ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR PLATE ELECTRODE

• US 3,842,394 A
• Filed: 03/06/1973
• Issued: 10/15/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lee R. Bolduc
• Original Assignee: Lee R. Bolduc
• Inventors: Bolduc, Lee R.
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Application Number:
  US05/338,455
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 339/75,255,260,261,274 24/25R,258 128/DIG.4
• US Class Current: 439/261
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/273 Connection of cords, cables or leads to electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/22 End pieces terminating in a spring clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A ground plate electrode having an electrically conductive skin connected to an electrosurgical unit with an elongated cord and clamp assembly. The clamp assembly has a pair of separated jaws carrying electrical contact plates positionable in surface contact with the skin of the electrode. Releasable lock structure acting on the jaws move the jaws together to firmly clamp the plates on the electrode. A separate arm having a projection is used to pierce the electrode to hold the clamp assembly in assembled relation with the electrode.

Claims

1. A plate electrode for engaging the surface of a body and an electrical connector comprising:

a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface area for surface engagement with the surface of the body to make a large surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, and an electrical connector releasably attached to said plate electrode, said electrical connector having electrical conductor means located in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, first jaw means located on one side of said plate electrode, and second jaw means located on the opposite side of said plate electrode, said electrical connector means being attached to at least one of said jaw means, and releasable lock means operable to a first position to move the first and second jaw means together to thereby clamp the electrical conductor means in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable to a second position to release the first and second jaw means to thereby release the clamp of the electrical conductor means from the electrically conductive means, said releasable lock means including first means mounted on the first jaw means and projected through holes in the first and second jaw means, said first means including a first member and a second member adjustably connected to the first member, cam means pivotally connected to said first means and engageable with the second jaw means, and second means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means to a first position to locate the first and second jaw means in a clamped position whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, said cam means being movable to a second position to release the first and second jaw meanS whereby the plate electrode can be separated from the electrical connector.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein:

the cam means has an elliptical shaped face engageable with the second jaw means.

3. The structure of claim 1 including:

biasing means to move the first jaw means away from the second jaw means.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw means and the second jaw means and attached to said first and second jaw means.

5. The structure of claim 1 including:

arm means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein:

the first jaw means and the second jaw means have aligned holes, said arm means having a projection adapted to move through the hole in the first jaw means and into the hole in the second jaw means when the cam means is in the first position.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein:

the first jaw means and second jaw means are part of a one piece generally U-shaped member.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein:

said one piece member is a yieldable plastic material.

9. An electrical connector attachable to a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface area for surface engagement with the surface of a body to make a large surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, the improvement of:

said electrical conductor having plate electrical conductor means positionable in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, a first jaw, a second jaw laterally spaced from the first jaw, said conductor means located between said first jaw and said second jaw and mounted on one of said jaws, and releasable lock means operable to a first position to apply a clamping force to and move the first jaw and second jaw together and movable to a second position to release the clamping force from said first and second jaws, said releasable lock means including first means mounted on the first jaws and projected through holes in the first and second jaws, said first means including a first member and a second member adjustably connected to the first member, cam means pivotally connected to said first means and engageable with the second jaws, and second means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means to a first position to locate the first and second jaws in a clamped position whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, said cam means being movable to a second position to release the first and second jaws whereby the plate electrode can be separated from the electrical connector.

10. The structure of claim 9 wherein:

the cam means has an elliptical shaped face engageable with the second jaw.

11. The structure of claim 9 including:

biasing means to move the first jaw away from the second jaw.

12. The structure of claim 9 including:

arm means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means.

13. The structure of claim 12 wherein:

the first jaw and the second jaw have aligned holes, said arm means having a projection adapted to move through the hole in the first jaw and into the hole in the second jaw when the cam means is in the first position.

14. An electrical connector attachable to a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface area for surface engagement with the surface of a body to make a large surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, the improvement of:

said electrical conductor having plate electrical conductor means positionable in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, a first jaw, a second jaw laterally spaced from the first jaw, said conductor means located between said first jaw and said secoNd jaw and mounted on one of said jaws, and releasable lock means operable to a first position to apply a clamping force to and move the first jaw and second jaw together and movable to a second position to release the clamping force from said first and second jaws, said releasable lock means including a first threaded member projected through a hole in the second jaw, said second threaded member being threaded to the first threaded member, cam means pivotally connected to the second threaded member, said cam means having an eccentric face engageable with the second jaw and arm means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means to a first position to locate the first and second jaws in a clamp position whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable to a second position to release the first and second jaws.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein:

the first jaw and second jaw are part of a one piece generally U-shaped member.

16. The structure of claim 14 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw and the second jaw and attached to said first and second jaws.

17. An electrical connector attachable to a ground plate electrode having a base and electrically conductive skin means attached to the base comprising:

a body having a first jaw and a second jaw, said first jaw being laterally spaced from the second jaw, and conductor means mounted on said body for making an electrical connection with the skin means, said conductor means having a contact plate member with a surface adapted to be located in surface engagement with the skin means, an arm operable connected to the body, means mounting the arm on said body for selective movement of the arm toward and away from one of said jaws and projection means secured to said arm, said first jaw having a hole for accommodating said projection means, said projection means having a length to project through said hole and through a plate electrode located between the first jaw and second jaw whereby said projection means holds the connector in assembled relation with a plate electrode.

18. The connector of claim 17 wherein:

said second jaw has a hole generally aligned with the hole in the first jaw, said projection means having a length to extend into the hole in the second jaw.

19. The connector of claim 17 wherein:

said means cooperating with said arm is a releasable lock means operable to a first position to apply a clamping force to and move the first jaw and second jaw toward each other and movable to a second position to release the clamping force from said first and second jaws.

20. The connector of claim 19 wherein:

the releasable lock means includes first means mounted on the first jaw and projected through holes in the first and second jaws, cam means pivotally connected to said first means and engageable with the second jaw, and second means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means to a first position to locate the first and second jaws in a clamped position whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the skin means, said cam means being movable to a second position to release the first and second jaws whereby the plate electrode can be separated from the electrical connector.

21. The connector of claim 17 wherein:

the body is a generally U-shaped, one piece yieldable plastic member.

22. The connector of claim 21 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw and the second jaw and attached to said first and second jaws.

23. A plate electrode for engaing the surface of a body and an electrical connector comprising:

a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface for surface engagement with the surface of a body to make a laRge surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, and an electrical connector releasably attached to said plate electrode, said electrical connector having electrical conductor means located in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, first jaw means located on one side of said plate electrode and second jaw means located on the opposite side of said plate electrode, said electrical conductor means being attached to at least one of said jaw means, releasable lock means operable to a first position to move the first and second jaw means together to thereby clamp the electrical conductor means in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable to a second position to release the first and second jaw means to thereby release the clamp of the electrical conductor means from the electrically conductive means, said releasable lock means including first means mounted on the first jaw means and projected through holes in the first and second jaw means, cam means pivotally connected to said first means and engageable with the second jaw means, and second means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means to a first position to locate the first and second jaw means in a clamped position whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, said cam means being movable to a second position to release the first and second jaw means whereby the plate electrode can be separated from the electrical connector, and arm means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means, said first jaw means and second jaw means having aligned holes, said arm means having a projection adapted to move through the hole in the first jaw means and into the hole in the second jaw means when the cam means is in the first position.

24. The structure of claim 23 wherein:

the cam means has an elliptical-shaped face engageable with the second jaw means.

25. The structure of claim 23 including:

biasing means to move the first jaw means away from the second jaw means.

26. The structure of claim 23 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw means and the second jaw means and attached to said first and second jaw means.

27. The structure of claim 23 wherein:

the first jaw means and second jaw means are part of a one-piece generally U-shaped member.

28. The structure of claim 27 wherein:

said one-piece member is a yieldable plastic material.

29. A plate electrode for engaging the surface of a body and an electrical connector comprising:

a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface area for surface engagement with the surface of a body to make a large surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, and an electrical connector releasably attached to said plate electrode, said electrical connector having electrical conductor means located in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, first jaw means located on one side of said plate electrode, said electrical connector means being attached to at least one of said jaw means, and releasable lock means operable to a first position to move the first and second jaw means together to thereby clamp the electrical conductor means in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable to a second position to release the first and second jaw means to thereby release the clamp of the electrical conductor means from the electrically conductive means, said releasable lock means including a first threaded member mounted on the first jaw means, a second threaded member projected through a hole in the second jaw means, said second threaded member being threaded to the first threaded member, and arm means connected to the second threaded member and movable to rotate the second threaded member in one direction to apply a clamping force on the first and second jaw means whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable in an opposite direction to release the clamping force on the jaw means whereby the plate electrode can be removed from the electrical connector.

30. The structure of claim 29 wherein:

the cam means has an elliptical-shaped face engageable with the second jaw means.

31. The structure of claim 29 including:

biasing means to move the first jaw means away from the second jaw means.

32. The structure of claim 29 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw means and the second jaw means and attached to said first and second jaw means.

33. The structure of claim 29 wherein:

the first jaw means and second jaw means are part of a one-piece generally U-shaped member.

34. The structure of claim 33 wherein:

said one-piece member is a yieldable plastic material.

35. A plate electrode for engaging the surface of a body and an electrical connector comprising:

a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface area for surface engagement with the surface of a body to make a large surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, and an electrical connector releasably attached to said plate electrode, said electrical connector having electrical conductor means located in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, first jaw means located on one side of said plate electrode, said electrical connector means being attached to at least one of said jaw means, and releasable lock means operable to a first position to move the first and second jaw means together to thereby clamp the electrical conductor means in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable to a second position to release the first and second jaw means to thereby release the clamp of the electrical conductor means from the electrically conductive means, said releasable lock means including a first threaded member mounted on the first jaw means, a second threaded member projected through a hole in the second jaw means, said second threaded member being threaded to the first threaded member, cam means pivotally connected to the second threaded member, said cam means having an eccentric face engageable with the second jaw means and arm means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means to a first position to locate the first and second jaw means in a clamped position whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable to a second position to release the first and second jaw means.

36. The structure of claim 35 including:

biasing means to move the first jaw means away from the second jaw means.

37. The structure of claim 35 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw means and the second jaw means and attached to said first and second jaw means.

38. The structure of claim 35 wherein:

the first jaw means and second jaw means are part of a one-piece generally U-shaped member.

39. The structure of claim 38 wherein:

said one-piece member is a yieldable plastic material.

40. An electrical connector attachable to a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface area for surface engagement with the surface of a body to make a large surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, the improvement of:

said electrical connector having electrical conductor plate means positionable in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, a first jaw, a second jaw laterally spaced from the first jaw, said conductOr means located between said first jaw and said second jaw and mounted on one of said jaws, releasable lock means operable to a first position to apply a clamping force to and move the first jaw and second jaw together and movable to a second position to release the clamping force from the first and second jaws, and arm means secured to the cam means operable to move the cam means, said first jaw and second jaw having aligned holes, said arm means having a projection adapted to move through the hole in the first jaw and into the hole in the second jaw when the cam means is in the first position.

41. The structure of claim 40 wherein:

the cam means has an elliptical-shaped face engageable with the second jaw means.

42. The structure of claim 40 including:

biasing means to move the first jaw means away from the second jaw means.

43. The structure of claim 40 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw means and the second jaw-means and attached to said first and second jaw means.

44. The structure of claim 40 wherein:

the first jaw means and second jaw means are part of a one-piece generally U-shaped member.

45. The structure of claim 44 wherein:

said one-piece member is a yieldable plastic material.

46. An electrical connector attachable to a plate electrode having an electrically conductive means, said electrically conductive means having a substantial surface area for surface engagement with the surface of a body to make a large surface electrical contact between the electrically conductive means and the body, the improvement of:

said electrical conductor having plate electrical conductor means positionable in substantial surface engagement with the electrically conductive means, a first jaw, a second jaw laterally spaced from the first jaw, said conductor means located between said first jaw and said second jaw and mounted on one of said jaws, and releasable lock means operable to a first position to apply a clamping force to and move the first jaw and second jaw together and movable to a second position to release the clamping force from said first and second jaws, said releasable lock means including a first threaded member mounted on the first jaw, a second threaded member projected through a hole in the second jaw, said second threaded member being threaded to the first threaded member, and arm means connected to the second threaded member and movable to rotate the second threaded member in one direction to apply a clamping force on the first and second jaws whereby the electrical conductor means is held in surface engagement with the electrically conductive means and movable in an opposite direction to release the clamping force on the jaws whereby the plate electrode can be removed from the electrical connector.

47. The structure of claim 46 wherein:

the cam means has an elliptical-shaped face engageable with the second jaw means.

48. The structure of claim 46 including:

biasing means to move the first jaw means away from the second jaw means.

49. The structure of claim 46 wherein:

said electrical conductor means is a generally U-shaped member located within the space between the first jaw means and the second jaw means and attached to said first and second jaw means.

50. The structure of claim 46 wherein:

the first jaw means and second jaw means are part of a one-piece generally U-shaped member.

51. The structure of claim 50 wherein:

said one-piece member is a yeildable plastic material.