Improvements in Portable Primary Batteries.
Year: 1894

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as allowed by the
decision of the Comptroller General of the 21st day of June 1897.
Date of Application, 21st May, 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Portable Primary Batteries.
I, WILLIAM MORISON of Montclair, New Jersey in the United States of
America Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to apparatuses for generating electricity and has for its
object the provision of a battery simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture
and efficient in practical use. To attain the desired end my invention consists in
the construction, arrangement and operation of parts herein set forth.
In the drawings which form a part of this Specification, Figure 1 represents a
front elevation of my invention, Figure 2 is a transverse section on line 2 2 Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear view; Figure 4 a side elevation of my bicycle attachment;
Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 5, 5, Figure 2; Figure 6 is a
detail in section of my stopper; Figure 7 is a top view showing a diagram of my
circuit wires; and Figure 8 is a detail in section of my vent valve.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the views.
Referring particularly to the drawings A denotes a hollow case
or box
ordinarily constructed water and acid proof, and of electrically non-conducting
material and made small in size so as to be readily handled in order to serve as a
portable battery and also to be utilized in the manufacture of bicycle and miner's
lamps and like articles. In the construction of said box I preferably take a
plastic material possessing the requisite qualities above specified, and subject the
same in a mold to hydraulic or other pressure, in order to thereby produce a
perfectly hard, smooth and homogeneous shell of the form hereinafter set forth.
The box A is ordinarily divided at one end, as by one or more vertical
partitions A2, into a series of cells a², which partitions extend nearly to the other
and open end of the battery, which is afterward closed by means of the cover A³,
which is made in a similar manner and preferably cemented in a water-tight acid
proof relation to the said case A, which portion A¹ of the said box forms a trough
for the battery solution and which I shall hereafter designate as the bottom of the
battery, a narrow opening is thus formed between all the cells for the purpose of
charging and emptying the battery at one operation. I place wires, as B, within
the mold in order that the said wires, which serve to form connections between the
electrodes may be embedded and molded within the shell preferably together with
the positive conducting rings as C¹, and the negative battery elements, as the
carbons D, connected therewith, so that when the positive elements as the zines C,
are secured within the rings C¹, the whole electrical organisation will be absolutely
protected from atmospheric action and also from the exciting fluid of the battery
excepting the battery elements themselves, which elements may be immersed in the
battery solution upon reversing my battery as hereinafter set forth.

page_text: I ordinarily locate one zinc and a series of carbon elements in each cell of my
battery, and upon the said cells being filled with a suitable electrolyte a circuit will
be established through the cell or plurality of cells comprising my battery-the
electrodes being preferably connected as indicated in the diagram shown in
Figure 7. Small binding posts as E, E', one connected with each leg of the
circuit are also preferably molded within the shell of my battery. In one of the
sides of this shell one opening as A³ provided with a spout as a³ is formed-located
ordinarily opposite the narrow opening communicating with the various cells for
purposes of charging the entire number of cells of my battery and also of
discharging the battery fluid from the same at one operation.
As far as described my battery consists of a perfectly tight box or case with the
exception of the openings formed by the conducting rings as C¹, and the inlet and
outlet orifice as A³, and in order to maintain the same in a hermetically sealed
relation when moved around or held in any other position, I provide a stopper
consisting of an elastic washer as F, surmounted by a metallic disk F¹, from which
depend, near the perimeter thereof, teeth f¹ struck or stamped from out the same,
which teeth are of a length of about half the thickness of the washer, and also serve
to grasp the periphery of the said elastic washer. A thumb screw or nut F2 serves
in connection with the threaded stem, preferably cast in and rising from the
cylindrical zine C, which stem is passed through the central orifice f of the
washer F and plate F¹, to rigidly hold the parts together. This stopper or sealing
device is so constructed relative to a conducting ring C¹, that when the nut F² is
not screwed down tight, the zinc element C, together with the elastic washer, may
be passed down through the ring until the elastic washer F registers with the
same, and with the shell of the battery, whereupon by screwing the nut F2 against
the plate F¹, the washer F will be compressed and distended and on account of the
lateral pressure of the same against the ring C, an air, water and acid tight joint
is formed, while at the same time the depending teeth f¹ are rigidly and electrically
engaged with the said conducting ring ¹ which is connected with the circuit wire
as herein before set forth. By this construction the zinc C may be readily removed
and replaced when required. The stopper C³ for the orifice A³ is similary
constructed except that a plate of insulating and acid proof material is substituted
for the zinc C. If preferred, the battery shell may be molded with recessed
portions containing the circuit wire system, and the carbon rods afterward
cemented therein.
In some cases, as where my battery is used for purposes of illumination in
connection with a lamp of low resistance, gases are generated within the cells. and
in order to provide for the escape of the same, I sometimes provide my battery
with a vent, located at the bottom or end opposite the electrodes, and consisting in
this instance of a convex funnel shaped orifice or valve seat A+, located in the bottom
of the battery, having a perforated cap a, cemented upon the face of the battery
directly under the said orifice the said cap being of a height a little less than that
of the feet A³ of the battery. An elastie valve or stopper G is provided with a
reinforcing plate gand stem gl, which stem passes through one of the perforations
of the cap a and is secured to an arm of the spring rod G¹ which is supported upon
the battery case, and serves to normally hold the stopper G within the orifice A-
the said stopper being thereby compressed and flattened and held tightly against the
sides of the orifice, in order to prevent any leakage of the fluid contained within the
battery, which when at rest, stands as represented in the drawings, but which, when
in action, is reversed or turned upside down as shown in Figure 4 in order that the
elements may be acted upon by the exciting fluid which is contained as hereinbefore
set forth in each of the cells of my battery.
By reference to Figure 8 it will be seen that ny vent valve G, is so constructed
that an unequal bearing will be produced when the same is entered within the
convex orifice A4,-which is made somewhat smaller than the valve G,-as the
reinforcing plate g presses the elongated point of the same backward, thus causing
the concave sides to become distended and engaged with and become tightly packed

page_text: against the sides of the orifice A', an absolutely tight and acid proof joint thus
being formed,
..t
It is manifest that various omissions of some particulars could be made without
materially affecting the essential features of my invention or the operation of the
remaining parts, and I do not therefore wish to be limited to the specific, structural
details of the organization herein set forth. Obviously the elements of the
structure described may be located at an angle to the plane in which they are
shown, or they may be inverted if desired. I accordingly use the words, "lateral"
and "horizontal" "vertical" and the like in a relative sense.
My battery may also be used in connection with a lamp in the following
manner.
To the binding parts E and E¹ in electrical connections with the legs e, e¹, of the
circuit I ordinarily attach a lamp as I, as by means of an intermediate flexible
cord i, I also prefer to provide my battery with a detachable parabolic reflector K,
in which is hung a lamp I, by means of wire coils ¹, and 3, located in said
reflector the coils, 2 being connected with the lamp filament. The coil is in
electrical relation with the metallic reflector K, which is held against the wire e,
lying on a projection of the battery shell A, by means of a screw k, which
secures the reflector to the said battery. The coil is insulated from the
reflector K, and terminates in a prong, resting against the terminal wire
e e¹, of the
circuit, when the reflector is secured in position. A single lamp may, if desired, be
used in connection with my battery, in lieu of both lamps as shown. I provide.
