US3371308A - Socket contact c spring - Google Patents

Socket contact c spring Download PDF

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Publication number
US3371308A
US3371308A US517641A US51764165A US3371308A US 3371308 A US3371308 A US 3371308A US 517641 A US517641 A US 517641A US 51764165 A US51764165 A US 51764165A US 3371308 A US3371308 A US 3371308A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
spring
socket
pin
tubular member
flange
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US517641A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James W Maston
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TDK Micronas GmbH
ITT Inc
Original Assignee
Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH filed Critical Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH
Priority to US517641A priority Critical patent/US3371308A/en
Priority to GB57375/66A priority patent/GB1134509A/en
Priority to SE17667/66A priority patent/SE318935B/xx
Priority to FR89303A priority patent/FR1506907A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3371308A publication Critical patent/US3371308A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to ITT CORPORATION reassignment ITT CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/15—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/45—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock]
    • Y10T24/45225—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock] including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith
    • Y10T24/45602—Receiving member includes either movable connection between interlocking components or variable configuration cavity
    • Y10T24/45775—Receiving member includes either movable connection between interlocking components or variable configuration cavity having resiliently biased interlocking component or segment
    • Y10T24/45822—Partially blocking separate, nonresilient, access opening of cavity

Definitions

  • a tubular connector for receiving a male connector therein has a pair of longitudinally extending slits located at opposite sides of the connector and passing completely through the connector body.
  • An elongated spring of generally C-shape cross section fits over the tubular connector with its longitudinal edges received within the slits, one of the edges extending into the tubular cavity for resiliently urging the male connector into contact with the tube wall.
  • This invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular to an improvement in a connector wherein a socket contact element is characterized by a C spring which biases a contact pin inserted in the socket against the wall of the socket.
  • Objects of the invention are to provide a connector socket featureing a spring resiliently protruding into the bore of the socket for the function indicated, and which is not damaged or rendered ineffective by an oversize probe or careless use thereof, the parts of which socket are easy to manufacture and relatively inexpensive to as Snap, which affords redundant electrical paths, and which, once assembled, remains intact.
  • the invention in general comprises an electrical connector socket for reception of a pin contact terminal
  • the socket embodies a bore-d tubular member open at its forward end and having circumferentially separated longitudinal slots through the wall of the tubular member, and a spring member generally C-shaped in cross section and conforming generally to the external surface of the tubular member embodying one end projection or flange seating in one of the slots, this end flange having a radial dimension less than the thickness of the Wall of the tubular member so that it does not protrude into the bore of the same, and the spring is formed with a second end projection or flange which seats in the other one of the slots, this second end flange having a radial dimension greater than the thickness of the wall of the tubular member so that the second end flange protrudes into the bore of the tubular member, the spring being snapped into place and being retained on the tubular member by engagement of the flanges in the respective slots, and the second flange being adapted resiliently to urge a pin contact member inserted in
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the connector with the pin and socket separated.
  • FIGURE 2 is a view of the connector with the pin and socket joined.
  • FIGURE 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the socket.
  • FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the C spring employed in the socket of the previous figures.
  • FIGURE 5 is a magnified cross section of the socket taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 6 is a similar view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 2 showing the pin inserted.
  • FIGURE 7 is a view of the same general character as FIGURE 5 illustrating a C spring with a modification over the form of FIGURE 4.
  • FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the C spring illustrated in FIGURE 7.
  • the connector 15 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 comprises a socket 16 and a pin 17 adapted to be inserted in the socket.
  • the socket embodies a tubular member or section 18 and a termination section 19, the latter being either hollow or solid depending upon the desired termination thereof in conjunction with an electrical con-ductor not shown.
  • the means of termination is not a part of the present invention nor is an insulation block or member in which the socket may be mounted in any part of the present invention. It is obvious to anyone skilled in the art that while the socket and pin can be employed individually for making an electrical connection, in ordinary practice, especially in miniaturization, these respective parts are mounted in insulator members usually in pluralarrangement for effecting a multiplicity of independent connections in a small, compact arrangement.
  • the tubular member has a bore 2% open at the forward end 21 and extending rearwardly at least a sufiicient distance to receive the pin 17.
  • the outside diameter of the pin is sufficiently less than the diameter of the bore for easy insertion fo the pin inasmuch as no tight friction fit between the two parts is required, other than that imparted by the C spring as later described.
  • the exterior of the tubular member is formed with an intermediate annular undercut 22 providing shoulders 23 and 24 at each end.
  • slots 25 Through the wall of the reduced section of the tubular member defined by the undercut 22 are provided slots 25 and as which preferably are disposed apart and which are elongated and extend parallel to the axis of the bore and are generally coextensive with the length of the undercut 22, although it is preferable that the slots extend beyond the shoulders 23 and 24 for a short distance. It is important, however, that the forward end 21 provides a circularly uninterrupted closed entry, which should be chamfered as shown at 27, and that an uninterrupted annular section at the rear end of the bore be incorporated, so that the tubular member does not spread when the pin is inserted.
  • a spring 3h is employed, this spring having the overall general form of a semi-cylinder preferably elongated relative to its diameter and in cross section generally resembling the letter C.
  • the shape and size of the spring is such that in retraction it snugly conforms to the outer surface of the undercut 22 or if there be no undercut to the outer surface of the tubular member in the region of the slots 25 and 26, and that its axial dimension be no greater than the length of the undercut portion if that be present. In such case, the shoulders 23 and 24 restrict the spring against axial movement. Otherwise, such restriction would be provided by the ends of the slots.
  • the spring embodies what may be designated a non-working end 31 and a working end 32.
  • ends are disposed diametrically opposite one another at a circumferential separation approximately 180 and they are illustrated as including projections or flanges 31a and 32a extending radially inwardly toward the axis of the spring, eing angled in from the cylindrical plane of the main body 33 of the spring.
  • the radial dimensions of the flange 31a is less than the thickness of the tubular member at the section where insertion occurs, to be described.
  • the radial measurement of the flange 32a is greater than the thickness of the section of the tubular member where the flange 32a is inserted, so that when the spring is assembled on the tubular member this flange will protrude into the bore of the tubular member.
  • the spring may be formed whereby the flange 32a is made of a fold-back of the spring material to contribute a greater surface contact with the pin when inserted, and this flange also preferably is radiused or chamfered as at 33 to provide a lead-in.
  • the spring and tubular member are assembled by inserting the flange 31a of the non-Working end into one of the slots in the tubular member, and by exerting a radial pressure on the spring moving the flange 32a into alignment with the opposite slot whereupon the spring will snap into place and will be permanently retained on the tubular member by the cooperation of the two flanges.
  • the spring may be made of any suitable spring material, various metals being suitable for such purpose, and inasmuch as the spring does not have to function as a conductor, certain plastic materials are also usable.
  • the socket When the spring and tubular member are assembled the socket is complete and ready for use.
  • the pin 17 is inserted into the socket and encounters the chamfered end 33 of the spring flange 32a, riding against this flange as the insertion is completed.
  • the spring bearing upon the pin biases it resiliently against the diametrically opposite wall of the bore.
  • the opposite wall of the bore is divided to considerable extent by the slot in which the flange 31a of the spring reposes, redundant electrical paths are afforded which contribute to the efficiency of the electrical connection.
  • the diametric limitations of the bore 20 prevent the pin from pushing the flange 32a out of the slot in which it rides, and consequently the spring remains in place irrespective of repeated insertions of the pin.
  • the fold-back illustrated for the working end 32 of the spring can be eliminated, and this working end can be a single thickness similar to the non-working end 31 except that it extends through the wall of the tubular member.
  • a rounded edge on the flange 3201, as illustrated, is preferable to a flat sharp edge because it operates more smoothly and has less tendency to scratch or abrade the pin. If desired the edge may be liquid-honed or Teflon coated to reduce friction when the pin is inserted or withdrawn.
  • FIGURES 7 and 8 Another form of working end on the spring is shown in FIGURES 7 and 8.
  • the non-working end 31 is the same as in the form previously described.
  • the working end 32 utilizes a projection or flange in the form of a dimple 50, preferably elongated as shown, which can be drawn or stamped if the spring is made of sheet spring material, or molded if plastic, and either left relatively open as illustrated in FIGURE 7 or the sidewalls pinched together after the general formation of the form first described as seen in FIGURE 5.
  • a series of dimples in straight alignment could be substituted.
  • the spring cannot be damaged by use of an oversized probe or careless use of a probe when testing circuits, because if the probe is oversized, yet of sufliciently small diameter to be inserted into the socket it will simply push the spring through the slot to the wall of the bore, and upon withdrawal of the probe the spring will return to its working position protruding into the bore.
  • the slots be circumferentially spaced approximately 180 both for optimum retention of the spring in its assembly with the tubular member and also for a truly diametric pressure of the working end of the spring against the pin of the connector yet there may be a workable variation in the respective locations of the slots and consequently in the shape and ends of the spring.
  • the thickness of the spring preferably is slightly less than the depth of the undercut 22 so that if the socket is mounted in a bore of the insulation block which 4 tightly houses the ends of the tubular member, there will be room within the bore of the insulation block for the working end of the spring to move outwardly under the influence of a pin being inserted.
  • An alternative would be to provide a relief in the bore of the insulation block.
  • the connector has been described with the tubular element of the spring and the contact portion of the pin all in circular cylindrical forrn. While this probably is the most common form in which the connector will be embodied, the principles of the invention are applicable to a socket with a square or other polygonal cross section in which case the cross section of the spring would define a block letter C or a modification conforming generally to the outside contour of the tubular member, and the flanges of the spring would be angled from the main body of the letter C radially inwardly toward each other.
  • An electrical connector comprising: a socket including a hollow tube having diametrically opposite first and second longitudinally extending slots therethrough; a generally C-shaped spring surrounding approximately onehalf of the external surface of said tube, said spring having first and second ends bent towards each other to extend radially into said slots, said first end being shorter than the thickness of said tube from the bend at said first end so as not to project beyond internal surface of said tube, said second end being longer than the thickness of said tube from the bend at said second end so as to project beyond internal surface of said tube, said second slot having side walls parallel to a plane through the axis of said tube, said second spring end having a width such that it substantially fills the space between said second slot side walls wherein said second spring end is in sliding engagement with said second slot side walls, said side walls thereby firmly guiding radial movement of said second spring end in said second slot; and a pin slidable into said socket, said second spring end being engageable with said pin for resiliently urging said pin into contact with the internal surface of said tube.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Measuring Leads Or Probes (AREA)
US517641A 1965-12-30 1965-12-30 Socket contact c spring Expired - Lifetime US3371308A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US517641A US3371308A (en) 1965-12-30 1965-12-30 Socket contact c spring
GB57375/66A GB1134509A (en) 1965-12-30 1966-12-22 Electrical connector and socket with c spring
SE17667/66A SE318935B (xx) 1965-12-30 1966-12-23
FR89303A FR1506907A (fr) 1965-12-30 1966-12-29 Perfectionnements aux connecteurs électriques

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US517641A US3371308A (en) 1965-12-30 1965-12-30 Socket contact c spring

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3371308A true US3371308A (en) 1968-02-27

Family

ID=24060621

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US517641A Expired - Lifetime US3371308A (en) 1965-12-30 1965-12-30 Socket contact c spring

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3371308A (xx)
FR (1) FR1506907A (xx)
GB (1) GB1134509A (xx)
SE (1) SE318935B (xx)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3504331A (en) * 1968-01-31 1970-03-31 Coop Ind Inc Socket contact for electrical connectors
US4463358A (en) * 1981-11-09 1984-07-31 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Convertible termination tip for submarine buoyant cable antenna system
US4764132A (en) * 1986-03-28 1988-08-16 Siemens-Pacesetter, Inc. Pacemaker connector block for proximal ring electrode

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007042194A1 (de) * 2007-08-29 2009-03-05 Pfisterer Kontaktsysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg Elektrisches Steckverbinderelement

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB191120458A (en) * 1911-09-15 1912-05-16 Edward Denliker Improvements in and connected with Advertising Apparatus.
DE1128500B (de) * 1960-04-11 1962-04-26 Harting Elektro W Steckerbuchse
US3123119A (en) * 1964-03-03 A maloof
US3169817A (en) * 1961-06-19 1965-02-16 United Carr Fastener Corp Closed-entry contact component
US3205474A (en) * 1963-11-12 1965-09-07 Deutsch Co Socket connector

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3123119A (en) * 1964-03-03 A maloof
GB191120458A (en) * 1911-09-15 1912-05-16 Edward Denliker Improvements in and connected with Advertising Apparatus.
DE1128500B (de) * 1960-04-11 1962-04-26 Harting Elektro W Steckerbuchse
US3169817A (en) * 1961-06-19 1965-02-16 United Carr Fastener Corp Closed-entry contact component
US3205474A (en) * 1963-11-12 1965-09-07 Deutsch Co Socket connector

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3504331A (en) * 1968-01-31 1970-03-31 Coop Ind Inc Socket contact for electrical connectors
US4463358A (en) * 1981-11-09 1984-07-31 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Convertible termination tip for submarine buoyant cable antenna system
US4764132A (en) * 1986-03-28 1988-08-16 Siemens-Pacesetter, Inc. Pacemaker connector block for proximal ring electrode

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE318935B (xx) 1969-12-22
GB1134509A (en) 1968-11-27
FR1506907A (fr) 1967-12-22

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ITT CORPORATION

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004389/0606

Effective date: 19831122