US 4,303,293 A · Connection for electrodes

Abstract

A connector for electrodes in the form of an electrode clip is provided herein which is formed of resilient plastic material, e.g., polypropylene. It includes a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, the jaws being provided with cooperating female electrical contacts. An operating mechanism is provided which is composed of a plurality of elements interconnected together by at least two living hinges, one of which being secured to the movable such jaw, and the other interconnecting two operating members but preferably having at least three living hinges, one of the living hinges being integrally secured to the movable such jaw, with the other two living hinges interconnecting three operating members. The operating mechanism includes an operating lever which is movable to urge one jaw towards the other jaw, and thus to urge the jaws into a closed position. This action simultaneously forces a preselected one of the living hinges to an over-toggle position to lock the jaws in such closed position. This electrode clip can be easily manipulated with one hand to secure the connector to the electrode stud which is disposed, e.g., on a human body, to a lead cable, e.g., of an electrocardiograph, without any pressure being applied directly to the stud and hence transmitted to the human body.

Claims33

Dependent claims

An electrode clip formed of resilient plastic material comprising:

a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw pivotally urgeable towards the fixed jaw, said jaws including a pair of cooperating female electrical contacts;
an operating mechanism composed of a plurality of interconnected elements and including at least two living hinges, one of the elements being integrally secured to said movable jaw by a living hinge;
and a lever secured to said operating mechanism for operating on said operating mechanism for positively urging said movable jaw towards said fixed jaw;
thereby to urge said jaws to a closed position and simultaneously to force one said living hinge to an over-toggle position, and thus to lock said jaws in said closed position.

1 more element

A blank formed of resilient plastic material for distortion and assembly to provide an electrode clip, said blank including a first section adapted to provide an electrode engaging portion, and a second section adapted to provide an operating mechanism,

(A) said first section comprising:
(a) a fixed semi-circular segment including a free end and a well within which is adapted to be secured a first female electrical contact, said fixed semi-circular segment including a rabbet therein,
and
(b) a movable semi-circular segment having a connected end and a free end, said segment being hingedly connected at said connected end to said free end of said fixed semi-circular segment by a living hinge, and having its free other end provided as a rabbet movable towards said fixed semi-circular element for slidable engagement within said rabbet, of said fixed segment said movable segment including a well within which is adapted to be secured a cooperating female electrical contact;
and
(B) said second section comprising
(a) a first leg portion integrally joined at one end to another end of said fixed semi-circular segment and adapted to provide an elongated element of said operating mechanism;
(b) a second leg portion joined to the free end of said first leg portion by a living hinge, and adapted to provide an intermediate element of said operating mechanism;
(c) a third leg portion joined to the free end of said second leg portion by a living hinge and to said movable semi-circular element by a living hinge, and adapted to provide a swingable element of said operating mechanism;
and
(d) an elongated extension of said second leg portion, and adapted to provide a lever for said operating mechanism.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Connection for electrodes

Life of this patent

Connection for electrodes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33