Thomas & Betts Corporation

Molex Corporation

Steven D Miller

Daniel B McGowan

Arvind Patel

Steven B Bogiel

William P Hendrickson

Thomas J Carlson

A laminated terminal is provided for an electrical connector and includes a plurality of flat metal layers juxtaposed to form a laminated structure. Each metal layer includes a joining section, a contact section and a terminating section. A plurality of projections on the joining sections of the layers are interengaged within a respective plurality of recesses in adjacent layers to align the layers and provide a strong mechanical and good electrical joint between the layers. Solder tails extend linearly along the bottom edge of each joining section to form a plurality of rows of solder tails, and the terminating portions of the metal layers are bent outwardly to separate the rows of solder tails from each other. The contact section of one metal layer may include a generally planar finger which is coplanar with a planar finger of another of the metal layers.

Laminated electrical terminal

An electrical connector assembly securely locks electrical contacts within a connector housing. The connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical contacts each having first and second longitudinally spaced locking elements. A connector housing includes an interconnection end and a contact insertion end. The connector housing also includes an initial contact support member positioned adjacent the insertion end of the housing. The initial contact support member includes a plurality of apertures permitting insertable passage of the contacts therethrough. Engagement elements on the initial contact support member engage the first locking element of the contacts preventing inadvertent withdrawal of the contacts from the housing. A final contact support member is movably positioned adjacent the interconnection end of the housing. The final contact support member includes contact passage apertures therethrough. Each contact passage aperture has a first aperture portion which permits insertion of the contacts therethrough and a second aperture portion which restricts withdrawal of the contacts therethrough. The final contact support member is movable within the housing to move from a first position permitting contact passage through the apertures to a second position preventing contact passage through the apertures.

Electrical connector employing dual locking contact retention

An electrical connector component comprises a body member defining a compartment therein having an open end for the receipt of a mating electrical connector component, the body member further defining a recess adjacent the open end thereof, and a sealant for sealing engagement with said mating electrical connector component fixedly secured to the body member and resident in the recess. The body member further defines a mating surface located oppositely with respect to the open end and defines a further recess adjacent the mating surface, the sealant being resident also in the further recess. The sealant comprises a flowable material disposed in first part continuously interiorly of the body member adjacent the open end thereof and in second part continuously exteriorly of the body member adjacent the mating surface. Channels are provided in the body member extending into communication with the first and second recesses whereby a fluid flow-supporting path extends throughout the body member and the sealant material may be introduced into one recess and therefrom through the channels into the second recess.

Growing community of inventors

Conway, AR, United States of America

Steven D Miller