US2492256A - Battery terminal - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 27, 1949 c. A. BAlLlFF 2,492,256

BATTERY TERMINAL Filed June 6, 1947 INVENTQR. 7 (haw/e5 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 27 1949 S PATENT OFFICE BATTERY TERMINAL Charles A. Bailiff, OmenMich. Application June 6, 1947, SerialNo. 752,993 g Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical connector terminal, and more particularly to a terminal adapted for use in connection with storage batteries.

After the terminal has been on the battery post for a period of time, the terminal becomes corroded, and it becomes extremely diflicult to remove from the post, frequently resulting in damages to the battery and post, and it is therefore one of the prime objects of the invention to provide a battery terminal which is adjustable to fit any size of battery post, and one that will positively clamp and engage the post, providing a positive electrical connection which can be removed without the use of a wrench or other tool, and without damage to the battery or post.

Another object is to provide a battery terminal of simple, practical, and substantial design, which can be cheaply manufactured, which is easy to remove or install on a battery post.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportion, and minor details of construction, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side-elevational view of my improved connection, showing my improved terminal clamped on a battery post.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view showing the lever swung to locked position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the lever raised to release the clamp from the post.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 8 indicates a conventional storage battery which is provided with annular posts 9 as usual.

The terminal Hi can be of any desired material, and is formed with an elongated slotted opening ii therein, which fits over the post 9, the one end of the body comprising a shank !2 formed with a recess l3 in which one end of the flexible cable conductor i4 is accommodated as usual.

The outer end of the opening H is rounded as shown to accommodate and embrace the battery post 9, and grooves I5 are provided in the side walls of the body to slidably accommodate the sally connected to legs 16 of the clamp member II, which clamp is movable horizontally in the grooves as it is forced to locked and/or unlocked position, these grooves leading upwardly as shown, and open to the upper edges of the side walls so that the clamp can be easily assembled in position.

A lever member L is mounted in the side walls of the body l0, and is formed with laterally projecting lugs l9 mounted in sockets or grooves 20 which lead into the grooves l5 so that the lever can be readily inserted and removed, the inner ends of the lever being bifurcated as at 2|, and a block member 22 is revolvably mounted in the forked section, said block being formed with lugs 23 extending into suitable openings in the forked section, and is centrally bored and threaded to accommodate a screw 24 which is adjustably mounted therein, the inner end of this screw being formed with a ball-shaped head 25 engageable in a vertically disposed slot 26 provided in the clamp, the end of the screw being slotted as usual to accommodate a screw driver so that it may be adjusted as desired.

The clamp is very easy to apply or remove; it merely requires manipulation of the lever to lock or unlock and the entire assembly can be mass pgoduced with the consequent savings in labor e c.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that I have perfected a very simple, practical and economical battery terminal for connection to storage battery posts and the like.

What I claim is:

, 1. A storage battery terminal comprising a, rigid body adapted to receive a conductor at one end thereof, an elongated opening in said body and adapted to accommodate a battery post therein, grooves in the side walls defining said opening, a clamp slidably and adjustably mounted in said grooves, and a locking lever also hingedly mounted in said side walls and universaid clamp for adjusting it horizontally when the lever is actuated.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 in which a screw block is pivotally mounted on the locking lever, and a screw adjustable in said screw block and having universal engagement with said clamp.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said grooves lead upwardly and open to the upper end of the body to permit easy insertion and removal of the clamp.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the lever is bifurcated to pivotally accommodate the screw block, and a ball-shaped head on the screw for universal engagement with the clamp member.

5. A storage battery terminal comprising a rigid body adapted to receive a conductor in the shank end thereof, an elongated opening in said body and having a rounded end adapted to accommodate a battery post therein, horizontally disposed open grooves in the side walls defining said opening and open to the upper edges of the side walls, a vertically movable clamp member slidable in said grooves, ofiset grooves opening into the horizontal grooves, a bifurcated lever pivotally and removably mounted in said offset grooves, a screw block pivotally mounted in the bifurcated end of said lever, a screw adjustably mounted in said block, a vertically disposed .passage in said clamp, and a ball head on said screw and engageable in said passage to provide universal connection between the screw ball head and said clam-p.

CHARLES A. BAIHFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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