Patent Publication Number: US-2006003640-A1

Title: Universal binding post

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/419,922 entitled “Test Paddle Having A Universal Binding Post”, filed on Oct. 31, 2002, and is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/690,333 entitled “Test Paddle Having A Universal Binding Post, filed on Oct. 21, 2003 and claims priority to and hereby incorporates both by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
      Not applicable.  
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This present disclosure relates in general to the field of testing devices and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a test paddle having a universal binding post.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Switches and relays are frequently tested to ensure they are functioning properly and for a number of other reasons. A variety of test equipment is utilized for these purposes, such as test boards that include a plurality of contacts that may be plugged into a relay for testing the switches of the relay. Binding posts on the test board communicate with the contacts. Binding posts, such as the 5-way binding post constructed by Superior Electric of Bristol, Conn., provide an attachment point for connecting test equipment.  
      Unfortunately, current binding posts and test boards have a number of shortcomings that provide the test boards and binding posts with limited versatility and make them difficult to use. For this reason, a need exists for an improved test board and binding post that overcome these and other disadvantages of previous test boards and binding posts.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present disclosure provides a testing device for connection to a relay for testing the relay, the testing device comprises a test paddle and a binding post. The test paddle includes a body portion, a stud, a contact and a handle. The body portion has an upper surface defining a stud opening, a lower surface, a first end having a contact opening associated with the stud opening and a barrier extending from the first end of the body.  
      The stud extends through the stud opening on the upper surface of the body portion. The contact extends through the contact opening on the first end of the body portion. The contact is electrically coupled to the stud. The handle is coupled to the body and is configured for grasping by the hand of an individual to promote insertion and removal the test paddle from the relay.  
      The binding post includes a cover having a first end, a second end, an inner chamber extending from the first end to the second end of the cover and an outer surface configured to promote rotation of the cover. An insert of the binding has a shaft coupleable to the inner chamber of the cover. A first end of the shaft is configured to couple with the stud on the test paddle.  
      In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a test paddle for use with any bind post or stud. In this embodiment, the stud of the test paddle is a binding post having a threaded portion extending from one end of the binding post and wherein the stud opening is threaded to threadingly receive the threaded portion of the binding post. In other embodiments, the stud is a threaded stud, such as a 0.375 units long 10-32 stud.  
      In one embodiment, the stud opening extends through the body portion from the first surface to the second surface the wherein the stud couples to the contact. In this embodiment, the inner chamber between first and second sides is provided with a retaining wall adjacent stud opening to receive a portion of the contact.  
      In other embodiments, the test paddle may be provided with a plurality of stud openings configured to receive a plurality of studs, a plurality of contact openings wherein each of the plurality of contact openings are associated one of the plurality of stud openings. Each of the plurality of studs coupleable to one of the contacts.  
      In one embodiment, the handle is provided on a second end of the body portion. In another embodiment, the second end defines a handle opening configured to receive the hand of a user. The upper and lower surfaces may be knurled about edges of the upper and lower surfaces, as well as about the opening defining the handle.  
      The test paddle of the present disclosure is that the handle promotes easy insertion and removal of the test paddle with the switch or relay for testing. Current test boards are constructed in a box-like configuration that is difficult to grasp and manipulate. Utilizing the test paddle of the present disclosure, the user is better able to control the test paddle, which promotes safety and ease of use. Also, studs of various configurations, whether or not threaded, may be received into the openings to connect to the binding posts. Thus, the configuration of the test paddle provides more versatility.  
      In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a binding post for use with the test paddle of the present disclosure as well as other devices. The shaft of the insert of the binding post further provided with a shoulder coupled to the first end of the shaft extending about the first end of the cover. The shoulder having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end of the shaft.  
      In one embodiment, the cover of the binding is constructed of an insulating material, such as ABS plastic. The insert is constructed of material to promote electrical conductivity such that the first end of the insert is in electrical communication with the second end of the insert. In one embodiment, the insert is sized to be received into the inner chamber of the cover.  
      In other embodiments, the binding is provided with a gap between a sidewall defining the inner chamber of the cover adjacent the second end of the cover and the second end of the shaft of the insert, wherein an insulating sleeve is disposed in the gap between the sidewall of the inner chamber of the cover and the second end of shaft of the insert. In some embodiments, the second end of the binding post is adapted to receive a banana jack, while in others, the second end of the binding post is adapted to receive a shielded or safety banana jack for testing and other purposes.  
      In still other embodiments, a portion of the cover is hex shaped to promote rotation of the cover, while in others, a portion of the cover box shaped to promote rotation of the cover. In others embodiments, an outer surface of the cover is angularly configured to receive a tool and angularly configured to promote rotation by the hand of an individual.  
      The inner chamber of the cover of the binding post is angularly configured to receive an angularly configured outer surface of the insert such that rotation of the cover effects rotation of the insert to threading engage and disengage the insert from the stud on the test paddle. The insert is configured to be received in the inner chamber of the cover.  
      The inner chamber of the insert may be provided with a ring disposed between the first and second ends of the cover. The ring extending circumferentially about the inner chamber and the outer surface of the insert is provided with an annular recess positioned to be received by the ring of the inner chamber to couple the insert to the cover and inhibit removal of the cover from the insert.  
      Current binding posts are provided with a threaded shaft to achieve a somewhat permanent connection or are otherwise configured in a manner limiting the type of electrical connection that can be made to the binding post. The binding post of the present disclosure is configured to quickly and easily receive a spade lug, ring lug, regular, shielded or safety banana jack. In this manner the binding post is universal to the testing apparatuses that may be readily coupled to the binding post and test paddle for testing switches or relays.  
      The insulated cover promotes safety while the configuration of the cover promotes easy connection of the binding post to the test paddle and connection of test equipment, via banana jacks, for example, to the binding post. The configuration of the cover further promotes loosening and tightening of the binding post to the test paddle for connecting spade and ring lugs.  
      Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures and description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a test paddle constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the test paddle shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating one embodiment of the connection of a plurality of contacts to a body portion of the test paddle;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the test paddle according to one embodiment illustrating a handle for grasping the test paddle;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the test paddle illustrating yet another embodiment of the handle for grasping the test paddle;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a binding post having an insert and a cover constructed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the binding post illustrated in  FIG. 5  detailing a coupling for receiving a banana jack;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the binding post shown in  FIG. 5  illustrating the insert positioned within the cover of the binding post; and  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view, according to one embodiment, of the binding post illustrated in  FIG. 7  shown coupled to the test paddle illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      It should be understood at the outset that although exemplary implementations of a test paddle and a universal binding post are illustrated below, the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a test paddle  10  for connecting to relays for testing the switches of the relay. The test paddle  10 , in this embodiment, includes a body portion  12  having an upper surface  14  and a lower surface  16 . The body portion may be constructed of a non-conductive or insulating material, such as ABS Plastic, or other plastic or polymeric materials, for example polyolefin rubber. The upper surface  14  defines a plurality of stud openings  18  through which studs  22  extend. The stud openings  18  are sized sufficient to receive the studs  22 . Indicia  20  is provided on the upper surface  14  of the body portion  12  adjacent the stud openings  18  to identify, for example numerically or alphanumerically designated or color-coded, the various studs  22 .  
      The plurality of studs  22  are illustrated extending through the stud openings  18  on the upper surface  14  of the body portion  12 . The test paddle  10  further includes a plurality of contacts  24  extending from a first end  26  of the body portion  12 . In the present embodiment, the contacts  24  are rigid knife-type contacts, but other configurations may be suitable as well. The contacts  24  are constructed of electrically conductive material and are electrically coupled the studs  22 . For example, contact  24   a  is electrically coupled to stud  22   a , while contact  24   b  is electrically coupled to stud  22   b , and so on.  
      The studs  22  may include a threaded portion and are constructed of electrically conductive material as well. The studs  22  are provided as a point of connection for binding posts (described hereafter) and testing devices for testing switches of a relay. In other embodiments (not shown), the stud openings  18  may be larger, deeper, or both and the studs  22  may be recessed below the upper surface  14  of the body portion  12 . This configuration may be useful to protect the studs  22  when they are not being used and to provide a more sound connection of the binding post to the test paddle  10 , for example.  
      In any event, the test paddle  10  connects to standard relays (not shown) by inserting the contacts  24  into the relay. Once connected, each contact  24 , such as contact  24   a , is associated with a switch of the relay. The switch associated with contact  24   a  is readily tested by connecting test equipment to stud  22   a  which is associated with contact  24   a , and so on.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the test paddle  10  is provided with a barrier  28  extending from the first end  26  of the body portion  12 . The barrier  28  is useful for preventing electrical arching while testing relays. The barrier  28  may also be useful, for example, for preventing objects from touching the contact  24  and to provide additional connection support for the test paddle  10 . In other embodiments, the barrier  28  may not be employed at all or may be sized and configured differently to accommodate relays of various shapes or for other considerations.  
      The test paddle  10  is provided with a handle  30  adjacent the second end  32  of the body portion  12 . In the present illustration, the second end  32  of the body portion  12  defines an opening  34  sized to receive at least a portion of a hand of an individual for grasping the test paddle  10  to promote insertion and removal of the test paddle  10  from the relay. It should be appreciated that the contacts  24  of the test paddle  10  typically couple to the relay in a rigid, frequently high tension or compression manner, which makes insertion and removal of the test paddle  10  difficult. The handle  30  provides a useful means of inserting and removing the test paddle  10  from the relay.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the test paddle  10  wherein the body portion  12  is provided with an upper member  36  and a lower member  38  coupleable to one another to form the body portion  12 . The upper and lower members  36  and  38  may be joined in a number of ways including by using adhesive material, for example. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the body portion  12  may be constructed as a substantially unitary member.  
      However, in the present illustration, the test paddle  10  is configured such that the coupling of the upper and lower members  36  and  38  define an inner chamber  40  of the body portion  12 . In this embodiment, a plurality of retaining walls  42  are provided in the inner chamber  40  about the stud openings  18  to receive a portion  44  of the contacts  24 . A plurality of contact openings  48  are provided on the first end  26  of the body portion  12  such that a blade portion  46  of the contact  24  extends from the body portion  12  for connection to the relay.  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the studs  22  may be a standard bolt or stud threaded and sized to extend through the stud opening  18  for connection to the contacts  24 . This configuration allows for more versatility with respect to the various studs  22  that may be used for the test paddle  10 . In the present embodiment, a number  10 - 32  stud having a threaded end extending from the upper surface  14  of the upper member  36  is provided. In other embodiments, the contacts  24  may be provided with a stud  22  integral to the contact  24  such that when a portion of the contact is disposed in the inner chamber  40 , the stud  22  extends through the stud opening  18 . The present disclosure should not be limited to the particular type of stud  22  or connection or configuration of the studs  22  and/or the contacts  24 .  
       FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of the handle  30  of the test paddle  10 . In this view, the body portion  12  is configured with a plurality of grasping points  50  for grasping by the hand or hands of an individual for obtaining more leverage while inserting and removing the test paddle  10  from the relay. The grasping points  50  may also be considered points wherein force is applied in a general direction by the hand of an individual on a vector or vector force  49 . A plane  51  is defined as substantially perpendicular the force vector  49 . To securely grip the handle  30  or grasping points  50 , the hand, or fingers of the hand, of an individual will typically break the plane  51 , as illustrated by a line  53 , in at least two place when encircling, such as by more than 180 degrees, the grasping point  50 . This secure grip encirclement by the hand, or fingers of the hand, will generally be achieved on the side of the plane  51  opposite the force vector  49 , such as illustrated by the line  53 . In other embodiments, to securely grip the handle  30  may include encirclement by 270 degrees or more of the hand or fingers or the hand. In other embodiments (not shown), the handle  30  and/or grasping points  50  may be provided as knobs or other devices or structures coupled at various locations about the body portion  12  to promote insertion and removal of the test paddle  10 .  
      Referring also to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the handle  30  is shown where the second end  32  of the body portion  12  defines the handle  30  to form a U-shaped handle  30  for grasping the test paddle  10 . The handle  30 , in other embodiments, may also extend vertically (not shown), or perpendicular to the upper surface  14 , in contrast to the horizontal disposition illustrated in the present embodiment. In still other embodiments, the second end  32  may lip back toward the first end  26  of the body portion  12 . As such, the lip configuration of the second end  32  may be thought of as an arching or box U-shape for grasping the test board  10 .  
      Due to the difficulty inserting and removing test boards from relays, the various handles  30  illustrated in the present disclosure provide a simple, but effective way to reduce or overcome this problem. The handle  30  may be easily grasped since this configuration promotes improved access to the handle  30  regardless of the position of the test paddle  10 .  
      It will be appreciated that a number of configurations of the second end  32  or other portions of the body portion  12  may be employed for grasping by the hand of an individual user to promote insertion and removal of the test paddle  10 . The present disclosure, while illustrating a number of configurations of the handle  30 , should not be limited to the disclosed configurations since other shapes and designs with readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.  
      The test paddle  10  may be provided as a ten or fourteen pole test paddle, that is, having either ten studs  22  coupled to ten contacts  24  or fourteen studs  22  coupled to fourteen contacts  24 , or as otherwise necessary based on the particulars of the relay to be tested. In the present embodiment, the edges  54  about the upper and lower surfaces  14  and  16  of the body portion  12  have been knurled or beveled. This promotes grasping the handle  30  more securely and comfortably since this design conforms to the hand of an individual better than a non-beveled edge  54 . One of skill in the art will recognize that similar approaches may be used to improve grips on other shapes, specifically including the handles disclosed herein and other handles.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a binding post  60  for connection to the studs  22  of the test paddle  10 . The binding post  60  includes a cover  62  which may be a substantially solid member constructed, for example, from a non-conductive or insulating material, or plastic or polymeric materials such as ABS Plastic. The cover  62  may be a substantially cylindrical or hexed-shaped member having an inner chamber  64  extending from a first end  66  to a second end  68  of the cover  62 .  
      An outer surface  70  of the cover  62  may be configured, as previously discussed, such that at least a portion of the outer surface  70  of the cover  62  is hex shaped for receiving a tool or otherwise configured to promote rotation of the cover  62 . Although a hex shape is shown in this illustration, a box or other shaped outer surface  70  may be employed as well.  
      The binding post  60  further includes an insert  72  provided with a shaft  74  having a first end  76  and a second end  78 . The insert  72  further includes a shoulder  80  coupled to the first end  76  of the shaft  74 . The insert  12  and shoulder  80  may be constructed from any conductive material, however in some embodiments, brass may be preferable. The shaft  74  is configured in a hex shape, although other shapes may be utilized as well, to be received by the inner chamber  64  of the cover  62 . For example, the inner chamber  64  may be configured in a hex shape extending from the first end  66  to the second end  68  of the cover  62  to matingly receive the hex-shaped shaft  74  of the insert  72 .  
      The first end  76  of the shaft  74  and a portion of the shoulder  80  define an opening  82 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  82  is threaded for threadingly engaging the insert  72  to the stud  22  to secure the binding post  60  to the test paddle  10 . The opening  82  may, in other embodiments, be configured for tensioning or other engagements of the binding post  60  to the studs  22 , which will suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.  
      When the insert  72  is positioned within the inner chamber  64  of the cover  62 , by rotating the cover  62 , a rotation is effected on the insert  72  as well. This configuration promotes threading or otherwise connecting the binding post  60  to the test paddle  10  without contacting the insert  72 . The cover  62  and the insert  72  may be independently constructed and subsequently assembled, as illustrated. In other embodiments however, the binding post  60  may be constructed such that the insert  72  and cover  62  are constructed of similar materials and are substantially unitary or integral.  
      In this embodiment, the insert  72  is provided with an annular recess  84  extending circumferentially about a portion of the shaft  74 . A ring  86  extends about a portion of the inner chamber  64  of the cover  62  and is configured such that the ring  86  is received into the annular recess  84  when the insert  72  is disposed in the inner chamber  64 . Thus, the ring  86  of the cover  62  engages the annular recess  84  of the insert  72  to retain the insert  72  within the inner chamber  64  of the cover  62  and to inhibit unintentional removal of the insert  72  from the cover  62 .  
      Referring also to  FIG. 6 , a top view of the binding post  60  is provided that illustrates the second ends  68  and  78  of the cover  62  and the insert  72 , respectively. A lower cylindrical portion  90  is shown having a slightly larger diameter than the hex shape upper portion  92  of the cover  62 . The inner chamber  64  provides a gap between the cover  62  and the insert  72  wherein a sleeve  94 , or other insulating barrier, may be provided.  
      The second end  78  of the shaft  74  defines an opening  96  configured to receive a banana jack or other coupling for electrically connecting test equipment, for example. Banana jacks (not shown) are frequently used as a coupling for connecting electrical or test equipment for these purposes. Banana jacks may be provided with a safety or sleeve, to prevent the banana jack from accidentally contacting other conductive surfaces.  
      In this embodiment, the sleeve  94  is provided to cooperate with a safety banana jack so that a plug of the banana jack is received in the opening  96  in the second end  78  of the shaft  74 . In this manner, the safety or sleeve portion of the banana jack is fitted into the inner chamber  64  between the second end  68  of the cover  62  and the second end  78  of the shaft  74  of the insert  72 . In other embodiments, the sleeve  94  is not used or may be removable.  
      As discussed above, the inner chamber  64  is hex shaped about the first end  66  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the cover  62  to receive, for example, the hex shape shaft  74 . The inner chamber  64  may be of a greater diameter and generally round in shape about the second end  68  of the cover  62 . In this manner, the inner chamber  64  near the first end  66  is provided to retain and couple with the insert  72  while the inner chamber  64  near the second end  68  has a larger opening sized to provide a gap to promote coupling of the banana jack or other connector with the shaft  74  of the insert  72 .  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the binding post  60  illustrating the insert  72  provided in the inner chamber  64  of the cover  62 . This view illustrates that the shoulder  80  abuts the first end  66  of the cover  62  when the insert  72  is provided in the inner chamber  64  of the cover  62 . When testing switches in relays, test equipment may require coupling for testing purposes using, for example, banana jacks or other connectors, spade or ring lugs, stripped, bare or coated wire.  
      A spade lug is essentially a flat piece of conductive material, such as steel or brass, in a U-shape for coupling about an electrical post, such as the stud  22 . A ring lug is essentially a flat, washer-shaped, piece of conductive material with a ringed opening for coupling about an electrical post, such as the stud  22 . When connecting test equipment, it may be necessary to adjust the position of the binding post  60  on the test paddle  10  for connecting devices such as spade or ring lugs.  
      Referring also to  FIG. 8 , a plurality of binding posts  60  are illustrated coupled to studs  22  on the upper surface  14  of the test paddle  10 . As previously discussed in the illustrated embodiment, the threaded opening  82  of the insert  72  is threaded to the stud  22  for connecting the binding post  60  to the test paddle  10 . Once screwed into place, the shoulder  80  is brought into engagement about the upper surface  14  of the body portion  12  of the test paddle  10 .  
      The generic configuration of the cover  62  allows engagement by a number of common tools or by grasping the cover  62  by hand. By rotating the binding post  60 , via the cover  62 , the shaft  74  also rotates to loosen or tighten the binding post  60  to the threaded portion of the stud  22 . By loosening the binding post  60  as described above, a connection, such as a spade lug  98  or stripped wire, may be positioned between the shoulder  80  of the binding post  60  and the upper surface  14  of the test paddle  10 . Tightening the binding post  60  on the stud  22  brings the spade lug  98  into electrical communication with the stud  22 , as well as and the respective contact  24 . When the test paddle  10  is connected to a relay, any electrical test equipment connected to the lug  98  is also electrically coupled for testing a particular switch of the relay.  
      The binding post  60  may be completed unscrewed from the stud  22  for positioning a ring lug over the stud and thereafter re-threading the binding post  60  to the stud  22 . Thus, the binding post  60  is readily adapted for coupling spade and ring lugs, for example, for testing and other purposes, to the test paddle  10 .  
      As previously discussed, a banana jack  100  may also be coupled to the second end  68  of the cover  62 , substantially as illustrated, by plugging the coupling portion of the banana jack into the opening  96  provided on the second end  78  of the shaft  74 . Since the cover  62  of the binding post  60  is constructed of insulated or non-conductive material, there is reduced concern for accidental electrical shock or other inadvertent electrical hazard when working with the binding post  60 . Also, as the cover  62  becomes worn, the old cover  62  can be removed and a new cover  62  can easily be snapped over the insert  72 , in some embodiments.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the shoulder  80  may be greater than the diameter of the shaft  74  to promote a tension connection and to promote electrical communication between the spade lug, ring lug, or other connection to the test paddle  10  and testing device.  
      Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in one or more embodiments, a test paddle having a universal binding post that satisfies one or more of the advantages set forth above. Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, even if all of the advantages identified above are not present. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may not be implemented.  
      Also, the components, techniques, systems, sub-systems, layers, compositions and methods described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other components, systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope as disclosed herein.