Abstract An electrical conductor composed of either stranded or solid wire has at least at one end thereof a terminal the crosssectional area of which is greater than that of the wire, the terminal constituting an integral part of the wire and being formed by axial and lateral deformation of the wire end. The terminal may be formed either by spinning or swaging, or both simultaneously, the wire end in a die having a forming chamber into which a swaging or spinning member may be thrust so as to deform the free end of the wire both axially and radially. The terminal and the adjacent portion of the wire are surrounded by an insulating sleeve adapted for insertion in an opening formed in a connector body in such manner that the terminal is exposed for electrical connection to another conductor which may be supported in another connector body. A compressible, elastomeric pad having conductive particles therein preferably is interposed between the confronting conductors of the connector parts so as to assure the establishment of a conductive path between adjacent conductors even though there may be some differences in the levels of the conductors in their respective connector parts.
An electrical conductor comprising an electrically conductive, metal member joined at least at one end to a terminal integral with said member, said terminal having a smooth surface at least at its free end and a cross-sectiOnal area greater than the cross-sectional area of said member and being constituted by the metal of said member; insulation surrounding said member but terminating short of said terminal whereby that portion of said member between said terminal and said insulation forms a neck of less cross-sectional area than that of said terminal and less than that of the combined insulation and member; and a sleeve of insulating material surrounding said neck and the adjacent portions of said insulation and said terminal, said sleeve snugly engaging said neck whereby movement of said sleeve axially of said terminal is restrained by the latter and the end of said insulation, the free end of said terminal projecting beyond said sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electrical conductor comprising an electrically conductive, metal member joined at least at one end to a terminal integral with said member, said terminal having a smooth surface at least at its free end and a cross-sectiOnal area greater than the cross-sectional area of said member and being constituted by the metal of said member; insulation surrounding said member but terminating short of said terminal whereby that portion of said member between said terminal and said insulation forms a neck of less cross-sectional area than that of said terminal and less than that of the combined insulation and member; and a sleeve of insulating material surrounding said neck and the adjacent portions of said insulation and said terminal, said sleeve snugly engaging said neck whereby movement of said sleeve axially of said terminal is restrained by the latter and the end of said insulation, the free end of said terminal projecting beyond said sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said member is composed of a plurality of parallel strands.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said member comprises a single filament.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said terminal has a convex free end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said terminal has a concave free end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said terminal has a substantially flat free end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The construction according to claim 1 including compressible retaining means carried by said sleeve and projecting outwardly thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein the juncture between said terminal and said member presents a smoothly arcuate, outwardly concave surface.