Adapter for dry cell batteries

Abstract

An adapter to fit a dry cell battery of a first nominal size for use interchangeably with a dry cell battery of a second and larger nominal size, has a central passage within which the first battery is snugly received and has external dimensions resembling those of a battery of the second nominal size.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination; a dry cell battery of a first nominal cross section and an adapter to render the battery interchangeable with a battery of a second, larger nominal cross section, said adapter comprising a body having a central passage opening at opposite ends thereof and constituting means for receiving a battery of said first nominal size insertable therein and removable therefrom from both ends of the body, said passage having the battery received therein and said body having at least two internal flanges projecting into said passage, radially innermost surfaces of said flanges being cylindrical and constituting means engaging and supporting said battery, the external transverse dimensions of the body being substantially similar to those of a battery of said second and larger nominal size. 
     
     
       2. In combination; a dry cell battery having positive and negative electrodes at opposite ends and a nominal transverse circular cross section; and an adapter to render the battery useful in an application for which it would otherwise be too small, said adapter comprising a generally tubular body of no greater length than the spacing between the electrodes of the battery, a central, longitudinal passage opening at opposite ends of said body, battery support means within said passage, said support means comprising inwardly directed flanges on said body projecting into said passage and having radially innermost cylindrical surfaces engaging said battery, said body having an external transverse cross section to fit the battery for said application for which it is otherwise too small, said battery being received within said passage and supported by said support means, the electrodes being disposed beyond the ends of the body and said passageway constituting means for receiving said battery said battery being insertable into and removable from each end of said body. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said flanges are annular. 
     
     
       4. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flanges are annular. .Iadd. 5. In combination; a dry cell battery of a first nominal cross section and an adapter to render the battery interchangeable with a battery of a second, larger nominal cross section, said adapter comprising a body having disposed therein means for defining a cylindrical central through passage with openings at opposite ends of said body, the passage for receiving a battery of said first nominal size insertable thereinto and removable therefrom from either of said openings in the ends of said body, the cylindrical central through passage having the battery received therein and said means for defining the cylindrical central through passage having at least two elements projecting into the cylindrical central through passage for engaging and supporting said battery, the external transverse dimensions of said body being substantially similar to those of a battery of said second and larger nominal size. .Iaddend..Iadd. 6. The combination claimed in claim 11, wherein said elements are annular. .Iaddend..Iadd. 7. In combination; a dry cell battery of a first nominal cross section and an adapter to render the battery interchangeable with a battery of a second, larger nominal cross section, said adapter comprising a body having a length substantially similar to the length of the dry cell battery of the first nominal cross section and a first adapter to render the battery interchangeable with a battery of a second larger nominal cross section, said adapter comprising a body having disposed therein means for defining a cylindrical central through passage with openings at opposite ends of said body, said passage for receiving a battery of said first nominal size insertable thereinto and removable therefrom from both of said openings in the ends of said body, said cylindrical central through passage having the battery received therein and said means for defining the cylindrical central through passage having at least two internal elements projecting into the cylindrical through passage for engaging and supporting said battery, the external transverse dimensions of said body being substantially similar to those of a battery of said second and larger nominal size, and a second adapter wherein said battery and said first adapter are removeably received within a central passage located in said second adapter, said central passage of said second adapter having means engaging and supporting said first adapter and said second adapter, having external transverse dimensions substantially similar to those of a battery of a third nominal size greater than said second nominal size. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said second adapter is of a greater length than said first adapter, there being a conductor insert secured at one end thereof, and extending in said passage towards the other end of the second adapter to contact an electrode of the battery received in said first adapter. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. In combination, a dry cell battery of a first nominal cross section and an adapter to render the battery interchangeable with a battery of a second larger nominal cross section, said adapter comprising a body having means forming a cylindrical central through passage having openings at opposite ends thereof for receiving a battery of said first nominal cross section insertable thereinto and removable therefrom, from both of said openings in the ends of said body, said cylindrical central through passage having the battery received therein and said means forming said passage having at least two internal elements projecting into said cylindrical central through passage, the radially innermost surfaces of said elements engaging and supporting said battery, the external transverse dimensions of said body being substantially similar to those of a battery of said second and larger nominal cross section. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. In combination; a dry cell battery having positive and negative elecrodes at opposite ends and a nominal transverse circular cross section; an adapter to render the battery useful in an application for which it would otherwise be too small, said adapter comprising a generally tubular body of no greater length than the spacing between the electrodes of the battery, said body having arranged therein means creating a central cylindrical longitudinal through passage having an opening at opposite ends of said body and including inwardly directed flanges projecting into said central cylindrical longitudinal through passage and having the radially innermost surfaces creating said central cylindrical longitudinal through passage of a diameter generally similar to the diameter of the nominal transverse cross section of the battery so as to engage said battery, said body having an external transverse cross section to fit the battery for said application for which it is otherwise too small, said battery being received within said central cylindrical longitudinal through passage and supported by said inwardly directed flanges, the electrodes being disposed beyond the ends of the body and said central cylindrical longitudinal through passage arranged to receive said battery wherein said battery is insertable into and removable from either end of said body. .Iaddend.