Improvements in Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th May, 1889-Accepted, 17th Aug., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
We, THOMAS HARRIS, Gentleman, and HENRY FRANCIS DE BATHE CAMERON
Gentleman, both residing at Detroit in the State of Michigan, United States of
America, 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 :-
The invention consists in the peculiar method of fixing the active material in the
lead plates and in the construction, arrangement and combination of the different
parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.
In the drawings which accompany this Specification
Figure 1 is a vertical section through a secondary battery provided with our
improvements.
Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof with the front side of the vessel broken away.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cushion on which the plates are supported in
the vessel and
Figure 4 is an enlarged section through one of the apertures in the lead plates.
A, are the lead plates or elements, of which the battery is composed; which, as in the
ordinary manner, are cast or otherwise formed of sheets of lead, or other suitable
metal, and provided with round apertures, or interstices B, cast, punched or otherwise
formed in the plates.
These apertures in contradistinction to the usual construction, we provide with
screw threads formed therein in any suitable manner for the purpose of firmly
holding the active material filled into them, and thereby form an absolute safeguard
against their falling out, as frequently occurs with the present construction under
the heavy jolting or concussion in the transportation of such batteries, or in their
use upon vehicles.
To secure a suitable number of these elements into a battery, we connect the plates
transversely by means of the rods C of vulcanite or other suitable non-conducting
material, screw threaded at one end or along their entire length, or secured at one end
with a head and with a screw nut at the other, and to keep the elements the desired
distance apart according to the number and size of the elements, we insert upon the
rods between the plates suitable nuts or washers D, of vulcanite or other suitable
non-conducting material.
Some, or all of the washers used, at the lower ends of the plates are of suitable
size to project below the plates to form the legs E upon which the battery is supported
on the bottom of the cell or vessel F in which the battery is contained.
At the bottom of the containing vessel, we place the sheet G, of soft rubber or other
suitable non-conducting substance of a certain elasticity; on the upper surface we
provide that sheet with the receiving cups or bosses H, into which the washers forming
the legs are adapted to fit.
By this means the battery is supported upon a cushion which reduces the danger of
injury from jarring in transportation or in use upon vehicles.
While we preferably screw thread the interior of the apertures in the plates as being
the simplest way we do not want to confine ourselves to this means, but any other
means for roughening or corrugating the inner face of the apertures, may be used
with equally good results.
1
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In the manufacture of secondary batteries or accumulators, the method of fixing

page_text: the active material in the apertures or interstices of the plates by screw threading
or otherwise: corrugating said apertures, substantially as described.
2. In a secondary battery or accumulator; the washers and rods of vulcanite or
other suitable non-conducting material, when arranged to secure the elements
together: substantially as described..
3. In a secondary, battery or accumulator, the washers extending: Below the bottom
of the plate to form legs to support the battery, substantially as described.
4. In a secondary battery, or accumulator, the elastic cushion supporting the battery
and formed of a sheet of elastic, non-conducting material, provided with the cups or
bosses thereon, substantially as described.
noth JM 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.