Electrical connectors – Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal – Spring-actuated or resilient clamp
Patent
1994-11-08
1996-09-17
Bradley, P. Austin
Electrical connectors
Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal
Spring-actuated or resilient clamp
439761, 439757, 439756, 439772, 439773, 439799, H01R 448, H01R 1122
Patent
active
055563090
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to battery terminals and, in particular, to a snap-lock battery terminal which is easy to remove and install.
Battery terminals for motor vehicle batteries and the like usually consist of a pair of half rings which are loose prior to installation. After the half rings have been fitted over the positive or negative terminal of the battery, a screw device is tightened for the terminal clamp to have a tight fit. This tight fit ensures that good electrical contact is made.
One disadvantage of this type of terminal clamp arrangement is that the removal and installation of the battery terminal usually requires a screw driver or a spanner. The use of such tools can be time consuming in the case of an electric vehicle such as a fork lift, where a bank of batteries are used to power the vehicle. It is also the case that it is often a requirement to disconnect or remove the battery terminal from the battery when the motor vehicles are being transported, such as by ship. The battery terminal should be disconnected or removed from the battery during such transportation to prevent an possibility that the battery will be dead once the motor vehicle is ready to be driven off the ship at its destination.
It is known to provide battery terminal clamps and French Patent No. 78 305 95 (Published under No. 2,440,093); U.S. Pat. No. 1,30,772; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,943,190 exemplify the prior art.
However, in order to achieve a good clamping action it is necessary for the clamping ring to be relatively flexible and thus reasonably thin so that thick metal sections are not attempted to be deformed. Furthermore, in order to cater for different sizes of terminal posts, an adjustable clamping arrangement is required. Finally, in order to ensure a good electrical connection, the clamping action should surround the substantially cylindrical side wall of the terminal post.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a snap-lock battery terminal which substantially overcomes or ameliorates the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there disclosed a snap-lock battery terminal comprising an annular ring of substantial longitudinal extent and minimal radial thickness which is longitudinally slit to form two ends, a lug protruding outwardly from the ring, said lug being used to attach an electric cable thereto, said annular ring having at one said end a manually graspable pivotal member pivotally connected thereto at a first location, said pivotal member having a clamping member pivotally connected thereto at a second location spaced from said first location, said annular ring further having at its other end at least two circumferentially spaced socket means with either of which said clamping member is able to engage, wherein said pivotal member when pivoted towards said annular ring with said clamping member engaged in one of said socket means simultaneously draws together the two ends of said annular ring and firstly increases, and then slightly decreases, the distance between said first and second locations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal of a first embodiment shown in its open configuration,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the terminal of FIG. 1 shown in its closed configuration,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a terminal of a second embodiment shown in its open configuration,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a terminal of a third embodiment,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a terminal of a fourth embodiment, and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a terminal of a fifth embodiment.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the snap-lock battery terminal 10 includes a partial ring 11. At one free end 12 of the ring 11, a pivotal member 13 is connected to a pair of lugs 14 located at the top and bottom thereof, by a pin 15 which passes through th
REFERENCES:
patent: 1930772 (1933-10-01), Richter et al.
patent: 1943190 (1934-01-01), Sands
patent: 4385796 (1983-05-01), Eriksson
patent: 5087214 (1992-02-01), Dewar
Mathieson Eian D.
Sharpe Barry L.
Bradley P. Austin
Matson Automotive Industries Pty Ltd
Patel T. C.
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