Connection clamp for both top post and side terminal battery contact

• US 7,914,349 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Jensen, Robert, Makhija, Surender, Opsahl, Scott, Miller, Garret
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon; Edwin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Girardi; Vanessa
• Application Number:
  US12/269,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20100115761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 439/759, 439/829, 439/835, 439/822, 439/506, 439/729
• US Class Current: 439/759
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/517 by fixing means, e.g. screws, rivets or bolts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A single battery connection device that allows for connection both to a battery post and to a battery side terminal. Regardless of whether the device is connected to the battery post or side terminal, the device may be used as part of a four-point Kelvin connection to the battery. Also, a method of connecting to either to a battery post or to a battery side terminal using a single device.

Claims

1. A battery connection device, comprising:

a first fastener configured to connect to a battery post;

a second fastener configured to connect to a battery side terminal, wherein a portion of the first fastener is integrated with the second fastener wherein the second fastener includes a pin extending through a portion of the first fastener and configured to be at least partially inserted into a side terminal of a battery and a component configured to prevent the pin from becoming detached from the first fastener;

a lever arm connected to the pin and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pin; and

a locking mechanism configured to prevent the lever arm from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the pin when engaged.

2. The battery connection device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener comprises:

a first arm having a first length, a first width, a first forward portion and a first rearward portion;

a second arm having a second length, a second width, a second forward portion and a second rearward portion;

a pin extending through a portion of the first arm and a portion of the second arm and along a hinge axis extending perpendicular to the first and second lengths; and

a spring extending about a portion of a circumference of the pin in an arcuate manner, wherein a proximate end of the spring contacts the first arm and a distal end of the spring contacts the second arm.

3. The battery connection device of claim 2, further comprising:

a first conductive component connected to the first forward portion; and

a second conductive component connected to the second forward portion.

4. The battery connection device of claim 3, wherein the first conductive component and the second conductive component are portions of a four-point Kelvin connection.

5. The battery connection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first conductive component positioned radially about a longitudinal axis of the pin; and

a second conductive component positioned radially about the longitudinal axis of the pin.

6. The battery connection of claim 5, wherein the first conductive component and the second conductive component are portions of a four-point Kelvin connection.

7. The battery connection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotatable threaded portion connected to the pin.

8. The battery connection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring positioned about a portion of the pin and configured to apply a force substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pin when the spring is compressed.

9. A method of connecting to a battery, the method comprising:

obtaining a device that includes a first fastener configured to connect to a battery post and a second fastener configured to connect to a battery side terminal, wherein a portion of the first fastener is integrated with the second fastener;

connecting the device to a battery using one of the first fastener and the second fastener; and

providing a gradually increasing force resisting the inserting step by compressing a spring during the inserting step,

wherein the connecting step comprises;

inserting a portion of the second fastener into the battery side terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the connecting step further comprises:

clipping onto the battery post using the first fastener.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a gradually increasing force resisting the inserting step by compressing a spring during the inserting step.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

utilizing at least one of the first fastener and the second fastener as a portion of a four-point Kelvin connection to the battery.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

securing the second fastener to the battery side terminal by screwing a portion of the second fastener to a portion of the battery.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the securing step further comprises:

facilitating the screwing of the portion of the second fastener by providing a lever arm on the second fastener.

15. A method of connecting to a battery, the method comprising:

obtaining a device that includes a first fastener configured to connect to a battery post and a second fastener configured to connect to a battery side terminal, wherein a portion of the first fastener is integrated with the second fastener;

connecting the device to a battery using one of the first fastener and the second fastener;

inserting a portion of the second fastener into the battery side terminal; and

further securing the second fastener by engaging a locking mechanism configured to prevent unscrewing of the portion of the second fastener that is screwed to the portion of the battery.

16. A battery connection device, comprising:

means for electrically connecting to a battery post; and

means for electrically connecting to a battery side terminal, wherein a portion of the means for electrically connecting to the battery side terminal is integrated with the means for electrically connecting to the battery post wherein the means for electrically connecting to a battery side terminal includes a pin extending through a portion of the means for electrically connecting to a battery post and configured to be at least partially inserted into a side terminal of a battery and a component configured to prevent the pin from becoming detached from the means for electrically connecting to a battery post;

a lever arm connected to the pin and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pin; and

a means for locking configured to prevent the lever arm from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the pin when engaged.