US3731378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of assembling sweep right angle connector
Assignee: Astrolab Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-29
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for constructing a right angle connector having a curved sweep instead of the conventional sharp or mitred corner. The connector includes a main curved shell, an internal notched insulator or dielectric and a central contact assembly. The contact assembly, which can take the form of a narrow conductor having a pointed tip, is inserted in a central bore in the insulator. The insulator is then lodged within the internal chamber of the connector body by inserting the insulator into a guide block through the bore of which an extrusion-type plunger is then forced, thereby driving the insulator and central conductor into the connector body. Because of its partially notched surface, the insulator maintains its structural integrity as it is compressed around the curve of the connector body and assumes the dimensions of that curve. The connector is thereby formed with all internal elements exhibiting the desired smooth sweep, and the connector may be adapted to receive a variety of fittings and terminations.
Inventors
- 👤 J Toma
- 👤 O Johnson
- 👤 A Mitreuter
- 👤 C Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R2103/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/4921; Y10T29/49211; Y10T29/49213; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/4987; Y10T29/49872; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53652; Y10T29/53657
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of assembling an electrical connector having a curved corner and also having a curved connector shell and an insulator and contact assembly disposed in said shell, said insulator and contact assembly including a cylindrical dielectric having a central bore and contact means positioned in said bore consisting of the steps of placing the curved connector shell within an internal cavity in a stationary assembly location, mounting a guide block having a bore on said shell with said bore and said internal cavity substantially coaxial, forming a plurality of transverse notches on at least a portion of the outer periphery of said cylindrical dielectric, aligning the notched portion of said dielectric with the smaller radius region of said curved connector shell, inserting the notched and aligned insulator and contact assembly of predetermined length within said bore of said block, forcing said insulator and contact assembly through said bore and into said internal cavity and said shell and positioning said insulator and contact assembly within said shell by limiting the travel of said insulator and contact assembly during said forcing step such that the length and position of said insulator and contact assembly within said shell are those required for the completed connector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of assembling an electrical connector having a curved corner and also having a curved connector shell and an insulator and contact assembly disposed in said shell, said insulator and contact assembly including a cylindrical dielectric having a central bore and contact means positioned in said bore consisting of the steps of placing the curved connector shell within an internal cavity in a stationary assembly location, mounting a guide block having a bore on said shell with said bore and said internal cavity substantially coaxial, forming a plurality of transverse notches on at least a portion of the outer periphery of said cylindrical dielectric, aligning the notched portion of said dielectric with the smaller radius region of said curved connector shell, inserting the notched and aligned insulator and contact assembly of predetermined length within said bore of said block, forcing said insulator and contact assembly through said bore and into said internal cavity and said shell and positioning said insulator and contact assembly within said shell by limiting the travel of said insulator and contact assembly during said forcing step such that the length and position of said insulator and contact assembly within said shell are those required for the completed connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of applying heat to said insulator assembly to facilitate the forcing of said insulator assembly into said shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 whereiN said insulator and contact assembly is formed by inserting said contact means into said central bore of said dielectric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said contact means is an integral member comprising at least two interconnected elements, a first of said elements having a contact tip and a second of said elements having a recess for receiving a contact tip, said inserting of said contact means proceeding until the end of said second of said elements is substantially flush with the corresponding end of said dielectric, said contact tip of said first of said elements projecting beyond the other corresponding end of said dielectric.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 including the steps of connecting said first and said second elements together and then bonding said first and said second elements with a silver braze.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 including the steps of screw-mounting said first and said second elements together and then bonding said first and said second elements with solder cream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said curved connector shell includes a male end having at least one flange and a tubular projection extending from said flange, and further including the steps of forming said assembly location within a nesting block, mounting a support ring on said nesting block to surround said flange and to provide a support surface level with said flange, and attaching said guide block to said tubular projection and concurrently resting said guide block on said support ring and said flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said guide block bore includes a partial coaxial bore of relatively enlarged diameter, and said attaching step includes the step of mating said partial coaxial bore to said tubular projection, wherein said forcing step includes driving a pusher element through said guide block bore and into engagement with a first end surface of said insulator and contact assembly, and wherein said positioning step includes restricting the travel of said pusher element by contact between said guide block and a flange on said pusher element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of forming said insulator and contact assembly by inserting contact means assembly having a contact tip into a central bore of a cylindrical dielectric, and bringing a plunger of said pusher element into engagement with said contact tip projecting from said first end surface, said plunger including a recess in its forward engaging surface to capture said contact tip therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of forming said guide block bore of a predetermined length, and forming a plunger of said pusher element, adapted to be forced through said guide block bore, of said predetermined length between its forward engaging surface and said flange, and wherein said restricting of said pusher element is established when said plunger has traveled through said guide block bore for said predetermined length, to define a flush relationship between said tubular projection and said first end surface of said insulator and contact assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said curved connector shell includes a female end having an annular end surface defining an end recess, and further including the steps of forming said assembly location within a nesting block, mounting a support ring on said nesting block to surround said female end and to provide a support surface level with said annular end surface, and attaching said guide block within said end recess and concurrently resting said guide block on said support ring and said annular end surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said guide block includes a tubular projection extending said bore therein, and said attaching step includes the step of mating said tubular projection to said end recess, wherein said forcing step includes driving a pusher element through said guide block bore and into engagement with a first end surface of said insulator and contact assembly, and wherein said positioning step Includes restricting the travel of said pusher element by contact between said guide block and a flange on said pusher element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 12 including the steps of forming said insulator and contact assembly by inserting contact means having a receiving cavity into a central bore of a cylindrical dielectric, and bringing an alignment tip projecting from a plunger of said pusher element into capturing engagement with said receiving cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 12 further including the step of forming said guide block bore of a predetermined length, and forming a plunger of said pusher element, adapted to be forced through said guide block bore, of said predetermined length between its forward engaging surface and said flange, and wherein said restricting of said pusher element is established when said plunger has traveled through said guide block bore for said predetermined length, to define a flush relationship between said end recess and said first end surface of said insulator and contact assembly.
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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) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |