Abstract:
A battery clamp includes a collar cooperating with opposing compression plates to engage a battery terminal. The clamp further includes a locking mechanism adapted to apply a compression force between the collar and the battery terminal. A method of securing a battery clamp to a terminal includes positioning a clamp around a terminal of a battery, wherein the clamp includes a collar and opposing compression plates. The method further includes engaging the collar to the terminal of the battery by applying a force to the compression plates.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present embodiments generally relate to battery clamps used to connect battery terminals to electrical connectors of a machine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Batteries are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from handheld devices and small electronics to automobiles and large industrial machinery (collectively “devices”). The devices are generally connected to positive and negative battery terminals (often referred to as battery posts) through an electrical conductor such as a wire or coax cable. The electrical conductor is often secured to the battery posts using some type of battery clamp assembly that establishes a firm electrical connection between the battery post and a terminal end of the electrical conductor. The quality of the electrical connection between the battery and the device is often dependent on the quality and durability of the battery clamp assembly. 
         [0003]    In many applications, the terminal connection to the battery post is accomplished using a horizontal bolt and trapped nut combination. This type of clamp assembly is generally difficult to assemble, particularly when the battery is located in close proximity to surrounding structures, which limits the space necessary to access and tighten the bolt. Further, batteries are often subject to vibration and environmental contaminants that can over time loosen the connection point between the battery posts and the clamp assemblies. Eventually, the clamp assembly may completely disengage from the battery post, terminating the electrical connection. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, the embodiments described herein were developed in light of these and other drawbacks associated with known battery clamps. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A battery clamp includes a collar cooperating with opposing compression plates to engage a battery terminal. The clamp further includes a locking mechanism adapted to apply a compression force between the collar and the battery terminal. 
         [0006]    A method of securing a battery clamp to a terminal includes positioning a clamp around a terminal of a battery, wherein the clamp includes a collar and opposing compression plates. The method further includes engaging the collar to the terminal of the battery by applying a force to the compression plates. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The foregoing brief description will be understood more completely from the following detailed description of the exemplary drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary battery clamp assembly in an unlocked position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the individual components of the battery clamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the exemplary battery clamp assembly of  FIG. 1  mounted to a battery post in a locked position; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of alternative battery clamp assemblies according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    A battery clamp assembly includes a collar and opposing compression plates that cooperate with a locking mechanism to engage a battery post terminal along an axis generally parallel to side walls of the battery post. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a pivotable lever and clip combination that is tightened to a lock position and accessible along the parallel axis. The pivotal lever and clip combination is configured to cooperate with the compression plates such that the resulting clamping pressure is transferred to a gripping force around the battery post, perpendicular to the parallel axis. The gripping force of the collar onto the side walls of the battery post terminal provides a constant and tight contact pressure that establishes a firm electrical connection between the battery clamp and the battery post terminal. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary battery clamp assembly  10  having a collar portion  12  and opposing compression plates  14   a ,  14   b  that cooperate with a locking mechanism  16  to engage a battery post terminal. The locking mechanism  16  includes a pivotable lever  18  and clip  20  combination that cooperate to apply a compression force between the collar portion  12  of the battery clamp  10  and the battery terminal. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that the locking mechanism  16  described above is exemplary and that the specific shape, configuration and orientation of the lever  18  and clip  20  may vary. The lever  18  has a horizontal handle-like portion  22  and a curved, serpentine-like vertical portion  24  that threads through top and bottom apertures  26   a ,  26   b  of clip  20 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , clip  20  in this embodiment is a c-style clip receivable by upper recesses  28   a ,  28   b  and slots  30   a ,  30   b  in compression plates  14   a ,  14   b . The clip  20  further includes a bent-up tab or lip  31  on a distal end of clip  20  adjacent aperture  26   a . In this way, the horizontal portion  22  of the lever  18  rests against the lip  31  and is held in place when the locking mechanism  16  is in an unlocked position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0014]    To reach a locked position as shown in  FIG. 3 , lever  18  pivots in a horizontal direction approximately 180 degrees about a vertical axis until it engages a locking tab  32 . In one embodiment, the locking tab  32  extends generally perpendicular from compression plate  14   a  and includes a hook-like protrusion  34  that allows the horizontal portion  22  of the lever  18  to “snap” into place behind the locking tab  32  to secure the lever  18  in the locked position. As the lever  18  is rotated toward the locked position, an outermost curve  36  of lever  18  presses against an outer surface of compression plate  14   a . The resulting force applied against compression plate  14   a  tightens the collar portion  12  onto the battery post terminal  38 . In other words, the clamping pressure applied to the compression plates  14   a ,  14   b  is transferred to a gripping force around the battery post  38 , perpendicular to the parallel axis. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art understands that the diameter of the collar portion  12  as well as the height of the collar  12  is not limited to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the collar  12  may surround approximately seventy-five to eighty percent of the side wall surface area of the post terminal  38 , but may encompass more or less, depending on the application. In general, however, the collar portion  12  is shaped to substantially match the contours of the post terminal  38  to promote steady surface contact. It is further contemplated that the collar portion  12  may be adapted to fit around varying shapes and sizes of different battery terminals depending on the make and manufacturer of the battery. For example, the collar  12  may extend higher or lower on the terminal  38  than depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0015]    As shown in each of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the collar portion  12  may include a plurality of horizontal and vertical teeth  40 ,  42 , respectively. The teeth  40 ,  42  are textured portions of the collar portion  12  that are integrally formed in the walls of collar portion  12 . The teeth  40 ,  42  secure the collar  12  against the walls of the battery post terminal  38  by embedding into the post  38  providing additional gripping force when the locking mechanism  16  is tightened. As the horizontal teeth  40  are tightened against the post  38 , they prevent the clamp  10  from loosening in a vertical direction. The vertical teeth  42  also embed into the post  38  upon tightening, preventing rotation of the clamp  10  in a horizontal direction. In one embodiment, the vertical teeth  42  are positioned to oppose the horizontal teeth  40  to enhance the gripping strength of the clamp  10 . In this way, the teeth  40 ,  42  break into the post surface providing an air tight/gas free, electrical contact in the post. It is contemplated that the teeth  40 ,  42  can vary in length and width according to the size of the collar  12  and the post terminal  38 . It is also contemplated that the texture of the teeth  40 ,  42  may vary to adapt to any number of battery terminal surfaces, if necessary. In other words, the number and position of the teeth  40 ,  42  are not limited to the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         [0016]    Extending from compression plate  14 b, opposite collar portion  12 , is a crimping claw  44 . The crimping claw  44  is generally integrally formed with collar portion  12  and has a U-shaped channel formation, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . The U-shaped crimping claw  44  has sides that are uneven in length and that have notches at the edges as illustrated. The crimping claw  44  is adapted to receive and support any electrical connectors such as, for example, wires and cables. The sides of the crimping claw  44  may be folded over onto each other and over the connectors being supported by the crimping claw  44 , further securing the connectors into place and facilitating a steady and constant electrical connection between the post terminal  38  and an electrical component. Again as appreciated by those skilled in the art, the crimping claw  44  may be of any design, depth, or width without deviating from the scope of the subject invention. For example,  FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative ring terminal style configuration of battery clamp  10 . This ring terminal style clamps to the battery post  38  in the same manner as clamp assembly  10  in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , except this type has an alternative method as to which it can be connected to an electrical connection rather than the crimping claws. The threaded stud will allow various other styles of electrical connections to be mounted over the stud and clamp onto the stud with a nut, thus providing the completed electrical connector. In essence, this embodiment is configured to accept a ring terminal (terminated to a battery cable) placed over a bolt  46 , and is held in place with a nut (not shown). 
         [0017]    The appended claims have been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention defined by the appended claims. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed in practicing the invention defined by the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in claims. The embodiments should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. 
         [0018]    With regard to the processes, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes described herein are provided for illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed to limit the appended claims. 
         [0019]    Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims. 
         [0020]    All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.