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US4966557A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrical contact element

Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1988-11-30
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2008-11-30
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Abstract

Abstract An improved electrical contact element for use in connector housings. More particularly, the contact element includes a U-shaped retention section having one resilient leg extending obliquely outwardly. Further included is a resilient web in between and connecting the forward termination section and retention section to provide a degree of independent movement of the former relative to the latter.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lee A. Barkus
  • 👤 Steven J. Kandybowski
  • 👤 David B. Sinisi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 05:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/631; H01R13/6315; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/428; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11; H01R13/112; H01R13/113

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 101 words
An improved electrical contact element comprising: an elongated base member; a receptacle for receiving a male terminal therein directly attached to one end of said base member; a rearward termination section attached to another end of said base member; and a U-shaped retention section intermediate said receptacle and said rearward termination section and spaced from said receptacle and having first and second leg means with bight means attached to and extending therebetween, said first leg means being a portion of said base member and said second leg means being resilient and extending obliquely outwardly from its attachment to said bight means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 101 words
An improved electrical contact element comprising: an elongated base member; a receptacle for receiving a male terminal therein directly attached to one end of said base member; a rearward termination section attached to another end of said base member; and a U-shaped retention section intermediate said receptacle and said rearward termination section and spaced from said receptacle and having first and second leg means with bight means attached to and extending therebetween, said first leg means being a portion of said base member and said second leg means being resilient and extending obliquely outwardly from its attachment to said bight means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
The contact element of claim 1 wherein said base member between said receptacle and said retention section is resilient to permit a degree of independent movement of the former relative to the latter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The contact element of claim 1 wherein the base member between said receptacle and said retention section positions the former on the same center line with the latter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
The contact element of claim 1 further including an arcuate-shaped leading edge means on said second leg means, said edge means curving inwardly towards said first leg means so that a convex surface thereon faces the receptacle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 88 words
An improved electrical contact element comprising an elongated base member with a receptacle for receiving a male terminal therein and a termination section attached to opposite ends of said base member, and a U-shaped retention section between and spaced from said receptacle and said termination section, said retention section having first and second legs with a bight attached to and extending therebetween, said first leg being a portion of said base member and said second leg being resilient and extending obliquely outwardly from its attachment to said bight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 88 words
An improved electrical contact element comprising an elongated base member with a receptacle for receiving a male terminal therein and a termination section attached to opposite ends of said base member, and a U-shaped retention section between and spaced from said receptacle and said termination section, said retention section having first and second legs with a bight attached to and extending therebetween, said first leg being a portion of said base member and said second leg being resilient and extending obliquely outwardly from its attachment to said bight.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3144577A Cited
DD32308A3 Cited
US3444504A Cited
US3486163A Cited
DE1810513A1 Cited
US4286837A Cited
US4317609A Cited
US4859198A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-10-29 1994-04-30 1994-10-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-10-29 1998-04-30 1998-10-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-10-29 2002-04-30 2002-10-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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