Patent US3704441A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3704441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel mounted electrical terminal
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-03
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and article for mounting electrical contacts in a panel is disclosed which features a headed metal tubular element carrying a spring contact adapted to be inserted in an aperture of a panel. The tubular portion of the element is dimensioned to be symmetrically compressed longitudinally by tooling to develop an outward annular bulge capable of locking the element tightly into panels of different thicknesses. Bulging of the contact element is controlled to permit large numbers of contacts to be mounted in a plastic panel without causing panel growth and incident misalignment of elements. The tubular element is of a configuration to assure adequate deformation without damage to a preassembled spring contact carried therewithin.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Irvin Douglass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R9/00; H01R9/16; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R43/205; H01R13/00; H01R13/40; H01R13/405; H01R13/415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In an electrical contact member adapted for mounting within an aperture provided in a panel, the combination comprising: an elongated post portion and a generally tubular portion provided on said contact member, said post being joined to said tubular portion by a generally solid transition region of the contact member said generally tubular portion being adapted for insertion within said aperture provided in said panel, a protruding head portion adjacent one end of said tubular portion defining a first radial surface around the periphery of said tubular portion for engagement on said panel, a substantially non-deformable second radial surface around the periphery of said tubular portion and in spaced relationship from said first radial surface, said tubular portion including a deformable-by-buckling-and-bulging portion which is located between said first and said second radial surfaces and which is adapted for radially outward bulging upon the application of compression forces on said substantially non-deformable second radial surface, said deformable-bybuckling-and bulging portion of said tubular portion being purposely spaced from said substantially non-deformable second radial surface to allow said radially outward bulging at a location spaced from said substantially non-deformable second radial surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In an electrical contact member adapted for mounting within an aperture provided in a panel, the combination comprising: an elongated post portion and a generally tubular portion provided on said contact member, said post being joined to said tubular portion by a generally solid transition region of the contact member said generally tubular portion being adapted for insertion within said aperture provided in said panel, a protruding head portion adjacent one end of said tubular portion defining a first radial surface around the periphery of said tubular portion for engagement on said panel, a substantially non-deformable second radial surface around the periphery of said tubular portion and in spaced relationship from said first radial surface, said tubular portion including a deformable-by-buckling-and-bulging portion which is located between said first and said second radial surfaces and which is adapted for radially outward bulging upon the application of compression forces on said substantially non-deformable second radial surface, said deformable-bybuckling-and bulging portion of said tubular portion being purposely spaced from said substantially non-deformable second radial surface to allow said radially outward bulging at a location spaced from said substantially non-deformable second radial surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: a substantially non-deformable portion of said tubular portion interposed between said second radial surface and said deformable-by-buckling-and-bulging portion of said tubular portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said deformable-by-buckling-and-bulging portion is further collapsible upon the application of deforming forces directly thereon, said deformable-by-buckling-and-bulging portion being engagable on said panel upon the application of said deforming forces directly thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein, said deformable-by-buckling-and-bulging portion is further collapsible upon the application of deforming forces directly thereon, said deformable-by-buckling-and-bulging portion being engagable on said panel upon the application of said deforming forces directly thereon.
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) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |