US5226840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector terminal and contact
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-28
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2011-05-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector terminal formed from sheet stock of desired thickness in a "T"-shaped blank. Opposite arms of the "T"-shaped blank are folded on themselves accordion-style to form an integral head portion having a thickness of several multiples of the sheet stock thickness. An electrical contact fulcrum surface is formed on the edges of the folded material of the head portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy A. Wojtanek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/08; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/04; H01R43/00; H01R43/16; H01H11/00; H01H11/04; H01R13/40; H01R13/405; H01R13/41; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/49222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of making an elongated electrical connector terminal and switch contact comprising the steps of: (a) providing a metal sheet stock of desired thickness; (b) forming a generally "T"-shaped blank from said sheet stock; (c) convoluting the oppositely directed arms of said "T"-shaped blank and folding the arms in closed-stack arrangement and forming a head for said terminal; and, (d) forming a switching contact surface on the end face of said closed-end stack arrangement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of making an elongated electrical connector terminal and switch contact comprising the steps of: (a) providing a metal sheet stock of desired thickness; (b) forming a generally "T"-shaped blank from said sheet stock; (c) convoluting the oppositely directed arms of said "T"-shaped blank and folding the arms in closed-stack arrangement and forming a head for said terminal; and, (d) forming a switching contact surface on the end face of said closed-end stack arrangement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming a "T"-shaped blank includes the step of forming a plurality of barbs or opposite margins of the trunk of said "T" shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming a head for said terminal includes the step of forming a fulcrum pivot surface on the end face of said closed-stack arrangement.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of making an electrical terminal and switch contact from sheet stock comprising: (a) forming a generally "T"-shaped blank from said stock; (b) folding the oppositely directed arms of said "T"-shaped blank in accordian-like manner and closing said folded arms in flat stack arrangement, and forming a head for said terminal; and, (c) forming a switching contact surface on the end face of said flat stack arrangement.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of making an electrical terminal and switch contact from sheet stock comprising: (a) forming a generally "T"-shaped blank from said stock; (b) folding the oppositely directed arms of said "T"-shaped blank in accordian-like manner and closing said folded arms in flat stack arrangement, and forming a head for said terminal; and, (c) forming a switching contact surface on the end face of said flat stack arrangement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of forming a "T"-shaped blank includes the step of forming barbs on opposite sides of the center leg of said "T" shape.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of forming an electrical connector terminal and switch contact from sheet stock comprising the steps of: (a) forming a "T"-shaped terminal blank from said sheet stock; (b) folding each of the oppositely directed arms of said "T"-shaped blank back on itself and forming a thickened head portion of said terminal; and, (c) forming an electrical switching contact surface on the end face of said head portion.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of forming an electrical connector terminal and switch contact from sheet stock comprising the steps of: (a) forming a "T"-shaped terminal blank from said sheet stock; (b) folding each of the oppositely directed arms of said "T"-shaped blank back on itself and forming a thickened head portion of said terminal; and, (c) forming an electrical switching contact surface on the end face of said head portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of forming a fulcrumming surface on the end face of said folded arms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrical connector terminal and switch contact comprising: (a) an elongated blade portion having a generally rectangular transverse section with the thickness thereof substantially less than the width; (b) a head portion formed integrally with said blade portion at the end thereof and comprising material folded on itself to form a thickness consisting of multiples of said blade thickness; and, (c) a switching contact surface formed on the end face of said multiples of blade thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrical connector terminal and switch contact comprising: (a) an elongated blade portion having a generally rectangular transverse section with the thickness thereof substantially less than the width; (b) a head portion formed integrally with said blade portion at the end thereof and comprising material folded on itself to form a thickness consisting of multiples of said blade thickness; and, (c) a switching contact surface formed on the end face of said multiples of blade thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector terminal defined in claim 8, wherein said head portion has a fulcrumming surface formed in the edges of said folded material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector terminal defined in claim 8 wherein said blade portion has barbs formed on opposite edges thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrical terminal and switch contact comprising: (a) an elongated blade portion having a thickness generally thin with respect to the width in flat configuration; (b) a head portion formed integrally with said blade portion and comprising multiple layers of material of said blade thickness folded on itself in closed-stack serpentine arrangement; and, (c) a switching contact surface formed on the end face of said closed stack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrical terminal and switch contact comprising: (a) an elongated blade portion having a thickness generally thin with respect to the width in flat configuration; (b) a head portion formed integrally with said blade portion and comprising multiple layers of material of said blade thickness folded on itself in closed-stack serpentine arrangement; and, (c) a switching contact surface formed on the end face of said closed stack.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The terminal defined in claim 11 further comprising a fulcrumming recess formed in the edges of said folded layers.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |