Device for electrical connection of a power lead to an electrode, in particular a medical skin electrode

• US 6,780,065 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2003
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nicolay Verwaltungs-GmbH
• Original Assignee: Nicolay Verwaltungs-GmbH
• Inventors: Schwarz, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US10/444,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20030228805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 439/310, 439/725, 439/909
• US Class Current: 439/725
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A device for electrical connection of a power lead to an electrode, in particular a medical skin electrode, includes a first contact element for plugging onto the contact stud of a first electrode. The first contact element has a first energy-storage or spring element biasing a contact zone of the first contact element into engagement with the contact stud of the first electrode. A second contact element has two clamp jaws for clamping a second electrode. The second contact element can be actuated to open by an actuating element pivotal around an axis, against the action or bias of an energy storage.

Claims

1. A device for electrically connecting a power lead to an electrode, comprising:

a first contact element for receiving a contact stud of a first electrode, said first contact element having a first spring element biasing a contact zone of said first contact element into an engaging position with the contact stud of the first electrode;

a second contact element, coupled to said first contact element, having first and second clamping jaws to engage a second electrode therebetween, said jaws being biased by an energy storage toward a closed position; and

an actuating element pivotable about a first axis and coupled to said second contact element to actuate said jaws to an open position against biasing of said energy storage, said actuating element being coupled to said first contact element to actuate said contact zone of said first contact element to an open position against the biasing of said spring element when said jaws are actuated to said open position thereof.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein

said actuating element comprises a first actuator to deflect said spring element when said actuating element pivots, thereby actuating said contact zone of said first contact element to an open position thereof.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein

a housing receives said contact elements, and includes a guide element;

and

said actuating element comprises an axle journal pivotally supported in said guide element, one section of said axle journal having an eccentrically extending outside peripheral surface.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein

said actuating element comprises a second actuator that pivots said clamping jaw relative to said second clamping jaw about a second axis against biasing of said energy storage to said open position thereof.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein

said first axis is substantially perpendicular to said second axis.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein

said second actuator comprises a crank guide extending along a crank path having a radial component relative to said first axis.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein

said first clamping jaw comprises a guide pin received in said crank guide to move along said crank path as said actuating element pivots about said first axis.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein

said energy storage comprises a second spring element biasing said second contact element to contact the second electrode.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein

said second contact is formed as one unitary piece of sheet metal and comprises first and second elastically deflectable legs fixed on said first and second clamping jaws, respectively.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein

said first and second contact elements are unitarily formed as one piece.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein

said first and second contact elements are electrically connected.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein

a housing comprises an insulated base element and an insulated guide element receiving said first and second contact elements therebetween, said base and guide elements being connected together and surrounding said contact elements.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein

said base element comprises a portion forming said second clamping jaw as a continuous, unitary part of said base element.

14. A device for electrically connecting a power lead to an electrode, comprising:

a first contact element for receiving a contact stud of a first electrode, said first contact element having a first spring element biasing a contact zone of said first contact element into an engaging position with the contact stud of the first electrode;

a second contact element, coupled to said first contact element, having first and second clamping jaws to engage a second electrode therebetween, said jaws being biased by an energy storage toward a closed position; and

an actuating element pivotable about a first axis and coupled to said second contact element to actuate said jaws to an open position against biasing of said energy storage, said actuating element including a first actuator to deflect said spring element when said actuating element pivots, thereby actuating said contact zone of said first contact element to an open position thereof.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein

a housing receives said contact elements, and includes a guide element; and

said actuating element comprises an axle journal pivotally supported in said guide element, one section of said axle journal having an eccentrically extending outside peripheral surface.

16. A device according to claim 14 wherein said actuating element comprises a second actuator that pivots said clamping jaw relative to said second clamping jaw about a second axis against biasing of said energy storage to said open position thereof.

17. A device according to claim 16 wherein

said first axis is substantially perpendicular to said second axis.

18. A device according to claim 16 wherein

said second actuator comprises a crank guide extending along a crank path having a radial component relative to said first axis.

19. A device according to claim 18 wherein

said first clamping jaw comprises a guide pin received in said crank guide to move along said crank path as said actuating element pivots about said first axis.

20. A device according to claim 14 wherein

said energy storage comprises a second spring element biasing said second contact element to contact the second electrode.

21. A device according to claim 20 wherein

said second contact is formed as one unitary piece of sheet metal and comprises first and second elastically deflectable legs fixed on said first and second clamping jaws, respectively.

22. A device according to claim 14 wherein

said first and second contact elements are unitarily formed as one piece.

23. A device according to claim 14 wherein

said first and second contact elements are electrically connected.

24. A device according to claim 14 wherein

a housing comprises an insulated base element and an insulated guide element receiving said first and second contact elements therebetween, said base and guide elements being connected together and surrounding said contact elements.

25. A device according to claim 24 wherein

said base element comprises a portion forming said second clamping jaw as a continuous, unitary part of said base element.

26. A device for electrically connecting a power lead to an electrode, comprising:

a first contact element for receiving a contact stud of a first electrode, said first contact element having a first spring element biasing a contact zone of said first contact element into an engaging position with the contact stud of the first electrode;

a second contact element, coupled to said first contact element, having first and second clamping jaws to engage a second electrode therebetween, said jaws being biased by an energy storage toward a closed position; and

an actuating element pivotable about a first axis and coupled to said second contact element to actuate said jaws to an open position against biasing of said energy storage, said actuating element including a second actuator that pivots said clamping jaw relative to said second clamping jaw about a second axis against biasing of said energy storage to said open position thereof, said first axis being substantially perpendicular to said second axis.

27. A device according to claim 26 wherein

a housing receives said contact elements, and includes a guide element; and

said actuating element comprises an axle journal pivotally supported in said guide element, one section of said axle journal having an eccentrically extending outside peripheral surface.

28. A device according to claim 26 wherein

said second actuator comprises a crank guide extending along a crank path having a radial component relative to said first axis.

29. A device according to claim 28 wherein

said first clamping jaw comprises a guide pin received in said crank guide to move along said crank path as said actuating element pivots about said first axis.

30. A device according to claim 26 wherein

said energy storage comprises a second spring element biasing said second contact element to contact the second electrode.

31. A device according to claim 30 wherein

said second contact is formed as one unitary piece of sheet metal and comprises first and second elastically deflectable legs fixed on said first and second clamping jaws, respectively.

32. A device according to claim 26 wherein

said first and second contact elements are unitarily formed as one piece.

33. A device according to claim 26 wherein

said first and second contact elements are electrically connected.

34. A device according to claim 26 wherein

a housing comprises an insulated base element and an insulated guide element receiving said first and second contact elements therebetween, said base and guide elements being connected together and surrounding said contact elements.

35. A device according to claim 34 wherein

said base element comprises a portion forming said second clamping jaw as a continuous, unitary part of said base element.

36. A device for electrically connecting a power lead to an electrode, comprising:

a first contact element for receiving a contact stud of a first electrode, said first contact element having a first spring element biasing a contact zone of said first contact element into an engaging position with the contact stud of the first electrode;

a second contact element, coupled to said first contact element, having first and second clamping jaws to engage a second electrode therebetween, said jaws being biased by an energy storage toward a closed position; and

an actuating element pivotable about a first axis and coupled to said second contact element to actuate said jaws to an open position against biasing of said energy storage, said actuating element including a second actuator that pivots said clamping jaw relative to said second clamping jaw about a second axis against biasing of said energy storage to said open position thereof, said second actuator having a crank guide extending along a crank path having a radial component relative to said first axis.

37. A device according to claim 36 wherein

a housing receives said contact elements, and includes a guide element; and

said actuating element comprises an axle journal pivotally supported in said guide element, one section of said axle journal having an eccentrically extending outside peripheral surface.

38. A device according to claim 36 wherein

said first clamping jaw comprises a guide pin received in said crank guide to move along said crank path as said actuating element pivots about said first axis.

39. A device according to claim 36 wherein

said energy storage comprises a second spring element biasing said second contact element to contact the second electrode.

40. A device according to claim 39 wherein

said second contact is formed as one unitary piece of sheet metal and comprises first and second elastically deflectable legs fixed on said first and second clamping jaws, respectively.

41. A device according to claim 36 wherein

said first and second contact elements are unitarily formed as one piece.

42. A device according to claim 36 wherein

said first and second contact elements are electrically connected.

43. A device according to claim 36 wherein

a housing comprises an insulated base element and an insulated guide element receiving said first and second contact elements therebetween, said base and guide elements being connected together and surrounding said contact elements.

44. A device according to claim 43 wherein

said base element comprises a portion forming said second clamping jaw as a continuous, unitary part of said base element.

45. A device for electrically connecting a power lead to an electrode, comprising:

a first contact element for receiving a contact stud of a first electrode, said first contact element having a first spring element biasing a contact zone of said first contact element into an engaging position with the contact stud of the first electrode;

a second contact element, coupled to said first contact element, having first and second clamping jaws to engage a second electrode therebetween, said jaws being biased by an energy storage toward a closed position;

an actuating element pivotable about a first axis and coupled to said second contact element to actuate said jaws to an open position against biasing of said energy storage; and

a housing having an insulated base element and an insulated guide element receiving said first and second contact elements therebetween, said base and guide elements being connected together and surrounding said contact elements, said base element including a portion forming said second clamping jaw as a continuous, unitary part of said base element.

46. A device according to claim 45 wherein

said actuating element comprises an axle journal pivotally supported in said guide element, one section of said axle journal having an eccentrically extending outside peripheral surface.

47. A device according to claim 45 wherein

said actuating element comprises a second actuator that pivots said clamping jaw relative to said second clamping jaw about a second axis against biasing of said energy storage to said open position thereof.

48. A device according to claim 47 wherein

said first axis is substantially perpendicular to said second axis.

49. A device according to claim 47 wherein

said second actuator comprises a crank guide extending along a crank path having a radial component relative to said first axis.

50. A device according to claim 49 wherein

said first clamping jaw comprises a guide pin received in said crank guide to move along said crank path as said actuating element pivots about said first axis.

51. A device according to claim 45 wherein

said energy storage comprises a second spring element biasing said second contact element to contact the second electrode.

52. A device according to claim 51 wherein

said second contact is formed as one unitary piece of sheet metal and comprises first and second elastically deflectable legs fixed on said first and second clamping jaws, respectively.

53. A device according to claim 45 wherein

said first and second contact elements are unitarily formed as one piece.

54. A device according to claim 45 wherein

said first and second contact elements are electrically connected.