Battery and battery container

1. A housing for a vehicle battery comprising:

a top portion configured for attachment to a battery cover;

a plurality of containers extending from the top portion for containing elements of a battery, the plurality of containers being arranged in an offset configuration such that at least a portion of the top portion extends away from the plurality of containers due to the offset configuration; and

a structure for reinforcing the portion of the top portion that extends away from the plurality of containers wherein the structure is not provided above one of the plurality of containers.

2. The housing of claim 1 wherein the structure includes a relatively planar surface and a plurality of ribs extending from the relatively planar surface.

3. The housing of claim 2 wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged in a rectangular grid pattern.

4. The housing of claim 2 wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged as a framework for providing enhanced structural integrity for the portion of the top portion.

5. The housing of claim 1 wherein the structure is configured to resist deformation of the portion of the top portion when a force is applied to the portion of the top portion.

6. The housing of claim 5 wherein the structure is integrally formed with the top portion.

7. The housing of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of containers has a generally cylindrical shape.

8. The housing of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises six containers extending from the top portion for containing elements of a battery.

9. The housing of claim 1 wherein the top portion includes a rim for attaching the housing to a battery cover.

10. The housing of claim 1 wherein the plurality of containers are arranged in a plurality of rows offset from each other, each of the plurality of rows having at least two containers.

11. A housing for a vehicle battery comprising:

a base configured for coupling to a battery cover;

a plurality of cylindrical containers extending from the base, the plurality of containers being arranged in an offset position such that a portion of the base extends away from the containers; and

a structure for reinforcing the portion of the base that extends away from the plurality of cylindrical containers wherein the structure is not provided above one of the plurality of cylindrical containers.

12. The housing of claim 11 wherein the structure includes a plurality of ribs.

13. The housing of claim 12 wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged in a generally rectangular grid.

14. The housing of claim 12 wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged in a non-linear fashion.

15. The housing of claim 11 wherein the structure is integrally formed with the housing.

16. A housing for a vehicle battery comprising:

a top portion configured for attachment to a battery cover;

a plurality of containers extending from the top portion for containing elements of a battery, the plurality of containers being arranged in an offset configuration such that at least a portion of the top portion extends away from the plurality of containers due to the offset configuration; and

a structure for reinforcing the portion of the top portion that extends away from the plurality of containers, the structure including a plurality of ribs;

wherein each of the plurality of containers includes at least one wall and at least one of the plurality of ribs extends from a first wall of one of the plurality of containers to at least one of a frame of the structure and a second wall of one of the plurality of containers.

17. The housing of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of cylinders has a generally cylindrical shape.

18. The housing of claim 16 wherein the plurality of ribs are arranged in a rectangular grid.

19. The housing of claim 18 wherein the structure is integrally formed with the top portion.

20. The housing of claim 16 wherein the structure is configured to resist deformation of the top portion when a force is applied to the portion of the top portion.