US3877772A

US3877772A - Connector assembly for terminal junction system

Info

Publication number: US3877772A
Application number: US429030A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cenzo Herbert A De
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-08-20
Filing date: 1973-12-28
Publication date: 1975-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-15

Abstract

Terminal block assemblies for establishing selective continuity through a multiplicity of electrical conductors, wherein female contact and retension units are included in a predetermined circuitry that receive and anchor male contacts at the terminal ends of said conductors. The completed assemblies are qualified as high reliability electrical equipment and are both vibration and moisture proof; while the total volumetric displacement of the assemblies is in each instance considerably less than comparable assemblies heretofore employed. It is a terminal junction system comprised of cooperative components which are assembled as circumstances require in order to establish selectively predetermined electrical continuity through one or more circuits.

Description

United States Patent [191 De Cenzo Apr. 15, 1975 [76] Inventor: Herbert A. De Cenzo, 3719 Cannon Ave., Las Vegas, Nev. 89121 22 Filed: Dec.28, 1973 21 Appl.No.:429,030

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 173,422, Aug. 20, 1971, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl. 339/74 R; 339/210 R; 339/217 R; 339/256 R [51] Int. Cl H011 13/62 [58] Field of Search 339/210, 65, 74, 256, 258, 339/241, 262, 217, 252, 259

Paullus 339/259 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,250,743 12/1960 France 339/258 A Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant ExaminerR0bert A. Hafer [57] ABSTRACT Terminal block assemblies for establishing selective continuity through a multiplicity of electrical conductors, wherein female contact and retension units are included in a predetermined circuitry that receive and anchor male contacts at the terminal ends of said conductors. The completed assemblies are qualified as high reliability electrical equipment and are both vibration and moisture proof; while the total volumetric displacement of the assemblies is in each instance considerably less than comparable assemblies heretofore employed. It is a terminal junction system comprised of cooperative components which are assembled as circumstances require in order to establish selectively predetermined electrical continuity through one or more circuits.

20 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR TERMINAL JUNCTION SYSTEM This is a division of application Ser. No. 173,422, filed Aug. 20, 1971 and issued Jan. 8, 1974 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,963.

BACKGROUND This invention relates to electrical connectors wherein a multiplicity of conductors are brought into selectively predetermined electrical continuity within connector blocks. Conductors enter the blocks so as to conduct therethrough to common conductors, either directly or via connecting buses, there being female contacts installed within the block to receive male contacts on the terminal ends of the conductors. The said male contacts have been characterized by a projecting contact pin separated from a crimped or soldered connecting cylinder by means of a retension shoulder; and all of which requires a separate retension sleeve which is housed independently of the female contact. This separation of female contact and retension sleeve in itself doubles the length of the structure and necessarily complicates its assembly with the involvement of duplicate parts. A feature of such systems is versatility with respect to circuitry which can be selectively varied as circumstances require, so as to establish through connections from a single conductor to another, so as to establish return connections from a single conductor to another, and/or to bus the conductors together as may be required. However, weakness in the female contacts and the point or line contact thereof with the male contacts has resulted in doubtful reliability despite the oversize of these installations. Also, the insulation between contacts and buses has proved to be inadequate, and no means has been provided to damp vibrations which adversely affect the electrical continuity. Generally speaking therefore, the state of the art terminal junction system provides very little for the large size and weight of the terminal block assemblies which are established thereby.

FIELD OF INVENTION It is a general object of this invention to provide improved components for the assembly of connector blocks having selectively established electrical continuity through a multiplicity of electrical conductors, to provide a cooperative relationship wherein fewer components are required than heretofore accepted as necessary, to provide high reliability wherein electrical efficiency is predictable, and all within assembled confines of reduced size as compared with other comparable assemblies.

An object of this invention is to provide a female contact and cooperative male contact wherein the electrical continuity and anchored engagement of the latter in the former is accomplished without resort to independent retension means as heretofore practiced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a releasable snap-in male and female electrical connection wherein coextensive right cylinder interface engagement is assured. With the present invention the male contact is retained by the female contact both radially and axially, it being an object to restrict and/or to eliminate movement and vibration and which is accomplished by means of frictional damping inherent in the contact configuration which retains the anchored engagement.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bus or circuit board and pressured engagement of the female and male contacts therewith, and all to the end that electrical continuity is assured through the circuitry established between said female contacts. In carrying out the invention the circuit boards are laminiform and with a separation of conductors, it being an object to provide unrestricted circuitry from within the block assembly.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a ver satile assemblage of components which are cemented or fused into permanent water tight condition, all as circumstances require, and virtually without circuitry restriction, and all within minimized confines with maximum current carrying capabilities commensurate with the wire sizes that can be involved.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a connector assembly for terminal junction systems of the character thus far referred to, and which can be as sembled and disassembled for replacement and/or repairability of the various components associated and involved therewith. In practice, a tubular extraction tool is provided for the release of the anchored engagement between the male and female contacts, all as hereinafter described.

DRAWINGS The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred forms and applications thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a terminal junction assembly involving the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the elements comprising the assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 33 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed prespective view of the female contact used in the assembly on FIG. 1 and as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the constrictor means used in the assembly of FIG. 1 and as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the male and female contacts as they appear engaged.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are enlarged transverse cross sectional views taken as indicated by lines 77, 88 and 9-9 on FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a typical body and circuit closure relationship.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a typical body and entry closure (busing) relationship.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1 disclosing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrates the male and female contacts of FIG. 12 as they are engaged.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the female contact used in the assembly in FIG. 12 and as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of a third embodiment of the female contact to be employed as shown in FIG. 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The connector assembly of the present invention has a wide variety of uses and applications and is to be classed as a Terminal Junction System wherein selectively predetermined circuitry is established within terminal block assemblies. To these ends the improved combination of elements of the present invention includes, generally, a body B, an entry closure C, a circuit closure D, a female contact F and a complementary male contact M, and a seal S. Also, a coupler A is provided for the aligned joinder of bodies B back to back. These elements are cooperatively interdependent in the system and are combined in assemblies which establish the desired electrical continuity as circumstances require, always in identical relationship except for modifications in the circuit closure D wherein the body B is chambered to accommodate the female contact F held therein by means of the two closures C and D and adapted to receive the male contact M through the entry closure C to bear against the circuit closure D, the seal S being superimposed over the closure C to guide the male contact M into anchored electrical connection with the female contact F. The utility of this connector assembly lies in its adaptability to compact terminal junction systems wherein a multiplicity of conductors are electrically coupled into selectively predetermined circuitry, in this instance determined by the circuit closure D. In carrying out this invention there is a single body B for each assembly with closures C and D that are substantially coextensive therewith, and with a multiplicity of chambers within the body and wherein the multiplicity of female contacts F are captured respectively; and it is the circuit closure D which involves bus type circuitry intermediate the numerous female contacts.

The body B is a chambered rectilinear solid of dielectric material essentially a shell with one or more chambers extending openly therethrough. A design feature is the square cross section of the chamber or chambers 10 with straight right angularly related parallel walls 11, and the square exterior side and

end walls

12 and 13, and characteristically a light weight shell. The front 14 and back 15 are spaced and parallel, defining elongated chambers 10 with open ends normal thereto. In the preferred form, body B includes features facilitating the reception of the coupler A and seal S, there being a uniform step 16 in the exterior perimeter of the body at the back 15 thereof, and there being ex tended side and end walls in the form ofa thinned guide 17 to protectively position the seal S when in working positions as later described. Thus, the body B is tubular and preferably multi tubular and rectangular in configuration, with said features embodied therein for the cooperative reception of the other elements of the combination.

The entry closure C is provided to close the front open end of the chamber or chambers 10 and to guide the male contact M into the chamber or chambers respectively. It is feasible to form the closure C integral with the body B, or it can be a separate sheet 18 of dielectric material fitted within the confining guide 17 and perforated with openings 19 adapted to freely pass the maximum diameter of the male contact M. The sheet 18 is relatively thin with opposite faces, one face in coplanar engagement with the front 14 of body B and the other face disposed forwardly to receive the male contacts M, and the seal S when employed. As shown, there is a round opening 19 concentric with a central axis extending through each chamber 10. Thus,

the closure C forms a normal end at the front of each chamber 10 with an opening to pass themale contact M therethrough.

The circuit closure D is provided to close the back open end of the chamber or chambers 10 and to establish electrical continuity between two or more of said chambers. In practice, there are two types of assemblies; panel or return assemblies as shown in FIG. 1 that are single level circuits wherein conductors 20 enter and exit from one front 14 only; and bulkhead or through assemblies as shown in FIG. 12 that are double I level circuits wherein conductors 20 enter and exit from both opposite fronts 14. A feature is that the circuit closure D is laminiform and independently and/or interdependently controls the circuitry at one and/or both of said levels of the assemblies, as may be selectively determined.

Referring now to the simpler panel or return assembly of FIG. 1, the circuit closure D is comprised of a base 21 of dielectric material, in sheet form, and an overlay 22 of suitable configuration and of conductive material extended to the cross sectionalareas of the chambers 10 with whichelectrical continuity is to be maintained. In practice, one or more of said cross sectional areas or one or more groups of said cross sectional areas can be electrically common as clearly illustrated in the drawings.

Referring now to the more complex bulkhead or through assembly of FIG. 12, the circuit closure D is comprised of a base 21' of dielectric material, in sheet form, and

opposite overlays

22 and 22" of suitable configuration and of conductive material extended to the cross sectional areas of the. chambers 10 with which electrical continuity is to be maintained (see FIG..13). In practice and as above described, one. or more, or groups, of said areas can be electrically common; and

a feature is the selective continuity between one or more areas or groups of areas between the

overlays

22' and 22" at opposite sides of the dielectric base 21 as by means of jumpers 23 fused therewith as shown. Thus, the electrical schematic of the two connector levels can be distinctly varied as circumstances require.

The base 21 or 21' and its

overlay

22 or 22' and 22" as the case may be, are relatively thin with opposite faces, one face in coplanar engagement with the back 15 of body B; and in the case of FIG. 1 disclosure the other face is devoid of electrical features and exposed ment with the back 15 of the body B, forming a normal closure, and for exposure to the female contactsF capturedwithin the chamber 10.

It is to be understood that the entry closure C too can t be laminiform with an electrically conductive overlay.

exposed to selected chambers 10, for circuitry control as may be required.

The elements A, B, C and D thus far described are permanently joined in the assemblage shown by means of adhesive or solvents or the like, dependent upon the materials employed in their fabrication. As shown, the step 16 receives the coupler A which is joined to the.

body B and captures the circuit closure D in working position, while the guide 17 receives the entry closure C which is joined to the body B and closes the chamber of chambers with the female contacts F captured compressively in working position.

Referring now to female contact F, three embodiments are disclosed; the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 fabracted of tubular stock; the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 fabricated of.sheet stock; and the modified embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15. In all embodiments the fabrication is of electrically conductive metal involving, generally, a receiver section 25, a contact section carried by said receiver section, a support means for positioning the said receiver section, and a constrictor means within said support means and encompassing the said contact section. In practice, the

elements

25, 30 and 35 are formed of one body of material and preferably of a high conductive material such as copper or brass; while the element 40 is the pressure exerting device which operates independently for the sole function of biasing the contact section into tight coextensive engagement with the male contact M. The female contact F has a central longitudinally disposed axis which is coincidental with the corresponding longitudinal axis extending through the chamber 10, above described, the said contact being accommodated in said chamber as shown and as will be later described.

The receiver section 25 of the female contact F is provided as a carrier for the contact section 30 and as a locater for positioned engagement against the inner face of entry closure C, while serving also as a guide for controlling entry of the male contact into and out of working position. The characteristic configuration of receiver section 25 is that of a cylinder, whether an integral tube or an interrupted tube, having inner and outer diameter walls 26 and 27 (see FIG. 9) terminating in a front end 28 in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. The inner diameter wall 26 corresponds in diameter with the diameter of opening 19 through which the male contact M passes freely, while the outer diameter wall 27 corresponds in diameter with the parallel spacing of the squared interior walls 11 which form the chamber 10 to touch tangentially therewith. Consequently, the receiver section 25 is guidedly fitted into and with the side walls of the chamber with its end 28 adapted to stop against the inner face of the entry closure C outside the diameter of hole 19. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the receiver section 25 is employed to secure the female contact F against rotation, and to this end there is a flange 29 correspondingly squared to fit into the squared interior walls 11 thereby fixing the female contact against rotation.

The contact section 30 of the female contact F is provided to engage electrically with the male contact M and to have coextensive right cylinder interface engagement therewith throughout the contacting areas. The contact section 30 is fundamentally of a right cylinder tube form having inner and outer diameter walls 31 and 32 (see FIG. 8) of substantially smaller diameter than the inner and

outer diameter walls

26 and 27 of the receiver section 25; and is characteristically of fingered configuration, being separated into a multiplicity of anchor fingers 33 by means of a plurality of slots. An intermediate reducing section 33 extends between

sections

25 and 30 integrally joining them, leaving an annulus between the outer diameter wall 32 and the interior walls 11 of the chamber 14). A feature of contact section 30 is the termination of the fingers thereof in lock ends 34 in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis and spaced a determined distance from the inner face of the circuit closure D. It is the provision of and placement of the lock ends 34 which render the anchor fingers 33 releasably engageable with the male contact M. In manufacture, tolerances are applied whereby the inner diameter wall 31 is never less in diameter than the exterior diameter of the male contact wall, and preferably said two engageable walls are as nearly identical in right cylinder form as is practically possible.

The support means 35 of the female contact F is provided to position the receiver section 25 which in turn carries the contact section 30 with its anchor fingers 33. The support means 35 extends from the receiver section and yieldingly presses against the inner face of circuit closure D, thereby holding the end 28 stopped against the inner face of entry closure C. There is at least a pair of extended legs 36 (see FIG. 7) which comprises the means 35 and preferably four legs 36 in which case there are four slots 34 forming four anchor fingers 33. This preference four legs 36 is most practical in the square cross sectioned chambers 10 hereinabove described, in that each leg extends to a corner of the chamber for support from the inner face of the circuit closure D. Electrical continuity is established by this pressured engagement of the legs 36 with the conductive overlay 22 or to which the legs can be soldered, braised or welded, as circumstances require. Said pressured engagement of the legs 36 with overlay 22 is established by resilience in said legs and by the formation thereof which permits deflections therein, as a spring. In the FIG. 10 embodiment the legs 36 are splayed radially outward and have feet 37 fitted tightly into the corners of the chamber 10 respectively; and in practice the slight bend in the legs provides sufficient pressure exerting deflection while maintaining sufficient columnar strength. In the FIG. 14 embodiment the legs 36' are helically twisted (individually) and canted inwardly to project from flat square cornered base fitted into the complementary cross section of the chamber 10; and in practice the integral and slightly canted disposition in the legs provides sufficient pressure exerting deflection while maintaining sufficient columnar strength.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the female contact F is fabricated of tubular stock wherein an elongated cylinder thereof is notched, slotted and formed so as to provide the features hereinabove described. There are of course various ways to perform this fabrication, the sequence of notching, slotting and forming being selected as circumstances require. It is contemplated that the notching and slotting be performed simultaneously at one or more legs 36, followed by forming one of the

sections

25 and 30 outwardly and/or inwardly, or both. The flange 29 is best formed at the outset of fabrication in order to provide a holding feature by which the female contact can be manipulated, and finally severed and released as a finished part by shearing the flange to its squared configuration.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 14, the female contact F is fabricated of flat sheet wherein a strip thereof is blanked and slit and .step formed so as to provide the features hereinabove described. There are, of course, various ways to perform this fabrication, the blanking and slitting preceding the forming steps that bend the sheet into the erect and resiliently rigid structure comprised of the two characteristically

cylindrical sections

25 and 30.

The constrictor means 40 of the female contact F is provided to exert contact pressure for releasably constricting the anchor fingers 33 onto the male contact M. The means 40 can comprise a split ring 41 of resilient material such as berylium copper, or spring brass and in accordance with the preferred form of the invention is advantageously formed of a high temperature alloy that surrounds and engageably encompasses the contact section 30. By forming the split ring 41 of a high temperature alloy such as spring stainless steel which does withstand high temperatures without losing resilience, electrical short circuits will not tend to damage the junction system. Thus, the ring 41 is calipershaped with juxtaposed ends 42 and an inner diamater wall 43 that frictionally engages the outer diameter wall 32 of the contact section 30 as presented by the anchor fingers 33 thereof. That is, inward pressure of the split ring 41 exerted upon the fingers 33 results in circumferential friction conducive to vibration damping. In any case, the split ring 41 is supported from the inner face of circuit closure D and extends telescopically over the contact section 30.1n the FIG. embodiment the ring 41 is supported upon circumferentially spaced arms 44 that depend therefrom to engage the circuit closure D, thereby localizing the constructive forces to the ends of the anchor fingers 33. In all cases the split ring of the constrictor means 40 presents an inner diameter 43 coincidental with the outer diameter wall 32 of the anchor fingers 33, and consequently the lock ends 34 present unencumbered coplanar right annular steps to be engageably locked with the male contact M. In carrying out the invention, the constrictor means 40 compresses the anchor fingers 33 to a slightly smaller diameter than the exterior diameter of male contact M.

Referring to the FIG. 14 embodiment of the female contact F, the legs 36' project upwardly out of a base 38 from which they are integrally formed; and in which case the said base is provided with a central opening 39, thereby freely passing the constrictor means 40 for its permanent assembly onto the exterior of the anchor fingers 33.

Referring now to the male contact M, a single embodiment thereof is disclosed. The male contact M is a turned part or of equivalent formation with a body 50 having a contact section 51, a coupling section 52 and an anchor section 53. The three sections are concentrically formed of the body 50 about the longitudinal axis thereof, and all of which is reciprocally movable along the axis of the female contact F, into and out of working position therein. The body 50 is formed of electrically conductive material and the contact section 51 thereof is a right cylinder complementary in diameter to the inner formed diameter of the female section 30; that is of the same diameter and of the same length, for coextensive interface engagement.

The coupling section 52 of the male contact M extends from the outer end of the contact and is a hollow open ended cylinder into which the conductor is inserted and held as by soldering or crimping. In practice, the cylinder at 52 is somewhat less in diameter than the cylinder at 51, thereby separating the coupling area from the contact area.

In accordance with the invention, the anchor section 53 provides a lateral projection to be captured beneath bly an anchor flange 55 projecting radially from the periphery of the contact section 51 at its lower, terminal inner end. The anchor flange 55 is substantially coextensive in radial extent with the lock ends 34, but is never in excess of the diameter of outer wall 32 of contact section 30. Thus, the constrictor, means 40 is always effective to bias the anchor fingers into coextensive interface engagement with the contact section 51. As shown, the flange 55 has an axial depth of determined extent which matches dimensionally with the hereinabove mentioned determined spacing of the lock ends 34 from the inner face of circuit closure D. Therefore the anchor section 53 has a projection 56 that is engageable with said closure D when the axially disposed face of the flange is engaged beneath the lock ends 341-. A feature of the female contact F is that the intermediate reducing section 33' thereof is of bent configuration which permits deflection of the resilient.

body of material thereof, as a spring, thereby permitting the temporary establishment of clearance through the application of depressing pressure when installing the male contact. Following installation with the release of saiddepressing pressure (manually applied) the flange 55 is pressed between the lock ends 34 and the circuit closure D. The projection 56 is of reduced diameter, a pointed or convex button formation.

The seal 5 is a body 60 of elastomeric materialconfined to its working position by the guide 17. The body 60 overlies the front 14 of the body B and rests upon the front face of the entry closure C. The seal S excludes water and vapor and debris from the chamber 10 when the conductors 20 are inserted therethrough, and to this end the body 60 has a bore 61 aligned with each opening 19 on the operational axis of a male and female contact combination; The bore 61 involves a multiplicity of inwardly bearing lips between which there are annular voids, thereby establishing an effective labyrinth seal with said lips constricted onto the exterior of the conductors. As shown, the conductor is sheathed with an insulation which is sealed against; the body 60 being cemented or otherwise secured within the guide 17 and against the entry closure C.

Referring to FIG. 11 of the drawings a modified body B and cooperative buses C are shown, wherein dielectric walls of the body per se separate the individually common circuitry. As shown, there are buses X, Y and i Z separated by and accommodated in recesses formed in the walls 11 underlying the front 14 of the body B; A feature of this addition to the body is that the entire thicknesses of walls 11 separate the distinct buses, and all without the use of shouldered support and which is made possible by the seated engagement of said distinct buses upon next adjacent or spaced and/or crossed recessed walls, as at a and b, and as at c and d. Consequently, said buses of conductive material are stable.

and are effectively insulated.

Referring to FIG. 15 of the drawings and a third embodiment of the female contact F, the elements thereof are the same as disclosed in the first embodiment F, except for the substitution of spring arms 29 in lieu of the flange 29. As shown, the arms 29 bear radially outward to the corners of the squared chamber 10 and are fitted tightly therein to yieldingly hold the contact sections in working position.

The male contacts are readily manipulated into and out of Working electrically conductive position within the female contacts. Insertion through the seal S and entry closure is a matter of alignment and forward coaxial movement of the male contact until its anchor flange 55 engages beneath the lock ends 34 of the anchor fingers 33. This positioning will be sensed by a snapping action as caused by the constrictor means 40 returning the contact section 30 to its right cylinder configuration in coextensive interface engagement of its inner diameter3l with the outer diameter of contact section 51. The male contacts are disengageably anchored in the female contacts as above described, and to this end a release tool T is employed, (see FIG. 6) to disengage the lock ends 34 from the anchor flanges 55, said tool being in the form of a separable sleeve that slides over the outer diameter of contact section 51 and with an outer diameter equal to or slightly in excess of the outer diameter of the anchor flange 55. By inserting the tool T to the full depth, the anchor fingers 33 are released from flange 55 thereby unlocking the male contact so that it is free to be reciprocally withdrawn from the female contact. In no instance does insertion of the male contact or of the tool T overstress the fingers 33 and constrictive split ring 41, and to the end that the female contact is not vulnerable to damage and retains its memory to constrict tightly onto the male contact, all as hereinabove described.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art:

I claim:

1. A female electrical contact for captured installation within an axially disposed chamber in a body of dielectric material having opposed end closures and one with a coaxial opening for insertion of a male contact of right cylinder form therethrouogh and into coextensive interface engagement with the said female contact, said female contact being formed of a tubular body of electrically conductive material comprising; an elongated receiver section of full diameter cylinder form for engagement against said one end closure surrounding the opening therethrough to freely pass the male contact, elongated contact section of a smaller diameter than said full diameter and in split cylinder form continuing as an extension of the receiver section and projecting toward the other end closure to slideably engage the male contact, and a support means in the form of a leg extending from the full diameter of said receiver section and displaced from and spaced radially from the contact section and projecting axially therefrom for engegement against said other end closure of position the female contact within said chamber.

2. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the support means includes a plurality of said circumferentially spaced legs splitting the contact section into a multiplicity of semi-cylindrical fingers.

3. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1 and for captured installation within a polygonal chamber, and wherein the support means includes legs projecting to diametrically opposite corners of the chamber to engage the said other end closure.

4. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1 and for captured installation within a polygonal chamber, and wherein the support means includes a leg projecting to each of the corners of the chamber to engage the said other end closure.

5. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the contact section is split into resilient circumferentially separated semi-cylindrical axially extending anchor fingers terminating in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, said lock ends being engageably with a radial flange on said male contact.

6. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the contact section is circumferentially expensible, and wherein constrictor means surrounds said female contact section and biases the same radially inward for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact.

7. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the contact section is split into expansible circumferentially separated semi-cylindrical axially extending fingers, and wherein a resilient spring embraces said finers and biases the same radially inward for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact.

8. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contact section is split into resilient semi-cylindrical axially extended fingers separated circumferentially by legs of the said support means disposed therebetween, and wherein a resilient spring confined within said legs of the support means embraces and biases the said fingers radially inward for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact.

9. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contact section is split into resilient circumferentially separated semi-cylindrical axially extending anchor fingers terminating in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, said lock ends being engageable with a radial flange on said male contact, and wherein a resilient spring embraces the said fingers and biases the same radially inward for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact,

10. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contact section is split into resilient circumferentially separated semi-cylindrical axially extending anchor fingers terminating in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, said lock ends being engageable with a radial flange on said male contact, and wherein a resilient spring confined within said legs of the support means embraces and biases the anchor fingers radially inward for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact.

11. A female electrical contact for captured installation within an axially disposed chamber in a body of dielectric material having opposed end closures and one with a coaxial opening for insertion of a male contact of right cylinder form therethrough and into coextensive interface engagement with the said female contact, said female contact being formed of electrically conductive sheet material comprising; a support means in the form of a base disposed in a plane normal to the contact axis and engage against the other end closure and having axially extended legs at opposite sides projecting toward said one end closure, a receiver section in the form of complementary and diametrically opposed full diameter segments supported by said legs repectively and engage against the said one end closure to freely pass the male contact, and a contact section in the form of complementary and diametrically opposed semi-cylindrical segments carried by the correspondingly complementary receiver segments respec' tively and extending toward the other end closure to slideably engage the male contact inserted through said receiver section and into engagement with said contact segments.

12. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11 and wherein the support means includes pairs of circumferentially spaced legs supporting each full diameter receiver segment.

13. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11 and for captured installation within a chamber of rectangular cross section, and wherein the support means includes a leg projecting from each next adjacent corner on the base, there being a pair of circumferentially spaced legs supporting each receiver segment.

14. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11, wherein the opposed semi-cylindrical segments of the contact section terminate in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, said lock ends being releasably engageable with a radial flange on said male contact.

15. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11 and wherein a constrictive means embraces the said opposed semi-cylindrical segments of the contact sec tion and biases the same inwardly for tight electrical engagement with the male contact.

16. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11, wherein the support means includes pairs of circumferentially spaced legs supporting each full diameter receiver segment, and wherein a resilient spring confined within said legs embraces the said receiver segments and biases them radially inward for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact.

17. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11, wherein the spaced semi-cylindrical segments of the contact section terminate in lock ends disposed in l a common plane spaced from said other end closure, and wherein a constrictor means embraces the said opposed segments of the contact section and biases the same inwardly for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact, said lock ends being releasably engageable with a radial flange on said male contact.

18. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11, wherein the support means includes pairs of circumferentially spaced legs supporting each semicylindrical receiver segment, wherein the said segments terminate in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, and wherein a resilient spring confined within said legs embraces the said semi-cylindrical contact segments and biases them radially inward, said lock ends being releasably engageable with a radial flange on said male contact.

19. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11 and wherein the base of the support means has an opening therethrough passing a resilient spring that is confined in working position within the legs and embraced over said semi-cylindrical contact segments of a smaller'diameter than said full diameter and biasing them radially inward.

20. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim sition within the legs and embraced over said semicylindrical contact segments biasing them radially inward, said lock ends being releasably engageable with a radial flange on said male contact.

Claims

9. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contact section is split into resilient circumferentially separated semi-cylindrical axially extending anchor fingers terminating in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, said lock ends being engageable with a radial flange on said male contact, and wherein a resilient spring embraces the said fingers and biases the same radially inward for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact.

11. A female electrical contact for captured installation within an axially disposed chamber in a body of dielectric material having opposed end closures and one with a coaxial opening for insertion of a male contact of right cylinder form therethrough and into coextensive interface engagement with the said female contact, said female contact being formed of electrically conductive sheet material comprising; a support means in the form of a base disposed in a plane normal to the contact axis and engage against the other end closure and having axially extended legs at opposite sides projecting toward said one end closure, a receiver section in the form of complementary and diametrically opposed full diameter segments supported by said legs repectively and engage against the said one end closure to freely pass the male contact, and a contact section in the form of complementarY and diametrically opposed semi-cylindrical segments carried by the correspondingly complementary receiver segments respectively and extending toward the other end closure to slideably engage the male contact inserted through said receiver section and into engagement with said contact segments.

15. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11 and wherein a constrictive means embraces the said opposed semi-cylindrical segments of the contact section and biases the same inwardly for tight electrical engagement with the male contact.

17. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11, wherein the spaced semi-cylindrical segments of the contact section terminate in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, and wherein a constrictor means embraces the said opposed segments of the contact section and biases the same inwardly for tight interface electrical engagement with the male contact, said lock ends being releasably engageable with a radial flange on said male contact.

18. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11, wherein the support means includes pairs of circumferentially spaced legs supporting each semi-cylindrical receiver segment, wherein the said segments terminate in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, and wherein a resilient spring confined within said legs embraces the said semi-cylindrical contact segments and biases them radially inward, said lock ends being releasably engageable with a radial flange on said male contact.

19. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11 and wherein the base of the support means has an opening therethrough passing a resilient spring that is confined in working position within the legs and embraced over said semi-cylindrical contact segments of a smaller diameter than said full diameter and biasing them radially inward.

20. The female electrical contact as set forth in claim 11, wherein the support means includes pairs of circumferentially spaced legs supporting each semi-cylindrical receiver segment, wherein the said segments terminate in lock ends disposed in a common plane spaced from said other end closure, wherein the base of the support means has an opening therethrough passing a resilient spring that is confined in working position within the legs and embraced over said semi-cylindrical contact segments biasing them radially inward, said lock ends being releasably engageable with a radial flange on said male contact.