US3676926A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for manufacturing connector terminals
Assignee: Elfab Corp
•
Filing: 1970-05-20
•
Granted: 1972-07-18
•
Expires: 1990-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of electrical connector terminals are formed as part of a common metal strip. The terminals are first inserted into prepunched holes in a mounting board while they are still attached to one another as part of the strip. The terminals are next all press fit simultaneously into the mounting board holes. The strip which connects them together is then broken free and discarded to separate the terminals from one another and leave the individual connector terminals mounted in the board.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry A Kendall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:19
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/04; H05K13/0478; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R43/205; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/49218; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5136; Y10T29/5137; Y10T29/5142; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/53174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for rigidly mounting electrical terminals in receiving apertures comprising: inserting a plurality of terminals joined together by a common support strip into said receiving apertures; press fitting said terminals down into the receiving apertures to secure them rigidly in said apertures; and severing the common support strip to separate the terminals from one another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for rigidly mounting electrical terminals in receiving apertures comprising: inserting a plurality of terminals joined together by a common support strip into said receiving apertures; press fitting said terminals down into the receiving apertures to secure them rigidly in said apertures; and severing the common support strip to separate the terminals from one another.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for rigidly mounting electrical connector terminals in receiving apertures comprising: forming a plurality of terminals from a single sheet of conductive material having a longitudinal dimension greater than its transverse dimension, said terminals being formed extending transversely of said sheet with a common support strip extending longitudinally along one edge of said sheet and connecting the terminals to one another; press fitting the terminals into receiving apertures to secure them rigidly in said apertures; and removing the common support strip to separate the terminals from one another.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for rigidly mounting electrical connector terminals in receiving apertures comprising: forming a plurality of terminals from a single sheet of conductive material having a longitudinal dimension greater than its transverse dimension, said terminals being formed extending transversely of said sheet with a common support strip extending longitudinally along one edge of said sheet and connecting the terminals to one another; press fitting the terminals into receiving apertures to secure them rigidly in said apertures; and removing the common support strip to separate the terminals from one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method for rigidly mounting electrical connector terminals in receiving apertures as set forth in claim 2 wherein said forming step includes the steps of: stamping a plurality of terminals from a single elongate sheet of conductive material, said terminals being stamped to extend transversely of said sheet with a common support strip connecting the terminals to one another; and plating the stamped terminals with at least one layer of metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method for rigidly mounting electrical connector terminals into receiving apertures as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pRess fitting step includes the steps of: supporting a circuit board having holes formed therein at preselected locations; and applying a longitudinal force to the terminals to press fit them into the holes and secure them rigidly and motionlessly within the circuit board.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for rigidly mounting terminals into receiving apertures in a circuit board comprising: forming a long strip of connector terminals from a common elongate sheet of conductive material, said terminals extending transversely of said sheet and being joined together by a common support strip left intact along one edge of said sheet of material, said support strip being joined to each of said terminals by a narrow reduced section; severing a preselected number of contact terminals to be inserted from the long strip; press fitting the terminals into the receiving apertures in said circuit board to secure them rigidly in said apertures; and flexing said support strip while holding said terminals stationary to sever said reduced section and remove the support strip from the contact terminals to separate each of the terminals from one another.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for rigidly mounting terminals into receiving apertures in a circuit board comprising: forming a long strip of connector terminals from a common elongate sheet of conductive material, said terminals extending transversely of said sheet and being joined together by a common support strip left intact along one edge of said sheet of material, said support strip being joined to each of said terminals by a narrow reduced section; severing a preselected number of contact terminals to be inserted from the long strip; press fitting the terminals into the receiving apertures in said circuit board to secure them rigidly in said apertures; and flexing said support strip while holding said terminals stationary to sever said reduced section and remove the support strip from the contact terminals to separate each of the terminals from one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method for rigidly mounting terminals as set forth in claim 5 which includes the additional steps of: supporting the severed strip of terminals in alignment in a linear array; and inserting the shank portions of the terminals in the receiving apertures while they are being supported in alignment and prior to press fitting them.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method for rigidly mounting terminals as set forth in claim 5 wherein the forming step includes the steps of: stamping a long strip of connector terminals from a common elongate sheet of conductive material, said terminals extending transversely of said sheet and being joined together by a common support strip left intact along one edge of said sheet of material, said support strip being joined to each of said terminals by a narrow reduced section; and plating the stamped terminals with at least one layer of metal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for rigidly mounting terminals into holes in a circuit board comprising the steps of: inserting a plurality of connector terminals formed to extend transversely of a common elongate sheet of conductive material and joined together by a common support strip left intact along one edge of said sheet of material and connected to each terminal by a narrow reduced section, into said holes in the circuit board; press fitting the terminals into said holes in the circuit board to secure them rigidly in said holes; and severing said reduced sections to remove the support strip from the contact terminals and separate each of the terminals from one another.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for rigidly mounting terminals into holes in a circuit board comprising the steps of: inserting a plurality of connector terminals formed to extend transversely of a common elongate sheet of conductive material and joined together by a common support strip left intact along one edge of said sheet of material and connected to each terminal by a narrow reduced section, into said holes in the circuit board; press fitting the terminals into said holes in the circuit board to secure them rigidly in said holes; and severing said reduced sections to remove the support strip from the contact terminals and separate each of the terminals from one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |