US3694798A

US3694798A - Clamp for ensuring lateral contact between axial-post and laterally-constrictable connector

Info

Publication number: US3694798A
Application number: US95530A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert A Julian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-07
Filing date: 1970-12-07
Publication date: 1972-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-26

Abstract

There is provided a removable tightener clamp for ensuring lateral contact between an axial-post and a laterally constrictable connector (such as a dual-prongs connector on a current-carrying cable). For chemical action type batteries, such as in the automobile battery environmental situation, each of the two battery terminal-posts and their respective dual-prongs connectors gradually chemically erode to such dimensional extent that it is impossible to maintain an electrically conductive relationship therebetween. The novel tightener clamp herein is adapted to enclose therewithin the chemically eroded dual-prongs connector and its axial terminal post and to apply lateral pressure against one of the connector prongs whereby electrically conductive relationship between the terminal-post and the connector is effected and maintained.

Description

United States Patent Julian [451 Sept. 26, 1972 1 CLAMP FOR ENSURING LATERAL CONTACT BETWEEN AXIAL-POST AND LATERALLY-CONSTRICTABLE CONNECTOR [72] inventor: Robert A. Julian, 1608 Brenda Drive, Bellevue, Nebr. 68005 221 Filed: Dec.7, 1970 21 Appl.No.:95,530

[52] US. Cl ..339/224, 339/237 [51] Int. Cl. ..l-l0lr 11/26 [58] Field of Search ..339/224-240 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,622,120 12/1952 Knasko et al. ..339/232 2,341,748 2/1944 Webb ..339/225 Primary Examiner-Joseph l-l. McGlynn Attorney-George R. Nimmer [57] ABSTRACT There is provided a removable tightener clamp for ensuring lateral contact between an axial-post and a laterally constrictable connector (such as a dualprongs connector on a current-carrying cable). For chemical action type batteries, such as in the automobile battery environmental situation, each of the two battery terminal-posts and their respective dual-prongs connectors gradually chemically erode to such dimensional extent that it is impossible to maintain an electrically conductive relationship therebetween. The novel tightener clamp herein is adapted to enclose therewithin the chemically eroded dual-prongs connector and its axial terminal post and to apply lateral pressure against one of the connector prongs whereby electrically conductive relationship between the terminal-post and the connector is effected and maintained.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED W26 3 .694, 798

ROE/PT 4. JUL /A/V INVENTOR.

BY 9M K W ATTO R N EY CLAMP FOR ENSURING LATERAL CONTACT BETWEEN AXIAL-POST AND LATERALLY- CONSTRICTABLE CONNECTOR In the electrical arts, it is oftentimes necessary to conduct electricity between a post-like, i.e. axialpost, conductor and an elongate cable-like conductor; in this regard the cable-like conductor commonly carries a connector terminus which is applied in electrically conductive relationship to the axial-post conductor. Oftentimes the connector terminus is laterally constrictable whereby maximal physical contact is attainable between the connector and the axial-post conductor, especially where the axial-post has the tendency to gradually chemically erode to progressively smaller diameters as is the situation for terminal-posts of chemical action type batteries, as found in automobiles, marine craft, etc. In the automobile battery prior art, laterally constrictable metallic connectors of the dual-prongs type are prevalent, including the presence of threaded bolts, springs, or other lateral adjustment means on the connector prongs to maintain lateral contact between the erodeable terminal-post and: the connector. However, with continued erosion, the laterally adjustment means on the dual-prongs connector becomes non-functional or even broken away, thus necessitating laborious and expensive replacement of the dual-prongs connector at the end of the currentcarrying conductive cable. Such replacement of the dual-prongs connector is a tedious laborious task necessitating severing of the cable and then de-insulating its end; oftentimes the severing renders the cable too short to reach the terminal-post and the entire cable assembly must be replaced.

It is accordingly the general object of the present invention to provide a means for ensuring lateral contact between an axial-post conductor (such as the corrodible terminal-post of an automobile battery) and a laterally constrictable connector (such as the corrodible dual-prongs connector on a current-carrying cable) even though the axial-post and the connector have become severely dimensionally eroded, even to the extent that the connector lateral adjustment means is non-functional or broken away.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a terminal clamp which might be removably applied to a severely dimensionally eroded and damaged dual-prongs connector for an automobile battery terminal-post whereby electrically conductive lateral contact between the eroded connector and terminal-post is re-established and thereafter maintained even during ensuing chemical erosion of the connector and terminal-post.

It is another object to provide an economical and exceedingly simple means for ensuring electrically conductive lateral contact between a dimensionally corroded battery terminal-post and a corrodibly damaged and eroded dual-prongs connector terminus for a current-carrying cable, without the necessity for severing, de-insulating, or otherwise altering or even replacing the conductor cable assembly.

It is a further object to provide an economical and effective terminal clamp for the purposes aforedescribed, which is amenable to a variety of situations wherein a laterally constrictable connector is utilized in combination with an axial-post and for a variety of environmental situations including for automobile battery and analagous installations.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, which will become more apparent as this description proceeds, there is herein provided a tightener clamp for ensuring lateral contact between an axialpost (such as the corrodible terminal-post of a chemical action type battery) and a laterally constrictable connector (such as a dual-prongs connector on a current-carrying cable); the tightener clamp generally comprises a laterally rigid upright main body disposed along a vertical-axis and adapted to enclose therewithin both the axial-post and the dual-prongs annular connector therefor, together with a threaded stud threadedly engaged with the tightener clamp main body and. having a leading end adapted to bear firmly against one of the connector prongs whereby the main body vertical-axis becomes securely laterally offset from and substantially parallel to the axial-post center line.

In the drawing, wherein like characters refer to like parts in the several views, and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a typical environmental situation for the tightener clamp of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical electrically conductive axial-post, specifically as a chemical action type automobile battery having a pair of terminal-posts. FIG. 2 illustrates a typical laterally constrictable connector for an axial-post, specifically as a dual-prongs type connector at the end of a current-carrying cable.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, as seen from the upper side, of a representative embodiment of the tightener clamp of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, as seen from the lower side, of the FIG. 3 embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the FIGS. 3 and 4 tightener clamp embodiment shown in operable combination with the environmental situation alluded to in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view taken along lines 6--6 of FIGS. 1-5.

Turning initially to the typical environmental situation alluded to in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical chemical action type battery 90, as for generating direct current electricity for an automobile starter, such batteries typically comprising an electrically insulative rectangular casing for housing the active chemicals. Extending upwardly from the battery casing horizontal top-panel 91 is at least one electrically conductive upright metallic axial-post, herein including an electrically positive cylindrical anode 94 and electrically negative cylindrical cathode 95. Each terminalpost is disposed along a vertical post-axis (

e.g. postaxes

96 and 97 for terminal-

posts

94 and 95, respectively), and each terminal-post has an upper free end, e.g. free end 99 for terminal-post 95, located remotely above casing top-panel 91. The electrical energy developed by battery is conducted to an external electrically actuatable mechanism (such as an automobile starter) through suitable current-carrying conductor cables, e.g. 70, 75, said conductor cable end carrying a laterally-constrictable connector, e.g. 80. Thus, there is an electrically conductive path extending laterally from axial-post to connector 80 and thence along main conductor cable 70 to an arbitrarily selected electrically actuated system (not shown).

A prevalent type laterally-constrictable connector for axial-posts is the dual-prongs annular connector 80 illustrated in FIG. 2. Connector 80 commonly comprises a pair of opposed spaced-apart

metallic prongs

81 and 82,

prongs

81 and 82 being typically provided of lead metal appropriate for use with automobile batteries, e.g. 90.

Prongs

81 and 82 are integrally connected together at 83, which is at their electrically conductive juncture with main current-carrying cable 70 and branch ground cable 75. However,

prongs

81 and 82 are laterally spaced apart at transverse gap 84 (remote of the interprongs tubular connection 83) whereby said prongs can be laterally moved toward each other, as by a threaded bolt 87 and nut 88, to ensure actual contact between prongs 81-82 and the axial-post therebetween. In this vein, the respective prongs 81-82 are typically semi-circular appropriate to cylindrical axial-posts 94-95, and the respective prongs carry

coparallel terminal flanges

85 and 86, bolt 87 passing through said flanges 85-86. Battery terminal-post 95 and connector 80 are subject to corrosion, oftentimes to such extent that flanges 85-86 disappear whereby lateral pressure between prongs 81-82 is wholly lacking and electrical current cannot effectively flow between cable 70 and a battery terminal-post. However, the tightener clamp C" of the present invention ensures an electrically conductive relationship even when corrosion problems are so severe as to eliminate elements 85-88.

In general, the tightener clamp C" comprises a main body extending along a vertical-axis 9, said main body 10 including a pair of rigidly spaced apart opposed sidewalls 11 and 12, together with a threaded stud threadedly engaged with and intersecting one of the main body sidewalls (herein sidewall 12) whereby the stud leading end 21 is disposed between the sidewalls. In the automobile battery environmental situation, the dual-prongs connector 80 (with elements 85-88 removed) surrounds a terminal-post 95 adjacent to casing top-panel 91. Main body sidewalls 11 and 12 are disposed alongside

connector prongs

81 and 82, respectively, with the inter-sidewalls laterally extending rigidifying means, e.g. 13, 14, 17, being disposed wholly rearwardly and upwardly of inter-prongs tubular connection 83 and cable 70. Threaded stud leading end 21 bears firmly against connector prong 82 causing clamp sidewall 11 to bear against the other prong 81 (main body vertical-axis 9 thus being laterally offset from and parallel to post-axis 97) whereby inter-prongs gap 84 is caused to decrease thereby ensuring electrically conductive lateral contact between terminal-post 95 and both connector prongs 81-82.

Specifically, the main body 10 of the preferred tightener clamp C of FIGS. 3-6 comprises in addition to sidewalls 11 and 12 an upper side (e.g. centrally perforate roof 17), a lower side (e.g. edge 16 at toppanel 91), a forward end (e.g. at 14), and a rearward end (e.g. rearwall 13). The respective sidewalls 11 and 12 are preferably arcuate, i.e. spaced a constant radial distance from vertical-axis 9, appropriate to bear evenly against the common semi-circular type prongs, i.e. 81, 82. Main body portion 10 further comprises laterally extending rigidifying means attached to the respective sidewalls 11 and 12 so as to fix the lateral distance therebetween. The laterally extending rigidifying means is disposed remote of the lower forward regions of the respective sidewalls 11 and 12 whereby main body 10 is adapted to enclose therewithin a terminal-post and also the respective laterally separated prongs, e.g. 81 and 82, of a dual-prongs connector, while also not spatially interfering with the connector cable, e.g. 70, 75. Specifically herein, the laterally extending rigidifying means comprises the combination of convex roof panel 17, upright rearwall 13, and upright frontwall 14 having slotted portion 15 (to accommodate inter-prongs tubular connection 83).

A high degree of force must be exerted through threaded stud 20 to sufficiently laterally deflect a typical connector prong, e.g. 82, toward a terminal-post, which necessitates peculiarly sturdy lateral rigidifying means for the main body 10. For example, an upwardly convex metallic roof 17 in structurally continuous relationship, e.g. cast-iron, with the sidewalls 11 and 12 provides unusually good lateral rigidity. Central perforation 18 for roof 1? at vertical-axis 9 allows the periodic introduction of mildly acidic solution therethrough whereby corrosion salts might be cleansed from the juncture of terminal-post and prongs 81-82. An arcuate configuration for rearwall l3 and frontwall 14, each spaced a constant radial distance from vertical-axis 9, also provide unusual lateral rigidity between sidewalls 11 and 12. The preferred laterally rigid configuration is wherein the said four members 11-14 are of the said arcuate form together with upwardly convex roof 17, all five members being in structurally continuous, e.g. cast iron, relationship. In such preferred configuration, lower side 16 is arcuate (about 300 -320) and spaced a constant radial distance from vertical-axis 9.

Horizontal threaded stud 20 passes through and is threadedly engaged with a main body sidewall, e.g. 12, 11, said stud 20 being substantially perpendicular to vertical-axis 9. Threaded stud 20 has a leading end 21 disposed internally of body 10 between sidewalls 11 and 12 and being adapted to bear against a connector prong, e.g. 82, midway between gap 84 and juncture 83. Stud 20 also includes a polygonal head end 22 disposed externally of main body 10 laterally outwardly of a sidewall. Polygonal head end 22 is preferably also provided with a slotted portion 23 whereby the torque suppliable to stud 20 for bearing against a connector prong might be with either wrench or screwdriver. Stud 20 might also carry a threaded lock-nut 24 disposed laterally outwardly of a sidewall. Both sidewalls might be provided with a threaded opening, e.g. 19, whereby stud 20 might be selectively employed on either sidewall appropriate to the environmental situation encountered. When the removable tightener clamp C is in place, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, stud leading end 21 bears against and laterally deflects one prong, e.g. 82, while the other prong, e.g. 81, concurrently bears directly against a main body sidewall, e.g. 11. Thus as clamp C" maintains

prongs

81 and 82 laterally against terminal-post 95, main body vertical-axis 9 is laterally offset from post-axis 97 toward stud 20 as is clearly indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As future gradual corrosion of elements 81-82 and 95 ensues, periodic tightening of stud 20 will maintain lateral contact therebetween.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the terminal clamp will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tightener clamp for ensuring lateral contact between an axial-post and a laterally constrictable connector therefor, said tightener clamp comprising: a main body having a closed rearward end and an open forward end and comprising a pair of opposed upright arcuate sidewalls rigidly laterally spaced apart with an arcuate upright rearwall providing the main body closed rearward end, the lower extremities of said opposed sidewalls and intervening rearwall defining for the main body an arcuate lower side, said arcuate lower side extending sectorially within the range of about 300320 and thereby including a lateral finite separation between the forward extremities of the opposed sidewalls at the main body forward end, said main body also including an upwardly convex roof located at and integrally connected to upper portions of said sidewalls, the two main body sidewalls being provided with horizontally aligned threaded perforations; and a horizontal threaded stud threadedly engaged with an upright sidewall, said horizontal stud having a leading end disposed between the main body sidewalls and being relatively movable from one sidewall toward the other sidewall, said stud having a headed trailing end adapted to be removably engaged with a suitable torque source for rotating the threaded stud.

2. In combination with a chemical action type storage battery including at least one electrically conductive axial-post having an upper end and that is provided with a dual-prongs type laterally constrictable connector, a tightener clamp for ensuring lateral contact between the axial-post and the two connector prongs, said tightener clamp comprising a pair of opposed upright sidewalls located alongside the respective prongs and rigidly spaced apart in opposed relationship with a laterally extending rigidifying means attached to the respective sidewalls, and a horizontal threaded stud threadedly engaged with one of the tightener clamp sidewalls, said horizontal stud having a leading end located between the sidewalls and bearing firmly removably against one of the connector prongs whereby the other sidewall bears against the other connector prong.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the two laterally separated connector prongs merge together and are attached to an electrically conductive cable; and wherein the laterally extending rigidifying means for the tightener clamp is wholly disposed rearwardly remote of the cable juncture between the two connector prongs.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the laterally extending rigidifying means includes a laterally extending generally horizontal roof integrally connected to the sidewalls and overlying the battery axial-post and includes a laterally extending upright rigid rearwall connected to the respective sidewalls and the roof of the tightener clamp.

Claims

1. A tightener clamp for ensuring lateral contact between an axial-post and a laterally constrictable connector therefor, said tightener clamp comprising: a main body having a closed rearward end and an open forward end and comprising a pair of opposed upright arcuate sidewalls rigidly laterally spaced apart with an arcuate upright rearwall providing the main body closed rearward end, the lower extremities of said opposed sidewalls and intervening rearwall defining for the main body an arcuate lower side, said arcuate lower side extending sectorially within the range of about 300* -320* and thereby including a lateral finite separation between the forward extremities of the opposed sidewalls at the main body forward end, said main body also including an upwardly convex roof located at and integrally connectEd to upper portions of said sidewalls, , the two main body sidewalls being provided with horizontally aligned threaded perforations; and a horizontal threaded stud threadedly engaged with an upright sidewall, said horizontal stud having a leading end disposed between the main body sidewalls and being relatively movable from one sidewall toward the other sidewall, said stud having a headed trailing end adapted to be removably engaged with a suitable torque source for rotating the threaded stud.