US3768062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terminal for flexible circuits
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1971-09-28
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A terminal for attachment to a flexible circuit, or flexible cable, serves releasably to receive a projecting male terminal in order to establish an electrical connection between the male terminal and the flexible circuit. The novel female terminal is formed as a unitary body of conductive metal having a generally planar portion together with a plurality of pointed tangs extending from the body. The tangs are adapted to be forced through the flexible circuit and then crimped against the circuit so that the terminal is attached to the circuit with a ''''stapling'''' action. The planar portion of the body is provided with a compact, effective contact structure including a series of slots defining two spaced generally parallel arms each of which is integral at both of its ends with the body. A pair of interfacing contact segments on the two arms are spaced apart from one another a distance such that the projecting male terminal is received with an interference fit. Upon insertion of the male terminal, cantilever movement of the contact segments and torsional stress in the contact arms produce firm contact between the contact segments and the projecting male terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 L Michaels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/65; H01R12/67; H01R12/68; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/325; H05K3/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A terminal for releasably establishing an electrical connection between 1. a flexible circuit including a flexible conductive layer having an opening therein, and 2. a projecting male contact having a predetermined thickness; said terminal comprising: a dish-shaped body formed of flexible conductive metal and including a generally planar portion and a rim portion extending generally normal to said planar portion; apertures in said planar portion forming a plurality of relatively narrow arms each integral at both ends with said body; contact portions shorter than said arms formed as lateral projections of said arms and extending toward one another to define a contact space narrower than the predetermined thickness of the male contact; and a plurality of tangs formed as integral extensions of said rim and extending in the same direction as said rim and generally normal to said planar portion, said tangs being adapted to be forced through the flexible circuit and crimped against the flexible circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A terminal for releasably establishing an electrical connection between 1. a flexible circuit including a flexible conductive layer having an opening therein, and 2. a projecting male contact having a predetermined thickness; said terminal comprising: a dish-shaped body formed of flexible conductive metal and including a generally planar portion and a rim portion extending generally normal to said planar portion; apertures in said planar portion forming a plurality of relatively narrow arms each integral at both ends with said body; contact portions shorter than said arms formed as lateral projections of said arms and extending toward one another to define a contact space narrower than the predetermined thickness of the male contact; and a plurality of tangs formed as integral extensions of said rim and extending in the same direction as said rim and generally normal to said planar portion, said tangs being adapted to be forced through the flexible circuit and crimped against the flexible circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The terminal of claim 1, said contact portions being rounded in shape to form smooth contact receiving surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
a projecting male contact having a predetermined thickness; said terminal comprising: a dish-shaped body formed of flexible conductive metal and including a generally planar portion and a rim portion extending generally normal to said planar portion; apertures in said planar portion forming a plurality of relatively narrow arms each integral at both ends with said body; contact portions shorter than said arms formed as lateral projections of said arms and extending toward one another to define a contact space narrower than the predetermined thickness of the male contact; and a plurality of tangs formed as integral extensions of said rim and extending in the same direction as said rim and generally normal to said planar portion, said tangs being adapted to be forced through the flexible circuit and crimped against the flexible circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
a projecting male contact having a predetermined thickness; said terminal comprising: a dish-shaped body formed of flexible conductive metal and including a generally planar portion and a rim portion extending generally normal to said planar portion; apertures in said planar portion forming a plurality of relatively narrow arms each integral at both ends with said body; contact portions shorter than said arms formed as lateral projections of said arms and extending toward one another to define a contact space narrower than the predetermined thickness of the male contact; and a plurality of tangs formed as integral extensions of said rim and extending in the same direction as said rim and generally normal to said planar portion, said tangs being adapted to be forced through the flexible circuit and crimped against the flexible circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The terminal of claim 1, said tangs being generally pointed and triangular in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The terminal of claim 1, said rim surrounding said planar portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
A connection comprising a flexible circuit and a terminal adapted to receive a projecting male contact, said terminal comprising a dish-shaped body formed of sheet metal having a generally planar portion and a rim extending generally normal to said planar portion, a contact structure in said planar portion including apertures forming a plurality of relatively narrow arms each integral at both ends with said body, contact portions shorter than said arms formed as lateral projections of said arms and extending toward one another to define a contact space for receiving the male contact with an interference fit, and a plurality of tangs formed as integral extensions of said rim, said tangs extending through said flexible circuit and being inwardly crimped against said flexible circuit to hold said flexible circuit against said rim and to bend said flexible circuit toward said planar portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A connection comprising a flexible circuit and a terminal adapted to receive a projecting male contact, said terminal comprising a dish-shaped body formed of sheet metal having a generally planar portion and a rim extending generally normal to said planar portion, a contact structure in said planar portion including apertures forming a plurality of relatively narrow arms each integral at both ends with said body, contact portions shorter than said arms formed as lateral projections of said arms and extending toward one another to define a contact space for receiving the male contact with an interference fit, and a plurality of tangs formed as integral extensions of said rim, said tangs extending through said flexible circuit and being inwardly crimped against said flexible circuit to hold said flexible circuit against said rim and to bend said flexible circuit toward said planar portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connection of claim 5, the height of said rim exceeding the distance that said flexible circuit is bent toward said planar portion so that said flexible circuit is spaced from said contact structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connection of claim 5, said flexible circuit including a central conductive layer sandwiched between insulating layers, said insulating layers being intact adjacent said tangs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connection of claim 7, said tangs extending through both said insulating and said conductive layers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connection of claim 5, further comprising an opening in said flexible circuIt aligned with said contact structure.
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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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |