US3918790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap spade electrical connector
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1974-06-14
•
Granted: 1975-11-11
•
Expires: 1994-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A snap spade electrical connector wherein a generally flat Ushaped part is adapted to receive a lug in the bight therein, a pair of inward projections on the part being engageable with a passing lug to require flexure of the part, and work-hardened regions of the part assuring resilient resistance to repetition of such flexure.
Inventors
- 👤 John Richard Filson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11; H01R13/115; H01R13/35; H01R4/00; H01R4/28; H01R4/48; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A snap spade electrical connector comprising a generally flat U-shaped lug engaging part including a bight portion having a lug receiving open region, a pair of legs extending longitudinally of each other from opposite ends of said bight portion on opposite sides of said open region and defining therebetween a longitudinally inwardly extending passageway opening into said open region, a pair of opposed inner projections on respective legs extending into said passageway toward and terminating short of each other to define a passageway constriction, said legs and inner projections being generally flat and coplanar with said bight portion, and work-hardened regions extending longitudinally along each leg for enhanced resistance of the leg to repeated snap engagement of a lug through said constriction, said workhardened regions each comprising an elongate compressed location defining a surface groove on at least one side without increased leg thickness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A snap spade electrical connector comprising a generally flat U-shaped lug engaging part including a bight portion having a lug receiving open region, a pair of legs extending longitudinally of each other from opposite ends of said bight portion on opposite sides of said open region and defining therebetween a longitudinally inwardly extending passageway opening into said open region, a pair of opposed inner projections on respective legs extending into said passageway toward and terminating short of each other to define a passageway constriction, said legs and inner projections being generally flat and coplanar with said bight portion, and work-hardened regions extending longitudinally along each leg for enhanced resistance of the leg to repeated snap engagement of a lug through said constriction, said workhardened regions each comprising an elongate compressed location defining a surface groove on at least one side without increased leg thickness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A snap spade electrical connector according to claim 1, said grooves being generally straight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A snap spade electrical connector according to claim 1, in combination with a conductor receiving barrel part extending integrally from said bight portion away from said legs, said barrel part and lug engaging part being of relatively soft deformable material for good connection to a conductor in said barrel part with said legs being rigidified by saiD compressed locations for said snap lug engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A snap spade electrical connector according to claim 1, in combination with an additional pair of opposed inner projections on respective legs extending into said passageway toward and terminating short of each other to define an additional passageway constriction, said additional pair of projections being coplanar with said legs and located in spaced relation between said first mentioned pair of projections and said bight portion, whereby lugs of one size are snap engageable through said first mentioned constriction and lugs of a different size are snap engageable through said additional constriction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A snap spade electrical connector according to claim 1, said projections having their inner termini generally flat longitudinally of said passageway to minimize wear upon said repeated snap engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A snap spade electrical connector according to claim 1, said work-hardened regions each extending along a respective leg and into said bight portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A snap spade electrical connector according to claim 6, said work-hardened regions being smoothly arcuate.
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) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |