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:
Aug. 11, 1998
Filed:
Aug. 15, 1997
The Whitaker Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A tab terminal comprises a box-shaped body section having short circuit cantilever beam spring members projecting outwardly from side walls thereof. The terminals are for mounting in a connector assembly matable to a complementary connector assembly for applications such as automotive airbags where a short circuiting function is required between adjacent terminals of a connector assembly. Spring members of adjacent terminals thus abut and electrically contact each other when mounted in a connector assembly that is disconnected. The complementary connector assembly has a wall portion that is insertable between the contacting spring members for separation thereof when the assemblies are mated. Due to the distribution of flexible movement between spring members of both adjacent contacts, and due to the integration of the spring members within the terminals, a more compact connector assembly can be provided, and furthermore stresses are reduced within the short circuiting spring members in comparison to the prior art.