NZ209101A - Resilient tongues formed from conductive strip provide electric socket - Google Patents

Description

2 09101 Priority Data(s): ..$?..$ ~§3 Complete Specification Filed: 3-9. ~gV-Class: ..<#??f*&//.( Publication Date: ....^.9.^.^^!.... P.O. Journal. No: , ,../3o$ nr.

RICE;™ NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT. 1953 No.: Date: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ELEMENT Xk/We- CLICK INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD., a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Victoria, of 297-305 Victoria Street, Brunswick, in the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia hereby declare the invention for whichXjK/ we pray that a patent may be granted to jn^/ns, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - © '0910- This invention relates to an electrical connector element and j to an electrical connector device, such as a power outlet device, S incorporating such element.

In one aspect, the invention provides an eletrical connector element formed from an elongate strip of conductive material having at i , lengthwise spaced locations therealong electrical connectors, each connector being defined by a respective section of th<? strip which section is configured to present a generally V-shaped configuration when the strip is viewed edge on, iiaid section having therein, at a location adjacent the apex of the V-shaped configuration, a cut out having a first relatively narrow portion extending from one edge of the strip ? towards the other edge thereof, and positioned | ^ substantially at said apex and a second portion at j the end of the first portion which is remote from j said one edge, said second portion extending to either j side of said first portion and said apex, and extending jl transversely of said first portion whereby said cut j out is of generally T-shaped configuration, there ■ being defined, between the second portion and said I one edge of the strip, resilient tongue portions of j the connector element, respective ones of said resilient tongue portions being located at respective opposite j sides of said first portion, the resilient tongue portions having respective free ends defined by the respective side edges of said first portion of the said cut out, said resilient tongue portions being adapted to resiliently engage, at the free ends thereof^ !M respective opposite faces of a flat electrically conductive pin when lengthwise inserted into sai<^ FEB 1988 first portion of said cut out by movement into the first portion lengthwise of said first portion from said one edge of the strip. t Elements constructed in accordance with the invention may be formed from a lamina member wherein the fixed ends of the tongue portions are interconnected by an integral bridging portion of the lamina member. The bridging portion may be generally U-shaped inform. 3 O 15 20 25 G Where the element is formed from said lamina member, the tongue portions may extend in angularly disposed planes parallel to said path of movement and said bridging portion may likewise be of planar form having two portions joined respectively to said fixed ends and aligned with respective ones of the tongue portions. Conveniently, the connector element may be formed from a strip of conductive material by a process including forming a cutout in one side edge of the strip, said cutout having a narrow first portion extending from said one side edge of the strip and defining at opposite sides thereof the free ends of the tongue portions and thence leading to a sidewardly enlarged portion elongate in the direction of extent of the strip whereby the tongue portions are defined between said enlarged cutout portion and said one side edge of the strip. In this case, the bridging portion is formed between an edge of the strip opposite said one edge and an edge of the enlarged portion extending lengthwise of the strip and to the side of said enlarged portion opposite said tongue portions. The element may then be deformed whereby the bridging portion and the two tongue portions are configured to present a V-shaped appearance when viewed normal to the said direction.

Elements constructed in accordance with the invention may conveniently comprise elongate strips having any number of portions defining pairs of tongue portions and connecting pieces.

The invention provides an electrical connector comprising an electrically insulative body receiving therein a said connector element, said body having openings aligned with respective ones of said first portions of said cut auts, each disposed for guiding a said flat electrically conductive pin for lengthwise insertion into the respective underlying first :'Oi)iu. 4 15 20 25 35 portion by said movement into the first portion lengthwise of the first portion from said one edge of said strip.

The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector element constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 and figure 3 are diagrams illustrating the manner of formation of the connector element of figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a multiple outlet device incorporating elements of the kind described in relation to fignre 1; Figure 5 is a rear view of the device of figure 1 with a rear cover removed; Figure 6 is a fragmentary section on the line 6-6 in figure 5; Figure 7 is a view like figure 6 but showing a conductive pin positioned in the outlet device; and Figure 8 is a cross section on the line 8-8 in figure 7.

The connector element 10 shown in figure 1 is formed from a strip 11 of conductive metal such as copper.

It includes a plurality of spaced pin receiving sections 12, these being arranged at spaced locations along the length of the strip. Inbetween, and connecting adjacent pairs of sections 12, are respective contact receiving sections 14.

