US4749373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crimp snap retention system
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1987-06-22
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Granted: 1988-06-07
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Expires: 2007-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A connector assembly (10) having an all plastic retention system has a housing (16, 18) in which tines (40) extend from a surface (36) thereof axially along contact receiving passages (38, 58). Each split frustoconical tine (40) has two tine members (42, 44). A transverse rib (54) extends along a surface (36) of the housing between adjacent tine members (42, 44) of adjacent tines (40). Each tine member (42, 44) has a pair of vertical ribs (50) extending along the exterior surface thereof upward from the surface (36) of the housing and sharing a portion of its volume with the transverse rib (54). The vertical ribs (50) and transverse rib (54) promote flow of plastic into all regions of the mould during moulding and support a contact (52) upon insertion thereof. A contact (52) inserted from the rear face (34) causes tine members (42, 44) to move radially outward until a retention bead (72) passes through an orifice (48) then tine members (42, 44) return to an unbiased position and contact (52) is secured in the connector assembly (10) as retention bead (68) is positioned between an annular shoulder (74) and the ends (46) of tine members (42, 44).
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence J. Brekosky
- 👤 Jack S. Kissoyan
- 👤 Vijay Kumar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/424
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A connector assembly, comprising a first dielectric housing member for receiving terminals, said first housing member having a forward face, a terminal receiving face, terminal receiving passages extending therebetween, and frustoconical tines extending from the forward face, said tines axially aligned with respective terminal receiving passages and comprising resiliently deflectable tine members, each tine member having an integral transverse rib extending along the forward face and each tine member having a vertical rib extending along a conical surface thereof, said vertical rib sharing a portion of the volume of the transverse rib; and a second dielectric housing member, the second dielectric housing member for engaging the first dielectric housing member, for receiving terminals and for securing the terminals between the first and second dielectric housing members, said second dielectric housing member having terminal receiving passages corresponding in number and location to respective terminal receiving passages in said first dielectric housing, whereby terminals received in the terminal receiving passages are secured between the first and second dielectric housing members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A connector assembly, comprising a first dielectric housing member for receiving terminals, said first housing member having a forward face, a terminal receiving face, terminal receiving passages extending therebetween, and frustoconical tines extending from the forward face, said tines axially aligned with respective terminal receiving passages and comprising resiliently deflectable tine members, each tine member having an integral transverse rib extending along the forward face and each tine member having a vertical rib extending along a conical surface thereof, said vertical rib sharing a portion of the volume of the transverse rib; and a second dielectric housing member, the second dielectric housing member for engaging the first dielectric housing member, for receiving terminals and for securing the terminals between the first and second dielectric housing members, said second dielectric housing member having terminal receiving passages corresponding in number and location to respective terminal receiving passages in said first dielectric housing, whereby terminals received in the terminal receiving passages are secured between the first and second dielectric housing members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the transverse rib extends between adjacent tine members of adjacent tines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising flange means having an aperture therein for receiving mounting means to secure the assembly to a complementary connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the terminal receiving passages in the first dielectric housing are in a row, the tines are in a row and the transverse rib extends between adjacent tine members of adjacent tines in the row of tines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising terminals received in the terminal receiving passages of said first and second housing members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising recesses in said second dielectric housing member proximate the terminal receiving passages adapted to receive a retention bead on said terminals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising electrically conductive shell means surrounding a mating face for shielding the mating face and for engaging shield means of a complementary electrical connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 7 further comprising flange means having an aperture therein for receiving mounting means to secure the assembly to a complementary connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein the flange means is integral with the shell means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
A connector assembly, comprising a first dielectric housing member for receiving terminals, said first housing member having a forward face, a terminal receiving face, terminal receiving passageways extending therebetween, and frustoconical tines extending from the forward face, said tines axially aligned with respective terminal receiving passages and comprising resiliently deflectable tine members, each tine member having an integral transverse rib extending along the forward face, each tine member having a pair of vertical ribs extending along a conical surface thereof, said vertical ribs sharing a respective portion of the volume of the transverse rib; and a second dielectric housing member, the second dielectric housing member for engaging the first dielectric housing member, for receiving terminals and for securing the terminals between first and second dielectric housing members, said second dielectric housing member having terminal receiving passages corresponding in number and location to the terminal receiving passages in said first dielectric housing, whereby terminals received in the terminal receiving passages are secured between the first and second dielectric housing members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
A connector assembly, comprising a first dielectric housing member for receiving terminals, said first housing member having a forward face, a terminal receiving face, terminal receiving passageways extending therebetween, and frustoconical tines extending from the forward face, said tines axially aligned with respective terminal receiving passages and comprising resiliently deflectable tine members, each tine member having an integral transverse rib extending along the forward face, each tine member having a pair of vertical ribs extending along a conical surface thereof, said vertical ribs sharing a respective portion of the volume of the transverse rib; and a second dielectric housing member, the second dielectric housing member for engaging the first dielectric housing member, for receiving terminals and for securing the terminals between first and second dielectric housing members, said second dielectric housing member having terminal receiving passages corresponding in number and location to the terminal receiving passages in said first dielectric housing, whereby terminals received in the terminal receiving passages are secured between the first and second dielectric housing members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein the transverse rib extends between adjacent tine members of adjacent tines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 10 further comprising flange means having an aperture therein for receiving mounting means to secure the assembly to a complementary connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein the terminal receiving passages in the first dielectric housing are in a row, the tines are in a row and the transverse rib extends between adjacent tine members of adjacent tines in the row of tines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 10 further comprising terminals received in the terminal receiving passages of said first and second housing members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 10 further comprising recesses in said second dielectric housing member proximate the terminal receiving passages adapted to receive a retention bead on said terminals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 10 further comprising electrically conductive shell means surrounding a mating face for shielding the mating face and for engaging shield means of a complementary electrical connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 16 further comprising flange means having an aperture therein for receiving mounting means to secure the assembly to a complementary connector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A connector assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein the flange means is integral with the shell means.
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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) | 1991-06-07 | 1991-12-07 | 1992-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-07 | 1995-12-07 | 1996-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | 2000-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |