US3513438A - Spring latch for electrical connector - Google Patents

Spring latch for electrical connector Download PDF

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Publication number
US3513438A
US3513438A US537424A US3513438DA US3513438A US 3513438 A US3513438 A US 3513438A US 537424 A US537424 A US 537424A US 3513438D A US3513438D A US 3513438DA US 3513438 A US3513438 A US 3513438A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
lance
connector element
housing
aperture
connector
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
US537424A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Homer Ernst Henschen
William Vito Pauza
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.)
TE Connectivity Corp
Original Assignee
AMP Inc
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 AMP Inc filed Critical AMP Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3513438A publication Critical patent/US3513438A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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
    • H01R13/04—Pins or blades for co-operation with sockets
    • 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
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H01R13/428—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members
    • H01R13/432—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members by stamped-out resilient tongue snapping behind shoulder in base or case

Definitions

  • Harrisburg, Pa. assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.
  • This invention relates to the art of spring latch devices and more particularly to a means for latching an electrical connector element in a housing member.
  • the spring latch device is generally formed during the stamping and formation of the connector element and thereby extends outwardly from the plane of the material to which it is integrally anchored. After the connector element has been formed 'it is then inserted within an opening or passageway in the mounting or housing means. This opening or passageway is just slightly larger than the part of the connector element to be disposed therein. As a result the spring latch device is pushed inwardly toward the axis of the connector element during the insertion thereof within the opening or passageway until the connector element is fully inserted into position; then the spring latch device springs outwardly thereby engaging the latching surface to latch the connector element in position.
  • a further object of the present invention is the pro- 3,513,438 Patented May 19, 1970 ice vision of a spring latch means in a connector element which is easy to form during the forming process of the connector element and which retains its resilient characteristics throughout the life expectancy of the connector element and of the equipment associated therewith.
  • a still further object of the invention is to provide a spring latch means which is so disposed relative to an electrical connector element such that possible damage to the spring latch during handling of the connector is reduced to a minimum.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring latch which allows for increased mating length between the connector carrying the latch and a mating connector element.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector element made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partly in section showing the connector element of FIG. 1 and its associated insulated housing;
  • FIG. 3 shows the connector and housing of FIG. 2 in their assembled position.
  • FIG. 1 a connector element C having a ferrule portion F in which a conductor means CM is secured by cold forging or crimping techniques disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,600,- 012.
  • conductor means CM could be secured to the connector element in any other well known manner.
  • Connector element C also includes a body portion B which provides the electrical engagement with another connector element (not shown).
  • Connector element C is preferably formed by shaping a sheet metal blank or strip of a suitable electrically conductive material such as brass, bronze or other alloy, the metal being sufficiently hard and resilient in order to provide excellent spring quality thereto as well as being malleable to permit the cold forging or crimping techniques mentioned above.
  • the particular connector element shown in the drawings is commonly referred to as a pin and will mate within a socket member to form an effective electrical connection.
  • the body portion B of the connector element C is of cylindrical or tubular configuration and has a nose portion N which is generally rounded to provide for easy entrance of the connector element into its mating socket.
  • FIG. 2 there is seen an insulating housing H within which connector element C will be inserted.
  • Housing H has a longitudinal passageway for receiving element C, the said passageway comprising a series of stepped diameters.
  • the central portion 10 of the passageway has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of body portion B of the connector element C.
  • On either side of portion 10 there are enlarged diameter sections .12 and 14 with the section 12 having a conically shaped entrance surface 16 providing for easy entrance of connector element C.
  • the connector element has an aperture 18 formed in its upper surface.
  • a lance or spring latch means S is stamped out from body portion B along a surface diametrically opposed to the surface containing aperture 18.
  • Lance S extends for a short distance from its point of attachment along a path generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the connector element.
  • the lance is then formed with a gradual radius and is bent inwardly to pass directly through the interior portion of body B and with the free end of the lance passing through the aperture 18 and being disposed externally of the body portion B.
  • a pair of stops 22 are formed at the trailing edge of body portion B, these stops serving to limit the movement of connector element C into the housing As seen in FIG.
  • the connector element is seated within housing H with the spring latch or lance S being disposed within section 14 of the passageway of housing H and with the stop members 22 being disposed within section 12 of the passageway.
  • the spring latch S will be cammed downwardly as it passes through section of the passageway and will then spring outwardly to its final position as it moves into section 14.
  • Lance S may be of flat rectangular cross section. However, it is preferred that the lance be slightly arcuate in cross section for increasing the strength of the lance while detracting only slightly from its spring characteristics. It can be seen from the drawings that by bringing the lance S through the body portion B and through the aperture 18 on the opposite side of the body portion from which the lance is attached there is littie or no possibility of the lance being damaged by accidental compression of the lance during handling. The body portion B in effect acts as a shield around the lance and prevents the lance from being stressed beyond its elastic limit. Further, since only a small portion of the lance extends outside of body portion B there is little opportunity for the lance to be accidentally bent in a direction towards the nose N of the connector element. This condition is also protected against by reason of the stops 22 being preferably in alignment with the lance S.
  • a further advantage of the lance of the instant invention lies in the fact that the lance is substantially longer than the lances of the prior art designs wherein the lance would be bent directly outward of the body portion B rather than through the body portion. This extra length of lance aids in achieving better spring characteristics for the lance. Additionally, a longer lance allows for low insertion forces: that is the amount of force necessary to insert the connector element C within the housing H. Due to the length of the lance it is compressed more easily than a conventional lance and therefore there is required less force to properly seat the connector.
  • the mating length between the connector element C and its mating socket is indicated in FIG. 2 as the distance X. If the lance S were deflected downwardly, as seen in FIG. 2, in the conventional manner rather than upwardly through the connector, the mating length would be the distance indicated in FIG. 2 as Y. Therefore, it can be seen that the lance design of the present invention allows for a substantial increase in mating length between the pin and its associated socket and therefore greatly enhances the electrical characteristics of the connection.
  • a connector element adapted to be received in a housing said connector having an elongated hollow body having a forward portion and a rearward portion, an aperture disposed in a first side of said body and having a forward edge, said aperture being located between said forward and rearward portions, and a lance struck from said body along a second side opposite to said first side and secured to the forward portion of said body, said lance being bent inwardly from said second side and extending through said aperture in said first side, said aperture being of sufficient size to permit rearward flexing of said lance to a stressed position whereat the free end of said lance is substantially within the periphery of said hollow body, whereby upon insertion of the forward portion of said connector element into said housing said lance will be deflected by said housing to said stressed position and whereby upon further insertion said lance will be released outwardly of said body to a position of cooperation with a depending surface of said housing to thereby prevent withdrawal of said connector element from said housing, said lance being limited in its out wardly released position by the
  • a connector element as set forth in claim 1 further including stop means extending from said rearward portion for cooperation with said housing to limit movement of said connector element into said housing.
  • a connector element as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stop means comprises a pair of upturned ears located at the extreme end of said rearward portion.
  • a connector element adapted to be received in a housing, said connector having an elongated hollow body having a forward portion and a rearward portion, an aperture disposed in a first side of said body and having a forward edge, said aperture being located between said forward and rearward portions, and a lance struck from said body along a second side opposite to said first side, said lance being bent inwardly from said second side and extending through said aperture in said first side, said aperture being of suflicient size to permit rearward flexing of said lance to a stressed position whereat the free end of said lance is substantially within the periphery of said hollow body, whereby upon insertion of the forward portion of said connector element into said housing said lance will be deflected by said housing to said stressed position and whereby upon further insertion said lance will be released outwardly of said body to a position of cooperation with a depending surface of said housing to thereby prevent withdrawal of said connector element from said housing, said lance being limited in its outwardly released position by the forward edge of said aperture.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
US537424A 1966-03-25 1966-03-25 Spring latch for electrical connector Expired - Lifetime US3513438A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US53742466A 1966-03-25 1966-03-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3513438A true US3513438A (en) 1970-05-19

Family

ID=24142578

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US537424A Expired - Lifetime US3513438A (en) 1966-03-25 1966-03-25 Spring latch for electrical connector

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3513438A (fr)
JP (1) JPS471786Y1 (fr)
DE (1) DE1615584B2 (fr)
ES (1) ES338357A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR1513185A (fr)
GB (1) GB1125424A (fr)
NL (2) NL6702985A (fr)
SE (1) SE339502B (fr)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3613052A (en) * 1970-01-27 1971-10-12 Amp Inc Electrical locking pin terminal
US3678448A (en) * 1970-01-10 1972-07-18 Lucas Industries Ltd Pins for electrical connectors
US3795889A (en) * 1972-06-05 1974-03-05 Amp Inc Pin and socket type electrical contact terminals
US4252399A (en) * 1978-03-17 1981-02-24 Bunker Ramo Corporation Electrical socket contact
US4861284A (en) * 1988-04-14 1989-08-29 Amp Incorporated Switch activating plug for a coaxial connector
US5531607A (en) * 1991-10-21 1996-07-02 Yazaki Cororation Connector
US5716242A (en) * 1995-04-21 1998-02-10 The Whitaker Corporation Insulation displacement contact with retention feature
US5899775A (en) * 1996-10-29 1999-05-04 The Whitaker Corporation Contact with retention lance and housing therefor
US20050118884A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-06-02 Yazaki Europe Ltd. Electrical contact element
US7048584B1 (en) * 2005-06-23 2006-05-23 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Electrical connector
WO2014090422A1 (fr) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-19 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Élément de contact et procédé de fabrication d'un élément de contact
US20220085524A1 (en) * 2020-09-16 2022-03-17 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL192233C (nl) * 1991-09-03 1997-03-04 Du Pont Nederland Elektrische connector.
GB9417572D0 (en) * 1994-09-01 1994-10-19 Amp Gmbh Electrical contact having improved locking lances
US7462079B2 (en) * 2005-11-14 2008-12-09 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical contact with wire trap

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2689337A (en) * 1952-04-04 1954-09-14 Burtt Shaped metal contact
US2779007A (en) * 1951-12-21 1957-01-22 Ibm Plugboard contactor
US3059213A (en) * 1959-04-02 1962-10-16 Guy J Lalonde Electrical connectors
US3215975A (en) * 1961-11-27 1965-11-02 Amp Inc Connector block assembly

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2779007A (en) * 1951-12-21 1957-01-22 Ibm Plugboard contactor
US2689337A (en) * 1952-04-04 1954-09-14 Burtt Shaped metal contact
US3059213A (en) * 1959-04-02 1962-10-16 Guy J Lalonde Electrical connectors
US3215975A (en) * 1961-11-27 1965-11-02 Amp Inc Connector block assembly

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3678448A (en) * 1970-01-10 1972-07-18 Lucas Industries Ltd Pins for electrical connectors
US3613052A (en) * 1970-01-27 1971-10-12 Amp Inc Electrical locking pin terminal
US3795889A (en) * 1972-06-05 1974-03-05 Amp Inc Pin and socket type electrical contact terminals
US4252399A (en) * 1978-03-17 1981-02-24 Bunker Ramo Corporation Electrical socket contact
US4861284A (en) * 1988-04-14 1989-08-29 Amp Incorporated Switch activating plug for a coaxial connector
US5531607A (en) * 1991-10-21 1996-07-02 Yazaki Cororation Connector
US5716242A (en) * 1995-04-21 1998-02-10 The Whitaker Corporation Insulation displacement contact with retention feature
US5899775A (en) * 1996-10-29 1999-05-04 The Whitaker Corporation Contact with retention lance and housing therefor
US5924900A (en) * 1996-10-29 1999-07-20 The Whitaker Corporation Contact with latch for contact retention and housing therefor
US20050118884A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-06-02 Yazaki Europe Ltd. Electrical contact element
US7048584B1 (en) * 2005-06-23 2006-05-23 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Electrical connector
WO2014090422A1 (fr) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-19 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Élément de contact et procédé de fabrication d'un élément de contact
US9705227B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2017-07-11 Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh Plug contact element having a fold-over layer
US20220085524A1 (en) * 2020-09-16 2022-03-17 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US11749911B2 (en) * 2020-09-16 2023-09-05 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS471786Y1 (fr) 1972-01-21
FR1513185A (fr) 1968-02-09
SE339502B (fr) 1971-10-11
NL6702985A (fr) 1967-09-26
DE1615584A1 (de) 1970-06-18
DE1615584B2 (de) 1971-01-14
ES338357A1 (es) 1968-04-01
GB1125424A (en) 1968-08-28
NL137554B (fr)

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