The sections 12 are each formed by cutting and bending the strip 11 whilst the sections 14 are formed by cutting. Figure 2 shows a strip 11 prior to bending to form the sections 12. Here, the strip 11 is shewn as having equally spaced cutouts 17 formedJ,-:,_ t 2091 0 therein, these extending inwardly from one side edge 11a of the strip 11 towards the other side edge lib. Each cutout has a narrow neck portion 17a with a pair of parallel side edges 21, 23 extending normally to edge 11a. The cutout further includes an enlarged portion 17b, this having an inner edge 25 extending parallel to and somewhat spaced from edge lib, a pair of end edges 27, 29 extending from edge 25 normally to the direction of extent of the strip 11 to respective edges 31, 33 which extend parallel to edge 25 and which join edges 21, 23 at the innermost ends thereof. The cutout 17 is thus essentially of T-shaped configuration. Each cutout 17 forms in strip 11 a pair of opposed tongue portions 30, 32, these being"defined between edges 31 and 33 respectively and the side edge 11a of the strip 11. These tongue portions extend from free edges defined by the edges 21, 23 respectively to fixed ends defined by respective inwardly extending edges 36, 38 formed on cutouts 39 formed in the connection portions 14 to either side of the portion 12. It will be seen that the fixed ends of the tongue portions 30, 32 are interconnected by a bridge portion 34 forming part of section 12, this bridge portion of strip 11, this being of generally 0-shaped configuration, having an intermediate portion 34c defined between edges 25 and lib and end portions 34a, 34b adjacent the respective tongue fixed ends.

A separate cutout 39 is formed in each section 14 at the edge 11a, and configures each section 14 to define a relatively narrowed bridge portion 4 2 interconnecting each adjacent pair of sections 12. Each bridge portion 42 has a tab 42a formed thereon intermediate the ends thereof. 209101 6 The cutouts 39 and 17 may be readily formed by a stamping process. After stamping, the strip 11 is deformed, such as by use of the two dies 46, 48 shown in figure 3, whereby, when viewed edge on of the strip 11, the sections 12 are deformed to a somewhat V-shaped configuration with the fixed ends of the tongues 30, 32 being adjacent the common plane containing the sections 14 and converging to a gap 43 formed between the free ends and defined by the portion 17a of cutout 17. The bridging porticn 34 is likewise deformed so that the intermediate portion 34c thereof defines opposed portiors 34', 34" which are aligned respectively with the planes containing the tongue portions 30, 32.

Turning now to figure 4, there is shown therein a multiple outlet device 70 having a casing formed of a two piece plastics moulding having an outer shell 71 and a base (not shown) ultrasonically welded to the underside of the shell 71 to form an enclosure. An electrical cable 74 extends through an end aperture in the casing and provides for electrical interconnection to sockets of the device 74. On one face of shell 71 being a face of an upper wall 71a thereof, the casing 69 defining a number, four in this case, of outlet sockets 74, each socket including three slots 75, 77, 79 extending through the wall 71a of the chell 71. In the instance shown, the slots are of elongate form arrayed in an array corresponding to the pin array for electrical plugs for domestic use in Australia. In that array, there are three pins of elongate parallel form each pin being of rectangular transverse cross section.

Referring row to figure 5, the shell 71 has, extending from the underside of wall 71a, a plurality 2u; . 7 of hollow posts 80. There are three such posts associated with each socket 74, one positioned adjacent each slot 75, 77, 79 thereof so that the slots open through the wall 71a to the interiors of respective ones of the posts. Each post has a pair of opposed walls 80a, 80b with slots 90 formed therein so as to extend from the rear of the casing 69 forwardly towards the wall 71a. Each slot is arranged to receive a respective section 12 of a connector element 10. As shown, there are three connector elements 10 extending lengthwise along the interior of the casing 69, the slots 90 of the posts 80 corresponding to common ones of the slots 75, 77, 79 for each socket 74 receiving sections 12 of a respective common one of the three elements 10. In the assembled condition, movement of the elements 10 rearwardly away from the wall 71a is prevented by engagement with the inner surface of the base of the casing 69, which as mentioned, is ultrasonically welded to the casing shell 71.

Electrical connections are made to the elements 10 in the manner shown in figure 1 where one insulated conductor 74a of the cable 74 is shown having a crimped-on connector element 89 at one end, which connector element 89 is fitted over one cf the tabs 42a of an element 10.

Insulation is provided between the three connector elements 10 by internal partition walls 100, 102 within the casing 69, these extending from wall 71a and positioned between each of the two adjacent pairs of connector elements 10.

Figure 6 shows one section 12 within a post 80 adjacent one slot 75. It will be seen that the :jQGiOi 8 © 15 20 25 30 35 positioning of the section 12 is such that the gap 43 thereof is positioned closely adjacent the axis 80a of the post 80, the element 10 being inserted into the post with the edge 11a closest to wall 71a whereby the gap 43 is open towards the slot 75. The positioning of the sections 12 within the posts 80 associated with all of the slots 75, 77, 79 is similar to that shown in figure 6.

The manner of contacting engagement of electrical pins of an electric plug with the sockets 74 is now described by way of example with reference to figures 7 and 8. Thus, figure 7 shows an elongate rectangular sectioned conductive pin 102 associated with an electrical connector plug 104. On insertion of the pin 102 through the slot 75 and into the interior of the post 80, the pin moves with its axis aligned with the axis 80a so as to penetrate into the gap 43 and to engage the free ends of the tongue portions 30, 32 to force these apart. This movement effects flexirg of the tongue portions 30, 32 to deform them from the positions normally occupied, as shown by phantom lines 108 in figure 8, to positions shown in solid lines in figure 8. This movement is effected as a turning movement of the free ends of the tongue portions in the directions indicated by the arrows "B" and "fi" in figure 8 and about axes located adjacent the fixed ends of the tongue portions. This turning movement or flexing is effected against natural resilience of the tongue portions so that the free ends of the tongue portions firmly grip and make electrical contact with the pin 102. On removal of the pin 102, the resilience of the tongue portions restores these to the original position shown by phantom lines 108. 2 w ■) 1 0 1 9 The described construction has been advanced merely by way of explanation and many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

2C01O1 10 v'/HAry " CLAIM IS:

1. An electrical connector element formed from an elongate strip of conductive material having at lengthwise spaced locations therealong electrical connectors, each connector being defined by a respective section of the strip which section is configured to present a generally V-shaped configuration when the strip is viewed edge on, said section having therein -— — a cut-out having a first relatively narrow portion extending from one edge of the strip towards the other edge thereof, and positioned substantially at the apex of the V-shaped configuration and a second portion at the end of the first portion which is remote from said one edge, said second portion extending to either side of said first portion and said apex, ———-—-— whereby said cut-out is of generally T-shaped configuration, there being defined, between the second portion and said one edge of the strip, resilient tongue portions of the connector element, respective ones of said resilient tongue portions being located at respective opposite sides of said first portion, the resilient tongue portions having respective free ends defined by the respective side edges of said first portion of the said cut-out, said resilient tongue portions being adapted to resiliently engage, at the free ends thereof, respective opposite faces of a flat electrically conductive pin when lengthwise inserted into said first portion of said cut-out — .. from said one edge of the strip. ' V v 20*pRl988?J . // 2ceaca 11

2. An electrical connector element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sections each extend to the same side of said strip, when the strip is viewed edge on.

3. An electrical connector element as claimed in > claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, between two of said sections of the strip, there is defined a planar section of the strip.

4. An electrical connector element as claimed in claim 3 wherein said planar section has portions thereof removed at an edge of the strip to form therebetween a tab for receiving electrical connection means for making electrical connection to the strip.

5. An electrical connector element as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said strip includes a planar section extending from edge to edge thereof, portions of the planar section being removed at an edge of the strip to form therebetween a tab for receiving electrical connection means, for making electrical connection to the strip.

6. A method of forming the electrical connector element of claim 1 wherein said strip, in planar form, has said cut-out, for each said section, formed therein, whereafter each said section is configured to present said generally V-shaped configuration.

7. An electrical connector comprising an electrically v insulative body receiving therewithin the connector / v element of any one of claims 1 to 5, said body having |! er _ } 2 4MAR190g>enings aligned with respective ones of said first L':yp portions of said cut-outs, each disposed for guiding 'vA* / ShJE i J / ' \ * —JiJUi. e 203101 12 a said flat electrically conductive pin for lengthwise insertion into the respective underlying first portion from said one edge of said strip,

8. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 7 wherein said openings are formed in a substantially flat wall of said body, the edge to edge direction of said strip being substantially normal to said wall.

9. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8 wherein said electrical connector element is retained in said body by engagement with projections extending from said flat wall of said body.

10. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said openings comprise elongate rectangular slots, the longer slot dimension being oriented so as to be transverse to the lengthwise direction of extent of the strip.

11. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 10 wherein said longer cross-sectional dimension is oriented at an angle of substantially 60° to the lengthwise direction of extent of the strip.

12. An electrical connector element substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. .w

13. A method of forming an electrical connector element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. An electrical connector substantially as . hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. .V^A Mli/thelr authorised Agwrte, ch A. J. PARK ir SOM. /. ••n j /-> / ~'S> iO f