Hand-grip Type Patents (Class 439/829)
  • Patent number: 12107353
    Abstract: Electrical contact clips for use in utility locating operations to couple signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried utility via direct electrical contact are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Allen P. Hoover, James F. Kleyn, Jan Soukup
  • Patent number: 11723669
    Abstract: A clip applier includes an end effector that is adapted to releasably engage a clip cartridge. The end effector includes spring arms that are deflectable outwardly to receive and retain the clip cartridge within the end effector. The clip applier includes an outer tube that is movable from an advanced position encompassing the end effector to prevent separation of the clip cartridge from the end effector, to a retracted position spaced proximally of the spring arms. In the retracted position, the spring arms can deflect outwardly from the clip cartridge to disengage the clip cartridge from the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Thomas, Roy J. Pilletere, Jacob C. Baril, Matthew A. Dinino
  • Patent number: 11627974
    Abstract: Disclosed is an implant intended to be introduced into a human or animal body cavity, and includes two walls intended to grip between them a biological protuberance present in the cavity in order to attach the implant to the biological protuberance. Each wall includes a structural element having corrugations such that the structural element is folded up on itself several times, enabling the wall to be folded up before the introduction of the implant, then deployed inside the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DIANOSIC
    Inventors: Marc Augustin, Philippe Bastide
  • Patent number: 11569592
    Abstract: A quick connect terminal assembly for attaching a conductor to an electrical circuit includes a terminal which can be attached to an electrical circuit. A retainer engages the terminal which defines a conductor space between the retainer and the terminal. The conductor space insertably receives an end of a conductor. The retainer is biased toward the terminal to compress the conductor between the terminal and the retainer. Each of the retainer and the terminal is comprised of an electrically conductive material to facilitate electrical communication between the conductor and the electrical circuit. A sheath is positioned around the terminal and the retainer to inhibit electrical communication between the conductor and external objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Cole Williams
  • Patent number: 8944338
    Abstract: A thermostat is configured for automated compatibility with HVAC systems that are either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems. The compatibility is automated in that a manual jumper installation is not required for adaptation to either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems. The thermostat has a plurality of HVAC wire connectors including a first call relay wire connector, a first power return wire connector, a second call relay wire connector, and a second power return wire connector. The thermostat is configured such that if the first and second external wires have been inserted into the first and second power return wire connectors, respectively, then the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically isolated from each other. Otherwise, the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically shorted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Hugo Fiennes, Jonathan Alan Dutra, David Bell, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers
  • Patent number: 8822062
    Abstract: The power-supply device includes: a battery assembly composed of a plurality of batteries each having a positive electrode end and a negative electrode end, said batteries overlapped with each other in a manner that electrodes having the different polarities are adjacent to each other; a plurality of bus bars connecting the batteries in series by connecting the adjacent electrodes having the different polarities in the battery assembly; and a terminal having an electric contact part attached to each bus bar, and a wire connecting part continued to the electric contact part, and attached to an electric wire connected to a voltage measuring device for measuring a voltage of the battery. The electric contact part includes a pair of clipping pieces disposed with a gap from each other, and connected to the bus bar by press-inserting the bus bar into between the clipping pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikeda, Keizo Aoki
  • Patent number: 8672717
    Abstract: An improved connector assembly that provides stabilization of a compression member and the junction between two body parts by securing a compression member between the two body parts with multiple posts extending from each body part and providing a stopper at a union point of the body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: Alwyn Ted Li, Lai Sang Juliana Lam
  • Patent number: 8523083
    Abstract: A thermostat is configured for automated compatibility with HVAC systems that are either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems. The compatibility is automated in that a manual jumper installation is not required for adaptation to either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems. The thermostat has a plurality of HVAC wire connectors including a first call relay wire connector, a first power return wire connector, a second call relay wire connector, and a second power return wire connector. The thermostat is configured such that if the first and second external wires have been inserted into the first and second power return wire connectors, respectively, then the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically isolated from each other. Otherwise, the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically shorted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Hugo Fiennes, Jonathan Alan Dutra, David Bell, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers
  • Patent number: 8435084
    Abstract: A communication jack, system using the jack, and method of fabricating the jack are disclosed. The jack includes a cavity configured to accept a communication plug to form a communication connector. The jack includes a plurality of plug interface contacts that extend into the cavity such that a plug inserted into the cavity makes electrical contact with the plug interface contacts at plug/jack interfaces of the plug interface contacts. One or more of the plug interface contacts is formed from multiple conductive layers. The conductive layers are movable relative to each other at at least one end. A dielectric layer or flexible printed circuit board may be disposed between the conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Satish I. Patel
  • Patent number: 8228666
    Abstract: A battery powered portable system of operating a tattoo gun that can be worn on the user's arm or clipped to the user's belt. The system directly connects to conventional tattoo guns, and offers the options of utilizing a fingertip control of the machine's speed and ON/OFF functions or the conventional control module and foot pedal controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy Garett Rickard
  • Patent number: 8047671
    Abstract: A clamp with lamp, particularly useful for attaching to an automobile battery, or similar rechargeable battery, when charging or otherwise working with the battery, is disclosed. The clamp with lamp is configured to provide a convenient source of light during nighttime or other low-light conditions and to provide an automated means for turning the light on and off during use. The clamp with lamp includes an LED lamp disposed on the upper jaw of the clamp, a battery disposed in a battery case inside the handle and a switching mechanism. A switching mechanism is actuated when the jaws of the clamp open, thereby providing power to the LED lamp. When the clamp is engaged with the automobile battery, and when the jaws are closed, the switching mechanism turns off the LED lamp to save electricity. The clamp is small, handy, elegant, and durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Shanghai Greatway Electric & Tools, Ltd.
    Inventors: YePing Fan, Yong Wu
  • Patent number: 7959476
    Abstract: A clamp that is capable of attaching to a battery post and also to a female receptacle terminal. The clamp includes a post-grasping portion that is capable of attaching to the battery post. The clamp also includes a male plug feature that is configured to fit into a female receptacle terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark E. Smith, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 7914350
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for creating an electrical connection with an electrically conductive element. The apparatus includes a first contact element having an engagement surface for engaging a first side of the electrically conductive element and a second contact element positioned opposite the first contact element includes an opposing engagement surface for engaging a second side of the electrically conductive element. The first contact element is slideable past the second contact element to form a scissor-like jaw. A valley formed in at least one of the engagement surface and the opposing engagement surface of the first and second contact elements creates a stage. At least one of the first and the second contact elements are made of an electrically conductive material that conducts an electrical current between the electrically conductive element and at least one of the first and second contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cadwell Labs
    Inventors: John M. Bozich, John Cadwell
  • Patent number: 7914349
    Abstract: A single battery connection device that allows for connection both to a battery post and to a battery side terminal. Regardless of whether the device is connected to the battery post or side terminal, the device may be used as part of a four-point Kelvin connection to the battery. Also, a method of connecting to either to a battery post or to a battery side terminal using a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Garret Miller, Surender Makhija, Scott Opsahl, Robert Jensen
  • Patent number: 7648403
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly includes a PCB and a screwless terminal connection having a conductor rail and a clamping spring. The PCB has a recess on an edge. The conductor rail has a base part soldered to the PCB and bridging the PCB recess. The base part includes an end extending past the PCB edge. The clamping spring includes three spring legs. The first leg contacts the base part and is between the base part and the PCB recess. The first leg includes an end extending past the PCB edge and contacting the end of the base part. The second leg extends from the first leg through the PCB recess and is beneath the PCB. The third leg includes a clamping aperture and extends upward from the second leg above the PCB. The ends of the base part and the first leg extend through the clamping aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kostal Industrie Elektrik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Rueggen, Herwig Rilling
  • Publication number: 20090311919
    Abstract: A clamp that is capable of attaching to a battery post and also to a female receptacle terminal. The clamp includes a post-grasping portion that is capable of attaching to the battery post. The clamp also includes a male plug feature that is configured to fit into a female receptacle terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark E. Smith, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 7530857
    Abstract: A connector for a terminal of a battery includes an elastically deformable clamping member that receives the terminal of the battery. A lever is moveable relative to the clamping member between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lever applies a clamping force to the clamping member in the unlocked position. A locking element engages the lever in the locked position to prevent movement thereof. The locking element is elastically deformable such that the locking element releases the lever when the clamping member receives the terminal of the battery so that the lever is moveable to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics France SAS
    Inventor: Etienne Domps
  • Patent number: 7387519
    Abstract: A device for protecting an electric component for a compressor is provided, where the device is equipped with a bracket formed with an insert portion and a locking part having a locking hole, facing each other; and a cover formed with a clamp for clamping the distal end of the insert portion, and a ratchet fastened to the locking hole, and where the insert portion is formed of a plurality of projections with different length of projected portions in insert direction. This makeup enables only one ratchet to fix the cover securely to the bracket, as well as makes the cover to be resistant to fracture owing to a small distortion of the cover when detaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7229326
    Abstract: An electrode connection system for connecting an electrode to a substrate, such as to human skin. The system includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is connectable to an electrode, and the second connecting member is connectable to the substrate, either directly or through an attachment device, such as a bandage. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting member and the second connecting member may be reversibly and securely connected to each other by inserting a loop of one of the connecting members into a retaining groove of the other connecting member. In a second embodiment, the first and second connecting members may be reversibly and securely connected to each other by inserting a nub of one of the connecting members into a retaining basin of a locking groove of the other connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Eric C. Griffey
  • Patent number: 7008259
    Abstract: A heavy duty, high efficiency jumper cable system designed to deliver 250 to 3,800 amps with minimal loss by transmitting current from a source through a cable/terminal connector through a heavy duty cable to a second cable/terminal connector and then to a discharge point. The cable/terminal connectors include an electrical harness that minimizes power loss by direct contact between the cable delivering current to the cable connector and a pair of electric contacts, each member of which is positioned in an end of a support. The system is uniquely, but not specifically adapted for use with electrical systems associated with diesel powered vehicles and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: James H. Agnew
  • Patent number: 6994599
    Abstract: A clamp for an electrical cable, such as a jumper cable utilized to jump start vehicles when the battery is dead. The clamp has a snag-free construction wherein the clamping arm to which the cable is attached extends through a slotted, downwardly projecting extension of the pivotally-attached cooperating arm such that the cable has a clear exit path of the cable. The cooperating arm also presents an angular aspect such that the gripping portion of the arm is closer to the other arm than in conventional clamps, and in the preferred embodiment the gripping portion of the arms are approximately parallel in the plane in which they lie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Charles Shurdan
  • Patent number: 6871387
    Abstract: An alligator clip with an improved structure including a first and a second clip members connected to each other by a pivot pin is disclosed. A resilient member is installed on the pivot pin with two opposite ends in contact against the interior surfaces of the first and second members. The front ends of the first and second clip members are used to clip the positive/negative electrode of the car battery. A securing member formed from the bottom end of the first clip member, including a through hole each on two opposite ends to wrap a power cord so that two through holes are aligned to receive a fixture to secure the securing member on the power cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventors: Wen Tsung Cheng, Wen Ho Cheng
  • Patent number: 6796841
    Abstract: An alligator clip with a fuse holder including a first clip member, a second clip member, and a resilient member is disclosed. The first and second clip members are connected to each other by a pivot pin. The resilient member is installed on the pivot pin and in contact against the interior surfaces of the first and second members. The front ends of the first and second clip members are used to clip the positive/negative electrode of the car battery. The first clip member has a lug extending from the bottom end thereof, which can be directly made by a stamp process. The lug is inserted within a housing of the fuse holder. The lug has a set of clip sheets to receive one pin of a fuse of the fuse holder. The other pin of the fuse is plugged into another set of clip sheets of another lug connected to a power cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Wen Tsung Cheng, Wen Ho Cheng
  • Patent number: 6638101
    Abstract: A jumper cable assembly is disclosed comprising two insulated electrical cables and terminal clamps at both ends of the cables. Each terminal clamp comprise a handle section, a jaw section, a pivot section joining the handle section with the jaw section, a means of locking and releasing the jaws section closed, and a lighting element which automatically turns on when the jaw section is opened. This jumper cable assembly is able to securely lock onto a battery terminal or chassis and provides illumination for attaching the jumper cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Albert P. Botelho
  • Patent number: 6623314
    Abstract: A Kelvin clamp for coupling a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor to a battery contact to provide a Kelvin connection to the battery contact. The Kelvin clamp includes a first electrically conductive arm having a first grasping portion that can couple to the battery contact and to the first electrical conductor. Also included is a second arm that has a first electrically conductive piece and a second electrically conductive piece, which are mechanically coupled together and electrically isolated from each other. The first electrically conductive piece has a second grasping portion that can couple to the battery contact. The first electrically conductive piece can also couple to the second electrical conductor. The first electrically conductive arm and the second electrically conductive piece are electrically and mechanically coupled together by a spring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cox, Kevin I. Bertness, Jamey L. Butteris
  • Patent number: 5613884
    Abstract: A position latch device is used with a clamp of the type including a pair of pivotally coupled gripping members respectively defining gripping jaws at one end and first and second handle portions at the opposite end. The gripping members are operable between a latched open-jaw condition and a non-latched closed-jaw condition. The position latch device includes a resilient spring extending from the first handle portion toward the second handle portion in an arcuate manner and deflectable by the second handle portion as the gripping members move from the closed-jaw condition to the open jaw condition so as to exert on the second handle portion a force component in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the second handle portion. The spring has a fixed end connected to the first handle portion and a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bert Krivec
  • Patent number: 5024622
    Abstract: A detachable probe-type electronic clinical thermometer includes a temperature measuring probe and the main body of the thermometer, the probe and thermometer body each having a connector for connecting them together. Each connector is provided with a plurality of corresponding electrical contacts, with the contacts of the connector on the thermometer body side comprising respective spring-like bodies. When the two connectors are connected to each other, the spring-like bodies of the thermometer body connector independently urge the corresponding contacts of the probe connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Ide
  • Patent number: 5024620
    Abstract: A spring actuated battery clamp has a pair of cooperable clamp members disposed in side-by-side relation, one of the clamp members being adapted to be connected to the end of a battery cable. The clamp member includes a torsion spring to provided clamping forces to a battery terminal post and an alignment structure for the clamping jaws is provided in the form of dove tail arrangement of a dove tail recess at the terminus of one jaw and a cooperable dove tail projection at the terminus of the other jaw. Alternatively, the dove tail structure may be provided at the opposite side of the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Joseph Bell
  • Patent number: 5021008
    Abstract: A manually engageable device (30) consisting of an elongated first element (32), a second element (34) and a grip lever (88) the second element being pivoted to one side of the first element. The first element has an elongated grip portion extending between a first end and the pivot receiving portion, whereas the second pivotal element has a relatively short portion between the first end and the pivot receiving portion. The grip lever has first and second ends and a grip portion between the ends, the second end being pivotally secured to the first end of the second element by a pivot (94) and the other end of the grip lever being interconnected with the first end of the first element by means of a pin and slot connection. A spring (80) normally biases the two grip portions away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Peter J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 4964807
    Abstract: An electrical connector and dual purposes test jack used for testing electrical devices includes both a spring clamp member and a "plug in" pin assembly. The pin assembly has, at one end, an electrically conductive wire receiving portion, a setscrew for attaching an electrical wire thereto, an insulator sleeve therearound and, at the opposite end, a cylindrical, radially compressible, bifurcated, conductive pin having an externally threaded inner end portion. The spring clamp member has, at one end, an electrically conductive tubular receptacle internally threaded adjacent the end thereof and, and its other end, a conductive spring clamp. The pin is longitudinally bifurcated at its outer end portion and is dimensioned such that it may be axially inserted past the internal threads of the receptacle and securely held therein place by the radial compression thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas A. Draus
  • Patent number: 4934957
    Abstract: A clamp for battery jumper cables includes a pair of pivoted terminal gripping members with a switch and linkage arrangement connected between a conductive jaw and the conductive jumper cable to facilitate electrical connection and disconnection of the jaw and jumper cable in a controlled, spark-free manner. The linkage includes first and second lever sections pivotally connected to one of the handle sections of the terminal clamp. A first lever is operated as the clamp is grasped in the user's hand. This lever causes the over-center linkage to shift to a first over-center position, opening the switch and breaking electrical contact between the clamp and jumper cable before the jaws are forcibly opened. The over-center linkage serves to hold the switch in an open, nonconductive state even though the clamp handles are released to secure the jaws against the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Albert V. Bellusci
  • Patent number: 4929199
    Abstract: A cable clip includes a strain relief bushing positioned between the jaws of the clip and the handle end for anchoring a cable to the clip in orthogonal relationship to the clip with the bend in the cable confined to the inside of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Ferret
    Inventor: Donald C. McKinnon
  • Patent number: 4781629
    Abstract: A jumper cable assembly having a battery contact clamp for use in charging storage batteries. A pair of members is pivotally secured to each other. Each member has a jaw and a plurality of teeth. A torsion spring urges the jaws together. A lug terminal is pivotally secured to one of the members to provide a connection joint for a cable. A connector is secured to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: Max D. Mize
  • Patent number: 4736480
    Abstract: The pliers form a cable wire testing tool. At the front end of a working portion (11a), a blade-type piercing member (18) is adapted to leave, in closed condition of the pliers, a free space relative to a surface of the other leg (12) serving as an abutment (17). In use, a cable wire is placed between the working portion (11a, 12a) of the pliers. Upon compressing the legs, the piercing member (18) penetrates the cable sheathing to establish with its point the electric contact between the cable core and the pliers' leg (11) which is provided with a connecting member (20) for the connection of a test cable (22). Due to the cable wire testing pliers, the customary stripping and securing of terminals may be avoided for testing cable wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Belzer-Dowidat GmbH Werkzeugunion
    Inventors: Hans Bohl, Michael Galle, Rainer Gutermuth
  • Patent number: 4685760
    Abstract: A battery contact clamp for use in charging storage batteries. A pair of members is pivotally secured to each other. Each member has a jaw and a plurality of teeth. A torsion spring urges the jaws together. A lug terminal is pivotally secured to one of the members to provide a connection joint for a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Max D. Mize
  • Patent number: 4674817
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector for connecting a medical electrode terminal on a patient with a lead wire is provided and comprises an electrical contact member that is embedded in a resilient insulating body member. The body member includes first and second cantilevered arms having circuitous arc segments with their concave surfaces facing towards each other to form an open jaw for receiving therebetween the electrode terminal. The electrical contact member includes a pair of open ended gripping appendages that extend into the open jaw and have respective concave gripping surfaces that face towards each other and are capable of contacting an electrode terminal. The end of the circuitous arc segments are capable of not only closing the body member jaw opening, but also of further locking the respective cantilevered arms to provide additional strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Tronomed, Inc.
    Inventor: Harald O. Olms