Universal clasp structure for external electrode probes

Claim 1

Universal clasp structure capable of being releasably secured to either a planar tab-type or curvilinear-surface button-type contact of an EKG external electrode sensor for electrical transfer of body or skin signals enabling accurate measurements to be made with minimal electrical interference, comprising: a pair of elongated electrically-conductive clip arms, each clip arm having electrical contact means contiguous to one of its longitudinal ends and means capable of functioning as a handle at its remaining longitudinal end, mechanical means pivotally interconnecting said pair of clip arms intermediate their longitudinal ends in articulated relationship, with said electrical contact means at said one longitudinal end of each clip arm confronting each other and said handle means at the remaining longitudinal end of said clip arms being disposed for articulated movement toward each other about said mechanical interconnecting means to open said confronting contact means, spring means acting on said clip arms as pivotally interconnected to bias said confronting electrical contact means of said clip arms together, said electrical contact means on each said clip arm including: a planar surface contact, and a curvilinear configuration contact, said planar surface contact extending from the distal end of each said clip arm toward said mechanical interconnecting pivot means for said arms presenting an elongated nose portion of substantially flat configuration in longitudinal cross section, said curvilinear contact of each clip arm being located intermediate said planar surface contact and said interconnecting means, and electrical coupling means located at said handle end of at least one of said clip arms for electrically connecting said clasp structure directly to a shielded electrically conductive cable for transferring sensed electrical signals to electrical measurement equipment.