Improvements in or connected with Electric Batteries.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Sept.,
1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Batteries.
I. CHARLTON JAMES WOLLASTON, of 31, Notting Hill Terrace, in the County
of London, Gentleman. 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 to improvements in connection with electric batteries of
the kind forming the subject of my former Patent No. 669 of 1894, the present
improvements having mainly for object to provide simple and efficient means for
grouping a number of the cells or batteries "in series" in a compact form in a
carrying plate or frame in such a manner that the act of applying any single
battery in the plate establishes electrical contact between the terminals thereof
and junction strips or conductors are so arranged, that one or any number of the
cells or batteries can be thrown into circuit by the simple insertion of a plug in
holes or recesses between the junction strips or conductors, all as hereinafter more
particularly described.
To enable my invention to be carried into practice I will describe the same by
reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:-
:-
Figure 1 is a plan shewing a number of electric cells or batteries grouped
together according to my invention :
Figure 2 is an underside view of the same :
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3, Figure 1 but shewing in
addition the outer case:
Figure 4 is a view of a plug suitable for use in connection with the said cells or
batteries.
a, a, a are the cells or batteries which are similar in construction to those
described in the Specification of my said former Patent No. 669/4, b being the
outer receptacle or capsule forming the zinc terminal of each cell or battery, and
c the silver rod or wire forming the other terminal. Ten batteries are shewn and
numbered from 1 to 10 but any other number can be employed.
d is my carrying plate or frame of vulcanite or other suitable insulating material
provided on the underside with the junction strips or conductors e, e, holes being
formed both in the plate and in the junction strips to receive the batteries, the
holes in the junction strips being screw-threaded so that the cells or batteries can
be attached by being screwed therein, the upper surface of the capsules being
correspondingly screw-threaded for this purpose. f,f represent the holes in the
plate d, the upper part of the cells or batteries passing through the same when
fixed in position in the strips e, e. g is another junction strip or conductor
arranged between the strips e, e and connected to the terminal or binding post. h.
i is a terminal or binding post on the plate d to which is connected one end of a
contact strip j, the other end being in contact with the wire c of No. 1 battery
or cell.
9 to 90 are the holes or recesses between the opposing faces of the junction
strips e, e and g into which a plug such as go, Figure 4, can be inserted through
holes gx in the plate d when it is required to establish electrical contact between
the said junction strips to close the circuit.
k, kare contact pieces with one end of each of which the terminal c of one of
the batteries makes contact when in position in the plate d, while the other end of
cach contact piece is in electrical connection with a junction strip e by means of a

page_text: screw of one of the next cells or batteries. m is a case or box for containing the
group of batteries.
By the hereinbefore described arrangement it will be seen that by screwing the
batteries a, a into the plates e, e electrical contact is established between the outer
receptacles or capsules of the batteries and the junction strips e, e and also
between the terminals c, c and the contact pieces k, k and by placing the plug 9° in
any one of the holes g₁ to g⁰ one or any number of the cells or batteries can be
thrown into circuit. For example, assuming that the current from only one
battery is required (the external circuit being closed) the plug 9° must be placed
in the hole g. The current will then flow from the cell or battery No. 1 through
its terminal c, the contact strip j, the binding post i, the external circuit n, binding
post, through a portion of the junction strip g, the plug 9º, the junction strip
back to the battery. If, however, the current from all the batteries is required,
the plug must be inserted in the hole 910, the current will then flow from the
battery No. 10, through its terminal c, through the contact piece k to the next
adjacent junction strip e, through the battery No. 9 to the next junction strip k
and so on through the whole series of batteries to the strip j, thence through the
external circuit, the junction strip g and the plug go back to the battery No. 10.
If the current of any other number of batteries than those mentioned is required,
it is simply necessary to place the plug 9° in the hole between the junction strips e
and g, the index number of the latter of which corresponds with such number of
batteries.
o is a hole in the plate d for supporting the plug 9° when not in use.
By forming each of the cells or batteries screw-threaded as described they can
be easily detached from the plate d and replaced when re-charged or others can be
substituted therefor.
Although I have described and illustrated my invention as applied to the form
of cell or battery forming the subject of my former Patent No. 669 of 1894 I wish
it to be understood that it is also applicable to other forms of electric battery such
as the Leclauché in which one element may be formed by the outer zinc capsule
with a suitable screw thread and the other by a rod of carbon and oxide of
manganese.
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 :-
The general arrangement and combination of parts forming an improved electric
battery substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.