US4084877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connectors and terminal connecting block
Assignee: Siemon Dynamic Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-06-14
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Granted: 1978-04-18
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Expires: 1992-06-14
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an electrical connector which comprises three adjacent fingers extending from a base. When an insulated electrical conductor is inserted between a pair of fingers, the insulation is crushed or cut making the desired contact. There is also disclosed a block of insulating material containing such connectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Knickerbocker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/242; H01R4/2425; H01R4/2429
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
388 words
An electrical connector in the form of an integral spring metal piece comprising (a) a flat base portion; and (b) three contact fingers projecting from said base portion and lying at least substantially in the plane thereof, said three fingers including a symmetrical central finger and two outer fingers disposed each on a different side of said central finger, (1) said central finger having a stem portion, a contact body portion and a tip portion, said stem portion commencing at said base portion and projecting therefrom and said contact body portion commencing at said stem portion and projecting outwardly to said tip portion, (2) said stem portion of said central finger being narrower than said contact body portion of said central finger, (3) each of said outer fingers having a stem portion, a contact body portion, and a tip portion, with said stem portions and contact body portions of said outer fingers being disposed respectively beside and being of substantially the same length as said stem and contact body portions of said central finger, (4) the side edges of said contact body portion of said central finger extending in substantial edge-to-edge contact with the adjacent side edge of each of the contact body portions of said outer fingers when the integral spring metal piece is in its normal undistorted condition, (5) the side edges of said stem portions of said central finger being spaced apart from the adjacent side edge of each of the stem portions of said outer fingers, whereby said adjacent side edges cooperate to define elongated spaces between said stem portions, (c) means integral with said base portion for securing said connector into a terminal block, said means comprising a shoulder portion containing an opening therein, said shoulder portion commencing at said base portion opposite said contact fingers and projecting therefrom and being narrower than said base portion, whereby insertion of an electrical conductor between the contact body portion of one of said outer fingers and the contact body portion of said central finger causes said one outer finger and said central finger to be resiliently distorted away from each other, such distortion of said central finger then being opposed by the other of said outer fingers by reason of interengagement between the contact body portions of said central finger and said other outer finger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
388 words
An electrical connector in the form of an integral spring metal piece comprising (a) a flat base portion; and (b) three contact fingers projecting from said base portion and lying at least substantially in the plane thereof, said three fingers including a symmetrical central finger and two outer fingers disposed each on a different side of said central finger, (1) said central finger having a stem portion, a contact body portion and a tip portion, said stem portion commencing at said base portion and projecting therefrom and said contact body portion commencing at said stem portion and projecting outwardly to said tip portion, (2) said stem portion of said central finger being narrower than said contact body portion of said central finger, (3) each of said outer fingers having a stem portion, a contact body portion, and a tip portion, with said stem portions and contact body portions of said outer fingers being disposed respectively beside and being of substantially the same length as said stem and contact body portions of said central finger, (4) the side edges of said contact body portion of said central finger extending in substantial edge-to-edge contact with the adjacent side edge of each of the contact body portions of said outer fingers when the integral spring metal piece is in its normal undistorted condition, (5) the side edges of said stem portions of said central finger being spaced apart from the adjacent side edge of each of the stem portions of said outer fingers, whereby said adjacent side edges cooperate to define elongated spaces between said stem portions, (c) means integral with said base portion for securing said connector into a terminal block, said means comprising a shoulder portion containing an opening therein, said shoulder portion commencing at said base portion opposite said contact fingers and projecting therefrom and being narrower than said base portion, whereby insertion of an electrical conductor between the contact body portion of one of said outer fingers and the contact body portion of said central finger causes said one outer finger and said central finger to be resiliently distorted away from each other, such distortion of said central finger then being opposed by the other of said outer fingers by reason of interengagement between the contact body portions of said central finger and said other outer finger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
A terminal connecting block comprising a shaped block of insulating material having secured therein a plurality of electrical connectors as defined in claim 1, said block having substantially flat and parallel top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of slots extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, the thickness of said slots being approximately equal to the thickness of said connectors, the width of said slots from said top surface to near said bottom surface being approximately equal to the width of the base portions of said connectors, said slots narrowing at said bottom surface to approximately the same width as the top part of said shoulder portions and to less width than said base portions of said connectors, the tip portions and part of the contact body portions of said connectors extending above the top surface of said block and the lower part of said shoulder portions of said connectors extending below the bottom surface of said block.
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) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |