Clamp for Electrically Coupling to a Battery Contact

• US 20090311919A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Smith, Clark E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/759
• 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 that is capable of attaching to a battery post and also to a female receptacle terminal. The clamp includes a post-grasping portion that is capable of attaching to the battery post. The clamp also includes a male plug feature that is configured to fit into a female receptacle terminal.

Claims

1. A clamp comprising:

a post-grasping portion; and

a male plug feature configured to fit into a female receptacle terminal.

2. The clamp of claim 1 and further comprising at least one electrically conductive piece configured to electrically couple to the female receptacle terminal when the male plug feature is inserted into the female receptacle.

3. The clamp of claim 2 wherein the at least one electrically conductive piece comprises two electrically conductive pieces.

4. The clamp of claim 3 and wherein each one of the two electrically conductive pieces is arc shaped.

5. The clamp of claim 3 wherein the two electrically conductive pieces are coupled to a Kelvin connection.

6. The clamp of claim 2 wherein the at least one electrically conductive piece comprises copper.

7. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the post grasping portion comprises jaws.

8. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the male plug feature comprises a bolt.

9. The clamp of claim 8 wherein the bolt is a thumbscrew or a knurled bolt.

10. A battery tester including the clamp of claim 1.

11. A battery charger including the clamp of claim 1.

12. The clamp of claim 3 wherein the two electrically conductive pieces comprise a first electrically conductive piece and a second electrically conductive piece that is electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive piece.

13. The clamp of claim 3 and wherein the first electrically conductive piece and the second electrically conductive piece are electrically isolated from the male plug feature.

14. The clamp of claim 13 and wherein the post-grasping portion comprises a first post-grasping member and a second post-grasping member.

15. The clamp of claim 14 and wherein the first electrically conductive piece and the first post-grasping member are coupled to a first Kelvin connector, and wherein the second electrically conductive piece and the second post-grasping member are electrically coupled to a second Kelvin connector.

16. A Kelvin clamp configured to attach to battery contacts that include a battery post and a female receptacle terminal.

17. The Kelvin clamp of claim 16 comprising:

a post-grasping portion configured to attach to the battery post; and

a male plug feature configured to fit into the female receptacle terminal.

18. The Kelvin clamp of claim 17 and further comprising electrically conductive pieces configured to electrically couple to the female receptacle terminal when the male plug feature is inserted into the female receptacle.

19. A battery tester including the clamp of claim 18.

20. A battery charger including the clamp of claim 18.