Electrical connector for top and side mount battery terminals

• US 4,449,772 A
• Filed: 09/17/1982
• Issued: 05/22/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Thomas B. III
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bishop, Steven C.
• Application Number:
  US06/419,288
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 339/28, 339/29 R, 339/29 B, 339/32 R, 339/33, 339/224, 339/255 P, 339/261
• US Class Current: 439/504
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/28 End pieces consisting of a ferrule or sleeve

Abstract

An electrical connector for use with top and side-mount battery terminals incorporates a fork shaped connecting surface that is adapted to fit about the tapered head portion of a side-mount automotive battery terminal bolt. The two prongs of the connector defining the fork shape are adapted to grip around the slightly tapered surface of the battery terminal bolt head. This fork element of the battery cable connector is retained in place by (1) space opposed indentions that engage the battery terminal bolt tapered head surface and (2) the opposing jaw of the battery terminal connector. The battery booster cable clamp also includes standard toothed jaws that enable the clamp to be fastened onto standard top-mount post-type battery terminals or post-type automotive battery cable terminals in the customary fashion.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for top and side-mount battery terminals, comprising:

(a) a first member having a jaw for engaging a top-mount battery terminal and a terminal engaging surface for engaging the top of a side-mount battery terminal bolt head;

(b) a second member pivotally mounted with said first member having a jaw for engaging a top-mount battery terminal and two spaced prongs defining an open slot therebetween for receiving and electrically engaging the shoulder of a side-mount battery terminal bolt head; and

(c) spring means for biasing said first and second members to pivot toward each other for mutually clamping engagement about a current carrying member.

2. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said slot includes a plurality of spaced opposed indentions for receiving battery terminal bolt heads of different sizes.

3. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second member jaws are angled for providing positive electrical contact along the outer surface of a top-mount battery terminal clamp.

4. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second member jaws include respective roughened surfaces for gripping the top-mount battery terminal clamps.

5. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 4, wherein said roughened surfaces comprise a series of teeth or serrations defining respective essentially planer surfaces.