WO2002031923A1

WO2002031923A1 - Cable clamp

Info

Publication number: WO2002031923A1
Application number: PCT/DK2001/000656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jørn RØDBRO
Original assignee: Roedbro Joern
Priority date: 2000-10-13
Filing date: 2001-10-09
Publication date: 2002-04-18
Also published as: DK200000298U3

Abstract

This invention concerns a cable clamp of the scissors type, i.e. of the type used for battery chargers, jumper cables, etc. The cable clamp is designed with two spring-loaded jaws that are acting against one another and that are pivotally connected through a hinge. The jaws are prolonged backwards in relation to the hinge by means of two oblong grips that open the jaws when compressed. The related cable is connected to the end of one of the grips. Pursuant to the invention, the cable clamp is unique in that the second grip is equipped with a flexible a flexible wing which comes from the end of this second grip and is connected to the cable at a suitable (short) distance from the point where the cable is connected to the first grip so that the two grips together with the cable and wing form a closed, almost rhombic figure. In this way, the cable clamp cannot function as a hook together with the free grip, i.e. the grip not connected with the cable.

Description

Cable clamp

This invention concerns a cable clamp of the nature described in the introduction to Claim 1. The cable clamp is more specifically of the scissors type, i.e. of the type used for battery . chargers, jumper cables, earth wires for welders and various types of test leads. The cable clamp enables fast and convenient establishment of temporary electrical connection between the lead or cable on which the cable clamp is mounted and an electrically conductive object across which the clamp is fitted, e.g. the battery shoe of an automotive battery. The cable clamp is also called a terminal.

Cable clamps of the nature described here are typically designed with two spring-loaded jaws that are acting against one another and that are pivotally connected through a hinge. The jaws are prolonged backwards in relation to the hinge by means of two oblong grips that open the jaws when compressed. The related cable is connected to the end of one of the grips.

It is common knowledge that leads and cables with attached cable clamps tend to get tangled up and in this way hook up in a messy bundle of cables which is difficult and time- consuming to sort out. The problem is especially common in connection with manufacturing and fitting situations that involve a great number of leads with pre-mounted cable clamps as the leads are usually supplied in bundles that each consists of several hundred leads. When fitted, the leads are to be used individually, and in this connection much time is wasted on separating the leads because of the tendency of the cable clamps to hook up. If you carefully try to draw one lead from the bundle, all the leads are likely to get completely tangled up. Great meticulousness and accuracy are required when separating the leads.

The problem with jumper cables and battery cables on battery chargers hooked up is a common nuisance to auto mechanics and electro technicians. The cause of the problem is the open hook-shape of the cable clamp which causes the cable clamp to get caught in everything. If two or more cables are collected in a bundle, they will inevitably become hooked up / tangled up. The object of this invention is to remedy this problem.

According to this invention, this task is solved by furnishing the second grip, i.e. the grip which is not connected to the cable, with a flexible wing or similar oblong device which comes from the end of this second grip and is connected to the cable at a suitable (short) distance from the point where the cable is connected to the first grip so that the two grips together with the cable and wing form a closed, almost rhombic figure. The flexibility of the wing ensures that the flexibility of the jaws is unaffected, i.e. the jaws can still be opened by compressing the grips. Alternatively, both grips can be equipped with a wing of the said type. In this case, the two wings are connected with the cable in a common connecting point. No matter whether there are one or two wings on the cable clamp, the function of the wing/wings is to close the hook-shaped tentacle formed by the second grip on the cable clamp which eliminates the tendency of the cable clamp to hang on to cables, etc. Accordingly, the hook function of the clamp is removed.

When the above new technique is applied in connection with the traditional technique, cables with pre-mounted cable clamps can be drawn from a bundle of cables without any more ado. The risk of entanglement caused by the tendency of the cable clamps to get caught up as described above is eliminated. In this way, the work related to separating cables is simplified, and costly work is saved. It is also a help in everyday uses in that the cable clamps do not, as previously, hang on to everything just as the tendency of the cables to get intertwined is eliminated in this way.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wing is made (injection-moulded) in one piece with an insulating cap on the grip concerned. The cable and the wing are connected by means of a case or similar device enclosing the cable and the end of the wing so that the two parts are pressed together in this connecting point. It is expedient if the wing is made of rubber or soft plastic, for example, polypropylene or PVC, as these materials offer flexibility that is suitable for this purpose. If it is made of thermoplastic material, injection- moulding the wing and the possibly related insulating cap in one piece is possible ensuring a very low production cost per unit.

In a special embodiment, the wing is made as a separate unit intended for retrofitting on existing cable clamps by the users. According to the invention, it is in this case expedient if the wing is equipped with a bushing-shaped end that is to be fastened to the grip. In another embodiment, as specified in Claim 6, according to which both grips are equipped with a wing, assembling the two wing parts around the cable using a snap lock system as specified is expedient according to the invention. This will simplify assembling considerably.

Production and especially advantageous embodiments and details in this relation are described in details in the following with references to the figures in the drawings where:

Figure 1 shows a cable clamp according to the invention where the wing makes up an integral part of the insulating cap of the cable clamp;

Figure 2 shows a traditional cable clamp without wing;

Figure 3 shows a separate wing unit intended for retrofitting on the cable clamp shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows the same cable clamp with a wing;

Figure 5 shows a cable clamp with a double wing;

Figure 6 shows a double wing where two separate wing parts are fitted around the cable using a snap lock system; and

Figure 7 shows another way of fitting the two wing parts and the cable in a cable clamp with double wing.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the cable clamp in all essentials consists of a first jaw 1 with related grip 2, a second jaw 3 with related grip 4, an articulation 5 between the two jaws, a cable 6 and a wing 7. The wing 7 that is made of a flexible material makes up an integral part of an insulating cap 8 mounted on the second grip 4. The cable 6 is connected to the end of the first grip 2 where the cable is mounted in a terminal connection in a bushing-shaped end piece on the grip 2. Also this grip is equipped with an insulating cap 9. With the end pointing away from the grip 4 the wing 7 is attached to the cable 6. Connection is established by means of a split bushing 10, e.g. of aluminium, which encloses the two parts and which permanently holds the two parts together when pressed together. As it immediately appears from the drawing, the wing 7 in this way prevents the grip 4 from functioning as a hook. Figures 2-4 show an alternative embodiment of the cable clamp in which the wing 11 makes up a separate part intended for retrofitting on a traditional cable clamp 12, i.e. without wing function. The wing 11 (Figure 3) is made of injection-moulded polypropylene or similar thermoplastic. At one end, the wing forms a bushing 13 intended for fitting in one grip 14 of the cable clamp 12. At the other end, the wing forms a pipe section 15, which is open at both ends, designed for enclosing the cable 16. The pipe section may be slotted. At both ends, the wing 11 is equipped with flexible zones 17 with reduced cross sections so that the wing does not affect the normal squeezing function of the cable clamp. Figure 4 shows the wing mounted on the cable clamp 12.

The embodiments shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 are not described any further. Please refer to the list of figures. Moreover, the drawings are self-explanatory.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown above. Other combinations of materials, other detailed embodiments and other design solutions for the individual components and accessories of the cable clamp are conceivable γvithin the framework of this invention, just as the invention may be extended to othej: areas than the specified. For example, using the invention as a welding clamp (earth clamp) is also possible.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Cable clamp of the scissors type with two spring- loaded jaws (1, 3) that are acting against one another and that are pivotally connected through a hinge (5) and where the jaws are prolonged backwards in relation to the hinge by means of two oblong grips (2 and 4, respectively) which, when compressed, open the jaws against the impact of the spring and where the related cable or lead (6) is connected to the cable clamp at the end of one grip (2 or 4) characterised by the fact that at least the second grip (4 or 2) is equipped with a flexible wing or similar oblong flexible device (7) which comes from the end of this second grip and is connected to the cable (6) at a suitable (short) distance from the point where the cable is connected to the first grip so that the two grips (2, 4) together with the cable (6) and wing (7) form a closed, almost rhombic figure.

2. Cable clamp pursuant to Claim 1 characterised by the fact that both grips (2, 4) are equipped with a wing (7) of the said type and that the two wings are preferably connected with the cable (6) in one point of connection (10).

3. Cable clamp pursuant to Claim 1 or 2 characterised by the fact that the wing (or wings) is (are) made in one piece with an insulating cap (8, 9) on the grip concerned and that connection with the cable is achieved by means of a case (10) enclosing the cable and the end of the wing (wings).

4. Cable clamp pursuant to Claim 1 or 2 characterised by the fact that the wing (or wings) is (are) made of rubber or soft plastic, for example, polypropylene or PNC.

5. Cable clamp pursuant to Claim 1 or 2 characterised by the fact that each wing is made as a separate part (11), for example of injection-moulded soft plastic, and is fitted to the grip by means of a case-shaped end (13) squeezed on to the grip.

6. Cable clamp pursuant to Claims 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the two wings are assembled around the cable with two halves that enclose the cable and that are locked together by means of a snap lock device with dowels and related wholes, a Nelcro locking device or a similar per se known snap lock system (Figure 6).

7. Cable clamp pursuant to Claim 1 characterised by the fact that the wing is made of a relatively stiff material, for example polypropylene, and is designed with a flexible bending zone (zone with reduced cross section (17)) close to the connection end of the related grip, preferably also with a corresponding bending zone (17) close to the connecting point of the cable.

8. Cable clamp pursuant to Claim 1 characterised by the fact that the wing is as far as possible designed with even, smooth transitions between the grip and the wing and between the wing and the cable in order to reduce the tendency of the cable clamp to "get caught up".

9. Cable clamp pursuant to Claims 1 and 5 characterised by the fact that the wing is intended for retrofitting on existing cable clamps.

10. Cable clamp pursuant to one or more of Claims 1 - 9 and where the cable clamp is fully insulated, i.e. both jaws and grips are enclosed by an unbroken insulating cap of soft plastic characterised by the fact that also the wing (or wings) is (are) made in one piece with the insulating cap and that this integrated insulating cap/wing is preferably mounted on the cable clamp already in the process of manufacture.