An electromechanical connector for use between a power source such as a battery and a device requiring the power such as an automotive electrical system. In some embodiments, the connector includes a radius electrical contact constituting a primary electrical current path, and a band clamp with a sl
An electromechanical connector for use between a power source such as a battery and a device requiring the power such as an automotive electrical system. In some embodiments, the connector includes a radius electrical contact constituting a primary electrical current path, and a band clamp with a slotted band constituting a secondary current path, and a worm drive adjustment assembly for symmetrically tighten the connector to the battery post. A kit is described having an electrical-contact conductor with a concave surface conforming to a battery post, and a band clamp to symmetrically compress the conductor against the post. Some embodiments provide a conductor that conforms to an outer portion of the post, and includes a band clamp mechanism with a band fixed at a non-moving end to the conductor, and at an opposite slotted end interfacing to a worm screw held against the conductor.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A connector apparatus for use in connecting a battery-power cable to a battery-terminal post, the battery post having a circumference and a convex outer surface, the connector comprising: a tightenable adjustment band that provides for connector installation, removal and tens
What is claimed is: 1. A connector apparatus for use in connecting a battery-power cable to a battery-terminal post, the battery post having a circumference and a convex outer surface, the connector comprising: a tightenable adjustment band that provides for connector installation, removal and tension adjustment; a band-tightness-adjustment assembly operatively coupled to the band to form a first band clamp; and a radius electrical conductor that provides a primary electrical current path and includes a cable-wire-attachment feature to enable power distribution from the battery-terminal post through the cable, wherein the band-tightness-adjustment assembly, the band, and the radius electrical conductor form a tightenable inner opening configured to surround and tighten on the battery-terminal post, wherein the radius electrical conductor has a concave surface configured to conform to at least a portion of the convex outer surface of the battery-terminal post, and adapted to cover and contact at least one-fourth of the conformed-to convex portion of the circumference of the battery-terminal post. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustment band includes a plurality of slots, and the band-tightness-adjustment assembly includes a worm-drive screw that interfaces with the slots to tighten the band, the screw having a drive head that includes a slot configured for use with a conventional slot-drive screwdriver, a cross slot configured for use with a conventional Philips screwdriver and a hexagonal head configured for use with a conventional hexagonal wrench. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tightenable adjustment band includes a slotted adjustment strap having slots restricted to about one centimeter or less to maximize mechanical strength and electrical contact. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustment band comprises a stainless steel slotted adjustment strap, providing a relatively corrosion resistant secondary electrical current path. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radius electrical conductor includes a copper radius contact at least partially coated with tin to make the contact galvanically compatible with a non-copper battery-terminal post and with a copper-wire cable. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the band-tightness-adjustment assembly includes a radius contact bonded in electrical communication with a slotted adjustment strap. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the battery-power cable attached to the connector. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a motor vehicle having a battery, the battery having the battery-terminal post; and the battery-power cable that electrically connects the connector to the vehicle. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second band clamp, wherein the cable-wire-attachment feature is configured to attach to the cable using compressive force from the second band clamp. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radius electrical conductor comprises: a metal piece having a plurality of external segments including a first, second and third segment; wherein the first segment is affixed to a first end of the slotted adjustment strap; wherein the second segment has a concave, rounded surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of a rounded battery terminal; wherein the band-tightening-adjustment assembly is affixed to the third segment; and the metal piece further having a cable-attachment segment formed to attach to a cable conductor. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the tightenable adjustment band includes a first opening through a surface of the band, and a plurality of slots; the band-tightness-adjustment assembly includes a worm-drive screw that interfaces with the slots to tighten the band; and the radius electrical conductor includes a metal cable-connection post that fits through the first opening in the band, and wherein the cable-connection post is configured to connect to a battery cable. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the band-tightness-adjustment assembly is attached to the tightenable adjustment band at a position opposite from the radius electrical conductor. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least a portion of the concave surface of the radius electrical conductor and at least a portion of the band are simultaneously in electrical contact with the battery-terminal post when the band is tightened. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the concave surface of the radius electrical conductor conforms to a tapered cylindrical surface. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radius electrical conductor is adapted to cover at least one-fourth of the circumference of the battery-terminal post. 16. A connector kit for use in the connection of a power cable to a power-terminal post, the power-terminal post having a circumference and a convex outer surface, the kit comprising: a first band clamp; and an electrical-contact conductor that provides a primary electrical current path contact and having a concave surface configured to conform to and contact the convex outer surface of the post, an outer surface that is configured to conform to an inner surface of the band clamp when tightened, and a cable attachment to enable power distribution through the cable, wherein the electrical-contact conductor is configured to cover at least one-fourth of a circumference of the power-terminal post, and wherein the electrical-contact conductor is configured such that the first band clamp, when tightened, contacts the power terminal post to form a secondary electrical current path. 17. The connector kit of claim 16, wherein the band clamp includes a worm-drive screw with a head providing a slot for use with a conventional slotted screwdriver, a cross slot for use with a conventional Philips screwdriver and a hexagonal head for use with a conventional hexagonal wrench. 18. The connector kit of claim 16, wherein the band clamp includes slots in a slotted adjustment strap that are restricted to about 1.25 cm or less for adjustment to increase mechanical and electrical contact. 19. The connector kit of claim 16, wherein the band clamp includes a stainless-steel slotted adjustment strap, providing a relatively corrosion proof secondary electrical current path. 20. The connector kit of claim 16, wherein the electrical-contact conductor is bonded in electrical communication with the band clamp. 21. The connector kit of claim 16, wherein the electrical-contact conductor includes a tin-coated copper concave electrical contact bonded in electrical communication with the band clamp. 22. The connector kit of claim 16, wherein the kit further comprises a second band clamp, wherein the electrical-contact conductor is configured to attach to the cable using compressive force from the second band clamp. 23. The kit of claim 16, wherein the first band clamp includes a tightenable band that includes a plurality of slots and a band-tightness-adjustment assembly that includes a worm-drive screw that interfaces with the slots to tighten the band; and the electrical-contact conductor includes a metal cable-connection portion configured to pass over the band and electrically connect to a battery cable outside the tightenable band. 24. The kit of claim 16, wherein the first band clamp includes a tightenable band that includes a plurality of slots and a band-tightness-adjustment assembly that includes a worm-drive screw that interfaces with the slots to tighten the band; the power terminal post, to which the electrical-contact conductor is configured to conform, has a longitudinal axis that extends substantially perpendicular from a surface, and the electrical-contact conductor has an outer surface configured at an angle so as to tilt the first band clamp at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the post. 25. A method of connecting a battery cable to a battery post, the battery post having a circumference and a convex outer surface, the method comprising: providing an electrical-contact conductor having a concave surface configured to conform to at least a portion of the convex outer surface of the post, and to cover and contact at least one-fourth of the circumference of the battery post, and an outer surface that is configured to conform to an inner surface of a band clamp when tightened; attaching a cable to the electrical-contact conductor; and band-clamping the electrical-contact conductor to the battery post to enable power distribution through the cable. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the band clamping includes providing a mechanically advantaged rotation to a worm screw to tighten a conductor-to-post contact. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the attaching of the cable further comprises band clamping the electrical-contact conductor to the cable. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the providing of the electrical contact conductor further includes: providing an adjustment strap and band-tightening adjustment assembly; forming a metal strap into a plurality of segments including a first, second and third segment wherein the second segment is formed to a shape that conforms to the battery post; and affixing a first end of the adjustment strap to the first segment, and the band-tightening adjustment assembly to the third segment. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the radius electrical-contact conductor that is provided is configured to cover at least one-fourth of the circumference of the battery-terminal post. 30. An apparatus for use in the connection of a power cable to a power-terminal post, the power-terminal post having a circumference and a convex outer surface, the apparatus comprising: an electrical-contact conductor that provides a primary electrical current path and having a concave surface configured to conform to an outer surface of the power-terminal post and cover and contact at least one-fourth of the circumference of the power-terminal post, when tightened, and a cable attachment to enable power distribution through the cable; and band-clamping means for exerting force to connect the electrical-contact conductor to the power-terminal post, wherein the band-clamping means provide a secondary electrical path and the electrical-contact conductor includes an outer surface that is configured to conform to an inner surface of the band-clamping means when the band-clamping means is tightened. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the clamping means further includes a slotted band and worm screw to tighten the conductor-to-post contact. 32. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising means for band clamping the electrical-contact conductor to the cable. 33. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising: a motor vehicle having a battery, the battery having the battery-terminal post; and the battery-power cable that electrically connects the electrical-contact conductor to the vehicle. 34. A connector apparatus for use in connecting a battery-power cable to a battery-terminal post, the connector comprising: a tightenable adjustment band that provides for connector installation, removal and tension adjustment; a band-tightness-adjustment assembly operatively coupled to the band to form a first band clamp; and a radius electrical conductor that provides a primary electrical current path and includes a cable-wire-attachment feature to enable power distribution from the battery-terminal post through the cable, wherein the band-tightness-adjustment assembly, the band, and the radius electrical conductor form a tightenable inner opening configured to surround and tighten on the battery-terminal post, wherein the radius electrical conductor comprises: a metal strap fanned into a plurality of segments including a first, second and third segment; wherein the first segment is affixed to a first end of the slotted adjustment strap; wherein the second segment has a concave, rounded surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of a rounded battery terminal; wherein the band-tightening-adjustment assembly is affixed to the third segment; and the metal strap further having a cable-attachment segment formed to attach to a cable conductor.
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