| |
| United States Patent
|
6,341,628 |
| Burson |
January 29, 2002 |
Battery filling system
Abstract
A battery filling system for use in efficiently adding water to,
for example, those lead-acid batteries which are located in
inconvenient or hard-to-reach places. The battery filling system
includes a first flexible tube for use in transferring distilled
water from the interior of a water-filled vessel to the
hard-to-reach cell of a lead-acid battery. A second flexible tube
transfers pressurized air from an external pressurized air source
(typically human lungs) to the interior of the vessel in a quantity
sufficient to cause the water to advance into and fill the first
tube. A cap is used to snugly attach both tubes to the vessel. A
means is also provided to minimize loss of air pressure from the
vessel.
| Inventors: |
Burson; William C.
(Phoenix, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
09/257,828 |
| Filed: |
February 25, 1999 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
141/67 ;
137/209; 141/382; 222/400.8 |
| Current
International Class: |
B65B
3/00 (20060101); B65B 003/00 () |
| Field of
Search: |
141/59,67,382,1
137/206,209,211.5,212 222/1,400.8 215/309 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Jacyna; J. Casimer
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A battery filling system kit for use with an external source of
temporary air pressure and a water bottle of the type having a
removable cap and being available commercially and containing water,
comprising, in combination:
(a) a first conduit suitable to transfer water from the water bottle
to a battery filling position;
(b) a second conduit suitable to provide the water bottle with a
quantity of the temporary air pressure from the external source
sufficient to fill said first conduit with water from the water
bottle; and
(c) a replacement cap for the water bottle suitable to temporarily
hold an end of said first conduit and an end of said second conduit
within the water bottle;
(d) wherein said replacement cap comprises a sealer suitable to
substantially prevent, when said replacement cap is applied to the
water bottle, loss of the temporary air pressure from the water
bottle proximate said replacement cap;
(e) whereby a user may cause a "siphon effect" from the water bottle
through said first conduit and through the battery-filling position
by the user providing the temporary air pressure into the water
bottle when containing water and with said first and second conduits
held by said replacement cap sealing the water bottle;
(f) wherein:
(i) said first conduit comprises a flexible first tube long enough
to extend from a location of the water bottle to a location of the
battery-filling position; and
(ii) said second conduit comprises a flexible second tube having a
first end and a second end, said first end being structured and
arranged for coupling to the external source of the temporary air
pressure and said second end being structured and arranged for
placement within the water bottle;
(g) wherein said replacement cap comprises a cap structured and
arranged for capping an opening in the water bottle, said
replacement cap comprising:
(i) a first aperture structured and arranged to snugly receive said
first conduit, and
(ii) a second aperture structured and arranged to snugly receive
said second conduit;
(h) wherein
(i) said first conduit comprises at least one terminus cut at an
angle, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said first
conduit at said terminus of said first conduit, sufficient to assist
a user in inserting said terminus of said first conduit through said
first aperture of said cap; and
(ii) said second conduit comprises at least one terminus cut at an
angle, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said second
conduit at said terminus of said second conduit, sufficient to
assist a user in inserting said terminus of said second conduit
through said second aperture of said cap.
2. The battery filling system kit according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) said first conduit comprises an essentially plastic flexible
first tube having a length of about four feet and having an outer
diameter of about 1/4 inch;
(b) said second conduit comprises an essentially plastic flexible
second tube having a length of about two feet and having an outer
diameter of about 1/4 inch;
(c) said first aperture has a diameter of about 1/16 inch less than
the outer diameter of said first tube; and
(d) said second aperture has a diameter of about 1/16 inch less than
the outer diameter of said second tube.
3. The battery filling system kit according to claim 2 wherein
said replacement cap has a nominal diameter of about 13/8 inches and
is structured and arranged for air-tight capping, but for said
apertures, when applied to the water bottle comprising a typical
distilled water jug of the type having a nominal spout diameter of
about 13/8 inches.
4. A battery filling system, for use with an external source of
temporary air pressure and a battery having a cell opening,
comprising, in combination:
(a) a water bottle for holding water, said water bottle comprising
an interior portion and a closeable opening;
(b) a quantity of water provided in said interior portion;
(c) a first conduit suitable to transfer said water from said water
bottle to a battery filling position;
(d) a second conduit suitable to provide said interior portion of
said water bottle with a quantity of said temporary air pressure
sufficient to force said water into said first conduit so as to
cause a "siphon effect" through said first conduit; and
(e) a holder suitable to hold a first end of said first conduit and
a first end of said second conduit within said interior portion of
said water bottle and to close said closeable opening;
(f) wherein said holder comprises a sealer structured and arranged
for substantially preventing, when said holder is applied to said
water bottle, loss of said temporary air pressure from said interior
portion of said water bottle proximate said holder;
(g) wherein said holder comprises a replacement cap structured and
arranged for attachment to said closeable opening in said water
bottle, said replacement cap comprising:
(i) a first aperture structured and arranged to snugly receive said
first conduit; and
(ii) a second aperture structured and arranged to snugly receive
said second conduit;
(h) wherein
(i) said first conduit comprises a flexible first tube, having a
first end and a second end, long enough to extend from said interior
portion of said water bottle to said battery-filling position; and
(ii) said second conduit comprises a flexible second tube having a
first end and a second end, said first end being structured and
arranged for coupling to said external source of said temporary air
pressure and said second end being structured and arranged for
placement within said interior portion of said water bottle;
(i) wherein:
(i) said first tube comprises at least one terminus cut at an angle,
with respect to a longitudinal direction of said first tube at said
terminus of said first tube, sufficient to assist a user in
inserting said terminus of said first tube through said first
aperture of said replacement cap; and
(ii) said second tube comprises at least one terminus cut at an
angle, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said second tube
at said terminus of said second tube, sufficient to assist a user in
inserting said terminus of said second tube through said second
aperture of said replacement cap.
5. The battery filling system according to claim 4 wherein:
(a) said replacement cap is attached to said water bottle at said
closeable opening;
(b) said first and second tubes are inserted, respectively, into
said water bottle through said respective first and second apertures
in such manner that said respective first ends of said first and
second tube are inside said water bottle and said respective second
ends of said first and second tube are outside said water bottle;
and
(c) said second end of said first tube is structured and arranged to
be placed in a battery-filling position of the battery.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing a battery filling system. More
particularly, this invention concerns a battery filling system for
use in efficiently adding water to, for example, those lead-acid
batteries which are located in inconvenient or hard-to-reach places.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, the electrolyte levels in the cells of lead-acid
batteries will decrease over time, necessitating occasional
replenishment in order to restore the battery to an efficient
operating condition. The process of replenishing electrolyte levels
typically consists of adding distilled water to the subject cells
until a pre-determined level is achieved. In some cases, the battery
is in a relatively convenient location thereby allowing the
owner/operator to easily add the distilled water with little if any
inconvenience. In other cases, however, the battery is not readily
accessible. In these cases it is often necessary that the battery
either be removed from the machinery in order to add the distilled
water or some other creative solution must be found in order to
perform the necessary battery maintenance.
Applicant is aware of a number of prior art attempts for providing
battery water-topping devices. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,803,138, 4,386,141, and 4,353,968 issued to, respectively,
Oschmann et al, Weidner et al., and Boyle all teach battery
water-filling systems which remain on the battery and which utilize
float/valve arrangements for monitoring and automatically filling
the cells of a battery. Though these systems may perform adequately,
the fact that they require not only sufficient space adjacent the
battery for unit attachment, but also sufficient space for a water
container and the necessary water transfer tubing may make these
systems impracticable for those machines having limited free space,
such as a snowmobile or riding lawn mower. In addition, these
devices may not be cost effective for those owners/operators who
desire an inexpensive and simple method of providing water to
hard-to-reach batteries. Thus, it is believed by the applicant that
none of the prior art referred to herein will effectively accomplish
the purpose of the present invention.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned need by the provision of a battery filling system. A
further primary object of the present invention is to provide such a
system which is efficient, easy to use, easy to manufacture,
inexpensive, and handy. Other objects of this invention will become
apparent with reference to the following invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this
invention provides a battery filling system for use with an external
source of air pressure and a vessel containing water, comprising, in
combination: a first conduit means for transferring such water from
such vessel to such battery; a second conduit means for providing
such vessel with a quantity of such air pressure sufficient to force
such water into such first conduit means; and an attachment means
for attaching such first conduit means and such second conduit means
to such vessel. This invention further provides such a battery
filling system wherein such attachment means comprises sealing means
structured and arranged for substantially preventing, when such
attachment means is applied to such vessel, loss of such air
pressure from such vessel proximate such attachment means.
In addition, this invention provides for such a battery filling
system wherein such first conduit means comprises a flexible first
tube long enough to extend from a location of a such vessel to a
location of a such battery; and, further, wherein such second
conduit means comprises a flexible second tube having a first end
and a second end, such first end being structured and arranged for
coupling to such external source of such air pressure and such
second end being structured and arranged for placement within such
vessel. And, still further, it provides such a battery filling
system wherein such attachment means comprises a cap structured and
arranged for attachment to an opening in such vessel, such cap
comprising: a first aperture structured and arranged to snugly
receive such first conduit means; and a second aperture structured
and arranged to snugly receive such second conduit means.
Additionally, it provides such a battery filling system wherein:
such first conduit means comprises a flexible first tube long enough
to extend from a location of a such vessel to a location of a such
battery; and such second conduit means comprises a flexible second
tube having a first end and a second end, such first end being
structured and arranged for coupling to such external source of such
air pressure and such second end being structured and arranged for
placement within such vessel. And, the present invention provides
such a battery filling system wherein: such first tube comprises at
least one terminus cut at an angle, with respect to a longitudinal
direction of such first tube at such terminus of such first tube,
sufficient to assist a user in inserting such terminus of such first
tube through such first aperture of such cap; and such second tube
comprises at least one terminus cut at an angle with respect to a
longitudinal direction of such second tube at such terminus of such
second tube sufficient to assist a user in inserting such terminus
of such second tube through such second aperture of such cap. And,
still further, it provides such a battery filling system wherein:
such first conduit means comprises an essentially plastic flexible
first tube having a length of about four feet and having an outer
diameter of about 1/4 inch; such second conduit means comprises an
essentially plastic flexible second tube having a length of about
two feet and having an outer diameter of about 1/4 inch; such first
aperture having a diameter of about 1/16 inch less than the outer
diameter of such first tube; and such second aperture having a
diameter of about 1/16 inch less than the outer diameter of such
second tube.
Even further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof,
this invention provides for a battery filling system, for use with
an external source of air pressure and a battery having a cell
opening, comprising, in combination: a storage means for holding
water, such storage means comprising an interior portion and an
opening; a quantity of water provided in such interior portion; an
external source of air pressure; a first conduit means for
transferring such water from such storage means to such battery; a
second conduit means for providing such vessel with a quantity of
such air pressure sufficient to force such water into such first
conduit means; and an attachment means for attaching such first
conduit means and such second conduit means to such vessel. And, it
provides such a battery filling system wherein such attachment means
comprises sealing means structured and arranged for substantially
preventing, when such attachment means is applied to such vessel,
loss of such air pressure from such vessel proximate such attachment
means; also, it provides such a battery filling system wherein such
first conduit means comprises a flexible first tube long enough to
extend from such vessel to such cell of such battery; and, further,
wherein such second conduit means comprises a flexible second tube
having a first end and a second end, such first end being structured
and arranged for coupling to such external source of such air
pressure and such second end being structured and arranged for
placement within such vessel.
In addition, this invention provides for such a battery filling
system wherein such attachment means comprises a cap structured and
arranged for attachment to such opening in such vessel, such cap
comprising: a first aperture structured and arranged to snugly
receive such first conduit means; and a second aperture structured
and arranged to snugly receive such second conduit means; and,
further, wherein: such first conduit means comprises a flexible
first tube, having a first end and a second end, long enough to
extend from such vessel to such battery; and such second conduit
means comprises a flexible second tube having a first end and a
second end, such first end being structured and arranged for
coupling to such external source of such air pressure and such
second end being structured and arranged for placement within such
vessel. Further still, this invention provides for such a battery
filling system wherein: such first tube comprises at least one
terminus cut at an angle, with respect to a longitudinal direction
of such first tube at such terminus of such first tube, sufficient
to assist a user in inserting such terminus of such first tube
through such first aperture of such cap; and such second tube
comprises at least one terminus cut at an angle with respect to a
longitudinal direction of such second tube at such terminus of such
second tube sufficient to assist a user in inserting such terminus
of such second tube through such second aperture of such cap.
In addition, this invention provides for such a battery filling
system wherein: such cap is attached to such vessel at such opening;
such first and second tubes are inserted, respectively, into such
vessel through such respective first and second apertures in such
manner that such respective first ends of such first and second
tubes are inside such vessel and such respective second ends of such
first and second tubes are outside such vessel; and such second end
of such first tube is adjacent such cell of such battery; and,
further still, wherein: such first conduit means comprises an
essentially plastic flexible first tube having a length of about
four feet and having an outer diameter of about 1/4 inch; such
second conduit means comprises an essentially plastic flexible
second tube having a length of about two feet and having an outer
diameter of about 1/4 inch; such first aperture having a diameter of
about 1/16 inch less than the outer diameter of such first tube; and
such second aperture having a diameter of about 1/16 inch less than
the outer diameter of such second tube.
