Safety jumper cables

• US 4,721,479 A
• Filed: 10/17/1986
• Issued: 01/26/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curtis Shuman
• Original Assignee: Curtis Shuman
• Inventors: Shuman, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRADLEY, PAULA A
• Application Number:
  US06/920,696
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 339/29 B, 339/29 R, 339/28
• US Class Current: 439/503
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/71 Contact members of coupling parts operating as switch , e.g. linear or rotational movement required after mechanical engagement of coupling part to establish electrical connection

Abstract

A pair of jumper cables for connecting between weak and strong batteries for transmitting power to jump-start a vehicle wherein the cables include a protective feature to isolate an electric spark from the general area of the batteries to prevent explosion. The cables comprise a first, continuous conductor cable adapted with clamps for attachment to the negative terminals or ground voltage of the respective batteries. A second, two-segment insulated conductor cable is provided having two medial and two distal ends, wherein each of the distal ends includes a conductive clamp for attachment to the positive terminals of the battery. The remaining medial ends of the positive cable are adapted for mutual, releasible attachment by an alligator clamp fixed at one of the medial ends. The remaining medial end is configured in size and shape to permit its firm grip within the opposing medial clamp.

Claims

1. A pair of jumper cables for coupling between weak and strong batteries used as sources of power for starting combustion engines wherein the cable provides a transmission line for conducting power from the strong battery to the weak battery, said battery cables comprising:

a first insulated conductor cable for attachment between positive terminals of the respective batteries, said first cable including two cable segments, each having a conductive clamp at a distal end which is adapted for attachment to the battery terminal and an attachment means coupled at a remaining medial end, said attachment means being adapted for establishing an electrical connection between the respective conductive distal clamps when in a coupled configuration while providing an open, nonconducting circuit when in a noncoupled configuration; and

a second insulated conductor cable for attachment between negative terminals of the respective batteries, said second cable including two cable segments, each having a conductive clamp at a distal end which is adapted for attachment to the battery terminal and an attachment means coupled at a remaining medial end, said attachment means being adapted for establishing an electrical connection between the respective conductive distal clamps when in a coupled configuration while providing an open, nonconducting circuit when in a noncoupled configuration;

the attachment means for the first cable comprising an alligator clamp at one medial end for coupling to an exposed medial end of the same first conductive cable, said exposed end being adapted in size and shape for firm attachment by the alligator clamp;

the attachment means in the second cable comprising a detachable plug and receptacle respectively coupled to the medial ends of the second conductive cable and adapted to mate for closing a conductive path between the distal clamps of the cable.

2. A pair of jumper cables as defined in claim 1, wherein the respective attachment means are displaced along the length of the cables such that any portion of the second cable which is next to the attachment means of the first cable is insulated and is free of any form of attachment means.

3. A pair of jumper cables for coupling between weak and strong batteries used as sources of power for starting combustion engines wherein the cables provide a transmission line for conducting power from the strong battery to the weak battery, said jumper cables comprising:

a first, continuous insulated conductor cable having a conductive clamp attached at each thereof and being adapted for attachment between negative terminals or ground voltage of the respective batteries;

a second insulated conductor cable comprising first and second cable segments, the first cable segment having a conductive clamp attached at a distal end, the remaining end being a medial end and having conductive attachment means coupled thereto, wherein the attachment means is an alligator clamp;

the second insulated conductor cable segment having a conductive clamp attached at a distal end, the remaining end being a medial end including means for coupling to the attachment means wherein the means for coupling to the attachment means in an exposed medial end;

the first and second cable segments having no electrical contact, except during actual recharging operations wherein the medial ends of each cable segment have been electrically coupled together;

the attachment means being disposed along the length of the second cable and every portion of the first cable being free of any means of electrical connection with the attachment means.