Tool-less terminal connector for side mount-type battery

• US 20050101197A1
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WirthCo Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: WirthCo Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Wirth, Steven E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,942,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/755
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/282 comprising means for facilitating engagement or disengagement, e.g. quick release terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/305 having means for facilitating engagement of conductive member or for holding it in position

Abstract

A tool-less, side mount-type battery terminal connector comprises an elongated conductive body having thread means on the inner end sized to engage a threaded female recessed battery terminal, a central cylindrical portion of larger diameter than the inner end, and knob means on the outer end. A shoulder at the junction of the inner end and the central cylindrical portion functions to clamp an end terminal of an electrical cable to the battery terminal. The knob means is sized to facilitate manual, tool-less rotation of the body.

Claims

1. A tool-less, side mount-type battery terminal connector for use in combination with (a) a battery having a top surface, a plurality of sides and a threaded female conductive terminal in one of said sides, and (b) at least one electrical cable having an annular, conductive end terminal with two sides, said battery terminal connector comprising:

(i) an elongated body of conductive metal having a longitudinal axis, an inner end, an outer end and a central cylindrical portion having a pre-selected diameter;

(ii) thread means on said inner end of said body sized for threaded engagement with said female conductive terminal in said side of said automotive type battery, said inner end of said body having a diameter smaller than said pre-selected diameter of said central cylindrical portion of said body, said body having a radially extending shoulder between said inner end and said central cylindrical portion of said body; and

(iii) knob means connected to said outer end of said body, said knob means being sized to facilitate manual, tool-less rotation of said body about said longitudinal axis.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said body has integral, non-uniform radially extending means at said outer end of said body.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein said knob means is connected to said integral, non-uniform radially extending means of said body.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said knob means has a substantially round outer periphery having a pre-selected diameter substantially greater than said pre-selected diameter of said central cylindrical portion of said body.

5. The connector of claim 1 wherein said knob means has a radial extent substantially greater than said pre-selected diameter of said central cylindrical portion of said body.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein said knob means has a substantially round radial periphery.

7. The connector of claim 5 wherein said knob means includes a plurality of radially extending and angularly spaced apart means.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein said knob means includes a radially extending shoulder spaced longitudinally outward from said shoulder of said body.

9. The connector of claim 1 further including an integral threaded extension of said body projecting longitudinally outward from said other end of said body.

10. The connector of claim 7 wherein said knob means is unitary, non-conductive and has three equi-angularly spaced-apart tab means.

11. The connector of claim 2 wherein said non-uniform radially extending means on said outer end of said body comprises a plurality of flat, interconnected surfaces.