Patent US5597327A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5597327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spring terminal and method for making a spring terminal
Assignee: Cooper Technologies Co
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Filing: 1995-05-18
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Granted: 1997-01-28
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Expires: 2015-05-18
Abstract
Abstract In a spring terminal, a central web and a left and a right spring assembly are provided. Each spring assembly is substantially U-shaped and includes first and second legs interconnected by a bight. A first leg of each spring assembly is attached to the central web and extends therefrom toward a respective bight. A second leg of each spring assembly extends toward the central web from a respective bight. Both second legs of the spring assemblies are disposed between the first legs and define a socket together with the central web. The second legs are flexible with respect to the central web in directions toward and away from each other. A socket assembly including spring terminals and a method of making a spring terminal are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 James V. Agro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11; H01R13/113; H01R33/00; H01R33/05; H01R33/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A socket assembly, comprising: a pair of spring terminals formed of an electrically conductive material, each spring terminal including a central web, and a left and a right spring assembly, each spring assembly being substantially U-shaped and including first and second legs interconnected by a bight, a first leg of each spring assembly being attached to the central web and extending therefrom toward a respective bight, a second leg of each spring assembly extending toward the central web from a respective bight, with both second legs of the spring assemblies being disposed between the first legs and defining a socket together with the central web, the second legs being flexible with respect to the central web in directions toward and away from each other; a contact cover, the pair of spring terminals being mounted inside of the contact cover such that the sockets of the pair of spring terminals are aligned with each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A socket assembly, comprising: a pair of spring terminals formed of an electrically conductive material, each spring terminal including a central web, and a left and a right spring assembly, each spring assembly being substantially U-shaped and including first and second legs interconnected by a bight, a first leg of each spring assembly being attached to the central web and extending therefrom toward a respective bight, a second leg of each spring assembly extending toward the central web from a respective bight, with both second legs of the spring assemblies being disposed between the first legs and defining a socket together with the central web, the second legs being flexible with respect to the central web in directions toward and away from each other; a contact cover, the pair of spring terminals being mounted inside of the contact cover such that the sockets of the pair of spring terminals are aligned with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The socket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein, for each spring terminal, the central web and the left and right spring assemblies are formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The socket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein each spring terminal further includes a terminal connection mounting point including a hole formed in the spring terminal for riveting a ring terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The socket assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the terminal connection mounting point is disposed at a distance from the socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The socket assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the terminal connection mounting point is formed on a portion of the web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the central web and the left and right spring assemblies are formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The socket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein, for each spring terminal, an upper end of each of the second legs is sloped such that an upper region of the socket is substantially V-shaped and larger than a lower region of the socket.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of making a socket assembly, comprising the steps of: forming a pair of spring terminals by, for each spring terminal, providing a flat sheet of conductive material, bending a left and a right end of the conductive material relative to a central region such that the left and right end are substantially perpendicular to the central region, and bending the left and right end such that edges of the left and right end are disposed proximate the central region and define, with the central region, a socket; and mounting the pair of spring terminals inside of a contact cover such that the sockets of the pair of spring terminals are aligned with each other.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of making a socket assembly, comprising the steps of: forming a pair of spring terminals by, for each spring terminal, providing a flat sheet of conductive material, bending a left and a right end of the conductive material relative to a central region such that the left and right end are substantially perpendicular to the central region, and bending the left and right end such that edges of the left and right end are disposed proximate the central region and define, with the central region, a socket; and mounting the pair of spring terminals inside of a contact cover such that the sockets of the pair of spring terminals are aligned with each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of making a socket assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the left and right end are each bent such that they are substantially U-shaped and have first and second legs spaced at a distance from each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of making a socket assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the left and right end are each bent such that an upper end of each of the second legs is sloped such that an upper region of the socket is substantially V-shaped and larger than a lower region of the socket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of making a socket assembly as set forth in claim 8, comprising the further step of forming a terminal connection mounting point on the spring terminal by forming a hole in the spring terminal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-07-29 | 2001-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-28 | 2004-07-29 | 2005-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-28 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |