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Safety jumper cable apparatus

  • US 4,463,402 A
  • Filed: 03/22/1983
  • Issued: 07/31/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Jumper cable apparatus for providing, when properly connected, a connection between positive terminals of the electrical systems of first and second vehicles and between negative terminals of the electrical systems of the first and second vehicles, the jumper cable apparatus comprising:

  • first and second connector means for user-selected removable connection to the positive and negative electrical terminals, respectively, of the electrical system of the first vehicle when properly connected;

    third and fourth connector means for user-selected removable connection to the positive and negative electrical terminals, respectively, of the electrical system of the second vehicle when properly connected;

    first cable means for providing a first current path between the first and third connector means;

    second cable means for providing a second current path between the second and fourth connector means; and

    control means for preventing current flow in the first and second current paths unless (a) a first voltage between the third and fourth connector means has a polarity in which the third connector means is more positive than the fourth connector means and a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold level, and (b) a second voltage between the first connector means and one other of the second, third and fourth connector means has a predetermined polarity in which the first connector means is more positive than the one other of the second, third and fourth connector means and a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold level, thus indicating that the first, second, third and fourth connectors are all connected properly, wherein the control means comprises;

    first switch means connected in the first current path and having a conductive state which permits current flow through the first path and a nonconductive state which blocks current flow through the first path;

    first switch control means for controlling the state of the first switch means as a function of the first and second voltages;

    second switch means connected in the second current path and having a conductive state which permits current flow through the second path and a nonconductive state which blocks current flow through the second path; and

    second switch control means for controlling the state of the second switch means as a function of the first and second voltages.

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