US3896535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact terminal extraction tool
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1974-09-13
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1994-09-13
Abstract
Abstract An extraction tool for removing and inserting individual terminals is used with a multi-contact electrical connector. The connector employs mateable connector halves with terminals located in side-by-side relationship. The terminals are held in position in the connector housing because of their inherent spring action against appropriate surfaces of the connector. The extraction tool first engages the end of the terminal and frees the terminal from its secured position. It is then used to partially push the terminal from its normal position in the housing. The terminal can then be completely removed and another inserted. The extraction tool is designed to be used with either half of the mateable connector. It is also designed to prevent damage to other terminals when one terminal is removed.
Inventors
- 👤 John James Tucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R43/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49817; Y10T29/49822; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/532; Y10T29/53209; Y10T29/53257; Y10T29/53274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A tool for extracting and inserting individual terminals from multi-contact connector housings, said tool comprising: a bar with first and second ends, guide support means, proximate to said first end and fixed to said bar, said bar extending across one surface of said guide support means, said surface defining the top of said guide support means and the top of said tool, guide arm means extending from said support means on the end of said guide support means nearest said first end of said bar, said first end protruding slightly above said arm, notch means on said first end of said bar, whereby upon positioning said guide arm means against an appropRiate surface on said connector housing and engaging said notch means against one end of a terminal in said connector, said terminal can first be freed from its normally secured position in the connector and can then be pushed partially from the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A tool for extracting and inserting individual terminals from multi-contact connector housings, said tool comprising: a bar with first and second ends, guide support means, proximate to said first end and fixed to said bar, said bar extending across one surface of said guide support means, said surface defining the top of said guide support means and the top of said tool, guide arm means extending from said support means on the end of said guide support means nearest said first end of said bar, said first end protruding slightly above said arm, notch means on said first end of said bar, whereby upon positioning said guide arm means against an appropRiate surface on said connector housing and engaging said notch means against one end of a terminal in said connector, said terminal can first be freed from its normally secured position in the connector and can then be pushed partially from the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tool as set forth in claim 1, said notch means comprising a ledge perpendicular to the axis of said lever, with said first end of said bar having a rounded portion between the top of said bar and said ledge, the width of said first end being substantially equal to the width of one of said terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A tool as set forth in claim 1, said bar being pivotally fixed to said guide support block with a spring between said pivot and said first end of said bar, so that said first end may be rotated against the action of said spring toward said guide support means when said tool is used to free said terminal from its normally secured position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
297 words
A tool for extracting individual terminals with contact ends from mateable multi-contact electrical connector housings in which said terminals are arranged in side-by-side relationship in two parallel rows, said tool comprising: a lever with first and second ends, a rectangular guide support block fixed to said lever, proximate to said first end of said lever, said lever extending across one surface of said guide support block, said surface defining the top of said guide support block and the top of said tool, a rectangular guide arm extending from said guide support block on the end of said block nearest said first end of said lever, said guide arm being thinner than said guide block, said guide arm extending at an angle to said lever with said first end of said lever protruding slightly above said arm, a notch in said first end of said lever, said notch forming a ledge perpendicular to the axis of said lever, said ledge being above said arm, the width of said first end being substantially equal to the width of one of said terminals, a curved portion on said first end of said lever, said curved portion extending from the top of said lever to said ledge, a knife-edge on said second end of said lever, said knife edge being perpendicular to the axis of said lever, the length of said knife-edge being small enough so that said knife-edge can be inserted into a slot in said terminals, whereby upon positioning said guide arm against an appropriate surface on either of said mateable connectors and positioning said ledge against the contact end of a single terminal in said connector, said terminal can first be freed from its normally secured position and then pushed practically from its normal position in the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
297 words
A tool for extracting individual terminals with contact ends from mateable multi-contact electrical connector housings in which said terminals are arranged in side-by-side relationship in two parallel rows, said tool comprising: a lever with first and second ends, a rectangular guide support block fixed to said lever, proximate to said first end of said lever, said lever extending across one surface of said guide support block, said surface defining the top of said guide support block and the top of said tool, a rectangular guide arm extending from said guide support block on the end of said block nearest said first end of said lever, said guide arm being thinner than said guide block, said guide arm extending at an angle to said lever with said first end of said lever protruding slightly above said arm, a notch in said first end of said lever, said notch forming a ledge perpendicular to the axis of said lever, said ledge being above said arm, the width of said first end being substantially equal to the width of one of said terminals, a curved portion on said first end of said lever, said curved portion extending from the top of said lever to said ledge, a knife-edge on said second end of said lever, said knife edge being perpendicular to the axis of said lever, the length of said knife-edge being small enough so that said knife-edge can be inserted into a slot in said terminals, whereby upon positioning said guide arm against an appropriate surface on either of said mateable connectors and positioning said ledge against the contact end of a single terminal in said connector, said terminal can first be freed from its normally secured position and then pushed practically from its normal position in the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3087235A
Cited
US3461533A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |