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US5176537A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Metal terminal retaining construction

Assignee: Yazaki Corp
•
Filing: 1991-12-24
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2011-12-24
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Abstract

Abstract A connector for retaining a metal terminal having an engagement portion therein. The connector includes a connector housing having a terminal receiving hole for receiving the terminal therein. The connector housing has a flexible retaining member extending therefrom which is engageable with the engagement portion of the terminal when the terminal is in a completely engaged position. A retaining reinforcement member is insertable into the connector housing to retain the flexible retaining member engaged in the terminal. Specifically, the reinforcement member includes a groove defined by opposing retaining walls. When the reinforcement member is inserted into the connector housing, the flexible retaining piece is positioned in the groove and surrounded on opposite sides by the retaining walls which prevent lateral displacement of the retaining member.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masakuni Samejima
  • 👤 Takayuki Yamamoto

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 01:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/436; H01R13/4364; H01R13/4365

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 126 words
A connector for retaining a metal terminal having an engagement portion provided therein, comprising: a connector housing having an insertion hole, and a terminal receiving chamber provided therein for receiving said terminal, and including a flexible retaining member formed thereon and being engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal when said terminal is in a completely retained position; and a retaining reinforcement member insertable into said insertion hole of said connector housing, said reinforcement member having a groove provided therein defined by opposing retaining walls, said flexible retaining member being disposed within said groove and being retained between said retaining walls when said terminal is in said completely retained position to prevent movement of said flexible retaining member in a lateral direction of said connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 126 words
A connector for retaining a metal terminal having an engagement portion provided therein, comprising: a connector housing having an insertion hole, and a terminal receiving chamber provided therein for receiving said terminal, and including a flexible retaining member formed thereon and being engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal when said terminal is in a completely retained position; and a retaining reinforcement member insertable into said insertion hole of said connector housing, said reinforcement member having a groove provided therein defined by opposing retaining walls, said flexible retaining member being disposed within said groove and being retained between said retaining walls when said terminal is in said completely retained position to prevent movement of said flexible retaining member in a lateral direction of said connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein a distance between said opposing retaining walls is slightly larger than a width of said retaining member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said connector housing has two terminal receiving chambers for receiving a pair of terminals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein a distal end of said retaining member is engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said reinforcement member includes a stepped surface disposed perpendicular to said retaining walls for abutting against said terminal to prevent longitudinal movement of said terminal further into said receiving chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said retaining reinforcement member is retainable in a provisionally retained position disposed partially in said insertion hole of said connector housing and said completely retained position disposed completely in said insertion hole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 47 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said retaining reinforcement member further includes a retaining surface disposed between said opposing retaining walls and partially defining said groove, said retaining surface abutting against a lower surface of said retaining member when said terminal is in said completely retained position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The connector of claim 7, wherein said retaining surface is an inclined surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 90 words
A connector for retaining a metal terminal having an engagement portion provided therein, comprising: a connector housing having an insertion hole, and a terminal receiving chamber provided therein for receiving said terminal, and including a flexible retaining member formed thereon and being engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal when said terminal is in a completely retained position; and a retaining reinforcement member insertable into said insertion hole of said connector housing, said reinforcement member including means for simultaneously preventing displacement of said retaining member in two distinct directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 90 words
A connector for retaining a metal terminal having an engagement portion provided therein, comprising: a connector housing having an insertion hole, and a terminal receiving chamber provided therein for receiving said terminal, and including a flexible retaining member formed thereon and being engageable with said engagement portion of said terminal when said terminal is in a completely retained position; and a retaining reinforcement member insertable into said insertion hole of said connector housing, said reinforcement member including means for simultaneously preventing displacement of said retaining member in two distinct directions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
The connector of claim 9, wherein one of said directions is a lateral direction with respect to said connector and the other direction is a vertical direction with respect to said connector.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4944695A Cited
US5088938A Cited
US5085598A Cited
US5100346A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-01-05 1996-07-06 1997-01-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-01-05 2000-07-06 2001-01-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-01-05 2004-07-06 2005-01-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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