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US5540599A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrical connector

Assignee: Kyocera Avx Components Corp
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Filing: 1994-06-09
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2014-06-09
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Abstract

Abstract A two-part electrical connector is provided with contact elements having butting contacting surfaces for making electrical contact between the two parts. In one of the two parts, at least one of the elements has a contacting surface which is laterally displaceable relative to a principal axis of the contact element and which may also be axially displaceable along the same principal axis of the contact element. In the the other of the two parts, at least one of the elements has a contacting surface angled to a principal axis of the contact element. A wiping action is thereby provided between the respective contacting surfaces of the two contact elements when the two parts of the connector engage. The connector may be employed with mobile or portable equipment, where the first part of the connector is associated with other equipment, and the other part of the connector is mounted upon the mobile or portable equipment. (FIGS. 4 & 8)

Inventors

  • 👤 Peter G. Bishop

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 15:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/22; H01R13/24; H01R13/2407; H01R13/2428; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/16

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 193 words
A two-part electrical connector, one part comprising a first contact element fabricated of a conductive strip material and having an integral contact surface formed in the broad dimension of the strip, and the other part comprising a second contact element fabricated of a conductive strip material and having an integral contacting surface formed in the broad dimension of the strip, the contacting surface of the first contact element adapted to make butting contact with the contacting surface of the second contact element when the two parts of the connector are assembled together, the contacting surface of the first contact element being capable of lateral movement relative to a principal axis of the first contact element, and the contacting surface of the second contact element being angled relative to a principal axis of the second contact element, such that when the respective contacting surfaces of the first and the second contact elements make butting contact, the contacting surface of the first contact element is displaced at least partly across the contacting surface of the second contact element, thereby providing a surface wiping action in order to clean one or both of the contacting surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 193 words
A two-part electrical connector, one part comprising a first contact element fabricated of a conductive strip material and having an integral contact surface formed in the broad dimension of the strip, and the other part comprising a second contact element fabricated of a conductive strip material and having an integral contacting surface formed in the broad dimension of the strip, the contacting surface of the first contact element adapted to make butting contact with the contacting surface of the second contact element when the two parts of the connector are assembled together, the contacting surface of the first contact element being capable of lateral movement relative to a principal axis of the first contact element, and the contacting surface of the second contact element being angled relative to a principal axis of the second contact element, such that when the respective contacting surfaces of the first and the second contact elements make butting contact, the contacting surface of the first contact element is displaced at least partly across the contacting surface of the second contact element, thereby providing a surface wiping action in order to clean one or both of the contacting surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
A two-part electrical connector in accordance with claim 1 in which at least one of the two contact elements is axially displaceable along its principal axis, thereby to provide a positive engagement pressure between the two contacting surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
A two-part electrical connector in accordance with claim 2 in which the first contact element is axially displaceable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
A two-part electrical connector in accordance with claim 3 in which the axial displacement is provided by a resilient section integrally formed as part of the first contact element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
A two-part electrical connector in accordance with claim 4 in which the resilient section is serpentine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
A two-part electrical connector in accordance with claim 4 in whch the surface contacting surface and the resilient section of the first contact element are directly adjoined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
A two-part electrical connector in accordance with claim 1 in which the contacting surface of the second contact element is arranged at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the principal axis of the second contact element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
A two-part electrical connector in accordance with claim 1 in which the contacting surface of the second contacting surface lies within a recess in the body of the other part.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2615951A Cited
FR1347283A Cited
US4431242A Cited
EP0256541A2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-07-30 2000-01-29 2000-07-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-07-30 2004-01-29 2004-07-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-07-30 2008-01-29 2008-07-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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