Telescopically adjustable battery holddown

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.

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.