US3848222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero entry connector system
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-18
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1993-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A zero entry connector system is disclosed having male and female connectors which require very small force for mating. One of the connectors is provided with a camming means which acts on the other connector to effect a relative transverse motion therebetween to bring the contacts therein into mating engagement. Each contact of one member is the active contact and has the form of a resilient leaf while each contact of the other portion is the passive contact and has the form of a fixed and relatively rigid pin. The male and female connectors are mated in the conventional manner but no engagement of the contacts occurs until after the connectors have been fully mated and then moved transversely with respect to one another by the camming means.
Inventors
- 👤 L Lightner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/193
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A low entry force electrical connector system comprising: a first connector member having a plurality of passive contacts, each said passive contact having a contacting surface and being secured in individual bores in said first connector member; a second mating connector member having a like plurality of active contacts, each of said active contacts being secured in individual bores in said second connector member and having a contacting surface extending from said bores, each of said active contacts in said second connector member being associated with a passive contact in said first connector member and being overlappingly spaced apart from said associated contact when said connector members are initially mated; cam means rotatably mounted on one of said contact carrying connector members and adapted to act directly on the other of said contact carrying connector members to cause relative transverse movement between said members, whereby said connector members are initially mated without said contacts engaging and said contacts are brought into engagement by the relative transverse movement resulting from actuating said cam means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A low entry force electrical connector system comprising: a first connector member having a plurality of passive contacts, each said passive contact having a contacting surface and being secured in individual bores in said first connector member; a second mating connector member having a like plurality of active contacts, each of said active contacts being secured in individual bores in said second connector member and having a contacting surface extending from said bores, each of said active contacts in said second connector member being associated with a passive contact in said first connector member and being overlappingly spaced apart from said associated contact when said connector members are initially mated; cam means rotatably mounted on one of said contact carrying connector members and adapted to act directly on the other of said contact carrying connector members to cause relative transverse movement between said members, whereby said connector members are initially mated without said contacts engaging and said contacts are brought into engagement by the relative transverse movement resulting from actuating said cam means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 wherein said first connector member is a male member having a mating face, said passive contacts extending within their respective bores to a point spaced from said mating face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 further comprising polarizing means on said connector members whereby only one mating position is possible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 further comprising locking means on said connector members, said locking means being brought into locking engagement by said relative transverse movement whereby said connector members are secured together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 wherein said second connector member includes a hood extending from a mating surface of said second connector member about the periphery thereof whereby connection of said connectors is polarized and said active contacts are protected when said connector members are disengaged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 further comprising strain relief means secured to at least one of said connector members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 further comprising cam travel limit means on said one of said connector members limiting the rotational movement of said cam means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 further comprising latching means to releasably secure said cam means in said one of said connector members, and a cam surface on said cam means adapted to release said latching means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 wherein each said passive contact is a rigid pin fixedly mounted in said first connector member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 wherein each said active contact includes a connection portion adapted to be secured to an electrical lead, and a resilient blade portion having a contact surface on a free end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 wherein said cam means is mounted on one of said connector members adjacent one end thereof, and cam reactor surface means formed on one end of the other of said connector members for cooperative reaction with said cam means to cause said relative transverse movement between said connector members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 11 wherein said cam means includes a cam surface adapted to bear against Said cam reactor surface, and latching means adapted to lockingly engage one side of said cam reactor surface to prevent separation of said connector members when said contacts are engaged.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 11 further comprising locking means at the other end of each of said connector members, said locking means being brought into locking engagement by said relative transverse movement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 13 wherein said locking means comprises a recess in one of said connector members defining an angular shoulder, and a flange on the other of said connector members defining a cooperating angular shoulder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 1 wherein said cam travel limit means comprises first and second fixed limit stops.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 15 wherein said stops are spaced apart a distance defining a quarter of a turn of said cam means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
144 words
A low entry force electrical connector system comprising a first connector member having a plurality of active contacts therein, each of said active contacts being secured in individual bores in said first connector member and having a resilient blade portion projecting from a mating face of said first connector member in cantilever fashion; a second connector member having a like plurality of passive contacts therein, each of said passive contacts comprising a rigid pin fixedly secured within individual bores in said second connector member; and cam means rotatably mounted on one end of one said contact carrying connector members and adapted to act directly on the like end of the other of said contact carrying connector members to effect relative transverse movement therebetween, whereby said connector members are initially mated without said contacts engaging and said realtive transverse movement brings said contacts into engagement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
144 words
A low entry force electrical connector system comprising a first connector member having a plurality of active contacts therein, each of said active contacts being secured in individual bores in said first connector member and having a resilient blade portion projecting from a mating face of said first connector member in cantilever fashion; a second connector member having a like plurality of passive contacts therein, each of said passive contacts comprising a rigid pin fixedly secured within individual bores in said second connector member; and cam means rotatably mounted on one end of one said contact carrying connector members and adapted to act directly on the like end of the other of said contact carrying connector members to effect relative transverse movement therebetween, whereby said connector members are initially mated without said contacts engaging and said realtive transverse movement brings said contacts into engagement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 wherein said second connector member is a male member having a mating face, said passive contacts extending within their respective bores to a point spaced from said mating face.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 further comprising polarizing means on said connector members whereby only one mating position is possible.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 further comprising locking means on said connector members, said locking means being brought into locking engagement by said relative transverse movement whereby said connector members are secured together.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 wherein said first connector member includes a hood extending from the mating surface and about the periphery thereof whereby mating of said connectors is polarized and said active contacts are protected when said connector members are disengaged.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 further comprising strain relief means secured to at least one of said connector members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 further comprising cam travel limit means on said one of said connector members limiting the rotation movement of said cam means, said cam travel limit means comprising first and second fixed limit stops, spaced apart a distance defining a quarter of a turn of said cam means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 further comprising latching means adapted to releasably secure said cam means in said one of said connector members, and a cam surface on said cam means adapted to release said latching means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 wherein each said active contact includes a connection portion Adapted to be secured to an electrical lead, and a resilient blade portion having a contact surface on a free end thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 17 further comprising cam reactor surface means formed on said like end of the other of said connector members for cooperative reaction with said cam means to cause said relative transverse movement between said connector members.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 26, wherein said cam means includes a cam surface adapted to bear against said cam reactor surface, and latching means adapted to lockingly engage one side of said cam reactor surface to prevent separation of said connector members when said contacts are engaged.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 26 further comprising locking means at the other end of each of said connector members, said locking means being brought into locking engagement by said relative transverse movement.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
A low entry force electrical connector system according to claim 28 wherein said locking means comprises a recess in one of said connector members defining an angular shoulder, and a flange on the other of said connector members defining a cooperating angular shoulder.
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) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |