Multi-use electrical connector

• US 5,688,131 A
• Filed: 09/03/1996
• Issued: 11/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roger W Jensen & Associates Limited
• Original Assignee: Wirth Company Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: Byfield, Dwight Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/706,872
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 439/883, 439/868, 439/92, 439/755, 439/766, 439/907
• US Class Current: 439/92
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/09 the connecting locations being identical
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/287 Intermediate parts between battery post and cable end piece
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/64 Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail

Abstract

An electrical terminal connector having a flat base portion with at least one male terminal connection tab depending from one side of the base portion, and a slot in the base portion extending from the edge of a second side of the base portion.

Claims

1. An electrical terminal connector comprising:

(i) a four-sided flat metal base portion having a preselected thickness and longitudinal and transverse axes;

(ii) at least two male terminal connection tabs depending from one side of said portion, parallel to said longitudinal axis and transversely spaced apart from one another; and

(iii) a slot in said portion extending from the edge of a second side of said portion parallel to said transverse axis, said slot having a preselected width and connecting with and terminating at a centrally positioned hole formed in said portion.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by the diameter of said centrally positioned hole being larger than said preselected width of said slot.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by said base portion having two sets of two grounding holes therethrough located equidistant from the center of said centrally positioned hole.

4. Apparatus of claim 3 further characterized by each set of said two sets of grounding holes being on opposite sides of said slot.

5. Apparatus of claim 4 further characterized by the two holes of each set of said two sets being on a respective line parallel to said transverse axis.

6. An electrical terminal connector according to claim 1 wherein said male terminal connection tabs are angled from the plane defined by said flat base portion.

7. An electric terminal connector according to claim 6 wherein said male tabs are angled at approximately 45°

from the plane defined by said flat base portion.

8. An electrical terminal connector for electrical connection with a threaded tap battery terminal of a side-mount electrical storage battery having a battery terminal bolt threaded into said tap, said electrical terminal connector comprising:

(i) a four-sided fiat metal base portion having a preselected thickness and longitudinal and transverse axes;

(ii) at least two male terminal connection tabs depending from one side of said portion, parallel to said longitudinal axis and transversely spaced apart from one another,

(iii) a slot in said portion extending from the edge of a second side of said portion parallel to said transverse axis, said slot having a preselected width and connecting with and terminating at a centrally positioned hole formed in said portion;

whereby said connector may be connected, as aforesaid, by (a) said battery bolt being initially loosened in said tap, (b) said connector being positioned adjacent to said threaded tap battery terminal and with said centrally positioned hole at the terminus of said slot of said base portion being closely adjacent to said battery bolt, and (c) said battery bolt being tightened in said tap, said preselected width of said slot being sufficient to permit said bolt to slide therethrough to said centrally positioned hole.

9. An electrical terminal connector for electrical connection to a metallic frame member, said connector comprising:

(i) a four-sided flat metal base portion having a preselected thickness and longitudinal and transverse axes;

(ii) at least two male terminal connection tabs depending from one side of said portion, parallel to said longitudinal axis and transversely spaced apart from one another;

(iii) a slot in said portion extending from the edge of a second side of said portion parallel to said transverse axis, said slot having a preselected width and connecting with and terminating at a centrally positioned hole formed in said portion;

(iv) at least two grounding holes in said base portion spaced from said centrally positioned hole;

whereby said connector may be connected, as aforesaid, by abutting said base portion against said metallic frame member, and fixing said base portion to said frame member by use of fastening means inserted through said grounding holes and attached to said metallic frame member.

10. An electrical terminal connector comprising:

(i) a four-sided flat metal base portion having a preselected thickness and longitudinal and transverse axes;

(ii) at least two male terminal connection tabs depending from one side of said portion, parallel to said longitudinal axis and transversely spaced apart from one another; and

(iii) said base portion having a plurality of grounding holes therethrough.

11. An electrical terminal connector comprising:

(i) a four-sided flat metal base portion having a preselected thickness;

(ii) at least one male terminal connection tab depending from one side of said portion; and

(iii) a slot in said portion extending from the edge of a second side of said portion, said slot having a preselected width and connecting with and terminating at a centrally positioned hole formed in said portion.