Electrical connectors – Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal – Deformable c- or u-clamp
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-04
2003-05-13
Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal
Deformable c- or u-clamp
Reexamination Certificate
active
06561855
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to battery terminal clamping mechanisms, such as are known for securing associated and encircling legs of the terminal about an upwardly, generally conically, extending battery post. More particularly, the present invention discloses an improved clamping mechanism for securing, in a tightened position, the terminal legs about the post in a non-destructive fashion, and which further provides, in a loosened position, for controlled spring-back of the terminal legs from about the battery post.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art is fairly well documented with numerous examples of battery terminal clamping mechanisms. As is known in the art, a suitable clamping mechanism is necessary in many battery terminal applications and in order to ensure the establishment of a continuous and electrically conductive communication between the battery and its associated terminal line.
Referring to
FIG. 1
of the present drawing illustrations, entitled Prior Art, an illustration is provided at
2
of a conventional battery terminal and which is suitable for engaging such as a generally conical shaped post (see at
3
in FIG.
8
), the post
3
in turn corresponding to either a positive or negative terminal of an associated battery (not shown). The terminal
2
is typically constructed of a suitable and copper stamped material, having a substantially elongated and flattened body and exhibiting the necessary properties of electrical conductivity and resiliency. The terminal
2
is also preferably tin plated and, in structure, terminates at one end in a pair of extending and bendable gripping tabs
4
which, upon being folded towards each other as shown in
FIG. 8
, grippingly secure an extending end of an associated terminal line
5
.
The conventional terminal
2
further includes, at another end, a substantially annular shaped post fitting, defined by an upwardly and generally annular shaped wall
6
with an open interior. An inner annular surface
8
of the post fitting is preferably defined by a plurality of spaced apart serrations
8
, one purpose for which being to provide a degree of anti-rotative engagement with the post
3
to which it is secured. A pair of spaced apart guide walls
10
and
12
define a slot therebetween, the slot facilitating actuation of the terminal between the tightened and loosened positions during both installation and removal from the battery post
3
.
The terminal
2
further includes such features as a first leg, typically provided as a plate
14
and which is communicable with the first spaced apart guide wall
10
and terminates in an upwardly angled tab
16
. A second extending leg (such as further defined by plate
18
) is likewise communicable with the second spaced apart guide wall
12
and extends in substantially parallel spaced apart fashion (see also exploded view of
FIG. 3
) before terminating in a slightly forwardly extended position beyond the upwardly angled tab
16
. A threaded post
20
extends upwardly from the second plate
18
proximate its forward terminating end.
Having described with sufficient detail the several features of the stamped terminal
2
, reference is again made to a prior art clamping mechanism, illustrated in part by a slider mechanism
24
supported upon an upper surface of the second plate
18
and including a lengthwise extending slot
26
through which is received the upwardly angled tab
16
and to permit the slider mechanism
24
a range of laterally displaceable motion. The slider mechanism
24
defines an overall arcuate configuration and includes an enlarged rounded end, through which is formed a central, and somewhat elongated, aperture defined by tapered extending sides
28
.
The clamping mechanism further includes a hex head nut
30
exhibiting a downwardly extending and tapered ledge
32
and which, upon being threadably engaged over the post
20
, is tightened in a downward direction. Upon coming into contact with an uppermost location of the tapered extending sides
28
of the sliding mechanism aperture, continued rotation of the nut
30
in the tightening direction causes the tapered ledge
32
of the hex nut
30
to travel along the downward slope established by the tapered sides
28
. This in turn causes the slider mechanism
28
to laterally displace in the direction of the second plate
18
, in turn causing the angled tab
16
and associated first plate
14
to close in pincer fashion against the second plate
18
.
Loosening of the slider mechanism
24
is accomplished by reverse rotation of the hex nut
30
, thus causing a reverse travel of the associated tapered ledge
32
in a reverse and upwardly sloping direction along the tapered sides
28
of the slider mechanism aperture. Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,202, issued to Zhao, and which discloses the battery terminal connector according to that as substantially described above.
While providing, at least initially, an effective clamping mechanism for use with a battery terminal, the terminal arrangement of
FIG. 1
suffers from certain shortcomings arising primarily from the nature of the material properties of the terminal
2
. These include the gradual inability of slider mechanism
24
to “spring back” to its loosened position following threaded disengagement of the hex nut
30
.
Inadequate spring back of the terminal is further largely a result of plastic deformation (creep) of the metal in the terminal
2
after extended periods of time in the tightened position. As such, it has been found necessary to employ a secondary tool of some nature to forcibly pry open the associated legs (plates
14
and
18
) of the terminal
2
and in order to achieve the desired spacing between the guide walls
10
and
12
to facilitate the removal of the terminal
2
from the battery post
3
. The less than optimal desired degree of spring back additionally causes a permanent deformation on the terminal's extruded diameter (in proximity of the connection between the post fitting and the associated plates
14
and
18
), such that the fit of the terminal
2
about the battery post
3
is successively degraded.
Inadequate spring back in the stamped terminal (again as a symptom of plastic deformation of the terminal
2
) also results from excessive clamping torque applied to the mechanism during the initial tightening stage. It has also been found that such excessive clamping torque also results in the inner annular and serrated surface
8
of the post fitting biting into the lead composition of the battery post
3
, often causing damage to the post
3
, an accumulation of such damage eventually leading to the non-usability of the battery. Accordingly, an evident shortcoming in the prior art is the provision of a clamping mechanism, which possesses the ability to maintain a measured degree of clamping and holding forces and, by avoiding over-torquing of the terminal, prevents plastic deformation of the terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, as previously described, discloses a clamping mechanism for securing associated and encircling legs of a battery terminal about an upwardly, generally conically shaped battery post. More specifically, the present invention discloses an improved clamping mechanism for securing, in a tightened position, the terminal legs about the post in a regulated and non-destructive fashion, and which further provides for controlled spring-back of the terminal legs from about the battery post in a loosened position.
As also previously described, the ability to regulate the degree of clamping force exerted upon the terminal sleeve serves to assist in preventing plastic deformation of the sleeve (see again at
2
) and, during loosening of the clamping mechanism, avoids the necessity of employing an additional tool (such as a screw driver or other pointed utensil) and in order to disengage the extending sides of the terminal post fitting from about the battery post. An additional advantage of the present invention is that it prevents undesirabl
Alcoa Fujikura Limited
Beiriger Tracey D.
Harvey James R.
McEvoy Douglas J.
Paumen Gary
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