Battery terminal-cable connector

• US 7,749,030 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2009
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael W. Smith
• Original Assignee: Michael W. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US12/460,651
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 439/772
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/282 comprising means for facilitating engagement or disengagement, e.g. quick release terminal

Abstract

A battery terminal-cable connector provides an electrical connection between a battery terminal and a cable. The connector contains an integral cylindrical sleeve and flanges member, a cable fitting, a bolt, a pin, and a cam lever. The cam lever is movable between a first position that allows the flanges to separate and a second position that urges the flanges to contact.

Claims

1. A battery terminal-cable connector comprising:

(a) an electrically conductive integral sleeve and flanges member;

the sleeve being adapted for placement onto a battery post terminal and having a cylindrical shape, a longitudinal axis, a diameter, and a longitudinal split to enable the diameter of the sleeve to vary;

the flanges being opposed and parallel, extending outwardly along the split, and having aligned holes;

(b) an electrically conductive cable fitting having a first end with a receptacle for receiving a cable and a second end with a hole;

(c) a bolt passing through the hole in the cable fitting and the holes in the flanges, the bolt having a head and an end with a transverse hole oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve;

(d) a pin passing through the transverse hole in the bolt; and

(e) a cam lever attached eccentrically to the end of the bolt by the pin, the cam lever having a cutaway portion to provide clearance around the bolt, the cam lever being movable between a first position that allows the flanges to separate and increase the sleeve diameter and a second position that urges the flanges to contact and decrease the sleeve diameter.

2. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 1 wherein the sleeve contains an outer surface having a longitudinal boss projection spaced apart from the cam lever such that the cam lever is shielded from accidental movement in the second position.

3. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 2 wherein the cam lever comprises a D-wing lever.

4. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 3 wherein the bolt has two ends with the head at a first end and the transverse hole at a second end.

5. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 3 wherein the bolt has two ends with the head and transverse hole at a first end.

6. A battery terminal-cable connector comprising:

(a) an electrically conductive integral sleeve and flange member, the sleeve being adapted for placement onto a battery terminal and having a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, and the flange having a hole;

(b) an electrically conductive cable fitting having a first end with a receptacle for receiving a cable and a second end with a hole;

(c) a bolt passing through the hole in the cable fitting and the hole in the flange, the bolt having a head and a transverse hole oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve;

(d) a pin passing through the transverse hole in the bolt and freely rotating within the hole; and

(e) a cam lever attached eccentrically to the end of the bolt by the pin, the cam lever having a cutaway portion to provide clearance around the bolt, the cam lever being movable between a first position that tightens the cable fitting against the flange and a second position that loosens the cable fitting against the flange.

7. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 6 wherein the cam lever comprises a D-wing lever.

8. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 7 wherein the sleeve contains an outer surface having a longitudinal boss projection spaced apart from the cam lever such that the cam lever is shielded from accidental movement in the second position.

9. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 8 wherein the D-wing lever is made of plastic.

10. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 9 wherein the bolt comprises two mating pieces to provide a means for varying the position of the transverse hole relative to the head.

11. A battery terminal-cable connector comprising:

(a) an electrically conductive flange having a hole;

(b) an electrically conductive cable fitting having a first end with a receptacle for receiving a cable and a second end with a hole;

(c) a bolt with two ends passing through the hole in the cable fitting and the hole in the flange, the bolt having a head and a transverse hole;

(d) a pin passing through the transverse hole in the bolt; and

(e) a cam lever attached eccentrically to the end of the bolt by the pin, the cam lever having a cutaway portion to provide clearance around the bolt, the cam lever being movable between a first position that allows the cable fitting to separate from the flange and a second position that urges the cable fitting and the flange together.

12. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 11 wherein the flange is integral with a sleeve.

13. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 12 wherein the cam lever comprises a D-wing lever.

14. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 13 wherein the sleeve is fully enclosed.

15. The battery terminal-cable connector of claim 13 wherein the sleeve is split.