The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 09, 1993
Filed:
Jul. 13, 1992
William R Lenz, Crestwood, IL (US);
Arvind Patel, Naperville, IL (US);
James T Roberts, Oak Park, IL (US);
Jack J Schafer, LaGrange, IL (US);
Molex Incorporated, Lisle, IL (US);
Abstract
An electrical connector system includes a first connector assembly having an insulative housing defining at least one cavity with a thin male terminal extending thereinto. A second connector assembly includes an insulative housing defining at least one cavity with a spring contact terminal located therein. The thin male terminal is engageable with the spring contact terminal upon mating of the connector assemblies. The first connector assembly includes a supporting wall for supporting one side of the thin male terminal, and the wall extends only partially along the length of the male terminal to leave an unsupported distal end of the terminal. The second connector assembly includes a preloading wall against which the spring contact terminal is biased for preloading the spring contact terminal. The distal end of the thin male terminal is insertable between the spring contact terminal and the preloading wall, with the preloading wall supporting the distal end of the male terminal on the one side thereof, upon mating of the connector assemblies. Therefore, the supporting wall of the first connector assembly and the preloading wall of the second connector assembly combine to provide support along a substantial length of the male terminal. Preferably, the preloading wall is configured to engage and provide support for the unsupported distal end of the thin male terminal before the male terminal engages the preloaded spring contact terminal.