US3845456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clinchable terminals
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1972-07-17
•
Granted: 1974-10-29
•
Expires: 1992-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A terminal is attached by clinching to a thin circuit device such as a flexible circuit, a flexible cable or a printed circuit, and includes contact structure for establishing an electrical connection between the circuit device and other circuit components. The terminal is formed as a unitary body of conductive metal having a generally dish-shaped body portion provided with a novel clinching structure. A plurality of tangs depending from the body portion are forced or inserted through the thin circuit device and then clinched against the circuit device. The mechanical and electrical performance of the attached terminal is improved by the provision of a clinching rib toward which each tang is forced. Various types of contact structure may be used, and in certain embodiments of the invention there is provided a novel female contact structure including two or more arms each integral at both ends with the terminal body and each carrying one of a group of interfacing contact segments receiving a projecting male terminal with an interference fit. Cantilever movement of the contact segments and torsional stress in the contact arms produce firm contact between the contact segments and the inserted terminal. In other embodiments of the invention, male and female contact structures extending from the dish-shaped body are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 L Michaels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/65; H01R12/67; H01R12/68; H01R12/62; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/325; H05K3/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A terminal for interconnecting a thin circuit device and a projecting male terminal, said terminal comprising a body formed of conductive material and having a generally planar portion, a plurality of tangs extending from said body in a direction generally normal to said planar portion and adapted to be inserted through the thin circuit device from one side and clinched against the opposite side thereof, a series of apertures in said generally planar body portion defining spaced arms each integral at both ends with said body, and interfacing contact segments on said arms spaced apart from one another and adapted to receive the projecting male terminal with an interference fit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A terminal for interconnecting a thin circuit device and a projecting male terminal, said terminal comprising a body formed of conductive material and having a generally planar portion, a plurality of tangs extending from said body in a direction generally normal to said planar portion and adapted to be inserted through the thin circuit device from one side and clinched against the opposite side thereof, a series of apertures in said generally planar body portion defining spaced arms each integral at both ends with said body, and interfacing contact segments on said arms spaced apart from one another and adapted to receive the projecting male terminal with an interference fit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The terminal of claim 1, said contact portions being shorter than said arms to permit the portions of said arms between the contact portions and the ends of the arms to flex in torsion upon receipt of the projecting male terminal between the contact portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The terminal of claim 2, each said contact portion being integral with one arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The terminal of claim 3, each said contact portion comprising a lateral projection from said arm and being rounded in shape to present smooth receiving surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The terminal of claim 1, rib means extending from said planar portion is generally the same direction as said tangs and engaging said thin circuit device at said one side, said tangs after clinching overlying said rib means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A terminal for connection to a thin circuit device comprising a body formed of conductive material, an electrical contact structure formed on said body, said body having a generally planar portion, a plurality of tangs extending from said planar portion in a direction generally normal to said planar portion, a rib structure extending from said planar portion in generally the same direction as said tangs, said rib structure including a rib segment generally parallel to each said tang for clamping the thin circuit device between the tang and rib segment upon insertion of the tang through and clinching of the tang against the thin circuit device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
A terminal for connection to a thin circuit device comprising a body formed of conductive material, an electrical contact structure formed on said body, said body having a generally planar portion, a plurality of tangs extending from said planar portion in a direction generally normal to said planar portion, a rib structure extending from said planar portion in generally the same direction as said tangs, said rib structure including a rib segment generally parallel to each said tang for clamping the thin circuit device between the tang and rib segment upon insertion of the tang through and clinching of the tang against the thin circuit device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The terminal of claim 6, said tangs being located at the periphery of said body and said rib segments being located inwardly of the periphery of said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The terminal of claim 7, said contact structure comprising a female contact formed on said planar portion centrally of said rib segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The terminal of claim 7, said contact structure comprising a contact extending laterally from said planar portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The terminal of claim 9, said contact comprising a male contact.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The terminal of claim 9, said contact comprising a female contact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
A terminal for connection to a male contact and comprising a sheet metal body including a planar portion surrounded at least in part by a rim, at least three apertures in said planar portion defining at least two arms integral at both ends with said body, a contact segment extending laterally from each said arm, said contact segments interfacing to define a contact receiving region sized to receive the male contact with an interference fit, said contact portions being shorter than said arms to permit the portions of said arms between the contact portions and the end of the arms to flex in torsion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
A terminal for connection to a male contact and comprising a sheet metal body including a planar portion surrounded at least in part by a rim, at least three apertures in said planar portion defining at least two arms integral at both ends with said body, a contact segment extending laterally from each said arm, said contact segments interfacing to define a contact receiving region sized to receive the male contact with an interference fit, said contact portions being shorter than said arms to permit the portions of said arms between the contact portions and the end of the arms to flex in torsion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The terminal claimed in claim 12 including two said arms generally parallel with each other for receiving a male contact with parallel sides.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The terminal claimed in claim 12 including three said arms arranged generally on a circle for receiving a circular male contact.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The terminal of claim 12, each said contact portion being integral with one arm and being rounded in shape to present a smooth contact receiving surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2539172A
Cited
US3395381A
Cited
US3675180A
Cited
US3697925A
Cited
US3768062A
Cited
US3713072A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |