclosed in the container  14 . A plurality of terminals  22  extend from the top wall  18  of the container  14  and electrically connect the battery  10  to other devices. The terminals  22  may include a positive terminal  26  and a negative terminal  30 . 
         [0053]    The positive terminal  26  is a circular connector. The positive terminal  26  may be cylindrical with a first end  34  connected to the top wall  18  and an opposite second end  38  extended away from the first end  34  and top wall  18 . A connector (not illustrated) may receive the second end  38  for forming an electrical connection. 
         [0054]    The negative terminal  30  may be crown-shaped, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other polygon. A first end  42  of the negative terminal  30  may be connected to the top wall  18  and an opposite second end  46  of the negative terminal  30  may extend away from the first end  42  and the top wall  18 . A plurality of tabs  50  may be crimped to form cylinders around a top surface  54  of the second end  46 . 
         [0055]    Additionally referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a cover or cap  58  is assembled on at least one of the terminals  22 , for example only, the negative terminal  30 . While the cover  58  is described and illustrated as assembled on the negative terminal  30 , it is understood that the cover  58  or an additional cover  58  may be assembled on the positive terminal  26 , and the same concepts apply to the assembly of the cover  58  on the positive terminal  26 . The cover  58  has a base  62  and a top  66  that are connected by a tether  70 . 
         [0056]    The base  62  may be a circular ring with an inner diameter D 1  that is smaller than an outer diameter d 1  of the second end  46  of the negative terminal  30  such that when assembled the base  62  is retained on the negative terminal  30 . A bottom wall or face  74  of the base  62  may face, be adjacent to, and/or lay upon top wall  18  of the battery  10 . A top wall or face  78  of the base  62  may face an opposite direction as bottom wall  74  and may mate with a bottom wall or face  82  of top  66  when the top  66  is positioned over the negative terminal  30 . An outer wall  86  of base  62  may align with an outer wall  90  of top  66  such that when the top  66  is positioned over the negative terminal  30 , the outer wall  86  of the base  62  is flush with the outer wall  90  of the top  66 . 
         [0057]    The top  66  may be cylindrically shaped with an open bottom end  94  and a sealed top end  98 . The open bottom end  94  may provide access to a cavity  102  within the cylindrically shaped top  66  for receiving the negative terminal  30 . The top end  98  may include a wall  106  having a circular indentation, depression, or dimple  110  centered within it. A diameter D 3  of the indentation  110  may be less than an inner diameter d 2  of the tabs  50  of the negative terminal  30 . An edge  114  where the indentation  110  meets the wall  106  may be chamfered or rounded. 
         [0058]    An inner plug  118  may extend from an inner face  122  of the wall  106  toward the bottom end  94  of the top  66 . The plug  118  may have a cylindrical body portion  126  and a foot portion  130  and may engage the negative terminal  30  when assembled on the negative terminal  30 . A diameter D 4  of the body portion  126  may be the same as the diameter D 3  of the indentation  110 . A diameter D 5  of the foot  130  may be greater than the diameter D 4  of the body portion  126  such that the foot  130  increases in circumference from the body portion  126 . The plug  118  may extend a length L from the inner face  118  such that when the top  66  is placed over the negative terminal  30 , the foot  130  is beyond the tabs  50 . The diameter D 5  of the foot  130  is greater than the inner diameter d 2  of the tabs  50  such that when the top  66  is placed over the negative terminal  30 , the tabs  50  retain the foot  130  within the negative terminal  30 . 
         [0059]    The tether  70  may be a strip connecting the base  62  with the top  66 . The tether  70  may be rectangular-shaped, having four flat sides. In other embodiments, the tether  70  may be cylindrically or otherwise shaped, so long as the tether  70  connects the base  62  with the top  66 . A first end  134  may be fixed to the base  62 , and a second end  138  may be fixed to the top  66 . The tether  70  allows the base  62  and top  66  to remain attached, connected, or tethered while the base  62  is assembled and retained on the negative terminal  30  and the top  66  is removed from or off of the negative terminal  30 , such as when the battery  10  is electrically connected to another device. 
         [0060]    The cover  58  may be elastically deformable such that the base  62  may stretch or deform to fit over the tabs  50  and then return to the original shape or configuration such that the tabs  50  retain the base  62  on the negative terminal  30 . The cover  58  may also be elastically deformable such that the foot  130  of the plug  118  on the top  66  may deform or compress to fit within the tabs  50  and then expand to the original shape such that the tabs  50  retain the top  66  on the negative terminal  30 . The cover  58  may further be elastically deformable such that the tether  70  may keep the top  66  and the base  62  connected without breaking. For example, the tether  70  may stretch, bend, twist, or deform without breaking to retain the connection between the top  66  and base  62 . The cover  58  may also be electrically insulating for increased safety and battery life. 
         [0061]    Thus, the cover  58  may be formed of an elastically deformable, insulating material, such as, for example, polyethylene, silicone rubber, neoprene, ABS plastic, polyurethane, or any other elastically deformable, insulating material. The cover  58  may also be formed of a material resistant to corrosion or decomposition from battery acid. 
         [0062]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the cover  58  may be assembled onto the negative terminal  30  (or in other embodiments the positive terminal  26 ) by stretching or deforming the base  62  to fit over the tabs  50  of the negative terminal  30 . Once the base  62  is over the tabs  50 , the base  62  may return to the original size and/or configuration, such that the tabs  50  retain the base  62  on the negative terminal. Since the inner diameter D 1  of the base  62  is less than the outer diameter d 1  of the tabs  50 , the tabs  50  retain the base  62  on the negative terminal  30  such that the base  62  does not slide off the negative terminal  30 . 
         [0063]    The top  66  may be pressed onto the negative terminal  30  (or, in other embodiments the positive terminal  26 ). Open bottom end  94  may be inserted over the negative terminal  30  such that the negative terminal  30  is received within the cavity  102 . The inner diameter D 2  of the top  66  is slightly greater than the outer diameter d 1  of the tabs  50  such that the tabs  50  may contact the top  66  when the top  66  is assembled on the negative terminal  30 . As a force is applied to the end  98  of the top  66  to press the top  66  onto the negative terminal  30 , the foot portion  130  of the plug  118  extending from the inner face  122  of the top  66  deforms by decreasing the diameter D 5  of the foot  130  to fit within the smaller diameter d 2  of the tabs  50 . Once the foot portion  130  has been pushed beyond the tabs  50 , the foot portion  130  returns to the original shape such that the diameter D 5  is larger than the diameter d 2 . The smaller diameter d 2  of the tabs  50  retains the foot portion  130  within the negative terminal  30 , maintains engagement between the plug  118  and the negative terminal  30 , and retains the top  66  on the negative terminal  30 . An assembled view of the cover  58  on the battery is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
         [0064]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , another embodiment of a cover or cap  200  is illustrated. Similarly to the cover  58 , the cover  200  has a base  204  and a top  208  that are connected by a tether  212 . The references and description of the battery  10  and terminals  22  are the same as previously described. 
         [0065]    The base  204  may be a circular ring with an inner diameter DD 1  that is smaller than the outer diameter d 1  of the second end  46  of the negative terminal  30  such that when assembled the base  204  is retained on the negative terminal  30 . A bottom wall or face  216  of the base  204  may face, be adjacent to, and/or lay upon top wall  18  of the battery  10 . A top wall or face  220  of the base  204  may face an opposite direction as bottom wall  216  and may mate with a bottom wall or face  224  of top  208  when the top  208  is positioned over the negative terminal  30 . An outer wall  228  of base  204  may align with an outer wall  232  of top  208  such that when the top  208  is positioned over the negative terminal  30 , the outer wall  228  of the base  204  is flush with the outer wall  232  of the top  208 . 
         [0066]    The top  208  may be cylindrically shaped with an open bottom end  236  and a sealed top end  240 . The open bottom end  236  may provide access to a cavity  244  within the cylindrically shaped top  208  for receiving the negative terminal  30 . The top end  240  may include a wall  248  having a circular indentation, depression, or bore  252  centered within it. A diameter DD 3  of the indentation  252  may be less than an inner diameter d 2  of the tabs  50  of the negative terminal  30 . An edge  256  where the indentation  252  meets the wall  248  may be chamfered or rounded. A depth L 1  of the indentation  252  may be a distance such that a base  260  of the indentation  252  extends just beyond a position of the inner diameter d 2  of the tabs  50 . Thus, a wall  264  of the indentation  252  deforms to accommodate the tabs  50 . 
         [0067]    An inner plug  268  may extend from the base  260  of the indentation  252 . The plug  268  may have a top peak or tab  272 , a cylindrical body portion  276 , and a foot portion  280  and may engage the negative terminal  30  when assembled on the negative terminal  30 . The cylindrical body portion  276  and foot portion  280  may be similar to body portion  126  and foot portion  130  as previously described. A diameter DD 4  of the body portion  276  may be approximately equal to the diameter DD 3  of the indentation  252 . A diameter DD 5  of the foot  280  may be greater than the diameter DD 4  of the body portion  276  such that the foot  280  increases in circumference from the body portion  276 . A diameter DD 6  of the peak  272  may be greater than the diameter DD 4  of the body portion  276  and approximately equal to or greater than the diameter DD 5  of the foot  280  such that the peak  272  increases in circumference from the body portion  276 . A base  284  of the plug  268  may extend a length L 2  from an inner face  288  of the wall  248  such that when the top  208  is placed over the negative terminal  30 , the peak  272  and the foot  280  are beyond the tabs  50 . The diameter DD 5  of the foot  280  and the diameter DD 6  of the peak  272  are greater than the inner diameter d 2  of the tabs  50  such that when the top  208  is placed over the negative terminal  30 , the tabs  50  retain the foot  280  and peak  272  within the negative terminal  30 . 
         [0068]    The tether  212  may be a strip connecting the base  204  with the top  208 . The tether  212  may be rectangular-shaped, having four flat sides. In other embodiments, the tether  212  may be cylindrically or otherwise shaped, so long as the tether  212  connects the base  204  with the top  208 . A first end  292  may be fixed to the base  204 , and a second end  296  may be fixed to the top  208 . The tether  212  allows the base  204  and top  208  to remain attached, connected, or tethered while the base  204  is assembled and retained on the negative terminal  30  and the top  208  is removed from or off of the negative terminal  30 , such as when the battery  10  is electrically connected to another device. 
         [0069]    The cover  200  may be elastically deformable such that the base  204  may stretch or deform to fit over the tabs  50  and then return to the original shape or configuration such that the tabs  50  retain the base  204  on the negative terminal  30 . The cover  200  may also be elastically deformable such that the peak  272  and the foot  280  of the plug  268  on the top  208  may deform or compress to fit within the tabs  50  and then expand to the original shape such that the tabs  50  retain the top  208  on the negative terminal  30 . The cover  200  may further be elastically deformable such that the tether  212  may keep the top  208  and the base  204  connected without breaking. For example, the tether  212  may stretch, bend, twist, or deform without breaking to retain the connection between the top  208  and base  204 . The cover  200  may also be electrically insulating for increased safety and battery life. 
         [0070]    Thus, the cover  200  may be formed of an elastically deformable, insulating material, such as, for example, polyethylene, silicone rubber, neoprene, ABS plastic, polyurethane, or any other elastically deformable, insulating material. The cover  200  may also be formed of a material resistant to corrosion or decomposition from battery acid. 
         [0071]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cover  200  may be assembled onto the negative terminal  30  (or in other embodiments the positive terminal  26 ) by stretching or deforming the base  204  to fit over the tabs  50  of the negative terminal  30 . Once the base  204  is over the tabs  50 , the base  204  may return to the original size and/or configuration, such that the tabs  50  retain the base  204  on the negative terminal. Since the inner diameter DD 1  of the base  204  is less than the outer diameter d 1  of the tabs  50 , the tabs  50  retain the base  204  on the negative terminal  30  such that the base  204  does not slide off the negative terminal  30 . 
         [0072]    The top  208  may be pressed onto the negative terminal  30  (or, in other embodiments the positive terminal  26 ). Open bottom end  236  may be inserted over the negative terminal  30  such that the negative terminal  30  is received within the cavity  244 . The inner diameter DD 2  of the top  208  is slightly greater than the outer diameter d 1  of the tabs  50  such that the tabs  50  may contact the top  208  when the top  208  is assembled on the negative terminal  30 . As a force is applied to the end  240  of the top  208  to press the top  208  onto the negative terminal  30 , the foot portion  280  of the plug  268  extending from the wall  248  of the top  208  deforms by decreasing the diameter DD 5  of the foot  280  to fit within the smaller diameter d 2  of the tabs  50 . Once the foot portion  280  has been pushed beyond the tabs  50 , the foot portion  280  returns to the original shape such that the diameter DD 5  is larger than the diameter d 2 . 
         [0073]    Continued force is applied to the end  240  of the top  208 . The peak portion  272  of the plug  268  extending from the wall  248  of the top  208  deforms by decreasing the diameter DD 6  of the peak  272  to fit within the smaller diameter d 2  of the tabs  50 . Once the peak portion  272  has been pushed beyond the tabs  50 , the peak portion  272  returns to the original shape such that the diameter DD 6  is larger than the diameter d 2 . The smaller diameter d 2  of the tabs  50  retains the foot portion  280  and the peak portion  272  within the negative terminal  30 , maintains engagement between the plug  268  and the negative terminal  30 , and retains the top  208  on the negative terminal  30 . 
         [0074]    Once the peak portion  272  is pushed beyond the tabs  50 , the wall  264  of the indentation  252  deforms around the tabs  50  to engage with the tabs  42  and applies additional pressure to the tabs  50  to retain the top  208  on the negative terminal  30 . An assembled view of the cover  200  on the battery is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0075]    With reference to  FIGS. 7-13 , a further alternative embodiment of the battery terminal cover assembly  300  for use with a battery  10  as described previously, will now be described. The battery terminal cover assembly  300  includes a cap  302 , an insert  304  and a patch  306  which can be assembled together to cover a terminal  22  of the battery  10 . 
         [0076]    The cap  302  can include a cylindrical outer wall  308  and a plurality of concentric cylindrical inner tab segments  310  connected to one another by a plurality of spokes  312  that extend radially outward from the cylindrical inner tab segments  310  to the cylindrical outer wall  308 . As best shown in  FIG. 8 , the cylindrical outer wall  308  can include one or more relief cutouts  314  along an upper edge  316  of of the cylindrical outer wall  308 . The plurality of spokes  312  are integrally formed with the cylindrical outer wall  308  and the cylindrical inner tab segments  310  and extend radially inward from the outer wall  308  and between the cylindrical inner tab segments  310 . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the inner cylindrical tab segments  310  each include a radially outwardly extending ledge  318  adjacent a bottom surface  320  of the inner cylindrical tab segments  310 . In addition, the inner cylindrical tab segments  310  include a radially inwardly extending taper  322  extending toward the bottom surface  320  to define a narrowing region  324  on the inner surface of the inner cylindrical tab segments  310  adjacent the bottom surface  320 . The plurality of spokes  312  extend radially inward beyond an inner surface of the inner cylindrical tab segments  310  and are connected to and between respective pairs of adjacent inner cylindrical tab segments  310 . 
         [0077]    The cap  302  may be formed of an elastically deformable, insulating material, such as, for example, polyethylene, silicone rubber, neoprene, ABS plastic, polyurethane, or any other elastically deformable, insulating material. The cap  302  may also be formed of a material resistant to corrosion or decomposition from battery acid. 
         [0078]    The insert  304  can include a circular top portion  330  with a post  332  extending from a bottom surface  334  of the circular top portion  330 . The post  332  includes a first radially outwardly extending flange portion  336  and a second outwardly extending flange portion  338  extending therefrom. The first radially outwardly extending flange portion  336  is distal to the circular top portion  330  while the second outwardly extending flange portion  338  is proximal to the circular top portion  330 . The first radially outwardly extending flange portion  336  has a smaller diameter than the second radially outwardly extending flange portion  338 . In addition, the 2 nd  radially outwardly extending flange portion  338  defines an upper ledge  340 . The first and second radially outwardly extending flange portions  336 ,  338  are spaced from one another along the posts  332 . The lower flange portion  336  has a smaller diameter than the upper flange  338  so that is provides less interference with the inner segments  310 . 
         [0079]    The patch  306  can be square in shape and have adhesive on both sides with a pair of sticker-like covers over the adhesive. The patch  306  has a hole  350  in the center. The purpose of the patch  306  is to give the consumer the option to place the cover assembly  300  anywhere the customer would like to store the cover assembly  300  for immediate access when ready to exchange the battery. The consumer can simply peel one side of the cover from the patch  306  and place the patch  306  on the bottom of the battery cap  302 . The battery cap  302  can then be attached anywhere, such as a channel or void space in the battery compartment area of the appliance, or on the battery itself  302 , so that it is easily accessible when needed. 
         [0080]    In operation, the cap  302  with the patch  306  attached to its bottom surface is placed over top of the terminal  22  of the battery  10  so that the radially outwardly extending ledge  318  is engaged under the tabs  50  of the terminal  22 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the post  332  of the insert  304  is inserted between the inner partial cylindrical tab segments  310 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the first radially outwardly extending flange  336  is received under the inner end portions of the spokes  312  in order to temporarily retain the insert  304  with the cap  302 . By further inserting the insert  304  into the cap  302 , the ledge  340  of the second outwardly extending flange  338  then becomes received under the inner end portions of the spokes  312  to permanently lock the cap  302  to the battery terminal  22  for proper disposal, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0081]    The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.