US5470258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
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Filing: 1993-12-22
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Granted: 1995-11-28
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Expires: 2013-12-22
Abstract
Abstract The receptacle contact (10) includes a box-shaped contact section (12) with its upper wall folded over to provide protrusions (36) to abut against the tip of a resilient arm (48). Such receptacle contacts (10) are inserted into contact receiving cavities (42) in the connector housing (44). A double-lock member (150) may be used for double locking the contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuru Suzuki
- 👤 Mikio Shindo
- 👤 Yoichi Kashiwa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/422; H01R13/4223; H01R13/436; H01R13/4367
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulated housing member with a plurality of contact receiving cavities therein, at least one of said cavities includes a resilient arm which is formed on a wall of said at least one cavity, an electrical contact for insertion into said at least one cavity, said contact having a general box shape with an upper wall portion, said upper wall portion having an upwardly extending projection for sliding engagement with said resilient arm and contact with an end surface of said resilient arm; and a double lock member for retaining said contact in said housing; whereby, when said contact is inserted into said at least one cavity said projection engages and deflects said resilient arm for an initial low insertion force, and as the contact is inserted further the insertion force increases as a portion of said resilient arm engages said cavity wall, and when said contact is fully inserted said projection contacts the end surface of said resilient arm thereby retaining said contact in said at least one cavity against separation forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulated housing member with a plurality of contact receiving cavities therein, at least one of said cavities includes a resilient arm which is formed on a wall of said at least one cavity, an electrical contact for insertion into said at least one cavity, said contact having a general box shape with an upper wall portion, said upper wall portion having an upwardly extending projection for sliding engagement with said resilient arm and contact with an end surface of said resilient arm; and a double lock member for retaining said contact in said housing; whereby, when said contact is inserted into said at least one cavity said projection engages and deflects said resilient arm for an initial low insertion force, and as the contact is inserted further the insertion force increases as a portion of said resilient arm engages said cavity wall, and when said contact is fully inserted said projection contacts the end surface of said resilient arm thereby retaining said contact in said at least one cavity against separation forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact includes a wire termination portion having a double-lock barrel member for engaging the double-lock member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the double-lock member engages said double-lock barrel and said housing for retaining said contact in said at least one cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the double lock member has a tongue portion which engages said double-lock barrel, and leg portions which extend along the outside of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, wherein said double-lock member has leg portions extending on opposed outside surfaces of said housing, and said housing includes ramp surfaces for deflecting said legs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulated housing member with a plurality of contact receiving cavities therein, at least one of said cavities includes a resilient arm which is formed on a wall of said at least one cavity, an electrical contact for insertion into said at least one cavity, said contact having a general box shape with an upper wall portion, said upper wall portion having an upwardly extending thickened projection centrally of said upper wall portion for sliding engagement with said resilient arm and engagement with an end surface of said resilient arm thereby retaining said electrical contact within said at least one cavity, and a double lock member for retaining said contact in said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulated housing member with a plurality of contact receiving cavities therein, at least one of said cavities includes a resilient arm which is formed on a wall of said at least one cavity, an electrical contact for insertion into said at least one cavity, said contact having a general box shape with an upper wall portion, said upper wall portion having an upwardly extending thickened projection centrally of said upper wall portion for sliding engagement with said resilient arm and engagement with an end surface of said resilient arm thereby retaining said electrical contact within said at least one cavity, and a double lock member for retaining said contact in said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 6, wherein, when said contact is inserted into said at least one cavity said projection engages and deflects said resilient arm for an initial low insertion force, and as the contact is inserted further the insertion force increases as a portion of said resilient arm engages said cavity wall, and when said contact is fully inserted said projection contacts the end surface of said resilient arm thereby retaining said contact in said at least one cavity against separation forces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the electrical contact includes a wire termination portion having a double-lock barrel member for engaging the double-lock member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the double-lock member engages said double-lock barrel and said housing for retaining said contact in said at least one cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the double lock member has a tongue portion which engages said double-lock barrel, and leg portions which extend along the outside of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 8, wherein said double-lock member has leg portions extending on opposed outside surfaces of said housing, and said housing includes ramp surfaces for deflecting said legs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulated housing member with a plurality of contact receiving cavities therein, at least one of said cavities includes a resilient arm which is formed on a wall of said at least one cavity; an electrical contact for insertion into said at least one cavity, said contact having an upper portion, said upper portion includes a thickened projection centrally of said upper portion for sliding engagement with said resilient arm and engagement with an end surface of the resilient arm thereby retaining said electrical contact within said at least one cavity, a double lock member for retaining said contact in said housing; and said contact includes a wire termination portion having a double-lock barrel member for engaging the double-lock member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: an insulated housing member with a plurality of contact receiving cavities therein, at least one of said cavities includes a resilient arm which is formed on a wall of said at least one cavity; an electrical contact for insertion into said at least one cavity, said contact having an upper portion, said upper portion includes a thickened projection centrally of said upper portion for sliding engagement with said resilient arm and engagement with an end surface of the resilient arm thereby retaining said electrical contact within said at least one cavity, a double lock member for retaining said contact in said housing; and said contact includes a wire termination portion having a double-lock barrel member for engaging the double-lock member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein the double-lock member engages said double-lock barrel and said housing for retaining said contact in said at least one cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein said double-lock member has a tongue portion for engaging said double-lock barrel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the double-lock member has at least one deflectable leg portion which extends along the outside of said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical connector of claim 15, wherein the housing includes at least one ramp surface for deflecting said leg.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
113 words
An electrical connector comprising: an insulated housing having a contact-receiving cavity; a resilient arm provided by a wall of said contact-receiving cavity extending downwardly from the wall and toward a front end of said housing; an electrical contact insertable into said contact-receiving cavity and including a contact section and a wire-connection section; and an upper portion of said contact section adjacent an inner end of said contact section being folded over thereby forming a protrusion extending above a surface of said upper portion; whereby said protrusion is engaged by an engaging surface of said resilient arm when the electrical contact is fully inserted into said contact-receiving cavity thereby retaining said electrical contact therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
113 words
An electrical connector comprising: an insulated housing having a contact-receiving cavity; a resilient arm provided by a wall of said contact-receiving cavity extending downwardly from the wall and toward a front end of said housing; an electrical contact insertable into said contact-receiving cavity and including a contact section and a wire-connection section; and an upper portion of said contact section adjacent an inner end of said contact section being folded over thereby forming a protrusion extending above a surface of said upper portion; whereby said protrusion is engaged by an engaging surface of said resilient arm when the electrical contact is fully inserted into said contact-receiving cavity thereby retaining said electrical contact therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrical connector as claimed in claim 17, wherein said wire-connecting section includes a double-lock barrel member, and a double-lock member latchably mounted on said housing and having an engaging section engaging said double-lock barrel member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-27 | 1999-05-29 | 1999-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | 2003-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-05-29 | 2007-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |