US3248686A

US3248686A - Contact with locking feature

Info

Publication number: US3248686A
Application number: US440144A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert E Ruehlemann
Original assignee: Elco Corp
Current assignee: Elco Corp
Priority date: 1965-03-16
Filing date: 1965-03-16
Publication date: 1966-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 1983-04-26

Description

April 1966 H. E. RUEHLEMANN 3,243,536

CONTACT WITH LOCKING FEATURE Filed March 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. HERBERT E. RUEf/LEMA/V/V P 1966 H. E. RUEHLEMANN 3,248,686

CONTACT WITH LOCKING FEATURE Filed March 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 68 HERBERTE. RUfi/ZEMA/VN ATTORNEYS- April 2 1966 H. E. RUEHLEMANN 3, 36

CONTACT WITH LOCKING FEATURE Filed March 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet f5 FIG. ///I Jlllllhllllllllll".

24a F/G. /2

244 INVENTOR.

2/4 HERBf/W' 5. RUE/1L [MAN/V BY 245 242 24.5 a )fi ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent CONTACT WITH LOCKING FEATURE Herbert E. Ruehlemann, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., assignor to Elco Corporation, Willow Grove, Pa., a corporation This application isa continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 206,886, filed July 2, 1962, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a novel contact with locking feature and has as its objective the provision of a novel contact with a locking feature incorporating a novel locking means whereby secure mechanical and electrical connection between the lead of an outside circuit and the tail of the contact of a connector member may be directly made.

It is known to provide wire ferrules and other gripping means whereby the conductive member of the lead of an outside circuit may be united to a contact. The present invention differs from previous devices by providing a locking feature associated with a bifurcated contact which may be directly secured within an insulating casing and thereby in one operation provide a fully wired connector member.

This is accomplished by providing a contact including a head and tail portion wherein the tail portion comprises two grasping means, one of which is adapted to be crimped upon the conductive member of the lead of an outside circuit and the other of which is adapted to be cn'mped upon the entire lead of the outside circuit including the insulation thereof.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing in the tail section a two step trough separating the two grasping means with a central depression being formed in the forward of the steps in the tail section, the depression having the purpose of receiving a portion of the exposed FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the contact of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through a connector member with portions removed for clarity showing the contact of FIG. 1 with the lead of an outside circuit secured to the tail portion thereof and firmly anchored in the casing of a connector member;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the contact constituting a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the contact of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the contact of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines 88 of FIG. 5; I

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, FIG. 10 is a side elevational view and FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. ll-A is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 1lA1 1-A of FIG. 11, and FIG. 11-B is a 70 sectional view taken along the lines 1lB1 lB of FIG.

3,248,685 Patented Apr. 26, 1966 FIG. 12 is an end view taken along the lines 1212 of FIG. 10, and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken through a connector member with portions removed for clarity, showing the contact of FIG. 9 with the lead of an outside circuit secured to the tail portion thereof and firmly anchored in the casing of a connector member.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, a contact with locking feature constituting a first embodiment of the present invention is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1. Contact 10 basically comprises a bifurcated mating section 12, body section 14 and tail section 16 with the locking features of the present invention.

The bifurcated mating section 12 is constructed in accordance with bifurcated contacts disclosed and claimed in United States Patent No. 2,828,474. The entire contact 10 including mating section 12 is generally flat and is constructed of 0.012 inch spring-hard Phosphor Bronze, copper or other suitable electrically conductive material having the necessary balance of resiliency and strength required herein.

The mating section 12 is bifurcated by virtue of a slot 18 along the longitudinal center to provide a pair of

contact legs

20 and 22 which are spaced from each other by virtue of the slot 18. The outer edges of the

contact legs

20 and 22 are generally parallel to each other until the points 24 are attained and then the outer edges of the

legs

20 and 22 taper somewhat sharply toward each other to the flattened tips 26. The contact legs then taper toward each other and meet the inner edges 28 of the contact legs at the slot 18.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inner edges 28 are chamfered to present substantially flat contact surfaces 30. In mating position, a contact with a mating section similarly constructed'wi-ll mate perpendicularly with respect to the contact of FIG. 1 as described in United States Patent No. 2,828,474 and United States Patent No. 2,994,056

so that the chamfered surfaces of the mating sections are in engagement with each other to provide a large area of electrical contact. The distance between the inner edges 28 of the contact legs is slightly less than the thickness of the contact so that when a complementary contact is engaged in slot 18, the contact legs 20' and 22 are slightly forced apart to engage the mating contact under tension. Such tension is considerably enhanced by the provision of an enlarged opening 32 at the rearward end of the slot 18. Thus, the opening 32 provides a hinge action which affords making the slot 18 slightly narrower than would other-wise be possible. As the two cooperating contacts are brought into mating relation,

their

respective legs

20 and 22 are spread apart slightly by virtue of the aforementioned hinge action to permit a smooth sliding action between the respective pairs of contact legs while still providing adequate tension to en-' sure good electrical contact.

It is to be understood that other types of bifurcated mating sections may be employed and that the mating 34 which projects backwardly fromthe mating section 12 and which is further defined by a lateral slot 36 and a longitudinal slot 38. The locking lance 34 assists in locking the contact in the insulating casing of FIG. 4 as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

The body section 14 is formed between the mating section 12 and the tail section 16, generally constitutes a continuation of the mating section 12 and terminates adjacent rearward notches 40. The locking shoulder 42 is formed centrally in the tail section 16 immediately behind the notches 40. The locking shoulder 42 is stamped from the tail section 16 and extends downwardly in a manner similar to the locking lance 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The locking shoulder 42 cooperates with the locking lance 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings to secure the contact in the insulating casing of FIG. 4 as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

The tail section 16 generally comprises first grasping means 44 and second grasping means 46 which prior to use define a two-step trough as better shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The first grasping means 44 is located rearwardly of the second grasping means 46. The first grasping means 44 includes a pair of generally triangular wings 48, which are joined by a floor or bridging section 49. The second grasping means 46 includes a pair of relatively square wings 50, which are joined by a floor or bridging section 52. The floor 52 is positioned slightly above or at a different level from the floor 49 as defined by the step 54. The wings 48 are separated from the wings 50 by virtue of the slots 56.

The use of the contact 10 in an insulating casing of a connector member is illustrated in FIG. 4. In order to secure the lead 58 of an outside circuit to the contact 10, the leading portion of the insulation 60 thereof is removed to expose the conductive member 61. The conductive member 61 is placed between the wings 50 which are then folded or crimped thereover in order to provide secure electrical and mechanical connection. The wings 48 are thereafter folded upon the insulation 60 in order to provide a secure mechanical connection. The assembly of the contact 10 with the outside lead 58 is then inserted in an insulating casing 62 from the rear thereof.

The insulating casing 62 basically comprises a rear chamber 64, a narrow neck portion 66 and a forward chamber 68.

As the contact 10 with the lead 58 is forced from the rear chamber 64 into forward chamber 68, the locking lance 34 is first compressed into the plane of the contact 10 as it passes through the narrow neck section 66. As soon as the locking lance 34 has cleared the narrow neck section 66 it immediately springs back to its original position as illustrated in FIG. 4. The locking shoulder 42, as shown in FIG. 4, is now positioned on the side of the neck portion 66 opposite to the locking lance 34. The locking shoulder 42 then contacts a portion of the neck 66 and thereby completes the locking of the contact 10 with the outside circuit 58 in the insulating casing 62.

It is thus seen that the tedious task of securing the lead of an outside circuit to a contact may be easily completed in advance of placing the same in the insulating casing of a connector member.

A second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. to 8, generally comprises a mating section 112 and a body section 114 which are substantially identical to the mating section 12 and the body section 14 of the contact 10. The tail section 116 instead of having wings and being in the nature of a trough is continuous and is completely enclosed to provide first grasping means 144 and second grasping means 146 frontwardly thereof. The axis of the first grasping means 144 lies on the same line as the axis of the second grasping means 146 but the first grasping means 144 is of a slightly greater diameter as defined by the step 154.

The contact of FIGS. 5 to 8 is used in a manner similar to that as illustrated in FIG. 4. The bared conductive portion of the lead of an outside circuit is secured in the second grasping means 146 by means of a crimping or other forming action with an untouched portion of the lead being secured in the first grasping section 144 by similar crimping or forming action.

A third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, is generally indicated at 200 and comprises a mating section 212 and a body section 214 which are substantially identical to the mating section 12 and the body section 14 of the contact 10. The tail section 216 is generally similar to the tail section 16 of the contact 10 and comprises first grasping means 244 (complimentary wings) and second grasping means 248 constructed along the lines of the grasping

means

44 and 48. A locking lance 234 is provided and is basically similar to the locking lance 34 of contact 10. Locking shoulders 245 are defined by pairs of inwardly extending

notches

247 and 249 immediately in front of the second grasping means 248.

As shown in FIGS. 11, ll-A and 11-B, the first and second grasping means 244 and 248 are defined in part by a two level trough separated by a first step 251. The second grasping means 248 extends forwardly adjacent a second step 253 which is also formed in the tail section. A central depression 260 is formed in the tail section immediately in front of the second grasping means 248. As shown in FIG. 10 the central depression 260 is defined on either side of areas 262. This is also shown in greater detail in FIGS. ll-A and ll-B. When a bared lead is laid between the first and second grasping means 244 and 248, the depression 260 receives the forward extremity of the lead so that the lead will not extend upwardly. This not only makes for a more orderly appearance, but has the very important function of preventing the extreme end of the lead from becoming frayed as occurs when the lead extends freely upwardly when a depression 260 is not provided.

The contact 200 is employed in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4 and wherein the locking lance 234 and the depressed locking shoulder 245 (FIG. 10) cooperate to lock the contact 200 in an insulating casing.

It is thus seen that the lead of an outside circuit is secured to a contact employing two grasping means and that such an assembly may thereafter be simply and quickly secured in the casing of a connector member using locking lance 134 and locking shoulder 142 to complete the connector member.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A connector member comprising an insulating casing including a rear chamber and a forward chamber interconnected by a narrow neck portion, a contact seated and locked in said chambers and neck portion, said contact comprising a mating section and a tail section united thereto by a body section, said body section including a locking lance, said tail section including locking shoulders defined by pairs of notches and further including a first grasping means and a second grasping means, said first grasping means being located rearwardly of said second grasping means, said second grasping means being adapted to provide secure electrical and mechanical connection with an exposed lead of an outside circuit, said first grasping means being adapted to provide secure mechanical connection with an insulated portion of said lead, said first and second grasping means being defined in part by a two-level trough separated by a first step, said second grasping means extending forwardly adjacent a second step formed in said tail section, a central depression formed in said second step receiving a portion of said exposed lead of said outside circuit, said contact having its mating section in said forward chamber and its tail section in said rear chamber and said neck portion being in- 5 terposed between said locking lance and said locking shoulders.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first grasping means includes a pair of generally triangular wings and said second grasping means includes a pair of relatively square wings, said first grasping means being separated from said second grasping means by virtue of slots.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Cummins 29155.55

Alden 339-213 Penfold 339205 Bergan 339-223 Falge et a1 339-217 X Aquillon et a1. 339211 Fox 33947 X Fox 33949 X Dean 33921 7 X PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A CONNECTOR MEMBER COMPRISING AN INSULATING CASING INCLUDING A REAR CHAMBER AND A FORWARD CHAMBER INTERCONNECTED BY A NARROW NECK PORTION, A CONTACT SEATED AND LOCKED IN SAID CHAMBERS AND NECK PORTION, SAID CONTACT COMPRISING A MATING SECTION AND A TAIL SECTION UNITED THERETO BY A BODY SECTION, SAID BODY SECTION INCLUDING A LOCKING LANCE, SAID TAIL SECTION INCLUDING LOCKING SHOULDERS DEFINED BY PAIRS OF NOTCHES AND FURTHER INCLUDING A FIRST GRASPING MEANS AND A SECOND GRASPING MEANS, SAID FIRST GRASPING MEANS BEING LOCATED REARWARDLY OF SAID SECOND GRASPING MEANS, SAID SECOND GRASPING MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO PROVIDE SECURE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONNECTION WITH AN EXPOSED LEAD OF AN OUTSIDE CIRCUIT, SAID FIRST GRASPING MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO PROVIDE SECURE MECHANICAL CONNECTION WITH AN INSULATED PORTION OF SAID LEAD, SAID FIRST AND SECOND GRASPING MEANS BEING DEFINED IN PART BY A TWO-LEVEL TROUGH SEPARATED BY A FIRST STEP, AND SECOND GRASPING MEANS EXTENDING FORWARDLY ADJACENT A SECOND STEP FORMED IN SAID TAIL SECTION, A CENTRAL DEPRESSION FORMED IN SAID SECOND STEP RECEIVING A PORTION OF SAID EXPOSED LEAD OF SAID OUTSIDE CIRCUIT, SAID CONTACT HAVING ITS MATING SECTION IN SAID FORWARD CHAMBER AND ITS TAIL SECTION IN SAID REAR CHAMBER AND SAID NECK PORTION BEING INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID LOCKING LANCE AND SAID LOCKING SHOULDERS.