Serviceable fused battery terminal

• US 20020098413A1
• Filed: 01/24/2001
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EWD LLC
• Original Assignee: EWD LLC
• Inventors: Jones, James L. III, Roberts, James D., Rumsey, Thomas, Hulbert, Benjamin C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,607,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/178
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/025 Structural association with a binding post of a storage battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/266 with replacement of a fuse which is part of a printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/044 General constructions or structure of low voltage fuses, i.e. below 1000 V, or of fuses where the applicable voltage is not specified H01H85/046 - H01H85/048 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/581 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A serviceable fused battery terminal comprising a disposable fused battery end containing a fuse link, the disposable fused battery end being initially integrated with a cable-connecting portion of the terminal which is secured to an electrical cable, for example by crimping in known manner. When the fuse blows, the battery end is removed from the cable-connecting end by breaking or separating it, while the cable-connecting end remains secured to the cable in its original fashion. A portion of the cable-connecting end is formed as a reattachment point for a replacement fused battery end 22, which is then secured to the remaining original cable-connecting end to create a new fused terminal. The inventive terminal allows for the easy replacement of blown fuses in the field without having to cut or otherwise remove the cable-connecting portion of the terminal from the cable.

Claims

1. A fused battery terminal comprising:

a battery end having a portion adapted to be removably secured to a battery terminal or post, and a fuse link;

a cable-connecting end connected to the battery end and including a serviceable reattachment portion designed to remain connected to a cable, the cable-connecting end and the battery end of the fused terminal being connected at a separable region.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separable region comprises a portion of an integral stem between the battery end and the cable-connecting end which has been pre-formed to be destructively broken such that the battery end of the fuse terminal with its fuse link can be removed.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separable region comprises a removable and replaceable connection between a portion of the battery end and a portion of the cable-connecting end.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a replacement battery end including a portion adapted to be connected to a battery terminal or post, a fuse link, and an attachment portion adapted to be connected to the reattachment portion of the cable-connecting end secured to the cable.