초록 ▼

A telescopically adjustable holddown (10) is disclosed including first and second brackets (16,18) and drawing elements (12) adapted to extend between a battery tray (14) and the brackets for drawing the brackets toward the battery tray to hold a battery (2). The brackets each include a generally L-

A telescopically adjustable holddown (10) is disclosed including first and second brackets (16,18) and drawing elements (12) adapted to extend between a battery tray (14) and the brackets for drawing the brackets toward the battery tray to hold a battery (2). The brackets each include a generally L-shaped clamp (20) having top (22) and side members (24) for abutting the top (3) and sides (4) of the battery. An ear (26) extends from each side member and includes an aperture (36) for receiving a bolt (12) extending from the battery tray. Each bracket includes a cross rod (17,19) with second cross rod (19) having a cavity (46) for slidably receiving the first cross rod (17). The cavity requires that relative movement of the first and second brackets be substantially along the cavity axis (50) to allow telescopic assembly of the first and second brackets. The brackets are drawn toward the battery tray by tightening nuts (13) on the bolts to prevent relative movement of the brackets.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A telescopically adjustable holddown for a battery positioned in a battery tray, the battery having a top and first and second opposite sides, the holddown comprising:a first bracket having a first top member for abutting the top of the battery, a first side member for abutting the first side of

1. A telescopically adjustable holddown for a battery positioned in a battery tray, the battery having a top and first and second opposite sides, the holddown comprising:a first bracket having a first top member for abutting the top of the battery, a first side member for abutting the first side of the battery, and a first cross rod for extending over the top of the battery; a second bracket having a second top member for abutting the top of the battery, a second side member for abutting the second side of the battery, a second cross rod for extending over the top of the battery, and a cavity for slidably receiving the first cross rod, the cavity defining a cavity axis; a first drawing element adapted to extend between the battery tray and the first bracket for drawing the first bracket toward the battery tray to hold the battery between the battery tray and the first bracket; and a second drawing element adapted to extend between the battery tray and the second bracket for drawing the second bracket toward the battery tray to hold the battery between the battery tray and the second bracket; whereby, length adjustment of the holddown and disconnection of the first and second brackets require only relative linear movement between the first and second brackets substantially along the cavity axis.2. The holddown of claim 1 wherein the first cross rod and cavity are formed to provide for infinite adjustment of distance between the first and second side members when the first and second brackets are assembled, thereby allowing use of the holddown with batteries of varying sizes.3. The holddown of claim 2 wherein the second cross rod forms the cavity.4. The holddown of claim 3 wherein the cavity is bounded on three sides by the second cross rod.5. The holddown of claim 4 wherein the second cross rod includes a top wall and spaced side walls which bound the cavity, the first cross rod has a width, and the spacing between the side walls is at least equal to the width of the first cross rod.6. The holddown of claim 5 further including a sleeve portion spaced from the top wall such that the top wall, side walls and sleeve portion define an opening to the cavity, the opening being completely bounded, wherein the first cross rod has a height and the spacing between the top wall and sleeve portion is at least equal to the height of the first cross rod.7. The holddown of claim 4 wherein the second cross rod has a length, and the cavity extends substantially the entire length.8. The holddown of claim 2 wherein the side members are substantially parallel and define a lateral direction, and wherein the cavity axis is substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction.9. The holddown of claim 2 wherein:the first bracket includes a first ear integrally formed as a single piece with the first cross rod and extending from the first side member in a direction opposite the first top member, the first ear including a first aperture; and the second bracket includes a second ear integrally formed as a single piece with the second cross rod and extending from the second side member in a direction opposite the second top member, the second ear including a second aperture. 10. The holddown of claim 9 wherein:the first drawing element includes a first bolt for connection with respect to the battery tray and for extending through the first aperture; and the second drawing element includes a second bolt for connection with respect to the battery tray and for extending through the second aperture; whereby the first and second brackets are drawn toward the battery tray to hold the battery between the battery tray and the brackets by inserting the first and second bolts through the first and second apertures, respectively, and tightening a nut on each of the first and second bolts.11. An adjustable holddown for a battery positioned in a battery tray, the battery having a top and first and second opposite sides, the holddown comprising:a first bracket having a first top member for abutting the top of the battery, a first side member for abutting the first side of the battery, a first cross rod for extending over the top of the battery, and a first mount for connecting with a drawing element for drawing the first bracket toward the battery tray to hold the battery between the battery tray and the first bracket; a second bracket having a second top member for abutting the top of the battery, a second side member for abutting the second side of the battery, a second cross rod for extending over the top of the battery, a cavity for slidably receiving the first cross rod, the cavity defining a cavity axis such that the relative linear movement between the first and second brackets substantially along the cavity axis allows for disconnection of the first and second bracket without any other movement of holddown components, and a second mount for connecting with a drawing element for drawing the second bracket toward the battery tray to hold the battery between the battery tray and the first bracket; whereby, the first cross rod and cavity are dimensioned such that, upon receipt of the first cross rod within the cavity the first and second brackets remain engaged to one another without connection to the drawing element.12. The adjustable holddown of claim 11 wherein length adjustment of the holddown requires only relative movement between the first and second brackets substantially along the cavity axis.13. The holddown of claim 11 wherein the first cross rod and cavity are formed to provide for infinite adjustment of distance between the first and second side members when the first and second brackets are assembled, thereby allowing use of the holddown with batteries of varying sizes.14. The holddown of claim 13 wherein the second cross rod forms the cavity.15. The holddown of claim 14 wherein the second cross rod includes a top wall and spaced side walls and a sleeve portion spaced from the top wall, the top wall and side walls defining the cavity and the top wall, side walls and sleeve portion defining an opening to the cavity, the opening being completely bounded, and wherein the first cross rod has a height and a width, the spacing between the top wall and sleeve portion is at least equal to the height of the first cross rod and the spacing between the side walls is at least equal to the width of the first cross rod.16. The holddown of claim 11 wherein:the first bracket includes a first ear integrally formed as a single piece with the first cross rod and extending from the first side member in a direction opposite the first top member, the first ear including the first mount, the first mount being a first aperture; and the second bracket includes a second ear integrally formed as a single piece with the second cross rod and extending from the second side member in a direction opposite the second top member, the second ear including the second mount, the second mount being a second aperture. 17. The holddown of claim 16 wherein the drawing element includes a first bolt for connection with respect to the battery tray and for extending through the first aperture; a second bolt for connection with respect to the battery tray and for extending through the second aperture, whereby the first and second brackets are drawn toward the battery tray to hold the battery between the battery tray and the brackets by inserting the first and the second bolts through the first and second apertures, respectively, and tightening a nut on each of the first and second bolts.18. The adjustable holddown of claim 11 wherein the length of the holddown is adjustable when connected to the drawing element.19. The adjustable holddown of claim 11 wherein the first cross rod and cavity are dimensioned such that, upon receipt of the first cross rod within the cavity unintentional separation if the first and second brackets is prevented.20. A method of holding a battery assembly in a battery tray and removing the battery assembly from the battery tray, the battery assembly having a top and first and second opposite sides spaced apart by a distance, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first bracket having a first top member for abutting the top of the battery assembly, a first side member for abutting the first side of the battery assembly, a first cross rod for extending over the top of the battery assembly, and a first mount; providing a second bracket having a second top member for abutting the top of the battery assembly, a second side member for abutting the second side of the battery assembly, a second cross rod for extending over the top of the battery assembly, a cavity for slidably receiving the first cross rod, the cavity defining a cavity axis, and a second mount; providing a drawing element; inserting the first cross rod into the cavity along the cavity axis for a desired depth such that the space between the first and second side members is of a desired effective length substantially equal to the distance; connecting the drawing element to the first and second mounts; tightening the drawing element such the brackets are drawn toward the battery tray to hold the battery assembly between the battery tray and the brackets; providing relative linear movement between the first and second brackets only along the cavity axis such that the first and second brackets are disconnected; and removing the battery assembly from the tray; whereby, before disconnection of the first and second brackets, the first and second side members abut the opposite sides of the battery assembly, the first and second top members abut the top of the battery assembly and the battery assembly is sandwiched between the brackets and the tray.