US3633156A

US3633156A - Tab receptacle

Info

Publication number: US3633156A
Application number: US26474A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wladimiro Teagno
Original assignee: AMP Inc
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
Priority date: 1969-04-29
Filing date: 1970-04-08
Publication date: 1972-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-04
Also published as: BE749547A; ES157562Y; IL34353A; NL7005806A; CH526209A; DE2019221A1; AT303157B; JPS5119156B1; FR2040371A1; NO126056B; IL34353A0; ES157562U; SE353193B

Abstract

A tab receptacle formed from a sheet metal blank and comprising a receptacle portion of generally channel cross section having a base and a pair of longitudinally converging sides, each side being formed with an elongate aperture for receiving a tab between the base and sides of the apertures remote from the base.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Priority Wladimiro Teagno;

Gianfranco D'Urso, both of Turin, Italy 26,474

Apr. 8, 1970 Jan. 4, I972 AMP Incorporated Harrisburg, Pa.

Apr. 29, 1969 Italy TAB RECEP'IACLE 16 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 339/256 SP H01! 13/12 339/256,

Int. Cl. Field of Search [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,188,606 6/1965 DeLyon et al. 339/256 SP 3,452,324 6/1969 Fitzpatrick 339/256 SP 2,789,278 4/1957 Soreng 339/256 SP Primary ExaminerJoseph I-l. McGlynn Attomeys-Curtis, Morris and Safford, William J. Keating, William I-Iintze, Frederick W. Rating, John R. Hopkins, Adrian J. La Rue and Jay L. Seitchik ABSTRACT: A tab receptacle formed from a sheet metal blank and comprising a receptacle portion of generally channel cross section having a base and a pair of longitudinally converging sides, each side being formed with an elongate aperture for receiving a tab between the base and sides of the apertures remote from the base.

meminm 41972 Bic-333L156 SHEET 1 BF 3 PATENTED JAN 41972 SHEET 2 [IF 3 PATENTEDJAH 41912 I 3'633'156 SHEET 3 OF 3 TAB RECEPTACLE This invention relates to tab receptacles and is particularly concerned with a tab receptacle for effecting releasable electrical connection to a flat tab.

Many types of such tab receptacles are known and a generally used typecomprisesa clip portion of channel cross section integrally formed at one end with a wire connecting portion. Receptacles of this typeare used in vastquantities in electrical equipment and there has been persistent economic pressure to reduce their cost without loss of electrical and mechanical performance. It has been found that apparently small differences in configuration between receptacles account for significantly different performance characteristics. The types most generally used have tended to fall into two distinct groups, both formed from flat sheet metal stock. The first group has a channel cross section receptacle with parallel sides which at their free edges are rolled over to define spring arms with edges opposed to the base of the channel, a complementary tab being a spring fit between the edges and the base. The second group also has a parallel-sided channel section receptacle but the free edges of the sides are turned over to extend generally parallel with the channel base. In this second group, the base is generally slotted longitudinally to define a central longitudinal spring which is elevated to engage a side of the tab and push the tab up against the turned over free edges of the channel sides.

In both groups, the channel base must be of width slightly greater than the complementary tab and the flat-sheet metal blank from which the receptacle is formed must have a developed width at least as great as the width of the channel base plus the width of each of the channel sides. In order to reduce the material cost of receptacles, because of the high cost of material, there have been various attempts to use cheaper material, thinner material, and also to reduce the developed area of the sheet metal blank from which the receptacle is formed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tab receptacle which'is economic in use of material and effective electrically and mechanically.

SUMMARY In a tab receptacle formed from a sheet metal blank and comprising a receptacle-portion of generally channel cross section having a base and apair of sides, according to the present invention the sides converge longitudinally of the channel, each side being formed with an elongate aperture adjacent thebase to define a slot'closed at its ends and extending longitudinally through part of the length of the side so that a tab may be inserted between the divergent ends of the sides to enter the slots between the base and sides of the slots remote from the base.

Generally the leading end of a tab is tapered in thickness and this facilitates initial engagement of the tab between the base of the receptacle andthe opposite sides of the slots. Further insertion of the tab effects resilient flexure of the channel to clamp the tab against the base of the receptacle. Preferably the sides of the channel converge in arcuate manner and are convex towards each other. The slots in the sides suitably extend into the base laterally and the arcuately convergent sides overlie edge portions of the base which is of generally triangular form.

The base of the receptacle maybe shaped to act as a spring and to this end it may be bowed longitudinally in convex manner towards sides of the slots remote from the base or part of the base maybe elevated in relation to parts adjacent the channel sides. Alternatively, or in addition, the base portion between the slots may be laterally'bowed. In one embodiment, a portion of the base centrally disposed between the divergent ends of the channel sides, is elevated between the channel sides above base portions adjacent and integral with the divergent ends of the channel sides. A similar configuration may be adopted between the convergent ends of the sides, but preferably the base portion between the slots is elevated in relation to the base portion between the convergent ends of the sides. The two base portions are disposed on forward and rearward sides of a step extending laterally of the channel in front of the rear ends of the slots.

Ends or comers of the slots are suitably radiused in concave manner, and the corners remote from the base are suitably recessed in arcuate concave manneraway from the base.

In a preferred embodiment, portions of thesides at their divergent ends, and forwardly of the slots,-extend in generally parallel manner to provide a parallel-sided entrance section adapted to engage edges of'an insertedtaband guide thetab into the slots. The parallel-sided entrance portion also serves to stabilize the receptacle on the tab against rocking in the plane of the tab. Onfull insertion, the leading end of the tab engages rear ends of the slots which act as a stop against further insertion and serve to improve stabilization of the receptacle on the tab.

In a practical embodiment, the receptacle at the convergent ends of the sides is integrally formed with a wire connecting section comprising a U-shaped ferrule. A transition section intermediate the ferrule and the receptacle is also of U or channel form and of height less than that of the receptacle sides, to define between the receptacle sides and limbs of the ferrule U- shaped recesses and a continuous channel form from end-toend of the receptacle.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying partly diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front of an electrical connector tab receptacle secured to an insulated conductor wire;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the connector receptacle of FIG. 1 before being secured to the conductorwire;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section elevation of the connector receptacle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front end elevation of the connector receptacle of FIGS. 2 and 3 viewed from :the right-hand end of .these FIGS.;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the receptacle portion of the connector receptacle of FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a flat sheet metal blank forforming the connector receptacle of.FIGS. '1 ms;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 5 but with aninserted tab shown in broken lines; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively a side elevation and a perspective view from above looking from the front of a modified connector tab receptacle, part ofthe receptacle of 'FIG. 9 being cut away.

The electrical conductor receptacle. of- FIG. 1 issecured to an insulated conductor wire 1 having awire core 2 adjacent a crimping section comprising a wire crimp ferrule 3 and insulation support ferrule 4. The insulation support ferrule. 4 is closed about the insulation and the wire crimp ferrule 3 about a stripped end of the core 2 of the wire, the ferrules 3. and 4 being integrally formed with a receptacle portion Sfrom a flat sheet metal blank shown in FIG;6. The receptacle portion 5 is of channel cross section as seen in FIG-4, with a base 6. and upright sides 7 which converge towardsthe rear-mend of the receptacle adjacent the wire crimpingt ferrule 3, as-seen in FIGS. 1 andS. The sides 7 are formed'with .elongateapertures defining longitudinal slots 8.:adjacent the .base 6swhich is of generally triangular form in plan view,.as seen-in FlGS. 5 to 7. Portions of the sides 7 on the sides of slots 8 remote from the base 6 are arcuately curved, as seen in plan view in FIGS. 5 and 7, in convex manner towards each other. Rearparts-9 of the sides 7 extend in generally parallel manner towards the wire crimp ferrule 3 and side portions 10 forwards of slots 8 also extend in generallyparallel manner to define a parallelsided entrance to the receptacle portion 5.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 6, corners of the slots 8 are radiused in concave fashion and the comers l1 remote from the base 6 are arcuately recessed awayfrom the base. Otherwise the slots 8 are of generally-parallelogram form, as seen in FIG. 6, but suitably with sides of the slots 8 being remote from the base 6 converging at a slightly greater rate than the sides of the slots 8 adjacent the base 6, parts of the sides 7 extending longitudinally of and bordering the slots 8 of substantially uniform width, as seen in FIG. 6, over the length between recessed corners 11.

The

ferrules

3 and 4 are, as seen in FIG. 4, of generally U- shape before crimping to the conductor wire, as seen in FIG. I. The insulation support ferrule 4 has a pair of cars of greater height and span than the ears of the wire crimp ferrule 3. The

ferrules

3 and 4 are spaced by a short U or channel section of height less than that of the

ferrule portions

3 and 4, and the ears of the ferrule 3 are of greater height than the sides 7 of the receptacle, as seen in FIG. 3. The ferrule 3 is spaced longitudinally from the sides 7 of the receptacle by a short transition section of U or channel form of height less than that of the sides 7 and the connector receptacle is thus formed with a generally channel form throughout its length.

As shown in FIG. 6, the flat sheet metal blank from which the connector receptacle is formed has a maximum dimension widthwise of the connector receptacle, i.e., transverse to the direction of wire lay in

ferrules

3 and 4 and of tab insertion, at the ears of the insulation support ferrule 4, and thus the connector receptacle may be stamped from sheet metal strip, having a minimum width equal to the developed width of the insulation support ferrule 4. An aperture 12 is stamped in the intended base of the ferrule to serve as a pilot hole for feeding and indexing of the strip of metal from which the terminals are formed, and further for feeding the terminals in strip form. As seen in FIG. 6, the blank has aligned

carrier portions

13, 14 which serve to join, and to space apart, successive connector receptacles in a strip of receptacles formed from a continuous strip of metal. The

carrier strip portions

13 and 14 are sheared away when individual connectors are cut from the strip and crimped to conductor wires, as is normal practice.

The flat blank of FIG. 6 is suitably formed into the connector receptacles of FIGS. 1 to by suitable press operations in a progressive die which serves to fold up the channel sides 7 and to form the base 6 of the receptacle in the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The central portion 15 of the base 6 at the forward end between the divergent ends of the sides 7 is elevated by bending portion 16 of the blank at forward ends of slots 8 in arcuately convex upward fashion. In addition, the central portion 15 of elevated base 6 is arcuately bowed convexly upwards transversely of the receptacle, at a large radius of curvature, as seen in FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 3, the elevated base 6 adjacent and forwardly of the rear ends of slots 8 is bent downwards at 17 at a rearward inclination and then rearwards between rear parts 9 of the sides 7 to define a transverse step 17. The base extends rearwardly from the step 17 into the base of the

U-shaped ferrule portions

3 and 4. The transverse bowing of the forward part 15 of the base 6 extends longitudinally rearwards up to the step 17. The press-forming operation determines the spacing 18, as seen in FIG. 3, between the elevated base 6 and opposed sides of slots 8, which gap is of importance in helping to provide adequate contact pressure on an inserted tab. The base 6 is formed centrally of its width and rearwards of the side portions 10 with a dimple 19 protruding upwards between the sides 7, but of small size in relation to the gap 18. The dimple 19 is arranged to engage a complementary recess in a mating tab in well-known manner.

In use, as shown in FIG. 7, a tab 20 is inserted between the forward side portions 10, which serve to ensure appropriate orientation of the receptacle portion 5 on the tab 20, and to guide the tab 20 into the slots8. The leading end of the tab first enters at the forward ends of the slots at recesses 11 which facilitate tab entry by presenting an initial gap of greater height than the gap 16. Further insertion of the tab into narrower parts of the slots 8 is facilitated by a smooth reversal of curvature 21 at the rear of forward recesses 11 as they merge into upper sides of the slots 8. As the tab is pushed further into the narrower gap 18, the receptacle is resiliently strained to increase the gap 18 to accommodate the tab thickness. The receptacle base 6 tends to flatten against the underside of the tab 20 and urges the tab 20 upwardly against the opposed sides of slots 8.

On full insertion of the leading end of the tab 20, the rear ends of the slots 8 act as a stop and also assist in stabilizing the receptacle 5 against relative tilting in the plane of the tab.

In the modified connector tab receptacle of FIGS. 8 and 9, in which like reference numerals are used in relation to similar parts to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the base 6 of the receptacle is stiffened at its rear end in the region of the step 17 by a longitudinal indentation 23. The indentation 23 is of generally triangular form, as seen from above in FIG. 9, and points towards the forward end of the receptacle. Sides of the triangular indent diverge rearwardly between the rear parts 9 of sides 7, and the indentation extends forwardly and rearwardly of the step 17, as seen in FIG. 8. The indentation increases in depth rearwardly and projects downwards from the base 6.

The side parts 10, forwards of the slots 8, are formed at their forward ends with ears 24, pushed inwards to extend normally of the side parts 10 towards each other above the side portions 16 of the forward end of the base 6. The lower sides 25 of the cars 24 are spaced above the base 6 by a distance slightly greater than the gap 18 between the base and the upper sides of slots 8. The cars 24 define an entrance section helping to guide a complementary tab, such as 20 of FIG. 7, more easily into the slots 8 by ensuring that it is inserted into the receptacle in contiguous relation to the base 6.

What is claimed is:

1. A tab receptacle formed from a sheet metal blank comprising a receptacle portion of generally channel shaped cross section having a base and a pair of sides, in which the sides converge longitudinally of the channel, each side being formed with a contact arm and with an elongate aperture adjacent the base to fine a slot closed at its ends and extending longitudinally through part of the length of the sides, the slots separating the contact arms from the base, and the contact arms being formed generally normal to the base, so that a tab may be inserted between the divergent ends of the sides to enter the slots between the base and an edge of the contact arms.

2. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which portions of the sides at the divergent ends extend in parallel manner to define an entrance section for the tab.

3. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the slots extend laterally into the base.

4. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the slots are of generally parallelogram form and sides of the slots remote from the base converge at a small inclination towards respective sides of the slots adjacent the base.

5. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the base is bowed transversely of the receptacle upwardly between the sides.

6. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the convergent end of the receptacle is integrally formed with a wireconnecting section of U-form.

7. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which portions of the sides at the divergent ends are formed with ears turned in to project towards each other over side portions of the base, so that a tab may be inserted between the ears and the base for subsequent penetration into the slots.

8. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the contact arms overlap the base intermediate the ends of the slots.

9. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 8, in which the contact anns are convexly curved towards each other.

10. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 9, in which the contact arms are curved over the length of the slots, and parts of the contact anns forwards and rearwards of the slots extend in generally straight parallel manner.

11. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 8, in which the slots are enlarged adjacent the divergent end of the receptacle.

12. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 11, in which ends of the slots adjacent the divergent and convergent ends of the ing base portion integral with the sides of the receptacle.

15. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the base of the receptacle adjacent the rear ends of the slots is formed with a downwardly projecting stiffening indentation extending longitudinally.

16. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 15, in which the indentation is of generally triangular form in the surface of the base, points towards the front of the receptacle and increases in depth rearwardly.

* r a: a a

*gggggq TED sums PATENT @FFEEE @R'NFEQATE WE @MWE CWN Patent No- 3 622 1 36 Dated Januarv 4 1979 Inventor-(S) WLADIMIRO TEAGNO ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, line 36, column 4, "fine" should be define Signed and sealed this 2nd day of May 1972.,

(SEAL) Attest:

V ROBERT GOTTSGHALK EDWARD MmLETcHm, 5R0

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer AMP 2884

Claims

1. A tab receptacle formed from a sheet metal blank comprising a receptacle portion of generally channel shaped cross section having a base and a pair of sides, in which the sides converge longitudinally of the channel, each side being formed with a contact arm and with an elongate aperture adjacent the base to define a slot closed at its ends and extending longitudinally through part of the length of the sides, the slots separating the contact arms from the base, and the contact arms being formed generally normal to the base, so that a tab may be inserted between the divergent ends of the sides to enter the slots between the base and an edge of the contact arms.

6. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the convergent end of the receptacle is integrally formed with a wire-connecting section of U-form.

9. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 8, in which the contact arms are convexly curved towards each other.

10. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 9, in which the contact arms are curved over the length of the slots, and parts of the contact arms forwards and rearwards of the slots extend in generally straight parallel manner.

12. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 11, in which ends of the slots adjacent the divergent and convergent ends of the receptacle are formed with arcuate concavities extending away from the base.

13. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which a longitudinally extending portion of the base of the receptacle is elevated between the sides in relation to portions of the base adjacent the sides.

14. A tab receptacle as claimed in claim 13, in which the elevated base portion terminates forwardly of ends of the slots adjacent the convergent end of the receptacle in a step inclined rearwardly and downwardly to a rearwardly extending base portion integral with the sides of the receptacle.