Clamping contact connection

• US 5,615,674 A
• Filed: 03/22/1995
• Issued: 04/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Maurer, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/408,201
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 128/639, 128/642, 439/269.2, 439/592, 439/593, 439/660, 439/909
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/288 for foetal cardiography, e.g. scalp electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4362 Assessing foetal parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/5033 using wedge or pin penetrating into the end of a wire in axial direction of the wire
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A clamping contact connection is provided for contacting a fetal scalp electrode, which is fixable to the head of the fetus by means of a tubular insertion, aid with a leg plate fittable to the expectant mother. The clamping contact connection comprises a first contact element, which is at least partly wedge-shaped or tapers and has at least two outer contact faces, and a second contact element openable on its front end and which has at least two openable jaws with inner contact faces. During contacting, the jaws of the second contact element engage round at least the wedge-shaped or tapering area of the first contact element. Additional holding elements prevent the unintentional separation of the clamping contact connection. The connection permits an easy manufacture of the individual elements, good cleaning, safe and rapid connection and also separation of the contact elements, as well as adequate protection against accidental, incorrect mains connection.

Claims

1. A clamping contact connection for electrical connection of a fetal scalp electrode to a leg plate that is fixable to an expectant mother, and comprising:

a fetal scalp electrode;

a leg plate;

a first contact element coupled to said leg plate and including a portion which is wedge-shaped or tapers and includes, on said portion, at least two outer contact faces;

a second contact element having at least two openable jaws with inner contact faces, said second contact element connected to the fetal scalp electrode and constructed as an elongated, substantially cylindrical part with a gripping area and a contact area which includes said inner contact faces, the first contact element and the second contact element, when engaged, enabling said jaws of the second contact element to engage said portion of the first contact element, so that the inner contact faces of the second contact element contact the outer contact faces of the first contact element and said jaws prevent an unintentional separation of an inter-connection therebetween.

2. A clamping contact connection according to claim 1, wherein the jaws of the second contact element are shaped to include opposed holding elements.

3. A clamping contact connection according to claim 2, wherein the opposed holding elements are shaped in such a way that when the jaws are closed, a central depression is present between the jaws and which on assembling of the contact elements, facilitates opening of the second contact element.

4. A clamping contact connection according to claim 2, wherein the first contact element is constructed as a wedge, which is fixed to the leg plate and has a plan view substantially corresponding to an acute triangle, including acute-angled side walls and a back, the acute-angled side walls constructed as contact faces and on contacting said second contact element, enable the opposed holding elements to engage the back of the wedge.

5. A clamping contact connection according to claim 4, wherein wedge surface remote from the leg plate, at least in the area of the acute-angled side walls, projects above the same in order to prevent a sliding of the second contact element.

6. A clamping contact connection according to claim 4, wherein the leg plate includes clamping elements which prevent a lateral twisting of the second contact element.

7. A clamping contact connection according to claim 4, wherein the second contact element is made from plastic and the jaws are sufficiently resilient to press the inner contact faces against the outer contact faces.

8. A clamping contact connection according to claim 7, wherein for improving contact pressure, at least one resilient metal strip is positioned between and is openable with the jaws.