Filler for inaccessible batteries

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This and other objects are attained in accordance with the concepts of the present invention through the provision of battery cell fill-up assembly that includes a water supply container that is communicated by a pair of flexible tubes to a fill valve assembly having a lower portion that is inserted a limited distance into the top of a cell after the cap has been removed.
The fill valve assembly, which is hand held, includes a normally-closed, manually actuated water valve having a plunger that moves the valve to open position when pressure is applied to the upper end thereof.
When the water valve is open, water flows via one flexible robe through the valve and into the cell.
The water valve assembly further includes a buoyant air vent valve on the lower end of the plunger that floats up and closes an air vent passage when the water has risen to the proper level in the cell.
When the vent valve closes so that air can no longer pass through the vent robe, flow of water from the container stops almost immediately due to formation of a negative pressure above the water level in the container.
A check valve in the container cap prevents water from flowing into the air vent tube.
With the present invention, a battery in a remote and inconvenient location can be serviced because of the flexible tubes and the feature of automatic termination of the water flow at the correct fill level by operation of the air vent valve.
Very little vertical clearance is required for the user to reach into a compartment, remove a cell cap, and insert the water and air vent valve assembly while the container remains outside the compartment.