Abstract:
An electrode connection platform is made of an electrically conductive material, such as brass, and configured to allow multiple electrical conductors to be rigidly and securely attached to its upper surfaces. The platform is attachable to a terminal of a storage battery. Upper surfaces of the platform are arranged so that interference between electrical conductors is minimized. The platform, with all of its attached electrical conductors, can be removed from a terminal post of a storage battery without necessitating the disconnection of any of the electrical conductors from the platform.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is generally related to a battery connection platform and, more particularly, to an electrically conductive and generally rigid platform that facilitates the connection of numerous wires and conductors to the electrodes of a storage battery. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When electrical storage batteries are used, electrical conductors or wires are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the battery in order to provide power to electrical equipment such as starter motors and other devices. When the number of auxiliary devices used in conjunction with the storage battery increases, is all of those devices must be securely connected in electrical communication with the positive and negative terminals of the storage battery. This can possibly result in a disorganized clutter of wires and other conductors in the vicinity of the battery terminals. This, in turn, can result in an unsafe condition and circumstances in which it becomes difficult to disconnect and reconnect various conductors from the battery. In addition, regulations promulgated by the American Boat &amp; Yacht Council require that no more than four conductors be secured to any one terminal stud of a battery. This regulation states that, if additional connections are necessary, two or more terminal studs must be connected together by means of jumpers or copper straps. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,505, which issued to Gaffney on Oct. 13, 1981, describes a terminal connector for an electrical storage battery. It comprises an electrically insulating body having a bore therein arranged to receive a battery terminal post. Mounted in the body for movement relative thereto, is an operating member which carries a conductive element to which an electrical cable is secured. The operating member is movable relative to the body, while the body remains stationary, to move the conductive element and/or the electrical cable relative to the bore in the body and into and out of electrical contact with a battery terminal post received in the bore in use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,106, which issued to Yamada et al. on May 13, 1997, describes a connection structure and connection fitting for an electrode post of a battery. It includes a lock stage portion formed on a circumference of the electrode post, a tapered portion formed at a top portion of the electrode post, a lock spring inserted in the connection fitting so as to engage with the lock stage portion to thereby lock the electrode post and the connection fitting with each other, and a hollow elastic body accommodated in the connection fitting so as to press the connection conductor to thereby connect the electrode post and the connection conductor to each other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,684, which issued to Lake on Aug. 19, 1997, describes a battery having orifices for connection with electrodes terminals. This patent describes a method of forming a battery which includes providing a cathode base which comprises a first non-conductive surface, a first conductive layer superjacent the first non-conductive surface, the first conductive layer comprising a first area, and a cathode layer superjacent the first conductive layer leaving at least a portion of the first area exposed. The method also includes the step of providing an anode base which comprises a second non-conductive surface, a second conductive layer superjacent the first non-conductive surface, the second conductive layer comprising a second area and an anode layer superjacent the second conductive layer leaving at least a portion of the second area exposed, the anode layer comprising an alkali metal. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,628, which issued to Zama on Nov. 20, 2001, describes a secondary battery with plural electrode terminals connected through one collecting terminal. The secondary battery includes a case for accommodating an electrode element therein and a conductive lid element for closing an open end of the case. A plurality of electrode terminals extend from the top and bottom of the electrode element. The plurality of electrode terminals extending from the top of the electrode element are electrically connected to one end of a collecting terminal with a metallic grommet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,390, which issued to Kim on Feb. 11, 2003, describes a connecting terminal for a storage battery. A connecting terminal part connecting to a post terminal for a storage battery is provided and connection terminals for fixing a wire connector are made attachable or detachable by means of bolts in conjunction with washers and the insertion holes of the connecting terminal part are tightened with appropriate tightening force by means of a tightening bolt having a screw thread only at the portion at its lower end which incorporates into a unit a rubber cap in the shape of a band which covers the upper and lower portions of the connecting terminal part connected to the post terminal and which has protrusions in the shape of a ring, respectively, around the rim of the bottom side of the piercing hole of the rubber cap which is bored into the portion corresponding to the insertion hole of the lower end of the connecting terminal part. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,123, which issued to Kim on Apr. 26, 2005, describes a connecting terminal for a storage battery. The connecting terminal includes a fixation plate having a bolt hole extending therethrough, a fixation member insertable into the bolt hole of the fixation plate, a rounded insertion member extending from the fixation plate and having upper and lower elastic bodies defining an insertion hole, the upper and lower elastic bodies each having flanged portions extending toward one another and a tightening member extending from the insertion member. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/285,418, which was filed on Nov. 22, 2005 by Bang et al., describes an electrode connector containing plate and battery module employed with the same. It includes a conductive wire and plates mounted on the wire so that the plates can be electrically connected to electrodes of cells. The plates are electrically connected to the wire. A battery module is manufactured with the electrode connector. The electrode connector is electrically connected to the electrodes of the cells by means of the plates. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/566,498, which was filed on Dec. 4, 2006 by Bang et al., describes an electrode connector containing plate and battery module employed with the same. It includes a conductive wire and a plurality of plates mounted on the wire such that the plates can be electrically connected to electrodes of cells, wherein the plates are electrically connected to the wire in a structure in which the plates are coupled to the wire by clamping. 
     The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention. 
     It would be significantly beneficial if a device could be provided which securely and rigidly attaches a plurality of conductors in electrical communication with the terminal posts, or electrodes, of a storage battery. It would also be significantly beneficial if all of the conductors could remain attached to each other when they are simultaneously removed from electrical contact with the terminal posts of a battery during, for example, the process of removing a battery and replacing it with a new battery. It would also be significantly beneficial if the device described above could facilitate the electrical connection of a relatively large plurality of conductors to a single terminal post, or electrode, of a storage battery. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An electrode connection platform, made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises an electrically conductive member, an opening extending through the electrically conductive member and shaped to receive an electrode, a first connection device configured to attach a first electrical wire in electrical communication with the electrically conductive member and a second connection device configured to attached a second electrical wire in electrical communication with the electrically conductive member. The first and second connection devices comprise first and second holes extending through first and second planar surfaces of the electrode connection platform in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the first and second planar surfaces are non-coplanar with each other. The first and second planar surfaces are parallel with each other in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. The first and second connection devices can comprise first and second pluralities of threaded holes extending through the first and second planar surfaces, respectively, of the electrode connection platform. The first and second planar surfaces can be parallel with each other. The electrode can be a terminal of a storage battery and the platform can be made of a non-ferrous material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more fully and clearly understood from a reading of the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention associated with multiple electrical conductors and associated hardware; 
         FIG. 2  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown as an exploded view; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a plurality of electrical conductors and to a terminal post of a storage battery; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a storage battery with two platforms made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Throughout the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, like components will be identified by like reference numerals. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view which shows the electrode connection platform  10  of the present invention associated with various electrical conductors and hardware that is used to rigidly attach the conductors to the platform  10 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electrode connection platform  10  comprises an electrically conductive plate  14  having first and second surfaces,  21  and  22 . It also comprises an opening  26  that extends through the electrically conductive plate  10 . The opening  26  is shaped to receive an electrode  28  of a storage battery. A first set of connectors, which comprises threaded holes  31  and  32 , is configured to attach a first set of electrical conductors,  36  and  38 , in electrical communication with the electrically conductive plate  10 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second set of connectors,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 , is configured to attach a second set of conductors,  52  and  54 , in electrical communication with the electrically conductive plate  10 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the first set of connectors,  31  and  32 , comprises a first set of threaded holes which extend through the first surface  21  of the electrode connection platform. The second set of connectors,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 , comprises a second set of threaded holes which extend through the second surface  22  of the electrode connection platform. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second surfaces,  21  and  22 , are generally planar and generally parallel with each other. The first and second surfaces,  21  and  22 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  are not coplanar with each other as illustrated by the step  60  between the two surfaces. The electrode connection platform  10  comprises a first portion  61  having a first thickness  71 , wherein the first surface  21  is a surface of the first portion  61 . In addition, the electrode connection platform  10  comprises a second portion  62  having a second thickness  72 . The second surface  22  is a surface of the second portion  62  and the first thickness  71  is greater than the second thickness  72 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , various threaded components are provided to rigidly and securely attach the electrical connectors to the electrode connection platform  10 . For example, threaded bolt  81  attaches electrical conductors  36  to threaded hole  31  of the connection platform  10 . Bolt  82  similarly connects electrical conductors  38  to threaded hole  32 . The nut identified by reference numeral  84  attaches to the threaded electrode  28  of a storage battery which extends through hole  26 . Nut  84  rigidly attaches the electrically conductive plate  10  to the electrode  28 . Bolts  86  and  87  attach electrical conductors  52  to threaded holes  40  and  42 , respectively. Similarly, threaded bolts  88  and  89  attach electrical conductors  54  to threaded holes  44  and  46 , respectively. 
     Although the present invention is not limited to particular sizes of conductors, connectors, bolts, and nuts, certain particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention incorporate certain common sizes of these components. As an example, the positive terminal of a storage battery is typically 5/16 inches in diameter. Therefore, the electrically conductive plate  10  would typically be provided with a hole  26  which is shaped to receive a stud  28  of that size. On the other hand, the plate  10  intended for use with a negative terminal post  28  of a battery would incorporate a hole  26  that is shaped to receive a threaded post that is ⅜ inches in diameter. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the platform  10  was designed to allow for both number  10  electrical lead eyelets as shown in conjunction with conductors  52  and ¼ inch electrical lead eyelets as shown in conjunction with conductors  54 . These sizes are typical of those used in conjunction with storage batteries in the marine industries. The platform  10 , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, also accommodates two ⅜ inch eyelets such as those associated with conductors  36  and  38  and with holes  31  and  32 , respectively. 
       FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment of the platform  10  of the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , dashed line  94  hypothetically divides the upper surface of the platform  10  into two surfaces,  21  and  22 . Hole  26  and threaded holes  31  and  32  extend through the first surface  21  while threaded holes  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  extend through the second surface  22 . In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the first and second surfaces,  21  and  22 , are coplanar with each other. Comparing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can be seen that no step  60  exists between the first and second surfaces in  FIG. 2 . To accommodate the coplanar nature of the first and second surfaces,  21  and  22 , the conductors,  36  and  38 , attach to the first surface  21  extend from the platform  10  in a first direction (i.e. toward the right in  FIG. 2 ) while electrical conductors  52  and  54  are attached to the second surface  22  and extend in the opposite direction (i.e. toward the left in  FIG. 2 ). The other hardware shown in  FIG. 2  is generally identical to the corresponding hardware in  FIG. 1  and will not be described in further detail herein. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view showing all of the electrical conductors described above attached to the platform  10 . In  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the step  60 , provided by the non-coplanar relationship between the first and second surfaces,  21  and  22 , allows the larger conductors,  36  and  38 , to pass over the bolts,  86 - 89 , which attach the smaller conductors,  52  and  54 , to the second surface  22 . It should also be appreciated that, by loosening nut  84  and raising the platform  10  relative to the terminal post  28 , the entire assembly can be removed from the battery without disconnecting any of the conductors shown in  FIG. 3  from the platform  10 . This facilitates the changing of the battery without having to disconnect any of the conductors from the platform. By simply removing the nut  84  at both electrodes of the battery, the two platforms (i.e. associated with the positive and negative terminals) can be raised in order to disconnect them from their associated terminal posts. The battery can then be changed and the two connection platforms can be reconnected to the terminal posts of the new battery. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , it should be understood that additional electrical conductors could be added to the assembly shown. Since current regulations allow a maximum of four conductors to be secured to any one terminal stud, each of the bolts,  86 - 89 , could accommodate four electrical conductors. These electrical conductors could be rigidly and securely attached to the platform  10 . Although spatial limitations and the physical sizes of the conductors can limit the number of electrical conductors that can be connected to any single terminal post  28 , that limitation is not a function of the electrically conductive plate  10  but, instead, is a function of the physical space surrounding the terminal post  28  and the physical size of the various conductors. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a storage battery  100  with two terminal posts  28 . Two electrically conductive plates  10  are rigidly attached to the terminal post  28  with nuts  84 . No electrical conductors are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , such as the wires and cables described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 4  represents a stage of assembly following the attachment of the plates  10  to the terminal posts and prior to the attachment of the individual electrical conductors, such as those identified by reference numerals  36 ,  38 ,  52  and  54  in  FIGS. 1-3 . It can easily be envisioned that, after all of the electrical conductors are attached to their respective plates  10 , a simple loosening of nuts  84  would allow the plates  10  and their attached electrical conductors to be lifted away from their associated terminal posts  28  so that the storage battery  100  can be replaced. This can therefore be done without attaching any of the electrical conductors from their associated plates  10 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , it can be seen that various to embodiments of the present invention comprise an electrode connection platform which, in turn, comprises an electrically conductive plate  10  having first and second generally planar surfaces,  21  and  22 , respectively. An opening  26  extends through the electrically conductive plate  10  and is shaped to receive an electrode  28  of a storage battery  100 . A first set of threaded holes,  31  and  32 , are configured is to attach a first set of electrical conductors,  36  and  38 , in electrical communication with the electrically conductive plate  10 . A second set of threaded holes,  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46 , are configured to attach a second set of electrical conductors,  52  and  54 , in electrical communication with the electrically conductive plate  10 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the first set of threaded holes extend through the first generally planar surface  21  of the electrode connection platform  10  and the second set of threaded holes extends through the second generally planar surface  22  of the electrode connection platform  10 . In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second generally planar surfaces,  21  and  22 , are parallel with each other. The electrode connection platform  10  comprises a first portion  61  having a first thickness  71  with the first generally planar surface  21  being a surface of the first portion  61 . The electrode connection platform comprises a second portion  62  having a second thickness  72 . The second generally planar surface  22  is a surface of the second portion  62  and the first thickness  71  is greater than the second thickness  72 . The electrically conductive plate  10  is separable from the electrode  28  with the first and second sets of electrical conductors remaining connected to the first and second sets of threaded holes. The second set of electrical conductors,  52  and  54 , are disposable between the first set of electrical conductors,  36  and  38 , and the second generally planar surface  22  while the first and second sets of electrical conductors are attached to the electrically conductive plates. 
     Although the present invention has been described with particular specificity and illustrated to show a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that other embodiments are also within its scope.