Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A stamped and formed electrical terminal comprising: a contact portion, a continuous noncoiled intermediate spring portion and a conductor-terminating portion; said intermediate spring portion having first and second ends, said first end being joined to said contact portion and said second end being joined to said conductor-terminating portion, said intermediate spring portion being formed into a continuous series of spring sections having first and second legs, the first leg of the first spring section being the first end of said intermediate spring portion and the second leg of said first spring section being joined to the first leg of an adjacent spring section, the first and second legs of each succeeding spring sections being joined to respective second and first legs of adjacent spring sections and the second leg of the last spring section being the second end of said intermediate spring portion, said spring portions being formed in a noncoiled generally cylindrical configuration, whereby said intermediate spring portion provides axial spring forces to resiliently engage said terminal with a mating terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A stamped and formed electrical terminal comprising: a contact portion, a continuous noncoiled intermediate spring portion and a conductor-terminating portion; said intermediate spring portion having first and second ends, said first end being joined to said contact portion and said second end being joined to said conductor-terminating portion, said intermediate spring portion being formed into a continuous series of spring sections having first and second legs, the first leg of the first spring section being the first end of said intermediate spring portion and the second leg of said first spring section being joined to the first leg of an adjacent spring section, the first and second legs of each succeeding spring sections being joined to respective second and first legs of adjacent spring sections and the second leg of the last spring section being the second end of said intermediate spring portion, said spring portions being formed in a noncoiled generally cylindrical configuration, whereby said intermediate spring portion provides axial spring forces to resiliently engage said terminal with a mating terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical terminal according to claim 1 wherein said contact portion is profiled to define a contact area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical connector having at least one of the electrical terminals according to claim 1 disposed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical terminal according to claim 1 wherein said conductor-terminating portion is profiled to define a conductor engaging means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrical terminal according to claim 4 wherein said conductor engaging means comprises at least a pair of conductor engaging crimp tines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical terminal according to claim 4 wherein said conductor-terminating portion further defines mounting lances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrical terminal according to claim 1 further comprising sealing means received within said conductor terminating portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical connector having at least one of the electrical terminals according to claim 7 disposed therein.