Electrical contact socket

Claim 2

A socket contact for use in an electrical connector comprising: a tubular member adapted to receive a corresponding pin contact; a spring member attached to said tubular member, said spring member for providing mechanical and electrical contact with the pin contact; said spring member including a first bent portion near where said spring member is attached to said tubular member, said first bent portion being in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis of said tubular member; means for providing spring force for said spring member; said spring member being entirely inside said tubular member whereby all of said spring member is protected by said tubular member.

Claim 3

A socket as set forth in claim 1 wherein the periphery of the end of said tubular member which is adapted to receive the pin contact is substantially continuous.

Claim 4

A socket as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portion of said tubular member associated with said spring member is substantially closed.

Claim 5

A socket as set forth in claim 1 further including at least one indent in said tubular member in the region near said spring member, said indent adapted to make electrical and mechanical contact with a pin contact.

Claim 6

A socket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is cylindrical in shape; at least a portion of said spring member being curved at approximately the same radius of curvature as said tubular member.

Claim 7

A socket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for providing spring force includes a second bent portion on said spring member, said second bent portion being removed from said first bent portion for providing spring force and smooth entry when a corresponding pin is inserted in said socket.

Claim 8

A socket as set forth in claim 6 wherein said second bent portion is elevated from the remaining portion of said spring member.

Claim 9

A socket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubular member and said spring member are integral.

Claim 10

A socket as set forth in claim 8 wherein said spring member is substantially in the shape of an L projecting inside said tubular member.

Claim 11

A socket as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first bent portion is turned approximately 180° with respect to its original pre-bent position.

Claim 12

A socket as set forth in claim 10 further including a slot in said tubular member, said slot being adjacent to said first bent portion.

Claim 13

A socket contact for use in electrical connectors comprising: a tubular member adapted to receive an associated pin contact; a spring member integral with said tubular member, said tubular member and said spring member having been stamped from a piece of sheet metal, said spring member being located entirely inside of said tubular member for protecting all of said spring member; a portion of said spring member being bent at its place of attachment with said tubular member approximately 180° from its original stamped position; a portion near the end of said spring member opposite said attachment place being bent in a direction toward the inner surface of said tubular member for receiving an associated pin contact.

Claim 14

A socket contact for use in electrical connectors comprising: a tubular member adapted to receive an associated pin contact; a spring member integral with said tubular member, said tubular member and said spring member having been stamped from a piece of sheet metal, said spring member being located entirely inside of said tubular member for protecting all of said spring member; a portion of said spring member being bent at its place of attachment with said tubular member approximately 180° from its original stamped position; a portion near the end of said spring member opposite said attachment place being bent in a direction toward the inner surface of said tubular member for receiving an associated pin contact.

Claim 15

A socket contact as set forth in claim 12 wherein said portion near the end of said spring member located between said 180° bend and said opposite end is elevated above the inner surface of said tubular member to a degree substantially greater than the remainder of said spring member.

Claim 18

A method as set forth in claim 14 further including the step of bending one end of said L-shaped member toward the inner surface of said tubular shaped member.

Claim 19

A method as set forth in claim 14 further including the step of curving a portion of said L-shaped member in approximately the same radius of curvature as said tubular shape member.