Stamped battery terminal exhibiting a pivoting clamping mechanism

• US 20040161980A1
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cret, Gavril
• Granted Patent: US 6,872,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/759
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/282 comprising means for facilitating engagement or disengagement, e.g. quick release terminal

Abstract

A terminal clamping mechanism for use with a conventional battery having an upwardly extending post. The clamping mechanism includes a compressible battery terminal exhibiting a substantially annular shaped portion generally corresponding to an exterior configuration of the battery post. First and second projecting portions extend in spaced apart manner from opposing ends of the annular shaped portion. A lever arm exhibits an elongate and arcuate shape, a first end of which is secured to a fastener extending through apertures in the spaced apart projecting portions. An intermediate portion of the lever arm abuts against a selected projecting portion and, upon inward actuation of a second arcuate shaped end of the lever arm concurrent with placement of the annular shaped portion about the battery post, the lever arm compressing the terminal in a spring biasing and engaging fashion about the post.

Claims

1. A terminal clamping mechanism for use with a conventional battery having an upwardly extending post, said clamping mechanism comprising:

a compressible battery terminal exhibiting a substantially annular shaped portion generally corresponding to an exterior configuration of the battery post, first and second projecting portions extending in spaced apart manner from opposing ends of said annular shaped portion; and

a lever arm exhibiting an elongate and arcuate shape, a first end of said lever arm being secured to a fastener extending through apertures in said spaced apart projecting portions, an intermediate portion of said lever arm abutting against a selected projecting portion and, upon inward actuation of a second arcuate shaped end of said lever arm concurrent with placement of said annular shaped portion about the battery post, said lever arm compressing said terminal in a spring biasing and engaging fashion about the post.

2. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 1, said lever arm further comprising an elongated slot extending a projected distance along said first end, said first end terminating in an inwardly directed tab extending through a further aperture defined in said abutting projection portion such that, upon actuation of said lever arm, said tab releasing from said further aperture and said arm being rearwardly displaced to reseat said tab against said projecting portion in said engaged position.

3. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 2, further comprising a shoulder established between a selected annular shaped portion and associated projecting portion, said shoulder being configured to resistively engage said intermediate portion upon engagement of said lever arm.

4. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 1, said fastener further comprising a threaded bolt, a wave washer supported on said threaded bolt and sandwiched between said projecting portions, a nut engaging over a threaded projecting end of said bolt.

5. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one pair of gripping portions extending from an end of said terminal, said gripping portions being configured to grip an exposed end of an electrical cable.

6. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 1, further comprising an electrically insulated cover engageable over said battery terminal in an engaged position.

7. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 6, said cover including a planar shaped base and at least a forward and downwardly projecting catch portion against which is engaged a forwardly most projecting end of said lever arm.

8. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 7, said cover further comprising a two piece assembly including a first cover member incorporating said catch portion and rotatably secured to opposite projecting ends of said fastener and a second cover member eccentrically secured to said first cover member, said second cover member providing a rearwardly disposed and restraining bias to said first cover member and associated catch portion in said engaged position.

9. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 6, said insulated cover exhibiting a specified shape and size and being constructed from a material including at least hard plastic, polypropylene, rubber and PVC.

10. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 1, said annular shaped terminal portion further comprising a substantially three dimensional and conical shape corresponding to that of the battery post.

11. A terminal clamping mechanism for use with a conventional battery having an upwardly extending post, said clamping mechanism comprising:

a compressible battery terminal exhibiting a substantially annular shaped portion generally corresponding to an exterior configuration of the battery post, first and second projecting portions extending in spaced apart manner from opposing ends of said annular shaped portion; and

a lever arm hingedly engaged to a rearward disposed location of said annular shaped portion, said lever arm exhibiting a generally open central portion corresponding in dimension to a cross section of said annular shaped portion, said lever arm further comprising a forwardly directed and inwardly tapered portion which, upon downward actuation of said lever arm and concurrent with placement of said annular shaped portion about the battery post, contacts and subsequently compresses said spaced apart projecting portions of said terminal in a spring biasing and engaging fashion about the post.

12. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 11, further comprising an overlaying hinge, said hinge exhibiting an annular shaped portion which overlays and engages with said annular shaped portion of said terminal, said hinge further exhibiting a pair of spaced apart portions which overlay said projecting portions associated with said terminal.

13. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 12, further comprising said tapered portion being resistively engaged to said spaced apart portions in an engaged position.

14. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 13, further comprising opposing and inwardly facing surfaces of said tapered portion exhibiting a first pair of projections, corresponding outwardly and opposite facing surfaces of said spaced apart hinge portions exhibiting a second pair of projections which, upon engagement of said lever arm, resistively interengage with said first pair of projections.

15. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 14, said first pair of projections further comprising axially extending ridges, said second pair of projections each further comprising a pair of spaced apart dimples.

16. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 11, further comprising a handle portion projecting from a forward-most location of said lever arm.

17. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 11, further comprising a sleeve integrally defined at said rearward location of said annular shaped portion of said hinge, a rearward-most location of said lever arm including a pin resistively seated within said sleeve portion.

18. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 11, further comprising at least one pair of gripping portions extending from an end of said terminal, said gripping portions being configured to grip an exposed end of an electrical cable.

19. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 17, said lever arm further comprising a pair of upwardly extending wing portions at opposite ends of said pin and in order to provide lateral stability to said hingedly connected lever arm.

20. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 11, said annular shaped terminal portion further comprising a substantially three dimensional and conical shape corresponding to that of the battery post.

21. The terminal clamping mechanism as described in claim 11, said lever arm having a specified shape and size and being constructed from a first material including at least a spring steel said compressible terminal being constructed from a second material including at least copper.