US2316555A

US2316555A - Terminal connector and positioning means therefor

Info

Publication number: US2316555A
Application number: US363600A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenly C Bugg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-10-31
Filing date: 1940-10-31
Publication date: 1943-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 1960-04-13

Description

-April 13, V1943. K. CQBUGG 2,316,555

TERMINAL coNNEcToRs ANn,1=osITIoNING MEANS THEREFOR Filed oct. 31. 1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

.April 13, 1943. K. C, BUGG 2,316,555

TERMINAL CONNECTORS AND `POSITIONING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 31, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I "br .i

g/g ',/7//////// 7//// n y Patented Apr. 13, 1943 CONNECTOR AND POSITIONING MEAN S THEREFOR TERMINAL OFFICE Kenly C. Bugg, Fort Wayne, Ind. Application october 31, 1940, serial No. 363,600 3 claims. (Cl. 173-328) This invention pertains to connections, and more particularly to electrical connections and the method of applying terminals and the like in molded substances such as plastics;

In. some branches of electrical work it is necessary to make multiple connections. For example, in radio and electric clock and register construction, it is frequently desirable or necessary to have a number of conductors electrically connected to a similar number of terminal members arranged on a terminal board or block. Electrical connections are then made to these terminals as by applying each wireto a terminal and soldering the' wire thereto, or each Wire may be provided with snap connectors adapted to engage a complementary connector or terminal. In these instances, however, the Wires are individually handled at the terminal board.

It has been proposed to have connections such as socket connections or male and female connections between terminal boards to permit ready assembly and disassembly, that is, the pair of terminal boards are each handled and moved to engagement when the male and female members are engaged, but the diinculty with such an assembly is that thescckets or male and female members, where made in multiples, cannot be positioned accurately enough in the rigid terminal boards in mass production to insure that the proper spacing is held. Further, Where the individual Wires are soldered to the terminals, or where snap fasteners are used, the material and labor is necessarily expensive, which, in highly competitive Work, is prohibitive.

Also, where a. number of wires are to be elecy trically connected to a terminal board, it is frequently desirable or necessary to install these wires in a conduit. With present day practice, the wires must be drawn through the conduit and then applied to the terminal board individually, or have the fasteners or connectors placed there` on, after having been brought through the conduit. With the present invention it is contemplated that the wires can be assembled and the contact means placed thereon before drawing the same through the conduit.

In applying terminals or other spaced members to a molded head either transfer dies must be' used, or they must be individually applied to the molded members after they are made. Each method is long and expensive, especially where plastics are used, and also there is the danger that accuracy will be lost.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide terminal connections which are inexpensive to make and readily can be accurately made within present day manufacturing toler- 811685.

Another object is to provide electrical connections for a terminal board which can be readily applied to a conduit.

Still another object is to provide terminal boards having multiple terminals thereon which are mounted so as to be readily applied to a terminal Iboard having complementary terminals thereon.

Yet another object is to provide terminals resiliently connected so that a good mechanical electrical connection is attained.

A further object is to provide a method of molding terminals and the like in plastics and the like, wherein no transfer dies need be used, and the terminals and the like are positioned by positive and/or resilient means.

With these and various other objects in View, the invention may consist of certain novel fea.- tures of construction and .operation as will be .more fully described and particularly pointed out in the speciiication, drawings and claims appended hereto.

in the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view of a terminal board .having one torna ci tel thereon, resilient terminal board provided with complementary tenninals engaging there With;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan View of terminal boards similar to those of Eigene i, having a modiiied form of terminal means therefor;

Figure i is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation through the female terminal of theresilient terminal board shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a top plan v iew of the connector il` lustrated in Figure `5;

Figure 7 is a transverse end elevation oi? a modiiied form of terminal for a termina board, and showing the complementary terminal in engagement therewith;

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation taken substantially at right angles to the construction illustrated'in Figure 7 Figure 9 is a top plan view of a connector for multiple terminals;

Figures 10 and 11 are fragmentary sectional elevations through modified forms of single terminal connections;

Figure 12 is a modification illustrating an elongated electrical connector;

Figure 13 is a sectional elevation showing still another modified form of terminal connection olf the single wire type;

Figure 14 is an elevation partly in section of a form of terminal board having female terminals applied thereto;

Figure l is an elevation partly in section of -terminal means adapted for -use with the terminal board shown in Figure 1,4 and showing the male terminal members molded in a resilient terminal board;

Figure 16 is a sectional elevation showing connections made between the terminal board illustrated in Figure 14 and the terminal means illustrated in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a perspective elevation of one form of female connectors;

Figure 18 is a perspective elevation of another modied form of female connector;

Figure 19 is a modification illustrating a resilient assembly of a pair of single male terminals;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary top plan View of a form of terminal means showing the same applied to a molded or stamped sheet of rubber or other resilient non-conductor;

Figure 21 is a sectional elevation of the con-` necting means illustrated in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a figure corresponding to Figure 20 showing the same in stretched position or stretched for contact pressure;

female terminals 32 of the Well known eyelet or I erably provided with the shoulders 68.

ferrule type, the terminals being fixed as by the shoulders 34 and 36. The upstanding connecting lugs 38 of the terminals.. may be electrically connected to the conductors 40. The molded resilient relatively thin rubber member or sheet 42 provides a terminal board or mounting for the male members 44, said male members consisting of the spaced arcuate or hook-shaped portions 46 and the channeled portions 48. Said male members extend through suitable openings 50 provided in the member 42, and the ends of said terminals are electrically connected to suitable conductors 52. It will thus be seen that it is only necessary to insert the arcuate members 46 into the respective apertures in the female members 32, stretching the molded member 42 to permit the insertion, after which the'member 42 will cause the arcuate members to interlock with the female members, causing a perfect mechanical electrical connection; after which, if desired, welding or soldering may be applied between the v arcuate members 46 and the adjacent portions of the female members 32,

In the construction illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a dii'erent form of terminal member is shown as applied to the rigid terminal board54. In this construction the terminal members 56 disposed in spaced relation extend through said board, having the connecting lugs 68 thereon, the opposite side-of the board being provided with the hook-shaped contact members 60 disposed adjacent the shoulder 62. The resilient relatively thin supporting strip or sheet 64 is provided with the cylindrical female contact or terminal members 66 and the members 66 are preferably applied to the strap 64 as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In applying these members tothe strip 64, it will be seen that these members are pref- The members may then be inserted in the apertures provided in the member 64, the connection end or part to be shouldered assuming the dotted line position as illustrated at 1,0. The conductor 12 may then be Wound around the cylindrical portion of the member 'l0 and connected to it as at 14. the connection being disposed adjacent the cut-out portion '|6 of the cylindrical portion 10. The dotted line portion i0 can then be flanged or shouldered to embrace the conductor 12, preferably being shouldered sufficiently so that the connector is forced into the rubber or 'resilient member 64 as at 18, forming a tight connection. As before, the member 66 can be sprung on the member 60 and the member 64 will retain the same by contact pressure, after which solder may be applied.

It will be seen, therefore, that especially where the terminals on the resilient terminal board are disposed in rows they may befolded as between rows, or the board being a relatively thin resilient sheet may be rolled so that it may be readily slipped through a conduit where the conductors must be conduited. It is then not necessary to first conduit the conductors and then apply the terminals.

In the construction illustrated in Figures 'I and 8, the spaced terminals are mounted in the resilient block 82, said members being provided with the lugs 84 for electrical connection .y with suitable conductors, the opposite ends of said members being sloping as at 86 to provide an entrance. The conductor 88 to be electrically connected to the members 80 is preferably notched as at 90 to be received in and interlocked with the slightly arcuate portions 92 of the members 80, thus forming an effective interlock after being sprung into position.

The terminal 94 (Figure 9) is providedwith the spaced cut-out portions or notches 96 oppositely arranged in pairs whereby multiple connections may be made by springing male members 44 such as illustrated in Figure 2, into contact engagement in the notches 96. In other words, the spaced male members 44 will engage in opposite notches and be resiliently urged into contact engagement with the terminal 94, and where multiple connections are to be made other male members 44 may be sprung into engagement in other opposite notches'96.

In the construction illustrated in Figure l0, the terminal board 98 is provided with the female terminal |00, having the upstanding securing lug |02 thereon. The male terminal |04 may conveniently take the form of the elongated hook |06 adapted to interlock with the shoulder |08 provided on the female terminal. The resilient block ||0 engages the opposite shoulder H2 of the female terminal |00 and engages the shoulder ||4 of the male terminal |04 to retain the same in interlocked relation with the female terminal.

trical connection.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 11, the terminal board ||6 is'provided with female terminal ||8 having the soldering or securing lug thereon, said female member being shouldered at |22 and '|24. The male terminal member consists essentially of the resilient block |26 and the pair of hook members |28. 'I'he hook members are secured inthe block and are provided with the securing lugs |30 thereon. said members |28 extending upwardly and crossing, the ends thereof being provided with the hook-shaped members |32 adapted to engage the top portion ofthe female member. Of course the hooks may be of such shape as to embrace the shoulder |22.

In the constnuction illustrated in Figure l2,

the contact eye |34 is connected to one end of the resilient member |36, and the contact hook is secured at the other end thereof. The contact hook and the contact eye are electrically connected by means of the electrical conductor |42. Thus, Where connection is made to a conductor through a contact eye and it is desired to form an electrical connection, the member |36 may be elongated to permit such connection through'the member |130.

In the construction shown in Figure 13, the terminal block Md is provided with the female contact member |56 and the conductor |48 is connected thereto through the aperture |50 provided therein, or a soldering lug may of course be provided. The contact lug |52 is apertured at |56 and is adapted to receive the hookshaped portion it of the male terminal |58 The conductor |60 is secured to the male member |58 and the rubber or resilient block |62 is disposed Within the opening itt provided in the vrnale member |58 whereby when the hook-shaped 4 end |56 is interlocked in the aperture |56, the resilient block retains a tight mechanical elec- In the construction illustrated in Figure 14, the terminal board |66 is provided with the group of female connecting members |68, said members extending through the rigid terminal board and being shouldered as at |70 and being provided with the upstanding connecting lugs W2 for the electrical conductors iid. These members may also take the shape as illustrated in Figure 18 in which the terminal board H6 is notched or apertured as at |78 and the substantially U-shaped .terminal members |80 applied therein. Said `members |86 are provided with the upstanding lugs |82 for connectionto the conductors idd.

In the form of relatively thin resilient terminal board or sheet shown in Figure l5, the arcuate male members lt@ are arranged in pairs facing each other and extending into and being molded in the strip i 3a of rubberor other resilient insulating material. Within said strip |88, said members may be flanged as at it@ and connected to the conductors |92. Between pairs of said membersi there is provided a. reduced portion |96, or said portion may be otherwise made more resilient than the portion in-vwhich the members |86 are imbedded. The purpose of providing this reduced portion between. pairs of terminals is illustrated in Figure 16, Where the pmrs of members |86 are received in the openings of the members |88 or are placed in contact with the female or complementary terminal members.

A condition may arise where the spacing between said pairs does not vcorrespond to the spacing between the pairs of terminals on the terminal the board. Thus the reduced portion |94 tviu don'- gate to permit the proper connection to be made with the terminals of the rigid terminal board.

Of course, enough resilience occurs between the members of the pairs of members |86 to permit their proper application as shown at |95.

In the construction shown in Figure 19, a. pair of substantially Z-shaped contact members |96 are shown electrically connected through the lugs |98 to the conductors 200 and said members are connected together by means of the rubber strip 202 for thesame purpose as above f described.

In the constructions illustrated in Figures 20 to 23 inclusive,the rigid terminal board 204, as before, is provided with the female terminals 206 extending through said rigid board and being shouldered as at 208 and 2|0. said members 206 being-provided with the iupstanding soldering lugs 2| 2 for electrical connection to suitable conductors. The resilient strip 2|4 for the male terminals isprovided with cut-out portions 2|6 shown in an exaggerated manner in Figure 20 Ithrough which the substantially hooked or arcuate pairs of male members 2|8 are extended. Thefopposite sides of the male members are provided with the lugs 220 which are adapted to be connected to the electrical conductors 222. When the male members 2|8 are sprungr into piace, as illustrated in yFigure 23, it will be seen that the portion 22d of the member 2|4, between the terminals 2| t of adjacent pairs of terminals will elongate, and the cut-out portions 2|@ will likewise change shape as shown at 226 in Figure 22. In some instances buckling will occur between adjacent pairs, as at 228, but this will' not affect the electrical connection as the resilient board 2id will be stretched by contact pressure to eect the proper electrical connection.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown, which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. ln combination, a substantially rigid insu;- lating member forming a terminal board, pairs of spaced terminals xed thereto, a relatively thin, resilient insulating sheet forming a, resilient terminal board, pairs oi' terminals complementary to said irst named terminals carried by said resilient terminal board and adapted to have interlocking engagement with the corresponding of said .'drst named terminals, engagement of the nrst pair of terminals on said rigid terminal board by the nrst pair of terminals on said resilient terminal board causng'the other terminals to -be properly located for respective engagement, and conductors connected to each of said terminals, the terminals of each pair of said second named terminals being normally spaced apart a distance slightly less than the spacing of the terminals of said first named pairs which are engageable -by the terminals of said second named pairs of terminals, whereby when said second named terminals engage the correspending of said iirst named terminals the second named-terminals are resiliently held in engagement with' the corresponding rst named terminals by the iiexible insulating sheet which is under tension between the terminals of each pair carried thereby to thereby cause a tight electrical connection between engaging terminals.

2. In combination, a substantially rigid insulating member forming a terminal board, pairs of spaced terminals xed thereto, a relatively thin, resilient insulating sheet forming a resilient terminal board, pairs of terminals complementary to said rst named terminals carried by said resilient terminal board and adapted to have interlocking engagement with the corresponding of said rst named terminals, engagement of the first pair of terminals on said rigid terminal board by the rst pair of terminals on said resilient terminal board causing the other terminals to be properly located for respective engagement, conductors connected to each of said terminals, the terminals of each pair of said second named terminals being normally spaced apart a distance slightly less than` the spacing of the terminals of said first named pairs which are engageable by the terminals of said second named pairs of terminals, whereby when said a second named terminals engage the corresponding of said iirst named terminals the second named terminals are resiliently held in engagement with the corresponding rst named terminals by the flexible insulating sheet which is under tension between the terminals of each pair carried thereby to thereby cause a tight electrical connection between engaging terminals,

said insulating sheet having a reduced portion between adjacent pairs of terminals for the purpose set forth. e

3. In combination, a substantially rigid insulating member forming a terminal board, pairs interlocking engagement with the corresponding of said rst named terminals, engagement of the iirst pair of terminals on said rigid terminal board by the rst pair of terminals on said resilient terminal board causing the other terminals to be properly located for respective engagement, conductors connected to each of said terminals, the terminals of each pair of said second named terminals being normally spaced apart a distance slightly less than the spacing of theterminalsof said rst named pairs which are engageable by the terminals of said second named pairs of terminals, whereby when said second named terminals'engage the corresponding of said rst named terminals the second named terminals are resiliently held in engagement with the corresponding rst named terminals by the flexible insulating sheet which is under tension between the terminals of each pair carried thereby to thereby cause a tight electrical connection between engaging terminals, said insulating sheet being of' such flexibility as to be adapted to be disposed in a relatively small, narrow shape to permit said conductors being inserted in a conduit after they have been secured to their respective terminals.

KENLY C. BUGG.