U.S. patent number 3,865,457 [Application Number 05/367,072] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-11 for low insertion force receptacle and cammed housing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AMP Incorporated. Invention is credited to Clyde Thomas Carter.
United States Patent |
3,865,457 |
Carter |
February 11, 1975 |
LOW INSERTION FORCE RECEPTACLE AND CAMMED HOUSING
Abstract
The present invention relates to a receptacle and also a zero
insertion force connector in the form of an electrical receptacle
mounted within a housing. The housing is provided with an apertured
cover which is movable on the housing to one position in order to
bias the receptacle to an open position, allowing a male contact to
be inserted through the apertured cover and into the receptacle
without substantial resistance to insertion thereof. The cover is
subsequently moved to a second position on the housing to release
the receptacle and allow the receptacle to resiliently close and
grip on the male contact, thereby electrically terminating the male
contact to the receptacle within the housing. As a further feature
of the invention, the receptacle is of stamped and formed
configuration having a body portion with a pair of opposed gripping
portions projecting therefrom. Means are provided on the body
portion to distribute the resilient deflection of the spring
fingers substantially along the length of the body portion, such
that a gripping force is provided by the cumulative deflections of
the spring fingers and the body portion together. Also the tendency
for unfolding of the body portion as the spring fingers are
deflected is greatly aleviated by distribution of the deflection
along a substantial length of the body portion.
Inventors: |
Carter; Clyde Thomas
(Shermansdale, PA) |
Assignee: |
AMP Incorporated (Harrisburg,
PA)
|
Family
ID: |
23445826 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/367,072 |
Filed: |
June 4, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/193 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/02 (20060101); H01R 13/193 (20060101); H01r
013/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/74,75,176 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGlynn; Joseph H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kita; Gerald K.
Claims
I claim:
1. A zero insertion force connector having at least one gripping
electrical terminal mounted within a housing of dielectrical
material, the improvement comprising: said housing having a cover
portion provided with an aperture corresponding to said terminal
position in said housing, said terminal having a pair of contact
fingers projecting into the aperture of said cover, said cover
being mounted on said housing for translation to a first position
biasing said terminal fingers to open positions defining a
receptacle throat area adjacent said aperture of said cover, said
cover portion being biased to a second position allowing said
terminal fingers to deflect resiliently toward each other into
closed positions narrowing said receptacle throat area, said
fingers having channel configurations which are in alignment with
each other to define said receptacle throat area and which are
biased past each other to define said narrowed throat area.
2. A zero insertion force connector comprising:
a dielectric housing,
at least one electrical terminal mounted in said housing,
a dielectric cover mounted slidably on said housing,
said cover being provided with at least one aperture having a
relatively wide portion and a relatively narrow portion,
said terminal having a body portion and a wire engaging portion and
a pair of projecting and normally spaced apart resilient spring
fingers having U-shaped ends received into said aperture of said
cover,
said spring fingers having gripping surfaces thereon,
said cover being slidable to a first position on said housing to
forcibly bias said U-shaped ends into said relatively narrow
portion of said aperture and into mutual tandem alignment,
said spring fingers being resiliently deflected outwardly away from
each other when said U-shaped ends are biased into mutual tandem
alignment, whereby said gripping surfaces are separated to freely
receive therebetween a male terminal inserted into each of said
U-shaped ends,
and said cover being slidable on said housing to a second position
receiving said U-shaped ends into said relatively wide portion of
said aperture, allowing said U-shaped ends to move out of tandem
alignment and to allow said spring fingers to deflect toward each
other whereby to engage the gripping surfaces thereof on a male
terminal.
3. The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein,
said body portion includes a plurality of cut-out portions defining
sections of the body portion having different degrees of resilient
deflection as a reaction to resilient deflection of said spring
arms toward each other.
4. The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein,
said body portion is folded into an elongated closed box
configuration having a longitudinal seam,
said body portion being folded in compression along said seam,
said arms being joined to one end of said body portion,
the other end of said body portion having a projecting wire
engaging portion and an open notch along said seam,
said notch tending to close by resilient deflection of said body as
a reaction to resilient deflection of said spring arms outwardly
away from each other.
5. The structure as recited in claim 4, wherein,
said body portion includes a plurality of cut-out portions defining
sections of the body portion having different degrees of resilient
deflection as a reaction to resilient deflection of said spring
arms outwardly away from each other.
6. A zero insertion force connector, comprising:
a dielectric housing,
at least one electrical terminal mounted in said housing,
a dielectric cover mounted slidably on said housing,
said cover being provided with at least one aperture having a
relatively wide portion and a relatively narrow portion,
said terminal having a body portion and a wire engaging portion and
a pair of projecting and normally spaced apart resilient spring
fingers having U-shaped ends received into said aperture of said
cover,
said U-shaped ends having gripping surfaces thereon,
said cover being slidable to a first position on said housing to
forcibly bias said U-shaped ends into said relatively narrow
portion of said aperture and into mutual tandem alignment whereby
said gripping surfaces are separated to freely receive therebetween
a male terminal inserted into each of said U-shaped ends,
said spring fingers being resiliently deflected toward each other
when said U-shaped ends are in mutual tandem alignment,
and said cover being slidable on said housing to a second position
receiving said U-shaped ends into said relatively wide portion of
said aperture to allow resilient deflection of said spring fingers
to their normally spaced apart positions, said spring fingers
biasing said U-shaped ends out of tandem alignment and moving said
gripping surfaces toward each other whereby to grippingly engage a
male terminal.
7. The structure as recited in claim 6, wherein,
said body portion is folded into an elongated box configuration
having a first end from which said spring fingers extend,
said box configuration having a longitudinal margin provided with
an opening therealong,
said spring fingers normally spaced apart on either side of said
opening, and
said spring fingers tending to close said opening when said spring
fingers are deflected resiliently toward each other.
Description
The present invention relates to a receptacle and also a zero
insertion force connector in the form of an electrical receptacle
mounted within a housing. The housing is provided with an apertured
cover which is movable on the housing to one position in order to
bias the receptacle to an open position, allowing a male contact to
be inserted through the apertured cover and into the receptacle
without substantial resistance to insertion thereof. The cover is
subsequently moved to a second position on the housing to release
the receptacle and allow the receptacle to resiliently close and
grip on the male contact, thereby electrically terminating the male
contact to the receptacle within the housing. As a further feature
of the invention, the receptacle is of stamped and formed
configuration having a body portion with a pair of opposed gripping
portions projecting therefrom. Means are provided on the body
portion to distribute the resilient deflection of the spring
fingers substantially along the length of the body portion, such
that a gripping force is provided by the cumulative deflections of
the spring fingers and the body portion together. Also the tendency
for unfolding of the body portion as the spring fingers are
deflected is greatly aleviated by distribution of the deflection
along a substantial length of the body portion.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
zero insertion force connector in the form of a dielectric housing
containing at least one resilient electrical terminal which
resiliently closes into gripping relationship on a male electrical
terminal inserted within the housing, with the receptacle being
positively biased by said housing to an open position allowing the
male electrical terminal to be received within the housing without
resistance to insertion within the receptacle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical
terminal in the form of a stamped and formed receptacle having a
body portion and a pair of projecting resilient spring fingers, the
fingers being resiliently deflectable toward each other to grip
therebetween a male electrical terminal, and the body portion being
provided with a series of cutouts which distribute deflection of
the spring fingers into a corresponding deflection along a
substantial length of the body portion, whereby gripping pressure
may be applied at the spring fingers by the resilient deflection of
the spring fingers and the body portion, rather than by deflection
merely of the spring fingers alone.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical
receptacle which provides a gripping force by resilient deflection
of a pair of opposed spring fingers, whereby deflection of the
spring fingers is transmitted into a corresponding deflection of a
body portion of the receptacle to provide a resilient gripping
force at the fingers produced by the cumulative deflections of the
spring fingers and the body portion together.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical
terminal folded into a receptacle wherein the seam of the
receptacle is provided with opposed margins which are formed with
angular edges compressed together thereby preloading the receptacle
despite the slightly open configuration of the receptacle.
Other objects and many attendant advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon perusal of the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. 1 is an enlarged elevation of a unitary electrical terminal in
the form of a receptacle according to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective of the terminal illustrated in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan of a stamped and formed metal blank to
be subsequently formed into the terminal as illustrated in FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 4--4
of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the preferred
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 illustrating another mode of
operation;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged section taken along the line 6--6 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged section taken along the line 7--7 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective of a housing and cover portion
for containing a terminal as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevation of the cover portion illustrated in
FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged section of the assembled cover and housing
with a terminal in place;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged section taken along the line 11--11 of FIG.
10;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to that of FIG.
11 and illustrating the exemplary terminal therein in an open
position;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line
13--13 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 14 is a magnified view of the view-outlined portion of FIG. 11
illustrating the detail permitting latching of the cover to the
housing;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of another embodiment of a
terminal according to the present invention;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view of a metal blank to be
subsequently formed into the terminal illustrated in FIG. 15;
and
FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-section of the ends of the terminal
illustrated in FIG. 15.
With more particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an electrical
terminal according to the present invention will be described in
detail. The terminal, illustrated generally at 1, in FIG. 1,
comprises a stamped and formed electrical terminal in the form of a
receptacle which is fabricated from a blank illustrated in FIG. 3
generally at 2. The terminal includes a pair of elongated spring
fingers which extend in cantilever fashion integral with a body
portion generally indicated at 8. As shown the body portion 8 is
formed into a box configuration having opposed sidewalls 10 and 12
with another sidewall being formed by a pair of folded margins 14
and 16 defining a pair of elongated portions 18 separated by a seam
20. At one end, the seam 20 widens into a dovetail notch 22 for a
purpose to be described hereinafter. In addition, the body portion
8 of the receptacle is integral with a crimp barrel portion 24
comprised of a pair of conductor crimping ears 26 and 28 adjacent a
pair of insulation crimping ears 30 and 32. For example, the ears
26 and 28 are adapted to be folded around and crimped onto an
exposed conductor wire, where as the ears 30 and 32 are adapted to
be curled over and crimped into engagement in insulation which
covers the wire. Such a crimped configuration on an insulated wire
is in accordance with accepted practices available in the prior
art.
At the other end of the body portion 8 the fingers 4 and 6 extend
longitudinally of the box configuration body, and terminate in a
pair of corresponding channel shaped actuating jaws 34 and 36. As
shown, the actuating jaws 34 and 36 are in tandem relationship,
generally formed to U-shaped channel end configurations which are
biased past each other such that the U-shaped channel end portion
of one does not coincide in alignment with the U-shaped channel
portion of the other.
As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the terminal is
provided along a bottom wall thereof, which joins the walls 10 and
12, with a generally laterally extending T-shaped flange 38 which
is generally in the same plane as the bottom wall of the box shaped
configuration body portion 8 but which has the arms of the T-shaped
portion positioned generally along the walls 10 and 12 for a
locking the terminal within a corresponding cavity of a housing, to
be further explained in detail. With reference to the same FIGS.,
the spring arms 4 and 6 are provided with formed elongated flutes
or valleys 40 and 42 extending from the body portion 12 and into
the cantilever configuration of the spring arms, the flutes being
provided to stiffen and prevent bowing of the spring arms in
cantilever deflection as will be explained in detail hereinafter.
The terminal also is provided in each of the walls 10 and 12 with
cutout portions 44, 46 and 48. As shown the cutout portions are
generally elongated in configuration with rounded end portions
extending diagonally toward one anoher, thereby defining in each
sidewall 10 and 12 a pair of torsional elements generally in tandem
relationship to a corresponding spring finger and 4 and 6. The
operation of the torsional elements will be defined in detail
hereinafter.
In addition, the body portion 88 is further provided with a pair of
recessed dimples 50 and 52 on the overlapping margins of the body
portions 18, such that the dimples 50 and 52 oppose each other
along the seam 20. The dimples 50 and 52 are offset from one
another to provide undulations along seam 20 which are in abutment
with each other to prevent the portions 18 from overlapping each
other. This allows the box configuration of the terminals to be
folded closed with a substantial compression along the seam 20,
without causing overlapping of the portions 18. Such compression
allows the spring arms 4 and 6 to be prestressed. More
particularly, when the spring arms 4 and 6 are resiliently
deflected away from each other in a manner to be described, such
deflection will accordingly not cause separation of the body
portion along the seam 20, until the deflections of the spring arms
are sufficiently great to overcome the compression forces along the
seam 20. Accordingly, when such compression forces are overcome,
the body portion will tend to separate slightly along the seam 20.
This will cause the dovetail groove 22 to slightly closeup, in a
manner to be explained. Thus, the body is designed to slightly open
along its seam 20 adjacent the spring elements, but slightly close
at the remaining end of the body portion along the seam at the
dovetail portion 22. This phenomenum is specifically required such
that deflection of the spring elements also causes a corresponding
deflection of the body portion length along its seam 20. Such
deflection of the body portion creates resilient spring energy
therein which is transferred to the spring arms. When a male
terminal is received between the resiliently spread apart spring
arms, the gripping forces of the spring arms on the terminal will
be caused by the resilient deflection of the spring arms themselves
and also the resilient deflection in the body portion. Such
provides a substantial resilient gripping force on the male
terminal, without relying merely upon the spring arms themselves to
provide the gripping force. Such provides a substantial gripping
force on the male terminal with but a minimum amount of spread
apart deflection required by the spring arms to create such a
resilient gripping force. Accordingly, the receptacle according to
the present invention need not require a large amount of clearance
surrounding the terminal to allow for large amounts of deflection
in the spring arms. Instead with a relatively small amount of
deflection, substantial gripping forces can be applied by the
spring elements on a received male terminal. The receptacle 1
according to the present invention thus may be located in a
relatively small space and can be grouped together with other
receptacles very closely; features which would not be permissible
if relatively large deflections of the spring arms were
required.
By reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the resilient deflection of the body
portion will be described in detail. FIG. 6 illustrates the body
portion being resiliently deflected apart along the section 6--6 of
FIG. 1. The body portions 18 which are adjacent to the margin 20
are illustrated as being resiliently deflected apart from one
another, greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration. Shown in
phantom outline are the same margin portions 18 which appear at the
section 7--7 of the body portion. It is shown that the margin
portions 18 along section 7--7 are deflected apart a lesser amount
than at the section 6--6. It is also illustrated that the sidewalls
12 and 14 of the body portion 8 are deflected resiliently away from
one another. Also shown in phantom outline the body portions 14 at
the section 7--7 are deflected away from one another a lesser
amount.
In similar fashion with reference to FIG. 7, the body portions 18
in FIG. 7 illustrate the resilient deflection of the body portion
at section 7--7 of FIG. 1. As shown in phantom outline, the
sidewall portions 12 and 14 are deflected resiliently apart a
lesser amount than the body portions 12 and 14 illustrated in
phantom outline in FIG. 7, the phantom outlines illustrating the
body portion at the section 6--6 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 illustrates that the sections 6--6 and 7--7 comprise
sections of the body portion which are taken between the cutout
portions 44, 46 and 48. Thus the body section 6--6 is defined
between the cutout portions 44 and 46. The body section 7--7 is
defined between the cutout portions 46 and 48. The presence of the
cutout portions permit different degrees of flexing along the body
portion as compared by the sections 6--6 and 7--7 along the body
portion. Such different degrees of flexing however, are
interdependent because the body sections yet remain joined
integrally to each other. Accordingly flexing of the one body
portion along the section 6--6 causes a corresponding deflection of
the attached body portion taken along the section 7--7. Also,
vice-versa, deflection of the body portion along section 7--7
causes a corresponding deflection along the section 6--6. Thus the
cutouts provide two sections of the body portion which have
different degrees of deflection while still being maintained
connected with each other. Thus different degrees of deflection can
only be accomplished only if there is a slight torsional stress
placed on the body portions which join between the body at sections
6--6 and 7--7. Accordingly, such body portions defined at each of
the sections 6--6 and 7--7 operate as torsional elements upon
deflection as shown allowing but a limited length of the body to
separate along its seam 20 upon resilient spread apart deflection
of the spring arms 4 and 6.
By reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the different modes of operation of
the spring arms are illustrated in detail. FIG. 4 illustrates the
position of the U-shaped ends 34 and 36 defining a relatively
narrow receptacle throat area 54 therebetween. When forces are
applied onto the U-shaped portions 34 and 36, as shown by the
arrows in FIG. 5, the spring arms 4 and 6 are resiliently deflected
outwardly of each other in cantilever fashion such that the
U-shaped portions 34 and 36 are bent generally past one another and
into substantial alignment with each other to widen the throat area
54 of the receptacle. The U-shaped portion 36 will engage or stop
against the spring arm 6 to prevent excessive opening of the
receptacle throat area or opening 54.
By reference to FIGS. 8 through 14, a dielectric housing for
containing a plurality of receptacles 1 according to the present
invention will be described. FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged
exploded perspective, the housing illustrated generally at 56 as
comprising two portions, a base 58 and a cover portion 60 of
dielectric material. The base includes two rows of a plurality of
cavities, some of which are illustrated at 62 for receiving
corresponding rows of receptacles 1 therein. As shown in FIGS. 9,
10 and 13, the cover 60 is assembled over the base 58 in a manner
to be described hereinafter. The housing cavities 62 include a
narrow neck portion 64 extending therethrough for receiving the
terminal body portion 8 therein. The T-shaped flange 38 is inserted
into a narrow portion of the opening 62 adjacent the neck portion
64 to stabilize and brace the body portion 8 within the
corresponding cavities 62. The locking lance 39 is received in a
recessed portion 66 of the housing in order to lock the receptacle
in place and prevent its removal. Each cavity 62 is further
provided with a generally rectangular adjacent opening of smaller
size, which opening is illustrated at 68 intercepting the lance
portion 39. A suitable tool may be inserted into the opening 68 to
engage and force the lance portion 39 to deflect resiliently
generally toward and into the body portion 8 to allow removal of
the receptacle from the corresponding cavity 62 if desired. As
shown in FIG. 10, the U-shaped portions 36 and 34 of each
receptacle 1 protrude from an end 70 of the housing 58.
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, the end 70 of the housing is
provided thereon with a central, projecting, generally elongated
rectangular ridge 72 separating one row of terminals from the
other. Each cavity 62 in each row is separated from the other
cavities by an enlarged tab portion 74 generally of L-shaped
cross-sectional configuration. The U-shaped portions 34 and 36 of
each receptacle or contact 1 protrude from the housing into the
space between the projecting tabs 74.
The cover portion 60 is provided with outer, generally continuous
elongated sidewall portions 76 and 78, as shown in FIGS. 8 through
12. In addition, the cover portion is further provided with inner
sidewalls 80 and 82 which are elongated parallel to the outer
sidewalls 76 and 78, and which are each divided into a plurality of
spaced segments. The inner sidewalls 80 and 82 project generally
toward the housing. The ridge or projection 72 of the housing 58 is
slidably received between the parallel inner walls 80 and 82. As
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each segment of the wall 80 is provided
with a sloped cam surface 80' for a purpose to be described. In
similar fashion, each segment of the inner wall 82 is provided with
a sloped cam surface 82' for a purpose to be described. Also in
FIGS. 11 and 12, the outer sidewall 76 of the cover is provided
with a plurality of spaced recesses therein, with the sidewalls of
the recesses being defined by inclined cam surfaces 76'. The outer
wall 78 of the cover further is provided with a plurality of
recesses, the sidewalls of which are defined by inclined cam
surfaces 78'. As shown more particularly in FIGS. 11 and 12, when
the cover is assembled over the housing, the spaces between the
tabs 74 define cavities in the cover into which the U-shaped
portions 34 and 36 of the contacts are received. For example, the
cavities of one row are defined, not only between such tabs 74, but
also between adjacent segments 80 of one inner wall, and by the
recessed portions of the outer wall 76. The additional row of
cavities is defined, not only between the corresponding spaced tabs
74, but also between adjacent segments 82 of the inner wall, and by
the recessed portions provided in the outer wall 78. An exemplary
pair of U-shaped spring arm portions 34 and 36 are illustrated in
FIGS. 11 and 12, received within a corresponding cavity. When the
cover is slidably traversed to the left as shown in FIGS. 11 and
12, the wall portions 76, 80, 82 and 78 of the cover will traverse
slidably along the stationary tabs 74 of the base. This forces the
cam surfaces 76' and 80' into engagement upon the U-shaped portions
34 and 36 of the first row of receptacles or contacts camming them
generally past each other to their configurations shown in FIGS. 5
and 12, thereby enlarging the relatively narrow throat areas 54 of
the receptacles. In similar fashion, the lower row of receptacles
have their U-shaped portions 34 and 36 cammed past each other upon
engagement of the cam surfaces 78' and 82' thereon. As shown in
FIG. 12, the U-shaped portions 34 and 36 of the first row of
receptacles will be cammed into the clearance between the sidewalls
76 and 80 of the cover, while the other row of receptacles will
have its U-shaped portions 34 and 36 forced into the clearance
between the sidewalls 78 and 82. To move the cover to the left, as
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a screw driver blade illustrated at 84
may be inserted into the clearance between the endmost tab 74 and a
hook portion provided on the endmost one of the segments comprising
the cover inner wall 80. Upon generally clockwise rotation of the
screwdriver blade as shown in FIG. 12, the cover will be forcibly
moved to the left. In FIG. 12, with the receptacle U-shaped
portions opened as shown, the connector housing 56 may be pluggably
received over male electrical terminals (not shown) which are
readily insertable within the widened receptacle throat areas,
without any resistance to insertion thereof. Since the U-shaped
portions 34 and 36 are squeezed laterally between stationary
sidewalls 76, 80, 82 and 78 of the cover, they may be readily
retained in their open configuration without danger of the cover
accidently being shifted to the right, as shown in FIG. 12.
Instead, once the male terminals have been inserted, the cover is
forcibly moved to the right in the FIGURE by insertion of a screw
driver blade 86 into the clearance between a hook portion of the
endmost segment of the cover wall 82 and a recess 88 (FIGS. 8, 11
and 12) provided externally of the housing 58. Upon a twisting
action of the blade 86, the cover will then be made to forcibly
return, shifting to the right as shown in FIG. 12, allowing the
U-shaped portions 34 and 36 of the rows of terminals to return to
their positions shown in FIG. 11. Upon so doing, the U-shaped
portions 34 and 36 will close and grip electrically and
mechanically on the received male terminals to provide the desired
electrical connections therewith.
By reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 14, attachment of the cover 60 with
respect to the base portion 58 will be described in detail. The
base is provided with a substantially projecting Z-shaped portion
88, with a substantial clearance 90 formed underneath the arms of
the Z-shaped portion and the projecting tabs 74. The Z-shaped
portion 88 is initially freely received through a corresponding
Z-shaped opening 92 of the cover 60. The clearances 90 permit the
arms of the Z-shaped portion to project outwardly beyond the cover
62. In so doing, the cover is forcibly received over the housing
58. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, there is substantial interference
between one segment of the cover inner wall 82 and the projecting
ridge 72 of the housing 58. Such interference requires that the
cover be forcibly received on the base portion 58 of the housing.
However, when the cover 60 is forcibly moved to the right as shown
in FIG. 11, the interfering segment of the cover inner wall 82 will
remove itself from the ridge 72, relieving the interference fit.
This is shown in FIG. 11 by the legend "FIG. 14" on the phantom
outline encircled portion of the Figure Thereafter, when the cover
60 is slidably reciprocated to the right or to the left as shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12 to operate the camming action as described, the
segment 82 of the cover inner wall will block itself against the
end of the projecting ridge 72 of the housing, never allowing the
cover to be moved so far to the left that it can be removed from
the base portion 58. Thus, once the segment 82 is removed from
interference with the projecting ridge 72, the cover will be
restricted in its sliding motion back and forth on the housing base
portion 58. The arms of the Z-shaped portion 88 will thus always
remain projecting outwardly of the cover portion as shown in FIG.
9. Also with reference to FIG. 9, there is more particularly shown
the cover portion 62 provided with a plurality of outwardly
appearing apertures 94 through which the male electrical terminals
(not shown) may be inserted for connection to the receptacle
portions of the spring contacts. The openings 94 are specifically
designed so as to cover the ends of the spring contacts when they
are biased to their opened positions. This prevents snubbing of the
U-shaped portions against the male terminals as they are being
inserted. Thus the openings 94 may be encircled with tapered
sidewalls as shown to provide a funnel entry, or funnel opening, of
restricted size through which the male terminals must be guided and
received in order for further receipt into the receptacle contact
areas.
With more particular reference to FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, another
preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Such FIGURES illustrate an alternate form of terminal illustrated
generally at 100. As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-- 5, the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15- 17 will have similar parts
referred to with the same numerals but with primed designations.
Accordingly, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15- 17 include a
terminal formed into a box configuration with spring arms 4' and 6'
having a receptacle throat area defined by overlapped generally
U-shaped portions 34' and 36'. The terminal has a body portion
formed into a box-like configuration with the overlapped margin 20'
and the dovetail recess 22' formed along the margin 20'. In this
embodiment, the margin 20' is initially opened up rather than
closed as in the prior embodiment. In addition, the terminal
further includes cutout portions 44', 46' and 48' similar to those
in the prior embodiment. Tab portions 26' and 28' provide a
conductor crimping barrel, with tabs 30' and 32' providing an
insulation crimping barrel similar to the terminal described
before. The terminal further includes a stabilizing fin 38' and a
locking lance 39'. In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 17, the
U-shaped portions are bent to a corrugated U-shaped configuration
as shown. This embodiment differs from the prior terminal in that
the margin 20' is initially widened. When the U-shaped portions 34'
and 36' are squeezed together, for example, by the camming action
of the cover 60 slidable on the housing base 58 which may receive
the terminal 100 within a housing cavity 62, the margin 20' closes
up, whereas in the previous embodiment it opens up. This embodiment
therefore eliminates the need for converging spring elements 4 and
6 as in the prior embodiment shown in FIGS. 1- 5. In all additional
aspects of operation, however, the two embodiments work the same,
each requiring resilient deflection of both the spring arms and the
body portion to provide the necessary resilient gripping force at
the receptacle throat area, and further requiring the torsional
elements defined by the cut-outs in the body portions.
Although preferred embodiments and modifications thereof are
disclosed in detail, other embodiments and modifications of the
present invention which would become obvious to one having ordinary
skill in the art are intended to be covered by the spirit and scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *