Clip unit for holding contact
US6957988B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/70
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A clip unit (10) that holds an electrical contact (11) in a passageway (12) of a connector frame (13), is of small cost and small length and can be installed using a small force, and provides the functions of centering a location along the contact within the passageway and preventing rearward movement of the contact along the passageway. The unit includes front and rear ring-shaped clip elements (25, 35) that each has a slot (26, 36) that is expanded to mount the unit in a neck (18) of the contact. A contact with the unit installed is pushed forwardly along the passageway until the front clip element encounters a constriction (45) in the passageway which compresses the diameter of the front clip element until it moves forward of the constriction and then expands. Thereafter, a rear end (27) of the front element abuts the constriction while a front end of the front element abuts a collar (17) of the contact to prevent rearward movement of the contact. After installation, the rear element lies within the frame constriction and centers the neck within the constriction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.