US2160422A - Battery connector - Google Patents

Description

May 30, 1939-' F. s. SHIPMAN 2,160,422

BATTERY CONNECTOR Y Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 /mig" TIE-E A QRNEY Patented May 30,1939 2,160,422

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BATTERY CONNECTOR Frank S. Shipman, Rock Island, Ill., asoignor of lililie-half to Raymond Henry, Bock Island,

Application January 21, 1937, `Serial No. 121,479

4 Claims. (Cl. 173-259) The present invention relates to a connector Fig. 2 represents a fragmentary, partially secand more especially a' connector of the type used tional view'of the structure shown in Fig. 1, as with storage batteries. It is a well known fact if taken along the plane indicated by the line that, in such connectors, when there are two 2 2, Fig. 1;

metals of different characteristics which are sub- Fig. 3 represents a partially sectional view of 5 ject to the fumes rising from the battery and amodifled form of this invention; these metals are in contact, there is a local ae- Fig. 4 represents a vertical section taken subtion set up between the metals, -as well as a stantially along the plane indicated by thevline chemical reaction between the acid fumes and vi--IL Fig. 3. one or more of the metals It is also a well Reference will 'now be made in greater detail m known fact that the sulphurlc acid of the batto the annexed drawing for a more complete detery and the fumes therefrom do not react upon scription of this invention. In the structure lead. If a. non-lead connector engages the lead Shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a cable l, covered by a n `'terminal or post of the battery, then there will non-corrodible covering 2, has the covering 2 rebe local action and corrosion between these metmoved from an end section, as shown at 3. This als, due to the acid or fumes rising from the end section is inserted in the sleeve t which probattery. As ordinarily constructed, the head of jects from one side of the head 5 and, essentially, the connector has means provided for clamping forms a part thereof. This head 5 partially enthe head to the battery post, including as a p'art circles the post 6 0f the battery 7 and iS prothereof a bolt formed from a non-lead metal. vided with a. slit 8 which permits the head 5 to 20 As a result of this, there is always corrosion and open up and to be compressed tightly against the formation of a chemical salt, commonly copthe post 6, when applied thereto. Since lead is per sulphate, around the post of the battery. not corrodible by the acid fumes given Off by the Generally speaking, therefore, it is the purbattery, it is preferable to make the sleeve li and pose of this invention to provide a connector for head 5 of lead. The Dart Which Surrounds and 25 a battery which may be securely attached to a exerts an inward pressure upon-the head 5 is prefbattery post and which will not be subject to erably` made of contractile rubber shaped into a corrosion. More specifically, the objects of this ring 9 and from this extends a tubular sleeve in invention comprise the provision of a battery which, in the completely assembled structure, connector having a non-corrodible head for atsurrounds the sleeve 4 and the end portion of the 30 tachment to a battery post; the provision of a cable covering 2, fitting both tightly so-as to prebattery connector which has non-corrodible vent access of the acid fumes to the cable 3 at means for attaching same to a battery post and the junction between the sleeve d and the adjaholding it securely attached thereto; the provicent end of the covering 2.

' 35 sion in a bi-metallic battery connector of means The preferable way to assemble this structure 35 for preventing corrosion of either or both of the is to insert the cable i and its covering 2 through metals at the point of junction thereof; the prothe sleeve it, passing the same outwardly through vision of means for effectively securing a monoone side of the ring S so that the sleeve d may be metallic battery connector to a battery post; and slipped over the stripped end 3 of the cable.

40 such further objects, advantages, and capabili- After this has been done, the sleeve 4 is corn- 40 ties as will hereafterl appear and as are inherent pressed upon the end of the cable very tightly in the construction disclosed herein. My invenso as to force a little of the lead between the tion further resides in the combination, construostrand of the cable. This makes a more or less tion, and arrangement of parts illustrated-in the permanent joint between the two,l and the cable accompanying drawing and, While I have shown and the sleeve can now be slid back into position therein what is now regarded as the preferred in the rubber sleeve I0, as shown in Figs. 1 and '2, embodiment of this invention and a single modithe head 5 assuming its proper position within cation thereof, -I desire the same to be underthe ring 9. Since the ring 9, when not under stood as illustrative only, and not to be interinternal stress, is smaller internally than the preted in a limiting sense. head 5, when applied to the post 6, the rubber 50 I n the drawing annexed hereto and forming a tends to contact the head 5, when assembled. part hereof, Therefore, when the head 5 is applied to the Fig. 1 represents a fragmentary, partially secpost 6 and forced into position, it is expanded tional view of a connector embodying my presbecause of the tapered form of the post. This ent invention; enlarges the head 5 and consequently distends 55 the ring 9. On account of this, the natural contractility of the rubber will hold the head l in tight engagement with the post l.

'I'he cable I is normally made of stranded copper but it is of course understood that it may be made of other non-lead conducting material and may be made in any desired form, as circular, oval, or flat cross-section. In the ,construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the conducting element "II is shown as formed integrally with the head 5, and

. it should therefore be made of non-corrodible 'around the parts 5 and II.

material. If the head is made of lead, then the connector II should also be of lead. In this construction, the assembly is similar to the assembly of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, the sleeve I2, which replaces the sleeve III, is preferably made of substantially the form which it will have in the assembled product. But, the' size will be small enough so that it will tsnugly It is noted that in this construction a slot I4 is provided which enables the head 5 to be more readily compressed against the post 6. It is of course understood that the part I I need not necessarily be homogeneous with the part 5, provided the junction between the two is encased within the sleeve I2 so as to prevent access of the acid fumes to the joint between the metals.

Another method of assembly which may be followed but which is not regarded as being as good as that described above is to make the unit 4, 5 and connect it to the end of the cable I and then compress the part 5 so as to reduce the transverse dimension thereof to a point sufllciently less than the diameter it will have, when in use, so that the ring 9 will have to be quite noticeably distended when the connector is applied to the post B. After the assembly of this unit, the rubber may be moulded about the head and the end portion of the covering 2 to form the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Now, when the rubber is propcrly cured, it will tend to hold the part 5 against distention to fit the post 6. However, the head or partial ring 5 may be forced on the post 6, thus distending the ring 9. Therefore, the ring 9, by-

its contractility, causes the partial ring 5 to grip the post 6 and hold the parts .tightly assembled. If it should be desired, the rubber may be extended -across over the smaller end of the opening through the part 5. This same method of construction could be used in connection with the form illustrated in Figs. 3 and. 4.

It is of course understood that the specific description of structure set forth above may be departed from without departingfrom the spirit of my invention as set forth in this specification and the appended claims. Itis intended to claim, both broadly and specifically, the various 'novel subject-matter disclosed herein, and I therefore desire that failure to insert any claim commensurate with the scope of my invention be not construed as an abandonment thereof.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

l. A .battery connector comprising a ferrule formed of a lead-like metal, said ferrule having a slot therein extending from end to end and the inner surface thereof being tapered to conform to a battery post, a conductor secured to said ferrule, and a cover of rubber-like material covering the junction between the ferrule and the conductor and extending therefrom along the conductor, said cover also comprising a ring surrounding said ferrule and open at least at one end of the ferrule, said ring being small enough and strong enough to deform the ferrule to a size smaller than the battery post, whereby when said connector is placed on a battery terminal the ferrule is heldin tight engagement with said post.

2. A battery connector comprising a ferrule formed of a lead-like metal, said ferrule having a slot therein extending from end to end andthe inner surface thereof being tapered to conform to a battery post, a conductor secured to said y ferrule, and a cover of rubber-like material covering the Junction between the ferrule and the conductor and extending therefrom along the conductor, said conductor at its end opposite said ferrule being formed for the attachment of a cable, said cover extending along said conductor a suillcient distance that it covers the point of attachment. of said conductor and said cable, said cover also comprising a ring surrounding said ferrule and open at least at one end of the ferrule, said ring being small enough and strong enough to deform the ferrule to a size smaller than the battery post.

3. A battery connector comprising a ferrule formed of a lead-like metal, said ferrule having a slot therein extending from end to end and the inner surface thereof being tapered to conform to a battery post, a flat conductor secured to said ferrule, and a cover of rubber-like material covering the junction between the ferrule and the conductor and extending therefrom along the conductor, said conductor extending substantially beyond said cover and being formed at its ends for the attachment of a cable, said cover also comprising a ring surrounding said ferrule and open at least at one end of the ferrule, said ring being small enough and strong enough to deform l permanently the ferrule to a size smaller tha the battery post.

4. A battery connector comprisinga ferrule I junction between the ferrule and the conductor and extending therefrom along the conductor, said cover also comprising a ring surrounding said ferrule and open at least at one end of the ferrule, said ring being small enough and strong enough to deform the ferrule to a size smaller than the battery post.

FRANK S. SHIPMAN.

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