US3713080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical terminal
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1971-09-20
•
Granted: 1973-01-23
•
Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A female electrical terminal for receiving a blade terminal is disclosed. The main elements forming the female terminal are first, second, third and fourth walls which are joined together into an integral unit at edges between the first and the second, the second and the third, and the third and the fourth walls. A cooperable lock device is formed, in part, on a free end of the first wall and, in part, on a free end of the fourth wall. The cooperable lock device locks the walls into a closed configuration to define therein an interior volume in which the first and the third walls are in facing relationship and the second and the fourth walls are in a facing relationship. Individual ones of a pair of terminal elements are formed integrally from respective ones of a pair of facing walls. Each of the terminal elements is folded back from its point of attachment to the wall into the interior volume of the terminal to form a main blade terminal contacting portion which is resiliently deflectable when engaged by an inserted blade terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 R Kennedy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11; H01R13/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An electrical terminal for receiving a blade terminal, which electrical terminal comprises: first, second, third and fourth wall means for defining upper and lower walls and a pair of side walls for the electrical terminal, said wall means being joined along edges between said first and said second wall means, between said second and said third wall means, and between said third and said fourth wall means; cooperable lock means formed in part on a free end of said first wall means and in part on a free end of said fourth wall means for locking said wall means into a closed configuration defining an interior volume wherein said upper and said lower walls are in facing relationship and side walls are in facing relationship; terminal means extending from each of a facing pair of said wall means into said interior volume of said wall means, said terminal means for making electrical contact with a blade terminal inserted into said interior volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electrical terminal for receiving a blade terminal, which electrical terminal comprises: first, second, third and fourth wall means for defining upper and lower walls and a pair of side walls for the electrical terminal, said wall means being joined along edges between said first and said second wall means, between said second and said third wall means, and between said third and said fourth wall means; cooperable lock means formed in part on a free end of said first wall means and in part on a free end of said fourth wall means for locking said wall means into a closed configuration defining an interior volume wherein said upper and said lower walls are in facing relationship and side walls are in facing relationship; terminal means extending from each of a facing pair of said wall means into said interior volume of said wall means, said terminal means for making electrical contact with a blade terminal inserted into said interior volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
186 words
An electrical terminal for reception of a blade terminal, which electrical terminal comprises: first, second, third and fourth integrally formed wall means for defining upper, lower and a pair of side walls for the electrical terminal, said side wall means being joined along edges between said first and second wall meanS, said second and third wall means, and said third and said fourth wall means; cooperable lock means formed in part on a free end of said first wall means and in part on a free end of said fourth wall means for locking all of said wall means into a fixed structure with an interior volume defined between facing upper and lower wall means and facing side wall means; a pair of terminal elements formed individually on and integrally with each of a pair of facing wall means, each of said terminal elements being folded from its point of attachment to said wall means into said interior volume between said wall means to form a main terminal contacting portion which is resiliently deflectable when engaged by the blade terminal when inserted into said interior volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
186 words
An electrical terminal for reception of a blade terminal, which electrical terminal comprises: first, second, third and fourth integrally formed wall means for defining upper, lower and a pair of side walls for the electrical terminal, said side wall means being joined along edges between said first and second wall meanS, said second and third wall means, and said third and said fourth wall means; cooperable lock means formed in part on a free end of said first wall means and in part on a free end of said fourth wall means for locking all of said wall means into a fixed structure with an interior volume defined between facing upper and lower wall means and facing side wall means; a pair of terminal elements formed individually on and integrally with each of a pair of facing wall means, each of said terminal elements being folded from its point of attachment to said wall means into said interior volume between said wall means to form a main terminal contacting portion which is resiliently deflectable when engaged by the blade terminal when inserted into said interior volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electrical terminal as defined in claim 2 wherein: each of said pair of terminal elements have a portion thereof which is folded back between said main terminal contacting portion of said terminal element and said wall defining means from which it is integrally formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The electrical terminal as defined in claim 3 wherein: each of said folded back end portions of each of said terminal elements engages its said associated side wall means to give added flexibility and spring action to said terminal elements when a blade terminal is inserted into said interior volume of said terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electrical terminal as defined in claim 4 wherein: integral stop means are provided on each of said associated wall means having a terminal element formed therefrom, said stop means for limiting the resilient travel of said main terminal contacting portions of said terminal elements within said interior volume of said terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical terminal as defined in claim 5 wherein: said stop means is in the form of a lip formed integrally with and turned up from said associated wall means into said interior volume of said terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electrical terminal as defined in claim 6 wherein: each of said terminal elements is bifurcated along at least a major portion of its length to provide uniform gripping pressure on a blade terminal inserted therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The electrical terminal as defined in claim 2 wherein: said cooperable lock means includes a tab extending from the free end of said first wall means and a receiving opening formed in said fourth wall means, said tab being snapped into said opening to lock said wall means into said terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical terminal as defined in claim 2 wherein: each of said pair of terminal elements have a closed entry portion prior to said main terminal contacting portions thereof.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |