Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A connector for retaining a metal terminal having an engagement portion provided therein, comprising: a connector housing having an insertion hole, and a terminal receiving chamber provided therein for receiving said terminal, and including a flexible retaining member formed thereon and being engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal when said terminal is in a completely retained position; and a retaining reinforcement member insertable into said insertion hole of said connector housing, said reinforcement member having a groove provided therein defined by opposing retaining walls, said flexible retaining member being disposed within said groove and being retained between said retaining walls when said terminal is in said completely retained position to prevent movement of said flexible retaining member in a lateral direction of said connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein a distance between said opposing retaining walls is slightly larger than a width of said retaining member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said retaining reinforcement member further includes a retaining surface disposed between said opposing retaining walls and partially defining said groove, said retaining surface abutting against a lower surface of said retaining member when said terminal is in said completely retained position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector of claim 3, wherein said retaining surface is an inclined surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said connector housing has two terminal receiving chambers for receiving a pair of terminals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein a distal end of said retaining member is engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said reinforcement member includes a stepped surface disposed perpendicular to said retaining walls for abutting against said terminal to prevent longitudinal movement of said terminal further into said receiving chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said retaining reinforcement member is retainable in a provisionally retained position disposed partially in said insertion hole of said connector housing and said completely retained position disposed completely in said insertion hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A connector for retaining a metal terminal having an engagement portion provided therein, comprising: a connector housing having an insertion hole, and a terminal receiving chamber provided therein for receiving said terminal, and including a flexible retaining member formed thereon and being engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal when said terminal is in a completely retained position; and a retaining reinforcement member insertable into said insertion hole of said connector housing, said reinforcement member including means for simultaneously preventing displacement of said retaining member in two distinct directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 9, wherein one of said directions is a lateral direction with respect to said connector and the other direction is a vertical direction with respect to said connector.