US2187527A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 16, 1940. w. B. WELLS 2,137,527

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Aug. 24', 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Insulafion{ i INVENTOR Wsle Wells.

BY K 8. HIS ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1940. w, B WE 2,187,527

ELECTRICAL commc'ron Filed Aug. 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR Wes Zea. Wells.

. HIS ATTORNEY JFnTTT, "T9281 1,656,528

J. w. MILLARD PICKLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 v ATTORN Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL CONNEGTOR Application August 24, 1938, Serial No. 228,490

'lClaims.

My invention relates to electrical connectors, and particularly to electrical connectors comprising a plug receptacle having a relatively large number of sockets adapted to engage a correspondingly large number of contact fingers of a cooperating plug for establishing simultaneous electrical contact with the fingers.

An object of my invention is the provision of novel and improved means whereby the contact 0 members of an electrical socket are adapted automatically to assume the diiierent conditions best suited for electrically contacting the contact fingers of the cooperating plug.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a. novel and improved electrical socket which will wipe clean its cooperating contact finger prior to making contact therewith.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved electrical connector which will insure good electrical contact between all of the cooperating sockets and contact fingers, and which at the same time will permit ready separation of the sockets from the contact fingers. Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification progresses.

The present invention is directed to subject matter closely related to that disclosed and claimed in a copending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 291,721 filed on August 24, 1939, by Clarence S. Snavely, and this latter ap plication contains claims which cover broadly certain features of the apparatus disclosed in the present application. I shall describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a bottom view partially sectional showing an electrical socket embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the socket of Fig. 1, taken substantially on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are views showing one of the contact springs 4, two of these springs being required for each socket. Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing a preferred form of a plug receptacle R embodying my invention. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the plug receptacle shown in Fig. 5, a portion of the cover member 5 being re- 60 moved to better illustrate the arrangement of the parts. Fig. '7 is a top plan view showing two plug receptacles L and R embodying my invention each in engagement with a selected plurality 01' contact fingers. one plug receptacle L ll being shown with entire center portion removed showing the plurality of contact fingers I. Fiql 8 is a sectional side view of the plug receptacle R, taken substantially on the line VHL-VIII of Fig. '7.

Similar reference characters refer to similar 6 parts in each of the several views.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, an electrical socket embodying my invention as shown comprises an insulated body member i provided with a recess 2 bisected by a slot 3, and two cooperating con- 10 tact members 4, 4' having extended end portions disposed within the slot 3, the contact members being supported and maintained in slot 3 by an insulating cover member 5 having an opening 6 aligning with recess 2. The recess 2 is adapted 15 to receive a contact finger I' (see Fig. 2) insertable into recess 2 through the opening 6 in cover 5.

Each contact member I is formed (see Figs.

3 and 4) with an arcuate shaped contact surface 20 intermediate its extended end portions, the arcuate portion preferably having a radius of curvature substantially equalling the radius of the aforementioned contact finger, but being substantially less than semicircular in form. The 25 contact members 4 are preferably formed of suitable spring conducting material, such as, for example, phosphor bronze, and the longer extended end portion of each contact member is provided with an opening 8. 30

The contact members l are arranged for cooperatively engaging the contact finger 1, being first disposed so that the longer extended portions align, and so that the arcuate shaped contact surfaces are oppositely disposed with the as result that substantially an annularly shaped contact surface is provided. A wire 9 is then inserted through openings 8 in members 4, and is securely soldered to the members for eflecting permanent electrical contact therewith. The 4,0 contact members I are then inserted in slot 3 in a manner such that the longer extended end portions of the members project into a central recess 10 provided in body member I. The slot 3 is preferably slightly wider than the combined 45 thickness of members 4. and is preferably slight- 1y deeper than the width of the members. The insulating cover 5 when suitably attached to member I serves to enclose the slot 3, whereby the contact members are loosely mounted within the slot for permitting a limited movement of the members therewithin.

When the socket is arranged in the manner just described, the contact members I, 4' initially assume a condition wherein the arcuate shaped I contact suriaces enclose an area smaller than the cross sectional area of the contact finger I. When it is desired toeil'ect electrical contact between the members 4, 4 and the contact finger 1, the finger is first inserted into recess 2 through opening I in cover I and operates first to separate members 4, 4 from each other. The contact members are permitted a limited movement apart, being loosely mounted in slot 3, this free movement being limited by the extended end portions of the members engaging the side walls of the slot. Further separation of the members is efiected by the contact finger, by virtue ofthe spring characteristic of the members, until the members assume the condition at which the finger may be engaged between the contact members. The contact finger is then inserted between the members until the insulated body member ii for the contact finger l is engaged by the cover member I. In this condition, the contact members 4, 4 are held yieldingly constrained in engagement with the contact finger 1, since the extended end portions bear against the side walls of slot 3, thereby establishing electrical contact between the members 4 and the finger 1.

It is apparent that the yielding constraint imposed upon the contact members assures close fitting engagement between the members and the contact finger, whereby good electrical contact is established. Furthermore, due to the radius of curvature of the contact members being substantially equal to the outside radius of the contact finger, a large contact surface is provided for making the electrical contact, with the result that the socket may be employed to efiect contact with threaded terminal screws such as are commonly used on relays or similar electroresponsive devices.

It should be pointed out that the loosely mounted contact members are capable oi expanding to the radius of the contact finger inserted therein, with the result that good electrical contact is efi'ected with contact fingers "out of round or misshapen, as well as with correctly shaped fingers. Furthermore, it should be noted that the yielding constraint imposed upon the contact members in effect makes these members wiping" in action, so that for each connection the finger is cleaned prior to electrical contact being estab lished.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6 and 8, a plug receptacle R is shown wherein a plurality of sockets oi the type Just described is associated together in one body member for effecting electrical contact with a plurality of contact fingers. As herein shown, the body member I is formed having a plurality of recesses for receiving an equal plurality of contact fingers, and with the central recess Ill in which a plurality of wires 9 is disposed. The body member I is also provided with a handle portion l2, the handle l2, body member I, and cover member I being attached together by means of the three screws I 3 extending through the elements named, and being engaged on their threaded portions by the nuts l4.

In employing a plug receptacle embodying my invention, the wires 9 are usually permanent conductors of an electrical system, each wire being soldered as hereinbefore described to a separate pair of contact elements 4, 4. The contact fingers I, when arranged so as to align with the recesses provided in member I of the plug receptacle, are usually connected with suitable conductors connected with a portion of the electrical amass? system, or with an electroresponsive device. The fingers 1 may, for example, be contact elements provided for a relay, in which case the finger 1 and the plug receptacle cooperate to interpose therelay in the electrical system.

Simultaneous establishment of electrical contact between the wires 9 and the contact fingers I may be efiected by aligning the contact fingers I with corresponding openings in the cover member 5, and by forcing the plug receptacle over the fingers. The fingers are then engaged, in the manner hereinbeiore described, by the corresponding contact members 4, 4 connected with the wires 0. When it is desired'to disconnect the electrical contact, the plug receptacle may be grasped by the handle portion l2, and the receptacle may then be withdrawn from engagement with the contact fingers.

It should be noted that the loosely mounted contact members provided for each socket permit electrical contact to be effected between the circuit wires 9 and the contact fingers 1, even though the contact fingers may be slightly misshapen or out of alignment. It follows that plug receptacles embodying my invention permit simultaneous connection and disconnection of good electrical contact between a plurality of circuit wires and a plurality of fixed contact fingers.

Referring to Fig. 7, a plug receptacle L is shown in a condition wherein the plug receptacle establishes contact with a left-hand group of contacts 1', and a plug receptacle R is shown in a condition wherein the plug receptacle establishes contact with a right-hand group 01' contacts. Each plug receptacle L or R may be provided with means for insuring that the plug receptacle establishes electrical contact only with the left-hand or the right-hand group, respectively, of contact fingers. As shown, the registration means for insuring the establishment or such preselected electrical contact comprises lugs It provided for body member I of the plug receptacle, one lug I 5 for each plug receptacle cooperating with a recess i1 provided in the body H. As is readily apparent from an inspection of Fig. 7, the two lugs I! provided on the right-hand side (as viewed in Fig. 7) of plug receptacle R prevent that plug receptacle from establishing electrical contact with the left-hand group of contacts 1, and similarly the two lugs [5 provided on the left-hand side of plug receptacle L prevent that plug receptacle i'rom establishing electrical contact with the right-hand group ofcontacts provided for member Ii. It follows that once the contact members 4 of plug receptacle L or R are connected with the circuit wires to be connected with the left-hand or the right-hand group, respectively, of contacts 1, the plug receptacles may be withdrawn from engagement with the contact fingers, and may be replaced in engagement with the preselected group of contact fingers without danger of establishing incorrect circuit connections.

The plug receptacles L and R are also shown (Fig. 7) engaged by a latching member it pivotally attached to member i I, for insuring that the plug receptacles remain in their circuit making condition. Thelatching member I8 is provided with a spring member I 9 which forces the outward end of member l8 into engagement with the body member I of the plug receptacles, the arrangement being such that when latch member I8 is swung to its latching position, the spring is biases the member l8 between the ridges It provided on the top of member i, thereby preventing the removal of the plug receptacle unless the latch member I8 is swung to its non-engaging or unlatched position.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my inventiomitis understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

L In combination, an insulating body member provided with sets of similar contact fingers, two separately attachable plug receptacles each adapted to effect electrical contact betweenua diflerent selected set of said contact fingers and a plurality of circuit wires, registry means on each of said plug receptacles, and means on said insulating body member adapted to register with said registry means for insuring that each plug receptacle effects electrical contact only with the selected one of said sets of contact fingers.

2. In combination, an insulating body member provided with a plurality of similar contact fingers arranged in distinctive groups, a plurality of separately attachable plug receptacles, each plug receptacle adapted to effect electrical connection between a different selected one of said groups of contact fingers and a plurality of circuit wires, registry means provided on each plug receptacle, and means provided on said insulating body member independently of its contact fingers and adapted to register with said registry means for limiting each plug receptacle to engagement with its selected group of contact fingers.

3. In combination, an insulating body member provided with a plurality of similar contact fingers arranged in distinctive groups, a plurality of separately attachable plug receptacles, each plug receptacle adapted to effect electrical connection between a selected one of said groups of said contact fingers and a plurality of circuit wires, registry means provided on each plug receptacle, means provided on said body member independently of its contact fingers and adapted to register with said registry means for limiting each plug receptacle to engagement with its selected group of contact members, latching means on said insulating member, and cooperating means on each of said plug receptacles adapted to engage said latching means for latching each of said plug receptacles into engagement with its selected group of contact fingers.

4. In combination with an insulating member provided with a plurality of contact fingers arranged in distinctive groups, a plug receptacle for efiecting simultaneous electrical contact between a plurality of circuit wires and a selected one of said groups of contact fingers comprising, a body member provided with a plurality of recesses, each of said recesses adapted to receive a difierent one of the contact fingers of said particular group, a slot in said body member for each recess substantially bisecting its associated recess, a pair of spring contact members for each recess electrically connected with a different one of said circuit wires and cooperating with each other to initially form substantially an annular contact surface aligning with its associated recess, extended end portions for each contact member, means for loosely mounting the extended end portions of each contact member within the slot provided for its associated recess, registry means provided on said plug receptacle independently of said contact recesses, and means provided on said insulating member independently of said contact fingers and adapted to register with said registry means for limiting said plug receptacle to ei'iect electrical contact only between said plurality of circuit wires and said selected group of contact fingers.

5. In combination with an insulating member provided with a plurality of contact fingers arranged in distinctive groups, a plug receptacle for effecting simultaneous electrical contact between a plurality of circuit wires and a selected one of said groups of contact fingers comprising, a body member provided with a plurality of recesses, each of said recesses adapted to receive a different one of the.contact fingers of said selected group, a slot in said body member for each recess substantially bisecting its associated recess, a pair of spring contact members for each recess electrically connected with a different one of said circuit wires and cooperating with each other to initially form substantially an annular contact surface aligning with its associated recess, extended end portions for each contact member, means for loosely mounting the extended end portions of each contact member within the slot provided for its associated recess, registering means on said plug receptacle, and means on said insulating member adapted to register with said registering means for permitting said plug receptacle to effect electrical contact only between said plurality of circuit wires and said selected group of contact fingers.

6. A socket for effecting electrical contact with a cylindrically formed contact finger comprising, an insulating body member provided with a cylindrical recess adapted to receive said finger, said recess being provided with a slot extending laterally in opposite directions therefrom and substantially bisecting said recess, two contact members each formed intermediate its two ends with an arcuate shaped contact surface and each member disposed in said slot in such manner that its opposite ends are confined in said slot on opposite sides of said recess, the combined thickness of said two contact members being less than the width of said slot and said members being arranged to form substantially an annular contact surface slightly smaller in diameter than the contact finger to be engaged, and an insulating cover member secured to said body member for supporting said contact members loosely in said slot whereby said members are movable about the edges of said slot as pivots to grip opposite sides of the engaged contact finger, said cover member having an opening in alignment with said recess for permitting said contact member to be inserted into said recess and into engagement with said contact members.

'7. A detachableplug receptacle adapted to effect electrical contact between a group of contact fingers and a plurality of circuit wires one for each of said fingers, comprising in combination, an insulating body member provided on its underside with a central wire recess in which said circuit wires are disposed, said body member also being provided on its underside with a group of contact recesses one for each of said contact fingers, each of said contact recesses being bisected by a slot extending laterally in opposite directions from the recess and extending in one direction to said central wire recess, each of said contact recesses also being provided with a pair of contact members each formed intermediate its two ends with an arcuate shaped contact surface and said contact members having their opposite ends disposed in the associated slot on opposite 7 sides of said recess and arranged in such manner that each pair oi! contact members cooperate to form substantially an annular contact surface,

- one end of each pair of contact members extendingsaid circuitwiresinsaid centralwirerecess and tor supporting each pair or contact members loosely in its associated slot, said cover member having a plurality of openings one for each oi said contact recesses through which openings 5 said contact fingers are inserted to eiiect electrical contact with the associated contact members of said plug receptacle.

WESLEY B. WELLS.

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