Abstract:
A battery clamp includes a fixed collar cooperating with an adjustable collar to engage a battery terminal. In one embodiment, the adjustable collar is attached to a pivotal grip plate, the pivotal grip plate being pivotably engageable with a base attached to the fixed collar. A method of securing a battery clamp about a terminal includes positioning a clamp around a terminal of a battery, wherein the clamp includes a fixed collar and an adjustable collar. The method further includes engaging the fixed collar and the adjustable collar to the terminal of the battery by adjusting the force applied by the adjustable collar.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present embodiments generally relate to battery clamps used to connect battery terminals to electrical connectors of a machine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Batteries are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from handheld devices and small electronics to automobiles and large industrial machinery (collectively “devices”). The devices are generally connected to positive and negative battery terminals (often referred to as battery posts) through an electrical conductor such as a wire or coax cable. The electrical conductor is often secured to the battery posts using some type of battery clamp assembly that establishes a firm electrical connection between the battery post and a terminal end of the electrical conductor. The quality of the electrical connection between the battery and the device is often dependent on the quality and durability of battery clamp assembly. 
         [0003]    Batteries are often subject to vibration and environmental contaminants that can over time loosen the connection point between the battery posts and the clamp assemblies. Eventually, the clamp assembly may completely disengage from the battery post, terminating the electrical connection. In many applications the terminal connection to the battery posts is accomplished using a horizontal bolt and trapped nut combination. This type of clamp assembly is generally difficult to assemble, particularly when the battery is located in close proximity to surrounding structures, which limits the space necessary to access and tighten the bolt. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, the embodiments described herein were developed in light of these and other drawbacks associated with known battery clamps. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A battery clamp includes a fixed collar cooperating with an adjustable collar to engage a battery terminal. In one embodiment, the adjustable collar is attached to a pivotal grip plate, the pivotal grip plate being pivotably engageable with a base attached to the fixed collar. 
         [0006]    A method of securing a battery clamp about a terminal includes positioning a clamp around a terminal of a battery, wherein the clamp includes a fixed collar and an adjustable collar. The method further includes engaging the fixed collar and the adjustable collar to the terminal of the battery by adjusting the force applied by the adjustable collar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The foregoing brief description will be understood more completely from the following detailed description of the exemplary drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery clamp positioned on a battery; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the individual components of an alternative embodiment of a battery clamp; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the battery clamp of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    A battery clamp includes a fixed collar cooperating with an adjustable collar to engage a battery post terminal along an axis generally parallel to side walls of the battery post. In one embodiment, the adjustable collar includes a pivotal grip plate having a nut and bolt combination that is tightened and accessible along the parallel axis. The pivotal grip plate is configured to cooperate with the fixed collar such that the resulting clamping pressure is pivotally transferred to a gripping force around the battery post, perpendicular to the parallel axis. The pivotal actuation of the adjustable collar onto the side walls of the battery post terminal provides a constant and tight contact pressure that establishes a firm electrical connection between the battery clamp and the battery post terminal. In one embodiment, the pivotal grip plate includes a compression tab interacting at a pivot point with the fixed collar portion of the clamp. The compression tab provides a constant, slightly angular pressure force that helps to maintain a tight compression fit between the battery post and the battery clamp. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary battery clamp  10  mounted to a post terminal  12  of a battery  14 . The battery clamp  10  includes a fixed collar portion  16  that cooperates with an adjustable collar  18  to engage the battery post terminal  12 . In one embodiment, the adjustable collar  18  includes a pivotal grip plate  20  extending from a base of the adjustable collar  18  to a pivot point  22  from which the pivotal grip plate  20  attaches to a base  24  of the fixed collar portion  16 . The pivotal grip plate  20  further includes a compression tab  26  disposed at an opposite end the adjustable collar  18  at pivot point  22 . The compression tab  26  interacts with the base  24  of the fixed collar portion  16  through a slot  28  (see  FIG. 2 ). The compression tab  26  pivotably engages the slot  28  so that the pivotal grip plate  20  pivots about an edge of the slot  28  when a force is applied. In one embodiment, the force is applied to the pivotal grip plate  20  through a fastener  30 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fastener  30  is a nut  32  and bolt  34  combination, however, one of ordinary skill in the art understands that other fastening mechanisms may be used. The compression force is created when the bolt  34  is tightened onto the nut  32 , traversing both the pivotal grip plate  20  and the base  24  through respective corresponding openings  36  and  38  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary battery clamp  10  according to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an assembled battery clamp  10  according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In each of the FIGS., the adjustable collar  18  is substantially perpendicular to the pivotal grip plate  20 . The adjustable collar  18  is configured to make surface contact with a portion of the terminal  12  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . It is contemplated that the adjustable collar  18  may make surface contact with more or less of the terminal  12 , depending on the area that is in surface contact with the fixed collar  16 . One of ordinary skill in the art understands that the width of both the fixed collar  16  and the adjustable collar  18  about the post terminal  12  may vary and is not limited to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the fixed collar  16  may surround approximately seventy-five percent of the side wall surface area of the post terminal  12 , while the adjustable collar  18  may surround approximately twenty-five percent. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of battery clamp  10 , the adjustable collar  18  contains a plurality of gripping ribs  40 . The gripping ribs  40  are substantially parallel to and integrally formed with the adjustable collar  18 . The gripping ribs  40  may be spaced out randomly or evenly along the adjustable collar  18 . The gripping ribs  40  function at least in part to promote the secure surface contact with the post terminal  12  facilitating conductivity through a strong and constant electrical connection. It is contemplated that there may be any number of gripping ribs  40  integrated into the adjustable collar  18 . It is further contemplated that the length and width of the gripping ribs  40  may vary. 
         [0015]    The fixed collar  16  is shaped to substantially match the contours of the post terminal  12 . The fixed collar  16  should fit snuggly about the post terminal  12  to promote steady surface contact. The fixed collar  16  surrounds a substantial portion of the terminal  12  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . However, it is contemplated that the fixed collar  16  may surround more or less of the surface of the terminal  12  depending on the size of the terminal  12  and the fixed collar  16 . It is further contemplated that the fixed collar  16  may be adapted to fit around varying shapes and sizes of different battery terminals depending on the make and manufacturer of the battery. For example, the fixed collar  16  may extend higher on the terminal  12  than as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fixed collar  16  may also contain a plurality of teeth  42 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the teeth  42  are textured portions of the fixed collar  16  that are integrally formed with the walls of fixed collar  16 . The teeth  42  function in part to secure the fixed collar  16  against the walls of the terminal  12  by providing additional gripping force when the fastener  30  is tightened. It is contemplated that the teeth  42  can vary in length and width according to the size of the fixed collar  16  and the post terminal  12 . It is also contemplated that the texture of the teeth  42  may vary to adapt to any number of battery terminal surfaces, if necessary. For example, although  FIG. 2  illustrates five teeth  42 , it is contemplated that other embodiments may have any number of teeth  42 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the base  24  and the pivotal grip plate  20  are substantially parallel to one another, with the pivotal grip plate  20  slightly angled to the base  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The acute angle formed by the arrangement of the pivotal grip plate  20  and the base  24  decreases as the fastener  30  is tightened. Both the base  24  and the pivotal grip plate  20  work together to facilitate the pivotal motion at the edge of the slot  28 , which results in the secure surface contact with the terminal  12 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a small area of the base  24  adjacent to the slot  28  is slightly raised to assist in part with the pivotal movement of the compression tab  26  about the edge of the slot  28 . However, other embodiments are contemplated where this surface may not be raised. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the compression tab  26  is integrally formed with the pivotal grip plate  20 . The compression tab  26  is positioned between two flattened extensions in a plane of the pivotal grip plate  20 . The compression tab  26  is configured to have a raised curvature that forms an arch above the plane with an extension that dips below the plane of the pivotal grip plate  20 . At the end of this extension, there is a lip  44  that corresponds to the edge of the slot  28  and fits into the slot  28 . The lip  44  may be substantially flat as illustrated in  FIG. 3  or have a curved formation as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As the fastener  30  is tightened, the compression force facilitates the pivoting of the compression tab  26  about the edge of the slot  28 . After pivoting, the compression tab  26  is extended through the slot  28  and the lip  44  and is extended below a plane of the base  24 . The arch of the compression tab  26  remains above the plane of the base  24 . The flattened extensions of the pivotal grip plate  20  also remain above the plane of the base  24 . The flattened extensions function at least in part to support and steady the pivotal grip plate  20  during the tightening and pivotal motion. 
         [0019]    The base  24 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , is substantially flat with one or more ridges  46  that protrude outward from the base  24 . The ridges  46  function in part to further secure the pivotal grip plate  20  in place as it is tightened into position by at least partially preventing unwanted lateral motion on the base  24 . The ridges  46  may also add additional stability to the base  24 . Other embodiments are contemplated that include any number of ridges  46  or no ridges at all. If present, the ridges  46  may span a length to substantially match that of the pivotal grip plate  20 , as depicted, or be divided into shorter-length ridges  46  that only span a portion of the base  24 . 
         [0020]    At an end of the base  24  opposite the fixed collar  16  is a crimping claw  48 . The crimping claw  48  is generally integrally formed with the base  24  and has a U-shaped channel formation, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . The crimping claw  48  U-shape has sides that are uneven in length and that have notches at the edges as illustrated. The crimping claw  48  is adapted to receive and support any electrical connectors that travel from the terminal  12  to an electrical component of, for example, an automobile, that requires a battery charge. Such connectors include, for example, wires and cables. The sides of the crimping claw  48  may be folded over onto each other and over the connectors being supported by the crimping claw  48 , further securing the connectors into place and facilitating a steady and constant electrical connection between the terminal  12  and the electrical component. Again as appreciated by those skilled in the art, the crimping claw  48  may be of any design, depth, or width without deviating from the scope of the subject invention. 
         [0021]    The appended claims have been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention defined by the appended claims. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed in practicing the invention defined by the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in claims. The embodiments should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. 
         [0022]    With regard to the processes, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes described herein are provided for illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed to limit the appended claims. 
         [0023]    Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims. 
         [0024]    All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.