Battery cable termination

Abstract

A battery cable terminal for connecting a cable to a post of a battery. The terminal includes a metallic contact element having a ferrule for receiving an end of the cable and further has a contact portion for engaging the post. The terminal also includes a resilient, one-piece plastic clamp having a pair of arms defining an opening of receiving the post. The clamp holds the element so that the contact portion engages the post when the post is received by the clamp. The arms having facing distal ends defining a constricted throat for the opening with the facing end of each arm having a bearing surface so that the facing ends can be pried apart to increase the size of the opening. The clamp is spreadable from an as-formed condition in which the opening with the clamp holding the element has a dimension less than a corresponding dimension of the post, to a spread condition wherein the dimension of the opening is greater than the corresponding dimension of the post. In the spread condition, the clamp can be inserted over the post without substantial interference. The clamp returns towards its as-formed condition to firmly hold the post upon release of the clamp from its spread condition.