Patent US3434762A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5478248A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5478248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for high density electronic assemblies
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
•
Filing: 1993-12-17
•
Granted: 1995-12-26
•
Expires: 2013-12-17
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of terminals secured within the housing for mounting a mating connector or an electronic module or the like having a plurality of electronic leads disposed thereon to a printed substrate. Each of the terminals has a connecting base portion that is mechanically connected to the printed substrate and a non-connecting base portion that is not mechanically connected to the printed substrate, but rather freely contacts the printed substrate. A first contact beam is cantilevered from the connecting base portion and has a distal end, while a second contact beam is similarly cantilevered from the non-connecting base portion and also has a distal end wherein a gap is formed between the distal ends of the contact beams. The leads of the mating connectors or the like are inserted into the gap for contacting engagement with the contact beams. The width of the contact beam cantilevered from the connecting base portion is preferably greater than the width of the contact beam cantilevered from the non-connecting base portion. A gap adjustment provides for simple adjustment of the size of the gap between the contact beams.
Inventors
- 👤 Niranjan K. Mitra
- 👤 Yakov Belopolsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716; H01R12/50; H01R12/51; H01R12/55; H01R12/57; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, the width of said first contact beam greater than the width of said second contact beam; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, the width of said first contact beam greater than the width of said second contact beam; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said connecting base portion includes a plated through hole attachment and an attachment tail integrally connected to said plated through hole attachment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein said connecting base portion further includes a universal plated through hole attachment and a universal tail integrally connected to said universal plated through hole attachment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein said universal plated through hole attachment and said universal tail are substantially perpendicular to said plated through hole attachment and said attachment tail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electrical connector according to claim 1, said first contact beam having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, said second contact beam having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, wherein said first inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said connecting base portion and said first distal end, and said second inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said non-connecting base portion and said second distal end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the angle between said first outer surface and said connecting base portion is about 90 degrees, and the angle between said second outer surface and said non-connecting base portion is about 90 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions, said joining means comprising a gap adjustment for changing the size of said gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions, said joining means comprising a gap adjustment for changing the size of said gap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector according to claim 7, each said terminal having a longitudinal plane, wherein said gap adjustment has a curved profile projecting outside of said longitudinal plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein said connecting base portion includes a plated through hole attachment and an attachment tail integrally connected to said plated through hole attachment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electrical connector according to claim 7, said first contact beam having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, said second contact beam having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, wherein said first inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said connecting base portion and said first distal end, and said second inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said non-connecting base portion and said second distal end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
181 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first outer surface, wherein said first outer surface is sharp in the area of said gap such that an insulation cover on a lead is removed therefrom upon insertion of the lead in said gap; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first outer surface, wherein said first outer surface is sharp in the area of said gap such that an insulation cover on a lead is removed therefrom upon insertion of the lead in said gap; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
206 words
An electrical circuit assembly, comprising: a printed substrate having a plurality of contact surfaces disposed thereon; a first connector having a plurality of leads disposed thereon; a second connector for electrically interconnecting said first connector and said printed substrate, said second connector comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion mechanically connected to one of said contact surfaces, said non-connecting base portion freely contacting said printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, one of said leads inserted in said gap such that said lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between said lead and said printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, and said first width greater than said second width; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
206 words
An electrical circuit assembly, comprising: a printed substrate having a plurality of contact surfaces disposed thereon; a first connector having a plurality of leads disposed thereon; a second connector for electrically interconnecting said first connector and said printed substrate, said second connector comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion mechanically connected to one of said contact surfaces, said non-connecting base portion freely contacting said printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, one of said leads inserted in said gap such that said lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between said lead and said printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, and said first width greater than said second width; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a first and second base portion, said first base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said second base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, said first width greater than said second width, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap; and joining means for integrally joining said first and second base portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing; a plurality of terminals secured in said housing, each of said terminals having: a first and second base portion, said first base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said second base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, said first width greater than said second width, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap; and joining means for integrally joining said first and second base portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein said joining means comprises a gap adjustment for changing the size of said gap.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electrical connector according to claim 13, said first contact beam having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, said second contact beam having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, wherein said first inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said first base portion and said first distal end, and said second inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said second base portion and said second distal end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
157 words
A connector terminal, comprising: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, the width of said first contact beam greater than the width of said second contact beam; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
157 words
A connector terminal, comprising: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first width, said second contact beam having a second width, the width of said first contact beam greater than the width of said second contact beam; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
85 words
A connector terminal according to claim 16, said first contact beam having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, said second contact beam having a second inner surface and a second outer surface, wherein said first inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said connecting base portion and said first distal end, and said second inner and outer surfaces comprise a circular curved surface at an area between said non-connecting base portion and said second distal end.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connector terminal according to claim 16, wherein said joining means comprises a gap adjustment for changing the size of said gap.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector terminal according to claim 18, each said terminal having a longitudinal plane, wherein said gap adjustment has a curved profile projecting outside of said longitudinal plane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
166 words
A connector terminal, comprising: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first outer surface, wherein said first outer surface is sharp in the area of said gap such that an insulation cover on a lead is removed therefrom upon insertion of the lead in said gap; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
166 words
A connector terminal, comprising: a connecting and a non-connecting base portion, said connecting base portion for mechanical connection with a printed substrate, said connecting base portion having a first contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said first contact beam having a first distal end, said non-connecting base portion having a second contact beam cantilevered therefrom, said second contact beam having a second distal end, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second distal ends, said first and second contact beams for receiving an electrical lead inserted in said gap such that the electrical lead contacts at least one of said distal ends for establishing electrical connection between the lead and the printed substrate, said first contact beam having a first outer surface, wherein said first outer surface is sharp in the area of said gap such that an insulation cover on a lead is removed therefrom upon insertion of the lead in said gap; and joining means for integrally joining said connecting and non-connecting base portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3199066A
Cited
US3555497A
Cited
US3596235A
Cited
US3601775A
Cited
US3864004A
Cited
US4183611A
Cited
US4230391A
Cited
US4628410A
Cited
US4969829A
Cited
US4917614A
Cited
US4934945A
Cited
US5037316A
Cited
US5013264A
Cited
US5078611A
Cited
US5104324A
Cited
US5199884A
Cited
US5324215A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |