Quick grip cables

• US 6,638,101 B1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Albert P. Botelho
• Original Assignee: Albert P. Botelho
• Inventors: Botelho, Albert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAUMEN, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US10/156,048
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 439/504, 439/490, 439/489, 439/829, 439/188
• US Class Current: 439/504
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip

Abstract

A jumper cable assembly is disclosed comprising two insulated electrical cables and terminal clamps at both ends of the cables. Each terminal clamp comprise a handle section, a jaw section, a pivot section joining the handle section with the jaw section, a means of locking and releasing the jaws section closed, and a lighting element which automatically turns on when the jaw section is opened. This jumper cable assembly is able to securely lock onto a battery terminal or chassis and provides illumination for attaching the jumper cables.

Claims

1. A jumper cable assembly comprising:

a positive insulated electrical cable;

a pair of positive terminal clamps attached in electrical communication at either end of said positive cable, wherein said clamps each comprise;

a handle section,

a jaw section,

a pivot section joining said handle section with said jaw section,

a means of locking in and releasing said jaws section from a closed position and

a lighting element in electrical communication with a battery and a switch wherein current flows through said lighting element when said jaw section is open and no current flows through said lighting element when said jaw section is closed;

a negative insulated electrical cable; and

a pair of negative terminal clamps attached in electrical communication at both end of said negative cable, wherein said clamps each comprise;

a handle section,

a jaw section,

a pivot section joining said handle section with said jaw section,

a means of locking and releasing said jaws section closed, and

a lighting element in electrical communication with battery and a switch wherein current flows through said lighting element when said jaw section is open and no current flows through said lighting element when said jaw section is closed.

2. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the positive and negative insulated electrical cables are 4 AWG cables.

3. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said lighting element is an ultra-bright LED.

4. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said lighting elements on said positive terminal clamps are a different color than said lighting elements on said negative terminal clamps.

5. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said switch for said lighting element is at said pivot section.

6. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said lighting element is on said jaws section and is directed away from said clamp.

7. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said means of locking said jaws section closed is a ratcheting system.

8. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said means of locking said jaws section closed is a vise grip system.

9. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pressure release lever attached to the inner side of a handle section wherein said pressure release lever unlocks said jaws section.

10. The jumper cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the electrical cable is attached to each terminal clamp at the first handle of said handle section and said pressure release lever is attached to said terminal clamp at the second handle of said handle section.

11. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said jaws open to at least three inches.

12. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1 wherein said battery is a replaceable lithium ion battery.

13. The jumper cable assembly of claim 1, wherein said positive and negative insulated electrical cables are long enough to reach between a charged and a discharged battery.

14. A jumper cable assembly comprising:

a positive insulated electrical cable;

a pair of positive terminal clamps attached in electrical communication at either end of said positive cable, wherein said clamps each comprise;

a handle section,

a jaw section,

a pivot section joining said handle section with said jaw section,

a means of locking and releasing said jaws section closed, and

a light emitting diode (LED) in electrical communication with a battery and a switch wherein current flows through said LED when said jaw section is open and no current flows through said LED when said jaw section is closed;

a negative insulated electrical cable; and

a pair of negative terminal clamps attached in electrical communication at both end of said negative cable, wherein said clamps each comprise;

a handle section,

a jaw section,

a pivot section joining said handle section with said jaw section,

a means of locking and releasing said jaws section closed, and

a light emitting diode (LED) in electrical communication with a battery and a switch wherein current flows through said LED when said jaw section is open and no current flows through said LED when said jaw section is closed.

15. The jumper cable assembly of claim 14, wherein the positive and negative insulated electrical cables are 4 AWG cables.

16. The jumper cable assembly of claim 14, wherein said means of locking said jaws section closed is a ratcheting system.

17. The jumper cable assembly of claim 14, wherein said means of locking said jaws section closed is a vise grip system.

18. The jumper cable assembly of claim 16, further comprising a pressure release lever attached to the inner side of a handle section wherein said pressure release lever unlocks said jaws section.

19. The jumper cable assembly of claim 14, wherein said jaws open to at least three inches.

20. A terminal clamp for a jumper cable comprising:

a handle section,

a jaw section,

a pivot section joining said handle section with said jaw section,

a ratcheting system or a vise grip system for locking said jaws section,

a pressure release lever attached to the inner side of said handle section for unlocking said jaws section, and

a light emitting diode (LED) in electrical communication with a lithium ion battery and a switch wherein current flows through said LED when said jaw section is open and no current flows through said LED when said jaw section is closed,

wherein said terminal clamp is adapted for attachment to a 4 AWG electrical cable.