Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A low insertion force electrical connector for interconnecting a foil circuit to a printed circuit board, said connector comprising an insulating housing carrying a plurality of electrical terminals and an actuator member, said terminal including a printed circuit board contact, a base portion, two contact arms and an actuator arm, the connector being characterized in that the actuator arm and two contact arms extend from the base arm by way of a spring arm portion, and in that the actuator member includes a camming wedge insertable between the actuator arm and one of the contact arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A low insertion force electrical connector for interconnecting a foil circuit to a printed circuit board, said connector comprising an insulating housing carrying a plurality of electrical terminals and an actuator member, said terminal including a printed circuit board contact, a base portion, two contact arms and an actuator arm, the connector being characterized in that the actuator arm and two contact arms extend from the base arm by way of a spring arm portion, and in that the actuator member includes a camming wedge insertable between the actuator arm and one of the contact arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector of claim 1, characterized in that said actuator arm and one of said contact arms extend upwardly from a joining section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector of claim 1, characterized in that said actuator arm and said other contact arm extend in a direction substantially parallel to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 1, characterized in that said other contact arm extends integrally from the contact arm by way of a spring portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 4, characterized in that said other contact arm is positioned intermediate of said actuator arm and contact are.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrical terminal for use in an electrical connector for connecting at least one conductor from a foil cable to a circuit, said electrical terminal comprising a base arm, an actuator arm resiliently coupled to said base arm, said actuator arm comprising a first leg portion, a second leg portion, a third leg portion and a joining portion joining said first, second and third leg portions, said second and third leg portions defining an insertion area for receiving the foil cable, said terminal being characterized in that said first and second leg portions define an actuator area for receiving an actuator, and said second leg portion being resilient so that upon inserting an actuator into said insertion area said first and second portions are urged apart and said second and third portions are urged towards each other and into engagement with the at least one conductor of the foil cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrical terminal for use in an electrical connector for connecting at least one conductor from a foil cable to a circuit, said electrical terminal comprising a base arm, an actuator arm resiliently coupled to said base arm, said actuator arm comprising a first leg portion, a second leg portion, a third leg portion and a joining portion joining said first, second and third leg portions, said second and third leg portions defining an insertion area for receiving the foil cable, said terminal being characterized in that said first and second leg portions define an actuator area for receiving an actuator, and said second leg portion being resilient so that upon inserting an actuator into said insertion area said first and second portions are urged apart and said second and third portions are urged towards each other and into engagement with the at least one conductor of the foil cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical terminal as recited in claim 6 characterized in that said electrical terminals are edge stamped from a sheet of conductive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical terminal as recited in claim 6 characterized in that said first, second, and third leg portions are generally parallel to said, base arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
The electrical connector comprising at least one terminal as recited in claim 6 characterized in that said electrical connector comprises a housing having a plurality of terminal receiving passageways for receiving a plurality of said electrical terminals, said housing having an upper surface and a mounting surface, said terminal receiving passageway defining an opening in said housing for receiving said electrical terminal (26, 50) and said actuator; said mounting surface having a press-fit opening associated with said terminal receiving passageway for receiving a solder leg of said terminal in order to secure said electrical terminal in said terminal receiving passageway, said solder leg protruding from said mounting surface to enable the electrical terminal to be mounted on a circuit board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector of claim 9, characterized in that the actuator includes camming surfaces which cam against edges of the first and second leg portions.