Battery connector

A connector for use in electrically connecting a battery, having substantially planar terminals on a wall thereof, to an electrical device. The connector comprises a housing partially containing conductive means which extend from the housing to contact the battery terminals and the electrical device. The connector further includes resilient gripping means on the housing which cooperatively engages holding means on the battery with a snap on connection.

This invention relates to connectors which mechanically hold and 
electrically connect batteries to electrical devices. More particularly 
this invention relates to connectors for use with batteries having planar 
terminals such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 243,615; 243,616; 
243,617, and 243,618. 
Several types of connectors, which electrically connect a battery to an 
electrical device and which mechanically hold the battery, have been used 
in the past. The most typical of such connectors is adapted for use with 
the common cylindrical battery having opposing terminals at the end walls 
thereof. Such battery connectors generally have a cradle or bracket 
configuration whereby they substantially enclose the entire battery in 
order that both terminals be electrically contacted. As a result cradle or 
bracket connectors are generally bulky and they are usually integral with 
the electrical devices in order to minimize excessive volume utilization. 
Another type of battery connector uses the cooperative association of the 
battery terminals and the terminal contacting members of the connector to 
provide mechanical as well as electrical connection. An example of such 
battery connector is a cable with a plug which is inserted into an 
associated battery having socket terminals. Another of such type of 
battery connector is one which is used with the common rectangular 9 volt 
battery having extending male and female terminals. The connector used 
therewith has extending male and female members which are snap fitted to 
the female and male terminals respectively of the associated battery. 
Though such connectors are relativaly compact they have several 
shortcomings. Since the terminals or terminal contacting members 
themselves provide the mechanical connection, mechanical stress placed 
upon the relatively small terminals or terminal contacting members may 
result in mechanical disengagement, by breakage or relaxation of the 
male/female connection, with lost electrical connection. Furthermore, 
since these connectors can only be used when the terminals have either 
male or female configurations, batteries having asexual planar terminals, 
such as those in the aforementioned design patents, cannot be used 
therewith. Additionally, the 9 volt connector allows exposed terminal 
connections whereby detrimental short circuiting becomes a distinct 
possibility. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact snap-on 
battery connector for use with a battery having cooperative holding means 
and substantially planar terminals on a wall thereof whereby an electrical 
device connected with said connector may be powered by the connected 
battery.

Generally the present invention comprises a compact connector for 
electrical connection between a battery having substantially planar 
terminals on a wall thereof and an electrical device. The connector 
comprises a housing which partially contains the conductive connection 
between the battery and the electrical device. Conductive terminal 
contacting members extend from a region of the connector housing directly 
adjacent to the terminal wall of the battery, when the battery is 
connected to the connector, and conductively contact the battery 
terminals. The conductive contacting members are electrically engaged to 
conductive wires, or the like, within the connector housing. The 
conductive wires extend from the housing to an electrical device whereby 
full electrical connection between battery and electrical device is 
effected. The connector, in order to maintain the electrical connection, 
grips the battery with resilient members which are supported from the 
housing of the connector. The resilient members snap over the terminal 
wall of the battery and cooperatively grip corresponding members on the 
battery located adjacent to the periphery of the terminal wall of the 
battery. 
Preferably the connector further includes fulcrum means such as an 
extension of the connector housing whereby the connector may be easily 
removed from the battery. 
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a connector 10 made in 
accordance with the present invention, which is electrically connected to 
an electrical device (not shown) by conductive wires 19a and 19b. The 
connector 10 is comprised of upper and lower portions 13 and 14 
respectively which form a housing having aperture 16 through which the 
conductive wires 19a and 19b, contained within the housing partially 
extend for connection to the electrical device. The housing further 
partially contains conductive terminal contacting members 17a and 17b with 
such members electrically engaging wires 19b and 19a respectively within 
the housing. Terminal contacting members 17a and 17b partially extend from 
the housing through apertures 18a and 18b respectively in floor section 
200 of lower portion 14. When battery 50 and connector 10 are connected, 
as shown, floor section 200 is directly adjacent the terminal wall 59 of 
the battery 50 with apertures 18a and 18b being directly adjacent battery 
terminals 52 and 51 respectively. Terminal contacting members 17a and 17 b 
extending through apertures 18a and 18b electrically contact battery 
terminals 52 and 51 respectively whereby full electrical continuity 
between battery 50 and the electrical device is effected. 
Integral with upper and lower portions 13 and 14 of connector 10 are 
protruding portions 11a and 11b respectively which, when connector 10 is 
connected to a battery, protrude beyond the plane of a side wall of the 
battery. Protruding portions 11a and 11b are cofitting and when mated form 
extension member 11, having aperture 16, from which conductive wires 19a 
and 19b extend. Extension member 11, because it protrudes beyond the plane 
of the side of the battery, functions as a fulcrum to provide leverage 
whereby battery connector 10 may be easily removed from the battery by 
digital pressure on the lower surface of protruding portion 11b. Though in 
the present embodiment extension member 11 operates as a fulcrum for ease 
in removal of the connector other means for ease in removal are possible. 
Examples of other removal means include knurled surfaces and indentations 
on the connector's outer surface which allow for greater digital 
manipulation. 
Lower portion 14, of battery connector 10, includes peripheral skirt 
section 14a which engages and holds the terminal wall 59 of battery 50 
therein. Opposing elongated beads 12b and 12a, (more clearly seen in FIGS. 
6b and 7) on the interior wall of skirt section 14a, during engagement of 
the battery connector with the battery, snap over beads 57 and 54 
respectively on the housing of the battery 50 and are securely held 
thereafter within groove regions 56 and 55. Bevelled edges 15a-d at the 
peripheral ends of skirt section 14a guide the terminal end of battery 50 
into said skirt section 14a for proper engagement. External short 
circuiting is also prevented by said skirt section. 
Though connector 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as providing electrical engagement 
with battery terminals 51 and 52, the connector may, because of the 
symmetry of the terminals, engage terminals 53 (of the same polarity as 
terminal 51) and 52 if the connector is reversed. Correct polarity is 
maintained with terminal contacting member 17a of the connector 10 always 
being associated with central battery terminal 52. Should battery 50 have 
but two terminals, proper polar engagement should be observed (incorrect 
engagement will not be detrimental to either the battery or the electrical 
device but will simply be non-operational). 
In referring to the interior configuration of battery connector 10 in 
greater detail, FIGS. 2-4 depict the configuration of upper portion 13 and 
FIGS. 5-7 depict the configuration of lower portion 14. 
Upper portion 13 is comprised of cover plate 100 having a generally 
rectangular shape roughly corresponding to the areal dimensions of the 
terminal end of an associated battery. Integral with cover plate 100 at 
one thereof is tapering protruding portion 11a. Also integral with cover 
plate 100 are downwardly extending perpendicular members 21 and 22 and 
peripheral raised rim 26 which circumscribes the perimeter of cover plate 
100 and protruding portion 11a. The lower surface of protruding portion 
11a includes raised rectangular plateau area 25 with transverse ridge 24 
thereon and channels 28 and 29 which are defined between raised rim 26 and 
two sides of plateau area 25. 
Lower portion 14 is comprised of rectangular floor section 200, of similar 
areal dimensions as cover plate 100, with apertures 18a and 18b therein. 
Skirt section 14a integrally depends from the lower surface of floor 
section 200 around its periphery and is sized to accommodate a connected 
battery. Integral with floor section 200 at an end thereof is tapering 
protruding portion 11b. Also integral with floor section 200 are upwardly 
extending perpendicular members 31 and 32 and peripheral raised rim 47. 
Rectangular depressed regions 35 and 33 in the upper surface of floor 
secton 200, are adjacent the rears of members 31 and 32 respectively. 
Areas 37 and 37a separate depressed regions 35 and 33 and apertures 18a 
and 18b. Peripheral raised rim 47 substantially circumscribes the 
perimeter of floor section 200 and protruding portion 11b with an 
interruption at the tapered end of portion 11b. Raised rim 47 includes 
ridge 36 thereon which is set back from the outer edge of said rim by 
ledge 46 and which substantially extends along the entire length of said 
rim. The upper surface of protruding portion 11b includes raised plateau 
area 45 defined within and spanning the interruption of raised rim 47. 
Ridges 34 and 44 span plateau area 45 across said interruption. 
Upper and lower portions 13 and 14 of battery connector 10 in FIGS. 3 and 6 
(cross sectional views) are cooperatively associated or mated as shown in 
the cross sectional view of the completed connector in FIG. 8. A housing 
is formed by such mating with the upper portion 13, shown in FIGS. 2-4, as 
a cover for lower portion 14, shown in FIGS. 5-7. The housing fixedly 
contains conductive terminal contacting members 17a and 17b electrically 
engaged with conductive wires 19b and 19a. 
Terminal contacting members 17a and 17b are of identical construction but 
with associated conductive wires 19b and 19a connected therewith 
respectively from opposite sides as shown in phantom in FIG. 5. 
In FIG. 9, terminal contacting member 17a (or equivalent member 17b) shown 
removed from connector 10, comprises a unitary metal strip having 
downwardly extending portion 76 (176), with serrated edge, for contact 
with a terminal of a connected battery. Plateau area 72 (172) is set at a 
right angle to portion 76(176) with plateau area 72(172) descending into 
lower plateau area 73(173) via small angled connection 77(177). Lower 
plateau area 73(173) thereafter extends into oppositely angled rear flange 
section 74(174) having a cantilevered cutout 75(175) for fixedly retaining 
wire 19b (19a) therebetween. 
As seen in FIG. 8 terminal contacting members 17a and 17b are seated on 
lower connector portion 14 with flange sections 74 and 174 thereof 
respectively buttressed against upwardly extending members 31 and 32 of 
lower portion 14. Lower plateaus 73 and 173 of member 17a and 17b fit into 
rectangular depressed regions 35 and 33 of lower portion 14 (FIGS. 5 and 
6). Plateau areas 37 and 37a of lower portion 14 (FIG. 6) support plateau 
areas 72 and 172 of terminal contacting members 17a and 17b respectively. 
Downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 of contacting member 17a and 17b) 
extend through apertures 18a and 18b respectively in lower portion 14 for 
electrical contact with terminals of a connected battery. The upward 
movement of downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 and plateau areas 72 
and 172, when a battery is connected therewith is indicated by the dotted 
lines in FIG. 8. Angled connections 77 and 177 of members 17a and 17b 
respectively serve as fulcrums about which plateaus 72 and 172 and 
downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 can rotate upwardly. Such upward 
movement is arrested when downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 contact 
the peripheral edges of apertures 18a and 18b in floor section 200. With 
further movement restricted positive contact with the battery is thereby 
achieved. 
In FIG. 8, the completed connector 10 comprises upper and lower portions 13 
and 14 mated by cooperatively associated members thereof. Thus, peripheral 
raised rim 26 of upper portion 13 fits into peripheral ledge 46 of lower 
portion 14 with ridge 36 vertically engaging the inner region defined by 
peripheral raised rim 26. End sections 28 and 39 of ridge 36 fit within 
channels 29 and 28 of lower portion 14. Downwardly extending members 21 
and 22 of upper portion 13 extend to rectangular depressed regions 35 and 
33 of lower portion 14 (FIGS. 5 and 6) respectively and compress terminal 
contacting members 17a and 17b against the bottom walls of such regions 
respectively. Upwardly extending members 31 and 32 (FIGS. 5, 6a-b) of 
lower portion 14 fit flush against the inner surface of cover member 100 
(FIG. 4) to provide enclosed areas between members 31, 21 and 32, 22. 
Conductive wires 19a and 19b (shown in phantom in FIG. 5) are held and 
buttressed within said enclosed areas by terminal contacting members 17a 
and 17b respectively between cantilevered cut-outs 75 and 175 are rear 
angled flanges 74 and 174 respectively thereof. Ridge 24 on plateau 25 of 
protruding portion 11a (FIGS. 3, 3a, and 4) and ridges 34 and 44 on 
protruding portion 11b (FIGS. 5,6,6a) serve to compressively hold 
conductive wires 19a and 19b in place. When upper and lower portions 13 
and 14 are cooperatively associated as in FIG. 8, the beads shown atop 
ridge 36 and extending members 32 and 31, of lower portion 14 (FIGS. 
5,6,6a-c) are ultrasonically sealed against the associated surfaces of 
upper section 13 to provide a sealed connector. Ridges 24,34, and 44 are 
also thereby ultrasonically sealed to the insulation of wires 19a and 19b 
to effect greater stationary holding of said wires. Though ultrasonic 
sealing is preferred, other methods of sealing such as heat sealing and 
mechanical connections may also be utilized. 
Materials used in constructing the battery connector housing are generally 
those having insulative and sealing properties with the battery gripping 
members thereof also having a degree of resiliency whereby a snap 
connection with a battery is possible. Examples of materials having the 
requisite properties including resiliency include plastics such as ABS, 
polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, polystyrene, and the like. 
The most useful material for the terminal contacting members is nickel 
plated steel because of its structural strength and resiliency. However, 
other metals, such as phosphorus bronze, beryllium copper, and stainless 
steel may be used as well. 
The foregoing embodiment is presented for the purpose of illustrating the 
invention and its attendant advantages. It is understood that changes and 
variations in structure can be made without departing from the scope of 
the present invention as defined in the following claims.