WO1999008340A1

WO1999008340A1 - Battery terminal connector

Info

Publication number: WO1999008340A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/016346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduardo Rodriguez Buetas
Original assignee: Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-08-06
Filing date: 1998-08-05
Publication date: 1999-02-18
Also published as: ES1038047U; ES1038047Y; EP0896389A1

Abstract

A battery terminal connector (10) includes a clasp portion (11) having two ends. Appendices (12, 13) extend from each of the clasp. A lever (14) is supported by one of the appendices. A bridge (15) includes a first portion (15a) extending between the two appendices. A second portion (15b) of the bridge is supported by one of the appendices (12). A third portion (15c) of the bridge is coupled with the lever (14) such that movement of the lever into a closed position causes the appendices to be forced towards each other because of the presence of the bridge (15).

Description

BATTERY TERMINAL CONNECTOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an improved terminal for a battery, which novel characteristics of manufacturing, shaping and design fulfill the object for which it has been designed with a maximum safety and efficiency. More specifically, this invention relates to a closing system for a connector used with a terminal on a battery. In the technical segment concerned, that is, that of parts and equipment for the automotive industry, there are found a variety of terminals for batteries. The most common are those formed with an open ring having appendices extending from the ring that are traversed by a tightening screw, which allows the ring to be kept firmly anchored to the terminals of the battery. The electric wire that carries the energy transport and distribution from the battery to the various devices on the vehicle is shared in common to the ring by means of the deformation of the appendices over the conductive part, thus establishing the electric continuity between the battery and the various devices on the vehicle. Other tightening and pressure systems for battery terminals have been proposed with the same object. In the previously proposed systems, however, establishing good contact between the terminal and the battery terminals has not been achieved in a simple enough manner. Further, high and uniform pressure over the full surface of the terminals has been difficult to achieve. As examples of the state of the art, Utility Model Numbers 9,602,675 and 9,602,750, which were filed in Spain and which are commonly owned with this application, disclose and claim battery terminals that include tightening systems that can be considered belonging to the state of the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the instant invention, while not giving up the assembly speed and tightening strength of previous terminals over the battery terminals, incorporates a new closing system that operates on the basis of a lever. A bridge part extending from the appendices, which extend from the ring portion of the terminal, supports the lever such that the lever compels the appendices to approach one another resulting in pressing strongly against the terminal. In the open position, the closing system of this invention allows the separation of the appendices and the terminal can be released from the battery terminal connection position.

The disclosed connector designed according to this invention has the advantage of being quick-operated for opening and closing operations, does not need any type of special tool and avoids the use of nuts and bolts, which besides requiring tools can become separated from and lost during an assembly operation. Therefore, the terminal of this invention has the advantage of being more simple to handle and does not sacrifice any efficiency on the part of the user. In fact, a terminal designed according to this invention provides more efficient operation than those previously proposed.

Other details and characteristics of the present invention will become manifest through the reading the description given below, in which reference is made to the figures attached to this specification where the details of the invention are depicted in a rather schematic way. These details are given as an example, referring to a case of a possible practical embodiment, but is not limited to the details outlined. Therefore, the detailed description must be considered from an illustrative point of view and with no limitations whatsoever. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery terminal connector designed according to this invention in a closed position.

Figure 2 is an upper plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 seen from another angle.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 shown from yet another angle compared to Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in the figures, the presently preferred embodiment of this invention is a terminal connector 10 that includes a clasp or ring portion 11 having open ends that extend away from the ring as appendices 12 and 13.

The appendices 12 and 13 are related through a bridge 15 that has several portions. A first portion 15a extends generally across the gap between the appendices 12 and 13. A second portion 15b is supported by the appendix 12. A third portion 15c is supported on a lever 14. More specifically, a lateral zone 14c of the lever 14 supports the third portion 15c of the bridge

15.

The clasp or ring 11 preferably has a perimetral skirt 11a (best seen in Figures 3 and 4). The perimetral skirt preferably extends in a continuous fashion along the appendices 12 and 13. At least one portion of the skirt along the appendices preferably widens out to form a flap or tab 18. The tab

18 on the appendix 12 preferably includes a hole that receives the second portion 15b of the bridge 15.

A set of tabs 18 on the appendix 13 preferably support a pin 16 that facilitates supporting the lever 14 on the connector 10. A set of lateral zones 14c include holes that also receive the pin 16 as best seen in Figure 1. The lever 14 preferably includes a flat portion 14b that extends in a curved portion 14a parallel to the clasp 11. At the same time, the flat zone 14b extends in lateral zones 14c that receive the third portion 15c of the bridge 15. As can be appreciated from looking at all of the drawings collectively, the bridge 15 preferably includes two first portions 15a extending between each of the axial ends of the second and third portions 15b and 15c. Therefore, the bridge 15 forms a closed loop that preferably is generally rectangular in shape.

The appendix 12, as best seen in Figure 3, extends laterally into wings 12a that imprison, preferably by deformation, the conductive portion of the corresponding electric wire (not shown in the figures).

In order to limit the action of the closing system of the connector 10 a tongue 17 preferably acts as a stop and abuts against the lateral surface of the clasp 11 (as seen in Figure 2).

The operation of the connector 10 is as follows: first and with pincers or a similar element in a machine such as a ram or the like, the wings 12a are folded over the conductive portion of the wire joining the automobile battery with the several devices of the vehicle. The next step is to proceed afterwards by placing the connector 10 on the terminals of the battery. Manipulation of the lever 14 is made to rotate around the pin 16, which action and in grace to the bridge 15 causes the appendices 12 and 13 to approach one another imprisoning strongly the clasp 11 against the lateral surface of the battery terminals.

When it is desired to open the electric circuit of the automobile, one preferably proceeds in an order reversed compared to that just recited (i.e., with a rotation around the pin 16 of the lever 14), the connector 10 is open remaining free without any type of tool.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art may discover variations and modifications to the details of the embodiment disclosed in this application. Such modifications, however, do not necessarily depart from the scope of the invention as covered by the following claims.

Claims

CLA╬ôMS

1. A battery terminal connector, comprising: a clasp portion (11) having two ends; an appendix (12, 13) extending from each end of said clasp portion; and characterized by at least one tab (18) extending from each appendix supporting a bridge (15) having a first portion (15a) extending between said appendices and a second portion (15b) supported by said tab on one of said appendices; and a lever (14) supported by the other of said appendices and having a portion (14c) for receiving a third portion (15c) of said bridge such that said lever is moveable into a locked position to secure the connector (10) to a battery terminal.

2. The connector of Claim 1, further characterized by a pin (16) supported by the tabs of the other of said appendices (13) and received through holes in a lateral portion (14c) of said lever.

3. The connector of Claim 1, further characterized by said bridge (15) forming a closed loop with said second portion (15b) and said third portion (15c) being interconnected at opposite axial ends by first portions

(15a).

4. The connector of Claim 1, further characterized by said lever (14) being moveable between a first position and a second position where said third portion (15c) of said bridge (15) is further spaced from said other of said appendices (13) such that said appendices (12, 13) are moved closer together as said lever is moved from said first position into said second position.

5. The connector of Claim 4, further characterized by said lever including a partially curved end portion (14a) and a generally planar portion (14b) extending away from said curved portion, said generally planar portion supporting a stop (17) that limits movement of said lever (14) into said second portion.

6. The connector of Claim 1 , further characterized by a perimetral skirt (11a) extending outwardly from one edge of said clasp portion (11).

7. The connector of Claim 6, further characterized by said perimetral skirt (11a) extending continuously along one edge of said appendices (12, 13) and wherein a tab (18) extends outward from said skirt on each said appendix.