Patent US5083937A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5083937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire-trap electrical connector
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1991-06-03
•
Granted: 1992-01-28
•
Expires: 2011-06-03
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector is provided of the wire-trap type. The connector includes a housing defining an interior cavity with a passage through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor. A pair of openings are provided in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires. A generally U-shaped terminal is disposed in the cavity of the housing and includes a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion. The leg portions have wire-trapping distal ends in registry with the openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings. The bight portion has a terminating section in registry with the passage for termination to the in-line conductor.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven B. Bogiel
- 👤 Mark M. Data
- 👤 Robert DeRoss
- 👤 David M. Skowronski
- 👤 Michael J. O'Connell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:01
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/28; H02G3/286; H02G3/288; H01; H01R; H01R9/00; H01R4/00; H01R4/10; H01R4/18; H01R4/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said distal ends of the leg portions are generally V-shaped to provide a two-point contact with the stripped ends of the electrical wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said terminal comprises a one-piece component of stamped and formed metal material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said housing means include partition means between said pair of openings to prevent the stripped ends of the pair of electrical wires from engaging.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said housing means include a plurality of said cavities in a side-by-side relationship, with a pair of said openings and a passage means for each cavity, for accommodating a plurality of said terminals and respective conductors and electrical wires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said housing means include a base and a generally hollow body, and complementary interengaging latch means between the base and the body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said housing means is generally box-shaped with said body defining five sides of the box and said base defining one side of the box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said terminating means comprise crimping means for crimping the terminal onto the in-line conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 8 where in said distal ends of the leg portions are generally V-shaped to provide a two-point contact with the stripped ends of the electrical wires.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said housing means include a base and a generally hollow body, said openings being provided in the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 10 wherein said passage means are defined by opposing portions of the base and the body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 10 wherein said passage means are defined by opposing portions of the base and the body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
157 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining a plurality of interior cavities in a side-by-side relationship with passage means through the housing means and each cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for each cavity for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in each cavity and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having generally V-shaped wire-trapping distal ends in registry with a respective pair of said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of a respective pair of electrical wires inserted into the openings, the V-shape of the distal ends of the leg portions providing a two-point contact with the stripped ends of the electrical wires, and the bight portion having crimping means in registry with a respective passage means for crimping the terminal onto the in-line conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
157 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining a plurality of interior cavities in a side-by-side relationship with passage means through the housing means and each cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for each cavity for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in each cavity and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having generally V-shaped wire-trapping distal ends in registry with a respective pair of said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of a respective pair of electrical wires inserted into the openings, the V-shape of the distal ends of the leg portions providing a two-point contact with the stripped ends of the electrical wires, and the bight portion having crimping means in registry with a respective passage means for crimping the terminal onto the in-line conductor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 13 wherein each terminal comprises a one-piece component of stamped and formed metal material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
159 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing means for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires, the housing means being generally box-shaped and including a base and a generally hollow body, the body defining five sides of the box and the base defining one side of the box, and including complementary interengaging latch means between the base and the body; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
159 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing means for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires, the housing means being generally box-shaped and including a base and a generally hollow body, the body defining five sides of the box and the base defining one side of the box, and including complementary interengaging latch means between the base and the body; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 15 wherein said openings are provided in opposite sides of the body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wire-trap type electrical connector of claim 16 wherein said passage means are defined by opposing portions of the base and the body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
154 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing means for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires, the housing means being generally box-shaped and including a base and a generally hollow body, the body defining five sides of the box and the base defining one side of the box, said openings being provided in the body; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
154 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing means for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires, the housing means being generally box-shaped and including a base and a generally hollow body, the body defining five sides of the box and the base defining one side of the box, said openings being provided in the body; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing means for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires, the housing means being generally box-shaped and including a base and a generally hollow body, the body defining five sides of the box and the base defining one side of the box, said passage means being defined by opposing portions; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
155 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing means for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires, the housing means being generally box-shaped and including a base and a generally hollow body, the body defining five sides of the box and the base defining one side of the box, said passage means being defined by opposing portions; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having wire-trapping distal ends in registry with said openings for deflectingly engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having distal ends in registry with said openings for engaging the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a generally U-shaped terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, the leg portions having distal ends in registry with said openings for engaging the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and the bight portion having terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
91 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including portions in registry with said openings for engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
91 words
A wire-trap type electrical connector, comprising: housing means defining an interior cavity with passage means through the cavity for receiving an in-line conductor, and a pair of openings in the housing for receiving the stripped ends of a pair of electrical wires; and a terminal disposed in the cavity of the housing means and including portions in registry with said openings for engaging and trapping the stripped ends of the electrical wires inserted into the openings, and terminating means in registry with said passage means for termination to the in-line conductor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3383640A
Cited
US3916149A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |