Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1887
Specification Accepted, 8th June, 1888
Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
We, JOHN RANDOLPH HARD, and THOMAS WILSON, both of 174, Centre Street,
in the City, County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturers
of Medico-Electrical Apparatus, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates, in the main, to the construction of battery-cells for electrical
uses in general, but especially for use in connection with medico-electrical apparatus.
One part of the invention relates to a holder for the zinc; another part relates to
a stripper for the zinc, to remove the surplus liquid and debris therefrom, when the
zinc is withdrawn; another part relates to a hinged plate to cover the filling
aperture in the cover of the cell; and finally, another part relates to the carbon
provided with a protecting covering at its attached end and a piece of metal embedded
in its substance to provide for the proper electrical connections.
In the annexed drawings, which serve to illustrate this invention,
Figure 1 is a plan of the cell showing the zinc in place.
Figure 2 is a section of same on line 2-2, Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the
parts when the zinc is not in place.
Figure 3, is a section on line 3ª-3ª, Fig. 3.
Figure 4 is a view of the underside of the cell-cover as seen in Fig. 3.
Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Fig. 1.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the carbons.
Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate several slight modifications.
The
A represents the liquid-receptacle of the cell, and A¹ its cover, rabbetted to fit into
the upper edge of the receptacle and secured in place removably by screws.
receptacle herein shown is of rectangular or box-like shape, and is constructed of hard
rubber; and it has a zinc-holder or receptacle A*, formed integrally with it by
partitioning off a space at its end. We may, however, make the receptacle of any
suitable material, as glass or gutta-percha for example, and of any convenient form,
as cylindrical, elliptical or polygonal for example.

page_text: 1.11 UIIC COYCI
is formed an aperture a, for the insertion of the zinc Z, and to the
under side of the cover are secured the carbons CC. These are alike, and a
description of one with its attaching devices, etc., will suffice. In the carbon, near its
upper end, is fitted and embedded a piece of metal c to form a nut, and the attaching
screws pass down through the cover A¹ and screw into said piece or block of
metal c. We prefer, for convenience, to drill a hole edgewise through the carbon,
and to slip in a round rod c, as shown, but the metal piece c may be of any con-
venient form and be fitted into the carbon in any convenient way; and it may be in
two pieces, one for each screw, if desired. As the screw or screws will be employed
for taking off the current from the carbon pole, we prefer to insure electrical contact
between the metal e and the carbon by wrapping around the metal a thin strip or
wire p of platinum, as seen in Fig. 6. And to protect the metallic connections of the
carbon at its upper end, we prefer to apply to this end of the carbon a protecting
covering d of soft rubber or similar impervions material. In Fig. 10 is shown the
metal piece c in the form of a plate or flat strip, embedded in the substance of the
carbon in the process of making the same. This view also shows the attaching
screw b, attached permanently to said strip c before its embedment in the carbon, and
a nut screwed on to the upper projecting end of the said screw.
Between the ends of the carbons and the cover A¹ are clamped two lateral
flaps e e, of soft rubber or other yielding and elastic material, which project out and
preferably meet or nearly meet between the carbons, so as to cover or close_the
aperture a through which the zinc is inserted, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. Two edge-
flaps e el are also secured to the cover, as seen in Fig. 4. When the zinc Z is
inserted, it displaces these flaps as seen in Fig. 2, but they press against it by reason
of their elasticity; and when the zinc is withdrawn from the liquid, they serve as
strippers to remove from it all superfluous liquid, so that it will not drip. They also
remove all the loose debris of chemical decomposition usually found adhering to the
zinc. In order that these strippers may also remove the surplus liquid from the
lower end of the zinc, we prefer to give to this end a wedge-shaped form, as seen at z
in Fig. 2. We prefer also to form a V-like pendent rib or projection on the free
edges of the lateral flaps e, as seen at e² in Figs. 2 and 3, in order that the liquid may
the more readily drip therefrom back into the receptacle; but this is not essential;
neither is it essential that the flaps e shall meet when the zinc is out, as seen in
Fig. 3. In Fig. 7, these flaps are shown unprovided with the projection e². In
Fig. 8, we have shown them as not meeting at their free edges, but projecting out
into the path of the zinc; and in Fig. 9, the rubber of the flap is shown as folded and
projecting only a very little way into the path of the zinc.
D is a frame to hold the zinc. This frame is hinged to the cover A¹ by means of a
vertical stud f, so as to swing laterally, and in order that the frame D may be con-
veniently removed when desired. This stud, which is secured in the cover A', is
provided with a laterally projecting head which is narrower than the stud-shank;
and the pivotted end of the frame is provided with a slot g extending out from the
hole through which the stud passes. By swinging the frame around until the slot g
coincides with the head f, the frame may be lifted off the stud. This hinge-attachment
renders the frame D readily detachable for cleaning and refilling the cell. At its
free end, the frame D is provided with a notch h which engages with a stud i in the
cover A, the upper end of which stud is screw-threaded to receive a thumb-nut i¹.
On the upper edges of the frame D are hinged two plates jj, toothed or serrated
at their free edges where they bear upon the faces of the zinc. These serve to hold
the zinc in the frame, and the many points of the teeth serve to insure electrical
contact. These plates j stand at an angle, and the weight of the zine only tends to
make them grip the zinc the tighter. They may be provided with springs to cause
them to press elastically on the zinc; in which case, it will be best to provide them
with thumb-pieces or handles, so that they may be held open for conveniently
inserting the zinc.
The electric circuit connection may be made with the zinc through the stud
and frame D by means of a metal strip R, leading to the binding-post S. The

page_text: carbons CC may be electrically connected together by a metal strip R2, and by a
metal strip R to the other binding-post S¹.
E is a plate, preferably of metal, and provided with a packing-plate or strip k of
soft rubber, or other suitable yielding material, secured to its underside in the
manner of a facing. This plate E is designed to serve as a hydrostat to close the
aperture a when the zinc has been removed, as seen in Fig. 3. It is hinged to
the stud at one end under the frame D, and is provided with a slot l, like tho
slot g in the said frame, so that it may be readily removed from the said stud. In
its free end is a notch m which engages with the stud i when the plate E is moved in.
under the frame D so as to cover the aperture a. In the frame D (see Fig. 5) is
pivotted at a latch n, arranged to take over the edge of the plate E when it is
moved in under the frame D, and thus secure the plate and frame together. Neither
can be moved until this latch is disengaged, because the notches hand_m in the
frame and plate respectively engage with the stud i from opposite sides. By means
of nut, the frame D and plate E may be clamped down firmly on the cover and
the aperture a tightly closed. In order that the notched end of the frame D may
have a support when the zine is in place and the plate E turned aside, we form a
shoulder on the stud i, as seen in Fig. 3, and make the notch h to fit the smaller
upper section of the said stud, while the notch m is made wider in order to fit the
larger lower section of the stud i.
As the liquid is poured into the receptacle A through the aperture a, the hinging
of the zinc-holding frame D so that it may be turned out of the way or readily
removed is a great convenience and avoids the dripping of the liquid on the metallic
holder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1st: A battery-cell provided with an aperture for the insertion of the zinc and
with strippers of rubber, or other similar yielding and elastic material, arranged at
the margin of said aperture in position to bear elastically upon the zinc, as set
forth.
2ndly: A battery-cell provided with an aperture for the insertion of the zinc and
with elastic flaps ee and e¹ e¹ arranged at the four sides of said aperture and
projecting beyond the margins of same into the path of the zinc, substantially as
set forth.
3rdly: A battery-cell provided with an aperture for the passage of the zinc and
with flaps e e of rubber or other similar elastic material arranged at the sides of said
aperture and extending out and meeting, or nearly so, in the path of the zinc, 'as
shown in Fig. 7 and as set forth.
4thly A battery-cell provided with rubber flaps, folded or doubled, as shown
in Fig. 9, for stripping or cleaning the zinc as it is withdrawn from the battery-
liquid.
5thly: -A battery-cell provided with an aperture for the insertion of the zinc and
with flaps e e of rubber, or other elastic material, arranged at the sides of the said
aperture and projecting into the path of the zinc, the said flaps being provided with
downwardly projecting ribs e on their free edges, substantially as shown in Fig. 3
and as set forth.
6thly The combination with the cover of the cell, of the carbon C provided with
a metallic bar or piece c embedded in its substance near its point of attachment to the
cover, and an attaching screw extending through the cover and into the said carbon
and connected to the said metal piece c, substantially as set forth.
7thly The combination with the cover of the cell, of the flat broad carbon ()
provided with a metallic har e embedded in its substance and extending edgewise
through its body as set forth, a thin strip of platinum p coiled around the said bar c,
and attaching screws which extend through the said cover and screw into the said
metal bar, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 8thly A broad flat battery-carbon C, having a strip of metal embedded in it and
extending through it edgewise, the said strip of metal having screws and nuts for its
attachment, as shown in Fig. 10 and as set forth.
9thly -A battery-carbon C, provided with a metallic bar or piece c embedded in
it near its point of attachment, and with a covering d of rubber or other similar
impervious substance arranged over that portion of the carbon in which the said
piece is embedded.
10thly A battery-cell provided with a zinc-holder hinged to its cover, whereby
the said holder may be turned out of the way in filling or emptying the cell.
:-
11thly A battery-cell provided with a zinc-holder hinged to its cover and made
readily detachable therefrom, as set forth.
12thly: A battery-cell provided with an aperture for the insertion of the zinc and
with a zinc-holder, comprising the frame D hinged to the said cell, and the serrated
plates hinged to the said frame, substantially as set forth.
-
13thly A battery-cell provided with a movable cover which has an aperture for
the insertion of the zinc, the said cover being provided with a hinged plate E to close
the said aperture and a hinged frame D to hold the zinc, substantially as set forth.
14thly The combination of the receptacle and its removable cover, the latter
provided with the studs and i and nut, the closing plate E faced with soft
material and hinged on the stud f, and the frame D) hinged on the stud over the
plate E and provided with serrated plates j, substantially as set forth.
15thly The combination of the receptacle-cover of the cell, of the stud i and its
nut, and the hinge-stud f having a laterally projecting head, of the frame D
provided with a slot g as described for the passage of the head f, and a notch h to
engage with the stud i, and said frame also provided with the serrated plates j, sub-
stantially as set forth.
16thly The combination with the plate E provided with a notch m and faced with
soft material, of the frame D provided with the latch and notch h, and the cover
to which the said plate and frame are hinged provided with a stud i and its nut,
substantially as set forth.
17thly: The combination with the cover of the cell provided with an aperture a
for the insertion of the zinc, of the covering plate E, and the zinc-holder, hinged on
an axis common to both, the said axis being perpendicular to the surface of the said
cover, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1887.
JOHN RANDOLPH HARD.
THOMAS WILSON.
Per G. G. M. Hardingham,
191, Fleet Street, E.Č.,
Agent for the Applicants.