CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRICAL CABLES

• US 20180248281A1
• Filed: 02/28/2018
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensible Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Sensible Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Porter, Terrel
• Granted Patent: US 10,454,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 9/006 Constructional features relating to the conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/288 Interconnections between batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/122 Provisions for temporary connection of DC sources of essentially the same voltage, e.g. jumpstart cables

Abstract

Electrical cables, such as battery jumper cables, include connectors with thin, elongated jaws that are capable of being introduced into small spaces and of securely clamping onto the terminals of a battery of a car or another vehicle. The connectors may comprise locking pliers.

Claims

1. Cables for establishing an electrical connection or electrical grounding, comprising:

a positive cable comprising an electrically conductive cable coated with an electrically insulative material, the positive cable including a first end and a second end;

a negative cable comprising an electrically conductive cable coated with an electrically insulative material, the negative cable including a first end and a second end;

a connector at each of the first end of the positive cable, the first end of the negative cable, the second end of the positive cable, and the second end of the negative cable, at least one connector comprising;

locking pliers, including;

a fixed handle in electrical communication with the electrically conductive cable of the positive cable or with the electrically conductive cable of the negative cable;

a first jaw at an end of the fixed handle;

a link including a first end slidingly received within a slot in the fixed handle and a second end opposite from the first end;

a movable handle pivotally associated with the second end of the link;

a second jaw pivotally associated with the first jaw and with the movable handle;

a spring between the fixed handle and the second jaw;

an adjustment screw associated with the first end of the link to define a position of the first end of the link relative to a length of the fixed handle, the adjustment screw and the link capable of defining a distance between the opposed surfaces of the first jaw and the second jaw;

a release pivotally associated with the movable handle and configured to engage the link to unlock positions of the first jaw and the second jaw and to release a battery terminal, a battery connector, or an electrical ground secured between the first jaw and the second jaw; and

an electrically insulative coating on the fixed handle and on the movable handle.

2. The cables of claim 1, comprising a first positive connector at the first end of the positive cable and a first negative connector at the first end of the negative cable.

3. The cables of claim 2, comprising a second positive connector at the second end of the positive cable and a second negative connector at the second end of the negative cable.

4. The cables of claim 2, wherein:

the electrically insulative coating on the fixed handle and on the moveable handle of the first positive connector is red; and

the electrically insulative coating on the fixed handle and on the movable handle of the first negative connector is black.

5. The cables of claim 1, wherein:

the electrically insulative material on the positive cable is red; and

the electrically insulative material on the negative cable is black.

6. The cables of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector is fixedly secured to the first end of the positive cable, the first end of the negative cable, the second end of the positive cable, or the second end of the negative cable.

7. The cables of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector is removably secured to the first end of the positive cable, the first end of the negative cable, the second end of the positive cable, or the second end of the negative cable.

8. The cables of claim 7, wherein the at least one connector further comprises a cable mounting bracket secured to and in electrical communication with at least one of the fixed handle and the movable handle, the at least one cable mounting bracket including:

a receptacle capable of receiving an end of an electrically conductive cable; and

an engagement element capable of securing the end of the electrically conductive cable in the receptacle and establishing electrical communication between the electrically conductive cable and the cable mounting bracket.

9. The cables of claim 1, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw of the locking pliers are configured to clamp onto and electrically engage a battery terminal.

10. The cables of claim 1, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw, when positioned as close as possible to one another and closed by pivoting the moveable handle toward the fixed handle, are oriented in substantially the same direction or in converging or intersecting directions.

11. The cables of claim 1, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw, when positioned as close as possible to one another and closed by pivoting the moveable handle toward the fixed handle, are oriented in divergent directions.

15. The cables of claim 1, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw of the locking pliers are configured to clamp onto and electrically engage a battery terminal.

12. A connector for cables for establishing an electrical connection or for electrical grounding, comprising:

locking pliers, including;

a fixed handle in electrical communication with the electrically conductive cable of the positive cable or with the electrically conductive cable of the negative cable;

a first jaw at an end of the fixed handle;

a link including a first end slidingly received within a slot in the fixed handle and a second end opposite from the first end;

a movable handle pivotally associated with the second end of the link;

a second jaw pivotally associated with the first jaw and with the movable handle;

a spring between the fixed handle and the second jaw;

an adjustment screw associated with the first end of the link to define a position of the first end of the link relative to a length of the fixed handle, the adjustment screw and the link capable of defining a distance between the opposed surfaces of the first jaw and the second jaw;

a release pivotally associated with the movable handle and configured to engage the link to unlock positions of the first jaw and the second jaw and to release a battery terminal, a battery connector, or an electrical ground secured between the first jaw and the second jaw; and

an electrically insulative coating on the fixed handle and on the movable handle; and

a cable mount capable of receiving and electrically connecting an end of an electrically conductive cable to at least one of the fixed handle and the movable handle.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the cable mount is capable of removably receiving the end of the electrically conductive cable.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the cable mount comprises:

a receptacle capable of receiving the end of the electrically conductive cable; and

an engagement element capable of securing the end of the electrically conductive cable in the receptacle and establishing electrical communication between the electrically conductive cable and the cable mount.

16. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw, when positioned as close as possible to one another and closed by pivoting the moveable handle toward the fixed handle, are oriented in substantially the same direction or in converging or intersecting directions.

17. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw, when positioned as close as possible to one another and closed by pivoting the moveable handle toward the fixed handle, are oriented in divergent directions.