Clamp for electrically coupling to a battery contact

• US 7,959,476 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Clark E., Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US12/485,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20090311919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 439/759, 439/829, D13/120, 324/437
• US Class Current: 439/759
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/281 for connections to batteries

Abstract

A clamp that is capable of attaching to a battery post and also to a female receptacle terminal. The clamp includes a post-grasping portion that is capable of attaching to the battery post. The clamp also includes a male plug feature that is configured to fit into a female receptacle terminal.

Claims

1. A clamp comprising:

a post-grasping portion;

a male plug feature, mechanically coupled to the post-grasping portion and electrically isolated in the clamp, configured to fit into a female receptacle terminal;

a first electrically conductive piece; and

a second electrically conductive piece,

wherein the first electrically conductive piece and the second electrically conductive piece are mechanically coupled to, and electrically isolated from, the male plug feature, and

wherein the first electrically conductive piece and the second electrically conductive piece are configured to electrically couple to the female receptacle terminal when the male plug feature is inserted into the female receptacle terminal.

2. The clamp of claim 1 and wherein each one of the first and second electrically conductive pieces is arc shaped.

3. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the first and second electrically conductive pieces are coupled to a Kelvin connection.

4. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the first and second electrically conductive pieces comprise copper.

5. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the post grasping portion comprises jaws.

6. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the male plug feature comprises a bolt.

7. The clamp of claim 6 wherein the bolt is a thumbscrew or a knurled bolt.

8. A battery tester including the clamp of claim 1.

9. A battery charger including the clamp of claim 1.

10. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the first electrically conductive piece is electrically isolated from the second electrically conductive piece.

11. The clamp of claim 10 and wherein the post-grasping portion comprises a first post-grasping member and a second post-grasping member.

12. The clamp of claim 11 and wherein the first electrically conductive piece and the first post-grasping member are coupled to a first Kelvin conductor, and wherein the second electrically conductive piece and the second post-grasping member are electrically coupled to a second Kelvin conductor.

13. A Kelvin clamp configured to attach to battery contacts that include a battery post and a female receptacle terminal, the Kelvin Clamp comprising:

a post-grasping portion configured to attach to the battery post;

a male plug feature, mechanically coupled to the post-grasping portion and electrically isolated in the clamp, configured to fit into the female receptacle terminal;

a first electrically conductive piece; and

a second electrically conductive piece,

wherein the first electrically conductive piece and the second electrically conductive piece are mechanically coupled to, and electrically isolated from, the male plug feature, and

wherein the first electrically conductive piece and the second electrically conductive piece are configured to electrically couple to the female receptacle terminal when the male plug feature is inserted into the female receptacle terminal, and

wherein the first electrically conductive piece is coupled to a first Kelvin conductor and the second electrically conductive piece is coupled to a second Kelvin conductor.

14. A battery tester including the clamp of claim 13.

15. A battery charger including the clamp of claim 13.