A battery holder is one or more compartments or
chambers for holding a battery or batteries. In the case of dry cells the
holder is also usually responsible for making electrical contact. In the case
of wet cells normally cables make electrical connection to posts or terminals as
commonly found on automobiles, emergency lighting, backup batteries.
History
c.1800’s. Patents were issued for consumer
products like flashlights and radios, patent no. 617,592 is dated March 1898
for an early metal flashlight that accepted D batteries.
1898 Flashlight patent
c.1900, Some early battery holders were no more
then a cardboard box with copper contacts.
Example, a used can becomes a battery holder.
c.1920's.
1922
c. 1950’s. With the introduction of Polypropylene
and the first miniature batteries by Eveready the first big changes took place.
Watches, toys, decorations, hearing aids
and flashlights all changed in size and usage.
1953 Flashlight Patent
1959 Flashlight Patent
c.1957. Electric wrist watches arrived on the
scene and
quickly gained popularity with the public.
1959 Watch Patent
c.1980's. The first circuit board mounted lithium battery
(coin cells) holders appeared. Lithium battery holders were introduced in Dec
1984 under patent no 4,487,820. Still widely in use today in
almost all personal computers, servers, telecommunications circuit boards.
1984 lithium
battery holder patent
c. 1985 PCB with lithium holder and battery.
c.1980’s Typical PCB mounting coin cell battery holders.
c. 2008 PCB battery holders are now surface mounting.
Links
Battery Holders Patents History.pdf
http://www.ieee-virtual-museum.org/collection/tech.php?id=2345793
