Universally adaptable electrical connector and method of using same

• US 5,685,734 A
• Filed: 12/16/1994
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HM Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: HM Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Kutz, Donald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PIRLOT, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/357,448
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 439/371, 439/700, 439/824, 439/578-585, 439/478, 439/482, 439/367, 439/368, 439/140, 439/141, 439/146, 439/409, 124/158 F
• US Class Current: 439/409
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/50 Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A universally adaptable battery charger connector which couples electrically a battery charger outlet to pairs of terminals of different types and kinds of rechargeable battery devices. The universal adaptable battery charger includes an attachment arrangement for engaging releasably one of the pairs of battery device terminals. The attachment arrangement includes a pair of electrodes coupled electrically to a battery charger outlet for helping to supply electrical current to the battery device terminals. The universal connector also includes a securing device for mounting removably on the battery device to be charged. Each one of the electrodes includes a resilient contact for pressing resiliently into engagement with the terminals to maintain an electrical and mechanical contact between the securing device and the battery device terminals. Thus, the electrodes can be positioned in engagement with the terminals independent of the size and shape of the battery device as well as of the configuration of the terminals.

Claims

1. A universally adaptable electrical connector for coupling electrically a terminal device having at least one electrical connection point and an electrical device comprising:

base means having an electrical conductor supported thereat for helping to establish an electrical path between the terminal device and the electrical device;

three spaced apart spring loaded plunger means extending outwardly perpendicularly from said base means and arranged in a triangular pattern for engaging resiliently the terminal device in a stable manner, at least one of said plunger means including a retractable electrode means for engaging electrically the electrical connection point to help establish an electrical connection between said electrical conductor and said at least one electrical connection point;

at least another one of said plunger means including a retractable stabilizing means mounted to said base means for pressing resiliently into non-electrical engagement with said terminal device to help maintain electrical and mechanical contact between said at least one connection point and said electrode means and for helping to stabilize the position of said base means in a substantially parallel spaced apart manner from said terminal device to help prevent said base means from rocking inadvertently and interrupting the electrical and mechanical contact between said connection point and said electrode means; and

whereby the electrode means can be positioned in engagement with said at least one electrical connection point and secured removably thereto for establishing said electrical path.

2. A universally adaptable connector as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

adjustment means adapted to engage said base means for pressing said retractable electrode means into resilient engagement with the electrical connection point and for pressing said retractable stabilizing means into resilient engagement with the terminal device to help maintain electrical and mechanical contact between the plunger means and the terminal device.

3. A universally adaptable connector as recited in claim 2, wherein said adjustment means is strap means;

and

wherein said strap means is adapted to engage said base means opposite said plunger means for securing removably said base means to said terminal device and for helping to press said stabilizing means into engagement with said terminal device and said electrode means into engagement with said at least one connection point.

4. A universal adaptable connector as recited in claim 3, wherein said strap means includes means for engaging releasably the terminal device.

5. A universally adaptable connector as recited in claim 4, wherein said strap means is elastic means.

6. A universally adaptable connector as recited in claim 5, wherein said elastic means is a rubber band.

7. A universally adaptable connector as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for engaging is bracket means.

8. A universally adaptable connector as recited in claim 3, wherein said strap means includes buckle means for helping fasten said strap means removably on the terminal device.

9. A universally adaptable electrical connector for coupling electrically a terminal device having at least one electrical connection point and an electrical device comprising:

probe head means for engaging electrically and mechanically the terminal device to facilitate the coupling electrically of the terminal device to the electrical device;

said probe head means including base means having an electrical conductor supported thereat for helping to establish an electrical path between the terminal device and the electrical device, telescoping electrode means depending downwardly perpendicularly from an underside of said base means and coupled electrically to said electrical conductor for engaging resiliently said at least one electrical connection point mechanically and electrically to establish an electrical connection between said electrical conductor and said at least one electrical connection point, and telescoping stabilizing means depending downwardly perpendicularly from said underside for pressing resiliently into engagement with said terminal device to help maintain electrical and mechanical contact between said at least one electrical connection point and said electrode means and for helping to stabilize the position of said base means in a substantially parallel spaced apart manner from said terminal device to help prevent said base means from rocking inadvertently and interrupting the electrical and mechanical contact between said connection point and said electrode means;

elongated strap means having an engageable material disposed on one of its surfaces for encircling the terminal device and said probe head means to help secure removably said probe head means to the terminal device, said base mean further including a strap engageable surface opposite said underside for receiving said strap means wherein said electrical conductor extends transversely from said base means between said strap engageable surface and said underside;

buckle means attached at one terminal end of said strap means for enabling said strap means to be tightened around the terminal device and said probe head means for pressing said electrode means and said stabilizing means into engagement with said terminal device;

securing means coupled to said strap means for removably securing said strap means in a desired tightened position;

whereby said strap means engages said strap engageable surface to press said electrode means and said stabilizing means into engagement with the terminal device and said securing means secures said strap means in said desired tightened position to help said probe head to be maintained in mechanical and electrical contact with the terminal device.

10. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein said

electrode means is spring biased for mechanically and electrically engaging the electrical connection point, and

said stabilizing means is spring biased for cooperating with said spring biased electrode means to stabilize said probe head means in such a manner that said electrode means remains in mechanical and electrical contact with the electrical connection point.

11. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, further comprising:

securing means coupled removably to both of the strap means and the probe head means for securing said probe head means to said straps means.

12. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein said securing means includes a pair of oppositely disposed surfaces, each surface having engaging means disposed thereon.

13. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means is configured with said spring loaded electrode means to form an imaginary equilateral triangle for stabilizing purposes.

14. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means and said spring loaded electrode means are staggered relative to one another in a nonlinear manner for stabilizing purposes.

15. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means generally circular shaped.

16. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means includes at least two aligned plungers.

17. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means includes three aligned plungers.

18. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means is a compression ring.

19. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means is resilient.

20. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said stabilizing means is retractable to accommodate irregularities in connection surfaces.

21. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said probe head is composed of a molded material.

22. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said probe head is generally circular in shape.

23. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said probe head is generally rectangular in shape.

24. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said probe head includes an electrical jack for replacement purposes.

25. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein said compression ring is composed of a resilient material.

26. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein said engagable material is a pile material.

27. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein said engagable material is a hooked material.

28. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 26, wherein said engaging means is a plurality of hooks for engaging said pile material.

29. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 27, wherein said engaging means is a pile material.

30. A universally adaptable electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said resilient stabilizing means includes at least one plunger.

31. A connector for maintaining a probe head having a strap engageable surface and a plurality of downwardly depending retractable plunger members in engagement with a terminal device, comprising:

an elongated strap means having an outer surface and an inner surface and an engaging material disposed on said outer surface to facilitate maintaining the strap means in a desired tightened position, said strap means engaging the strap engageable surface to press the plunger members into engagement with the terminal device;

a buckle means having an opening and secured at one end of said strap means for receiving the other end of said strap means therethrough to enable the strap means to be adjusted about the terminal device and the probe head, wherein the buckle means enables said engaging material to be disposed in two opposing sections; and

securing means disposed between said two opposing sections for securing said opposing sections to one another to help maintain said plunger members in pressing engagement with the terminal device.