Electrical connector

Claim 2

A stamped and formed sheet metal electrical contact receptacle for receiving a male pin member or the like, said receptacle comprising a first pOrtion and a second portion, said first portion having means for securing said receptacle to an electrical conductor, said second portion providing means for contacting a pin member and comprising an elongated generally cylindrical member, said cylindrical member having circumferentially extending strap portions at each end thereof, a pair of contact arms stamped from said cylindrical member on opposite sides thereof, said arms being integral with one said strap portion and extending generally towards the other said strap portion, the free ends of each of said contact arms being bent outwardly and rearwardly towards said one strap portion to define a hook-like portion projecting laterally outwardly of said receptacle, said hook-like portion adapted to transmit contact forces from an inserted pin member to walls of a cavity in an insulating housing containing said receptacle.

Claim 3

An electrical contact receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hook-like portion is adapted to cooperate with an annular flange of said insulating housing to prohibit extraction of said receptacle from said housing.

Claim 4

An electrical connector comprising an insulating housing, a cavity formed in said housing, said cavity having a reduced diameter portion located therein, a stamped and formed sheet metal electrical contact receptacle disposed within said cavity for receiving a male pin member or the like, said receptacle comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having means for securing said receptacle to an electrical conductor, said second portion providing means for contacting a pin member and comprising an elongated generally cylindrical member, said cylindrical member having circumferentially extending strap portions at each end thereof, a pair of contact arms stamped from said cylindrical member on opposite sides thereof, said arms being integral with one said strap portion and extending generally towards the other strap portion, the free ends of each of said contact arms being bent outwardly and rearwardly towards said one strap portion to define a hook-like portion projecting laterally outwardly of said receptacle, said hook-like portion being adapted to transmit contact forces from said pin member to wall portions of said cavity when said pin member is received by said receptacle to thereby increase the contact force between said contact arms and said pin member.

Claim 5

An electrical connector comprising an insulating housing, a cavity formed in said housing, said cavity having a reduced diameter portion located therein, a stamped and formed sheet metal electrical contact receptacle disposed within said cavity for receiving a male pin member or the like, said receptacle comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having means for securing said receptacle to an electrical conductor, said second portion providing means for contacting a pin member and comprising an elongated generally cylindrical member, said cylindrical member having circumferentially extending strap portions at each end thereof, a pair of contact arms stamped from said cylindrical member on opposite sides thereof, said arms being integral with one said strap portion and extending generally towards the other strap portion, the free ends of each of said contact arms being bent outwardly and rearwardly towards said one strap portion to define a hook-like portion projecting laterally outwardly of said receptacle, said hook-like portion being adapted to transmit contact forces from said pin member to wall portions of said cavity when said pin member is received by said receptacle to thereby increase the contact force between said contact arms and said pin member.

Claim 6

An electrical connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein one end of said reduced diameter portion forms an annular flange with the wall of said cavity.

Claim 7

An electrical connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein said hook-like portion interferingly engages said annular flange thereby retaining said receptacle in said housing.

Claim 8

A stamped and formed electrical contact receptacle for receiving a male pin member or the like, said receptacle comprising a wire conductor engaging portion at one end thereof and a pin contact engaging portion at the other end thereof, said pin contact engaging portion comprising an elongated generally cylindrical member defining therein a longitudinal axis, said cylindrical member having first and second circumferentially extending strap portions at each end thereof, said second strap portion adjoining said wire conductor engaging portion, a pair of contact arms stamped from said cylindrical member on opposite sides thereof, said arms being integral with, and extending from, said second strap portion and extending generally toward said first strap portion with intermediate portions of each arm being bowed inwardly toward said longitudinal axis, a portion of the free end of each contact arm being offset from said arm and extending generally normally outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, the interior surface of each contact arm at said intermediate portions adapted to electrically engage a contact pin inserted into said cylindrical member from the direction of said first strap portion, and the exterior surface of each contact arm at said offset portioN adapted to engage an annular flange of a cavity in a housing adapted to carry said receptacle to resist axial extraction forces exerted in the direction of contact pin insertion.

Claim 9

A stamped and formed electrical contact receptacle for receiving a male pin member or the like, said receptacle comprising a wire conductor engaging portion at one end thereof and a pin contact engaging portion at the other end thereof, said pin contact engaging portion comprising an elongated generally cylindrical member defining therein a longitudinal axis, said cylindrical member having first and second circumferentially extending strap portions at each end thereof, said second strap portion adjoining said wire conductor engaging portion, a pair of contact arms stamped from said cylindrical member on opposite sides thereof, said arms being integral with, and extending from, said second strap portion and extending generally toward said first strap portion with intermediate portions of each arm being bowed inwardly toward said longitudinal axis, a portion of the free end of each contact arm being offset from said arm and extending generally normally outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, the interior surface of each contact arm at said intermediate portions adapted to electrically engage a contact pin inserted into said cylindrical member from the direction of said first strap portion, and the exterior surface of each contact arm at said offset portioN adapted to engage an annular flange of a cavity in a housing adapted to carry said receptacle to resist axial extraction forces exerted in the direction of contact pin insertion.

Claim 10

An electrical contact as set forth in claim 4 wherein the free end portions of said contact arms transmit contact forces from an inserted contact pin to sidewalls of said cavity.