Modular jumper cable

• US 6,343,949 B1
• Filed: 07/06/2000
• Issued: 02/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marvin Floyd
• Original Assignee: Marvin Floyd
• Inventors: Floyd, Marvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R.
• Application Number:
  US09/612,336
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 439/505, 439/504, 439/503, 439/502, 439/638, 439/668, 439/284
• US Class Current: 439/504
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/55 on the same side of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/288 Interconnections between batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/642 by position or shape of contact members
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A modular jumper cable system for connecting two batteries together. The cable system includes two cable units, one for detachable connection to one battery, the other for detachable connection to the other battery. The cable units may be connected to the batteries'"'"' terminals by easy-to-operate connectors, such as conductive eyelets. The system further includes an intermediate cable connector for joining the two cable units together. The linking connection ends of the cable units and the intermediate connector are formed of releasable connection devices that must be oriented in only one way to complete a connection. The connection devices ensure that like terminals of the batteries will be connected to one another. Difficult-to-manipulate alligator clamps are avoided in the modular jumper cable system.

Claims

1. A modular cable system for connecting a first battery having a first terminal and a second terminal to a second battery having a first terminal and a second terminal, the modular cable system comprising:

a. a first cable unit including a first cable and a second cable, the first cable having a first terminal connection end for detachable connection to the first terminal of the first battery, and a second conductor end, and the second cable having a first terminal connection end for detachable connection to the second terminal of the first battery, and a second conductor end, wherein said second conductor end of said first cable and said second conductor end of said second cable are housed in a first coupler housing;

b. a second cable unit including a third cable and a fourth cable, the third cable having a first terminal connection end for detachable connection to the first terminal of the second battery, and a second conductor end, and the fourth cable having a first terminal connection end for detachable connection to the second terminal of the second battery, and a second conductor end, wherein said second conductor end of said third cable and said second conductor end of said fourth cable are housed in a second coupler housing; and

c. an intermediate cable connector including a fifth cable and a sixth cable, the fifth cable having a first conductor end and an opposing second conductor end, and the sixth cable having a first conductor end and a second conductor end, wherein said first conductor ends of said fifth and sixth cables are housed in a third coupler housing, wherein said second conductor ends of said fifth and sixth cables are housed in a fourth coupler housing, and wherein said first coupler housing, said second coupler housing, said third coupler housing, and said fourth coupler housing are structurally identical and are releasably connectable to one another.

2. The modular cable system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said terminal connection ends of said first cable, said second cable, said third cable, and said fourth cable are conductive eyelets.

3. The modular cable system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said terminal connection ends of said first cable, said second cable, said third cable, and said fourth cable are conductive horseshoe-shaped terminals.

4. The modular cable system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each one of said first coupler housing, said second coupler housing, said third coupler housing, and said fourth coupler housing can be connected to another one of said coupler housings in only one orientation.