Patent US3774141A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terminal connector and insulating sleeve therefor
Assignee: Vaco Products Co
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Filing: 1971-11-24
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A terminal connector and insulating sleeve therefor in which the internal surface of the insulating sleeve defines a first generally cylindrical portion, a second outwardly tapered flaring portion and a third undercut portion. The connector includes a conductive sleeve having cylindrical and tapered sections corresponding to the first and second portions of the insulating sleeve disposed within the insulating sleeve in surface-tosurface contact with the corresponding surfaces thereof. The barrel of a connecting element is disposed within the assembled sleeves, the free end of which is upset outwardly to retain the components of the assembled terminal connector in place.
Inventors
- 👤 H Condon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/10; H01R4/18; H01R4/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/933; Y10S439/937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an electric terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other of the open ends thereof, and a third undercut portion between said point of maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion and the other of said open ends with the minimum internal diameter of said undercut portion being less than the maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion; and said insulating sleeve adapted to receive through said one open end the barrel portion of said metal connector element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an electric terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other of the open ends thereof, and a third undercut portion between said point of maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion and the other of said open ends with the minimum internal diameter of said undercut portion being less than the maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion; and said insulating sleeve adapted to receive through said one open end the barrel portion of said metal connector element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said undercut portion includes a generally cylindrical segment, the internal diameter of which is said minimum internal diameter; and a reverse tapered shoulder segment extending between one edge of said cylindrical segment and the point of maximum diameter of said tapered outwardly flaring portion, and an outwardly flaring segment extending between the other end of said cylindrical segment and the other of said open ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal diameter of said generally cylindrical portion and said minimum internal diameter of said undercut portion are substantially the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said undercut portion is adapted to permit insertion into said sleeve through the other of said ends of a thin-walled conductive liner sleeve having an outer surface conforming in shape to the configuration of said first and second portions of the internal surface of said insulating sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 4 wherein the difference between said maximum and said minimum internal diameters is about equal to the thickness of the wall of said thin-walled conductive liner sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly of a plurality of insulating sleeves as claimed in claim 1 formed of said plurality of sleeves interconnected and maintained in spaced apart relation by a plurality of interconnecting members extending between and formed integrally with said insulating sleeves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein a plurality of said interconnecting members extend between each adjacent pair of sleeves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A continuous strip of interconnected assemblies as claimed in claim 6 in which some of the interconnecting members of each assembly are bonded to another assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
An electric terminal connector comprising; a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends; and a second generally tapered portioN extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at a minimum and is the same as the diameter of said first portion; and a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve, the open free end of said tubular barrel being flared outwardly against the first portion of said insulating sleeve for retention of said connector within said sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
An electric terminal connector comprising; a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends; and a second generally tapered portioN extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at a minimum and is the same as the diameter of said first portion; and a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve, the open free end of said tubular barrel being flared outwardly against the first portion of said insulating sleeve for retention of said connector within said sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electric terminal as claimed in claim 9 wherein the outer surface of said insulating sleeve is of a different configuration than the interior surface thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the thickness of the wall of said insulating sleeve is greater between said intersection of said first and second interior surface portions thereof and said other open end thereof than between said intersection of said first and second interior surface portions thereof and said one open end thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly of a plurality of electric terminal connectors as claimed in claim 9 wherein said plurality of terminal connectors are interconnected and maintained in spaced apart relation by a plurality of relatively rigid interconnecting strand members extending between and formed integrally with adjacent ones of said insulating sleeves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A continuous strip of interconnected assemblies as claimed in claim 12 in which at least one of the interconnecting strand members of each assembly are bonded to another assembly.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
349 words
A method of assembling an electric connector terminal of the type comprising: a generally tubular open ended insulating sleeve having an internal surface defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one open end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring portion extending from said intermediate point to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other open end thereof and a third undercut portion disposed between the maximum diameter end of said outwardly flaring tapered portion and the other open end of said insulating sleeve, said undercut portion having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum internal diameter of said outwardly tapered flaring portion; including the steps of: inserting through said other open end of said insulating sleeve one end of an open ended conductive sleeve having an exterior surface defining a first section of generally constant diameter extending from one end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring section extending from said intermediate point to the other end thereof, said outer surface configuration corresponding to the first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve; inserting said first section into the first portion of said insulating sleeve while advancing the tapered section of said conductive sleeve past said undercut portion into surface contact with said tapered portion of said insulating sleeve, whereby said conductive sleeve is retained in place within said insulating sleeve; inserting the barrel of a conductive connector of the type having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end into said one open end of said conductive sleeve through the said one open end of said insulating sleeve until the open free end of said tubular barrel is in line with or terminates short of the aligned intersections of said first and second insulating sleeve portions and said first and second conductive sleeve section; and upsetting the free end of said tubular barrel outwardly against the first section of said conductive sleeve to retain said barrel in place therein.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
349 words
A method of assembling an electric connector terminal of the type comprising: a generally tubular open ended insulating sleeve having an internal surface defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one open end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring portion extending from said intermediate point to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other open end thereof and a third undercut portion disposed between the maximum diameter end of said outwardly flaring tapered portion and the other open end of said insulating sleeve, said undercut portion having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum internal diameter of said outwardly tapered flaring portion; including the steps of: inserting through said other open end of said insulating sleeve one end of an open ended conductive sleeve having an exterior surface defining a first section of generally constant diameter extending from one end to a point intermediate said open ends and a second generally tapered outwardly flaring section extending from said intermediate point to the other end thereof, said outer surface configuration corresponding to the first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve; inserting said first section into the first portion of said insulating sleeve while advancing the tapered section of said conductive sleeve past said undercut portion into surface contact with said tapered portion of said insulating sleeve, whereby said conductive sleeve is retained in place within said insulating sleeve; inserting the barrel of a conductive connector of the type having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end into said one open end of said conductive sleeve through the said one open end of said insulating sleeve until the open free end of said tubular barrel is in line with or terminates short of the aligned intersections of said first and second insulating sleeve portions and said first and second conductive sleeve section; and upsetting the free end of said tubular barrel outwardly against the first section of said conductive sleeve to retain said barrel in place therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electric terminal connector coMprising: a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends; a second generally tapered portion extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at a minimum and is to the same as the diameter of said first portion; and a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve; and an open ended thin-walled conductive line sleeve disposed within said insulating sleeve and between the outer surface of the barrel of said conductive connector element and the internal surface of said insulating sleeve and in contact therewith, the configuration of the outer surface of said conductive sleeve corresponding to the configuration of said first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electric terminal connector coMprising: a generally tubular insulating sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first portion of generally constant diameter extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends; a second generally tapered portion extending from a point adjacent the other of said open ends where the internal diameter thereof is at a maximum to intersect said first portion at said intermediate point where the internal diameter of said tapered portion thereof is at a minimum and is to the same as the diameter of said first portion; and a conductive connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel having an open free end, said tubular barrel being disposed in said one end of said insulating sleeve; and an open ended thin-walled conductive line sleeve disposed within said insulating sleeve and between the outer surface of the barrel of said conductive connector element and the internal surface of said insulating sleeve and in contact therewith, the configuration of the outer surface of said conductive sleeve corresponding to the configuration of said first and second portions of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 15 wherein the outer surface of said conductive sleeve defines a first, cylindrical section adapted to be press fitted within said first portion of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve and a second outwardly tapered section adapted to make surface contact with said second portion of the interior surface of said insulating sleeve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 16 wherein the inner surface of said insulating sleeve defines a third undercut portion located between the open end of the tapered section of said conductive sleeve and said other open end of said insulating sleeve, the minimum interior diameter of said undercut portion being less than the outer diameter of the open end of the tapered section of said conductive sleeve, whereby said conductive sleeve is retained in position within said insulating sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electric terminal connector as claimed in claim 17 wherein the minimum interior diameter of said undercut portion is substantially equal to the interior diameter of the open end of the tapered section of said conductive sleeve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
135 words
A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an electrical terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other of the open ends thereof; the outer surface of said insulating sleeve having a different configuration than said internal surface thereof; said insulating sleeve adapted to receive through said one open end the barrel portion of said metal connector element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
135 words
A generally tubular insulating sleeve for an electrical terminal connector of the type having an external insulating sleeve and a metal connector element having an enlarged connector portion and a tubular barrel portion, said sleeve having opposed open ends; the internal surface of said insulating sleeve defining a first generally cylindrical portion extending from one of said open ends to a point intermediate said open ends, and merging with a second tapered portion extending from said intermediate point and flaring outwardly at a constant angle to a point of maximum internal diameter adjacent the other of the open ends thereof; the outer surface of said insulating sleeve having a different configuration than said internal surface thereof; said insulating sleeve adapted to receive through said one open end the barrel portion of said metal connector element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 19 wherein the thickness of the wall of said insulating sleeve is greater between said intersection of said first and second internal surface portions and said other open end thereof than between said intersection of said first and second internal surface portions and said one open end thereof.
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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) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |