Electrical connectors – Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal – With clamp-to-post joint separator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-12
2001-03-20
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal
With clamp-to-post joint separator
C439S759000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203382
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical connector for engagement with a terminal post of an electrical storage battery.
Conventional battery terminal posts are formed from lead or an alloy thereof and project from the top surface of the battery casing. The posts are of circular cross-section, and usually taper from a maximum diameter adjacent the battery lid to a minimum at their free end. A variety of connectors for such terminal posts are known. There are some connectors which are simply a push fit onto the post and others which employ a two-part collar the two parts being clamped around the post to grip the post. European Patent No. 0374342 shows an arrangement where a two-part collar is clamped by an over centre linkage arrangement which is relatively difficult and therefore expensive to fabricate, and is prone to wear resulting in loss of clamping force.
German Patent Application No. 3445736 illustrates an arrangement where the collar is clamped around the terminal post solely by spring force. The arrangement is considerably more simple, and therefore potentially less expensive than that illustrated in European Patent No. 0374342, and is advantageous in that it can simply be push fitted onto the terminal post. However, the connector of German Patent Application No. 3445736 is extremely difficult to remove, requiring the introduction of a levering tool, or possibly disassembly of the connector to relieve the spring load.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery terminal post connector in a simple and convenient form wherein the aforementioned disadvantages are minimised or obviated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a battery terminal post connector comprising first and second clamp components shaped to receive between them, and to grip, a battery terminal post in use, resilient means acting to urge the first and second components to move to grip the post in use, a release element moveable relative to said components and cooperating with at least one of the components to provide a camming action for moving said components against said resilient means to release the grip of the components on the post in use.
Preferably said first and second components are carried in a housing member and said resilient means acts between the housing member and said first component to urge the first component towards the second component to provide the gripping action in use.
Conveniently said release element is pivotally connected to said housing member and has a camming cooperation with said first component whereby movement of the release element relative to the housing member moves said first clamp component relative to said second clamp component in a direction against the action of said resilient means.
Desirably said resilient means is a helical compression spring.
Preferably said release element defines a cam surface which is engaged by a cam follower of the first clamp component.
Preferably said release element is so arranged that it can be gripped when the connector is in position on a battery terminal in such a way that lifting movement in a direction to attempt to lift the connector from the terminal provides the release action thereafter continued lifting movement detaches the connector from the terminal.
Desirably the connector includes a cover within which said components and said release element are housed, said cover being coupled to said release element.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2470104 (1949-05-01), Martin
patent: 5346407 (1994-09-01), Hood
patent: 5861223 (1999-01-01), Montlagh
patent: 641 618 (1993-09-01), None
patent: 39 42 241 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 0374 342 (1990-06-01), None
Abrams Neil
Leoni Wiring Systems UK Limited
Nasri Javaid
Wells, St. John, Roberts, Gregory &n Matkin, P.S.
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