Yet further still, in accordance with a preferred embodiment
thereof, this invention provides for a method of providing a cell of
a battery with water comprising the steps of: providing a vessel
having a first and second opening; placing a quantity of water into
such vessel in a quantity sufficient to fill such cell; inserting a
first end of a first tube through such first opening and into such
vessel, in such manner as to fill such first opening, and placing a
second end of such first tube adjacent such cell; providing an
external source of air pressure; inserting a first end of a second
tube through a second such opening, in such manner as to fill such
opening, and into such water, and coupling a second end of such
second tube to such external source of air pressure; wherein such
vessel is essentially air-sealed but for such first and second
openings; and providing such external source of air pressure to such
second tube in such manner and in a quantity sufficient to force
such water to flow through such first tube. And it provides such a
method wherein such vessel comprises a cap and such first and second
openings are situated in such cap; and, further, wherein such
external source of air pressure are the mouth and lungs of a human.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
battery filling system of the present invention shown coupled to a
water vessel and battery.
FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away view, in elevation, illustrating the
arrangement of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view, in perspective, illustrating the various
components comprising the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view illustrating the preferred shape
of each end of the first and second tubes.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the preferred cap of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship
between the cap and the first and second tubes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE BEST MODE OF
PRACTICE
With reference now to the Figures, shown in perspective and
elevation, respectively, in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a preferred embodiment
of the battery filling system 20 of the present invention being used
to add water 21 (typically distilled) to a cell 22 of a battery 23.
As will become apparent to those skilled in such art as the present
disclosure progresses, the battery filling system 20 serves a useful
and practical function of allowing a user to quickly and easily add
water 21, to, for example, a hard-to-reach battery 23 found in
either an automobile, boat, snowmobile, lawn tractor, or any other
machine which requires a lead-acid battery for its operation.
Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 2, and introducing FIGS. 3 and 4,
the battery filling system 20 of the present invention comprises a
first tube 27 structured and arranged to transfer the water 21 from
the water-holding vessel 28 (embodying herein storage means for
holding water, such storage means comprising an interior portion and
an opening) to a water-deficient cell 22 of battery 23. The first
tube 27 (embodying herein a first conduit means for transferring
such water from such vessel to such battery) preferably comprises
flexible plastic tubing having a preferred length of approximately
four feet and a preferred outer diameter of approximately 1/4-inch.
Also shown is a second tube 29, preferably comprising similar
flexible plastic tubing having a preferred length of approximately
two feet and a preferred outer diameter of approximately 1/4-inch,
which is structured and arranged to transfer air pressure from an
external air pressure source (not shown, but typically a human
blowing air into second tube 29) to a vessel 28. The second tube 29
embodies herein a second conduit means for providing such vessel
with a quantity of such air pressure sufficient to force such water
into such first conduit means.
Each of the respective tubes 27 and 29 are (in use) coupled, as
shown, to the vessel 28 by means of a cap 32, preferably comprising
a plastic material, such as the type readily available for use in
sealing a typical one-gallon distilled water container (embodied
herein by vessel 28). It is presently highly preferred that such cap
32 have a nominal diameter of about 13/8 inches and be structured
and arranged for air-tight capping when applied to a such vessel 28
in its typical form today. Then cap 32 as hereinafter more
particularly described may be made efficiently in quantity and/or
sold in kit form since at the present time a typical distilled water
jug (i.e., a vessel 28) typically possesses a nominal spout diameter
of about 13/8 inches. As will be disclosed more fully hereinafter
with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cap 32 is provided with a first
aperture 33 (see FIG. 3) sized to snugly receive said first tube 27,
and a second aperture 34 (see FIG. 3) sized to snugly receive said
second tube 29. The cap 32 embodies herein an attachment means for
attaching such first conduit means and such second conduit means to
such vessel.
Filling a water-deficient cell 22 of a hard-to-reach battery 23 is
both a simple and efficient process when using the battery filling
system 20 of the present invention. The first step consists of
attaching, in well-known ways, the cap 32 to the matching spout 37
of the vessel 28. It is preferred that the there exists a tight
connection between the cap 32 and the spout 37 so as to minimize
pressure loss from the vessel 28 proximate the vessel opening (not
shown) located at spout 37 when the vessel is pressurized in
accordance with the following procedure. This arrangement embodies
herein an arrangement wherein such attachment means comprises
sealing means structured and arranged for substantially preventing,
when such attachment means is applied to such vessel, loss of such
air pressure from such vessel proximate such attachment means. Next,
the first end 38 of the first tube 27 is inserted into first
aperture 33, in such a manner as to fill the first aperture 33, so
that the first end 38 lies entirely within the water 21. In a like
manner, the first end 39 of the second tube 29 is inserted into the
second aperture 34, in such a manner as to fill the second aperture
34, so that the first end 39 lies entirely within the vessel 28.
To facilitate inserting each respective tube 27 and 29 into a
respective aperture 33 and 34, the ends 38 and 39 may be beveled as
shown in FIG. 4 (first end 38 of first tube 27 shown for
illustrative purposes). The beveling of ends 38 and 39 embodies
herein an arrangement wherein such first tube comprises at least one
terminus cut at an angle, with respect to a longitudinal direction
of such first tube at such terminus of such first tube, sufficient
to assist a user in inserting such terminus of such first tube
through such first aperture of such cap; and such second tube
comprises at least one terminus cut at an angle with respect to a
longitudinal direction of such second tube at such terminus of such
second tube sufficient to assist a user in inserting such terminus
of such second tube through such second aperture of such cap.
Next, the second end 40 of the first tube 27 is placed adjacent the
battery cell opening 42 of the cell 22 to be filled, as shown best
in FIG. 2. To avoid possible damage to the first tube 27 and/or the
user, it is highly recommended that care be taken so as to avoid the
second end 40 from contact with the acidic solution 43 within cell
22, preferably keeping end 40 above the top surface of the battery
23. The arrangement disclosed hereinabove embodies herein an
arrangement wherein such cap is attached to such vessel at such
opening; such first and second tubes are inserted, respectively,
into such vessel through such respective first and second apertures
in such manner that such respective first ends of such first and
second tubes are inside such vessel and such respective second ends
of such first and second tubes are outside such vessel; and such
second end of such first tube is adjacent such cell of such battery.
Transferring the water 21 in vessel 28 to a cell 22 is accomplished
by coupling the second end 44 of the second tube 29 to an external
air source (not shown). In the present invention, human lungs
comprise a simple and convenient source of external air pressure in
which the user need only blow into the second end 44 in order to
increase the pressure within the interior portion 45 of vessel 28.
This increase in pressure in vessel 28, in turn, causes the water 21
to advance into and fill the first tube 27. With the vessel 28
positioned at or above the level of the battery 23, a point is
reached in which the well-known "siphoning effect" takes place in
which the water 21 flows freely through the first tube 27 without
any further need to pressurize vessel 28. Upon filling the cell 22
to the appropriate fluid levels, the user need only lift second end
40 above the vessel water level 46 in order to stop the flow of
water 21 in the first tube 27. If it is more convenient for the
user, the user may also use a finger to close off the first tube 27
at the second end 40 near which the user is holding and positioning
first tube 27 and thus stop the flow of water 21 out the second end
40. Also, if it is more convenient to the user, the user may lower
vessel 28 to stop the water flow and lift vessel 28 to start such
flow, as desired, in a manner well known in the "siphon" art.
Shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are, respectively, a plan view and
cross-sectional view (further showing the arrangement of tubes 27
and 29) illustrating the details of cap 32. As disclosed previously
with respect to FIG. 1, the cap 32 is of the type commonly
manufactured for attachment to a typical spout 37 of a one gallon
distilled water bottle. Attachment of the cap 32 to the spout 37 is
typically accomplished by either a "snap-on" type connection in
which the cap 32 is provided with a series of inner ridges 48 which
are structured and arranged in well-known ways to register with
corresponding ridges (not shown)on spout 37, or by a typical
screw-thread arrangement (not shown). To help further ensure that
the vessel 28 remains sufficiently sealed against pressure loss, it
is preferred that each of the first and second apertures 33 and 34,
which are provided on the top surface 49 of cap 32, be sized so as
to have an outer diameter of preferably 1/16-inch less than the
outer diameter of each respective tube 27 and 29, thereby providing
a sufficiently snug and airtight connection. The cap 32 of the type
described herein is commonly provided with a thin plastic top
surface 49, typically in the order of 0.04 inch, which is
sufficiently elastic so as to permit each respective aperture 33 and
34 to accommodate the slightly larger tubes 27 and 29. This
arrangement embodies herein an arrangement wherein such attachment
means comprises sealing means structured and arranged for
substantially preventing, when such attachment means is applied to
such vessel, loss of such air pressure from such vessel proximate
such attachment means.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes, sizes
and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims as
read in connection with the above specification. Further, many other
advantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims.
* * * * *
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