Jumper cables

• US 4,938,712 A
• Filed: 08/03/1989
• Issued: 07/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew B. Black
• Original Assignee: Andrew B. Black
• Inventors: Black, Andrew B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/388,845
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 439/489, 439/488, 439/490, 439/504, 320/25, 320/26, 320/48, 324/133, 340/636
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/15 Polarity control

Abstract

A pair of improved jumper cables one end of which automatically lights when the other is arbitrarily connected to a source battery and also automatically indicates the polarity of the source battery by means of light emitting diodes. Also when a pair of probes at the lighted end is arbitrarily connected to the destination battery, the polarity of the destination battery is automatically indicated by means of light emitting diodes. The polarities of the source battery and the destination battery are displayed together on the face of one of the clamps at the lighted end. By a comparison of the indicated polarities the correct connection can be made.

Claims

1. A battery jumper cable for polarized connection of a source battery to a destination battery, comprising:

(a) two insulated cables each having first and second ends,

(b) battery attachment means at each end of said cables,

(c) a first polarity indicating means at the second ends of one of the cables for indicating the polarity of the source battery when the first ends of said cables are arbitrarily connected thereto,

(d) a first and second probe at the second ends of said cables and electrically insulated therefrom, and

(e) a second polarity indicating means at the second end of one of said cables for indicating the polarity of said destination battery when said first and second probes are arbitrarily connected thereto prior to polarized connection of the second ends of the cables to the destination battery.

2. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 wherein said jumper cable further comprises a lamp integral with said battery attachment means at the second ends of said cables adapted for illumination when said first ends are connected to said source battery.

3. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein said battery attachment means at the seconds ends of said cables comprises a clamp at each of said ends.

4. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first probe is integral with one of said clamps but electrically insulated therefrom and said second probe is integral with the other of said clamps but electrically insulated therefrom.

5. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second polarity indicating means are attached to one of said clamps.

6. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first and second polarity indicating means comprises a pair of visual polarity sensitive devices connected parallel to each other and with their polarities opposed.

7. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 6 wherein said visual polarity sensitive devices have indicia thereof indicating the polarity for connecting the second ends of said jumper cables to said destination battery.

8. A battery jumper cable as recited in claim 7, wherein said visual polarity sensitive devices are light emitting diodes.

9. A battery jumper cable as recited in claim 7, wherein said visual polarity sensitive devices are liquid crystal diodes.