CA1188252A - Electric terminals having plated interior surfaces, apparatus for and method of selectively plating said terminals - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
The apparatus is characterised in that a mandrel is rotated continuously as a strip of electrical terminals (15, 15') are continuously fed to the mandrel, partially wrapped against the mandrel, and exited from the mandrel. A conduit for supplying plating fluid under pressure opens into a plurality of nozzles on the mandrel. Anode extensions are mounted within the nozzles for reciprocation into and out of the interiors of the terminals that are against the mandrel. The nozzles inject plating solution into the interiors of those terminals in which the anode extensions have been received. A source of electrical potential supplies electrical current flowing from the anode extensions through the plating solution and to the interiors of those terminals having anode extensions therein. The anode extensions are constructed for withdrawal from the interiors of those terminal prior to those terminals exiting from the mandrel.
A method for selectively plating the interior surfaces of electrical terminals and a series of terminals plated according to the invention are also disclosed.

Description

ELECTRIC TERlvllNALS IIAVING Pl ATED INTERIOR SURFACFS, APPARATlJS FOR AND METHOD OF SELECTIVEI Y
PLAT ING SA_D TERMINALS
This application is a divisional of copendiny Canada Application No. 423,43l~-1 Serial No. 423,L~34 filed on March 11, 1 ~83 .
The present inven-tion relates to selective plating, i . e., electroplating selectively only the electrical contact surfaces of electrical terminals to the exclusion of other surfaces of the 10 terminals and, in particular, -terminals that are attached to a carrier strip.
In one method of manufacturing electrical temninals, the terminals are stamped and formed from metal strip and are attached to a carrier strip. This carrier strip is useful for 15 strip feeding the terminals through successive manufacturing operations. One necessary manufacturing operation involves plating, i.e., electroplating the electrical contact surfaces of the strip fed terminals with a contact metal, usually noble metals or noble metal alloys. These metals are cha~ acterized by good 20 electrical conductivity and little or no formation of oxides -that reduce the conductivity. Therefore, these metals, when applied as plating, wili enhance conductivity of -the terminals. The high cost of these metals has necessi-tated precision deposition on the contact surfaces of the terminals, and not on surfaces of the 25 terminals on which plating is unnecessary.

? r3 ;~

Apparatus for plating is called a plating cell and includes an electr ical anode, an electrical cathode comprised of the strip fed terminals, and a plating solution, i.e., an electrolyte of metal ions. A strip feeding means feeds the strip to a strip 5 guide. The strip guide guides the terminals through a plating zone while the terminais are being plated. The plating solution is fluidic and is placed in contact with the anode and the terminals. The apparatus operates by passing elec-trical current from -the anode through the plating solution to the terrninals.
10 The metal ions deposit as metal plating on those -terminal surfaces in contact with the plating solution.
There is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,951,761, plating apparatus in which strip fed terminals are plated by immersion in a plating solution. The carrier strip is masked, i.e., covered 15 by a conductive strip, that prevents deposition of plating onto the immersed carrier strip. However, masking requires another manufacturing operation. Some immersed surfaces are difficult to mask, particularly the surfaces of small size electrical terminals.
The present invention accomplishes selective plating according to 20 a rapid automatic process and apparatus without a need for masking immersed terminal surfaces on which plating is unnecessary. The present invention is particularly adaptecd for plating only interior surfaces of strip fed, receptacle type, terminals, and not the external surfaces, despite contac-t of the 25 external surfaces with plating solution.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention is characterised in that the strip guide is a mandrel that is continuously rotated as the strip of electrical terminals are oontinuously fed to the mandrel partially wrapped against the S mandrel, and fed from the mandrel. The mandrei has a plurality of nozzles located around the mandrel's axis of rota-tion. The anode has a plurality of anode extensions which are mounted within the nozzles. The anode extensions are movable into and out of the interiors of the terminals that are against the 10 mandrel. A conduit is provided which carries plating solution under pressure through the nozzles and upon the anode extensions. The nozzles inject plating solution into the interiors of the terminals in which the anode extensions have been received. A source of electrical potential supplies electrical 15 current which flows frorrl the anode extensions through the piating solution to the cathode, and plating the interior surfaces of the terminals.
A better understandincJ o-F the invention is obtained by way of example from the following description and the ~o accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIGU~E 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for continuous plating accordincl to the invention with parts of the apparatus exploded .
FIC;URE ~ is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in ~5 Figure 1 with parts assembled.

F::lGlJRE 2A is a schematic view of the apparat~ls shown in Figure 2 combined with a bel-t mechanism.
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a por tion of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 .
FIGURE 4 is a view in section of a plating cell apparatus incorporating the apparatus of Figure 2.
FIC,URE 5 is a fragrnentary plan view, taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4, of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 4, and illustrating an advanced anocde extension.
FIGURE 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, illustrating a retracted anode extension FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a shaft of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
FIGURE 8 is a section view of the shaft shown in Figure 7.
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a vacuum aspirator of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
FIGURE 10 is an elevation view of an anode extension of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
FIGURE 11 is an elevation view in section of a portion of an 20 electrical receptacle -that has been immersion plated.
FIGURE 12 is an eievation view in section of an electrical receptacle that has been plated according to the present invention .
FIGURE 13 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment 25 of this invention.

9703-1 CAN -L~-5'~

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
FIGURE 1llA is a plan view of a terminal having a contact 5 slot receptacle showing -the side of the terminal that faces the mandrel .
FIGURE 15 is a view in section of a plating cell apparatus incorporating the alternative embodiment of Figure 13 in the apparatus of Figure 2.
FlGUFcE 16 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line 16~16 of Figure 15, and illustrating an anode extension-spreader aligned to enter the terminal.
FIGURE 17 is a view similar to Figure 16, illustrating an advanced anode extension-spreader.

FIGURE 18 is a perspective view of the shaft of -the apparatus shown in Figure 15, illustrating the asymmetric cam used to advance and retract the anode extension-spreaders.
FIGURE 19 is a section view of the shaft shown in Figure 18.

FIGURE 20 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the alternative embodiment of Figure 13 illustrating the operation of the asymmetrical cam.
FIGURE 21 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an elec-trical terminal that has been plated according to the alternative 25 embodiment of the present invention.

Figures l, 2, and 4 illustrate a mandrel apparatus l according to one embodiment of the invention comprising an assembly of an insulative disc flange 2, an insulative wheel-shaped mandrel 3, an insulative noz~le plate 4, a 5 conductive titanium anode p!ate 5, a conductive copper-graphite bushing 6 that is attached to the anode plate 5, an insulative anode extension holder plate 7, an insulative hydraulic distributor plate 8, a shaft 9, an end cap 10 for fitting on the end of the shaft 9, a washer 11 and a sealing ring 12 10 compressed between the disc flange 2 and the end cap l O. The insulative parts 2, 3, 4, 7, and 3 are advantageously rnachined from a high density polyvinylchloride, and are stacked together with -the conductive parts S and 6. E3olts 13 are assembled through aligned bolt receiving holes 14 through each of the 15 parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. These parts are mounted for rotation on the shaft 9. A continuous length of strip fed electrical terminals 15 are integral with, and serially spaced along, a carrier strip 16. The terminals 15 are shown as electrical receptacles oF barrel forms or sleeve forms. These 20 forms are exemplary only, since many forms of electrical receptacles exist. The strip fed terminals 15 are shown in Figure 2A as being looped over two idler pulleys 17 and onto a cylindrical alignment surface 18 of the mandrel 3.
Figure 3 shows a series of radially projecting teeth 19 25 integral with and projecting from the alignment surface 18. The terminals 15 are nested in the spaces that form nests 20 between the teeth 19. The carrier strip 16 has pilot holes 21 in which are registered knobs 22 projecting frorn the mandrel 3. The flange 2 provicles a rim projecting against and along the carrier strip 16. Figure 2A illustrates a belt looped over the pulleys 17 5 and also over two additional pulleys 25. The belt 24 also is held by the pulleys 25 against the terminals 15 that are nestecl in -the nests 2Q, and the belt re-tains these terminals 15 against the alignment surface 18 of the mandrel 3. Thereby the stripped terminals 15 are between the belt 24 and the alignment surface 10 18, whereas the belt 211 is between the strip fed terminals and the pulleys 17.
Figure 3 shows a nozzle wheel 4 that is turreted with a plurality of radially spaced orifices or nozzles 26. Figures 1 and 4 show -that the nozzles 26 are aligned with and open into the 15 nests 20. Anode extensions 29 are mounted within the nozzles 26. These figures also show the anode plate 5 tha-t includes a plurality of radially spaced anode extension receiving openings 27 -that are aligned with and open into the nozzle openings 26.
The anode extension holder plate 7 includes a plurality of anode 20 extension receiving chambers 28 aligned with and comn unicating with the openings 27 in the anode plate 5.
Figure 10 shows an anode extension 29 machined from a conductive metal such as titanium. The anode extension has an enlarged diameter body 30 and a reduced diameter elongated 25 probe 31 in-teqral with the body 30. A section of the probe 31 is fabr icated of a coil spring 31 A which makes a probe flexible.

A radially projecting insulative collar 32 is mounted on the tip of -the probe 31. One or more flat passageways 33 are recessed in the periphery of the body 30 and extend longit~dinally from one end of the body to the other.
As shown in ~igures 4, 5, and 6, an anode extension body 30 is mounted for reciprocation in each chamber 28. The probe 31 of eacl- anode ex tension body 30 projects into the openings 27, 26 that are aligned with the respective chamber 28. The aliyned openings 27, 26, together with the chambers 28, 10 cooperate to form anode extension passageways that mount -the anode extensions 29 for reciprocation. The probe 31 of each anode extension 29 is mounted for advance into an interior of a terminal 15, as shown in Figure 5, and also for retraction out of an interior of a terminal 15, as shown in Figure ~. As each 15 anode extension 29 is advanced into an interior of a terrninal 15, the body 30 of the anode extension will impinge and stop against the anode plate 5, providing an electrical connection therebetween .
Figures 1 and 4 show that the distributor plate 8 includes a 20 central opening 34 communicating with a plurality of electrolyte passageways 35 that extend radially outward of the opening 31 and communicate with respective anode extension chambers 28.
Figures 7 and 8 show the shaft 9 that is made of conductive stainless steel. The shaft 9 is provided with a central stepped

2~ cylindrical electrolyte conduit 36 extending entirely the length of the sha-Ft. A plurality of electrolyte ports 37 connect the 5~

conduit 36 wi-th a channel-shaped electrolyte inlet manifold 38 recessed in the cylindrical periphery of the shaft. A plurality of vacuum ports 39 connect the conduit with a channel-shaped vacu~Jm manifold 40 -that is recessed in the cyiindrical periphery of the shaft 9 so that the central opening 34 of the plate 3 communicates with the manifolds 38 40. The electrolyte passageways 35 that extend to the central opening 34 will communicate with the electrolyte inlet manifold 38, and then the vacuum manifold 40 in turn as the distributor plate 8 is rotated relative to the shaft 9.
Figure 9 taken with Figures 4 and 8 show a vacuum aspirator 41 machined From polyvinylchloride. The aspirator 41 is seated in the conduit 36 of the shaft 9. One or more lonyitudinal electrolyte passageways 42 are recessed in the periphery of the aspirator 41 and permit electrolyte flow along the conduit 36 into the ports 35 and the electrolyte inlet manifold 38. A longitudinal bore 43 through the aspirator 41 permits additional electrolyte flow through the aspirator 41 to the end of the conduit 36 through a passageway 44 through the end cap 10 and out a conduit 45 that is attached to the end cap 10 and communicates wi-th the cap passageway 44. A series of vacuum ports 46 -through the aspirator intercept the bore 43. The vacuum ports 46 communicate with the vacuum ports 39 and with the vacuum manifold 40. The electrolyte flow along the bore produces a vacuum in the vacuum ports 46 and also in the S;3 vacuum manifold 40. This phenomenon i5 well known in the art of hydraulic fluid devices.
Figure 4 shows schematically a plating cell, including a sollrce E of elec-trical potential applied across the strip l fi and 5 the anode plate 5, a tank 47 containing a plating electrolyte 48 of precious or semi-precious metal ions and a supply hose 49 leading from the tank 47 through a pump 50 and into the conduit 36 Or silaft 9. ~ drive sprocket with an axle bushing is secured on the distributor plate 8.
In operation, the sprocket is driven by a chain drive (not shown) to rotate the mandrel apparatus 1 and to feed the strip fed terminals 15 upon the mandrel 3. Electrolyte 48 is supplied under pressure From the hose 49 into the conduit 36 oF the shaft 9. An electrical potential from the source E is applied between 15 the anode plate 5 and the strip fed terminals 15 to produce a current 1. The terminals 15 serve as a cathode onto which precious or semi-precious metal ions of the electrolyte 48 are to be plated. Upon rota-tion of the mandrel 3, each of the anode extension chambers 28, in turn, will communicate wi-th the 20 electrolyte manifold 38. The electrolyte will flow under pressure into the eiectrolyte manifold 38, and from there into several of the anode extension chambers 28 that communicate with the electrolyte manifold 38. The anode extensions 29 in these anode extension chambers 28 will be advanced to positions as shown in 25 Figure 5 by the e!ectrolyte under pressure. Electrolyte will flow past the anode extension bodies 30 along the anode extension passa~eways 33, and be injected by the nozzles 26 into the interiors of the lerminals 15, wetting the terminal interiors and the anode extension probes 31 which are in the terminal interiors. Sufficient ion density and current density are present 5 for the ions to deposit as plating upon the surfaces of the terminal interiors. The proximity of the probes 31 to the terminal interiors assures that the surfaces of the terminal interiors are plated, to -the exclusion of the other terminal surfaces. The collars 32 on the anode extensions are sized 1û nearly to -the diameters of the interiors of the terminals to position the arlode extension probe precisely along the central axis of the terminal interiors during the plating operation.
As the mandrel apparatus 1 is further rotated, the anode ex-tension chambers 28 will become disconnected from the 15 electrolyte manifold 38, and will become corlnec-tecl with the vacuum manifold 40. The vacuum present in the vacuum manifold 40 will tend to draw out residual electro!yte in the several anode extension chambers 28 that communicate with the vacuum manifold 40. The vacuum also will retract the anode 20 extensions 29 from their acdvanced positions, as shown in Figure 5, to their retracted positions, shown in Figure 6. Thereby the probes 31 become withdrawn from the interiors of the terminals 15, plating deposition will cease, and the terminals become removed from the mandrel apparatus 1 as the strip 6 continues 25 to be advanced.

Figures 13 and 15 illustrate a manclrel apparatus 1 ' according to an alternative embodiment of the inverl-tion comprising an assemt~ly of an insulative bearing case 5LI, a two-piece insulative disc flange 2', an insulative wheel-shaped 5 mandrel 3', an anode extension-spreader retaining ring 56, and a conductive shaft 9'. Bolts 13' are assernbled through aligned bolt receiving holes 14' through each of -the parts 54, 2', and 3'.
These parts are mounted for ro~ation on the shaft 9'. A
continuous length of strip fed electrical terminals 15' are integral 10 with, and serially spaced along, a carrier strip 16'. The strip fed terminals 15' are strip fed to the apparatus 1 ' in the same manner as are the strip fed terminals 5 as sho~vn in Figure 2A.
This embodiment of the invention is used with electrical terminals having contact slot receptacles of the type shown in 15 Figure 14A. In order to plate inside a slotted terminal, according to the invention, the slot first must be spread apart to permit insertion of the anode extension. As is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, anode extension-spreaders 29' are used in this embodiment. The anode exter-sion-spreaders 29' are 20 inserted essentially at right angles to the terminals 15'. Figure 14 shows that each anode extension-spreader 29' is comprisecl of a conductive metal strip 60 and a plastic spreader body 62. The metal strip 60 extends below the plastic spreader. The plastic spreader body 62 has a retaining slot 64 along its upper edge 25 which cooperates with the anode extension-spreader retaining ring 56. The anode extension-spreader is shaped at its 9703-1 CAN -1?-5~

outermost encl 66 to spread and fit within the terminals 15' and to properly position the metal anode portion inside the -terminal.
Figure 14 shows that mandrel 3' is turreted with a plurality of radially spaced anode extension-spreader passageways 58 5 which extencl outwardly to the alignment surface 18' and form a series of nests 20' along the periphery mandrel 3'. The -terminals 15' are held in these nests and against the mandrel as the -terminals are plated internally.
Figure 14 further shows that mandrel 3' is turreted with a plurality of radially spaced orifices or noz~les 26' at the base of the anode extension-spreader passageways 58. When the anode extension-spreaders 29' are placed in the mandrel the metal strips 60 lie within the nozzles 26'.
As shown in Figures 14 15 16 and 17 the anode 15 extension-spreader 29' is mounted for reciprocation in each passageway 58. The shaped end 66 of each anode extension-spreader is mounted for advancing into the slot of a terrninal 15' as shown in Figure 16. Figure 17 shows the advanced anode extension-spreader in the terminal 15'. As each 20 anode extension-spreader 29' is advanced it is held in contact with the conductive shaft 9' providing an electrical connection therebetween .
Figures 15 18 and 19 show the conductive shaft 9' is provided with a central cylindrical electrolyte conduit 36' 25 extending along part of the length of the shaft. A
channel-shaped electrolyte outlet 68 is recessed in the cylindrical t r~

periphery of the shaft 9'. As the mandrel 3' revolves about shaft 9~, the nozzles Z6' comrnurlicate with the electrolyte outlet 68 thus providing access of the electrolyte solution to the terminal 15'.
Figures 15, 18 and 19 show the asymmetric cam 70 on the shaft 9'. The shape of cam 70 can be seen in Fiyure 20.
Mandrel 3' has a circular opening 72 a-t its center which is dimensioned to closely fit and cooperate with shaft 9'. The cam 70 fits into a circular opening 72 on the side of mandrel 3' having the anode extension-spreader passageways 58.
Approximately half of carn 70 fits snugly against passageways 58 while the other part of cam 70 is spaced apart from passageways 58. The inner ends 74 of anode extension-spreaders 29' are held snugly against cam 70 by the anode extension-spreader retaining ring 56.
As mandrel 3' rotates around shaft 9', the anode extension-spreaders 29' are first extended into the terminals 15' as cam 70 moves against passageways 58 and then retracted from terminals 15' where the cam is spaced apart from said passageways.
Figure 15 shows schematically the mandrel apparatus, including a source E of electrical potential applied across the strip 16 and the conductive shaft 9'. A drive sprocket with an axle bushing is secured to the mandrel 3'.
in operation, the sprocket is driven by a chain drive (not shown) to rotate the mandrel apparatus 1' and to feed the strip fed terminals 15' upon -the mar-drel 3'. Electroly-te 1~8l i5 supplied under pressure ~rorn a plating bath (not shownj into ~he conduit 36' of the shaft 9'. An electrical potential from the source E is applied between the shaft 9' and the strip fed 5 terminals 15' to produce a current I. The terminals 15' serve as a cathode onto which precious or semi-precious metal ions of the electrolyte 48' are to be plated. Upon rotation of the mandrel

3', each of the nozzles 26', in turn, will communicate with the electrolyte outle-t 68. The electrolyte will flow under pressure 10 into the electrolyte outlet 68, and from there into several of the nozzles 26' that comrnunicate with the electrolyte outlet 68. The anode extensions 29' in these anode extension-spreader passa~eways 58 will be advanced to positions as shown in Figure 17 by action oF the asymmetric cam 70. Electrolyte will flow past 15 the metal portion anode extension-spreader 29' into the in-teriors of the terminals 15', wettin~ the terminal in-teriors and the portion of the anode extensions which are in the terminal interiors. Sufficient ion density and current density are present for the ior-s to deposit as plating upon the surfaces of the 20 terrninal interiors. The proximi-ty of the anode extension-spreader end 66 to the terminal interiors assures that the surfaces of the terminal interiors are plated to the exclusion of the other terminal surfaces. Excess electrolyte will flow past the anode extension-spreader and will he re-turned -to the plating 25 bath (not shown).

9703-1 CAN _15_ As the mandrel apparatus 1' is further rotated, the passacJeways 58 will become disconnec-ted from the electrolyte outlet 68. The action of cam 70 will cause the anode ex-tension-spreaders to withdraw From the interiors of the terminals 15', and plating deposition will cease. The -terminals become removed from the mandrel apparatus 1 ' as the strip 16' continues -to advance.
In this alternative embodiment 1 ' of the mandrel apparatus, the use of mechanical means to reciprocally move the anode 10 extension-spreaders into and out of the terminals eliminates a number of parts that are necessary For the hydraulically operated mechanism to provide reciprocating movement.
Mechanical means can also be used with mandrel apparatus 1.
The use of anode extension-spreaders inserted at right angles to 15 the terminals instead of a straight line insertion also reduces the number of par-ts required ~or the mandrel apparatus.
Because the slots in the terminals used in embodiment 1 ' rnust be spread apart to permit insertion of the anode extension, the anode extension-spreaders do become worn after a period of 20 time, Depending upon the type of plastic used, over 25,000 insertions per anode extension-spreader can be made be-Fore replacement is necessary. The worn anode extension-spreaders are designed to be disposable and are easily replaced by removing bolts 13 and separating the three main pieces. The 25 anode extension-spreader retaining ring is then removed and new anode extension-spreaders inserted. ~:iange 2' is made in two 5;~

parts to facilitate replacement of the anode extension-spreader retaininq ring.
The present invention relates additionally to an elec-trical terminal that has an interior with a contact metal deposit applied 5 by the apparatus described in conjunction with Figures 1 through 10 or Figures 13 through 20. The deposit has observable characteristics that distin~uish from characteristics of plating applied by apparatus and a process other than that described in con junction with Figures 1 through 10 or Figures 13 10 through 20. A standard requirement of the electrical industry is that an electrical receptacle of base metal, copper or its alloy, should be plated first with nickel or its alloy, then have its interior plated with a precious or semi-precious metal such as cobalt-gold alloy that assures electrical conductivity. Further, 15 the plating must equal or exceed a specified thickness that allows for wear removal of the layer by abrasion. For example, one standard specification recluires 0. 38 microns thickness of cobalt-gold plating extending from the end of the receptacle to a depth of 0.51 centimeters within the receptacle interior. The 20 exterior surfaces of the receptacle are not subject to wear removal . Therefore, only a flash, i . e., 0.13 microns in thickness, of platincJ is required.
The deposit of noble metal or noble metal alloy may also be comprised of successive layers of noble metals such as gold, 25 palladium, platinum, silver, or their alloys. Successive layers of different noble metals may also be plated on one another, such 9703-l CAN -17-5;~

as an under-layer of palladium followed by an over-layer of gold .
Heretofore, plating of electrical receptacles was accompl ished by the prior processes of plating over a strip of 5 base me-tal prior to forming the strip into receptacle configurations, or by immersing fully formed electrical receptacles in plating electrolyte and plating all the surfaces of the receptacles. Each of these prior processes had d isadvantages .
Forming a base metal strip subsequent to plating applies bending stresses in the plating. Observation by a m7croscope would reveal s-tress cracks in the surface of the outer plating layer. The cracks would be most prevalent in the areas of most severe bending. Severe bending also would cause localized 15 separations of the outer plating layer from the metal underlying the outer plating layer. These separations, called occlusions, would be observed by microscopic observation of a cross-section of the outer plating layer and the underlying metal. These stress cracks and occlusions are defects that would permit 20 corrosion of the underlying base metal and would be adverse to quality of -the outer plating layer. Further, stamping of the plated base metal produces shears through the plating layers, exposing the base metal underlying the piating.
Figure 11 depicts a cross-section of an electrical receptacle 25 plated with a layer of nickel 51, and then immersion plated in cobalt-gold electrolyte, using an anode external to the receptacle 9703-1 CAN -1~3_ S~

during plating. Both the interior and the exterior of the receptacle receive piating deposit S2. The deposit on the interior rapid!y tapers in thickness from the end of the receptacle toward the innermost depth of the receptacle. ~or 5 example, the thickness varies -from 0. 51 microns at the end of the receptacle to ~ero thickness at a depth of 0. 36 centimeters from the end of the receptacle. This tapered characteristic results from the progressive exponential decrease in cl-arge density or current density due to distance from the external o anode. So that thinner portions of the tapered deposit will meet the requirement for minimum thickness, other portions of the deposit must have excess thickness that wastefully consumes the plating ions of the electrolyte. Since the exterior of the receptacle is relatively near the external anode, the deposit is 15 thicker than the deposit on the receptacle interior. For exampie, the deposit has a -thickness of l.1 microns at a depth of 0.05 centimeters and a thickness of 0.51 microns at a depth of 0. 36 centimeters . Deposit on the exterior of the receptacle is not subjected to wear removal. There-fore, any plating in excess 20 of a flash, i.e., approximately 0.13 micr~ns in thickness, is wasted consumption. Masking, i.e., covering, -the receptacle exterior during ,s lating will eliminate the exterior deposit.
~lowever, masking requires an operation prior to plating and is not conducive to a mass production process. Further, masking 25 does not eliminate wasteful consumption of a tapered deposit on the interior of the receptacle. Upon removal oF the masking, an abrupt, nnt tapered, edge of the platincJ would be observed where the plating had met the rnasking.
In the receptacle 15 of the presen-t invention, shown in Figure 12, the terminal is stamped and formed from a base metal 5 of copper or its alloy. A layer of nickel or its alloy is plated over all surfaces of -the terminal, includin~3 -the shearecl edges produced during the stamping and forming operations. lJsing the apparatus as described in conjunction with Figures I ~hrough 10, the interior is plated with an outer layer 76 of a precious or 10 semi--precious metal such as gold, platinum, palladium or silver, or the alloys thereof, such as cobalt-gold. For example, an outer layer of plating in the form of cobalt-gold of relatively even thickness is deposi ted aiong the length extending from the end of the receptacle to a distance of 0. 51 centimeters toward 15 the innermost depth of the interior. An abrupt and s-teep -taper is at the edges of the piating. There is an absence of cobalt-gold, of equal or greater thickness, on the receptacle exterior. The even thickness and abrup-t tapered edges are characteristics of the plating deposit achieved by selective 20 plating according to -the invention. The !ength of the plating deposit substantially is equal to the length of the anode extension probe 31 that extends within the receptacle interior.
At the terminal end of the probe 31, the charge and current densities abruptly cease, causing an abrupt tapered edge of the 25 plating deposit. The charge and current densities also cease at the chalTlfered end of the receptacle, causing an abrupt tapered 5~

edcJe of the plating deposit. There is no need for masking the receptacle exterior, and the plating deposit does not have -the non-tapered edge that would result from mashing. Further, the plating deposi t is substantially free of stress cracks and 5 occiusions, and has a grain strllcture characteristic of plating deposit .
Figure 21 shows a receptacle 15' plated, using the apparatus as described in conjunction with Figures 13 through 20. The plating deposit 76' on the interior surface of 15' has 10 the same characteristics as the plating 76 on terminal 15 as shown in Figure 12.
The invention has been described by way of examples only.
Other forms of the invention are to be covered by -the spirit and scope of the claims. The receptacles 15 and 15' are only 15 exemplary of the many forms of electrical recept3cles, the internal surfaces of which are capable of being plated by the apparatus of the invention.

Claims (6)

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are as follows:

1. An apparatus for plating interior surfaces of electrical terminals that are spaced apart and attached to a carrier strip comprising a strip feeding means for feeding the strip, a strip guide which guides the terminals through a plating zone while they are being plated, a source of electrolytic plating solution, and a source of electrical potential for supplying an electrical current flow from an anode through the plating solution to a cathode, the apparatus being characterised in that the strip guide is a mandrel that is continuously rotated as the strip of electrical terminals are continuously fed to the mandrel partially wrapped against the mandrel, and fed from the mandrel, the mandrel has a plurality of nozzles located around the mandrel's axis of rotation, the anode has a plurality of anode extensions which are mounted within the nozzles, the anode extensions being movable into and out of the interiors of the terminals that are against the mandrel, a conduit is provided which carries plating solution under pressure through the nozzles and upon the anode extensions, whereby the nozzles inject plating solution into the interiors of the terminals in which the anode extensions have been received, the electrical current flows from the anode extensions through the plating solution to the cathode, and the interior surfaces of the terminals are plated.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that a contact spreader is provided on the anode extensions.

3. An apparatus as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the mandrel is rotatably mounted on a shaft, the periphery of the shaft includes an inlet manifold that communicates with the conduit and the interior of the mandrel, the nozzles communicate with the interior of the mandrel and become in communication with the inlet manifold upon revolution of the mandrel interior about the shaft.

4. An apparatus as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that an asymmetric cam reciprocally moves the anode extensions into and out of the interior of the terminals.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the plating fluid advances the anode extensions into the terminal interiors.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the plating fluid advances the anode extensions into the terminal interiors, the shaft includes a vacuum aspirator for withdrawing the anode extensions from the terminal interiors, the vacuum aspirator communicating with the conduit, the periphery of the shaft includes a vacuum manifold communicating with the conduit, the nozzles are brought into communication with the vacuum manifold upon revolution of tile mandrel interior about the shaft.