# US 5,346,407 A · Battery connector cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,346,407 A - Document ID: US5346407A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/122,841 - Filed: 1993-09-17 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1991-09-27 - Assignees: United Technologies Automotive, Inc. - Inventors: Brian M. Hood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346407A ## CPC - B60R 16/04: Arrangement of batteries - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A battery terminal connector cover and method of assembly where the connector cover has a hinged top wall and a bottom wall forming an enclosure with a battery post receiving aperture in the bottom wall and an attachment assembly for force-fit securement of a connector to the bottom wall in alignment with the post receiving aperture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A battery connector cover for mounting to a terminal connector of the type adapted to clamp to a battery post comprising a top wall and bottom wall configured for forming an enclosure for a connector of the having a split ring section forming an opening for receiving a battery post and bolt means for compressing the split ring section about a battery post to clamp the connector to the battery post, said bottom wall having an aperture to receive a battery post therethrough, and the bottom wall having means extending therefrom for force-fit securing the connector to said bottom wall so that the opening of the connector is in alignment with said aperture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The battery connector cover of claim 1 wherein said securing means is configured to permit substantially linear insertion of the connector into force-fit retentive engagement with said securing means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The battery connector cover of claim 1 wherein said top wall is connected to said bottom wall by a hinge connection to permit pivotal movement of said top wall between a closed position forming an enclosure for the connector between said top and bottom walls and an open position permitting access to the connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The battery connector cover of claim 3 wherein said top wall forms opposing side walls and a front wall between said top and bottom walls when said top wall is in said closed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The battery connector cover of claim 3 wherein said top and bottom walls are integrally molded plastic connected by a living hinge section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The battery connector cover of claim 3 wherein said top wall comprises retainer means for engaging the connector to prevent disengagement of the connector from said securing means when the top wall is in a closed position. ### Claim 7 A battery connector cover for mounting to a terminal connector of the type adapted to clamp to a battery post and having an annular mounting flange, the battery connector cover comprising a top wall and bottom wall configured for forming an enclosure for a connector, said bottom wall having an aperture to receive a battery post therethrough, means for securing the connector to said bottom wall in alignment with said aperture, said bottom wall being molded plastic and said securing means comprising a semi-circular retention channel integrally formed with said bottom wall, said semi-circular retention channel being configured to receive the terminal connector laterally through an opening of the semi-circular retention channel for force-fit retention of an annular mounting flange of the connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The battery connector cover of claim 7 wherein said bottom wall comprises means for momentarily enlarging said retention channel to facilitate insertion of an annular mounting flange of the connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The battery connector cover of claim 7 wherein said bottom wall has a slot configured to permit momentary enlarging of said retention channel to facilitate insertion of an annular mounting flange of the connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The battery connector cover of claim 7 wherein said semi-circular retention channel is disposed about said aperture in said bottom wall and said bottom wall has a slot extending radially from said aperture so as to facilitate insertion of an annular mounting flange of the connector into said retention channel. ### Claim 11 In combination, a battery connector for connecting a battery cable to a battery post comprising, a split ring section forming an opening for receiving a battery post and bolt means for compressing the split ring section about a battery post to clamp the connector to the battery post, and a battery connector cover comprising, a top wall and bottom wall configured to form an enclosure for said connector, said bottom wall having an aperture to receive a battery post therethrough, and the bottom wall having means extending therefrom for securing the connector to said bottom wall so that the opening of the connector is in alignment with said aperture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The combination of claim 11 wherein said securing means comprises fastenerless connector means for securing the connector directly to said bottom wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The combination of claim 11 wherein said securing means comprises means for force-fit retention of the connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The combination of claim 3 wherein said securing means is configured to permit substantially linear insertion of the connector into force-fit retentive engagement with said securing means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The combination of claim 11 wherein said top wall is connected to said bottom wall by a hinge connection to permit pivotal movement of said top wall between a closed position forming an enclosure for the connector between said top and bottom walls and an open position permitting access to the connector. ### Claim 16 A battery connector cover for mounting to a terminal connector of the type adapted to clamp to a battery post comprising a top wall and bottom wall configured for forming an enclosure for a connector of the type having a split ring section forming an opening for receiving a battery post and bolt means for compressing the split ring section about a battery post to clamp the connector to the battery post, said bottom wall having an aperture to receive a battery post therethrough, means for force-fit securing the connector to said bottom wall so that the opening of the connector is in alignment with said aperture, said top wall comprising retainer means for engaging the connector to prevent disengagement of the connector from said securing means when the top wall is in a closed position, said retainer means comprising a pair of retaining stops configured and positioned to engage the connector so as to prevent disengagement of the connector from the securing means when the top wall is in a closed position, and said top wall being connected to said bottom wall by a hinge connection to permit pivotal movement of said top wall between a closed position forming an enclosure for the connector between said top and bottom walls and an open position permitting access to the connector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The battery connector cover of claim 16 wherein said retaining stops are integrally formed with said top wall. ### Claim 18 In combination, a battery connector for connecting a battery cable to a battery post comprising, a split ring section forming an opening for receiving battery post and bolt means for compressing the split ring section about a battery post to clamp the connector to the battery post, and a battery connector cover comprising, a top wall and bottom wall configured to form an enclosure for said connector, said bottom wall having an aperture to receive a battery post therethrough, means for securing the connector to said bottom wail so that the opening of the connector is in alignment with said aperture, and said bottom wall being molded plastic and said securing means comprises a semi-circular retention channel integrally formed with said bottom wall, said semi-circular retention channel being configured for force-fit retention of an annular mounting flange of the connector ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The combination of claim 18 wherein said bottom wall comprises means for momentarily enlarging said retention channel to facilitate insertion of the annular mounting flange of the connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The combination of claim 18 wherein said bottom wall has a slot configured to permit momentary enlarging of said retention channel to facilitate insertion of the annular mounting flange of the connector. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The combination of claim 18 wherein said semi-circular retention channel is disposed about said aperture in said bottom wall and said bottom wall has a slot extending radially from said aperture so as to facilitate insertion of an annular mounting flange of the connector into said retention channel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The combination of claim 21 wherein said top wall forms opposing side walls and a front wall between said top and bottom walls when said top wall is in said closed position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The combination of claim 21 wherein said top and bottom walls are integrally molded plastic connected by a living hinge section. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The combination of claim 21 wherein said top wall comprises retainer means for engaging the connector to prevent disengagement of the connector from said securing means when the top wall is in a closed position. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The combination of claim 24 wherein said retainer means comprises a pair of retaining stops configured and positioned to engage the connector so as to prevent disengagement of the connector from the securing means when the top wall is in a closed position. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The combination of claim 25 wherein said retaining stops are integrally formed with said top wall.