IL43364A - Panel board electrical connector - Google Patents

Claims (6)

43364/2 CIAIMS

1. An electrical connector adapted for connection to at least one terminal pin of a plurality of terminal pins mounted i a row on and extending from a panel board, and a flat ground conductor rail mounted o the panel board adjacent the terminal pins and extending parallel to said row, said connector comprising: a pair of box-type electrical contacts constructed of sheet metal, each of said contacts having a center section with a base and an arm projecting at a substantial right angle from each end of said base, a contact section formed from extensions in a first direction of each of said arms which extensions are bent back on themselves to form said extensions into a pair of resiliently yieldable, cantilevered facing spring fingers, a section adapted for connection to an electrical conductor, said section being formed from an extension of said center section in a direction opposit said first direction, and at least one locking tab extending from said center section and angled away from said contac section; and a molded housing of an insulating material having twin longitudinal cavities each dimensioned to receive one of said contacts , the upper end of each of said cavities being open to permit the contact to be inserted in the cavity, the lower end of one cavity having a hole dimensioned to permit a terminal pin to pass therethrough, the lower end of the other cavity having a rail receiving slot, and at least one opening in a wall of each cavity positioned to have the locking tab of a contact in the cavit fit therein when the contact is properly positioned in the cavity with its contact section adjacent the cavity hole or slot, the housing of each connector having at least one projection formed on one side thereof facing said row and a mating recess for said projection formed on the other side thereof, said connectors being secured to each other by press fitting a 43364/2 projection on one connector into a corresponding recess of an adjacent connector, and said tab extending towards one of said sides with said projection or recess.

2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherei the width of the center section of each connector is substantially equal to the width of the cavity in which it is positioned, whereby lateral movement of the contact in the cavity is prevented.

3. A connector as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said housing includes a wall of insulating material formed between said cavities, the height of said vail being sufficient to prevent spurious contact between said electrical contacts when they are properly positioned in their respective cavities.

4. A connector as in Claim 3 wherein there are a pair of circular projections formed on one side of each housing with a pair of mating circular recesses formed on the other side of each housing.

5. A connector as claimed in Claim 3 wherein there Is only a single locking tab on each connector which tab extends from the side of said base opposite said arms. ^

6. A connector as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the opening in the wall of the cavity Is deep enough so that said locking tab extends only part way therein. ίΖ. A connector as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the \ fading contact surfaces of each of said spring fingers are substantially parallel to each other whereby said faces are adapted to be in contact with a pin or rail inserted therein over substantially the entire length that said pin or rail extends nto said contact. For the Applicants DR. REINHOLD COH AND PARTNERS By*