Abstract:
Motor vehicle jumper cables comprising an integral wire brush mounted on an interior portion of the clamp assemblies is herein disclosed. The jumper cables with the wire brush are to be motioned to remove battery terminal corrosion, thereby providing for a better electrical connection. The device resembles a standard pair of jumper cables used to aid in jump-starting a motor vehicle with a dead battery and comprises a small wire brush located inside of each jaw area. The bristles are made of conductive steel or copper of a sufficient stiffness to clean any corrosion from the battery terminals as the clamps are being installed. Due to the conductive nature of the bristles, current will flow through the bristles as well as the clamp body, thus improving charging and starting ability.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on May 7, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to battery jumper cables for automobiles, and in particular, to battery jumper cables with integral wire brushes for secure connection of battery terminals and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional vehicle batteries, due to the nature of their construction, are prone to going dead after an extended period of time of non-use. These problems can be aggravated in certain conditions such as cold weather and the like. Additionally, modern vehicles include many features such as lights, radios, and the like which are able to run while the car engine is not running. It is not uncommon for users to accidently leave such features running overnight, thereby draining the car battery and resulting in an unusable vehicle. 
     The most common solution to the problem of a dead vehicle battery is to jump start the vehicle by connecting the terminals of the battery to those of another running vehicle, thereby providing the initial electrical power needed to start the engine. However, this process is already difficult due to the need for another vehicle, the short length of many conventional jumper cables, and the difficult of securely connecting the terminals together. When corrosion is present on the terminals of one or both batteries, establishing a sufficient electrically conductive connection between the vehicles may be impossible. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide jumper cables for connection of battery terminals and the like. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,678,438, 4,934,957, and 5,297,977 provide examples of several types of conventional jumper cable connections utilized in the connection of vehicles during jumping starting processes. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are not operable in conditions where battery terminals are damaged or corroded. Also, many such devices require additional tools, time, or persons in order to operate under such conditions. Accordingly, there exists a need for a battery jump cable system without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide a battery jumper cable with an inherent capability to provide a secure, stable electrical connection between terminals in cases where corrosion is present. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise a jumper cable system which provides an integral means for cleaning battery terminals and grounded jumper connections. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide conventional jumper cable functionality including a visual means to identify correct electrical polarity via contrasting colors, insulated handles, and a plurality of clamps. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide integral corrosion removal and cleaning capabilities via a plurality of integrally mounted brush assemblies. Each brush assembly comprises a wire brush portion which is mounted to the jaws of a clamp via a pair of mounting apertures and a pair of mounting pin portions. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide efficient conduction of electric current between the cables and the objects to which the cables are attached such as battery terminals, vehicle body appendages, or the like. The brush assemblies are constructed of an electrically conductive material such as copper, brass, or steel in order to provide an efficient connection. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise various brush assemblies in order to provide easy brushing capabilities for a variety of common applications including interior mounted brush assemblies, exterior mounted brush assemblies, and an exterior rounded brush portion adapted for use with conventional round battery terminals. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of utilizing the integral brush assemblies in order to provide clean, conductive surfaces for connection of the jumper cables, and connecting the jumper cables in a conventional manner via the clamps in order to provide a secure electrical connection between desired battery terminals, vehicle body appendages, and the like. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an overall view of jumper cable system  10  comprising a plurality of integral wire brushes  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of a first clamp body  13  of the jumper cable system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a partially cut-away side view of the first clamp body  13  of the jumper cable system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  is a close-up perspective view of a brush assembly  20  of the jumper cable system  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first alternate integral brush assembly  30 , according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second alternate integral brush assembly  40 , according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  jumper cable system 
               11  first cable 
               12  second cable 
               13  first clamp body 
               14  second clamp body 
               15  mounting aperture 
               16  first jaw 
               17  second jaw 
               18   a  first handle insulation 
               18   b  second handle insulation 
               19  pivot pin 
               20  brush assembly 
               21  wire brush 
               22  brush base 
               23  mounting pins 
               30  first alternate brush assembly 
               31  first alternate wire brush 
               32  first alternate brush base 
               33  first alternate clamp body 
               40  second alternate brush assembly 
               41  second alternate wire brush 
               42  spring clip 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 2C , and in terms of its alternate embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 3 and 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a jumper cable system (herein described as the “system”)  10 , which provides an integral means for cleaning battery terminals and grounded jumper connections. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an overall view of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system  10  comprises a first cable  11  and a second cable  12  wherein each end of the first cable  11  comprises a first clamp body  13  and each end of the second cable  12  comprise a second clamp body  14 . Each interior portion of a first jaw  16  and of a second jaw  17  of each first clamp body  13  and of each second clamp body  14  comprises an integrally mounted brush assembly  20 . It is envisioned that the mounting of the brush assembly  20  is to be accomplished by a manufacturer of the system  10 . The system  10  is illustrated here depicting each jaw  16 ,  17  containing a brush assembly  20 ; however, it is understood that the system  10  may also be provided having the integrally mounted brush assembly  20  within the interior portion of only the first jaw  16  while the second jaw  17  would remain in a “brush-less” state, thereby offering a low-cost model of the system  10 . The clamp bodies  13 ,  14  and the brush assembly  20  comprise electrically conductive materials such as copper, brass, aluminum, steel, or the like, thereby providing efficient conduction of electric current between the cables  11 ,  12  and thereto objects with which said components are attached thereto such as battery terminals, vehicle body appendages, and the like. 
     The clamp bodies  13 ,  14  comprise a visual means to identify correct electrical polarity in a conventional manner via a contrastingly colored first handle insulation  18   a  and a second handle insulation  18   b . The first handle insulation  18   a  is envisioned to comprise a molded or colored red plastic or rubber covering, thereby indicating a positive pole. Contrastingly, the second handle insulation  18   b  comprises a molded or colored black covering indicating a negative pole. Said handle insulation  18   a ,  18   b  comprises a cylindrical covering over an entire gripping area of each clamp body  13 ,  14  being affixed thereto using common adhesives. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , side views of a first clamp body portion  13  of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The first clamp body  13  comprises the first jaw  16  and the second jaw  17  hingedly connected at a central location using a pivot pin  19  wherein the inside portion of each jaw  16  and  17  comprises one (1) integrally mounted brush assembly  20 . The wall thickness of the upper portion of the first jaw  16  and of the lower portion of the second jaw  17  each comprise a pair of mounting apertures  15 . Integral mounting of the brush assembly  20  thereto the inside portion of each jaw  16 ,  17  is accomplished by inserting a pair of mounting pin portions  23 , being integral thereto each brush assembly  20 , through the corresponding mounting apertures  15  and securing the brush assembly  20  onto the inside portion of the jaw  16  and the jaw  17  with a fastening means such as riveting, spot welding, brazing, orbital upsetting, or laser welding, thereby fastening the protruding upper ends of the mounting pins  23  and ensuring a secure mechanical assembly and an integral electrical contact between the brush assembly  20  and the structure of the jaw  16  and of the jaw  17 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2C , a close-up perspective view of a brush assembly portion  20  of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The brush assembly  20  comprises a wire brush  21  portion comprising a plurality of metal bristles made of an electricity conducting material such as: brass, copper, mild steel, or the like. The brush assembly  20  comprises a flat rectangular base  22  which further comprises a pair of integral mounting pins  23  which extend perpendicularly therefrom. It is envisioned that the pins  23  are permanently attached onto the base  22  by processes such as: stud welding, brazing, riveting, or by machining the base  22  and pins  23  from a single piece of metal bar stock. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of a first alternate brush assembly  30  according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The first alternate brush assembly  30  comprises a first alternate wire brush  31 , a first alternate brush base  32  and a first alternate clamp body  33 . It is envisioned that the first alternate brush assembly  30  is made of materials similar to those of the brush assembly  20  comprised within the preferred embodiment  10  using mounting pins  23  or equivalent fastening means such as welding, brazing or riveting. The first alternate brush assembly  30  in turn is integrally fastened in like manner as the preferred embodiment  10  onto each clamp body  33  of the jumper cable system  10 . It is envisioned that the mounting of the first alternate brush assembly  30  onto the first alternate clamp body  33  is to be accomplished by the manufacturer of the system  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a second alternate brush assembly  40 , according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The second alternate brush assembly  40  comprises a second alternate wire brush  41  encircled thereby a spring clip  42 , wherein the spring clip  42  is permanently fastened thereonto each second alternate clamp  43  of the jumper cable system  10  by mounting pins  23 , rivets, or screws. Whereas the second alternate wire brush  41  portion is envisioned to be made of materials similar to those of the brush assembly  20  comprised within the preferred embodiment  10 , the configuration of the encircling spring clip  42  is intended to allow the second alternate wire brush  41  to accommodate the configuration of a cylindrical shaped terminal to be cleaned. Two (2) pairs of similarly configured first alternate clamp bodies  43  are intended to be comprised within a jumper cable system  10 . It is envisioned that the mounting of the second alternate brush assembly  40  onto the second alternate clamp  43  is to be accomplished by the manufacturer of the system  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed in a manner similar to the safe installation of any jumper cable system  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: unrolling and untangling the assembly of first cable  11  and the second cable  12  of the system  10 ; aligning the system  10  between a discharged battery and a charging battery; gripping one (1) second clamp body  14  of the second cable  12 ; keeping the second clamp  14  in a near-open state; motioning the pair of wire brushes  21  in an upward-downward or back-and-forth rotational direction to clean a grounded terminal on the discharged battery; releasing the second clamp  14  to allow it to grip the cleaned terminal of the discharged battery; repeating the procedure on a grounded terminal at the charging side; following a similar cleaning and clamping procedure by using one first clamp  13  on the positive terminal of the discharged battery; finalizing the positive to positive connection between the discharged battery and the charging battery by means of the first cable  11  and the remaining first clamp  13  by following the similar cleaning and clamping procedure; allowing the charging battery time to initiate the charging process; starting the engine of the charging side; starting the engine of the discharged side; leaving the discharged side engine running; turning off the charging engine; disconnecting the clamps  13  and  14  in a reverse order; and, appropriately storing the system  10 . 
     While performing the charging task described above, it is important to observe that the first  13  and second  14  clamp bodies comprising the red first handle insulation portions  18   a  thereto the corresponding positive poles of the discharged and charging batteries and connecting the first  13  and second  14  clamp bodies comprising the black second handle insulation portions  18   b  thereto the corresponding negative poles of the discharged and charging batteries. 
     The method of utilizing the first alternate brush assembly  30  may be achieved by using the first alternate clamp body  33  as a handle for the integral first alternate brush assembly  30  and cleaning the corresponding terminals by wire brushing them to a bright corrosion-free state before performing the subsequent steps of connecting each pair of like-polarity terminals to each other. 
     The method of utilizing the second alternate brush assembly  40  may be achieved by using the second alternate clamp body  43  as a handle for the integral second alternate brush assembly  40  and cleaning the corresponding terminals by wire brushing them to a bright corrosion-free state before performing the subsequent steps of connecting each pair of like-polarity terminals to each other. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.