Terminal clamp for a battery terminal post

Details Terminal clamp for a battery terminal post Terminal clamp for a battery terminal post

1999-07-29

2001-03-13

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal

Deformable c- or u-clamp

Reexamination Certificate

active

06200173

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a terminal clamp for connecting an electrical cable to a terminal post of a vehicle battery.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,941, German Patent No. 3811629 and UK Patent Application No. 2287587 each disclose a screw-operated battery terminal clamp comprising a pair of jaws defining between them a passage for receiving a battery terminal post, and screw-operated clamping means for closing the jaws against a resilient restoring force, in use, to grip the post. In each case, the clamping means includes an inclined generally rectilinear cam surface on each jaw and cooperating inclined rectilinear cam surfaces on a component movable relative to the jaws by the screw action, either in a direction to cause the cam surfaces to coact to close the jaws about the terminal post in use, or to release the jaws to open under said resilient restoring force.
A problem encountered with such arrangements is that after being operated to hold the jaws closed, the cam surfaces may bind together so that release of the screw action is ineffective to release the jaws. It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal post clamp wherein this problem is obviated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a terminal clamp for a battery terminal post comprising first and second relatively movable jaws defining between them a passage for receiving a battery terminal post, and a screw-operated clamping arrangement for closing said first and second jaws about the terminal post, in use, to grip the post against the action of a resilient restoring force urging the jaws apart, said screw-operated clamping arrangement including first and second components in screw-threaded arrangement with one another, said first component being held against rotation relative to said jaws, said second component having a cam surface cooperable with corresponding cam surfaces of said jaws, said cam surfaces being surfaces of revolution, or parts thereof, centred on the axis of said screw-threaded arrangement whereby rotation of said second component relative to said first component and said jaws causes rotational and axial movement of said cam surface of the second component relative to said cam surfaces of said jaws either to close the jaws or to release the jaws.
It will be recognised that as the cam surfaces are forced to rotate relative to one another while moving axially to effect clamping or release, then the cam surfaces cannot bind together to frustrate release of the jaws in response to a corresponding rotation of said second component.
Preferably said cam surfaces are frusto-conical.
Desirably said first component comprises a captive bolt.
Desirably said second component comprises a nut in threaded engagement with the shank of said bolt.
Preferably said jaws are united at one end and carry said cam surfaces adjacent their opposite ends, said post receiving recess being defined intermediate said cam surfaces and said one end.
Preferably a conductive lead is electrically connected to said jaws adjacent their united end.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3678449 (1972-07-01), Jones
patent: 5087214 (1992-02-01), Dewar
patent: 5088941 (1992-02-01), Nolle
patent: 5290646 (1994-03-01), Asao et al.
patent: 30 10 017 (1980-03-01), None
patent: 0 582 854 (1993-07-01), None
patent: 2 287 587 (1995-09-01), None

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