U.S. patent application number 14/299783 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for disposable battery safety cover.
The applicant listed for this patent is Emery David Reitzel. Invention is credited to Emery David Reitzel.
Application Number | 20150357096 14/299783 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54434667 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150357096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reitzel; Emery David |
December 10, 2015 |
DISPOSABLE BATTERY SAFETY COVER
Abstract
A nine volt battery includes terminals exposed on a top surface
of the battery and can easily accidentally come into contact with a
conductive material. A device is provided for preventing creation
of a low resistance circuit by a nine volt battery includes a
safety cover configured to securely adhere to at least one of two
terminals of the battery, thereby preventing creation of a circuit
through the battery.
Inventors: |
Reitzel; Emery David;
(Westland, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Reitzel; Emery David |
Westland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54434667 |
Appl. No.: |
14/299783 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/138F |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 60/10 20130101;
H01M 2/30 20130101; H01M 2/027 20130101; H01M 2/34 20130101; H01B
17/38 20130101; H01M 2/344 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01B 17/38 20060101
H01B017/38 |
Claims
1. A device for preventing creation of a low resistance circuit by
a nine volt battery, the device comprising: a safety cover
configured to securely adhere to at least one of two terminals of
the battery, the safety cover comprising: a single piece polymer
body; and at least one hole with a smaller diameter than a diameter
of the terminal of the battery with which it is configured to
mate.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety cover securely adheres
to the at least one of the two terminals of the battery by creating
an interference fit with the at least one of the two terminals.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety cover securely adheres
to the at least one of the two terminals of the battery by gripping
to an undercut feature of a negative terminal of the battery.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety cover securely adheres
to the at least one of the two terminals of the battery by
elastically stretching across the two terminals.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a feature configured
to attach to one of the terminals; and wherein the safety cover
additionally adheres to the at least one of the two terminals of
the battery by elastically stretching around the battery.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety cover additionally
adheres to the at least one of the two terminals of the battery by
engaging to a top surface of the battery and to a bottom surface of
the battery.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
separable safety covers connected together as a safety cover
strip.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of separable safety
covers are joined together by perforated sections.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety cover comprises a
safety cover strip configured to engage a plurality of
batteries.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the safety cover strip is
configured to receive an indication by a user whether a particular
attached battery is fresh or de-charged.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the safety cover strip comprises
test strips configured to provide an indication of a voltage of an
attached battery.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety cover is constructed
of a rubberized material.
13-14. (canceled)
15. A device for preventing creation of a low resistance circuit by
a nine volt battery, the device comprising: a safety cover
configured to securely adhere to terminals of the battery, the
safety cover comprising: a single piece polymer body; and at least
one hole with a smaller diameter than a diameter of the terminal of
the battery with which it is configured to mate; and the battery;
wherein the battery comprises a fresh battery; and wherein the
safety cover is configured to release the fresh battery and
subsequently receive a de-charged battery.
16. The device of claim 15, further comprising: a plurality of
separable safety covers connected together as a safety cover strip;
and a plurality of fresh batteries, each installed to one of the
separable safety covers.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure is related to an object for use in covering
battery terminals. In particular, the disclosure is related to a
disposable safety cover used to stop nine volt batteries from
coming into contact with a conductive material and creating a low
resistance circuit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure. Accordingly, such
statements are not intended to constitute an admission of prior
art.
[0003] Batteries are known devices which provide portable direct
current electrical power for battery powered devices. A nine volt
battery is a widely known and widely used battery configuration
wherein a positive terminal and a negative terminal are present
upon a same top surface of the battery.
[0004] Electrical circuits are known in the art and require that
electrical energy can flow in a complete circuit. A battery or a
plurality of batteries can be used in a circuit, wherein a battery
provides a voltage potential or voltage rise in the circuit. For a
given voltage potential, a current in the circuit can be determined
according to the relationship voltage potential equals current
times electrical resistance. When resistance is relatively high in
an electrical circuit, the current for the circuit is relatively
low. When resistance is relatively low in an electrical circuit,
the current for the circuit is relatively high. If resistance is
very low in a circuit including a battery, the current can get very
high. In such a low resistance circuit, the battery supplying the
electrical energy to the circuit can heat up significantly to a
point where a dangerous thermal event can in certain circumstances
be created.
[0005] Nine volt batteries are designed to have very low resistance
between the internal components of the battery and the battery
terminals. If any conductive piece spans the two terminals of a
nine volt battery, e.g. if a piece of aluminum foil is discarded in
the same waste container as a partially depleted nine volt battery
and touches both terminals, a very low resistance circuit can be
created causing a thermal event in the battery.
[0006] Batteries contain chemicals that can be detrimental to the
environment if the battery is simply thrown into a landfill.
Recycling of batteries has become popular. While a partially
depleted battery may include too little voltage potential to
continue to be used by a consumer and may be ready to be recycled,
the battery still can have enough charge to power an electrical
circuit. Consumers wishing to recycle batteries will frequently
store used batteries in groups, for example, in a bag or a box,
until enough of them have been collected to warrant the effort to
take the batteries to a recycling center. A group of nine volt
batteries tossed into a bag or a box can accidentally create low
resistance circuits.
SUMMARY
[0007] A nine volt battery includes terminals exposed on a top
surface of the battery and can easily accidentally come into
contact with a conductive material. A device is provided for
preventing creation of a low resistance circuit by a nine volt
battery includes a safety cover configured to securely adhere to at
least one of two terminals of the battery, thereby preventing
creation of a circuit through the battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a safety cover
to be installed to a nine volt battery, in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of an exemplary safety
cover in cross-section, in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of an exemplary
safety cover in cross-section, in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of an exemplary safety
cover, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of an exemplary
safety cover, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary safety cover strip including
a plurality of separable safety covers, in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary safety cover strip including
test strips located to each battery connection, in accordance with
the present disclosure; and
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates an additional exemplary embodiment of a
safety cover including an elastic band wrapped around the battery
and covering at least one terminal of the battery, in accordance
with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Low resistance circuits can be created by any conductive
material spanning the terminals of a nine volt battery. In one
example, a piece of metallic waste can come into contact with the
terminals. In another example, a metallic casing on one nine volt
battery can come into contact with terminals on another nine volt
battery. In another example, two nine volt batteries can accidently
touch negative to positive terminal, negative to positive
terminal.
[0018] A low resistance circuit including a nine volt battery and a
piece of conductive material spanning the terminals of the battery
can be avoided by preventing contact between at least one of the
terminals and the conductive material. A device for preventing
creation of a low resistance circuit including a nine volt battery
is provided including a disposable safety cover preventing at least
one of the terminals of the battery from contacting any conductive
material.
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for
the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and
not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of a safety cover to be installed to a nine
volt battery. Nine volt battery 10 is illustrated including
positive terminal 12 and negative terminal 14, both located upon
top surface 15 of the battery. Battery 10 further includes a
metallic jacket 16 which includes wrapped edge 18 and wrapped edge
19. Safety cover 20 is illustrated including a battery connection
hole 22 configured to receive terminal 12 and battery connection
hole 24 configured to receive terminal 14. Safety cover 20 and the
included battery connection holes can include a snap-on design,
such that the cover includes a detent feature securingly attaches
to the battery to prevent the cover from accidentally falling off.
The holes, in one embodiment, can be tapered or constricted at the
openings to create a more secure fit. Safety cover 20 can be sold
as individual units or can be sold installed to fresh batteries,
such that a user can install the old battery to the safety cover
from the new battery as part of the replacement process.
[0020] Safety cover 20 can be made from any of a number of
non-conducting materials including polymers, wood, recycled paper
material. Battery terminals 12 and 14 are configured to snap to
metallic connectors known in the art which normally are attached to
electrical wires to create a circuit in a battery powered device.
Safety cover can include metallic dummy connectors which do not
connect to wires and do not create a circuit. In one embodiment, a
production facility making battery terminals with electrical leads
attached for battery powered devices could produce battery
terminals without the electrical leads attached for use as
disposable safety covers.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of an exemplary safety
cover in cross-section. An elastic or rubberized safety cover can
be configured to receive a nine volt battery by stretching the
elastic material and allowing the elastic material to apply a
gripping force upon the battery terminals to remain attached to the
battery. Battery 10 is illustrated including terminal 12 and
terminal 14. Safety cover 120 is illustrated including battery
connection hole 122 and battery connection hole 124. Safety cover
120 is constructed of a rubberized polymer that elastically
stretches when a force is applied and recovers to its original
shape when the force is removed. Battery connection hole 122 is too
small to receive terminal 12, but as safety cover is stretched or
pressed against battery 10, the rubberized polymer material deforms
around terminal 12. Similarly, battery connection hole 124 is too
small to receive terminal 14, but as safety cover is stretched or
pressed against battery 10, the rubberized polymer material deforms
around terminal 14. In one embodiment, the battery connection holes
can include diameters between 1 mm to 4 mm smaller than the
corresponding battery terminal, depending upon the particular
rubberized material and the desired snap on and snap off force
desired for the safety cover. Terminal 14, the negative terminal of
the battery, includes undercut feature 17, and safety covers can
include a feature or features to grip to the undercut feature
17.
[0022] If the safety cover is made of less elastic or more rigid
materials, relatively small holes can be used to create battery
connection holes, with an interference fit between the holes and
the terminals creating the desired snap on fit of the safety cover
to the battery. Such interference fits would depend upon the
specific materials and can be designed according to methods known
in the art. In one embodiment, the battery cover can be constructed
of recycled paper material similar to a paper material egg carton
known in the art. Such a recyclable material could include
marketing advantages for consumers practicing environmentally
sensitive recycling.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of an exemplary
safety cover in cross-section. Battery 10 is illustrated including
terminal 12 and terminal 14. Safety cover 220 made of an elastic
material is illustrated including battery connection hole 222
configured to receive terminal 12 and battery connection hole 224
configured to receive terminal 14. Battery connection hole 224 is
shaped to positively grip around terminal 14. Further, battery
connection hole 222 and battery connection hole 224 are positioned
closer together than terminals 12 and 14. As a result, when safety
cover 220 is installed to the terminals of battery 10, the stretch
of the material between battery connection hole 222 and battery
connection hole 224 causes safety cover 220 to be secured to the
terminals.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of an exemplary safety
cover. Battery 10 is illustrated including terminal 12 and terminal
14. Safety cover 320 constructed of a hard plastic material is
illustrated. Safety cover 320 includes upper tab 322 and lower tab
328 connected by vertical member 327. Upper tab 322 includes
features to grip to terminals 12 and 14, for example, including
terminal receiving holes 324 and 326 engaging to terminals 12 and
14. In another embodiment a slot running the length of tab 322
could engage both of the terminals. The features to grip the
terminals should contain the terminals such that the terminals
cannot slide out of the features without vertically displacing tab
322. Tab 328 grips to a bottom side of battery 10. In one
embodiment, tab 328 can include a feature to either grip to the
metal jacket around battery 10 or grip to a far side of the
battery. By gripping a top and bottom of battery 10 including
terminals 12 and 14, the plastic safety cover 320 can remain
securely engaged thereto. Any of a wide variety of plastics
including but not limited to polypropylene and acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS) can be used to injection mold plastic cover
320.
[0025] Safety covers can cover or engage to both terminals of a
nine volt battery to avoid creation of low resistance circuits.
However, as both terminals on a battery need to be engaged in order
to create a circuit including the battery, covering of one terminal
of the battery would be effective to prevent creation of the low
resistance circuit. FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of an
exemplary safety cover. Battery 10 is illustrated including
terminal 12 and terminal 14. Safety cover 420 constructed of a
plastic material is illustrated. Safety cover 420 includes upper
tab 421 connecting to a terminal of battery 10 with feature 422,
lower tab 423 connecting to a bottom surface of battery 10 with
feature 424, and vertical member 425. Battery cover 420 is
illustrated gripping to terminal 14, but terminal 12 can equally be
utilized to avoid creation of a circuit with battery 10. Feature
424 can include an angled lead in 427 and a feature gripping to
wrapped edge 19 of metallic jacket 16.
[0026] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a hard plastic safety cover that
grips to a top surface and a bottom surface of the battery to cover
at least one of the terminals of the battery. FIG. 8 illustrates an
additional exemplary embodiment of a safety cover including an
elastic band wrapped around the battery and covering at least one
terminal of the battery. Battery 10 is illustrated including
terminal 12 and terminal 14. Safety cover 720 constructed of an
elastic material similar to a rubber band is illustrated. Safety
cover 720 includes features 722 and 724 to engage to terminals 12
and 14, respectively. Safety cover 720 is configured to be located
to the terminals and have distal end 725 be stretched around
battery 10, such that the stretched safety cover 720 will remain
engaged to the terminals.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment, safety cover 720 could be
constructed of a recycled paper material, and a back portion of the
safety cover 720 could be filled in to cup the battery 10 within a
perimeter of safety cover 720, with the battery wedging within the
cavity formed in the cover like an egg being secured to an egg
carton.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary safety cover strip including
a plurality of separable safety covers. Batteries 510, 511, 512,
and 513 are illustrated secured to safety cover strip 520. Safety
cover strip 520 includes a plurality of separable safety covers
521, 523, 525, and 527 separated by perforations 522, 524, and 526,
respectively. Perforations can include thinned sections or
otherwise weakened sections of safety cover strip 520, permitting a
user to apply a bending force, twisting force, or pulling force to
remove one of the safety covers from the safety cover strip. In one
embodiment, safety cover strip 520 can be sold or provided by a
recycling company, such that a user can have easy access to a
supply of easily accessed individual safety covers as needed. In
another embodiment, a set of fresh batteries can be sold with the
safety cover strip 520 installed thereto, and as each battery is
removed from the sales package, the attached safety cover can be
snapped off and used to secure to the battery being replaced.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary safety cover strip including
test strips located to each battery connection. Batteries 610, 611,
612, and 613 are illustrated attached to safety cover strip 620.
Safety cover strip 620 is illustrated as a safety cover remaining
intact and accepting more than one battery at a time. Safety cover
strip 620 can include a top surface 625 configured to receive an
indication by a user indicating whether the battery secured to a
particular position is fresh or de-charged. In one exemplary
embodiment, a position can be indicated for a user to make an "x"
with a permanent marker if the battery installed thereto is
de-charged. In another embodiment, a thinned section in safety
cover strip 620 similar to a known detent feature in soft drink
lids permitting a user to press the detent an permanently cause
strain discoloration in a plastic material can be used to show that
the battery installed to that position is de-charged. Safety cover
strip 620 includes optional voltage test strips 621, 622, 623, and
624 which, when depressed, include an indication of a present
charge of the attached battery. According to one known embodiment
widely used by Duracell.RTM., depression of a test button causes a
coloration indicator to change colors based upon a voltage
available in the battery being tested. As safety cover strip 620 is
filled with de-charged batteries, the entire strip can be recycled
as a unit.
[0030] The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments
and modifications of those embodiments. Further modifications and
alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the
specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be
limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *