US4836803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire holding device in an electrical connector
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1988-09-02
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Granted: 1989-06-06
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Expires: 2008-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A wire holding device for locating wires in an electrical connector, comprising at least one passageway into which a connection wire to be held can be moved essentially normally of its length through an outwardly enlarging entrance slot toward a closed end of the passageway. A first barb adapted to be resiliently urged aside by a wire upon the introduction thereof extends from a sidewall of the passageway adjacent the entrance slot. A second barb extends from the sidewall opposite the first barb and is adapted to be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the introduction thereof, the free end of the second barb, together with the closed end of the passageway partitioning off a partial passageway.
Inventors
- 👤 Udo Seidel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/28; H01R4/50; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/242; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A wire holding device positioned at one end of an electrical connector, said device comprising at least one passageway into which a wire to be held can be moved essentially normally of its length through an outwardly enlarging entrance slot toward a closed end of the passageway, a pair of non-symmetrical barbs for holding a said wire in said passageway consisting essentially of a first barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the introduction thereof extending rom a sidewall of the passageway adjacent the entrance slot, and a second barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the insertion thereof extending from the sidewall of the passageway that is opposite to the first barb, each barb having a root joining it to the respective sidewall, the free end of the second barb together with the closed end of her passageway partitioning off a partial passageway, whereby a large diameter wire will be resiliently contacted in the passageway by the second barb and restricted by the first barb against outward movement, a small diameter wire can be restricted against outward movement in the partial passageway by the free end of the second barb, and an intermediate diameter wire can be held between the two barbs and restricted against outward movement by the first barb.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A wire holding device positioned at one end of an electrical connector, said device comprising at least one passageway into which a wire to be held can be moved essentially normally of its length through an outwardly enlarging entrance slot toward a closed end of the passageway, a pair of non-symmetrical barbs for holding a said wire in said passageway consisting essentially of a first barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the introduction thereof extending rom a sidewall of the passageway adjacent the entrance slot, and a second barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the insertion thereof extending from the sidewall of the passageway that is opposite to the first barb, each barb having a root joining it to the respective sidewall, the free end of the second barb together with the closed end of her passageway partitioning off a partial passageway, whereby a large diameter wire will be resiliently contacted in the passageway by the second barb and restricted by the first barb against outward movement, a small diameter wire can be restricted against outward movement in the partial passageway by the free end of the second barb, and an intermediate diameter wire can be held between the two barbs and restricted against outward movement by the first barb.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the closed end of the passageway is formed by two wall portions of the passageway which extend at an angle to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein the first barb extends approximately parallel with the adjacent wall portion of the closed end of the passageway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 3, wherein the second barb extends approximately parallel to the adjacent wall portion of the closed end of the passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the root of the second barb is closer to the closed end of the passageway than the root of the first barb.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 5 wherein the second barb is longer than the first barb.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the barbs are unitary constituents of a structural part of plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 1 including a pre-sue condition in which the free ends of the two barbs are interconnected via a connection which is adapted to be disrupted by the introduction of a wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device according to claim 8 wherein in the pre-use condition, the second barb extends at an acute angle to the adjacent wall portion of the closed end of the passageway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said second barb is positioned closer to the closed end of the passageway and is longer than the first barb and both barbs extend toward the closed end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
202 words
A wire holding device positioned at one end of an electrical connector, said device comprising at least one passageway into which a wire to be held can be moved essentially normally of its length through an outwardly enlarging entrance slot toward a closed end of the passageway, a pair of non-symmetrical barbs for holding a said wire in said passageway consisting essentially of a first barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the introduction thereof extending from a sidewall of the passageway adjacent the entrance slot, and a second barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the insertion thereof extending from the sidewall of the passageway that is opposite to the first barb, each barb having a root joining it to the respective sidewall the free end of the second barb together with the closed end of the passageway partitioning of the passageway adjacent said closed end, whereby a large diameter wire will be resiliently contacted by both barbs upon entry into the passageway and a smaller diameter wire will resiliently contact only one of the barbs, but upon entry into the passageway the wire will be restricted against outward movement by the barbs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
202 words
A wire holding device positioned at one end of an electrical connector, said device comprising at least one passageway into which a wire to be held can be moved essentially normally of its length through an outwardly enlarging entrance slot toward a closed end of the passageway, a pair of non-symmetrical barbs for holding a said wire in said passageway consisting essentially of a first barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the introduction thereof extending from a sidewall of the passageway adjacent the entrance slot, and a second barb which can be resiliently urged aside by the wire upon the insertion thereof extending from the sidewall of the passageway that is opposite to the first barb, each barb having a root joining it to the respective sidewall the free end of the second barb together with the closed end of the passageway partitioning of the passageway adjacent said closed end, whereby a large diameter wire will be resiliently contacted by both barbs upon entry into the passageway and a smaller diameter wire will resiliently contact only one of the barbs, but upon entry into the passageway the wire will be restricted against outward movement by the barbs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 11 wherein said first barb and said second barb have their roots positioned in opposed relationship on opposite sidewalls of the passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 11 including a pre-use condition in which the free ends of the two barbs are interconnected via a connection which is adapted to be disrupted by the introduction of a wire.
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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) | 1992-06-05 | 1992-12-05 | 1993-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-05 | 1996-12-05 | 1997-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-12-05 | 2001-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |