Patent US5453029A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5453029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact support for a molded connector
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1994-08-31
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Granted: 1995-09-26
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Expires: 2014-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A molded connector has a contact support made of a material which is chemically compatible with the molded body and has a similar melting point. The contact support is provided with thin fins which provide a barrier around each of the contacts. As the molded material is injected around the contact support and contacts, the fins melt and fuse to the surrounding material, thereby isolating the contacts from each other.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Moldenhauer
- 👤 Carl C. Strickland, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R43/24; H01R13/00; H01R13/40; H01R13/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A molded electrical connector for completing an electrical circuit, said connector comprising: a head made of a moldable material; a contact support made of said moldable material, said contact support including means for retaining a plurality of contacts and means for isolating said contacts from each other, said head being molded around said contact support to hold said contacts therein; and a plurality of wires electrically and mechanically connected to said plurality of contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A molded electrical connector for completing an electrical circuit, said connector comprising: a head made of a moldable material; a contact support made of said moldable material, said contact support including means for retaining a plurality of contacts and means for isolating said contacts from each other, said head being molded around said contact support to hold said contacts therein; and a plurality of wires electrically and mechanically connected to said plurality of contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The molded connector described in claim 1, wherein said contact support further includes a substantially disk-shaped body having a front surface, rear surface and outer perimeter surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The molded connector described in claim 2, wherein said means for retaining said plurality of contacts includes a plurality of access slots formed in said body, each of said slots terminating in a semicircular portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The molded connector described in claim 3, wherein said means for isolating said contact from each other includes a plurality of fins extending from said first surface, second surface and said perimeter surface, said fins constructed and arranged to create a barrier between the slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The molded connector described in claim 4, whereby said fins are constructed and arranged whereby, as heated material is injected around the contact support, the fins will melt and fuse with the heated material while the contact support remains solid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The molded connector described in claim 5, whereby said fins have a thickness of between 0.013 and 0.023".
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The molded connector described in claim 5, whereby a thickness ratio between the contact support and the fins is 7:1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The molded connector described in claim 1, whereby said moldable material is a thermoplastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A heat moldable contact support for a molded electrical connector, said contact support constructed of a heat moldable material and comprising: a substantially disk-shaped body having a front surface, rear surface and outer perimeter surface; a plurality of access slots formed in said body, each of said slots terminating in a semicircular area and constructed and arranged to securely hold a cylindrical contact; and a plurality of fins extending from said first surface, second surface and said perimeter surface, said fins constructed and arranged to melt at a substantially lower temperature than said disk, thereby isolating said cylindrical contacts from each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A heat moldable contact support for a molded electrical connector, said contact support constructed of a heat moldable material and comprising: a substantially disk-shaped body having a front surface, rear surface and outer perimeter surface; a plurality of access slots formed in said body, each of said slots terminating in a semicircular area and constructed and arranged to securely hold a cylindrical contact; and a plurality of fins extending from said first surface, second surface and said perimeter surface, said fins constructed and arranged to melt at a substantially lower temperature than said disk, thereby isolating said cylindrical contacts from each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A molded electrical connector for completing an electrical circuit, said connector comprising: a head made of a moldable material; a contact support made of a second moldable material having a chemical compatibility and melting point substantially the same as said moldable material, said contact support including means for retaining a plurality of contacts and means for isolating said contacts from each other; and a plurality of wires electrically and mechanically connected to said plurality of contacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A molded electrical connector for completing an electrical circuit, said connector comprising: a head made of a moldable material; a contact support made of a second moldable material having a chemical compatibility and melting point substantially the same as said moldable material, said contact support including means for retaining a plurality of contacts and means for isolating said contacts from each other; and a plurality of wires electrically and mechanically connected to said plurality of contacts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4043630A
Cited
US5282753A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-25 | 1999-03-27 | 1999-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2003-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-25 | 2007-03-27 | 2007-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |