GB2264007A - Socket contact terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A box socket terminal comprises a crimped wired termination (17) having ribs (12), and a socket contact. The contact includes a base (11) and sides, one of the sides being extended to form top (13) and further extended to form retaining lips (15, 16). The top (13) and bottom (11) extend to form contact surfaces (21, 22) folded inside the box; each contact surface may terminate with folds (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b). Protrusions (20) are formed in the outside of the box, so that the contact may be assembled into a connector body (not shown) in either one of two orientations without misaligning the contact surfaces (21, 22). <IMAGE>

Description

AN IMPROVED CLIP FOR MODULAR WIRING This invention relates to an improved clip for modular wiring, having new characteristics of construction, conformation and design which fulfill the purpose for which it was specifically conceived with maximum safety and efficiency.

Automobiles wiring requires, at certain points, sets of wiring which are normally assembled by insertion in the ends of the conductors of the corresponding wiring clips.

There are a variety of clips on the market, the basic difference between them being the shape or configuration that they present, and the way in which the pin terminal is introduced into the clip which then acts as the socket terminal. Their electrical performance varies according to the configuration of the areas of electrical contact. Previous clip configurations are the object of Spanish Utility Models No. 244.185 titled improved safety terminal and No. 270.225 titled improved socket terminal.

In order for the wiring between the pin terminal and the socket terminal to function in a satisfactory manner, it is very important that the contact surface be as large as possible and that the pressure on the pin terminal is maintained over an extended time period, all of which determines good electrical conductivity. It is also important for the above mentioned electrical conductivity that the materials that form part of or conform the pin terminal with the socket terminal are of the appropriate alloy and of maximum conductivity.

Materials or alloys that contain a high percentage of iron are discarded although the former may be located in the nucleus, since encasings usually fall off with time, leaving the ferrous part of the alloy exposed and producing an undesired rusting which affects the conductivity and therefore the operation of the terminal.

Another aspect concerning terminals which should be taken into account is their placement within other units, such as wiring boxes. That is, a terminal must be capable, on the one hand of ensuring a good interlinking, while a second requirement which arises is the necessity for an external configuration which permits connection to said boxes.

With this object in view the present invention provides an improved clip for modular wiring of the type which is introduced into a wiring box to imprison an electrical conductor between teeth, retaining it due to the help of the ribs which are parallel to each other and present in a level bottom, characterised in that the clip is constituted from a level bottom, having parallel ribs which presents a moulding emerging upwardly from said level bottom's lateral areas which form a 90" angle with reference to said level bottom, at the same time extending into tails which are overlapped at the extension of a right lateral area in a level upper area and having areas of the corresponding media which ensure the reversibility of the clip and the fastening of the same to the corresponding connectors.

Further details and characteristics of the current application shall be manifested in the course of the description given below, in which reference is made to the drawings accompanying this Specification, in which the chosen details are presented in outline form. These details are given by way of example, making reference to a possible case of practical application, but it is not limited to the details here set forth. Therefore, this description must be considered from an illustrative point of view and without limitations of any kind.

Figure No. 1 is a raised lengthwise section of the clip (10), Figure No. 2 is an upper plan view of the clip (10); and Figure No. 3 is a cross section of the clip (10) The various numbered items in the drawings attached to this specification are listed as follows:clip (10), level bottom (11), parallel ribs (12), upper level area (13), fastening holes (14), tail (15), tail (16), tooth (17), tooth (18), pin terminal (19), hemispherical mouldings (20), upper tongue (21), mid inclined area (21a), end inclined area (21b), lower tongue (22), mid inclined area (22a), end inclined area (22b), circular hole (23), left lateral area (24), right lateral area (25), intermediate area (26).

In one of the chosen realisations of what is the object of this application, and as may be seen in Figure No. 1, a flattened configuration is depicted. The clip (10) is formed from a level bottom (11), which extends to the left and right following left (24) and right (25) lateral areas, the said left lateral area extending into tails (15) and (16), these in turn forming a 90" angle with the above left lateral area (24).

From the forward level bottom (11) and in the end sections, emerge teeth (18) and additional teeth (17) near one of the ends, there being in this area a set of parallel ribs (12). Said ribs (12) and teeth (17) and (18) exercise the function of retaining the conductor cable which passes between them, by the coming together of said teeth (17) and (18) to retain the conductor cable in its interior.

The level bottom (11) and the upper level area (13) which extends the lateral area (25) and forming a 90" angle with it, are arranged parallel to each other.

Further they are extended by first folding over and then extending in parallel manner towards the inside following upper (21) or lower (22) surfaces or tongues, and being level and parallel to said level bottom (11) and upper level area (13), thenby forming the clip contacts (10).

The upper (21) and lower (22) tongues extend inwardly and in the mid area of the clip (10), following end and mid inclined areas (21a-21b) and (22a-22b). Said inclined areas (21a-21b) and (22a-22b) form an angle between them, the vertex of this angle being bounded by the upper (13) and lower (11) areas.

From the level area of bottom (11), there emerges outwardly spherical mouldings and likewise from the upper part (13), which provision guarantees the reversibility of the clip (10). In this way the same may be introduced in a jack box in both positions, which facilitates manual assembly as the introduction of clips (10) in boxes in a reversed position is acceptable, something which normally causes poor unit assembly.

The upper level areas (13) and lower level area (11) present fastening holes (14) in their mid area which facilitate the retention of the clip, once it is introduced into a jack box, by protuberances of ribs contained in the same and which are position inside said holes (14).

The connection of clip (10) is ensured when a pin terminal (19) is introduced between the totally level upper tongues (21) and (22), which allow for a certain flexibility due to the angular area (21a-21b) and (22a22b). The stress caused by pin terminal entry thus does not present any danger for said contact areas (21) and (22). Likewise, the fact that the clip (10) forms a type of closed box when overlapping with the upper level area (13) and the tails (15) and (16), as may be seen in Figure No. 3, lends total rigidity to the structure.

This ensures that when the pin terminal (19) is introduced between the areas that when the pin terminal (19) is introduced between the areas (21) and (22), no contact strength is lost due to the special configuration of said tongues (21) and (22).

The special curved contact shape of the forward area (21) and (22) which is an area formed of the fold of the bottom (11) and the upper area (13), facilitates the metal-metal sliding, which thereby favours the introduction of the pin terminal (19) and the pressure of said tongues (21) and (22) on the same pin terminal.

On the other hand, due to the parallel arrangement between said areas (21) and (22), it is ensured that contact takes place on the entire useable surface of the pin terminal (19).

It shall be understood , after having observed the drawings and the explanation that we have made of them, that the invention described in this Specification, offers a simple and efficient construction which may be put to practice with great ease, constituting, without a doubt, a new industrial result.

The invention is not confined to the foregoing details and variations may be made thereto within the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. An improved clip for modular wiring for the type which is introduced into a wiring box to imprison an electrical conductor between teeth, retaining it due to the help of ribs which are parallel to each other and present in a level bottom, characterised in that the clip is constituted from a level bottom, having parallel ribs which presents a moulding emerging upwardly from said level bottom's lateral areas which form a 90" angle with reference to said level bottom, at the same time extending into tails which are overlapped at the extension of a right lateral area in a level upper area and having areas of the corresponding media which ensure the reversibility of the clip and the fastening of the same to corresponding connectors.

2. An improved clip as claimed in Claim 1 charac terised in that the contact area of the clip is formed by upper and lower tongues, which are extensions of the upper and lower areas folded over inwardly and in a parallel manner, which tongues end in a respective mid inclined area and an end inclined area on the upper part, and on the lower part.

3. An improved clip as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that areas at the ends of the tongues form an angle or area of deformation, which is bounded at its upper and lower perimeters by the level areas.

4. An improved clip as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that respective hemispherical mouldings project from the level area or bottom and from the upper level area.

5. An improved clip as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that there are rectangular holes in the mid areas of the upper area and lower area.

6. An improved clip for modular wiring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.