Apparatus for coupling a jumper cable to a battery terminal

• US 6,783,404 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mohammed Ahmad Shammout
• Original Assignee: Mohammed Ahmad Shammout
• Inventors: Shammout, Mohammed Ahmad
• Primary Examiner(s): PAUMEN, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US10/369,288
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 439/759, 439/757, 439/755, 439/754, 439/819, 439/835
• US Class Current: 439/759
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/282 comprising means for facilitating engagement or disengagement, e.g. quick release terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/4872 axially compressed to retain wire end

Abstract

A jumper-cable-coupling apparatus includes an elongated hollow tubular metal casing, an elongated metal carrier member telescopically disposed within the casing, a first connector component extending from the casing at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the casing, a second connector component extending from the carrier member in opposition to the first connector component, a spring disposed within the casing for forcing the first connector component into contact with the second connector component, and thumb and finger grips respectively disposed on the casing and the carrier member for enabling the carrier member to be moved relative to the casing to counteract the force of the spring and thereby separate the second connector component from the first connector component in order to enable the first and second connector components to be respectively disposed on opposite sides of a battery terminal and to be attached to the battery terminal.

Claims

1. Apparatus for coupling a jumper cable to a battery terminal, comprising:

an elongated member;

a first connector component extending from the elongated member;

a carrier member coupled to the elongated member and disposed for movement relative to the elongated member along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member;

a second connector component extending from the carrier member in opposition to the first connector component;

terminal means for enabling the first and/or second connector component to be connected to a jumper cable;

first means disposed in relation to the elongated member and the carrier member for forcing the first connector component toward contact with the second connector component; and

second means for enabling the carrier member to be moved relative to the elongated member to counteract the force of the first means and thereby separate the second connector component from the first connector component in order to enable the first and second connector components to be respectively disposed on opposite sides of a battery terminal and to be attached to said battery terminal;

wherein the elongated member includes a tube within which the carrier member is telescopically disposed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first connector component extends from the elongated member at a given angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second means are so displaced away from the first and second connector components as to prevent a person'"'"'s hand that is gripping the second means from contacting the battery.

4. A set of jumper cables, wherein at least one of the cables is connected to at least one apparatus according to claim 1.

5. Apparatus for coupling a jumper cable to a battery terminal, comprising:

an elongated casing having a restrained end and an open end;

a first connector component extending from the casing;

an elongated carrier member disposed within the casing and extending from the open end of the casing, wherein the carrier member is disposed for movement relative to the casing along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing;

a second connector component extending from the carrier member in opposition to the first connector component;

means for enabling the first and/or second connector component to be connected to a jumper cable;

a spring disposed within the casing between the carrier member and the restrained end of the casing for forcing the first connector component toward contact with the second connector component; and

gripping means for enabling the carrier member to be moved relative to the casing to counteract the force of the spring and thereby separate the second connector component from the first connector component in order to enable the first and second connector components to be respectively disposed on opposite sides of a battery terminal and to be attached to said battery terminal;

wherein the gripping means comprise;

a first grip affixed to the casing; and

a second grip affixed to the movable carrier member and extending through at least one aperture in an intermediate portion of the casing.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first grip is shaped for gripping by a person'"'"'s thumb and the second grip is shaped for gripping by at least one of a person'"'"'s fingers.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second grip includes two components respectively extending through two said apertures in opposite sides of the casing for gripping by two of a person'"'"'s fingers on respectively opposite sides of the casing.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first grip is disposed closer than the second grip to the restrained end of the casing.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, wherein the carrier member is adapted for enabling the second grip to be affixed at different positions along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first connector component extends from the casing at a given angle to the longitudinal axis of the casing.

11. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the casing includes a tube within which the carrier member is telescopically disposed.

12. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the gripping means are so displaced away from the first and second connector components as to prevent a person'"'"'s hand that is gripping the gripping means from contacting the battery.

13. A set of jumper cables, wherein at least one of the cables is connected to at least one apparatus according to claim 5.

14. Apparatus for coupling a jumper cable to a battery terminal, comprising:

an elongated casing having a restrained end and an open end;

a first connector component extending from the casing;

an elongated carrier member disposed within the casing and extending from the open end of the casing, wherein the carrier member is disposed for movement relative to the casing along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing;

a second connector component extending from the carrier member in opposition to the first connector component;

means for enabling the first and/or second connector component to be connected to a jumper cable;

a spring disposed within the casing between the carrier member and the restrained end of the casing for forcing the first connector component toward contact with the second connector component; and

gripping means for enabling the carrier member to be moved relative to the casing to counteract the force of the spring and thereby separate the second connector component from the first connector component in order to enable the first and second connector components to be respectively disposed on opposite sides of a battery terminal and to be attached to said battery terminal;

wherein the casing includes a tube within which the carrier member is telescopically disposed.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first connector component extends from the casing at a given angle to the longitudinal axis of the casing.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the gripping means are so displaced away from the first and second connector components as to prevent a person'"'"'s hand that is gripping the gripping means from contacting the battery.

17. A set of jumper cables, wherein at least one of the cables is connected to at least one apparatus according to claim 14.