US3718859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric circuit test element for use with a pair of electrical connectors
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A pair of harness connectors have sandwiched between them a test connector or element which carries on its external cylindrical surface a number of test circuit terminals, one for each pin in the test element. The leads between the test circuit terminals and the test element pins, as well as the terminals themselves, may be printed circuits. A meter is tapped onto any given test circuit terminal and is provided with a probe so it can be grounded. The test element is divided into two or three discs so it can accommodate a greater number of circuits to be tested.
Inventors
- 👤 M Arlow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R29/00; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/50; G01R31/66; G01R31/68; G01R31/69; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A test element for use with a pair of electrical connectors having plug and socket terminals, the element comprising a nonconductive support composed of a plurality of discs, a plurality of electrically conductive elongated one piece integral metal contacts held by the support and each of which has a plug portion and a socket portion wherein the two portions are coaxial and are cooperable with a socket terminal and a plug terminal respectively of said pair, a test circuit terminal for each of said contacts on said support and accessible from outside the assembled pair and support, and means electrically connecting each test circuit terminal with a contact, each disc carrying a proportionate share of test circuit terminals on its periphery and a corresponding proportionate share of said electrical connecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A test element for use with a pair of electrical connectors having plug and socket terminals, the element comprising a nonconductive support composed of a plurality of discs, a plurality of electrically conductive elongated one piece integral metal contacts held by the support and each of which has a plug portion and a socket portion wherein the two portions are coaxial and are cooperable with a socket terminal and a plug terminal respectively of said pair, a test circuit terminal for each of said contacts on said support and accessible from outside the assembled pair and support, and means electrically connecting each test circuit terminal with a contact, each disc carrying a proportionate share of test circuit terminals on its periphery and a corresponding proportionate share of said electrical connecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
176 words
A test element for use with a pair of electrical connectors, each connector carrying a plurality of terminals adapted to make electrical contact with the terminals of the other connector and the two connectors being engageable and disengageable to make and break respectively said electrical contact between terminals, the invention comprising a nonconductive support positionable between the two connectors and composed of a plurality of discs, a plurality of elongated electrically conductive one piece integral metal contacts held by said support, each contact having a plug adapted to engage a terminal in one connector and having coaxial with the plug a socket which in transverse section is integral and receives the corresponding terminal in the other connector to establish an electric circuit between said two terminals when said support is positioned between and in engagement with said two connectors, a test circuit terminal for each of said contacts, the test circuit terminals mounted on said support and accessible from outside the assembled connectors and support, and means electrically connecting each test circuit terminal with a contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
A test element for use with a pair of electrical connectors, each connector carrying a plurality of terminals adapted to make electrical contact with the terminals of the other connector and the two connectors being engageable and disengageable to make and break respectively said electrical contact between terminals, the invention comprising a nonconductive support positionable between the two connectors and composed of a plurality of discs, a plurality of elongated electrically conductive one piece integral metal contacts held by said support, each contact having a plug adapted to engage a terminal in one connector and having coaxial with the plug a socket which in transverse section is integral and receives the corresponding terminal in the other connector to establish an electric circuit between said two terminals when said support is positioned between and in engagement with said two connectors, a test circuit terminal for each of said contacts, the test circuit terminals mounted on said support and accessible from outside the assembled connectors and support, and means electrically connecting each test circuit terminal with a contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A test element as in claim 2, wherein the socket portion of each of said contacts is supported by each of said plurality of discs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
189 words
A test element for use with a pair of electrical connectors, each connector carrying a plurality of terminals adapted to make electrical contact with the terminals of the other connector and the two connectors being engageable and disengageable to make and break respectively said electrical contact between terminals, the invention comprising a nonconductive support positionable between and in engagement with said two connectors, and when in such engagement having an exposed surface, the support composed of a plurality of discs, a plurality of elongated electrically conductive one piece integral metal contacts held by the support, each contact passing through the support and having a plug adapted to engage a terminal in one connector and having coaxial with the plug a socket which in transverse section is integral and receives the corresponding terminal in the other connector to establish an electric circuit between said two terminals when the support is between and in engagement with the two connectors, a test circuit terminal for each of said contacts, said test circuit terminals mounted on said exposed surface of said support, and means eleCtrically connecting each test circuit terminal with a contact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
189 words
A test element for use with a pair of electrical connectors, each connector carrying a plurality of terminals adapted to make electrical contact with the terminals of the other connector and the two connectors being engageable and disengageable to make and break respectively said electrical contact between terminals, the invention comprising a nonconductive support positionable between and in engagement with said two connectors, and when in such engagement having an exposed surface, the support composed of a plurality of discs, a plurality of elongated electrically conductive one piece integral metal contacts held by the support, each contact passing through the support and having a plug adapted to engage a terminal in one connector and having coaxial with the plug a socket which in transverse section is integral and receives the corresponding terminal in the other connector to establish an electric circuit between said two terminals when the support is between and in engagement with the two connectors, a test circuit terminal for each of said contacts, said test circuit terminals mounted on said exposed surface of said support, and means eleCtrically connecting each test circuit terminal with a contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A test element as in claim 4, wherein the socket portion of each of said contacts is supported by each of said plurality of discs.
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) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |