GB2204748A

GB2204748A - Connection clip

Info

Publication number: GB2204748A
Application number: GB08711470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Muneyoshi Miyata
Original assignee: Mik Electronic Corp
Current assignee: Mik Electronic Corp
Priority date: 1987-05-15
Filing date: 1987-05-15
Publication date: 1988-11-16
Also published as: DE3717806A1; GB8711470D0; FR2616595B1; FR2616595A1; GB2204748B

Description

1 C 1 2204748 v "CONNECTION CLIP" This invention relates to a connection

clip suitable for use for various kinds of electrical and electronic equipements, and more particularly to a connection clip which is adapted to receive an inserted electrical wire and to form a connection with it -10 simply.

Conventionallyi a variety of printed circuit boards including those of a large size which have a large number of circuit elements of various sizes mounted on them and those of small size which have a small number of circuit elements mounted on them form parts of various electronic pieces of equipement and wiring.

In each of these printed circuit boards, it is necessarily required to connect an end of an electrical wire to a wiring section of the printed circuit board. Conventionally. the connection is carried out manually by soldering. For example, it can be carried out according to procedures such as those shown in Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings More particularly. one end of an electrical wire 109 is first exposed by stripping or the like. When the wire comprises a plurality of wire elementst it is twisted or dipped in a solder bath to be bound together. Thereafter, the wire is inserted into a small hole 108' in a terminal 102 on the printed circuit board and then fixed to the terminal 102 by soldering.

This conventional operation exhibits the disadvantages commonly encountered with soldering. For S_ G1 v 2 example. it is troublesome to a degree sufficient to increase manufacturing costs significantly and is low in production efficiency. Failures in connection are common and the quality of connection varies widely.

Soldering of the wire with respect to a narrow portion of a circuit element or component is very difficult. In particular, soldering of the wire to a terminal located in a narrow space of a circuit element is substantially impossible.

Also, the conventional operation requires a skilled worker because the quality of soldering depends on the worker. In addition, soldering requires flux, which tends to adhere undesirably to some portion of the circuit element other than terminals due to is scattering by heating. Particularlyr adhesion of flux to a conductive portion such as the contact of a switch causes a failure in conduction, resulting in a fatal defect..

Mounting circuit elements on a printed circuit board by fixing and electrical connection is generally carried out in a manner requiring the insertion of lead wires of the elements into small holes of the printed circuit board, temporary fixing of the wires and then dipping the board into a solder bath. In the case of chip-type circuit elements, the temporary fixing is carried out by means of an adhesive. However, such procedures tend not to connect lead wires to a printed circuit board satisfactorily.

Accordingly. it is an object of the present invention to provide a connection clip which is capable of accomplishing secure connection to an electrical wire by merely inserting an end of the wire into the clip so that connection between the wire and a portion C/ v 3 of a circuit element or component such as a terminal may be carried out simply and without soldering.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a connection clip which is capable of previously attaching a terminal thereof to a printed circuit board by dip soldering, so that connection of a wire to a connection portion of a circuit element or component may be not only simply And readily accomplished by merely inserting the wire to the connection clip but positively and firmly carried out, resulting in connection of the wire to the printed circuit board or the like with highly increased efficiency.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connection clip which is capable of firmly connecting electrical wires to each other by merely inserting the wires into an anti-disconnection mechanism of the connection clip, so that connection between wires may be simply and readily carried out without any troublesome operation such as twisting the wires together, soldering or the like.

According to the present invention. there is provided a connection clip adapted to be attached to a connection portion of an electrical or electronic circuit element to which a wire is to be attached, comprising: a cover formed from a metal sheet so as to have a top plate. two side plates and a bottom plate, together defining a wire fitting hole; and a spring element of an inverted claw-like shape formed from a metal sheet and integrally arranged in the wire fitting hole of the cover, the spring element being arranged so that at least one distal end presses resiliently against an upper surface of one of the plates of the C_.

4 cover, thereby constituting an anti-disconnection mechanism.

Thus, the present invention provides a connection clip which is adapted to be attached to a connection portion of a circuit element such as a terminal of an electrical and electronic equipment or parts thereof to which a wire is to be attached. The connection clip includes a cover formed from a metal sheet into a suitable shape such as a rectangular shape by press working or the like so as to have a top plate, two side plates and a bottom plate and define a wire fitting hole therein. The connection clip also includes a spring element of an inverted claw-like shape formed from a metal sheet and integrally arranged in the wire fitting hole of the cover. The spring element has at least one distal end pressed against an inner surface of one of the side plates of the cover so as to allow the spring element to produce resiliency, so that an antidisconnection mechanism may be constituted.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways and some embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figures 1(a) to 1(f) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view, a bottom view, a rear view, a left side view and a right side view, respectively, showing a first embodiment of a connection clip according to the present invention; Figure 2(a) is a development view showing the metal sheet from which the connection clip shown in Figure 1 is made; Figures 2(b) and 2(c) are a plan view and a front elevation view showing the spring element of an G inverted clawlike shape; Figure 2(d) is a plan view showing a bottom plate; Figures 3(a) to 3(c) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view and a bottom viewi respectively. showing the connection clip of Figure 1 attached to a circuit component such as a terminal; Figures 4(a) to 4,(f) are a partly cutaway plan view. a front elevation view, a bottom view. a rear view, a left side view and a right side view, respectivelyi showing a second embodiment; Figure 5(a) is a development view showing the metal sheet from which the connection clip shown in Figure 4 is made; Figures 5(b) and 5(c) are a plan view and a front elevation view showing the spring element of an inverted claw-like shape of the connection clip of Figure.4; Figures 6(a) to 6(c) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view and a bottom view, respectively, showing the connection clip of Figure 4 attached to a terminal; Figures 7(a) to 7(f) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view, a bottom view, a rear view, a left side view and a right side view, respectively, showing a third embodiment; Figure 8 is a development view showing the metal sheet from which the connection clip shown in Figure 7 is made; Figures 9(a) to 9(c) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view and a bottom view, respectivelyi showing the connection clip of Figure 7; Piugres 10(a) to 10(d) are a partly cutaway plan 1 C 6 is view, a front elevation view, a bottom view and a right side view. respectively. showing a fourth embodiment; Figures 11(a) to 11(d) are a front elevation view, a partly cutaway plan view. a bottom view and a right side view, respectively, showing a fifth embodiment; Figures 12(a) and 12(b) are schematic front elevation and a plan view showing a conventional connection means for connecting a wire to a terminal or the like; Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are a plan view and a front elevation view showing a connection clip of the present invention attached to a terminal of a leaf switch; Figure 14(a) is a perspective view showing a microswitch; Figure 14(b) is a perspective view showing a slide switch; Figure 14(c) is a perspective view showing a seesaw switch; Figure 14(d) is a perspective view showing a toggle switch; Figures 15(a) and 15(b) each are perspective views showing a multi- mounting terminal board; Figure 16 is a perspective view showing a fuse- holder; Figure 17 is a perspective view showing a cell box; Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a volume controller; Figure 19 is a perspective view showing a speaker; Figure 20 is a perspective view showing a motor; Figure 21 is a perspective view showing a transformer; c 7 Figures 22(a) and 22(b) are each a perspective view showing a connection clip of the present invention attached to the terminal of a lamp; Figures 23(a) to 23(d) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view, a bottom view and a'left side view. respectively, showing a sixth embodiment; Figures 24(a) and 24(b) are a front elevation view and a plan view showing a seventh embodiment; Figure 25 is a plan view showing an eighth embodiment; Figure 26 is a schematic view showing a connection clip of the present invention mounted on a printed circuit board together with other circuit elements by dip soldering; Figures 27(a) to 27(d) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view, a bottom view and a right side view. respectivelyi showing a ninth embodiment; Figure 28(a) is a development view showing the metal sheet from which the connection clip of Figure 27 is made; Figures 28(b) and 28(c) are a plan view and a front elevation view showing a spring element of an inverted claw-like shape of the connection clip of Figure 27; Figure 28(d) is a plan view showing the bottom plate; Figures 29(a) to 29(c) are a partly cutaway plan view, a front elevation view and a bottom view, respectively, showing the connection clip of Figure 27 30 attached to the bottom plate of Figure 28(d); Figures 30(a) to 30(d) are each a schematic plan view showing a modification of a connection clip according to the present invention; and c 8 Figure 31 is a partly cutaway plan view showing a tenth embodiment of a connection clip.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a connection clip according to the present invention. The connection clip A includes a boxlike cover 3 of inverted U-shape formed by press working a metal sheet. The cover 3 has a wire fitting hole 5. in which a spring element 6 of inverted claw-like shape is fixed by caulking or the like to form an antidisconnection mechanism a in cooperation with the fitting hole 5. The connection clip A also includes a bottom plate 4 which is fixedly attached to a connection portion 2 of a circuit element such as a terminal or the like by caulking, and is provided on both sides with engage- ments or wedge-like recesses 8, with which small platelike projections 7 at lower ends of both side plates of the cover 3 are fitted. Then, the projections 7 each are bent towards the under surface of the terminal 2 and caulked thereto and the recesses 8 in which the projections 7 are located are subjected to caulking, so that the connection clip A is integrally attached to the terminal 2.

An electrical wire 9 to be received by the connection clip A may be of any type. For example, the wire may comprise a single wire element or a plurality of fine wire elements bound by twisting or soldering. When a distal end of the wire 9 exposed, for example, by stripping is inserted straight into the clip A so as to abut against the anti-disconnection mechanism at the distal end forces the inverted claw-like spring element 6 back, thus inwardly compressing it. This permits the distal end to be inserted through the mechanism a into the clip. At the same time. the spring element 6 1 C_ 9 resists due to its resilience to cause its distal end to be pressed against the side of the wire 9.

Thus, if one were to try to draw the inserted wire out from the connection clip in the opposite direction, the distal end of the spring element 6 firmly grips the side of the wire 9, resulting in the wire 9 being stably and positively held in the,connection clip a.

Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a connection clip which includes a small cover 3 formed from a metal sheet into a rectangular shape by press working or the like. A spring element 6 of an inverted claw-like shape is fixed in the cover 3 by caulking or the like to constitute an anti-disconnection mechanism a. The cover 3 has a bottom plate 4 provided with a pair of small projections V, which are fitted into engagements or small holes 8' formed at a connection portion 2 of a circuit element such as a terminal or the like. Then, the projections 7' are caulked to attach the connection clip A integrally to the terminal 2.

Figures 7 to 9 show a third embodiment of a connection clip A which includes a box-like cover 3 formed into a substantially inverted U-shape to define a wire fitting hole 5. In the fitting hole 5 an antidisconnection mechanism a is provided. An extension of one of the two side plates of the cover 3 is bent to form a spring element of an inverted claw-like shape, a distal end of which is pressed against the inner surface of the other side plate of the cover 3, to provide the anti-disconnection mechanism a. Both side plates of the cover 3 are formed with a small platelike projection 7, which is caulked with respect to a terminal 2 or the like to attach the connection clip A C- 1 integrally to the terminal 2.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention, respectively. In the fourth embodiment of Figure 10, a cover 3 formed from a metal sheet into a rectangular shape by press working or the like is provided with a wire fitting hole 5, in which an anti-disconnection mechanism a is provided by inwardly bending extensions of both side plates of the cover 3 to form a spring element 6 of an inverted claw-like shape to press the extensions against each other.

In a connection clip A of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 11, a cover 3 is formed from a metal sheet into a substantially inverted U- shape by press working or the like so as to define a wire fitting hole in which an anti-disconnection mechanism a is provided by bending an extension of the top plate of the cover 3 to form a spring element 6 of an inverted claw-like shape. 20 In each of the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, the anti-disconnection mechanism a may be formed by fixing a separately formed spring element of an inverted claw- like shape on the side plate or top plate of the cover 3. The so- constructed connection clip A shown in each of Figures 10 and 11 is attached to a terminal 2 or the like as in the above-described embodiments and exhibits the same function and advantages. Figures 13 to 22 each show the attachment of the connection clip A of the present invention to the terminal of each of various circuit elements. Figure 13 shows the attachment of the connection clip A to the terminal 2 of a leaf switch or the terminal 2 of a C_ 11 contact spring element 11 of the leaf spring projecting from one side of a base 10.

Figures 14(a) to (d) show the connection clip A attached to various switches, specifically, a microswitchi a slide switch, a seesaw switch and a toggle switch, respectively.

Figures 15(a) and 15(b), 16 to 21, and 22(a) and 22(b) show the attachment of the connection clip A to the terminals of a multi-mounting terminal boardi a fuseholder, a battery case, a volume controller, a speaker, a motor, a transformer and lamp, respectively.

Thus. it will be noted that attachment of the connection clip of the present invention to the terminals of various kinds of electrical and electronic components may be not only positively and firmly carried out, since it is merely required to insert an end of a wire into the antidisconnection mechanism, but also simply and rapidly carried out. Accordingly, the connection clip of the present invention allows the connection of a wire to a terminal of an electrical or electronic equipment to be accomplished with highly improved efficiency.

Now, a sixth embodiment of a connection clip of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 23.

The connection clip of Figure 23 is so constructed that a cover 3 is formed from a metal sheet into an inverted U-shape by press working or the like so as to define a wire fitting hole 5, in which a spring element 6 of an inverted claw-like shape is securely fixed by caulking or the like to provide an anti-disconnection mechanism a. The cover 3 includes a separately formed bottom plate 4 formed with engagements or wedge-like er v 12 recesses 8 and is formed at a lower end of each of the two side plates have a small plate-like projection 7, which fit in each of the engagements 8 of the bottom plate 4. These are bent towards the under surface of the bottom plate 4. The engagements 8 into which-the projections 7 are fitted are subjected to caulking to mount integrally the cover 3 having the spring element 6 attached on the bottom plate 4, resulting in the connection clip A. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom plate 4 is provided with a terminal 12 of an elongate plate-like shape for soldering.

The connection clip A of the sixth embodiment may be used in such a way that the terminal 12 for soldering is attached, by soldering, to a portion of a printed circuit board, a chassis or the like to which a wire is to be connected. For example, the terminal 12 of the bottom plate 4 may be inserted into a small hole in a printed circuit board 15, formed at the position where a wire is to be connected, and then fixed to the board 15 together with circuit elements by dip soldering as shown in Figure 26. These correspond to a preliminary step, a mass production step and a step of mounting parts on the printed circuit board. Actual connection of the wire to the printed circuit board which is carried out in mounting the printed circuit board in equipment in situ can be readily carried out by merely inserting the wire into the connection clip A.

As described above, in the connection clip of the sixth embodiment shown in Figure 23, the terminal is previously fixed to a printed circuit board or the like by soldering, so that connection of a wire to the printed circuit board may be not only simply and (.1:1- 13 rapidly carried out because it is merely required to insert the wire into the anti-disconnection mechanism but positively and firmly accomplished. Thus, it will be noted that the embodiment permits the connection to be attained with highly improved efficiency.

Figure 24 shows a seventh embodiment of a connection clip according to the present inventionj which is so constructed that the bottom plate 4 of the cover 3 of the connection clip A is formed at a part of -10 an extension or soldering terminal 12 with an insulating base 13. for example by moulding a plastics material.

Figure 25 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention including a plurality of connection clips A of the present invention. At an extension or terminal of each of the clips A, a common insulating base 13 is formed.

Now, a ninth embodiment of a connection clip according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 27 to 29.

This embodiment is adapted to connect electrical wires to each other. A connection clip A includes a box-like cover 3 formed from a metal sheet into a substantially inverted U-shape by press working or the like so as to define a wire fitting hole 5, in which a spring element 6 of an inverted claw-like shape is fixedly fitted by caulking or the like to provide an anti-disconnection mechanism a at both sides of the spring element 6. The cover 3 is provided at the end of both side plates with a small plate-like projection 7, which fit into corresponding engagements or wedgelike recesses 8 of a bottom plate 4 formed separately from the cover 3. The projections 7 are bent towards C- 14 the under surface of the bottom plate 4. Then. the engagements 8 in which the projections 7 are fitted are subjected to caulking to fix integrally the cover 3 including the spring element 6 on the bottom plate 4, thereby providing the connection clip A.

When wires 9, for example, covered conductors each having a distal end exposed by stripping are inserted straight into the anti-disconnection mechanisms a in opposite directions, the spring element 6 is inwardly compressed and receives the wires through the mechanisms a in the wire fitting hole 5. At the same time,, the resilience of the spring element 6 tends to urge the ends in an outward direction to press both distal ends of the element 6 firmly against each of the wires 9.

If one were to try to draw out the fitted wires from the connection clip A in opposite directins. the distal-ends of the spring element would firmly grip the wires 9 to firmly hold the wires in the clip, so that removal of the wires can effectively be prevented.

Thus. it will be understood that this connection clip readily accomplishes rapid connection of the two wires since it is merely necessary to insert the wires into the anti-disconnection mechanisms. This results in a positive and firm connection, which can be carried out with highly increased efficiency. Also, it will be noted that the embodiment allows two wires extending in two directionst three wires in three directions, four wires in four or crosswise directions and more wires to be connected to one another in a simple manner.

Figures 30(a) to 30(g) each show a variant of the basic ninth embodiment shown in Figures 27 to 29.

The modification of Figure 30(a) is adapted to C 1 connect two wires extending in opposite directions to each other and includes anti-disconnection mechanisms a at both sides of a connection clip A.

The modification of Figure 30(b) is constructed to connect together two wires perpendicular to each other.

The modification of Figure 30(c) is adapted to connect three wires arranged at angular intervals of 1200.

The modification of Figure 30(d) is adapted to connect together four wires arranged in crosswise directions.

The modification of Figure 30(e) is generally formed into a convex shape so as to connect four wires together.

The modification of Figure 30(f) is formed into a star shape so as to connect five wires together.

The modification of Figure 30(g) is adapted to connect two twin-core wires to each other. In this modification, insulation is required between the cores.

The modifi. cation is applicable to a connection between two screened cables comprising a core wire and a shielding wire by twisting net wires (screening) into a single line.

Also, the embodiment may be modified so that at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the connection clip A is covered with an insulating material, as required.

Figure 31 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention in which a connection clip A adapted to connect together two wires extending in opposite directions has that part of-its outer peripheral surface, except for the openings 5 through which the wires are inserted, covered with an insulating plastics 16 material. Such a construction ensures safety of the connection clip A irrespective of any contact of a portion of a wire connected by the connection clip A with a conductive portion.

The coating or covering with an insulating material may be carried out according any suitable procedure. For example. it may be conveniently carried out by moulding a plastics material or by fitting a tube of rubber, plastics or the like onto the connection clip.

I 17 1

Claims

CLAIMS is 1. A connection clip adapted to be attached to a connection

portion of an electrical or electronic circuit element to which a wire is to be attached, comprising: a cover formed from a metal sheet so as to have a top platei two side plates and a bottom plate, together defining a wire fitting hole; and a spring element of an inverted claw-like shape formed from a metal sheet and integrally arranged in the wire fitting hole of the cover. the spring element being arranged so that at least one distal end presses resiliently against an inner surface of one of the plates of the cover, thereby constituting an anti-disconnection mechanism.

2.. A connection clip as claimed in Claim 1, in which the bottom plate of the cover is provided with projections for engagement with a part of the component to which the wire is to be connected.

3. A connection clip as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2. in which both the side plates are provided at their lower ends with a projection, and the bottom plate is formed separately from the side plates and top plate and is provided with engagements, the projections of the side plates being in engagement with the engagements of the bottom plate to form the cover integrally.

4. A connection clip as claimed in any preceding claim. in which the spring element is formed separately from the cover, and the antidisconnection mechanism is 18 formed by fixing the spring element in the wire fitting hole by caulking.

5. A connection clip as claimed in any of Claims 5. 1 to 3, in which the spring element is formed by bending an extension of one of the side plates of the cover, the anti-disconnection mechanism being formed by pressing a distal end of the extension against an inner surface of the opposite side plate of the cover.

10.

6. A connection clip as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the spring element is formed by bending an extension of the top plate of the cover, the anti-disconnectino mechanism being formed by pressing a distal end of the extension against the inner surface of the bottom plate of the cover.

7. A connection clip as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the anti-disconnection mechanism is 20. constituted by the spring element which is formed by bending an extension of one of the side plates of the cover in a manner to press a distal end of the extension against an inner surface of the opposite side plate of the cover so as to allow the spring element to exhibit resiliency and then to press the distal end of the extension against the inner surface of the said opposite side plate again so as to allow the spring element to exhibit resiliency.

30. 8. A connection clip as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the anti-disconnection mechanism is constituted by the spring element which is formed by bending extensions of both the side plates of cover to p 19 press the extensions against each other in a manner to allow the extensions to exhibit resiliency, acting on each other.

9. A connection clip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one of the top plate, side plates and bottom plate of the cover is provided with a terminal for soldering.

which the soldering terminal is formed with an insulating base.

11. A connection clip as claimed in Claim 9, in 1. which one of the top plate. side plates and bottom plate of said cover is provided with an extension and an insulating base on the extension.

12. A connection clip as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, in which one of the top plater side plates and bottom plate of the cover is provided with a plurality of insulating bases or extensionsi the insulating base being common to the insulating bases or extension.

13. A connection clip as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the spring element is bent in such a manner that both its ends are pressed against one of the side plates of the cover so as to allow the spring element to exhibit resiliency.

14. A connection clip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cover is provided with two or more wire fitting holes, and an antidisconnection mechanism is provided at each of the wire fitting holes.

15. A connection clip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the connection clip is covered with an insulating material.

16. A connection clip constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4 to 6, Figures 7 to 9, Figures 10 and 11, Figure 24, Figure 25, Figures 27 to 29, Figure 30 or Figure 31 of the accompanying drawings.

is Pubhshed 1988 at The Patent Off-lee, State House, 66171 High Holborn, London WCIR 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Maxy Cray, Kent. Con. 1/87.