US3885848A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connection and method of making same
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connection with an electrical contact member and comprising a cylindrical helix of electrically conductive resilient wire having a first end electrically connecting with the contact member and a second end adjacent the opening into the free end of the cylindrical helix, and a terminal member including a tapered longitudinal shank portion inserted through the helix opening and into the helix, and having an intermediate region contacting and frictionally engaging the inner perihery of the spiral at the free end of the helix when the shank portion of the terminal member is inserted into the helix. The terminal member can then be rotated to partially unwind the spirals of the helix while further inserting the shank portion of the terminal member into the helix for further frictional engagement between the shank portion and the inner peripheries of additional spirals of the helix. The method of making an electric connection with an electrical contact member is also covered.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold A Brouneus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R11/00; H01R11/11; H01R11/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
In an electrical contact member for making an electrical connection with an electrically conductive flat surface and including a volute helix of electrically conductive resilient wire including a succession of spirals progressively increasing in size such that each succeeding spiral will surround the preceding spirals when the helix is compressed against said flat surface, the combination therewith of an electrical connection with said contact member, such connection comprising; a cylindrical helix of electrically conductive resilient wire having a first end electrically connecting with the end of the smallest one of said spirals of said volute helix and a second end at the opening into the free end of such cylindrical helix; an electrically conductive terminal member including a first portion for connecting an electrical conductor to such terminal member and a longitudinal shank portion extending from said first portion of the terminal member, and having a generally circular outer periphery which tapers from said first portion towards the end of said shank portion of the terminal member with an intermediate region of such shank portion having a diameter corresponding in diameter to said opening in said free end of said cylindrical helix such shank portion of the terminal member being inserted through such opening and into the cylindrical helix with said intermediate region of the shank portion frictionally engaging the inner periphery of the end spiral of the cylindrical helix at said free end thereof, whereby said terminal member can then be manually rotated to partially and temporarily unwind some of the spirals of the cylindrical helix while simultaneously further inserting the shank portion of the terminal member into the cylindrical helix for frictional engagement between the shank portion of the terminal member and tHe inner peripheries of additional spirals of the cylindrical helix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
In an electrical contact member for making an electrical connection with an electrically conductive flat surface and including a volute helix of electrically conductive resilient wire including a succession of spirals progressively increasing in size such that each succeeding spiral will surround the preceding spirals when the helix is compressed against said flat surface, the combination therewith of an electrical connection with said contact member, such connection comprising; a cylindrical helix of electrically conductive resilient wire having a first end electrically connecting with the end of the smallest one of said spirals of said volute helix and a second end at the opening into the free end of such cylindrical helix; an electrically conductive terminal member including a first portion for connecting an electrical conductor to such terminal member and a longitudinal shank portion extending from said first portion of the terminal member, and having a generally circular outer periphery which tapers from said first portion towards the end of said shank portion of the terminal member with an intermediate region of such shank portion having a diameter corresponding in diameter to said opening in said free end of said cylindrical helix such shank portion of the terminal member being inserted through such opening and into the cylindrical helix with said intermediate region of the shank portion frictionally engaging the inner periphery of the end spiral of the cylindrical helix at said free end thereof, whereby said terminal member can then be manually rotated to partially and temporarily unwind some of the spirals of the cylindrical helix while simultaneously further inserting the shank portion of the terminal member into the cylindrical helix for frictional engagement between the shank portion of the terminal member and tHe inner peripheries of additional spirals of the cylindrical helix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 and further including a pair of oppositely disposed lugs on said first portion of said terminal member and an electrical conductor electrically connected with said lugs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 and in which said electrical conductor is soldered to said lugs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
288 words
An electrical contact member and an electrical connection therewith comprising; a length of electrically conductive resilient wire, a first part of which is formed into a volute helix including a succession of spirals progressively increasing in size such that each succeeding spiral of such helix will surround the preceding spirals of the helix when the largest of the spirals of the helix is placed in contact with a flat surface and said helix is then compressed to move the remainder of the spirals of the helix into contact with such surface, and a second part of which wire is formed into a cylindrical helix having a first end integrally connecting with the end of the smallest spiral of said volute helix and a second end at the opening into the free end of such cylindircal helix, an electrically conductive terminal member including a first portion for connecting an electrical conductor to such terminal member and a longitudinal shank portion extending from said first portion of the terminal member and having a generally circular outer periphery which tapers from said first portion towards the end of the shank portion of the terminal member with an intermediate region of such shank portion having a diameter corresponding to said opening in said free end of said cylindrical helix, such shank portion of the terminal member being inserted through said opening and into the interior of the cylindrical helix with said intermediate region of the shank portion frictionally engaging the inner periphery of the end spiral of the cylindrical helix and then rotated and further inserting into the cylindrical helix for frictional engagement between the shank portion of the terminal member and the inner peripheries of additional spirals of the cylindrical helix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
288 words
An electrical contact member and an electrical connection therewith comprising; a length of electrically conductive resilient wire, a first part of which is formed into a volute helix including a succession of spirals progressively increasing in size such that each succeeding spiral of such helix will surround the preceding spirals of the helix when the largest of the spirals of the helix is placed in contact with a flat surface and said helix is then compressed to move the remainder of the spirals of the helix into contact with such surface, and a second part of which wire is formed into a cylindrical helix having a first end integrally connecting with the end of the smallest spiral of said volute helix and a second end at the opening into the free end of such cylindircal helix, an electrically conductive terminal member including a first portion for connecting an electrical conductor to such terminal member and a longitudinal shank portion extending from said first portion of the terminal member and having a generally circular outer periphery which tapers from said first portion towards the end of the shank portion of the terminal member with an intermediate region of such shank portion having a diameter corresponding to said opening in said free end of said cylindrical helix, such shank portion of the terminal member being inserted through said opening and into the interior of the cylindrical helix with said intermediate region of the shank portion frictionally engaging the inner periphery of the end spiral of the cylindrical helix and then rotated and further inserting into the cylindrical helix for frictional engagement between the shank portion of the terminal member and the inner peripheries of additional spirals of the cylindrical helix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrical contact member and electrical connection as in claim 4 and further including an electrically conductive lug on said first portion of said terminal member and an electrical conductor electrically connected to said lug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical contact member and electrical connection in accordance with claim 5 and in which said electrical conductor is soldered to said lug.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
296 words
The method of making an electrical connection with an electrical contact comprising a length of electrically conductive resilient wire part of which is formed into a volute helix for pressing against an electrically conductive flat surface for making electrical contact therewith and the remaining part of such wire extending from the smallest spiral of such helix, said method comprising; forming said remaining part of said wire into a cylindrical helix; providing a longitudinal electrically conductive terminal member including a first portion having a lug for securing an electrical conductor to such terminal member and a longitudinal shank portion extending from said first portion of the terminal member and having a generally circular outer periphery which tapers from said first portion towards the end of said shank portion of the terminal member with an intermediate region of such shank portion having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening in the free end of said cylindrical helix; inserting said shank portion of said terminal member through said opening and firmly into said cylindrical helix to provide physical contact and frictional engagement between said intermediate region of said shank portion and the inner periphery of the spiral of wire at said free end of such cylindrical helix; rotating said terminal member to partially unwind said cylindrical helix while further firmly inserting the shank portion of said terminal member into such helix to provide physical contact and frictional engagement between said intermediate region of such shank portion and the inner peripheries of additional spirals of the cylindrical helix; and then releasing said terminal member to permit the cylindrical helix to return towards its previously wound condition and said spirals of such helix to thereby securely tighten about said intermediate region of said shank portion of said terminal member.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
296 words
The method of making an electrical connection with an electrical contact comprising a length of electrically conductive resilient wire part of which is formed into a volute helix for pressing against an electrically conductive flat surface for making electrical contact therewith and the remaining part of such wire extending from the smallest spiral of such helix, said method comprising; forming said remaining part of said wire into a cylindrical helix; providing a longitudinal electrically conductive terminal member including a first portion having a lug for securing an electrical conductor to such terminal member and a longitudinal shank portion extending from said first portion of the terminal member and having a generally circular outer periphery which tapers from said first portion towards the end of said shank portion of the terminal member with an intermediate region of such shank portion having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening in the free end of said cylindrical helix; inserting said shank portion of said terminal member through said opening and firmly into said cylindrical helix to provide physical contact and frictional engagement between said intermediate region of said shank portion and the inner periphery of the spiral of wire at said free end of such cylindrical helix; rotating said terminal member to partially unwind said cylindrical helix while further firmly inserting the shank portion of said terminal member into such helix to provide physical contact and frictional engagement between said intermediate region of such shank portion and the inner peripheries of additional spirals of the cylindrical helix; and then releasing said terminal member to permit the cylindrical helix to return towards its previously wound condition and said spirals of such helix to thereby securely tighten about said intermediate region of said shank portion of said terminal member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method in accordance with claim 7 and including the further step of electrically connecting an electrical conductor to said lug on said first portion of said terminal member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method in accordance with claim 8 and in which said electrical conductor is soldered to said lug.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
209 words
In combination with a contact member for making electrical contact with an electrical device, an electrical connection assembly comprising; a cylindrical helix of an electrically conductive resilient wire, such helix having a selected internal diameter and a first of its ends adapted for connecting with said contact member; and an elongate generally circular terminal member having a first portion adjacent the first end thereof and adapted for connecting with an electrical conductor, and a second portion extending between said first portion and the second end of the terminal member, such second portion tapering from a first diameter larger than said selected internal diameter of said helix to a second diameter smaller than such internal diameter, the smaller diameter end and part of the length of such second portion of said terminal member being inserted into the second end of said helix and into firm engagement with the spiral at such second end of the helix and then manually rotated to partially unwind said helix while inserting the second portion of the terminal member further into the helix; whereby said terminal member can then be released to permit the helix to rewind and tightly engage an intermediate region of the outer periphery of the second portion of the terminal member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
209 words
In combination with a contact member for making electrical contact with an electrical device, an electrical connection assembly comprising; a cylindrical helix of an electrically conductive resilient wire, such helix having a selected internal diameter and a first of its ends adapted for connecting with said contact member; and an elongate generally circular terminal member having a first portion adjacent the first end thereof and adapted for connecting with an electrical conductor, and a second portion extending between said first portion and the second end of the terminal member, such second portion tapering from a first diameter larger than said selected internal diameter of said helix to a second diameter smaller than such internal diameter, the smaller diameter end and part of the length of such second portion of said terminal member being inserted into the second end of said helix and into firm engagement with the spiral at such second end of the helix and then manually rotated to partially unwind said helix while inserting the second portion of the terminal member further into the helix; whereby said terminal member can then be released to permit the helix to rewind and tightly engage an intermediate region of the outer periphery of the second portion of the terminal member.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |