US3634818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Female electrical terminal
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1968-09-26
•
Granted: 1972-01-11
•
Expires: 1988-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A female electrical terminal of spring metal including a cylindrical barrel at one end thereof for receiving a complementary male terminal. The barrel has a longitudinal slit extending the length thereof and a plurality of eccentric reinforcing ribs formed integrally with an in spaced-apart relation thereabout to prevent overstressing of the barrel. Each of the ribs is tapered from a point opposite the longitudinal slit, circumferentially about opposite sides of the barrel toward the slit.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley V Horecky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A female connector terminal of spring metal, comprising a hollow barrel portion for receiving therein a complementary male terminal, said barrel portion having a substantially longitudinal slit extending the length thereof and including a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed thereabout in axially spaced-apart relation therealong, each of said ribs being of greater diameter than said barrel portion having a substantially circular cross section with the center thereof being out of alignment with the central axis of said barrel portion and having a predetermined maximum axial dimension at a point on said barrel portion opposite said longitudinal slit and tapering therefrom on opposite sides of said barrel portion circumferentially thereabout toward said slit, said ribs providing added strength and resiliency to said barrel portion to prevent overstressing thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A female connector terminal of spring metal, comprising a hollow barrel portion for receiving therein a complementary male terminal, said barrel portion having a substantially longitudinal slit extending the length thereof and including a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed thereabout in axially spaced-apart relation therealong, each of said ribs being of greater diameter than said barrel portion having a substantially circular cross section with the center thereof being out of alignment with the central axis of said barrel portion and having a predetermined maximum axial dimension at a point on said barrel portion opposite said longitudinal slit and tapering therefrom on opposite sides of said barrel portion circumferentially thereabout toward said slit, said ribs providing added strength and resiliency to said barrel portion to prevent overstressing thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A female connector terminal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal slit includes an offset portion to form a tab member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
A female electrical connector terminal of a resilient, conductive, metallic material including a hollow cylindrical end portion having a cylindrical inner surface for receiving a complementary male terminal therein in close surface engagement, said end portion having a longitudinally extending slit therein and including a plurality of outwardly projecting reinforcing ribs extending circumferentially about said end portion to lend enhanced resiliency and to prevent overstressing thereof, said reinforcing ribs being placed at predetermined axially spaced intervals along said end portion and each of said ribs being of a predetermined maximum width at a point on said end portion opposite said longitudinal slit and tapering circumferentially about said cylindrical end portion in opposite directions therefrom in narrowing fashion toward said slit and having a minimum width adjacent said slit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
A female electrical connector terminal of a resilient, conductive, metallic material including a hollow cylindrical end portion having a cylindrical inner surface for receiving a complementary male terminal therein in close surface engagement, said end portion having a longitudinally extending slit therein and including a plurality of outwardly projecting reinforcing ribs extending circumferentially about said end portion to lend enhanced resiliency and to prevent overstressing thereof, said reinforcing ribs being placed at predetermined axially spaced intervals along said end portion and each of said ribs being of a predetermined maximum width at a point on said end portion opposite said longitudinal slit and tapering circumferentially about said cylindrical end portion in opposite directions therefrom in narrowing fashion toward said slit and having a minimum width adjacent said slit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A female connector terminal as claiMed in claim 3, wherein said longitudinally extending slit includes an offset portion to provide a tab member for engaging said male terminal, thereby to insure a good electrical connection therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A female connector terminal as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said ribs is of greater outside diameter than said end portion and wherein the geometric center of each of said ribs is out of alignment with the central axis of said cylindrical end portion, thereby to be eccentric with respect thereto.
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) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |