GB1574689A

GB1574689A - Electrical connectors

Info

Publication number: GB1574689A
Application number: GB23380/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Rists Wires and Cables Ltd
Current assignee: Rists Wires and Cables Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-26
Filing date: 1978-05-26
Publication date: 1980-09-10
Also published as: IT7949154A0; JPS54155494A; ES250515Y; AU4722179A; ZA792256B; IT1162636B; FR2426988A2; ES250515U

Description

(54) ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS (71) We, RIST'S WIRES & CABLES LIMITED, a British company of Well Street, Birmingham, B19 2XF, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to electrical connectors and is more particularly concerned with a modification of the electrical connector disclosed in our British Patent Specification No. 1509202.

In the above-mentioned British Patent Specification, we described and claimed an electrical connector comprising an elongate, electrically conducting body, one end of said body being formed to be connected with an electrical lead, an opposite end of said body being formed to be engaged with another electrical connector, and at least one tongue extending from said body intermediate said ends for opposing disengagement of the electrical connector from a recess in a housing for the electrical connector, the or each tongue being integrally joined to the body and having a pair of side edges extending from the integral joint in the longitudinal direction of the body and being inclined away from the body, the integral joint between the or each tongue and the body extending along a line which is non-perpendicularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

In a preferred arrangement we described in British Patent Specification No. 1509202 an electrical connector in which part of the body is constituted by a circular cross-section tube from which the or each tongue extends.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 of British Patent Specification No.

1509202, wherein the elongate, electrically conducting body includes a tubular part which is of rectangular cross-section so as to receive, in use, a blade-type male electrical connector.

The or each tongue may take the form of a quadrilateral plate having one edge there of defined by the integral joint. With such a construction, it is preferred for the edge of the quadrilateral plate opposite to said one edge to extend non-perpendicularly with re; spect to the longitudinal axis of the body so as to define a point at one end of said opposite edge.

Two tongues may be provided and it is preferred that such tongues are mutually parallel and arranged to extend from the same surface of the tubular part. With such a construction, it is preferred for the lines along which the respective integral joints extend to be inclined in the opposite sense to the longitudinal axis of the body. Thus, in the case where the tongues take the form of quadrilateral plates, the surfaces of the plates will be mutually inclined. Preferably, the mutual inclination of the plates is such that they are inclined towards one another.

In a highly preferred form of construction, the plates are inclined towards one another and said opposite edges of the plates are so inclined that the points are defined at the mutually remote ends of said opposite edges.

Also according to the present invention, there is provided a connector as claimed in claim 1 of British Patent Specification No.

1509202, wherein said opposite end of said body takes the form of a blade for engagement in a corresponding recess in a female electrical connector.

In such a construction, it is preferred for the or each tongue to extend from a planar portion of the body. Preferably, two tongues are provided which extend from opposite surfaces of the planar portion of the body.

This particular construction is especially suitable for use in a male electrical connector wherein the planar portion of the body is defined by two or more superimposed layers of an electrically conductive sheet material.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electrical con nector according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an axial section of the electrical connector of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an axial section through an elec trically insulating housing for the connector of Figs. 1 to 3, and Fig. 5 is another axial section of the housing, taken at right angles to the section of Fig. 4.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the electrical connector illustrated therein is similar to that described in British Patent Specification No. 1509202 and similar parts will be accorded the same reference numeral. The electrical connector is a socket connector and comprises a body 10 formed by a cutting and bending operation on a brass strip whose longitudinal axis extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A (see Fig. 1) of the connector. A pair of tongues 11 in the form of lances which are integral with the body 10 extend from a tubular portion 10a of the body intermediate the ends thereof. The tubular portion 10a of the body is of rectangular cross-section (see particularly Fig. 3). One end 12 of the body 10 is formed in a manner well known per se to enable it to be connected to a bared end of an electric lead (not shown) by a crimping operation. The opposite end 13 of the body 10 is open and defined by the tubular portion 10a and so is of rectangular cross-section. Disposed within the tubular portion 10a is a pair of resilient, curved clips 40 which are integral with the body 10, being connected therewith at said opposite end 13.

The lances 11 extend from the same surface of the tubular portion 10a and are di rected substantially axially of the body 10 and thus, in this respect, are mutually par- allel. The opposite surface of the tubular portion 10a to that on which the lances 11 are provided has a slot 41 therethrough which extends axially of the body 10. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the curved clips 40 are disposed on opposite sides of the slot 41.

Each lance is in the form of a planar, quadrilateral plate and is formed integrally with the body 10 during manufacture of the latter by forming (1) a cut extending transversely of the body 10, the cut being angled relative to a plane normal to the longitud inal axis of the body 10, and (2) a pair of parallel cuts extending from the transverse cut longitudinally of the body 10 towards said opposite end 13 of the body 10. Follow ing this, each lance 11 is bent outwardly of the body 10, the bending occurring along respective dotted lines B-B and C-C.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the lines B-B and C-C are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A and with respect to a normal thereto. The lines B-B and C-C are inclined in the opposite sense with respect to the axis A-A so that the planes of the lances 11 are mutually inclined towards one another. Because of the manner in which each lance 11 is formed from the body 10, an edge 15 of each lance 11, i.e. a free end thereof, remote from the edge which is joined integrally to the body 10 extends transversely of the body and non-perpendicularly thereof relative to the longitudinal axis A-A (the directions of extent of the edges 15 are indicated by the respective dotted lines D-D and E-E. Because of this angling of the edges 15, there is defined a point 42 at one end of each edge 15. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the points 42 are provided at the mutually remote ends of the edges 15. Longitudinal side edges 43 of each lance 11 are mutually parallel.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the housing illustrated therein is indicated by the reference numeral 44. The housing 44 is formed of an electrically insulating material and is of rectangular crosssection corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the tubular portion 10a One end 45 of the housing 44 is completely open whilst the opposite end 46 is provided with an integral stop 47 which extends internally of the housing 44 from one surface thereof. The stop 47 extends widthwise for only part of the width of the open end 46. A lip 48 extends across the complete width of the opening 46 and projects from an opposite internal surface of the housing 44 towards the stop 47. Disposed within the housing 44 intermediate the ends 45 and 46 is a pair of abutments 49 which extend integrally from the surface from which the integral stop 47 extends. An integral rib 50 extends longitudinally of the housing 44 from the lip 48.

In order to assemble the female electrical connector described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 in the housing described above with respect to Figs. 4 and 5, the connector, to the end 12 of which has already been crimped the bared end of an electrical lead, is inserted end 13 first into the housing 44 via the opening 45 therein, the connector having been previously orien- tated so that the lances 11 are aligned with the abutment 49 and the slot 41 is aligned with the rib 50. The electrical connector is pressed into the housing 44, with the rib 50 engaging in the slot 41, until the forward end of the connector, relative to its direcion of movement into the housing, abuts against internal surfaces 51 and 52 of the stop 47 and lip 48, respectively. During this movement, the lances 11 are deflected inwardly by the respective abutments 49 and then, due to their own inherent resilience, spring back behind the abutment 49. The lances 11 then oppose disengagement of the connector from the housing 44 because the points 42 thereof dig into surfaces 53 of the respective abutments 49. Chamfered surfaces 54 within the housing 44 assist insertion of the electrical connector within the housing 44. When located in position in the housing 44, the end 13 of the tubular portion 10a of the electrical connector is accessible to a blade-type male electrical connector via the end 46 of the housing 44.

The blade-type male electrical connector has not been shown but basically consists of a body having a planar, quadrilateral blade at one end which is adapted to engage with the tubular portion 1 0a of the female electrical connector and an opposite end of which is adapted to be crimped to the bared end of an electrical lead in a similar manner to the end 12 shown in Figs.

1 and 2 pf the drawings. The male electrical connector is mounted in its own housing so that the blade thereof projects from the housing and can be inserted through the open end 46 of the housing 44. The clips 40 ensure a friction fit of the blade in the tubular portion 10a so that a good electrical connection between the two connectors is ensured.

It will be manifest that, because of the inclination of the lines B-B and C-C with respect to and normal to the longitudinal axis A-A of the electrical connector, the lines B-B and C-C will be inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip from which the electrical connector is formed. As described in the above-mentioned British Patent Specification, this ensures that the integral joint between thebody 10 and each lance 11 is relatively strong because it avoids aligning the join line with the alignment of crystals in the strip.

Because of the provision of the points 42 at the mutually remote ends of the edges 15, the spacing between the points 42 can be made, substantially equal to the total width of the connector, thus maximising the separation of the points 42 and thereby improving the stability of location of the connector in the housing 44.

As a result of the inclination of the lines B-B and C-C with respect to inclination of the respective edges 15, it will be appreciated that the point 42 are disposed further away from the body 10 than any other parts of the respective edges 15 of the lance. This ensures a good engagement of the points 42 with the respective surfaces 53 of the abutments 49 in the housing. Also, as a result of this construction, it is ensured that, when the lances 11 are deflected inwardly by the surface 54, a longitudinal torsional or twiting movement is imparted to the lances 11. It has been found that this longitudinal torsional or twisting movement is particularly advantageous as it ensures that the lances 11 will be positively returned to their undeflected condition after travel past the respective abutments 49. This provides a very positive and noticeable snap action which is particularly desired as it not only ensures a firm location of the connector in the housing but also gives a positive indication that the connector is properly in position.

As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, the body 10 is provided with semi-circular cutouts 70 therein adjacent the longitudinal side edges of that surface of the body from which the lances 11 extend. One of these cut-outs 70 is provided at the root of each respective lance 11 adjacent the respective line B-B and C. The other cut-outs 70 are disposed in the body under the respective points 42 of the lances. These cut-outs 70 facilitate folding of the body 10 during the formation thereof whilst preventing deformation of the lances 11 during said folding. The cut-outs 70 also provide stress relief and prevent cracking of the sheet material being folded. The clips 40 are integrally joined together at their ends remote from the opposite end 13 of the body 10 by a joining piece 40a which extends transversely of the body 10 between the clips 40.

A pair of retainer strips 71 (only one shown -see Fig. 2) extend from opposite sides of the body 10 and are bent inwardly towards one another so as to overlie the joining piece 40a and trap it against the inner surface of the body 10.

In an embodiment which is not illustrated, instead of a female electrical connector, a blade-type male connector is provided which has a planar blade end portion adapted to be received in the tubular portion 10a of the electrical connector described hereinabove and an opposite end portion which is adapted to be crimped to the bared end of an electrical lead. The blade-type male connector is formed from Q strip of metal by cutting and bending so that the blade portion is defined by two superimposed layers of the metal strip. At an end of the blade portion remote from the free end thereof, a pair of lances are provided which are constructed in a similar manner to the lances 11 except that they extend from opposite surfaces of the blade portion, one of the lances being integrally joined with one of the layers of the strip and the other lance being integrally joined with the other layer of the strip forming the blade portion. This blade-type male electrical connector is retained in its own housing by engagement of the lances against respective integral abutments within the housing, in a similar man ner to that described hereinabove with reference to the abutments 49 but with the abutments extending from opposite surfaces of the housing.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 of British Patent Specification No.

2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each tongue takes the form of a quadrilateral plate having one edge thereof defined by the integral joint.

3. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the edge of the quadrilateral plate opposite to said one edge thereof extends non-perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body whereby a point to the tongue is defined.

4. An electrical connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two tongues are provided.

5. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tongues are mutually parallel and are arranged to extend from the same surface of the tubular part.

6. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lines along which the respective integral joints extend are inclined in the opposite sense to the longitudinal axis of the body.

7. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 6 when appended to claim 2 or 3, wherein the surfaces of the plates are mutually inclined.

8. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mutual inclination of the plates is such that they are inclined towards one another.

9. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8 when appended to claim 3, wherein said opposite edges of the plates are so inclined that the points are defined on the mutually remote ends of said opposite edges.

10. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 of British Patent Specification No.

1509202, wherein the opposite end of said body takes the form of a blade for engagement in a corresponding recess in a female electrical connector.

11. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 10, wherein the or each tongue extends from a planar portion of the body.

12. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein two tongues are provided which extend from opposite surfaces of the planar portion of the body.

13. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 12 wherein the planar portion is defined by two or more superimposed layers of an electrically conductive sheet.

14. An electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

15. An assembly of housing and electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. ner to that described hereinabove with reference to the abutments 49 but with the abutments extending from opposite surfaces of the housing. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 of British Patent Specification No.