Apparatus and method for storage battery cable connector

• US 5,707,250 A
• Filed: 12/15/1995
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herbert L. Smithson
• Original Assignee: Herbert L. Smithson
• Inventors: Smithson, Herbert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): WITTELS, DANIEL NMN
• Application Number:
  US08/573,502
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 439/348, 439/503, 439/504, 439/506, 439/623, 439/624
• US Class Current: 439/504
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/11 End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member H01R11/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6276 comprising one or more balls engaging in a hole or a groove

Abstract

A latchable quick disconnect battery cable is presented to provide a means for an operator to manually disconnect and de-energize a battery from a vehicle'"'"'s electrical circuit in the event of an accident, emergency or for maintenance. Re-energization of the electrical circuit is also accomplished by manual reconnection of said cable connectors.

Claims

1. A storage battery cable connector comprising in combination:

an electrical conductor means wherein a first end of said electrical conductor means connects to a terminal of a storage battery and a second end of said electrical conductor means connects to a terminal of a vehicle'"'"'s ground;

a connector means located within and along said electrical conductor means between said first end and said second end, said connector means consisting of a male and female coupler and a means for latching said male and female couplers to avoid inadvertent decoupling from impact or shock;

whereby said means for latching comprises a groove circumferentially disposed about said male couplers, a slidable ring disposed about said female coupler and compressed against said female coupler'"'"'s end with spring means, said slidable ring on said female coupler, manually operable upon a means to engage and disengage said groove within said male coupler, whereby said means for latching must be manually operated to interrupt the electrical and mechanical connection of said electrical conductor means.

2. The storage battery cable connector of claim 1 wherein said connector means is reconnectable to restore said electrical conductor means.

3. The storage battery cable connector of claim 1 wherein said male and female couplers of said connector means comprises male and female couplers of a pneumatic coupler, said pneumatic coupler electrically and mechanically secured to said electrical conductor means so as to provide a continuous circuit when connected.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said manually operable means to engage and disengage said groove consists of said slidable ring urged against at least two ball bearings retractably disposed within said female coupler.