Patent US4192909A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4192909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Motorcycle battery indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-06-16
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Granted: 1980-03-11
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Expires: 1998-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A motorcycle battery having a transparent casing is provided with a ball in each cell. Each ball has a predetermined specific gravity such that the charge level and the electrolyte level of each cell may be easily determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. McElroy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/48; H01M10/484; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A storage battery for motorcycles comprising a plurality of storage cells, each of said cells containing an electrolyte having a specific gravity dependent upon the charge level of the associated cell, each of said cells having a solid, visible and movable mass, with a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of said electrolyte when said cell is fully discharged, for floating in said electrolyte so that the mass floats toward the bottom of the cell as either the cell charge level or electrolyte level drops; said battery having a lower casing and a top portion attached to said lower casing and each of said cells having a plurality of plates; said lower casing having a transparent wall portion so that the location of said mass within the cell may be visually inspected; said plurality of masses being physically confined only by said top portion, said lower casing transparent portion and said plates so that each movable mass feeely moves within a cell so that as the charge level or electrolyte level of a cell drops, the mass associated with the cell floats down toward the plates of that cell; each of said masses being of a sufficient size to rest on said plates without falling therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A storage battery for motorcycles comprising a plurality of storage cells, each of said cells containing an electrolyte having a specific gravity dependent upon the charge level of the associated cell, each of said cells having a solid, visible and movable mass, with a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of said electrolyte when said cell is fully discharged, for floating in said electrolyte so that the mass floats toward the bottom of the cell as either the cell charge level or electrolyte level drops; said battery having a lower casing and a top portion attached to said lower casing and each of said cells having a plurality of plates; said lower casing having a transparent wall portion so that the location of said mass within the cell may be visually inspected; said plurality of masses being physically confined only by said top portion, said lower casing transparent portion and said plates so that each movable mass feeely moves within a cell so that as the charge level or electrolyte level of a cell drops, the mass associated with the cell floats down toward the plates of that cell; each of said masses being of a sufficient size to rest on said plates without falling therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said mass has a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of said electrolyte when said cell is fully charged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said mass has a specific gravity such that the charge level may drop approximately 20% before the mass begins to float toward the bottom of the cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mass has a specific gravity within the range of approximately 1.122-1.125.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mass has a specific gravity greater than 1.119.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said masses is shaped similar to a ball.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each mass has a diameter of approximately 6 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lower casing has a plurality of spaced transparent partition walls located between adjacent cells which further define and isolate said cells so that an electrolyte and a mass of an associated cell are confined to that cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-03-11 | 1983-09-10 | 1984-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-09-10 | 1988-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-11 | 1991-09-10 | 1992-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |