Rechargeable battery

A rechargeable lead acid battery comprising:

• a positive plate formed of a first sheet of substantially solid lead foil;
• a negative plate formed of a second sheet of substantially solid lead foil;
• a first active paste material applied to the positive plate;
• a second active paste material applied to the negative plate, the second paste material being charged opposite the first active paste material;
• a absorbent separator for isolating the first and second paste materials, the separator being adapted for absorbing and retaining electrolyte therein;
• a battery casing having upper and lower casing members each having outer and interior surfaces, the casing members providing structural support for said plates and cooperating to encase said plates, active material and separator, the casing forming opposing sides and a first end;
• and
• means for maintaining a substantially constant spacing between said plates during operation and charging of the battery, the spacing means including a plurality of support pins extending between said upper and lower casing members through said plates to support the casing.

A rechargeable polar lead acid battery comprising:

• a positive plate formed of a lead based material;
• a negative plate formed of a lead based material;
• a polar plate being positioned between said positive and negative plates, said polar plate being formed from a lead based sheet and having positive and negative surfaces;
• separator means for separating the various plates;
• and
• wherein the plates and said separator means are arranged to form a plurality of battery cells and a casing for encasing said plates and separator means;
• and internal support means extending between opposing walls of the casing for maintaining a substantially constant spacing between said plates during operation and charging of the battery, the support means including a plurality of support pins extending between the opposing walls through said plates to support the casing.