Clamps for male terminals of power sources

Abstract

A clamp for a male terminal of a power source, the terminal including a frustoconical body projecting out of a base surface that is part of the source against which a greatest diameter of the terminal rests, may include: at least one ring-shaped first portion, with an open section of its circumference, the at least one first portion having a first diameter such that a predetermined radial clearance exists when the at least one first portion axially fits upon the frustoconical body, the at least one first portion also having two jaws which axially project out of the circumference of the at least one first portion, the jaws being in opposed, spaced-apart relationship; and a clamping device which acts on the jaws and is configured to move the first jaws toward each other to tighten the at least one first portion around the frustoconical body with elimination of the clearance.

Claims

1. A clamp for a male terminal of a power source, the male terminal consisting of a frustoconical body projecting out of a base surface that is part of the power source against which a greatest diameter of the male terminal rests, the clamp comprising: at least one ring-shaped first portion, with an open section of its circumference, the at least one ring-shaped first portion having a first diameter such that a predetermined radial clearance exists when the at least one ring-shaped first portion axially fits upon the frustoconical body, the at least one ring-shaped first portion also having two first jaws which axially project out of the circumference of the at least one ring-shaped first portion and are located at ends of the open section of the circumference of the at least one ring-shaped first portion, the first jaws being in opposed, spaced-apart relationship; a clamping device which acts on the first jaws and is configured to move the first jaws toward each other to tighten the at least one ring-shaped first portion around the frustoconical body of the male terminal with elimination of the predetermined radial clearance; and at least one first element hinged to the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp on a side from which the at least one first element is inserted upon the frustoconical body of the male terminal; wherein the at least one first element is made of electrically non-conductive material and has a through-hole with a second diameter such that, when the clamp is fitted upon the male terminal, the through-hole establishes radial interference with the frustoconical body of the male terminal at the greatest diameter of the male terminal proximate to the base surface from which the male terminal projects, and wherein the at least one first element is connected to the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp using a connection that comprises a rod, which engages with lugs that radially project out of the at least one ring-shaped first portion on a side opposite to a side from which the first jaws project.

2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the clamping device acts on the first jaws of the at least one ring-shaped first portion in a direction of a first axis perpendicular to a direction of a second axis along which the male terminal extends, and wherein the rod is placed parallel to the first axis.

3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, is connected to the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp such that the at least one first element is angularly movable relative to the at least one ring-shaped first portion.

4. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising: a second element, associated with said first the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp, on a side of the at least one ring-shaped first portion opposite to a side from which the second element is inserted onto the frustoconical body of the male terminal; wherein the second element is made of electrically non-conductive material.

5. A clamp for a male terminal of a power source, the male terminal consisting of a frustoconical body projecting out of a base surface that is part of the power source against which a greatest diameter of the male terminal rests, the clamp comprising: at least one ring-shaped first portion, with an open section of its circumference, the at least one ring-shaped first portion having a first diameter such that a predetermined radial clearance exists when the at least one ring-shaped first portion axially fits upon the frustoconical body, the at least one ring-shaped first portion also having two first jaws which axially project out of the circumference of the at least one ring-shaped first portion and are located at ends of the open section of the circumference of the at least one ring-shaped first portion, the first jaws being in opposed, spaced-apart relationship; a clamping device which acts on the first jaws and is configured to move the first jaws toward each other to tighten the at least one ring-shaped first portion around the frustoconical body of the male terminal with elimination of the predetermined radial clearance; and at least one first element hinged to the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp on a side from which the at least one first element is inserted upon the frustoconical body of the male terminal; wherein the at least one first element is made of electrically non-conductive material and has a through-hole with a second diameter such that, when the clamp is fitted upon the male terminal, the through-hole establishes radial interference with the frustoconical body of the male terminal at the greatest diameter of the male terminal proximate to the base surface from which the male terminal projects, wherein the clamp further comprises: a ring-shaped second portion with an open section of its circumference, the ring-shaped second portion lying over the at least one ring-shaped first portion and having a third diameter such that the predetermined radial clearance exists when the at least one ring-shaped first portion and the ring-shaped second portion are axially fitted to the frustoconical body, the ring-shaped second portion of the clamp further having two second jaws that radially project out of the ring-shaped second portion and are located at ends of the open section of the circumference of the ring-shaped second portion, the second jaws being in opposed, spaced-apart relationship and lying over the first jaws of the at least one ring-shaped first portion; and wherein the clamping device is configured to act on the first jaws of the at least one ring-shaped first portion and on the second jaws of the ring-shaped second portion of the clamp, is configured to move the first jaws of the at least one ring-shaped first portion toward each other to tighten the at least one ring-shaped first portion around the frustoconical body of the male terminal, and is configured to move the second jaws of the ring-shaped second portion toward each other to tighten the ring-shaped second portion around the frustoconical body of the male terminal, with elimination of the predetermined radial clearance.

6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein when fitting the clamp on the male terminal, the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, prevents temporary electrical contact between the male terminal and the clamp before a correct position of the clamp on the male terminal has been reached.

7. The clamp of claim 1, wherein when fitting the clamp on the male terminal, the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, prevents power supply from the power source via the male terminal and the clamp before a correct position of the clamp on the male terminal has been reached.

8. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising: a second element associated with the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp; wherein the second element is made of electrically non-conductive material.

9. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the electrically non-conductive material is plastic.

10. The clamp of claim 5, wherein the first and second jaws are interconnected.

11. The clamp of claim 5, wherein the at least one ring-shaped first portion is connected to the ring-shaped second portion.

12. The clamp of claim 5, wherein the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, is connected to the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp such that the at least one first element is angularly movable relative to the at least one ring-shaped first portion.

13. The clamp of claim 5, wherein the electrically non-conductive material is plastic.

14. The clamp of claim 5, wherein when fitting the clamp on the male terminal, the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, prevents temporary electrical contact between the male terminal and the clamp before a correct position of the clamp on the male terminal has been reached.

15. The clamp of claim 5, wherein when fitting the clamp on the male terminal, the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, prevents power supply from the power source via the male terminal and the clamp before a correct position of the clamp on the male terminal has been reached.

16. A clamp for a male terminal of a power source, the male terminal consisting of a frustoconical body projecting out of a base surface that is part of the power source against which a greatest diameter of the male terminal rests, the clamp comprising: at least one ring-shaped first portion, with an open section of its circumference, the at least one ring-shaped first portion having a first diameter such that a predetermined radial clearance exists when the at least one ring-shaped first portion axially fits upon the frustoconical body, the at least one ring-shaped first portion also having two first jaws which axially project out of the circumference of the at least one ring-shaped first portion and are located at ends of the open section of the circumference of the at least one ring-shaped first portion, the first jaws being in opposed, spaced-apart relationship; a clamping device which acts on the first jaws and is configured to move the first jaws toward each other to tighten the at least one ring-shaped first portion around the frustoconical body of the male terminal with elimination of the predetermined radial clearance; and at least one first element hinged to the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp on a side from which the at least one first element is inserted upon the frustoconical body of the male terminal; wherein the at least one first element is made of electrically non-conductive material and has a through-hole with a second diameter such that, when the clamp is fitted upon the male terminal, the through-hole establishes radial interference with the frustoconical body of the male terminal at the greatest diameter of the male terminal proximate to the base surface from which the male terminal projects, and wherein the clamp further comprises: a power cord for connecting the power source to a power consuming unit, the least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp being connected to one end of the power cord; a conductive basement protruding from the at least one ring-shaped first portion; and a conductive connecting screw protruding from the conductive basement, the one end of the power cord comprising an eyelet insertable upon the conductive connecting screw.

17. The clamp of claim 16, wherein the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, is connected to the at least one ring-shaped first portion of the clamp such that the at least one first element is angularly movable relative to the at least one ring-shaped first portion.

18. The clamp of claim 16, wherein the electrically non-conductive material is plastic.

19. The clamp of claim 16, wherein when fitting the clamp on the male terminal, the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, prevents temporary electrical contact between the male terminal and the clamp before a correct position of the clamp on the male terminal has been reached.

20. The clamp of claim 16, wherein when fitting the clamp on the male terminal, the at least one first element, made of the electrically non-conductive material, prevents power supply from the power source via the male terminal and the clamp before a correct position of the clamp on the male terminal has been reached.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be now described in greater detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, given by way of illustration and without limitation, and shown in the annexed drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the clamp of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the clamp of FIG. 1 in an unclamped state;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a front view of the clamp of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the clamp as taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2, before clamping;

(6) FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the clamp as taken along line V-V of FIG. 2, before clamping;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a side view of the clamp of FIG. 2;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the clamp like that of FIG. 4, in a clamped state;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the clamp like that of FIG. 5, in a clamped state;

(10) FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the clamp of the invention;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the clamp of FIG. 9 in an unclamped state;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a front view of the clamp of FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the clamp as taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 10, before clamping;

(14) FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the clamp as taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 2, before clamping;

(15) FIG. 14 shows a side view of the clamp of FIG. 10;

(16) FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the clamp like that of FIG. 12, in a clamped state;

(17) FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the clamp like that of FIG. 13, in a clamped state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(18) Referring to the above figures and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 8, which are associated with a first embodiment of the clamp of the invention, the latter is generally referenced 1, whereas the male terminal is referenced 2.

(19) As is known in the art, this male terminal has a frustoconical shape whose greatest diameter D is proximate to a base surface 3 that is part of a power source 4, particularly of a battery for automotive use.

(20) The smallest diameter of the frustoconical male terminal 2 is referenced d in the annexed drawings, whereas S designates the peripheral surface of the terminal between the smallest diameter d and the greatest diameter D.

(21) The frustoconical body of terminal extends upwards from the base surface 3 of the source 4 along an axis that, in this particular field, is indicated as a Y axis of the three X, Y, Z Cartesian axes.

(22) In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, the clamp 1 comprises at least one first and one second ring-shaped portions, referenced 5 and 6 respectively, which have respective jaws 7 and 8, 7a and 8a, radially projecting out of their circumference and located at the ends of their respective open sections 9 of the circumference.

(23) Said first and second ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 of the clamp 1 have such a diameter as to have a predetermined radial clearance G when they axially fit on the frustoconical body 2 of the terminal, as shown in the sections of FIGS. 4 and 5.

(24) Said jaws 7, 8, 7a and 8a, are in opposed, spaced-apart relationship, when the clamp is in the unclamped state to allow it to fit onto the male terminal.

(25) Also, as shown in FIG. 1, they may be interconnected such that the two ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 will be also connected.

(26) The clamp also includes a conventional screw 10 and nut 10a device, which acts on the jaws 7, 8, 7a, 8a, to cause them to move toward each other, thereby clamping the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 around the frustoconical body 2 of the male terminal, by eliminating the radial clearance G, as shown in the cross sections of FIGS. 7 and 8.

(27) Thus, the clamping device 10, 10a acts on the jaws of the ring-shaped portions in the direction of the axis X perpendicular to the axis Y along which the male terminal extends.

(28) In order to determine the correct axial position of the clamp 1 on the frustoconical body 2 in which the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 are to be clamped, the terminal 1 also comprises a first plate-like element, referenced 11, associated with said first ring-shaped portion 5 of the clamp on the side in which it is inserted onto the male terminal.

(29) According to the invention, said first plate-like element 11 is made of an electrically non-conductive material and has a through hole 12 whose diameter is adapted to create a radial interference with the greatest diameter D of the frustoconical body 2 proximate to said base surface 3 from which it stands up, when the clamp is fitted on the male terminal 2.

(30) According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, said first plate-like element 11 made of an electrically non-conductive material, is hinged to said first ring-shaped portion 5 of the terminal. In more detail, the first plate-like element 11 is connected to the first ring-shaped portion 5 via a connection that comprises a rod 13, placed parallel to the axis X, which engages with lugs 14 and 15 that radially project out of the first ring-shaped portion 5 on the side opposite to the side from which the jaws project.

(31) In this embodiment, when the clamp 1 is fitted onto the male terminal, the plate-like element 11 is the first to reach the end of the axial stroke on the frustoconical body and, due to the interference between the diameter of the opening 12 and the greatest diameter D of the frustoconical body, it stops in a position substantially adjacent and parallel to the base surface 3 of the source 4.

(32) The fact that the first ring-shaped portion 5 is hinged to said first plate-like element 11, for example by means of the rod 13 and the lugs 14 and 15, determines the correct axial position of the clamp on the male terminal, in which the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 are to be clamped and provide power supply to the power consuming unit connected to the source 4.

(33) According to an alternative version of the clamp, not shown, said plate-like element 11 may be not hinged, but connected to the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 of the clamp in a fixed manner or, according to a further variant, also not shown, in a displaceable manner, to be displaced relative to the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 along the axis Y of the frustoconical body.

(34) According to the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings, the clamp may comprise a second plate-like element 16 having a respective opening 17, which is associated with said ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 of the clamp 1, and is placed on the side opposite to the side in which the clamp 1 is inserted onto the male terminal 2, said second plate-like element being also made of an electrically non-conductive material. According to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 16, the screw and nut device, referenced 10 and 10a, for clamping the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6, which operates along a direction X perpendicular to the axis Y of the clamp in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, is replaced by a conventional safety mechanism that only enables clamping, i.e. the movement of the jaws of the ring-shaped portions toward each other, when at least the first ring-shaped portion 5 or both ring-shaped portions 5 and 6, are placed against the first plate-like element 11, once the latter has reached a position proximate to the base 3, and its opening 12 has come to interference with the greatest diameter D of the frustoconical body 2 of the terminal.

(35) For this purpose, the safety mechanism comprises an elastic member 18 (e.g., a helical spring), reacting between said first plate-like element 11 and the ring-shaped portion 5, and adapted to maintain a predetermined angular gap between the ring-shaped portion and the plate-like element 11, around the rod 13.

(36) In addition, said safety mechanism includes a clevis 19 having a transverse surface 20 and pairs of legs 21 and 22 with mutually facing inclined surfaces, extending therefrom.

(37) The clevis 19 is placed above the pairs of jaws 7 and 8 with the inclined surfaces of its legs engaged with the sides 23 and 24 of the jaws.

(38) A rod 26, having a threaded section 27 followed by an unthreaded section 28 and terminating with a collar 29, is fixed to the plate-like element 11. The rod 26 engages with the clevis 19 by extending through the opening 30 of the surface 20.

(39) A nut 31 is mounted to the unthreaded section 28, between the collar 29 and the underlying threaded section 27, and engages by its flange-like underside, having a greater diameter than the opening 30, with the surface 20 of the clevis 19 around the opening 30.

(40) The nut 31 may then engage with the threaded section 27 of the rod 26 and exert a clamping action on the clamp, only when the threaded portion approaches and projects out of the transverse surface 20, which only occurs when the operator straightens the tilt of the ring-shaped portion 5 relative to the plate like element 11, manually or using a (manual, electric, pneumatic, etc.) tool.

(41) Here clamping takes place by tightening the nut 31 in a direction parallel to the axis Y of the clamp.

(42) According to a further different embodiment of the clamp, the elastic member that acts between the plate-like element 11 and the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6, may be also provided in the clamp structure as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, coaxial with the rod 13 of such structure.

(43) In the embodiments as described above with reference to the drawings, the provision of a plate-like element 11 made of an electrically non-conductive material and of a diametrical dimension of the hole 12 providing interference with the greatest diameter D of the frustoconical body of the terminal when placing the clamp on the terminal, eliminates the risk that temporary electrical contacts may occur between the terminal and the clamp and that power consuming units may be excited when the correct position of the clamp on the terminal has not been reached yet.

(44) Although not shown, at least one of the ring-shaped portions 5 and 6 of the clamp is intended to be connected to the end of the power cord that that connects said source 4 to a power consuming unit.

(45) In detail, the clamp 1 comprises a conductive basement (not shown) protruding from the first ring-shaped portion 5. The basement is arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of the axis Y along which the male terminal extends. The basement and the first ring portion 5 may be formed integrally to each other.

(46) Moreover, the clamp 1 comprises a conductive connecting screw (not shown) fixed to the basement and protruding from the basement. Preferably, the connecting screw protrudes from the basement at least along the direction of the axis Y along which the male terminal extends.

(47) Complementarily, the aforementioned end of the power cord comprises a conductive eyelet insertable upon the connecting screw.

(48) Concerning the electrically non-conductive material that is used to form the plate-like elements 11 and 16, it is a plastic material.