US3761869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1972-03-08
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1992-03-08
Abstract
Abstract The connector is adapted to terminate a cord having a multiplicity of insulated conductors arranged in a spaced linear array. The connector comprises a pair of shaped dielectric members that when joined together include means for clamping the cord therebetween and a multiplicity of ducts for respectively accommodating the individual insulated conductors exposed by the removal of the insulating jacket from the end of the cord. One of the connector members includes a ledge adjacent to the forward end of the ducts against which the ends of the conductors are trimmed. A multiplicity of openings exposed to the exterior of the connector respectively communicate with the ducts, and an individual blade terminal is inserted in each opening. Each blade terminal includes barbs that lock it in place and tangs that pierce the insulation of and make electrical contact with the conductor in the associated duct. An edge of each terminal is exposed to the exterior of the connector and serves as the external contact surface.
Inventors
- 👤 E Hardesty
- 👤 S Walden
- 👤 C Krumreich
- 👤 A Mulbarger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R2107/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A connector for terminating a cord incluidng a plurality of insulated conductors, the connector comprising; a dielectric enclosure having a plurality of ducts for receiving individual conductors therein and a plurality of openings for receiving individual terminals therein, each opening communicating with an individual duct and including a groove in the exterior of the enclosure; and a plurality of electrically conducting terminals, each terminal being positioned within an individual terminal receiving opening and comprising a flat blade-like member including an internal contact portion extending into the associated duct and having means for piercing the insulation of and making electrical engagement with the individual conductor positioned therein, each terminal further including an external contact portion entirely contained within the associated groove, the contact surface of each external contact portion consisting of an edge facing outwardly from the associated groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A connector for terminating a cord incluidng a plurality of insulated conductors, the connector comprising; a dielectric enclosure having a plurality of ducts for receiving individual conductors therein and a plurality of openings for receiving individual terminals therein, each opening communicating with an individual duct and including a groove in the exterior of the enclosure; and a plurality of electrically conducting terminals, each terminal being positioned within an individual terminal receiving opening and comprising a flat blade-like member including an internal contact portion extending into the associated duct and having means for piercing the insulation of and making electrical engagement with the individual conductor positioned therein, each terminal further including an external contact portion entirely contained within the associated groove, the contact surface of each external contact portion consisting of an edge facing outwardly from the associated groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A connector as in claim 1 wherein the ducts in the enclosure are arranged in essentially the same spaced array as the conductors accommodated thereby are arranged in the cord that the connector terminates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A connector as in claim 1 wherein the external contact portion of each terminal is recessed within the associated groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A connector as in claim 1 wherein each terminal is held on edge within the associated terminal receiving opening, the external contact portion of each terminal extending parallel to the length of and being approximately centered between the sides of its associated groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A connector as in claim 1 wherein the ducts extend parallel to one another along their length, are located adjacent to a forward end of the enclosure and extend to and are open at that end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A connector as in claim 5. further including a ledge protruding from the forward end of the enclosure, the ledge including a flat surface adjacent to the open ends of the ducts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A connector as in claim 5 wherein the rear portion of the enclosure includes a flared inlet in which the cord terminated by the connector is positioned, the inlet comprising a pair of opposed arcuate surfaces that at their closest point are spaced approximately the same distance apart as the height of the cord and diverge continuously from this point to the rear end of the inlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector as in claim 7 wherein the inlet further includes a pair of planar surfaces spaced approximately the same distance apart as the height of the cord and the opposed arcuate surfaces diverge continuously from the planar surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
212 words
A connector for terminating a cord including a plurality of insulated conductors, the connector comprising: a dielectric enclosure having a plurality of ducts for receiving individual conductors therein, the ducts extending parallel to one another along their length and being arranged in essentially the same spaced array as the conductors accommodated thereby are arranged in the cord that the connector terminates, the ducts being located adjacent to one end of the enclosure and extending to and being open at that end, and a plurality of openings for receiving individual terminals therein, the terminal entrance to each opening comprising a groove in the exterior of the enclosure and the other end of each opening communication with an individual duct; and a plurality of electrically conducting terminals, each terminal being positioned within an individual terminal receiving opening and comprising a flat blade-like member including an internal contact portion extending into the associated cuts and having means for piercing the insulation of and making electrical engagement with the individual conductor positioned therein, each terminal further including an external contact portion entirely contained and recessed within the associated groove and being approximately centered between the walls defining the groove, the contact surface of the external contact portion consisting of an edge facing outwardly from the groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
212 words
A connector for terminating a cord including a plurality of insulated conductors, the connector comprising: a dielectric enclosure having a plurality of ducts for receiving individual conductors therein, the ducts extending parallel to one another along their length and being arranged in essentially the same spaced array as the conductors accommodated thereby are arranged in the cord that the connector terminates, the ducts being located adjacent to one end of the enclosure and extending to and being open at that end, and a plurality of openings for receiving individual terminals therein, the terminal entrance to each opening comprising a groove in the exterior of the enclosure and the other end of each opening communication with an individual duct; and a plurality of electrically conducting terminals, each terminal being positioned within an individual terminal receiving opening and comprising a flat blade-like member including an internal contact portion extending into the associated cuts and having means for piercing the insulation of and making electrical engagement with the individual conductor positioned therein, each terminal further including an external contact portion entirely contained and recessed within the associated groove and being approximately centered between the walls defining the groove, the contact surface of the external contact portion consisting of an edge facing outwardly from the groove.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A connector as in claim 9 further including a flared inlet at the other end of the enclosure from the ducts for accommodating the cord terminated by the connector, the inlet comprising a pair of opposed arcuate surfaces that at their closest point are spaced approximately the same distance apart as the height of the cord and diverge continuously from this point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |