US3733574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature tandem spring clips
Assignee: Vector Electronic Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-23
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1991-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A miniature electrical terminal adapted for use in breadboarding experimental circuits utilizing various electrical components, including dual-in-line-package integrated circuits, comprises a bifurcated metallic spring clip adapted to receive an electrical connector between the bifurcations thereof, and cooperating with a U-shaped resilient metallic shell covering the clip and having the sides of the shell connected to the tines of the clip to increase the wire diameter handling range of the composite terminal by a ratio of about 1 to 3 with provision for contactor insertion from both top and bottom. Multiple connection points are achieved by providing strips of inter-connected spring clips which are covered by a common shell; and such strips can be used individually as patch blocks for assembling any desired circuit, or can be mounted on or between perforated boards. Strips of the terminal can be disposed closely adjacent one another, in insulated relation, to provide a ground bus and a voltage strip closely adjacent to, or between, groups of other terminal strips adapted to receive electrical components and connections.
Inventors
- 👤 R Scoville
- 👤 R Wells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:34
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/02; H05K7/10; H05K7/1015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
304 words
An electrical terminal comprising a metallic spring clip having a bottom portion of elongated rectangular configuration and a plurality of pairs of elongated resilient tines integral with opposing edges of said bottom portion and disposed in spaced relation to one another along the direction of extension of said bottom portion, said tines extending transversely to said bottom portion with the tines in each pair converging toward one another into resiliently separable engagement with one another at a position spaced from said bottom portion, a unitary metallic shell covering all of said pairs of tines, said shell having a Ushaped cross section and having a generally planar base portion overlying the ends of said tines remote from said spring clip bottom portion and extending in a direction generally parallel to said spring clip bottom portion, said base portion of said shell including a plurality of first apertures overlying the separably engaged ends of said tines respectively to permit a conductor to pass through said base portion and between said tines via one of said apertures, the bottom portion of said spring clip including a plurality of further apertures in alignment with said first apertures respectively to permit a conductor to pass through said bottom portion and between said tines via one of said further apertures, said U-shaped shell including a pair of spaced generally parallel resilient sides integral with opposing edges of said base portion and extending from said base portion toward the bottom portion of said spring clip at positions outward of said tines respectively, and means for attaching the resilient sides of said shell to the resilient tines of said spring clip at positions adjacent said spring clip bottom portion, whereby said tines and the attached sides of said shell deflect resiliently as a unit when a conductor is inserted between said tines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
304 words
An electrical terminal comprising a metallic spring clip having a bottom portion of elongated rectangular configuration and a plurality of pairs of elongated resilient tines integral with opposing edges of said bottom portion and disposed in spaced relation to one another along the direction of extension of said bottom portion, said tines extending transversely to said bottom portion with the tines in each pair converging toward one another into resiliently separable engagement with one another at a position spaced from said bottom portion, a unitary metallic shell covering all of said pairs of tines, said shell having a Ushaped cross section and having a generally planar base portion overlying the ends of said tines remote from said spring clip bottom portion and extending in a direction generally parallel to said spring clip bottom portion, said base portion of said shell including a plurality of first apertures overlying the separably engaged ends of said tines respectively to permit a conductor to pass through said base portion and between said tines via one of said apertures, the bottom portion of said spring clip including a plurality of further apertures in alignment with said first apertures respectively to permit a conductor to pass through said bottom portion and between said tines via one of said further apertures, said U-shaped shell including a pair of spaced generally parallel resilient sides integral with opposing edges of said base portion and extending from said base portion toward the bottom portion of said spring clip at positions outward of said tines respectively, and means for attaching the resilient sides of said shell to the resilient tines of said spring clip at positions adjacent said spring clip bottom portion, whereby said tines and the attached sides of said shell deflect resiliently as a unit when a conductor is inserted between said tines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The terminal of claim 1 including an insulating coating covering the exterior of said shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The terminal of claim 1 wherein said shell includes a plurality of inwardly directed ears which are snapped into notches located between adjacent pairs of said tines for effecting said attachment of said shell to said spring clip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The terminal of claim 1 including at least one mounting pin attached to said terminal via one of said further apertures in the bottom portion of said spring clip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The terminal of claim 4 including a perforated circuit board, said mounting pin being inserted through one of the perforations in said board to mount said terminal on said board with the board perforations in alignment with said first and further apertures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The terminal of claim 5 wherein said mounting pin is provided with a bulged portion for snapping said pin into its associated board perforation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure of claim 1 including a pair of perforated circuit boards disposed respectively in parallel relation to one another across the base portion of said shell and the bottom portion of said spring clip respectively, the perforations in said pair of boards being aligned with one another and with said first and further apertures in said terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein the top and bottoM ends of said terminal are adhesively secured respectively to the inner facing sides of said pair of boards.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein one of said circuit boards is dimensionally larger than the other of said boards to provide outwardly extending edges adapted to be inserted in a printed circuit card guide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 9 wherein said larger one of said boards includes an outwardly extending printed circuit plug at one edge thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The structure of claim 7 including a first plurality of said terminals disposed side-by-side to one another between said pair of boards, a second plurality of said terminals disposed side-by-side to one another between said pair of boards in spaced relation to said first plurality of terminals, and at least one further plurality of said terminals disposed between and closely adjacent to both said first and second pluralities of terminals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 7 including at least one spacer member extending transversely between said pair of boards adjacent the edges of said boards.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure of claim 7 including a plurality of extruded spacer members extending between said pair of boards around the periphery of said boards, each of said spacer members being formed, in cross section, with a T-shaped slot the leg of which opens outwardly into the outermost periphery of its associated spacer member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure of claim 13 wherein a plurality of units constructed in accordance with claim 15 are disposed in side by side relation to one another with their respective pairs of boards substantially coplanar, and a connector member of I-shaped cross section disposed within the facing T-shaped slots of said units for joining said units to one another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 13 including at least one nut disposed within said T-shaped slot, and a screw member in thread engagement with said nut extending outwardly of said T-shaped slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 15 including a mounting bracket attached to said structure by means of said screw and nut.
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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) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |