Replaceable clamp for electronic battery tester

• US 7,598,699 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Demel, Timothy Paul, Pimentel, Christian, Restaino, Harvey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhanu; Samuel
• Application Number:
  US10/783,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20050184732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,055 Days
• Field of Search: 320/105, 439/504, 439/705, 439/759, 439/829, 439/822, 244/99, 245/05, 303/63
• US Class Current: 320/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06788 Hand-held or hand-manipulated probes, e.g. for oscilloscopes or for portable test instruments end pieces terminating in a probe H01R11/18
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/364 Battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip

Abstract

A method and apparatus for coupling a battery charger and/or a battery tester to a battery is provided. A clamp can be selectively removed from a cable. This allows replacement of the clamp as desired as well as fixedly or removably coupling the cable to the battery tester or charger.

Claims

1. An apparatus for coupling at least a battery tester to a battery comprising:

a replaceable clamp comprising;

a first hand grip having a first hole;

a first electrical plug positioned in the first hand grip and electrically coupled to a first set of Kelvin conductors, the first set of Kelvin conductors including a first wire and a second wire;

a cable including a second set of Kelvin conductors, the second set of Kelvin conductors including a first wire and a second wire;

a second electrical plug electrically coupled to the first and second wires of the second set of Kelvin conductors, wherein the first electrical plug and the second electrical plug are removably electrically couple together in the first hand grip such that the first set of Kelvin conductors and the second set of Kelvin conductors are removably electrically coupled together;

a terminal coupled to the cable having a terminal hole aligned with the first hole in the first hand grip; and

a removable fastener which couples the terminal to the first hand grip through the terminal hole in the first hand grip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a tin-plated ring.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable fastener comprises a nut and bolt.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the first electrical plug and the second electrical plug are electrically coupled together, the first set of Kelvin conductors and the second set of Kelvin conductors are capable of injecting a forcing function into a battery and providing a sensor lead for sensing a physical property of the battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second set of Kelvin conductors comprise acid-resistant conductors.

6. An apparatus for coupling at least a battery tester to a battery comprising:

a replaceable clamp configured to contact a battery, the replaceable clamp comprising;

a first hand grip having an aperture;

a first electrical plug positioned in the first hand grip and electrically coupled to a first set of Kelvin conductor, the first set of Kelvin conductors including a first wire and a second wire;

a cable including a second set of Kelvin conductors and a terminal, the second set of Kelvin conductors including a first wire and a second wire and the terminal including a terminal hole aligned with the aperture in the first hand grip;

a second electrical plug electrically coupled to the first and second wires of the second set of Kelvin conductors, wherein the first electrical plug and the second electrical plug are removably electrically couple together in the first hand grip such that the first set of Kelvin conductors and the second set of Kelvin conductors are removably electrically coupled together; and

a removable fastener for removably coupling the terminal to the replaceable clamp through the terminal hole and the aperture in the first hang grip.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the terminal comprises a tin-plated ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the removable fastener comprises a nut and bolt.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the first electrical plug and the second electrical plug are electrically coupled together, the first set of Kelvin conductors and the second set of Kelvin conductors are capable of injecting a forcing function into a battery and providing a sensor lead for sensing a physical property of the battery.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first and second set of Kelvin conductors comprise acid-resistant conductors.

11. A method

obtaining a first replaceable clamp including a first hand grip having a first hole, a first electrical plug positioned in the first hand grip and a first set of Kelvin conductors having a first wire and a second wire, the first electrical plug electrically coupled to the first and second wires of the first set of Kelvin conductors;

obtaining a cable including a terminal having a terminal hole and second set of Kelvin conductor having a first wire and a second wire electrically coupled to a second electrical plug;

removably electrically coupling the first electrical plug to the second electrical plug in the first hand grip; and

removably fastening the terminal to the first hand grip through the terminal hole and the first hole in the first hand grip; and

connecting the terminal to the fist hand grip of the second replaceable clamp.