US4693536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insulation displacement terminal
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1986-06-12
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Granted: 1987-09-15
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Expires: 2006-06-12
Abstract
Abstract An electrical terminal adapted to be mounted in a connector housing cavity for interconnecting an insulated conductor and a contact member includes an insulation displacement contact portion adapted to receive the insulated conductor and a second contact portion adapted to make electrical contact with the contact member. A connecting portion extends between the insulation displacement contact portion and the second contact portion. The insulation displacement contact portion is generally U-shaped with a base and spaced first and second legs. The connecting portion extends from an end of the first leg. A first insulation displacement slot is provided in the first leg and extends into said connecting portion and a second insulation displacement slot is provided in said second leg.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Colleran
- 👤 Connie Doles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/2445; H01R4/245; H01R4/2454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A unitary, integrally-formed electrical terminal adapted to be mounted in a connector housing cavity for interconnecting an insulated conductor and a contact member, said terminal being a continuous strip of metal having an insulation displacement contact portion adapted to receive the insulated conductor, a second contact portion adapted to make electrical contact with the contact member, and a connecting portion extending between said insulation displacement contact portion and said second contact portion, and the improvement characterized by: said insulation displacement contact portion being generally upwardly directed U-shaped with a lower base and spaced first and second upstanding legs; said connecting portion extending from an upper end of said first leg; a first insulation displacement slot in said first leg extending into said connecting portion and downwardly from the upper end of the first leg toward the base; and a second insulation displacement slot in said second leg extending downwardly from an open upper end of said second leg toward the base; whereby an electrical terminal including an in-line insulation displacement contact portion having small space requirements is provided.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A unitary, integrally-formed electrical terminal adapted to be mounted in a connector housing cavity for interconnecting an insulated conductor and a contact member, said terminal being a continuous strip of metal having an insulation displacement contact portion adapted to receive the insulated conductor, a second contact portion adapted to make electrical contact with the contact member, and a connecting portion extending between said insulation displacement contact portion and said second contact portion, and the improvement characterized by: said insulation displacement contact portion being generally upwardly directed U-shaped with a lower base and spaced first and second upstanding legs; said connecting portion extending from an upper end of said first leg; a first insulation displacement slot in said first leg extending into said connecting portion and downwardly from the upper end of the first leg toward the base; and a second insulation displacement slot in said second leg extending downwardly from an open upper end of said second leg toward the base; whereby an electrical terminal including an in-line insulation displacement contact portion having small space requirements is provided.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrical terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said connector housing cavity is defined by cavity walls with a cavity entrance for receiving the insulated conductor in one cavity wall, said one cavity wall having a groove for receiving and retaining said second leg open end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said insulation displacement contact portion is an end segment of said strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrical terminal as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip is relatively long and narrow thereby enabling multiple ones of said strips to be formed at a predefined progression on a carrier strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
180 words
An electrical connector for interconnecting an insulated conductor and a contact member, said connector comprising a housing defining a cavity adapted to separately receive both the contact member and the insulated conductor, a unitary integrally formed electrical terminal in said cavity, said terminal being a continuous strip of metal having an insulation displacement contact portion adapted to receive the insulated conductor, a second contact portion adapted to make electrical contact with the contact member, and a connecting portion extending between said insulation displacement contact portion and said second contact portion, and the improvement characterized by: said insulation displacement contact portion being generally an upwardly directed U-shape with a lower base and spaced first and second upstanding legs; said connecting portion extending from an upper end of said first leg; a first insulation displacement slot in said first leg extending into said connecting portion and downwardly from the upper end of the first leg to its base; and a second insulation displacement slot in said second leg extending downwardly from an open upper end of said second leg toward the base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
180 words
An electrical connector for interconnecting an insulated conductor and a contact member, said connector comprising a housing defining a cavity adapted to separately receive both the contact member and the insulated conductor, a unitary integrally formed electrical terminal in said cavity, said terminal being a continuous strip of metal having an insulation displacement contact portion adapted to receive the insulated conductor, a second contact portion adapted to make electrical contact with the contact member, and a connecting portion extending between said insulation displacement contact portion and said second contact portion, and the improvement characterized by: said insulation displacement contact portion being generally an upwardly directed U-shape with a lower base and spaced first and second upstanding legs; said connecting portion extending from an upper end of said first leg; a first insulation displacement slot in said first leg extending into said connecting portion and downwardly from the upper end of the first leg to its base; and a second insulation displacement slot in said second leg extending downwardly from an open upper end of said second leg toward the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 5 wherein said connector housing cavity is defined by cavity walls with a cavity entrance for receiving the insulated conductor in one cavity wall, said one cavity wall having a groove for receiving and retaining said second leg open upper end.
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) | 1990-09-14 | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-03-16 | 1995-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-14 | 1999-03-16 | 1999-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |