US4045107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-contact connectors with identical contacts
Assignee: Western Atlas International Inc
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Filing: 1976-11-26
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1996-11-26
Abstract
Abstract The electric multi-contact connector comprises a pair of plugs, each carrying a plurality of elongated contact members mounted in spaced-apart relationship on an insulating base. Each contact has an unbiased prong-end for mating with an opposite unbiased prong end, and an opposite terminal-end for connection to an electric conductor. The prong-ends of the contacts of both plugs are preferably substantially identical in shape. The base is preferably made at least in part of a resilient material, or the contacts are otherwise resiliently mounted on the base. When the plugs are moved into mating engagement, each pair of mating prong-ends forms an abutting pressure contact establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between the two conductors connected to the terminal-ends of the engaged pair of contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Byron Sutherland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A two-plug connector for detachably connecting together two lengths of a multiple conductor cable, each connector plug comprising: an insulating base, a protective housing supporting said base; a support covering said base, said support being made of a flexible, insulating material of sufficient resiliency to tend to reassume its original form after deformation; a plurality of U-shaped contacts, each contact having an elongated prong-end and a pair of prongs forming integral part with and extending from each prong-end, one prong of each pair of prongs being adapted for connected to a cable conductor, each prong-end lying on and being resiliently supported by the upper surface of said support, and each prong-end being urged axially away from the upper surface of said support; a plurality of pairs of aligned holes transversely extending through said support and said base, each pair of contact prongs being slidably received by a corresponding pair of said aligned holes, whereby said support makes a water tight joint with each prong, and each prong-end is removable by pulling axially thereon away from the upper surface of said support; and the housing of one connector plug being adapted to form a mechanical attachment with the protective housing of the other connector plug to thereby mechanically and electrically engage the respective prong-ends of both connector plugs at an angle relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A two-plug connector for detachably connecting together two lengths of a multiple conductor cable, each connector plug comprising: an insulating base, a protective housing supporting said base; a support covering said base, said support being made of a flexible, insulating material of sufficient resiliency to tend to reassume its original form after deformation; a plurality of U-shaped contacts, each contact having an elongated prong-end and a pair of prongs forming integral part with and extending from each prong-end, one prong of each pair of prongs being adapted for connected to a cable conductor, each prong-end lying on and being resiliently supported by the upper surface of said support, and each prong-end being urged axially away from the upper surface of said support; a plurality of pairs of aligned holes transversely extending through said support and said base, each pair of contact prongs being slidably received by a corresponding pair of said aligned holes, whereby said support makes a water tight joint with each prong, and each prong-end is removable by pulling axially thereon away from the upper surface of said support; and the housing of one connector plug being adapted to form a mechanical attachment with the protective housing of the other connector plug to thereby mechanically and electrically engage the respective prong-ends of both connector plugs at an angle relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein each contact is made of rod-like metal, and said angle is approximately 90°.
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) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |