# US 2014/0154532 A1 · Multi cell carriers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154532 A1 - Document ID: US20140154532A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/235,646 - Filed: 2011-08-01 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-01 - Assignees: Ingersoll-Rand Company - Inventors: Justin Terrance Chellew - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154532A1 ## CPC - H01M 50/213: adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic (H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence) - B25F 5/006: {Vibration damping means} - B25F 5/02: Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} - H01M 10/4257: {Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries} - H01M 2200/30: Preventing polarity reversal - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - B25F: COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR {(machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass B23P23/00 and subgroups)} - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Battery cell carriers that have a semi-rigid elastomeric cell carrier body with a plurality of closely spaced apart, substantially parallel and substantially cylindrical channels. Each channel has a length, with neighboring channels sharing a sidewall therebetween. The channels are configured to hold at least a major portion of a length of a respective battery cell. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-cell carrier for battery cells, comprising: a semi-rigid elastomeric carrier having a plurality of closely spaced apart, substantially parallel and substantially cylindrical channels, wherein each channel has an outer wall and a length, with neighboring channels sharing a sidewall therebetween, wherein at least some of the channels include at least one vent extending though the outer wall, and wherein the channels are sized and configured to hold at least a major portion of a length of a respective battery cell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein the channels are arranged as an array of channels with at least two rows of channels. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric carrier has a carrier body with a Shore A hardness of between about 60-90. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein at least some of the channels have a plurality of vents in the respective outerwall spaced apart along their length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one upwardly extending member that extends above a channel outer wall that provides for impact resistance and/or alignment when assembled to a housing of a battery pack. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier has a carrier body with an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the channel outer walls associated with the upper surface have a different vent configuration than the channel outer walls associated with the lower surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one bumper. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The carrier of claim 7, wherein the at least one bumper extends outwardly from an end of the carrier in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to an axially extending centerline of the channels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of the channels includes a retention member at an end thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, further comprising downwardly extending feet that project a distance outside bounds of a lower primary surface of the carrier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier has a body of a first substrate and includes at least one overmold portion comprising a softer material than the first substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein the cell carrier channels includes two overlying rows of five channels each. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a first elastomeric carrier body and a second elastomeric carrier body, each comprising a plurality of cell channels that hold cells for a battery. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The carrier of claim 13, wherein the first and second carrier bodies have aligned, longitudinally spaced apart channel portions that cooperate to hold more than a major portion of the length of a respective battery cell. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The carrier of claim 13, wherein the first and second bodies are configured to attach to each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The carrier of claim 1, wherein the cell carrier is a unitary monolithic molded elastomeric body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A battery pack for an electric device in combination with any of the cell carrier of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of substantially cylindrical battery cells, one each residing in a respective channel, wherein at least a major portion of a length of a respective battery cell is held by a respective channel; and a battery pack housing holding the carrier with the cells. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The battery pack of claim 17, wherein the battery pack housing is sized and configured to releasably engage a cordless power tool. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The battery pack of claim 17, further comprising a circuit board residing over the carrier with the cells, wherein upwardly projecting members from the carrier extend above the circuit board. ### Claim 20 A cordless power tool comprising: a power tool housing; and a battery pack that releasably engages the power tool housing, the battery pack comprising: a semi-rigid elastomeric cell carrier having a plurality of closely spaced apart, substantially parallel and substantially cylindrical channels, wherein each channel has a length, with neighboring channels sharing a sidewall therebetween; and a plurality of substantially cylindrical battery cells, one each residing in a respective channel, wherein at least a major portion of a length of a respective battery cell is held by a respective channel.