WO2001017066A1

WO2001017066A1 - Battery clamp

Info

Publication number: WO2001017066A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2000/000152
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerrit Hendrik Muller Kotze
Original assignee: Kotze, Christiaan, Burger
Priority date: 1999-08-27
Filing date: 2000-08-28
Publication date: 2001-03-08
Also published as: AU7391400A

Abstract

A battery clamp comprises a slit ring clamp having two outwardly directed flanges and an axially extendible and retractable elongate assembly securable at one end to a first one of the flanges, with a receiving formation for receiving the other flange. The slit ring is co-operable with a battery terminal post and the elongate assembly is operable to urge the flanges towards and away from each other. The elongate assembly has a head with a radial socket arranged to receive a complementarily shaped tool therein operable to cause axial rotation of the elongate assembly.

Description

BATTERY CLAMP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a battery clamp and, more particularly, to a battery clamp which is used in conjunction with a terminal post of a conventional lead acid battery. Although an embodiment of the invention will be described with particular reference to automotive applications, it is to be clearly understood that the use of the invention is not limited to this particular field but extends, for example, to marine applications and the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Novel battery clamps are described in applicant's South African Patent No. 96/0575 entitled "Battery Clamp Assembly" and South African Patent No. 98/8613 entitled "Battery Clamp", both of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference.

The former patent describes a battery clamp consisting of a substantially conventional split ring clamp in which the flanges on the split ring can be urged towards and away from each other by means of two spanners, thereby eliminating the requirement to urge the flanges apart by means of a screw driver or the like with the attendant risk of breaking the terminal post. South African Patent No. 98/8613 discloses a battery clamp in which the flanges on the split ring are movable towards and away from each other by means of a single spanner.

Although the battery clamps taught in applicant's South African patents are significant improvements over the prior art, they still require the use of tools such as spanners in order to secure or to remove them from battery terminal posts.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a battery clamp which will, at least partially, alleviate the abovementioned disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

in accordance with this invention there is provided a battery clamp, comprising: a split ring clamp co-operable with a battery terminal post, the clamp having two outwardly directed flanges on the split ring; and an axially extendible and retractable elongate assembly operable to selectively urge the flanges towards and away from each other, the elongate assembly being securable at a first end thereof to a first one of the outwardly directed flanges and having a receiving formation for receiving a second one of the outwardly directed flanges on the split-ring; characterised in that The elongate assembly has a head located at the free end thereof, the head having a radial socket arranged to receive a complementarily shaped tool therein operable to cause axial rotation of the elongate assembly. Still further features of the invention provide for the elongate assembly to comprise a threaded rod and a nut carrying the head, for the receiving formation to be a circumferential slot on the outer periphery of the nut, for the circumferential slot to receive the second one of the outwardly directed flanges in a substantially tangential configuration.

Further features of the invention provide for the head to have a plurality of sockets circumferentially spaced around the head, for each one of the plurality of sockets to extend radially through the head, for the complimentary tool to be an elongate lever, for the elongate lever to be slidably movable relative to the socket extending radially through the head, for the slidably movable elongate lever to be held in position in the socket by a stop formation at each end of the elongate lever, and for the head to be right circular cylindrical, alternatively hexagonal.

Preferably, the second one of the outwardly directed flanges on the split-ring includes a corresponding cut-out portion to form a seat for the circumferential slot on the nut.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the elongate assembly to include an elastically deformable member co-axially locatable on the threaded rod, for the elastically deformable member to be impregnable with a lubricant, for the elastically deformable member to be operatively locatable between the outwardly directed flanges of the split-ring, and for the lubricant to be any one of oil or grease.

There is also provided for the split-ring to include a lug for connecting the end of an electrical cable thereto, for the split-ring clamp to be brass, for the threaded rod and the nut to be mild steel or brass, and for the elastically deformable member to be sponge rubber or a rubber boot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG.1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a battery clamp according to the invention;

FIG.2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a battery clamp, shown in an exploded configuration; and

FIG.3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a battery clamp according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 in which like features of the invention are indicated by like numerals, a battery clamp is indicated generally by reference numeral (1). The battery clamp (1) comprises a terminal clamp (2) of the usual split ring type which is fittable to a conventional battery terminal post (not shown) of the usual frusto-conical shape. The ends of the split ring clamp (2) extend into two outwardly-projecting flanges (3a and 3b) which are substantially parallel to each other. A lug (4) projects outwardly from the split ring at a position remote from the outwardly directed flanges (3a and 3b) for connecting the end of an electrical cable thereto.

The battery clamp assembly (1) further includes an axially extendible and retractable elongate assembly which is indicated generally in an exploded configuration by reference numeral (20). The elongate assembly comprises a threaded rod (5) and a nut (6) having an axial threaded bore extending partially along its length. The axial bore is sized and threaded to engage the threaded rod (5). A right-circular cylindrical elastically deformable member (8) having an axial bore (9) extending there through is fittable over the threaded rod to abut the nut (6).

The nut (6) of the elongate assembly (20) has a circumferential slot (10) sized to accommodate one of the flanges (3a) of the split ring clamp (2). The flange

(3a) has a corresponding cut-out portion (11 ) to provide a seat for the circumferential slot on the nut (6).

The other flange (3b) has a threaded aperture (12) extending there through, sized to receive an end of the threaded rod (5) therein.

The nut (6) carries a head remote from the axial bore which has a number of radial sockets (30) circumferentially spaced on the head. Each socket is arranged to receive a complementarily shaped elongate tool in the form of an elongate rod (40) therein which is operable to cause axial rotation of the elongate assembly (20).

The battery clamp (1 ) is assembled with an end of the threaded rod (5) located in the threaded aperture (12) of a flange (3b) and the nut (6) threaded partway onto the opposite end of the threaded rod. The nut (6) engages the cut out portion (1 1) of the flange (3a) of the clamp (1 ) such that the circumferential slot (10) is seated in the cut out portion (1 1 ) in a substantially tangential configuration.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that tightening of the nut (6) will urge the flanges (3a and 3b) towards each other, thereby clamping the split ring clamp (2) onto the battery terminal post (not shown) in the conventional manner. Conversely, loosening of the nut (6) on the elongate member (5) will cause the flanges (3a and 3b) to be urged apart from each other, thereby loosening the split ring clamp (2) from the terminal post and enabling the battery clamp (1) to be removed when the flanges (3a and 3b) have reached an adequate degree of separation.

The elastically deformable member (8) is manufactured of sponge rubber and is impregnable with a lubricant such as oil or grease. In use, the impregnated deformable member is located on the threaded rod (5) between the flanges

(3a and 3b) when the urging means (20) is operatively located with respect to the flanges. Tightening of the nut (6) will cause the deformable member (8) to be compressed between the flanges (3a and 3b) of the battery clamp (1), thereby expelling lubricant to lubricate the battery terminal post and the interior of the split ring clamp (2), resulting in the prevention of corrosion of the post and the split ring clamp.

The lug (4) can be secured to the electrical cable by means of a saddle, as illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Alternatively, the electrical cable may be secured to the lug (4) by means of a wing nut as shown in Figure 3. The wing nut may abut the cable directly, or may engage a further lug on the free end of the cable. Further, alternatively, the lug (4) may be crimped onto the end of the electrical cable.

The split ring clamp (2) is constructed from brass or any other suitable conductive metal which is easily cast, while the threaded rod and the nut (6) are preferably manufactured from mild steel.

Numerous modifications are possible to the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, in particular, the sockets (30) may extend radially through the head (6) of the nut and the complimentary tool may be an elongate lever (40) which is slidably movable relative to one of the sockets (30) extending radially through the head and which is held in position in the socket (30) by stock formations at each end of the lever (40) as illustrated in Figure 3. Further, the head (6) of the nut may be hexagonal as indicated in Figure 1 or right circular cylindrical as indicated in Figure 2. For convenience, the nut (6) and the threaded rod (5) may be made from brass instead of mild steel.

It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that a user of the 5 battery clamp (1) does not require the use of a spanner to tighten or loosen the nut (6) in order to positively urge the flanges (3a and 3b) toward or away each other, respectively, in order to secure the battery clamp (1 ) to the battery terminal post or to facilitate removal there from. All that is required to operate the head (6) of nut is an elongate lever such as a nail in the embodiment of -l θ Figure 1. The embodiment of Figure 2 does not require the use of any additional tooling whatsoever in order to secure or release the battery clamp (1) from the terminal post.

The invention therefore provides a battery clamp which is conveniently 1₅ securable to or removable from a battery terminal post without requiring the use of a spanner, and which provides for self lubrication of the interface between the terminal post and the battery clamp.

Claims

1. A battery clamp, comprising: a split ring clamp co-operable with a battery terminal post, the clamp having two outwardly directed flanges on the split ring; and an axially extendible and retractable elongate assembly operable to selectively urge the flanges towards and away from each other, the elongate assembly being securable at a first end thereof to a first one of the outwardly directed flanges and having a receiving formation for receiving a second one of the outwardly directed flanges on the split- ring; characterised in that the elongate assembly has a head located at the free end thereof, the head having a radial socket arranged to receive a complementarity shaped tool therein operable to cause axial rotation of the elongate assembly.

2. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 1 in which the elongate assembly comprises a threaded rod and a nut carrying the head.

3. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 2 in which the receiving formation is a circumferential slot on the outer periphery of the nut.

4. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 3 in which the circumferential slot receives the second one of the outwardly directed flanges in a substantially tangential configuration.

5. A battery clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the head has a plurality of sockets circumferentially spaced around the head.

6. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 5 in which each one of the plurality of sockets extend radially through the head.

7. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 6 in which the complimentary tool is an elongate lever.

8. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 7 in which the elongate lever is slidably movable relative to the socket extending radially through the head.

9. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 8 in which the slidably movable elongate lever is held in position in the socket by a stop formation at o each end of the elongate lever.

10. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 9 in which the head is right circular cylindrical.

11. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 9 in which the head is hexagonal.

12. A battery clamp as claimed in either one of claims 3 or 4 in which the 5 second one of the outwardly directed flanges on the split-ring includes a corresponding cut-out portion to form a seat for the circumferential slot on the nut.

13. A battery clamp as claimed in either one of claims 2 to 12 in which an elastically deformable member co-axially locatable on the threaded 0 rod.

14. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 13 in which, the elastically deformable member is impregnable with a lubricant.

15. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 14 in which the elastically deformable member is operatively locatable between the outwardly directed flanges of the split-ring.

16. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 15 in which the lubricant is any one of oil or grease.

17. A battery clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes a lug for connecting the end of an electrical cable thereto.

18. A battery clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the split-ring clamp is brass.

19. A battery clamp as claimed in claim 2 in which the threaded rod and the nut are mild steel or brass.

20. A battery clamp as claimed in any one of claims 13 or 16 in which the elastically deformable member is sponge rubber or a rubber boot.

21. A battery clamp, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures a 1 and 2 , or Figure 3.