US3209310A

US3209310A - Electrical contact

Info

Publication number: US3209310A
Application number: US211192A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schwartz Leon; Mueller Jacob
Original assignee: Sperry Rand Corp
Current assignee: Sperry Corp
Priority date: 1962-07-20
Filing date: 1962-07-20
Publication date: 1965-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1982-09-28
Also published as: GB991501A; CH413038A; DE1277978B; BE634846A

Description

-- I Sept. 28, 1965 L. SCHWARTZ ETAL 3,209,310

ELECTRI GAL CONTACT Filed July 20, 1962 FIG.

United States Patent "ice 3,209,310 ELECTRICAL CONTACT Leon Schwartz and Jacob Mueller, Philadelphia, Pa., as-

signors to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 20, 1962, Ser. No. 211,192 12 Claims. (Cl. 339-217) This invention relates to an electrical contact. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel contact adapted to receive mating contact members but to avoid destructive stresses which may be transmitted to the surrounding mounting block.

In the manufacturing processe utilized in fabricating a large number of electronic or electrical devices, it is desirable for one reason or another to utilize connectors which mate with connector blocks. Such connector blocks normally consist of an insulated, or non-conducting member in which are mounted one or more individual female electrical contacts or receptacles. In addition, there may be a further member in the form of an insulated connector block in which are mounted one or more contacts or, in the alternative, a plurality of individual con tacts, which mate with the female electrical contacts aforementioned. A widely used development now comprises the use of taper pins such as those manufactured by AMP, Inc.

In the past, the receptacle which was adapted to receive the taper pins comprised a connector block having a plurality of individual, slightly tapered, cylinders arranged in a matrix-like array in a molded plastic block. However, it was discovered after using such an electrical device that the insertion of taper pins into the substantially cylindrical receptacles often caused crackouts. That is, minute discrepancies caused by the tolerances allowed in taper-pin manufacturing processes and/ or the variation in the force applied during the insertion of taper pins into the connector block, frequently causes the plastic material of the connector block to crack whereupon the connector block becomes virtually useless. Furthermore, the destruction of a portion of the connector block rendered the entire connector block valueless and required that the entire block is replaced. This replacement of course requires a great expenditure in terms of cash, operator-time loss, and machine down-time or inoperability.

In order to avoid the problem of crackouts, the subject electrical contact was developed. The subject contact may be considered to be a dual contact inasmuch as a preferred embodiment has two substantially cylindrical receptacles joined together as a unitary piece. These two tapered cylindrical portions which receive taper pins are not solid cylinders but rather are similar to roll pins and have the opposed edges of the circumference joined together by clamp-like means. More particularly, the substantially cylindrical portions are hollow and have a distinct taper so that the interior end thereof is smaller in diameter than the exterior end. Furthermore, the con tacts are so designed that the connector block may be first molded leaving a slot therein into which the contact may be easily inserted for usage. The contact is held in place within the connector block by means of resilient tines which may be selectively depressed by means of a special tool, whereby the contact may be removed from the connector block.

It may be seen that one object of this invention is to provide an electrical contact which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical contact which is adapted to receive taper pin contacts.

Another object of this invention is to provide an elec- 31,209,310 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 trical contact which eliminates excessive strains on the connector block thereby avoiding breakage in the block.

Another object of this invention is to provide an elec- Itjrlicall contact which is removable from the connector These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent subsequent to the reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a typical connector block in which are disposed a plurality of the electrical contacts; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector block shown in FIGURE 1 including a side view of the subject electrical contacts.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a front view of connector block 10 is shown. Connector block 10 may be any typical connector block fabricated of plastic or phenolic or the like. One typical connector block is capable of handling about 44 electrical contacts and has dimensions of approximately /2 by 3 /2". The construction of the connector block 10 is not critical to the electrical contacts which are described, so long as the contacts fit loosely in the holes or apertures provided therefor in block 10 (see infra). The number designations indicated by reference numeral 12 may be inserted in order to indicate the enumeration of the electrical contacts inserted into connector block 10. The nut 14 is not necessary but is utilized to suggest one means for mounting the connector block 10. It is to be understood that the nut 14 may, in fact, be inserted into the connector block 10 or on the contrary may be external thereto. Again, the means for mounting the connector block 10 are not critical to the subject invention.

The electrical contact which is the subject of this invention comprises two substantially cylindrical barrel members 16. These barrels 16 are to be understood to taper such that the rearward end thereof has a smaller diameter than does the external or forward end. This tapered, substantially cylindrical configuration of barrels 16 may be defined as being frusto-conically shaped. The cylinders are fabricated by rolling a portion of a sheet metal blank during a stamping operation such that the tabs 24 extend through associated holes or apertures (see FIGURE 2) and are folded over to retain the cylindrical shape of the barrels. The barrels are connected by the cross member 20 which may include therein the holes for the clamps 24. That the cylinders 16 are not solid cylinders but rather are really rolled portions is shown by the fact that an opening 22 exists in the circumference of the cylinder. In a preferred embodiment a maximum dimension for the width of the opening 22 is 0.007 inch. The cylindrical contact comprising the two cylinders 16 and the connecting member 20 are inserted into the hole 18 in the connector block 10. Hole 18 is designed to exceed the outside diameter of the barrels 16 by about 0.001 inch.

In the contact embodiments shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and the dimensions which are associated therewith, the preferred embodiment relates to an electrical contact which is adapted to receive #53 AMP taper pins. It is to be understood, of course, that if different taper pins are utilized, the dimensions and, possibly, the configurations may be altered. However, any changes in dimension or configuration which do not alter the scope of this invention are contemplated to be Within this description.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of the connector block shown in FIGURE 1. In this cross sectional view, a side view of the electrical connector is provided. For convenience, similar elements of FIGURE 2 bear reference numerals similar to those shown in FIGURE 1. Thus, for example the connector block in FIGURE 1 is identical to the connector block 10 shown in FIGURE 2. Connector block 10 has a substantially rectangular cross sectional configuration. The slot 50 at the rear surface of connector block 10 extends substantially along the length thereof and is substantially disposed at the center of the rear surface. The tapered slot portion 52 is provided in a preferred embodiment to assist in guiding circuit boards into the retaining slots 50. The substantially centrally located block portion 10c is at the front surface of the connector block 10 between the rows of holes or bores 18 which are molded therein. The block portion 100 may be considered to impart support to the connector elements. In addition, the shoulders or

ledges

10a and 10b are molded into the connector block and are used to maintain the electrical contacts in the proper location. Thus, it may be seen that the internal ends of the cylindrical member 16 abut against one side of the ledges 10a and 1012 while tines 32 and 34 abut against the other side of the ledge. Thus it will be seen that the connectors are positively maintained in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

In the construction of the electrical connectors shown in the figures, it is contemplated that the electrical connecfor will be fabricated of a single sheet of conducting material. A typical material would be Beryllium Copper Alloy 25. The metallurgical properties regarding hardness, etc., may be determined in individual applications. However, it is to be understood that a certain amount of resiliency is required in at least certain portions of the connector, as will appear subsequently. In the preferred embodiment which is illustrated and will be defined to be utilized with taper pins, as for example #53 Taper Pins produced by AMP, Inc., the blank of copper material to be utilized is approximately 0.010 inch thick including the desirable gold plating thereon for contact reliability. Of course, thicker material (or thinner material) may be utilized with a different plating material in producing electrical connectors which have different strength properties or other requirements. The copper blank which is utilized for fabricating the connector may be stamped in any of the usual or conventional techniques such that the connector shown is produced. Thus, in the illustrative connector the two substantially cylindrical elements or barrels 16 of the electrical connector will be located at 0.114 inch centers. That is, the center lines of the tapered cylindrical portions will be spaced apart by 0.114 inch. Typically, the illustrative cylinders or barrels 16 will have a wide end or front-end inside diameter of approximately 0.063 inch. The inner end of the barrel will be slightly smaller than the outeror front-end of the barrel 16 due to a suggested 0.061 taper per inch on the diameter as the barrel extends inwardly. The inwardly extending dimension of the barrels may be about 0.225 inch or other sufiicient length to properly receive a taper pin. The dimensions of the barrels in a radial direction are partially determinative of the maximum widths of the central connecting portion 20. A typical dimension for connecting portion 20 would be 0.044 inch.

The blank which is folded or stamped includes tabs 24. The tabs 24 are disposed at the outer edges of the copper blank. Typical dimensions for the tab are 0.056 inch wide and approximately 0.025 inch long whereby a substantially rectangular configuration is provided. Of

course, for purposes of manufacturing ease the edges or corners may be rounded as desired. These tabs are inserted into the mating apertures 26 which are provided in the copper blank such that the tabs and apertures interact at the projected intersection of the central connecting portion 20 and the surface of the barrel 16. Typically, the aperture may be approximately 0.063 inch wide in order to receive the tab 24 during the stamping operation. The tabs at the opposite sides of the initial copper blank are spaced so that when the electrical connector is fabricated, the tabs (and associated apertures) are arranged in staggered configuration. Thus, one tab 24 will have one end thereof spaced from the front end of the barrels by approximately 0.03 inch and the other tab will be spaced from the front end of the barrels by at least 0.09 inch. Thus, by tapering the tab, as shown, the stag gered arrangement of the tabs may be effected.

The central connecting portion 20 which may actually be considered the effectively untouched central portion of the original copper blank is continued rearwardly in the electrical connector and forms the bottom of depression 40 as shown in FIGURE 2. This depression results from the formation of the raised ridge 38 during the stamping operation and is produced because of the formation of the cylindrical barrel 16. The ridge 38 is advantageous in that it provides a certain strength and rigidity function to the electrical connector. Again, the connecting portion 36 is substantially at the same plane as the connecting portion 20 and the bottom of depression 40 and may also be considered to be the uneifected main portion of the original copper blank. A first tine 32 extends from the central connector portion 36 and is utilized to abut the aforementioned shoulder or ledge 10b to assist in maintaining the electrical connector in the connector block as shown. In a typical example, the tine 32 creates an angle of about 14 between the plane thereof and the center line of the electrical connector. The width of the tine, in the plane thereof, is determined by the number of contacts to be used in a particular connector block. A suggested width is about 0.05 inch. Furthermore, the tine 32 extends from the connector portion 36 to a point which is approximately 0.05 inch spaced from the inner end of the barrel 16. This suggested dimension is provided inasmuch as the width of ledge 1017 will be on the order of 0.05 inch and a snug fit between the electrical connector and this ledge is desirable. The actual length of the tine 32 is determined by the front to rear length of the connector portion 36, the angle created by the tine and the electrical connector, and the previously described dimension of the shoulder 10b. Typically, the connector portion 36 will have a width of 0.08 inch at the location between the two tines, namely tines 32 and 30, which will be described subsequently. This typical dimension is suggested in order to provide a uniformity at the rearward end of the electrical connector, especially in the blank form.

Tine 30, as noted previously, is also attached to connector portion 36 and may be considered as comprised of three component parts, namely the mounting tine 34, the connecting arcuate tine portion 28 and the circuit board contacting tine or element 30. This time also is about 0.05 inch wide. Mounting tine portion 34 may be considered as being substantially similar to mounting tine 32. That is, tine 34 extends from connector portion 36 and creates an angle of approximately 14 between itself and the center line of the connector. Tine 34, however, is spaced approximately .075 inch from the rearward end of the barrel 16 of the connector in order to provide a snug abutting relationship with ledges 10a. By having the ledges 10a end 10b of different dimensions, a coding function may be incorporated wherein the electrical connectors will not be inserted into the connector block 10 in an improper manner.

T-ine portion 28 is an arcuate portion of the connector which extends approximately 0.165 inch beyond the end of the connector portion 36 and the tine 32. Thus, the overall length of the connector from the front end of barrels 16 to the inner end of arcuate tine portion 28 is about 0.600 inch. The arcuate portion of the tine 28 may be fabricated by shaping the tine to have a 0.03 inch radius at the inner surface thereof. The two legs of the U-shaped t-ine then extend from the arcuate portion in such a manner that a 14 angle is made between each of the legs and the center line of the connector element. The tine portion 30 which is the portion of the tine which actually contacts the circuit boards which are inserted into slot 50 extends into slot 50 and, in a preferred embodiment, has a slight curvature thereof. The curvature may be described by a 0.5 inch inner radius, for example. This curved portion is utilized to contact the circuit board lands and provides a smooth surface which will not deleteriously effect the circuit board lands. The overall length of the tine 30 from the tip thereof to the arcuate portion of the tine 28 may be for example 0.215 inch. The arcuate portion of tine portion 30 may be spaced approximately 0.165 inch from the arcuate portion 28.

It is to be understood of course, that the dimensions suggested supra relate only to the connector elements as described which may be used for or with #53 taper pins as produced by AMP, Inc. In the event that larger taper pins or, in the alternative, smaller taper pins are required or desired, obvious changes in the dimensions of the electrical connector may be made. Furthermore, relative changes may be made in the dimensions of the various parts without altering the scope of this invention. Consequently, any minor change in the type of material or in the dimensions suggested is meant to fall within this instant description so long as the inventive concepts are incorporated.

It Will be seen, that after the stamping operation is carried out on the original copper blank, a connector is provided which has two tapered barrels 16 of substantially cylindrical configuration joined together by a connector portion 20 which was the substantially central portion of the original blank. The barrels 16 are maintained in the substantially cylindrical configuration by means of inserting tabs 24 into apertures 26 and crimping, or the like, such that the tabs 24 effectively are locked into the apertures 26.

Tines

32 and 34 extend from opposite ends of a portion 36 of the connector which is attached to the central connecting port-ion 20 such that the

tines

32 and 34 provide a secure and positive mounting means. A curved tine 30 connected to the connector portion 36 via an arcuate tine portion 28 is utilized to make connection with circuit board lands which are mounted on circuit boards which may be inserted into slot 50.

By providing a connector of the configuration described, removable connectors may be provided. That is, by means of a properly designed tool, the

tines

32 and 34 may be depressed and the electrical connector ejected from the connector block 10. Furthermore, since the connectors are removable and since they are inserted into the circuit blocks after the molding operation, an enlarged hole 13 is originally molded into the connector block 10. That is, the hole 18 causes an opening on the order of 0.001 inch around each of the barrels 16 and on either side of the central connecting portion 20 when the connector is inserted into the circuit block 10. Since the barrels 16 are not solid or unitary cylinders, the insertion thereinto of taper pins which may have varying dimensions due to the tolerances thereon will not create excessive force on the barrel which force may crack the connector block. Rather, any excessive force which may be exerted on or by the taper pins will cause a slight expansion of the barrel 16 and tab 24- against central portion 20 such that the barrel 16 may expand somewhat whereby the force is expended into the slightly large opening 18 which surrounds the electrical connector. Thus, cracking or breaking of the connector block is practically eliminated. Similarly, since the electrical connectors are removable, it is obvious that one defective connector may be replaced without the necessity of replacing an entire connector block, as was necessary in the past, whereby less expensive maintenance and repair may be provided.

As noted above, the connector which is described may be altered in the respects of the type of material used, the precise dimensions suggested and the configuration created because of the suggested dimensions. However, any changes which are made which do not alter the inventive principles which are outlined are not meant to be excluded from the scope of this invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are define-d as follows:

1. An electrical contact comprising first and second substantially cylindrical members, said cylindrical members having a defined taper such that one end has a smaller diameter than the other end, said first and second cylindrical members being hollow and having a noncontinuous periphery wherein two edges abut each other, one of said edges of each of said cylinders being connected together, a separate aperture located adjacent said one edge of each of said cylinders, tab means extending from the other of said edges of each of said cylinders and aligned with said apertures such that each tab may be inserted into the aligned aperture to maintain the abutting edges in close proximity, an arcuate contact surface attached to said one end of said connected cylinders for making contact with external circuitry, and locking means attached to said contact surface, said locking means and said one end of said cylinders being adapted to interact with a mounting element to prohibit movement of the contact member.

2. An electrical contact comprising first and second substantially frusto-conically shaped members, said first and second frusto-conical members being hollow and having a non-continuous peripheral surface wherein two edges abut each other, each of said frusto conical members having one of said edges connected to a common support member, a separate aperture located adjacent said one edge of each of said frusto conical members, locking means extending from the other of said edges of each of said frusto conical members in alignment with said apertures such that the locking means may be interlocked with the aligned aperture thereby to maintain the abutting edges in close proximity, and at least one element attached to one end of said common support member at the smaller end of said substantially frustoconically shaped members including a surface for making contact with external circuitry and an integral end portion for positioning said contact.

3. An electrical contact comprising, a pair of tapered members, said tapered members being hollow and having a circular cross-section such that said tapered members are adapted to receive mating taper-pin connectors, a slot extending along the entire length of each of said tapered members and parallel to the axis thereof, a centrally located supporting segment'connected to each of said pair of tapered members at one side of the slot therein, an aperture in each of said tapered members disposed adjacent to said one side of said slot therein, holding means connected to said tapered members at a second side of said slot therein, said holding means disposed such that said apertures and said holding means in each tapered member are in interlockable alignment, contact means attached to said supporting segment adjacent the smaller ends of said tapered members, and positioning means attached to the sides of said supporting segment adjacent the smaller ends of said tapered members.

4. In combination, a support member, said support member composed of an electrically insulating material and including a plurality of bores therein, a plurality of locking portions formed on the interior surface of said bores, and a plurality of electrical connectors, each of said connectors comprising a pair of elongated tapered members, said tapered members being hollow and having a circular cross-section such that said tapered members are adapted to receive mating taper-pin connectors, a slot extending along the entire length of each of said tapered members and parallel to the axis thereof, a centrally located supporting segment connected to each of said pair of tapered members at one side of the slot therein, an aperture in each of said tapered members disposed adjacent to said one side of said slot therein, holding means connected to said tapered members at a second side of said slot therein, said holding means disposed such that said apertures and said holding means in each tapered member are in interlockable alignment, contact means attached to said supporting segment adjacent the smaller ends of said tapered members, and positioning means comprising a plurality of resilient tines attached to sides of said supporting segment which tines engage said locking portions in said bores to positively lock said connectors in position in said bores in said support member.

5. In combination, a support member fabricated of electrically insulating material, said member having a plurality of bores therein, and a plurality of electrical connectors fabricate-d of electrically conducting material and each comprising, a pair of tapered members, said tapered members being hollow and having a circular cross-section such that said tapered members are adapted to receive mating taper-pin connectors, a slot extending along the entire length of each of said tapered members and parallel to the axis thereof, a substantially centrally located joining member connected to each of said pair of tapered members at one side of the slot therein, an aperture in each of said tapered members disposed adjacent to said one side of said slot therein, holding means connected to said tapered members at a second side of said slot therein, said holding means disposed such that said apertures and said holding means in each tapered member are in interlockable alignment, contact means attached to said joining member adjacent the smaller ends of said tapered members, said contact means comprising a planar segment projecting from said joining member and at least a portion thereof having an arcuate configuration, and positioning means attached to the sides of said joining member adjacent the smaller ends of said tapered members for gripping projections on the interior surface of said bores in said support member, said connectors being slightly smaller than said bores in said support member such that said tapered members may expand in said bores relatively freely.

6. The combination called for in claim wherein said bores in said support member have an oval configuration and extend through said support member.

7. In combination, a support member, said support member composed of an insulating material and including a plurality of bores therein, a plurality of projections formed on the interior surface of said bores, and a plurality of electrical connectors, each of said connectors comprising a pair of tapered members, the smaller ends of said tapered members abut one side of said projections, said tapered members being hollow and having a circular cross-section such that said tapered members are adapted to receive mating taper-pin connectors, a slot extending along the entire length of each of said tapered members and parallel to the axis thereof, a centrally located supporting segment connected to each of said pair of tapered members at one side of the slot therein, an aperture in each of said tapered members disposed adjacent to said one side of said slot therein, holding means connected to said tapered members at a second side of said slot therein, said holding means disposed such that said apertures and said holding means in each tapered member are in interlockable alignment, contact means attached to said supporting segment adjacent said smaller ends of said tapered members, and a plurality of positioning means comprising resilient tines attached to said supporting segment which tines abut the opposite side of said projections in said bores to positively lock said connectors in position in said support member, at least one of said tines being integrally connected with said contact means and perpendicular to said supporting segment.

8. An electrical connector comprising, a pair of tubular sockets, a supporting segment connecting said tubular sockets together and extending beyond one end thereof, .a first resilient tine connected to one side of said support- .ing segment, a second resilient tine connected to a second side of said supporting segment, said first and second resilient tines disposed at an angle with the central axis of said supporting segment, and a resilient contact element, said contact element having a substantially U-shaped configuration with one leg connected to one of said resilient tines and the other leg free standing whereby contact may be established therewith.

9. An electrical connector comprising, a pair of tubular sockets, a supporting segment connecting said tubular sockets together and extending beyond one end thereof, at least one resilient tine connected to said supporting segment and defining an angle with the central axis of said supporting segment, and a resilient contact element having one end thereof connected to said resilient tine and the other end thereof free standing whereby contact may be established therewith, said supporting segment having the broad surface thereof perpendicular to the broad surface of said time and said contact element.

10. An electrical connector comprising, a pair of tubular sockets, a supporting segment connecting said tubular sockets together and extending beyond one end thereof, a resilient tine connected to one side of said supporting seg ment, said resilient tine disposed at a first angle with the central axis of said supporting segment and a second angle with a surface thereof, and a resilient contact element, said contact element having a substantially U-shaped configuration with one leg connected to said resilient tine and the other leg free standing whereby contact may be established therewith.

11. An electrical connector comprising, a pair of tubular members each having one end thereof smaller than the other end thereof, each of said tubular members having a circular cross-section such that taper-pin connectors may be inserted therein and establish reliable contact therewith, a slot extending along the entire length of each of said tubular members and parallel to the axis thereof, a centrally located supporting segment connected to each of said pair of tubular members at one side of said slot therein in order to maintain said tubular members in sideby-side relationship, an opening in each of said tubular members disposed adjacent to said one side of said slot therein, separate locking tab means connected to each of said tubular means at a second side of said slot therein and disposed such that said openings and said locking tab means may be selectively joined together, said locking tab means providing a constraint wherein the circular crosssection of said tubular members is maintained during and after the insertion of said taper-pin connectors but permitting a predetermined amount of radial expansion of said tubular members during the insertion therein of said taper-pin connectors, contact means attached to said supporting segment adjacent said smaller ends of said tubular members, said contact means comprising a resilient member having an arcuate configuration, and a plurality of positioning means comprising resilient tines for holding said connector in a mounting assembly, said resilient tines being attached to said supporting segment such that the respective broad surfaces of the tines and the supporting segment are perpendicular, at least one of said tines being connected to said contact means.

12. In an electrical connector for connecting a multiplicity of conductors to a corresponding multiplicity of contact elements on an edge of a printed circuit board, an electrically insulating elongated body member, a plurality of bores in said body member, each of said bores having an oval configuration extending through said body member, a plurality of projections disposed on the interior surface of said bores, and a plurality of contact clips held in position within the bores in said elongated body member, each of said contact clips comprising a pair of tubular members having one end thereof smaller than the other end thereof, each of said bores being slightly larger than the outside dimensions of said contact clips in order to permit the expansion of each of said tubular members and the selective removal of said contact clips individually,

said smaller ends of each of said tubular members abutting one side of said projections, each of said tubular members being hollow and having a circular cross-section such that taper-pin connectors associated with said conductors may be inserted therein and establish reliable contact therewith, a slot extending along the entire length of each of said tubular members and parallel to the axis thereof, a centrally located supporting segment connected to each one of said pair of tubular members at one side of said slot therein in order to maintain said pair of tubular members in side-by-side relationship, an opening in the surface of each of said tubular members disposed adjacent to said one side of said slot therein, separate locking tab means connected to each of said tubular members at a second side of said slot therein and disposed such that said openings and said locking tab means may be selectively interconnected, said locking tab means providing a constraint when interconnected with the associated opening wherein the circular cross-section of said tubular members is maintained during and after the insertion of said taper-pin connectors but providing a predetermined amount of radial expansion of said tubular members during the insertion therein of said taper-pin connectors, said radial expansion of said tubular members being insufficient to apply excessive force against said elongated body member during said insertion of said taper-pin connector whereby damage to said elongated body member is avoided, con tact means attached to said supporting segment adjacent said smaller ends of said tubular members, and positioning means comprising a plurality of resilient tines which abut the opposite sides of said projections in said bores to positively lock said connectors in position in said elongated boyd member, said resilient tines being attached to said supporting segment adjacent said smaller ends of said tubular members, said contact means integrally connected to one of said resilient tines.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 871,535 11/07 Thatcher 339-256 X 1,566,465 12/25 Champion 339-258 X 1,946,713 2/34 Rowley 339-276 X 2,417,369 3/47 Luhn.

2,457,703 12/48 Merkel.

2,617,847 11/52 Cole 339-258 X 2,816,275 12/57 Hammell.

2,911,612 11/59 Jackson et al 339-217 X 2,937,357 5/60 Kennedy 339-176 X 3,001,171 9/61 Schultz 339-176 X 3,027,537 3/62 Hess et a1 339-217 X 3,047,831 7/62 Majewski 339-217 X 3,083,773 4/63 Nagel et al 24-257 X 3,097,906 7/63 Shannon 339-217 X JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

Claims

9. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING, A PAIR OF TUBULAR SOCKETS, A SUPPORTING SEGMENT CONNECTING SAID TUBULAR SOCKETS TOGETHER AND EXTENDING BEYOND ONE END THEREOF, AT LEAST ONE RESILIENT TINE CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORTING SEGMENT AND DEFINING AN ANGLE WITH THE CENTRAL AXIS OF SAID SUPPORTING SEGMENT, AND A RESILIENT CONTACT ELEMENT HAVING ONE END THEREOF CONNECTED TO SAID RESILIENT TINE AND THE OTHER END THEREOF FREE STANDING WHEREBY CONTACT MAY BE ESTABLISHED THEREWITH, SAID SUPPORTING SEGMENT HAVING THE BROAD SURFACE THEREOF PERPENDICULAR TO THE BROAD SURFACE OF SAID TINE AND SAID CONTACT ELEMENT.