# US 4,396,881 A · Means indicating a condition of charge in a battery charger

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,396,881 A
- Document ID: US4396881A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/419,019
- Filed: 1982-09-16
- Granted: 1983-08-02
- Earliest claimed: 1982-09-16
- Assignees: Century Mfg. Co.
- Inventors: Gary L. Cook; William P. Weller; John C. West
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396881A

## CPC

- H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction
- H02J 7/02: for charging batteries from AC mains by converters
- H02J 7/825: {Detection of fully charged condition}
- H02J 7/84: Control of state of health [SOH]
- Y10S 320/13: Fault detection
- Y10S 320/18: Indicator or display
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

This invention relates to an electric battery charger for a storage battery such as an automotive battery in which the improvement consists of the visual display of such indicia that it informs the operator of the condition of charging present between the battery charger and the battery to be charged as to whether the battery is being properly charged, whether it can be charged and that it is fully charged.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A battery charger sensing conditions of charge in charging a storage battery such as an automotive battery, having in combination
a battery charger comprising a housing,
a legend bearing element embodying specific legends which respectively indicate conditions of charge with reference to charging a battery,
circuitry which senses conditions of charge being included in the circuitry of said battery charger,
means connecting said first mentioned circuitry with said legend bearing element whereby specific conditions sensed relate to corresponding legends,
said element comprising a housing,
means in said first mentioned housing supporting said element,
an opening in a wall of said first mentioned housing displaying said legends of said element,
said element housing having an open wall,
a recess forming the inner periphery of said open wall,
a legend strip bearing said legends disposed in said recess,
a frame member overlying said legend strip and being pressure fit into said recess, and
said framework having individual frames therein separating said specific legends.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The structure of claim 1, wherein
said last mentioned means comprises an upstanding plate member having an opening therein receiving said element housing, and
said element housing having yielding means disposed under compression into said last mentioned opening.

### Claim 3

A battery charger adapted to sense conditions of charge in charging a battery, such as an automotive battery, having in combination
a housing comprising said battery charger,
circuitry which senses conditions of charge of a battery included in the circuitry of said battery charger,
a legend bearing element having the legends thereof each indicating a condition of said charge in charging a battery,
said legends including means adapted to be energized,
means putting said legends into circuit with said circuitry which senses said conditions of charge,
said last mentioned circuitry responsive to the occurrence of a condition of charge energizes said last mentioned means of a corresponding legend alerting attention to such condition,
an opening in a wall of said housing accommodating said element,
said opening receiving therein said element under a holding pressure,
each of said legends being displayed separately, and
a lighting element in connection with each of said legends.

### Claim 4

A battery charger adapted to sense conditions of charge in charging a battery, such as an automotive battery, having in combination
a housing comprising said battery charger,
circuitry which senses conditions of charge of a battery included in the circuit of said battery charger,
a legend bearing element having the legends thereof each indicating a condition of said charge in charging a battery,
means mounting said element carried with said housing,
said legends including means adapted to be energized,
means putting said last mentioned means into circuit with said circuitry,
said circuitry responsive to the occurrence of a condition of charge energizes said means of a corresponding legend to energize said legend,
said mounting means accommodating said element receiving said element under a holding pressure, and
each of said legends being displayed separately.