means for sustaining my battery in a movable relation by pivoting the same at its
central transverse axis to a suitable support as a belt H, or bicycle lamp attach-
ment J, by which it may be caused to be laterally rotated in order either to
complete the electrical circuit or to place the battery out of action. In connection
therewith, I provide automatic means for opening the vent simultaneously with
setting the battery in action, as in the present instance, by placing a pin on the
stationary belt plate L, to which the battery A is secured by the axial or swivel
joint A, the said pin being constructed and arranged to engage with the
horizontal arm of the spring rod G₁, and thereby push the rod G a sufficient
distance to open the valve or stopper G, secured by stem g¹ to the arm go upon the
battery being reversed, the cells becoming thereupon charged with the battery
solution. The belt plate L is attached to one end of a belt, and constitutes one
member of the belt fastener, the other member of which L is attached to the other
extremity of the belt and is provided with an angular hook or extensions and with
slots 'constructed and arranged to become respectively engaged with the slot (1s
and pins of the plate I, which is mounted upon a raised or projecting circular
bearing molded upon the battery case A and provided with a recessed portion a¹º.
Consequently the members L and L' of my belt fastener can only he engaged
and disengaged when the slots and recess a register with each other which
occurs only when the vent is closed and the battery is out of action. To set the
battery in action is is only necessary to invert the same so that the electrodes will
be below the axis whereupon the battery solution will fall around them. For use
in mining, the lamp I may be worn on the hat, with or without the use of the belt
light I¹ while for flash lamp purposes my combined battery and lamp will be found
a very practical and convenient article.
As it is evident that many changes in the construction and relative arrangement
of parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my
invention, I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular
construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, and that I reserve the
right to make such changes and that
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-

page_text: material, and provided with a circuit wire system, embedded in the material forming
the battery case, and with one or more openings, electrically related with the said
wire system in combination with an elastic stopper provided with conducting means
whereby the stopper may be hermetically secured in the said battery opening and
the conducting means protected from the action of the battery solution.
2. The process of making a battery case consisting of placing a plastic non-con-
ducting material in a mold, and of embedding within the same a circuit wire system,
in electrical relation with one or more rings, and then applying pressure to the
whole whereby the finished shell will appear provided with one or more rings the
said rings forming a part of the circuit wire system, embedded therein.
3. A battery shell molded out of non-conducting material and provided at one
end with one common chamber, and at the other with battery elements and one or
more partitions, and also with one hermetically sealed opening in the end of the
battery opposite the elements, whereby the entire number of cells within the battery.
shell may be charged and emptied at one operation.
4. A closed battery shell made of non-conducting material, provided with a
circuit wire system, embedded within the same, and with one or more openings
electrically connected with the wire system, in combination with an elastic stopper,
provided with a conducting plate and a battery element, whereby at one operation
the battery case may be hermetically sealed and a connection with the electric
circuit wire made.
5. The combination of a battery shell provided with a metallic ring of a stopper
consisting of an elastic washer surmounted by a metallic disk the integral teeth of
which grasp the same, and of a battery element provided with a stem passing
through the said washer and disk and carrying an adjustable thumb screw or nut
whereby the said teeth are electrically engaged with the metallic ring.
6. A battery consisting of one or more cells and constructed of non-conducting
material, and provided with an orifice or vent in combination with an elastic vent
valve constructed with concave sides, and with an elongated end, and provided with
a re-inforcing plate, whereby when the said valve is forced into the orifice, the valve
is flattened or laterally distended, thus forming a tight joint.
7. A hermetically sealed battery, provided with a circuit wire system embedded
therein, and containing one or more cells, and with a narrow opening between the
cells, at the end opposite the elements, in combination with one or more detachable
elements hermetically sealed therein by means of an elastic joint, and with a
support, and with an intermediate swivel connection..
8. A laterally pivoted battery consisting of a box or case provided at one end
with a trough normally filled with the battery solution and at the other with one
or more cells and with battery elements, in combination with a normally closed vent
valve located at the end opposite the electrodes, and also with means whereby upon
reversing the position of the battery, the same will be automatically set in action
and the vent valve opened.
9. A pivoted battery in combination with a support consisting of two members
and also with means whereby the said members may be disengaged only when the
battery is in a certain predetermined position.
Dated this 4th day of May 1994.
New York, N.Y., U.S.A.
WILLIAM MORISON,
By Fowler & Co.,
29, Broadway, New York, U.S.A., Agents.