Battery installation with security screws for theft deterrence in cell site shelters and the like

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11177543-B2
Application number	US-201715628070-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 20, 2017
Priority date	Jul 28, 2016
Publication date	Nov 16, 2021
Grant date	Nov 16, 2021

Abstract

A battery installation method in a shelter or cabinet includes placing one or more batteries in the shelter or cabinet; connecting terminals on each of the one or more batteries to associated terminal plates with associated security screws; and connecting a bracket to a housing in the shelter or cabinet with associated security screws, wherein the bracket spans across the one or more batteries.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A battery installation method in a shelter or cabinet at a cell site, the battery installation method comprising:
placing a plurality of batteries aligned next to each other in a housing in the shelter or cabinet at the cell site;
connecting each terminal on each of the plurality of batteries to an associated terminal plate with an associated tamper resistant security screw adapted to deter tampering therewith, wherein each terminal of the plurality of batteries is physically directly connected to the associated terminal plate using the associated tamper resistant security screw;
providing a bracket spanning across the plurality of batteries aligned next to each other, the bracket being an elongated one-piece structure;
and
locking the plurality of batteries together as a single unit by connecting ends of the bracket to the housing in the shelter or cabinet at the cell site with associated tamper resistant security screws, such that the bracket spans across the plurality of batteries, in a first direction, holding the plurality of batteries together as the single unit and provides protection from theft thereof,
wherein the bracket includes sides protruding outward from connections to the shelf that each extend in a second direction outward from the shelf and along a battery at an end of the single unit such that the plurality of batteries are partially bracketed by the sides of the bracket, and wherein the first direction is transverse to the second direction and spans between the sides.

2. The battery installation method of claim 1 , wherein the security screws are installed with a unique tool specially designed for the associated tamper resistant security screws to deter the tampering.

3. The battery installation method of claim 1 , wherein the security screws comprise spanner screws.

4. The battery installation method of claim 1 , wherein the security screws comprise one of one-way screws, tamper-resistant Allen-head screws each with a protruding pin, and uniquely designed screw heads with a corresponding unique tool.

5. The battery installation method of claim 1 , wherein the placing comprises
placing the plurality of batteries on shelves of a battery installation apparatus;
moving the battery installation apparatus into the shelter or cabinet to a location proximate and adjacent to a battery system in the shelter or cabinet;
adjusting an upper shelf of the shelves on the battery installation apparatus based on the battery system; and
moving each of the plurality of batteries from the shelves to the battery system.

6. The battery installation method of claim 5 , further comprising:
moving the battery installation apparatus into the shelter or cabinet to the location;
removing old batteries from the battery system and placing the old batteries on the shelves;
moving the battery installation apparatus out of the shelter or cabinet; and
removing the old batteries.

7. The battery installation method of claim 5 , wherein the battery installation apparatus is dimensioned based on a size of the battery system and a size of the shelter or cabinet.

8. The battery installation method of claim 5 , wherein the battery installation apparatus comprises omnidirectional wheels for maneuverability.

9. The battery installation method of claim 5 , wherein the battery installation apparatus comprises a frame with posts supporting the shelves and with a pulley system to vertically raise and lower a shelf of the shelves.

10. The battery installation method of claim 5 , wherein the battery installation apparatus comprises a rectangular shape with a lower shelf fixed to a frame.

11. The battery installation method of claim 5 , wherein the moving is through a pulley system which rotates a handle to move the upper shelf and holds the upper shelf when the handle is stationary.

12. The battery installation method of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of batteries comprises N batteries, N=4, 8, 16, 24, or 48.

13. The battery installation method of claim 5 , wherein the method is performed by a single installer.

14. The battery installation method of claim 1 , further comprising applying paint over each security screw connecting a terminal to a terminal plate after connecting each terminal on each of the plurality of batteries to the associated terminal plate with the associated security screw.

Assignees

• Etak Systems Llc

Inventors

• Perry James
• Hummer Joe
• ERICKSON Ross
• Priest Lee
• Sauriol Jeremiah
• Gentile Anthony
• Arneman Steve
• Praschil George

Classifications

• H01M50/262

  with fastening means, e.g. locks · CPC title

• H01M50/204

  Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells · CPC title

• H01M50/576 Primary

  in response to theft · CPC title

• H01M2220/10

  Batteries in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant · CPC title

• Y02E60/10

  Energy storage using batteries · CPC title