Cable connector for electronic battery tester

• US 10,222,397 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2015
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Salo, III, Andrew John
• Primary Examiner(s): Pelton, Nathaniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Dung V
• Application Number:
  US14/861,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20160091571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 324437
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/04 Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382

Abstract

A battery tester including a battery tester cable, a cable pod coupled to an end of the battery tester cable, and a battery tester housing including a cavity configured to receive the cable pod. The cable pod and the cavity include mating parts configured to mate the cable pod within the cavity in at least two different preset orientations. In some examples, the orientations are changeable and securable manually.

Claims

1. A battery tester, comprising:

a battery tester cable comprising a plurality of cable wires;

a cable pod coupled to an end of the battery tester cable, the cable pod having a first extended portion coupled to the end of the battery tester cable and a second extended portion opposite the first extended portion, the cable pod further including first and second connectors electrically coupled to the cable wires; and

a battery tester housing including a cavity configured to receive the cable pod and having first and second channels extending therefrom, wherein the cable pod and the cavity include mating parts configured to mate the cable pod within the cavity in at least two different preset orientations and wherein the battery tester cable and the first extended portion extend in the first channel away from the battery tester housing in a first direction and the second extended portion fits in the second channel when the cable pod and cavity are oriented in a first of the at least two different preset orientations, and the battery tester cable and the first extended portion extend in a second direction in the second channel and the second extended portion fits in the first channel when the cable pod and cavity are oriented in a second of the at least two different preset orientations, the battery tester housing further including batter tester circuitry carried therein and coupled to reversible connectors in the cavity which provide a reversible connection between the battery tester circuitry and the first and second connectors of the cable pod.

2. The battery tester of claim 1, wherein the at least two different preset orientations are at least substantially opposed to each other.

3. The battery tester of claim 2, wherein a first orientation of the at least two different preset orientations includes the battery tester cable oriented out of a top surface of the battery tester, and wherein a second orientation of the at least two different preset orientations includes the battery tester cable oriented out of a bottom surface of the battery tester.

4. The battery tester of claim 1, wherein the battery tester cable includes:

a first end with two battery connectors configurable to fasten to two respective terminals of a battery; and

a second end including the end of the battery tester cable coupled to the cable pod.

5. The battery tester of claim 4, wherein the battery tester circuitry is configured with the battery tester cable to provide two Kelvin connections with the two battery connectors when fastened to the two respective terminals of the battery such that four-terminal sensing can occur.

6. The battery tester of claim 4, and wherein the battery tester circuitry is configured with the battery tester cable to provide two connections with the two battery connectors when fastened to the two respective terminals of the battery such that two-terminal sensing can occur.

7. The battery tester of claim 1, further comprising a manually extendable and retractable hook.

8. The battery tester of claim 1, further comprising securing parts configured to secure the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

9. The battery tester of claim 8, wherein the battery tester housing and the cable pod each include at least two holes, wherein the at least two holes of the battery tester housing are configured to align with the at least two holes of the cable pod such that the securing parts can mate with the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod to secure the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

10. The battery tester of claim 9, wherein the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod include threaded holes and the securing parts include corresponding threaded fasteners.

11. The battery tester of claim 9, wherein the cable pod is attachable and detachable to the cavity of the battery tester housing manually without use of an additional device or tool.

12. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the securing parts include dowels with fins that are configured to:

retract when inserted through the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod; and

extend such that top surfaces of the fins catch bottom surfaces of the battery tester housing and the cable pod in way that secures the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

13. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the securing parts include at least two dowels with rectangular extensions, and wherein the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod are configured to align with each other such that the at least two dowels can be inserted into the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod and subsequently turned such that top surfaces of the rectangular extensions catch bottom surfaces of the battery tester housing and the cable pod in way that secures the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

14. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the securing parts include at least two split pins that each are configured to be squeezed through the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod and secure the battery tester housing and the cable pod when positioned through the holes and released such that respective feet of the at least two split pins fit into corresponding small openings within the at least two holes of the battery tester housing.

15. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the cable pod and the battery tester housing are configured to attach to each other by a twist lock.

16. The battery tester of claim 15, wherein the cable pod and the battery tester housing are configured to detach from each other by a quick release.