US4346955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-stripping terminal for an electrical connector
Assignee: Socapex SA
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Filing: 1980-02-01
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Granted: 1982-08-31
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Expires: 2000-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A self-stripping terminal for an electrical connector has a resilient fork formed of two prongs or limbs which extend towards each other, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the terminal. Defined between the ends of the prongs is an electrical conductor receiving slot formed with flat parallel walls and with a bevel configuration at the opening or mouth of the slot. The limbs are carried on resilient arms whereby the slot can resiliently open over a wide range of sizes to allow the terminal to accommodate a wide range of electrical conductor diameters and to be used repeatedly. The terminal may also include a second fork which is turned towards the first fork and which may be a semi-rigid fork or another resilient fork. In either case, the second fork has a groove for retaining the conductor, thereby to prevent radial disengagement thereof from the fork. The flat and bevel configuration is formed with walls that are parallel to the axis of the conductor received therein. This restrains cutting of the conductor core by sharp edges during insertion of the conductor and subsequent use of the terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Chesnais
- 👤 Philippe Thiery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/2445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
In a self-stripping terminal of the type wherein an electrical conductor simultaneously is stripped of its insulation and received in a slot defined between first and second opposed limbs of a forked member carried on a support structure, the conductor being supported in said terminal with its elongated central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said terminal, said limbs being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising: a first cantilever supported resilient arm supporting, with its free end said first limb with respect to said second limb; said arm being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and substantially flexible in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis; said slot having first and second slot walls defined on said first and second limbs respectively, said first and second slot walls being substantially parallel to each other and to said terminal longitudinal axis to restrain degradation of the conductor core when the conductor is received therebetween; said forked member further comprising first and second mouth walls defined on said first and second limbs respectively, said first and second mouth walls being disposed at an outwardly opening angle with respect to each other, extending from said slot, to form a tapered guide mouth for stripping and guiding conductors into said slot, said first and second mouth walls being substantially parallel to said terminal longitudinal axis to restrain degradation of the conductor core when the conductor is moved therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a self-stripping terminal of the type wherein an electrical conductor simultaneously is stripped of its insulation and received in a slot defined between first and second opposed limbs of a forked member carried on a support structure, the conductor being supported in said terminal with its elongated central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said terminal, said limbs being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising: a first cantilever supported resilient arm supporting, with its free end said first limb with respect to said second limb; said arm being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and substantially flexible in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis; said slot having first and second slot walls defined on said first and second limbs respectively, said first and second slot walls being substantially parallel to each other and to said terminal longitudinal axis to restrain degradation of the conductor core when the conductor is received therebetween; said forked member further comprising first and second mouth walls defined on said first and second limbs respectively, said first and second mouth walls being disposed at an outwardly opening angle with respect to each other, extending from said slot, to form a tapered guide mouth for stripping and guiding conductors into said slot, said first and second mouth walls being substantially parallel to said terminal longitudinal axis to restrain degradation of the conductor core when the conductor is moved therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 1, wherein said second limb is also carried by the free end of a resilient arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 1, wherein one at least of said resilient arms is prestressed so that, in an initial condition, it applies a force causing one of the limbs to bear against the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 2, wherein said structure is a U-shaped structure and said resilient arms are mounted on said portions thereof, said resilient arms being bent towards the interior of the profile of said U-shaped structure and being inclined with respect to said longitudinal axis of said terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 4, wherein said fork limbs are carried on said resilient arms with a rounded portion between each fork limb and its respective resilient arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 4, wherein the base of said U-shaped structure, beneath each of said resilient arms, is cut away, each portion cut away extending longitudinally from the position of attachment of said arm to the corresponding side portion below said arm and transversely inwardly of said terminal, beyond the projection of inner face of said arm onto the plane of the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 1, wherein said structure is U-shaped, said two limbs of said resilient fork being carried by the non-fixed ends of respective resilient arms which are fixed by attachment of their other ends to the sides of said U-shaped structure; and, the base of said U-shaped structure extending below the resilient arms and beyond the resilient fork, forming a semi-rigid second fork comprising two rigid limbs which are separated by a rigid slot provided in the end of said base, parallel to the slot in said resilient fork.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a further fork facing said fork, said further fork also comprising two limbs which are carried by the non-fixed ends of two resilient arms which are fixed by attachment of their other end to the sides of a second support structure, both said structures being connected by a common base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
A self-stripping terminal according to claim 6, further comprising a connection terminal having a second resilient fork defined between opposed fork limbs, having a second slot having a beveled mouth portion and each said limb having a groove to restrain the conductor from radial disengagement from said second fork; said grooves each being in the form of a cut-out portion in the respective limb, which cut-out portion opens into the slot and towards the base, and being such that the part of the slot which is closest to the base is wider than the part of the slot which is closest to said second mouth portion, said two parts each being defined between two flat walls which are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the terminal, and the walls of said two parts being connected, on each limb, by a flat wall which is perpendicular to the walls of said parts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The terminal of claim 1 further comprising an insulating carrier of complementary shape, to said structure, anchoring said structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The terminal of claim 10 wherein said first resilient arm bears against the sides of the insulating carrier in which said structure is anchored, to reinforce said first resilient arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The terminal of claim 10 wherein a second portion of said first resilient arm is near said insulating carrier, whereby it will abut said carrier after being bent a predetermined amount.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
116 words
A self stripping terminal comprising a generally U-shaped structure including a base and facing sides forming a conductor-receiving channel; said sides being extended at one end thereof to definie resilient gripping means allowing the insertion and retention of a complementary male terminal; said sides being extended along a rounded portion at their other end to form arms movable free of said base; said arms having free ends terminating in a first resilient fork; said fork including two limbs extending opposite each other and forming a slot therebetween substantially perpendicular to said base; said slot having parallel flat walls; said walls being outwardly inclined in the upper part thereof to form a mouth opening into said slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
A self stripping terminal comprising a generally U-shaped structure including a base and facing sides forming a conductor-receiving channel; said sides being extended at one end thereof to definie resilient gripping means allowing the insertion and retention of a complementary male terminal; said sides being extended along a rounded portion at their other end to form arms movable free of said base; said arms having free ends terminating in a first resilient fork; said fork including two limbs extending opposite each other and forming a slot therebetween substantially perpendicular to said base; said slot having parallel flat walls; said walls being outwardly inclined in the upper part thereof to form a mouth opening into said slot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The terminal of claim 13, wherein said base extends beyond said arms and terminates in an upturned, semi-rigid fork; said fork comprising two rigid arms separated by a slot; said slot lying substantially parallel to said slot of said first fork.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
The terminal of claim 13, further including a second generally U-shaped structure connected to said structure by said base; said second structure having rigid sides integral with said base; said sides being exended along a rounded section to form two arms resiliently movable of said base; said arms having free ends terminating in a second fork facing said first fork; said second fork including two limbs extending opposite each other and forming a slot perpendicular to said base; said slot having parallel flat walls; said walls being outwardly inclined in the upper part thereof to form a mouth opening into said slot; said slot lying substantially in the same plane as said slot in said first fork; said slots being spaced apart over said base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
The terminal of claim 15, wherein each of said limbs forming said second fork has a groove to restrain a conductor from radial disengagement from said second fork; said grooves each being in the form of a cut-out portion in the respective limb, which cut out opens into said slot and towards said base, and being such that the part of the slot closest to said base is wider than the part of the slot closest to the mouth of said second fork, said two parts being defined between two flat walls which are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the terminal, and the walls of said two parts being connected on each limb by a flat wall perpendicular to the walls of said parts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-30 | 1986-03-01 | 1986-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-30 | 1990-03-01 | 1990-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-30 | 1994-03-01 | 1994-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |