US3838388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Furcate contact
Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-23
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A furcate contact with at least two resilient contact arms. The contact has a body portion supporting the contact arms which converse toward one another adjacent the tip of the contact. Each contact arm is concavely arched perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and toward the opposite contact arm, the arched portion extending over essentially the entire length of each contact arm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each contact arm is divided into two arched contact fingers, each of the fingers being concavely arched perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and toward the opposite finger.
Inventors
- 👤 G Bauerle
- 👤 O Hubner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11; H01R13/112
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
327 words
A furcate contact For establishing a plurality of electrical connections to a male contact comprising: a body portion including opposite edges; a pair of cantilever spring contact arms each having an integrally formed portion on said body portion with one surface of each integrally formed portion lying in a respective transverse plane extending along a respective one of the opposite edges of said body portion, said arms each extending longitudinally in one direction from one end of said body portion toward each other arm and from the respective transverse plane to locate the ends of said arms spaced from said body portion in adjacent positions for receiving a male contact between the ends of said arms spaced from said body portion, a pair of spaced guiding fingers formed on each end of each arm spaced from said body portion with each pair of fingers formed in a direction extending from each other pair of fingers for guiding said male contact for receipt between said arms; each arm having a cross section defining an undulating curve perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective arm with each undulating curve including a pair of end curves with each end curve extending from a respective opposite edge of each arm and formed along a radius of curvature extending from an axis spaced adjacent a respective transverse plane; each finger having a cross section defined by and continuous with a respective one of said end curves defining the cross section of a respective arm; and a curve for each arm intermediate each pair of end curves with each intermediate curve formed along a radius of curvature having an axis intermediate said arms whereby said arms and fingers are substantially rigidified and the end curves of each arm provide at least two positions of engagement with said male contact for establishing a plurality of electrical connections to said male contact in response to the receipt of said male contact between said arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
327 words
A furcate contact For establishing a plurality of electrical connections to a male contact comprising: a body portion including opposite edges; a pair of cantilever spring contact arms each having an integrally formed portion on said body portion with one surface of each integrally formed portion lying in a respective transverse plane extending along a respective one of the opposite edges of said body portion, said arms each extending longitudinally in one direction from one end of said body portion toward each other arm and from the respective transverse plane to locate the ends of said arms spaced from said body portion in adjacent positions for receiving a male contact between the ends of said arms spaced from said body portion, a pair of spaced guiding fingers formed on each end of each arm spaced from said body portion with each pair of fingers formed in a direction extending from each other pair of fingers for guiding said male contact for receipt between said arms; each arm having a cross section defining an undulating curve perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective arm with each undulating curve including a pair of end curves with each end curve extending from a respective opposite edge of each arm and formed along a radius of curvature extending from an axis spaced adjacent a respective transverse plane; each finger having a cross section defined by and continuous with a respective one of said end curves defining the cross section of a respective arm; and a curve for each arm intermediate each pair of end curves with each intermediate curve formed along a radius of curvature having an axis intermediate said arms whereby said arms and fingers are substantially rigidified and the end curves of each arm provide at least two positions of engagement with said male contact for establishing a plurality of electrical connections to said male contact in response to the receipt of said male contact between said arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A furcate contact as claimed in claim 1 in which each guiding finger extends toward the respective transverse plane with the angle between said fingers less than 180* and each intermediate curve has a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the respective end curves.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |