Battery clamp

• US 10,608,353 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2017
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Lipkin, Luba, Salo, III, Andrew John, Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Amy Cohen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baillargeon, Paul D
• Application Number:
  US15/634,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20170373410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 439759, 439829, 81302, 81427
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/281 for connections to batteries

Abstract

A clamp for providing an electrical connection to a battery includes a first arm, a second arm, a joint member, a first pivotable connection, and a second pivotable connection. The first arm includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrically conductive member at the distal end. The second arm includes a proximal end and a distal end. The first pivotable connection is between the joint member and the first arm, and defines a first axis, about which the first arm rotates relative to the joint member. The second pivotable connection is between the joint member and the second arm, and defines a second axis, about which the second arm rotates relative to the joint member. The first and second axes are displaced from each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the first axis.

Claims

1. A clamp for providing an electrical connection to a battery comprising:

a first arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrically conductive member at the distal end;

a second arm having a proximal end, and a distal end;

a joint member;

a first pivotable connection between the joint member and the first arm defining a first axis of rotation of the first arm, about which the first arm rotates relative to the joint member;

a second pivotable connection between the joint member and the second arm defining a second axis of rotation of the second arm, about which the second arm rotates relative to the joint member; and

a biasing mechanism supported by the joint member and configured to bias the distal ends of the first and second arms toward each other;

wherein;

the first and second axes of rotation are displaced from each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation; and

the proximal ends of the first and second arms respectively extend from the first and second pivotable connections a distance configured to allow a user to overcome the bias applied to the distal ends of the first and second arms by the biasing mechanism by squeezing the proximal ends of the first and second arms together.

2. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second axes of rotation are substantially parallel to each other.

3. The clamp according to claim 2, wherein the first and second axes of rotation are displaced from each other a distance measured in a plane that is parallel to the first and second axes of rotation.

4. The clamp according to claim 3, wherein the distance is approximately greater than 0.5 inch.

5. The clamp according to claim 3, wherein the distance is approximately greater than 1.0 inch.

6. The clamp according to claim 3, wherein the distance is approximately greater than 2.0 inches.

7. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring member.

8. The clamp according to claim 7, wherein:

the joint member includes a pair of opposing side walls and a pin extending between the side walls; and

the spring member is supported by the pin.

9. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein:

the first arm and the joint member include first cooperating features that are configured to limit a rotation of the first arm about the first axis of rotation relative to the joint member;

the second arm and the joint member include second cooperating features that are configured to limit rotation of the second arm relative to the joint member about the second axis of rotation; and

the first and second cooperating features are displaced from the first and second pivotable connections.

10. The clamp according to claim 9, wherein the first and second cooperating features each include a slot and a pin, wherein the pin is received within the slot and is configured to slide within the slot from a first end of the slot to a second end of the slot.

11. The clamp according to claim 9, wherein the clamp includes an electrical cable that is electrically coupled to the conductive member.

12. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein the distal end of the second arm includes a conductive member that is electrically coupled to the electrical cable.

13. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pivotable connections each include one of pivot joint, a hinge joint, and a rotary joint.

14. A clamp for providing an electrical connection to a battery comprising:

a first arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrically conductive member at the distal end;

a second arm having a proximal end, and a distal end;

a joint member;

a first pivotable connection between the joint member and the first arm defining a first axis of rotation of the first arm, about which the first arm rotates relative to the joint member;

a second pivotable connection between the joint member and the second arm defining a second axis of rotation of the second arm, about which the second arm rotates relative to the joint member;

a biasing mechanism supported by the joint member and configured to bias the distal ends of the first and second arms toward each other; and

an electrical cable that is electrically coupled to the conductive member;

wherein;

the first and second axes of rotation are substantially parallel to each other; and

the first and second axes of rotation are displaced from each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the first axis

the first arm and the joint member include first cooperating features that are configured to limit a rotation of the first arm about the first axis of rotation relative to the joint member;

the second arm and the joint member include second cooperating features that are configured to limit rotation of the second arm relative to the joint member about the second axis of rotation;

wherein the first and second cooperating features each include a slot and a pin that are displaced from the first and second pivotable connections, wherein the pin is received within the slot and is configured to slide within the slot from a first end of the slot to a second end of the slot.

15. The clamp according to claim 14, wherein:

the first and second axes of rotation are displaced from each other a distance measured in a plane that is parallel to the first and second axes of rotation; and

the distance is selected from the group consisting of approximately greater than 0.5 inch, approximately greater than 1.0 inch, and approximately greater than 2.0 inches.

16. The clamp according to claim 15, wherein:

the joint member includes a pair of opposing side walls and a pin extending between the side walls; and

the biasing mechanism includes a spring member that is supported by the pin.

17. The clamp according to claim 15, wherein the first and second pivotable connections each include one of pivot joint, a hinge joint, and a rotary joint.

18. The clamp according to claim 14, wherein the proximal ends of the first and second arms respectively extend from the first and second pivotable connections a distance configured to allow a user to overcome the bias applied to the distal ends of the first and second arms by the biasing mechanism by squeezing the proximal ends of the first and second arms together.