US3676838A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connectors
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
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Filing: 1970-05-22
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly comprises a spherical or ball terminal and a socket adapted to receive the ball and having a substantially U-shaped configuration including a pair of opposed sides or arms spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the ball, each of the arms having an opening therein of smaller diameter than that of the ball. Preferably, each of the arms of the socket has a slot which communicates with its associated opening, each slot including an inwardly tapering throat portion which functions to guide the ball terminal into the openings.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin E Hartz
- 👤 Anthony J Taormina
- 👤 Stephen J Grebik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 05:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/20; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/428; H01R13/432
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An electrical connector comprising a generally U-shaped socket member adapted to receive a ball terminal and having a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart arms formed of resilient, electrically conductive material joined by a web, each of said arms having an opening therein, said openings being coaxial, each of said arms having a slot extending inwardly of said arm and terminating at the associated opening, said slots being parallel to one another, each of said slots having confronting edges which converge in a direction toward said opening and form a tapered throat communicating with the associated opening, the spacing between said arms, the diametral dimension of each of said openings, and the width of each of said throats being less than the diameter of a ball terminal adapted to be received by said socket member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An electrical connector comprising a generally U-shaped socket member adapted to receive a ball terminal and having a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart arms formed of resilient, electrically conductive material joined by a web, each of said arms having an opening therein, said openings being coaxial, each of said arms having a slot extending inwardly of said arm and terminating at the associated opening, said slots being parallel to one another, each of said slots having confronting edges which converge in a direction toward said opening and form a tapered throat communicating with the associated opening, the spacing between said arms, the diametral dimension of each of said openings, and the width of each of said throats being less than the diameter of a ball terminal adapted to be received by said socket member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the opening in each of said arms is located closer to a free edge thereof than to said web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector set forth in claim 2 wherein said web joins said arms at the ends thereof remote from said free edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector set forth in claim 2 wherein said web joins said arms at the sides thereof adjacent said free edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electrical connector construction adapted to receive a ball terminal comprising a body having at least one chamber therein, said chamber having an access opening leading thereto; and a conductive socket member accommodated in said chamber, said socket member having a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart arms formed of resilient, electrically conductive material joined by a web, each of said arms having an opening therein, said openings being coaxial, each of said arms having a slot extending inwardly of said arm and terminating at the associated opening, each of said slots having confronting edges which converge in a direction toward said opening and form a tapered throat communicating with the associated opening, the spacing between said arms, the diametral dimension of each of said openings, and the width of each of said throats Being less than the diameter of a ball terminal adapted to be received by said socket member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electrical connector construction adapted to receive a ball terminal comprising a body having at least one chamber therein, said chamber having an access opening leading thereto; and a conductive socket member accommodated in said chamber, said socket member having a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart arms formed of resilient, electrically conductive material joined by a web, each of said arms having an opening therein, said openings being coaxial, each of said arms having a slot extending inwardly of said arm and terminating at the associated opening, each of said slots having confronting edges which converge in a direction toward said opening and form a tapered throat communicating with the associated opening, the spacing between said arms, the diametral dimension of each of said openings, and the width of each of said throats Being less than the diameter of a ball terminal adapted to be received by said socket member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The construction set forth in claim 5 wherein said chamber has spaced apart, opposed side walls adjacent said arms, each of said arms being spaced from its adjacent side wall to permit flexing of said arms toward and away from the adjacent side walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The construction set forth in claim 5 including resilient fingers projecting from said arms toward and engaging said side walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The construction set forth in claim 5 wherein said chamber has a base snugly accommodating said web, said chamber having side walls upstanding from said base and being substantially parallel to but spaced from the adjacent arms to permit flexing of said arms toward and away from the adjacent side walls.
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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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |