Clamp for connecting the poles of a battery

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamp for connecting the poles of a battery, the clamp being made of a cold-pressed brass material, while alleviating the environmental problems related to the making and use of the clamp. The clamp can be used both as a clamp for the positive pole of the battery, and as a clamp for the negative pole of said battery, by simply changing the affixing hole for affixing the clamp on the battery pole, whereas, by reversing the clamping bolt (7), the clamp can also be used as both a right or left clamp.

Description: The present invention relates to a clamp for connecting the poles of a battery. As known, prior clamps for connecting the poles or posts of batteries, in particular in motor vehicles, are conventionally made of lead. These lead clamps have electric and mechanical characteristics suitable for such an application but, however, also known is the fact that lead is a greatly polluting material the use of which is increasingly prevented. The document US-A-5 087 214 discloses a battery pole connecting clamp substantially according to the preamble of the main claim. DE-U-29 506 699 discloses a clamp made of a single piece of a cold-pressed brass material comprising two half plates bend around a fixing bolt. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a clamp construction, which has suitable electric and mechanical characteristics, while having a very reduced impact on the encompassing environment. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a flexible clamp construction which can be indifferently used either for the negative or for the positive pole or post of the battery. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a clamp construction which can be assembled in two directions and which allows electric cables to easily pass on the top portion of the battery. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a clamp for connecting the poles of a battery, having substantially the features of the characterizing part of the main claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the clamp construction according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment of the subject clamp which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the clamp construction according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the clamp shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a further side elevation view of that same clamp; Figure 4 is a partially cross-sectioned side elevation view of the clamp of figure 1, substantially taken along the section line IV-IV of figure 1; Figure 5 is a top plan view of the clamp, as applied to the pole or post of a battery; Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the clamp shown in figure 5; Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the clamp shown in figure 5; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of figure 5, substantially taken along the section line VIII-VIII thereof. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the clamp construction according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, is made by shearing and cold pressing a tinned brass plate, preferably galvanized brass, for example the brass material OT67, OT70 according to the UNI 4894 Standard Table. The tin coating has preferably a thickness of 7 microns. The subject clamp construction is provided with a substantially flat central portion 2 therefrom extends a substantially frustum of cone shaped mantle 3, defining a recess or seat 4 for receiving the pole or post of the battery. The frustum of cone shaped mantle 3 extension is interrupted at a set portion thereof, therefrom two facing legs 5a and 5b extend, which are so contoured as to define a passage 6 for a bolt 7 provided for clamping the clamp construction about the pole or post 8 of the battery 15. On the inner surface of the mantle 3, i.e. on the surface thereof provided for engaging with the pole or post 8 of the battery, are defined a plurality of coined portions 9, which are evenly spaced from one another. The clamp construction according to the present invention comprises moreover, on-the opposite side from the clamping bolt 7, a contoured leg 10, extending from the central portion 2 preferably up to a level higher than the top end portion of the mantle 3, with a portion 10a thereof on which a latching portion 11 is formed. This latching or clamping portion 11 is provided for receiving electric cables, of different cross sections, typically from 10 to 35 mm 2 . In this connection it should be pointed out that the clamping of the electric cable in the clamping or latching portion 11 is advantageously performed only on the inner leg, without the need of providing on the clamp additional fins, for also clamping the insulating material. This will allow to greatly reduce the making cost, weight and size, so as to easily allow the clamp to be assembled, in two directions, on the novel standardized batteries, which were recently standardized according to the DIN Standards. On the surface of the clamping portion 11 provided for contacting the electrically conductive part of the electric cable are defined a plurality of coined portions 12. Moreover, on the portion 10a are provided throughgoing holes 13a and 13b, which can be used for connecting, for example by using bolts 14, the terminals of cables for power supplying additional services. The overlaying position of the portion 10a of the leg 10 will allow both the cables connected to the clamping portion 11 and the cables for power supplying auxiliary services, to pass through the top portion of the battery 15. In this connection it should be moreover pointed out that the central region 2 is provided, laterally, with a resting foot element 16 extending downwardly and provided for bearing, as shown in particular in figures 7 and 8, on the top face of the battery 15, near the pole 8 thereof. The clamp according to the present invention, moreover, can be used both as a clamp for the positive pole of the battery, and as a clamp for the negative pole of said battery, by simply changing the affixing hole for affixing the clamp on the battery pole, whereas, by reversing the clamping bolt 7, the clamp can also be used as both a right or left clamp. From the above disclosure and from the observation of the figures of the accompanying drawings, it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since a clamp has been provided which has the required functional features, while providing a minimum impact on the environment, owing to the use of a tinned brass material instead of the conventionally used lead material. A further advantage of the invention is that of a significative weight reduction, from 25% to 35% with respect to a conventional diecast lead alloy clamp. It should be apparent that the size of the clamp can be any, depending on requirements and as required by the intended technical application.

Claims: A battery pole connecting clamp (1), said connecting clamp being made in a single piece of a cold pressed brass material and comprising a central portion (2) therefrom extends a mantle (3) defining a substantially frustum of cone shaped seat (4) for receiving a pole (8) of a battery (15), said mantle (3) being provided with an interruption at which, from said central portion (2), extend two opposite legs (5a, 5b), characterized in that said opposite legs are provided each with a curled end portion so as to define a seat (6) for receiving a clamping bolt (7). A clamp according to Claim 1, wherein said clamp is made as a single piece by shearing and cold bending operations. A clamp according to Claim 1, wherein said clamp is made of a tinned brass material. A clamp according to Claim 3, wherein said clamp is made of a tinned brass material, and comprises a galvanized-tin coated brass material. A clamp according to Claim 1, wherein said clamp is made of a brass material OT67 or OT70 as disclosed by the UNI Table 4894. A clamp according to Claim 1, wherein on an inner surface of said mantle (3), in which is formed said seat (4) for said pole (8) of said battery (15), are defined a plurality of spaced coined portions (9). A clamp according to Claim 1, wherein said clamp is provided, on an opposite portion from said clamping bolt (7), with a laterally extending contoured leg (10), said contoured leg (10) being provided with a clamping portion (11) for receiving different cross-section electric cables. A clamp according to Claim 7, wherein said cross-section of said cables varies from 10 to 35 mm 2 . A clamp according to Claim 7, wherein said clamping portion (11) is designed for clamping said electric cables only on the copper material thereof. A clamp according to Claim 9, wherein on the surface of said clamping portion (11) provided for receiving said electric cable are defined further spaced coined portions (12). A clamp according to Claim 7, wherein through said contoured leg (10) are defined holes (13a, 13b) for connecting terminals of electric cable for power supplying auxiliary services. A clamp according to Claims 7 and 11, wherein said clamping portion (7) and holes (13a, 13b) for affixing said electric cables for power supplying auxiliary services are defined on a portion (10a) of said contoured leg (10) which is situated at a higher level with respect to said mantle defining said seat (4) for said pole (8) of the battery (15).

Inventors: PILOTTI GIANLUIGI, PILOTTI, GIANLUIGI, Pilotti, Gianluigi, c/o Cavis S.R.L.
Applicants: CAVIS SRL, CAVIS S.R.L.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H01M2
IPC codes: H01R11