US3705376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector with releasable spring contact and releasing tool
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-25
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1990-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A connector assembly including a contact body having a crimped wire barrel portion and a channel portion with a finger-like spring mounted on the channel portion. An opening near a free end of the spring is located opposite one end of the channel permitting insertion of a conductive post through the opening and into the channel. The spring is appropriately biased to bite the post along one edge of the opening while releasing the post by use of a tool which applies a force at the end of the spring in the direction of the channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert John Kinkaid
- 👤 John Carl Asick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R43/00; H01R43/26; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53274; Y10T29/53283; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/57; Y10T403/5706
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An electrical connector comprising a conductive wire receiving portion, a conductive channel portion connected to said wire receiving portion and having two ends including at least one open end adapted to receive a conductive post, and a spring attached to said channel portion between said two ends, said spring having an opening located at said open end of said channel portion, said spring being normally biased to a position of nonalignment between an edge of said opening and one side of the channel in said channel portion so as to bite one side of the conductive post at said edge upon insertion of said post into said channel through said opening, said bite being of sufficient force to establish and maintain a stable electrical connection between said post and said conductive channel portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electrical connector comprising a conductive wire receiving portion, a conductive channel portion connected to said wire receiving portion and having two ends including at least one open end adapted to receive a conductive post, and a spring attached to said channel portion between said two ends, said spring having an opening located at said open end of said channel portion, said spring being normally biased to a position of nonalignment between an edge of said opening and one side of the channel in said channel portion so as to bite one side of the conductive post at said edge upon insertion of said post into said channel through said opening, said bite being of sufficient force to establish and maintain a stable electrical connection between said post and said conductive channel portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said spring comprises a fixed portion extending along said channel and a flexible portion having a free end with the fulcrum for said free end being located at said open end of said channel, said opening being located in said flexible portion with said edge biting said post being adjacent said free end and remote from said fixed portion, the bias on said spring permitting release of said post by applying a force in the direction of said channel at said free end of said spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein the bias on said spring creates contact between said channel and the post adjacent said fulcrum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connector of claim 3 wherein said flexible portion of said spring includes an arched portion extending away from said channel and a locking portion extending across said end of said channel and terminating in said free end of said spring, said locking portion including said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said locking portion of said spring is dished at said edge in a direction which reduces the angle between said post and said spring at said edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said spring is separate from said channel and mounted to said channel at said fixed portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein the thermal coefficient of expansion for said spring is less than the thermal coefficient of expansion for said channel so as to increase the pressure of the contact between said post and said channel adjacent said fulcrum with increasing current and temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said wire receiving portion comprises a wire barrel portion axially offset from said channel portion and opposite said fixed portion of said spring and a transition portion connecting said wire barrel with said channel portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A connector assembly comprising a plurality of the connectors as recited in claim 8 and a conductive post, said post being inserted through the respective openings and channels of said connectors with the respective springs of said respective connectors biting said post on opposite sides thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said wire receiving portion comprises a wire barrel portiOn axially offset from said channel portion on the same side as said fixed portion and a transition portion connecting said wire barrel with said channel portion, said channel portion including an ear on the end of said channel portion adjacent said transition portion adapted to be engaged by a tool when releasing said post from said connector by applying a force between said ear and said free end of said spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connector assembly comprising a plurality of the connectors as recited in claim 10 and a conductive post, said post being inserted through the respective openings and channels of said connectors with respective springs of said connectors biting said post on the same side thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |