Abstract:
A set of booster cables for charging a depleted vehicle battery is disclosed. The booster cables have an integral lighting device designed to make the jump start procedure quicker and safer in circumstances where adequate lighting is not present.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to devices used to charge depleted vehicle batteries in general and to lighted booster cables, in particular.  
         [0003]     2. Prior Art  
         [0004]     Utilizing booster cables to jump start a vehicle with a dead battery has become a common and well-practiced procedure, however, if not performed properly, the procedure can involve substantial risks. For example, in many instances, the necessity of performing the jump start procedure arises at night or in other circumstances when good lighting is not available in the vicinity of the vehicle with the depleted battery. In such cases, identification of the battery terminal and/or a ground point on this vehicle becomes difficult. As a consequence, a proper electrical connection between the source vehicle battery and the depleted vehicle battery may not be achieved. Performing the jump start procedure, when there is a lack of proper electrical connection, can cause generation of sparks, explosions, and rapid discharge of battery acid, all of which may result in serious injury to individuals and/or damage to the vehicles. In addition, even if a proper battery connection has been achieved, it may be difficult to see that the jumper cables are interfering with the fan belts, pulleys, or other moving parts of the vehicle, a problem which can lead to dangerous consequences. Aside from these specific concerns, hindrance in visibility generally makes the jump start procedure laborious and time consuming. Therefore, booster cables meeting the following objectives are desired.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is an object of this invention to provide improved booster cables with an integral lighting means.  
         [0006]     It is another object of this invention to reduce the risk of injury to individuals and/or damage to vehicles when jump starting vehicles.  
         [0007]     It is still another object of this invention to make the jump start procedure quicker and more efficient.  
         [0008]     These and other objects of the invention shall become apparent from the ensuing figures and descriptions of the invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     An improved set of booster cables for charging a depleted vehicle battery is disclosed. The set comprises an electrically conductive positive cable and an electrically conductive ground cable, the cables being designed to achieve an electrical connection between a source vehicle battery and a depleted vehicle battery. The set further comprises a means of illumination. The light generated will facilitate quick and safe battery connections in jump start situations. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a set of lighted booster cables showing one end of the cables connected to the battery of a source vehicle and the other end prior to the connection with the depleted battery of a vehicle.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the circled area of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4A  depicts a preferred embodiment of a clamp in the closed position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4B  depicts a preferred embodiment of a clamp in the open position.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a clamp.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The invention comprises an improved set of booster cables  1 , with a means of illumination  18   a , designed to reduce the risk of injury to individuals and/or vehicles associated with exposing vehicles to jump start situations.  
         [0017]     The preferred embodiment comprises a positive cable  2  having a first end  3  and a second end  4 . Positive cable  2  should preferably be insulated and constructed of electrically conductive material, such as multiple stranded copper wire. First end  3  of positive cable  2  further comprises a first clamp  5  configured to electrically engage a positive terminal  7  of a source vehicle battery  8 , and second end  4  of positive cable  2  further comprises a second clamp  6  configured to electrically engage a positive terminal  9  of a depleted vehicle battery  10 . First clamp  5  and second clamp  6  each preferably further comprise a pair of arms  22  ending in a pair of jaws  23 , the jaws  23  being operatively affixed to each other. Jaws  23  further comprise teeth shaped contact points  24  designed to make electrical contact with a surface. First clamp  5  and second clamp  6  should be constructed of electrically conductive material, such as copper, and the junction between first end  3  of positive cable  2  and first clamp  5 , and the junction between second end  4  of positive cable  2  and second clamp  6 , respectively, should be secure and electrically conductive. Furthermore, first clamp  5  and second clamp  6  of positive cable  2  should preferably be insulated, except at their respective contact points  24 .  
         [0018]     First clamp  5  and second clamp  6  further have an open position  25  and a closed position  26 , respectively, and are configured to be biased against movement toward their respective open positions  25 . This can be achieved by providing first clamp  5  and second clamp  6  a biasing device, preferably a spring  27  loaded hinge, such that when pressure is exerted on pair of arms  22 , jaws  23  move to open position  25  and spring  27  is compressed. When pressure ceases on pair of arms  22 , spring  27  relaxes to push jaws  23  back to their closed position  26 .  
         [0019]     The invention further comprises a ground cable  11 . Ground cable  11  is similarly constructed to positive cable  2 . Ground cable  11  is also preferably insulated and electrically conductive. Ground cable further has a first end  12  comprising an electrically conductive first clamp  14  configured to electrically engage a negative terminal  16  of source vehicle battery  8 , and a second end  13  comprising an electrically conductive second clamp  15  configured to electrically engage a suitable electrical ground point  17  on the vehicle having depleted battery  10 . The above discussion regarding the preferred configuration of first clamp  5  and second clamp  6  of positive cable  2  is herein incorporated by reference, as it is equally applicable to first clamp  14  and second clamp  15  of ground cable  11 .  
         [0020]     Positive cable  2  or ground cable  11 , or both, will further comprise means of illumination  18   a . Means of illumination  18   a  may be any suitable lighting device  18   b . Examples include light emitting diodes or incandescent, fluorescent, and halogen bulbs. Lighting device  18   b  will be configured to illuminate second end  4  of positive cable  2  and/or second end  13  of ground cable  11 . The light generated will assist individuals in locating positive terminal  9  of depleted vehicle battery  10  and/or suitable electrical ground point  17 . In a preferred embodiment, lighting device  18   b  is mounted on second clamp  6  of positive cable  2  and/or second clamp  15  of ground cable  11 , and comprises a switch  20  configured to turn lighting device  18   b  on or off. In an alternate preferred embodiment, lighting device  18   b  may be mounted on first clamp  5  of positive cable  2  and/or first clamp  14  of ground cable  11  if illumination under the hood of the source vehicle is required. Lighting device  18   b  may be powered by non-depleted battery  8  of the source vehicle; however, in a preferred embodiment, lighting device  18   b  is provided with a separate energy source  21   a  mounted on second clamp  6 , of positive cable  2  and/or second clamp  15  of ground cable  11 . In a preferred embodiment, separate energy source  21   a  is a battery  21   b . In a preferred embodiment, battery  21   b  is a lithium cell battery.  
         [0021]     In operation, the source vehicle should be appropriately positioned relative to the vehicle having depleted battery  10 . The ignitions of both vehicles, as well as all electrical accessories on both vehicles, should then be turned off. Lighting device  18   b  on positive cable  2  or ground cable  11  may then be turned on to assist individuals in determining proper polarity direction so that a proper battery connection is achieved quickly and efficiently and the risk of injury to individuals and/or damage to vehicles is reduced. After proper polarity has been verified, the cables should be connected in the following order: First clamp  5  of positive cable  2  should be electrically engaged to positive terminal  7  of source vehicle battery  8 . Next, second clamp  6  of positive cable  2  should then be electrically engaged to positive terminal  9  of depleted vehicle battery  10 . First clamp  14  of ground cable  11  should then be electrically engaged to negative terminal  16  of source vehicle battery  8 . Finally, second clamp  15  of ground cable  11  should be electrically engaged to suitable electrical ground point  17  on the vehicle having depleted battery  10 . Suitable electrical ground point  17  can include the negative terminal of depleted battery  10 , however for safety concerns, it is preferred that second clamp  15  be engaged to a heavy bracket, an unpainted bolt, or some other metal part of the engine block. The engine of the source vehicle should then be started to allow depleted battery  10  to begin charging. The time required for charging will differ depending on various factors, such as the outside temperature and how run down depleted battery  10  is. After depleted battery  10  has been charged for an appropriate length of time, the engine of the vehicle may then be started. Once the engine is running, the jumper cables should then be removed in an order opposite to which they were connected.  
         [0022]     While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiment, other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art from a review of the foregoing. Those embodiments as well as the preferred embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the scope and spirit of the following claims.