Clamp for a male terminal

A clamp for male terminal comprising a clamping ring capable of inserting on a male terminal, two jaws connected to the clamping ring and mutually approachable to tighten the clamping ring on the male terminal, clamping means acting on the jaws to move them between a distant position and a close position along a clamping direction. The clamping means comprise a clamping member rotating around a clamping axis inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the clamping ring. The clamp further comprises guiding means cooperating with a movable jaw to guide the movement of such movable jaw along the clamping direction on said plane, between the distant position and the close position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a clamp for a male terminal.

In particular, the present invention relates to a clamp with inclined clamping screw.

The clamp of the present invention can find application for the connection to a battery post. In this case, the male terminal is a battery post while the clamp is connected to one or more utilities of a motor vehicle.

According to a different application, the clamp of the present invention can find application for the grounding of electric and/or electronic devices. In this case, the male terminal is a ground terminal secured to a structure serving as earth ground, while the ground connection of the devices to be grounded is connected to the clamp by electric cable. The structure serving as earth ground can be, for example, the body of a motor vehicle, in particular of a car.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An inclined-clamping battery terminal clamp is disclosed for example in the Japanese publication 4-7567. This document describes a clamp having a tubular element capable of engaging a battery post projecting out of a battery, a couple of arms to close the tubular element and clamping means of the screw-nut type placed between the couple of arms. In such clamp, the screw is placed as inclined with respect to the plane perpendicular to the tubular element axis.

A different inclined-clamping battery terminal clamp is disclosed for example in the application for the German utility model DE 20 2005 006 400. This document describes a clamp comprising a clamping ring having a cylindrical opening for coupling to a battery post, two opposed flanges divided from each other by a groove and a clamping system to move close/away the two flanges so as to tighten/unloose the cylindrical opening on the battery post. The clamping ring and the flanges lie on a common plane perpendicular to the cylindrical opening axis. The clamping system comprises a screw extended along an axis oriented between 5° and 45° with respect to the common plane of the clamping ring and of the flanges and a clamping nut mounted on the screw. One end of the screw engages one of the two flanges while the nut, mounted at the opposite end, engages the other flange.

In both the above-mentioned clamps, the tightening of the clamp on a battery post occurs by rotating the clamping nut with respect to the screw. In particular, referring to the DE 20 2005 006 400 model, since one end of the screw engages one of the two flanges, the rotation of the nut around the screw and its engagement with the other flange cause the two flanges to move closer to each other along a direction coinciding with the axis of the screw itself. However, this clamping system causes the flanges to twist resulting in a corresponding torsion of the clamping ring. In fact, it is necessary to note that the two flanges are forced to move one toward the other along the screw axis during the tightening. This mutual approach along the screw axis causes at least one of the two flanges or both of them, according to the structure rigidity of the two branches of the clamping ring, to move away from the plane where it lies in the open position moving on a parallel plane to the close position.

In the light of what evidenced above it rises the need to provide a clamp for male terminal with a clamping system preventing the rotation of the two clamping flanges during the tightening operations of the clamp on the male terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a clamp for male terminal having such features as to meet said need, while overcoming the drawbacks of the known art.

This object is reached by a clamp for male terminal comprising a clamping ring having an axis, said clamping ring being able to insert on a male terminal according to an insertion direction extended along said axis, two jaws connected to said clamping ring and mutually approaching to tighten the clamping ring on the male terminal, at least one of said jaws being movable, clamping means acting on said jaws to move said jaws between a distant position and a close position along a clamping direction, wherein said clamping means comprise a clamping member rotatable around a clamping axis to move the jaws between said distant position and said close position, said clamping axis being inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the clamping ring so as to form with said plane an angle different from the right angle, wherein said clamp comprises guiding means cooperating with said at least one movable jaw to guide the movement of said at least one movable jaw along said clamping direction on said plane, between said distant position and said close position.

Thanks to the fact that the clamp is equipped with guiding means cooperating with at least one movable jaw to guide the movement of said movable jaw on the plane perpendicular to the clamping ring axis, the tightening of the two jaws occurs without producing any torsions on the jaws and on the clamping ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the annexed figures, numeral1generally designates a clamp according to the present invention.

The clamp1comprises a support element2, a conductive body3and clamping means30.

According to the embodiment shown in the annexed figures, the conductive body3is formed by punching, coining and bending starting from a plate of an electrically conductive material, such as brass or copper alloy having high electrical conductivity and good mechanical strength together with a good ductility. Alternatively, the conductive body can be a melt alloy block or of a different kind.

The conductive body3comprises a clamping ring5having an axis A-A. This clamping ring5is capable of inserting on a male terminal (not shown in the annexed figures) in an insertion direction extended along said axis A-A. Hereinafter a battery terminal will be referred to, without limitation, it being understood that the clamp of the present invention can be used on any male terminals.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the clamping ring5comprises an upper open ring6and a lower open ring7having two opposed end portions,6a,6band7a,7brespectively, mutually approachable to tighten the clamping ring5around the battery terminal, when the clamp1is mounted on the battery terminal. Each open ring6,7is made of two opposed arms6′,6″ and7′,7″ which terminate at the end portions6a,6band7a,7b.

The conductive body3is obtained starting from a plate (not shown in the figures) which is folded so that the lower ring7places itself under the upper ring6, parallel to it and axially aligned thereto.

The clamp1comprises a first jaw20and a second jaw21, connected to the clamping ring5and mutually approachable to tighten the clamping ring5on the battery terminal. In particular, at least one of the two jaws20,21is movable.

In the examples shown inFIGS. 1 to 37, the jaw20is movable while the jaw21is fixed. In particular, the jaw20is movable from and toward the jaw21.

In the examples shown inFIGS. 38 to 43, the jaw21is movable while the jaw20is fixed. In this case, the jaw21is movable from and toward the jaw20.

Alternatively, the two jaws20,21can be both movable.

The first jaw20is integral with the end portions6a,7awhile the second jaw21is integral with the end portions6b,7b.

According to one embodiment, the upper ring6and the lower ring7are linked up together through the two jaws20,21. In particular, the jaw20comprises an upper wall20alinked up to the upper end6aof ring6, a lower wall20blinked up to the lower end7aof the ring7and a side wall20clinking up the upper wall20aand lower wall20bon opposite side of the rings6,7. In the same way, the jaw21comprises an upper wall21alinked up to the upper end6bof the ring6, a lower wall21blinked up to the lower wall7bof the ring7and a side wall21clinking up the two upper21aand lower21bwalls from opposite side of the rings6,7.

The walls20a,20b,20cand21a,21b,2cdefine a housing23, extended along the direction X-X, whose function will be described in details hereinafter.

The clamping means30act on the two jaws20,21to move said jaws21,22between a distant position and a close position along a clamping direction X-X to tighten the clamping ring5on the battery terminal10.

The clamping means30comprise a clamping member that rotates around a clamping axis B-B to move the jaws20,21between a distant position and a close position. In particular, the clamping axis B-B is inclined with respect to a plane P perpendicular to axis A-A of the clamping ring5so as to create with plane P an angle α different from the right angle.

Preferably, angle α ranges between 15° and 75°. More preferably, angle α ranges between 30° and 60°. Still more preferably, angle α is about 45°.

The clamp1further comprises guiding means40cooperating with the movable jaw, inFIGS. 1 to 37with the movable jaw20, to guide the movement of this jaw along the clamping direction X-X on plane P between the distant position and the close position. Since the movement of the movable jaw occurs on plane P perpendicular to the clamping ring axis, the tightening of the two jaws20,21takes place on this plane P without any torsions on the jaws20,21and on the clamping ring5.

According to the embodiment shown in the annexed figures, the guiding means40cooperate with both the two jaws20,21to guide the movement of the two jaws20,21on plane P.

Advantageously, the guiding means40also cooperate with the clamping means30to guide the movement of the two jaws20,21on plane P.

According to one embodiment, the guiding means40comprise a slider connected to the clamping member and equipped with engaging means to engage one of the two jaws.

Advantageously, the engaging means30are of the screw-nut screw type. In particular, the screw is coupled with the guiding means40while the nut screw engages the clamping plate33or vice versa.

According to one embodiment, the clamping means30comprise a clamping surface33alying on a plane perpendicular to the clamping axis B-B and the rotatable clamping member acts thereon to move the jaws20,21between the distant position and the close position.

In the examples shown in the annexed figures, the clamping surface33ais provided by a clamping plate33interposed between the rotatable clamping member and the jaw20. In particular, the clamping plate33abuts against an end of the lower wall20band of the upper wall20aof the jaw20. Alternatively, in the example shown inFIGS. 41 to 43, the clamping surface33acan be provided by a connection wall between the upper wall20aand the lower wall20bof the jaw20.

The clamping plate33can have a rectangular shape, as shown in the figures, or a circular shape, like a common washer.

In the case of a rectangular clamping plate33, the clamp1can be advantageously equipped with an anti-rotation element35engaged with one side of the clamping plate33in order to prevent the rotation of the plate33due to the rotation of the rotatable clamping member.

According to a first embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 11, the clamping means30comprise a clamping screw31extended along the clamping axis B-B, secured, at one end31a, to the guiding means40and having an opposite free end31b. In order to simplify the overall representation of the clamp, the clamping screw shown in the annexed figures is schematized without thread. However, it is understood that this clamping screw has a thread (not shown in the figures).

The slider40has an opening41for securing the end31aof the clamping screw31. The securing of the clamping screw31to the slider40can be carried out by inserting the base31aof the clamping screw31by interference into the hole41. Alternatively, other means for securing the clamping screw31to the slider40can be used.

The rotatable clamping member is made of a clamping nut32mounted as rotating on the clamping screw31on the side of the free end31band it engages the clamping plate33to move the jaws20,21between the close position and the distant position. In particular, the rotation of the clamping nut32with respect to the clamping screw31around the clamping axis B-B causes the movable jaw20to move along the direction X-X on plane P between the distant position and the close position.

The clamping screw31cooperates one of the two jaws20,21, in the example with the fixed jaw21. In particular, the clamping screw31is connected to the guiding means40which are engaged with the jaw21so as to have the clamping screw31cooperate with the jaw21.

The slider40comprises two plaques42,43each parallel to the other and connected by a plaque44in which an opening41is derived to secure the end31aof the clamping screw31. The plague44lies on a plane perpendicular to the clamping axis B-B and therefore parallel to the plane on which the surface33aof the clamping plate33lies.

On opposite side of the plaque44, the two plaques42,43have respective hooking means42a,43ato allow the engaging of the slider40with the jaw21.

In the example, the hooking means42a,43aare represented by two tongues folded so as to engage the upper wall21aand the lower wall21bof the jaw21.

In particular, in order to guide the movement of the jaws20,21on plane P, the plaques42and43lie on respective planes parallel to plane P, i.e., on planes perpendicular to the axis A-A of the clamping ring and engage respective upper20a,21aand lower20b,21bwalls of the two jaws20,21to guide the jaws20,21in their movement on plane P.

Advantageously, the slider40is nested inside the housing23defined by the two jaws20,21.

The clamping plate33has an opening34for the passage of the clamping screw31.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 37, the plate33abuts against jaw20so as to be able to slide with respect to the clamping screw31along the clamping axis B-B of the clamping screw31but without the possibility of a relative movement along the plane of plate33. To this purpose, the opening34for the passage of the clamping screw31is configured so as to allow the plate33-clamping screw31relative movement along the clamping axis B-B and prevents plate33to move on the plane perpendicular to said axis B-B. In the example, the diameter of the opening34substantially corresponds to the diameter of the clamping screw31. Advantageously, the opening34has a thread able to couple to the thread of the clamping screw31.

Starting from a configuration in which the jaws20,21are in a distant position (FIGS. 4-7), the tightening of the clamp1is carried out by rotating the clamping nut32on the clamping screw31. The rotation of the nut32causes a relative movement of the nut32with respect to the clamping screw31along its axis B-B and a corresponding relative movement of plate33with respect to the clamping screw31along axis B-B. Since the plate33is kept abut against jaw20by the clamping nut32and the movable jaw20is guided by the guiding slider40which forces it to move on plane P, the jaw20moves on this plane P from the distant position (FIGS. 4-7) to the close position (FIGS. 8-11) to tighten the clamping ring5on a battery terminal.

According to a second embodiment shown inFIGS. 12 to 22, showing a clamp101, the opening134in the clamping plate133for the passage of the clamping screw31is an elongated housing slot. It is useful to notice that the elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals. In this case, the slot134is configured so as to allow the plate133-clamping screw31relative movement of the clamping means130not only along the clamping axis B-B but also along the clamping direction X-X. On the other hand, since the plate133with clamping surface133aworks on the movable jaw20, the clamp101tightening occurs as described with reference to the clamp1ofFIGS. 1 to 11. In particular, the rotation of the nut32causes a relative movement of the nut32with respect to the clamping screw31along its axis B-B and a corresponding relative movement of the plate133with respect to the clamping screw31along axis B-B. Since the plate133is kept abut against the jaw20and the movable jaw20is guided by the guiding slider40which forces it to move on plane P, the jaw20moves on this plane P from the distant position (FIGS. 15-18) to the close position (FIGS. 19-22) to tighten the clamping ring5on a battery terminal.

According to a third embodiment shown inFIGS. 23 to 33, showing a clamp201, the rotatable clamping member of the clamping means230comprises a clamping screw231having a portion232to drive in rotation such screw231and capable of engaging the clamping plate33, and an end portion233engaged with the guiding means240.

In this case, the slider240comprises a body extending along the direction X-X and having a trapezium rectangular section. In particular, the slider comprises two upper242and lower243walls parallel to each other, one inclined wall244connecting the two walls242,243and a bottom wail245engaging the fixed jaw21. The inclined wall244lies on a plane perpendicular to the clamping axis B-B and therefore parallel to the plane on which the surface33aof the clamping plate33lies. On opposite side of the wall244, the bottom wall245has hooking means246to allow the engaging of the slider240with the jaw21. Namely, the hooking means246correspond to a flange projecting out of the planes of the two walls242,243transversely of direction X-X. In order to guide the movement of the jaws20,21on plane P, the two walls242and243lie on respective planes parallel to plane P and engage the respective upper walls20a,21aand lower walls20b,21bof the two jaws20,21.

In the wall244a threaded hole241is formed for receiving the end portion233of the clamping screw231.

During the tightening, the rotation of the portion232causes a screwing of the clamping screw231into the threaded hole241and therefore a movement of the head232of the screw toward the inclined wall244along the axis B-B. Since the head232is engaged with the clamping plate33, such movement of the head232causes a movement of the clamping plate33along the clamping axis B-B and, therefore, by means of the slider240engaged with the jaw21, a movement of the movable jaw20on plane P from the distant position (FIGS. 26-29) to the close position (FIGS. 30-33) to tighten the clamping ring5on a battery terminal.

According to a forth embodiment shown inFIGS. 34 to 37, showing a clamp301, the clamping means340comprise a first portion350placed inside the housing323defined by the two jaws20,21and a second portion351placed outside such housing323.

The first guiding portion350comprises an body extending along the direction X-X and having a trapezium rectangular section. In particular, the slider comprises two upper342and lower343walls parallel to each other, one inclined wall344connecting the two walls342,343and a bottom wall345engaging the jaw20. The inclined wall344lies on a plane perpendicular to the clamping axis B-B. On opposite side of the wall344, the bottom wall345has hooking means346to allow the engaging of the first guiding portion350with the jaw20. Namely, the hooking means346correspond to a flange projecting out of the planes of the two walls342,343transversely of direction X-X. In order to guide the movement of the jaw20on plane P, the two walls342and343lie on respective planes parallel to plane P and engage the upper wall20aand the lower wall20bof the jaw20. The movement of the jaw21on plane P is caused by the second portion351engaging the other jaw21outside thereof.

In the wall344a hole341is formed in which a threaded ring334is housed to receive the end portion333of the clamping screw331. Corresponding holes352,353are formed in the second portion351of the guiding means340and in the two jaws20,21for the passage of clamping screw331which is equipped with a head332abutting against the clamping surface353a, represented in this embodiment by a wall353of the second portion351. A washer334is interposed between the head332and the clamping surface353a.

During the tightening, the rotation of the clamping screw341causes a screwing of said screw into the threaded ring334. Since the head332is engaged with the fixed jaw21through the second guiding portion351, the rotation of the clamping screw341causes a movement of the first guiding portion350along the clamping direction X-X and, therefore, a movement of the movable jaw20on plane P from the distant position (FIG. 36) to the close position (FIG. 37) to tighten the clamping ring5on a battery terminal.

A clamp401according to a fifth embodiment is shown inFIGS. 38 to 40. The clamp401differs from the clamp1of the first embodiment in that the jaw20is movable while the jaw21is fixed. In this case, the jaw21is movable from and towards the jaw20.

Starting from a configuration in which the jaws20,21are in distant position (FIG. 39), the tightening of the clamp401is carried out by rotating the clamping nut32on the clamping screw34. Since the clamping nut32is engaged, through the clamping plate33, with a fixed jaw20, the rotation of the nut32causes a relative movement of the clamping screw31with respect to the nut32along its axis B-B and a corresponding relative movement of the plate33with respect to the clamping screw31along axis B-B. However, since the clamping screw31is engaged in the slider40which is in its turn engaged with the movable jaw21, the clamping screw31moves along the direction X-X so that the slider40, through the engaging means42a,43a, guides the movement of the jaw21along the clamping direction X-X on plane P between the distant position (FIG. 39) and the close position (FIG. 40). During the movement of the clamping screw31along the clamping direction X-X, the clamping plate33slides with respect to the jaw20.

According to this embodiment, axis B-B of the clamping screw31in close position appears offset with respect to axis B-B of the clamping screw31in distant position. In particular, axis B-B of the clamping screw31in close position appears parallel to axis B-B of the clamping screw31in distant position. Such offset of axis B-B of the clamping screw31in the two positions, close and distant, allows the clamping means30to move with two degrees of freedom.

A clamp501according to a sixth embodiment is shown inFIGS. 41 to 43. The clamp501differs from the clamp101of the second embodiment in that the jaw20is movable while the jaw21is fixed.

In this sixth embodiment, since the clamping screw31moves on plane P along the direction X-X inside the slot134, the clamping surface33acan also correspond to a connecting wall between the upper wall20aand the lower wall20bof the jaw20. In this case, the slot134is configured so as to allow the plate133-clamping screw31relative movement of the clamping means130not only along the clamping axis B-B but also along the clamping direction X-X.

Starting from a configuration in which the jaws20,21are in distant position (FIG. 42), the tightening of the clamp401is carried out by rotating the clamping nut32on the clamping screw31. Since the plate133works on the fixed jaw20, the rotation of the nut32causes a relative movement of the clamping screw31with respect to the nut32. Since the clamping screw31is engaged in the slider40which is in its turn engaged with the movable jaw21, the clamping screw31moves along the direction X-X so that the slider40, through the engaging means42a,43a, guides the movement of the jaw21along the clamping direction X-X on plane P between the distant position (FIG. 42) and the close position (FIG. 43). Unlike the fifth embodiment, in this case since the slot134is configured so as to allow the plate133-clamping screw31relative movement also along the clamping direction X-X, the plate133remains in its position and the clamping screw31slides into the slot134along the clamping direction X-X on plane P until it reaches the position shown inFIG. 43. Also in this embodiment, axis B-B of the clamping screw31in close position appears offset with respect to axis B-B of the clamping screw31in distant position. In particular, axis B-B of the clamping screw31in close position appears parallel to axis B-B of the clamping screw31in distant position.

As it can be understood fromFIGS. 39,40and42,43, the clamping screw31moves, between the distant position and the close position, with a movement comprising a component perpendicular to the clamping axis B-B. In particular, the clamping screw31, as it is secured to the guiding means40, moves along the clamping direction X-X.

As it can be appreciated from the above, the clamp according to the present invention allows to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks with reference to the known art. Namely, the tightening of the clamp is carried out without torsions of the two clamping jaws which move on a plane perpendicular to the clamping ring axis.

Obviously, those skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, will be able to make many changes and alterations to the clamp according to the invention described hereinbefore, all however falling within the protection scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.