JUMPER CABLES

Abstract

 The present invention relates to an electrical connector and, more specifically, an electrical connector with improved contact area. The improved contact area is achieved through a pivotable jaw mounted on an arm of the electrical connector. When an object is positioned within the jaws of the electrical connector, the pivotable jaw moves from a first position wherein the pivotable jaw contacts the object in a first contact area, to a second position wherein the second pivotable jaw (8) contacts the object in a second contact area which is greater than the first contact area.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention deals with an electrical connector.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A conventional electrical connector C for a jumper cable is illustrated in figure 1. This electrical connector C comprises a first arm and a second arm rotatable relative to the first arm, a first electrically conductive jaw affixed to the first arm and a second electrically conductive jaw affixed to the second arm such that rotating the second arm relative to the first arm opens and closes the jaws.

[0003] An electrically conductive object O can be placed between the jaws. When the jaws are closed, the object comes into electrical contact with each of the jaws.

[0004] Each of the two jaws comprises a sharp edge A1, A2. If the object is placed between the two sharp edges A1, A2, the object ends up being electrically connected to the jaws by merely the two sharp edges A1, A2 as illustrated in figure 1. This may cause electric arcs between the jaws and the object O, thereby damaging the object or the jaws.

[0005] Another issue occurring in the configuration depicted in figure 1 is that the object O held by the two sharp edges A1, A2 can rotate relative to the jaws and even can slip off the jaws, thereby breaking the electrical contact between the jaws and the object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A goal of the invention is to avoid electric arcs between jaws of and electrical connector and an object held between said jaws.

[0007] Another goal of the invention is to prevent an object held by the jaws from slipping out of the jaws.

[0008] It is therefore proposed an electrical connector according to claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] Further details, features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of the exemplary embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the figures in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of an electrical connector known in the prior art.
• Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a jaw included in the electrical connector depicted on figure 2.
• Figure 4 is a front perspective view of jaws of the electrical connector depicted on figure 2.
• Figure 5 illustrates a pair of jumper cables comprising the electrical connector depicted on figure 2.
• Figure 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 9 are side views of the electrical connector depicted on figure 2 grabbing objects in different positions and/or having different shapes.

[0010] Similar features have identical numbers in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT

[0011] Referring to figure 2, an electrical connector 1 comprises a first arm 2, a second arm 4, a first jaw 6 and a second jaw 8. The electrical connector 1 can form an alligator clip.

[0012] The first arm 2 comprises two parts: a handle 3a and a support 3b for supporting the first jaw 6. The second arm 4 comprises as well two parts: a handle 5a and a support 5b for supporting the second jaw 8. Each handle may be integral with the corresponding support. Each handle or more generally each arm may be made of an electrically insulating material.

[0013] The two handles 3a, 3b are arranged to face each other, so as to be squeezable by a hand of a user. The two supports 5a, 5b are also arranged to face each other.

[0014] The second arm 4 is rotatable relative to the first arm 2 about a first rotation axis X (visible on figure 4). The second arm 4 is pivotally mounted on the first arm 2 in a first mounting area 11, by means of a first pivot 10.

[0015] The first mounting area 11 is located between the handle 3a and the support 3b, and is and located between the handle 5a and the support 5b.

[0016] Each of the two arms 2, 4 are hollow so as to define an inner cavity 9.

[0017] One of the two arms 2, 4, for instance the first arm 2, comprises a hole 12 opening in the cavity 9 and opening out of the arm 2, 4. The hole 12 is for instance defined in an end of the first handle 3a.

[0018] The electrical connector 1 further comprises a first electrical conductor 14 electrically connected to the first jaw 6, and a second electrical conductor 16 electrically connected to the second jaw 8. The first and second electrical conductors 14, 16 are arranged in the inner cavity 9 in the arms 2, 4. The first and second electrical conductors 14, 16 are able to be removably connected to conductors of a wire 13 partially inserted in the inner cavity 9 through the hole 12. Alternatively, the first and second electrical conductors 14, 16 may be a part of the wire 13 itself and protected by a sheath.

[0019] The electrical connector 1 may further comprise a fuse 18 arranged in the inner cavity. The fuse 18 is connected to the first conductor 14.

[0020] The first jaw 6 is mounted to the support 3b of the first arm 2. Similarly, the second jaw 8 is mounted to the support 5b of the second arm 4. The first jaw 6 and the second jaw 8 are positioned to face each other, such that rotating the second arm 4 relative to the first arm 2 opens and closes the jaws 6, 8.

[0021] The electrical connector 1 further comprises a resilient member 20 arranged to urge the arms 2, 4 towards each other so as to close the jaws 6, 8. The resilient member 20 may be a spring coiled around the first pivot 10.

[0022] To open the jaws 6, 8, a user can press on the handle so as to move the handles 3a, 3b closer to each other. When the handles 3a, 3b are moved closer to each other the arms 2, 4 pivot relative to each other such that the jaws 6, 8 also move away from each other.

[0023] To close the jaws 6, 8, a user releases the handles 3a, 3b. Indeed, the resilient member 20 urges the handles 3a, 5a to move away from each other, and the arms 2, 4 pivot relative to each other such that the jaws 6, 8 also move closer to each other.

[0024] As stated above, the resilient member is positioned to urge the handles 3a, 5a away from each other and urge the jaws 6, 8 closer to one another. An object located between the electrically conductive jaws 6, 8 urges the jaws open. When this happens, the second jaw 8 rotates relative to the second arm 4 from a first position wherein the second electrically conductive jaw 8 contacts the objects in a first contact area, to a second position wherein the second electrically conductive jaw 8 contacts the objects in a second contact area that is larger than the first contact area.

[0025] The second jaw 8 is rotatably mounted on the second arm 4 in a second mounting area 21, which different from the first mounting area 11. More specifically, the second jaw 8 is pivotally mounted on the support 5b of the second arm 4 about a second rotation axis Y, by means of a second pivot 22. The second rotation axis Y is preferably parallel to the first rotation axis X.

[0026] Referring to figure 3, the second jaw 8 comprises a first row 23 of teeth. The teeth of the first row 23 are located at different positions along a direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis Y. The first row 23 comprises a first tooth 24 and a second tooth 26. The second mounting area 21, the second rotation axis Y, and the second pivot 22 are all located between the first tooth 24 and the second tooth 26. Thus, when the second jaw 8 pivots relative to the second arm 4, one of the first or second teeth 24, 26 moves closer to the second arm 4 whereas the other tooth moves away from the second arm 4.

[0027] The second jaw 8 may also comprise a transversal recess 25 facing the first jaw 6 and arranged between the first and second teeth 24, 26. Thus, when an object located between the jaws 6, 8 contacts the first tooth 24 and the second tooth 26, this object may extend over this transversal recess 25.

[0028] The first row 23 further comprises a third tooth 28 arranged between the first and second teeth 24, 26, and recessed with respect to the first and second teeth 24, 26. Providing such recessed teeth is advantageous for tightly gripping a curved object, such as a tubular object.

[0029] The first row 23 may further comprise more than one recessed tooth. In the particular embodiment of figure 3, the second jaw 8 comprises a fourth tooth 30, which, like the third tooth 28, may be recessed with respect to the first and second teeth 12, 14. The fourth tooth 30 is arranged between the third tooth 28 and the second tooth 26.

[0030] The first, second, third and fourth teeth 24, 26, 28, 30 are arranged to simultaneously contact a curved surface, for instance a surface of a solid elliptic cylinder or solid right circular cylinder.

[0031] The first row 23 comprises a fifth tooth 32 arranged such that the first, second and fifth teeth 24, 26, 32 can simultaneously contact a planar surface. The fifth tooth 32 is closer to the first mounting area than the second tooth 26.

[0032] The first row 23 further comprises a sixth tooth 34 arranged such that the first, second, fifth and sixth teeth 24, 26, 32, 34 can simultaneously contact a planar surface. The sixth tooth 34 is closer to the first mounting area than the fifth tooth 32.

[0033] The first row 23 further comprises a seventh tooth 36 arranged such that the first, second, fifth, sixth and seventh teeth 24, 26, 32, 34, 36 can simultaneously contact a planar surface. The seventh tooth 36 is closer to the first mounting area than the sixth tooth 34.

[0034] The first row 23 further comprises a eighth tooth 38 arranged such that the first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth teeth 24, 26, 32, 34, 36, 38 can simultaneously contact a planar surface. The eighth tooth 38 is closer to the first mounting area than the seventh tooth 36.

[0035] Referring to figure 4, the second jaw 8 further comprises a second row 40 of teeth parallel to the first row 23 of teeth. The first and second rows 23, 40 have two different positions along a direction parallel to the second rotation axis Y.

[0036] The second row 40 has the same number of teeth as the first row 23. The second row 40 is preferably symmetric to the first row 23 relative to a plane perpendicular to the second rotation axis Y.

[0037] The second jaw 8 defines a longitudinal recess 42 facing the other jaw 6 and extending perpendicular to the second rotation axis. This longitudinal recess is located between and defined by the two rows of teeth 23, 40.

[0038] The first jaw 6 also has teeth facing the second jaw 8. The first jaw 6 has the same number of teeth that the second jaw 8, such that each tooth of the first jaw 6 will face a corresponding tooth of the second jaw 8. All the features of the second jaw 8 described above may be found in the first jaw 6 (longitudinal recess 42, transversal recess 25, number of teeth, and so on).

[0039] The two jaws 6, 8 are made of an electrically conductive material, for instance the same material. This material can be metal, for instance a copper alloy.

[0040] Is illustrated on figure 5 a pair of a jumper cables. At least one of the jumper cables may comprise a first electrical connector 1 as described above, and a wire 13 having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is engaged in the hole 12 of the first electrical connector 1 so as to be electrically connected to the first and second conductors of said first electrical connector 1. The jumper cable may also comprise a second electrical connector 1 identical to the first electrical connector 1. In such case, the second end is engaged in the hole 12 of the second electrical connector 1 so as to be electrically connected to the first and second conductors of said second electrical connector 1.

[0041] The electrical connector 1 can be electrically connected to an object as follows.

[0042] A user presses on the handles 3a, 3b, thereby making the arm pivot relative to each other so as to open the jaws 6, 8.

[0043] The user then inserts a part of said object between the jaws 6, 8.

[0044] When the user releases the handles 3a, 3b, the resilient member 20 urges the arms 2, 4 to pivot with respect to each other such that the jaws 6, 8 start to close.

[0045] At some stage during jaw closure, the object ends up being in contact with the first jaw 6 and the second jaw 8 simultaneously: the second jaw 8 is in a first position wherein it contacts the object in a first contact area.

[0046] Because the second jaw 8 is rotatably mounted on the second jaw 8, jaw closure may not be entirely complete at this stage. Thus, when the jaws 6, 8 continue moving towards each other, the object located between the jaws 6, 8 urges the second jaw 8 to pivot about the second rotation axis relative to the second arm 4. The pivoting second jaw 8 tends to wrap around and follow the shape of the object to grab. The second jaw 8 pivots until reaching a second position wherein it contacts the object in a second contact area larger than the first contact area.

[0047] In the second position, the object is less prone to slip off the jaws 6, 8. Secondly, the occurrence of electrics arcs between the object and the jaws 6, 8 is reduced.

[0048] Moreover, the fact that the first jaw 6 is affixed to the first arm 2 allows the object to be completely stabilized relative to the jaws 6, 8.

[0049] Besides, having the second rotation axis Y parallel to the first rotation axis X allows the second jaw 8 to pivot more efficiently during jaw closure.

[0050] Once an electrical contact has been established between the object and the electrical connector 1, electrical power may be supplied to or collected from the object by means of the electrical conductors and the electrically conductive jaws 6, 8.

[0051] Of course, different electrical contact areas may end up being in contact with the object in the second position, depending on the shape of the object to grab and its position and orientation relative to the jaws 6, 8.

[0052] The first contact area may be defined by N teeth, wherein N is greater or equal to 1, and the second contact area may be defined by M teeth, wherein M > N. The second electrical contact area may also extend between the first mounting area and the second mounting area.

[0053] In a first example of second position illustrated in figure 6, a first tubular object T1 ends up in the transversal recess 25 arranged between the first tooth 24 and the second tooth 26, such that the axis of the tubular object T1 is substantially parallel to the second rotation axis. The second contact area comprises the tip of the second tooth 26 and the tip of the fourth tooth 30. The first contact area may comprise the tip of the first tooth 24 or the tip of the second tooth 26 (in which case the object T1 slipped in the recess transversal 25 defined between the first and second teeth 24, 26 during jaw closure). The first contact area could alternatively comprise the tip of the third tooth 28 or the tip of the fourth tooth 30 (in which case the object T1 merely pivoted during jaw closure). Regardless of which first contact area is employed, the pivoting action of the second jaw 8 and the urging of the resilient member 20 causes the object T1 to move to the second contact area which is greater than either first contact area.

[0054] A second example of second position is illustrated in figure 7. Here, a second tubular object T2 having a smaller diameter than object T1 ends up in the transversal recess 25 arranged between the first tooth 24 and the second tooth 26, such that the axis of the second tubular object T2 is substantially parallel to the second rotation axis. The second contact area comprises the tip of the third tooth 28 and the tip of the fourth tooth 30. In a typical example, an object T2 would be positioned within the transversal recess 25 such that its first contact area is not maximized. The pivoting action of the second jaw and the urging of the resilient member 20, which moves jaws 6, 8 closer together will cause T2 to move toward a second contact area, which is larger than the first contact area.

[0055] In a third example of second position illustrated in figures 8a and 8b, the second tubular object ends up in the longitudinal recess arranged between the two rows of teeth, such that the axis of the second tubular object T2 is substantially perpendicular to the second rotation axis. The second contact area comprises the tip of the first tooth 24, the tip of the second tooth 26 and the tip of the fifth tooth 32 of the first row, as well as the tip of three corresponding teeth of the second row 42. The second object T2 extends over the longitudinal recess. Thus, the longitudinal recess helps in stabilizing the second object relative to the jaws 6, 8.

[0056] In a fourth example of second position illustrated in figure 9, a third object having the shape of a plate extends over the longitudinal recess arranged between the two rows of teeth 23, 42 and extends over the transversal recess 23. The second contact area comprises the tip of the first tooth 24, the tip of the second tooth 26 and the tip of the fifth tooth 32 of the first row, as well as the tip of three corresponding teeth of the second row 42. The second object T2 extends over the longitudinal recess.

Claims

1. Electrical connector (1) comprising:

a first arm (2) comprising a handle (3a) and a support (3b);

a second arm (4) comprising a handle (5a) and a support (5b), wherein the second arm (4) is rotatable relative to the first arm (2);

a first electrically conductive jaw (6) mounted on the first arm (2);

a second electrically conductive jaw (8) mounted on the second arm (4) such that rotating the second arm (4) relative to the first arm (2) opens and closes the electrically conductive jaws (6, 8); and

characterised in that the second electrically conductive jaw (8) is rotatably mounted on the second arm (4) such that, when the electrically conductive jaws (6, 8) are closed, an object (T1, T2) located between the electrically conductive jaws (6, 8), the second jaw (8) rotates relative to the second arm (4) from a first position wherein the second electrically conductive jaw (8) contacts the object (T1, T2) in a first contact area, to a second position wherein the second electrically conductive jaw (8) contacts the object (T1, T2) in a second contact area which is greater than the first contact area.

2. Electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first jaw (6) is affixed to the first arm (2).

3. Electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second arm (4) is mounted on the first arm (2) in a first mounting area (11), the second jaw (8) is mounted on the second arm (4) in a second mounting area (21) located on the support (5b) of the second arm (4).

4. Electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second arm (4) is pivotally mounted on the first arm (2) about a first axis (X), and the second jaw (8) is pivotally mounted on the second arm (4) about a second axis (Y) parallel to the first axis.

5. Electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second jaw (6, 8) defines a longitudinal recess facing the other jaw and extending perpendicular to the second axis (Y).

6. Electrical connector (1) according to claim 6, wherein the second jaw (8) comprises two rows of teeth, and the longitudinal recess is defined between the two rows of teeth.

7. Electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second jaw (8) comprises a transversal recess (25) facing the first jaw (6) and extending parallel to the second axis (Y).

8. Electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second jaw (8) comprises a first tooth (24) and a second tooth (26).

9. Electrical connector (1) according to claim 8, wherein the second mounting area is closer to the first tooth (24) than the second tooth (26).

10. Electrical connector (1) according to any of claims 8 and 9, wherein the second jaw (8) further comprises at least a third tooth 28 arranged between the first and second between the first and second teeth, wherein the third tooth 28 is recessed with respect to the first and second teeth.

11. Electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handles (3a, 5a) are made in an electrically insulating material.

12. Electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a resilient member (20) arranged to urge the handles (3a, 5a) away from each other so as to close the jaws (6, 8).

13. Jumper cable comprising at least one electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

Drawing