Abstract The disclosure relates to a contact assembly formed of a clip mounted in an insulator block. The clip, which is a hollow tube, contains inwardly extending tangs. In order to prevent the insulator plastic material from flowing around and locking the tang during the molding process, and to prevent a rearward force on a terminal member from moving the clip, a sleeve is placed around the clip before it is inserted in the mold. The edge of the forward end of the sleeve abuts the end portion of a lip formed on the forward end of the clip. Upon insertion of a contact terminal into the clip, a collar on the terminal is locked by the tang. Should the terminal be subjected to a rearward force, the force is translated to the sleeve, thus effectively retaining the clip in position.
A contact assembly comprising an insulator block having a first cavity, and a second cavity of smaller diameter than said first cavity and adjoining one end of said first cavity and coaxial therewith, the junction of said cavities forming a first shoulder, and contact retention means mounted within said first cavity, comprising a generally cylindrical inner tubular member whose inner diameter adjacent said second cavity is at least equal to said second cavity diameter and having a lip at one end adjacent said shoulder which bends back onto the outer surface of said tubular member, a portion of the wall of said tubular member being struck inwardly to provide an axially extending tang, and an annular outer sleeve surrounding said tubular member, one end of said sleeve abutting the edge of the lip of said tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A contact assembly comprising an insulator block having a first cavity, and a second cavity of smaller diameter than said first cavity and adjoining one end of said first cavity and coaxial therewith, the junction of said cavities forming a first shoulder, and contact retention means mounted within said first cavity, comprising a generally cylindrical inner tubular member whose inner diameter adjacent said second cavity is at least equal to said second cavity diameter and having a lip at one end adjacent said shoulder which bends back onto the outer surface of said tubular member, a portion of the wall of said tubular member being struck inwardly to provide an axially extending tang, and an annular outer sleeve surrounding said tubular member, one end of said sleeve abutting the edge of the lip of said tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A contact assembly in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a third cavity formed in said insulator block coaxial with said first and second cavities, Said third cavity adjoining said first cavity at the outer end of said first cavity and having a diameter smaller than said first cavity, the junction of said first cavity and said third cavity forming a second shoulder, said contact retention means abutting said first shoulder and said second shoulder.