US2128513A - Terminal assembly - Google Patents

Description

F. A. DOTTER ER TERMINAL ASSEMBLY Filed April 8, 1955 jnveni'aftv fiamb flaiierer.

Patented 3,

UNITED S ATES PATENT OFF-ICE Application April 8, 1935, Serial No. 15,185

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This invention. relatesto terminal assemblies, and more particularly is directed to a terminal assembly for connecting a fiexible conductor or the like to a fixed terminal or switch contact member.

In the preierred embodiment of the invention, I provide a two-piece terminal assembly which is rigidly mounted on a suitable supporting block,

terminal plate or the like, and which is adapted to engage and resiliently maintain the end or a conductor in fixed contacting engagement therewith. The terminal assembly comprises a rigid frame member having a receiving portion into which the end of the conductor is extended, and a resilient contacting spring member adapted to force the end of the conductor into locking engagement with the frame member and into pressure contact with a similarly curved portion of the resilient contacting piece.

One object of the present invention is to provide a simplified'terminal assembly formed from metal stampings or the like, which can be readily assembled and secured in fixed position upon a terminal block or insulating plate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal assembly in which the end of the conductor is received in firm locking engagement within the assembly, whereby it will not be accidentally withdrawn or removed from the terminal assembly, and at the same time will be maintained in tight pressure contact with the contacting element of the assembly, whereby no rattling or vibration of the conductor withinthe terminal assembly is produced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal assembly in which the conductor may be readily inserted into the assembly and locked in position without requiring thetightening or threading of any clamping mem-' bers or the like onto the conductor member.

A still further advantage secured by the present invention is the provision of an assembly wherein the conductor may be readily removed, when desired, from the assembly without the necessity of unthreading the clamping engagement of threaded parts or the like, and without requiring the use or any special kind of tools or other in-- such as t economical and simplified construc-' tion of t e assembly, the tight locking engagement of the conductor within the assembly, and the facility with which connection to and disconnection from the assembly can be made, will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, taken'in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of a preferred form of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the terminal assembly mounted upon an insulating block;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bullet-type end member applied over the end of a stranded conductor;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the conductor in fixed position within the assembly; and

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the assembly with the conductor locked in engagement therewith.

Referring in detail to the drawing, in Figure 1 I have provided a terminal block 5, which may be formed of an insulating material, such as fiber insulation, a molded condensation product, hard rubber or the like, upon which is placed a resilient spring member having a base portion 6 and an upwardly and angularly extending resilient contacting portion 1, the member 6 being preferably formed of a metal'having a high degree of electrical conductivity, and formed by a stamping operation.

Over the base 6 of the contacting member is disposed a substantially rigid frame member 8, having at one end thereof a downwardly extending lug portion 9 adapted to project into a suitable recess formed in the base plate 5. Lug 9 also fit into a corresponding notch in base 6, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4. The frame member 8 at the opposite end thereof has an upstanding conductor-receiving portion l2 in the form of a flat plate, which extends vertically upwardly from the plane of the base 5, through a slot I3 formed in the angularly extending resillent contact finger I. The member i2 is provided, at its upper end, with a lug portion i4,

defining vertically extending shoulder i5 adapted to restrain the movement of the member I over the top of the vertical portion E2 of the frame member 8.

The members 6 and 8 are secured in fixed position on the base plate 5 by means of a rivet member it, which is headed over, as shown at ll, about the defining edge of the opening in the frame member 8, and extends through the base plate 5. The rivet It has a contact portion l8 formed on the undersurface of the base plate, which contact portion it maybe engaged by a'suitable rotating or oscillating switch contact finger, or may be engaged by any desired contacting means for effecting electrical contact with the conductor locked in the terminal assembly.

The portion I! of, the member 8 is also provided, adjacent its upper end, with'an opening 20 of substantially ,key-hole shape, which opening has an enlarged cylindrical portion 22, and a corresponding cylindrical portion 23 of smaller radius extending from one side of the cylindrical portion 22 and forming a continuation of the opening at this side thereof.

The contact portion 1 of the base member 6 is provided with arcuately formed offset portions 24 adjacent the opening 23 formed in the frame member l2, which arcuate portions 26 are adapted to have rotative movement about a center disposed substantially at the bend connecting the base portion 6 with the contact finger l. The inherent resiliency of the contact finger portion l provides for movement of this member from the full line position shown in Figure 3, in which the member i has moved toward the shoulder i5, which shoulder maintains it in fixed position against its inherent resiliency, to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3, in which position the arcuate portions 24 have been disposed beyond the limits of the area defined by the opening 20, whereby the entire opening is available for reception of the end of a conductor. truded pin or boss 25' limits movement of the finger portion l in this direction.

Referring now in detail to Figure 2, I have shown a stranded conductor 28, which is provided rearwardly of its extending end, with braided insulation 2?, or any other desired type of insulation, and which has rigidly secured to its end a bullet-like terminal lug indicated generally at 28, comprising an enlarged annular shoulder 29, a pair of substantially similar cylindrical surfaces defining therebetween an annular groove 32 the side walls of which are radial to surfaces 30. and a tapered end portion 83 disposed forwardly of the outer cylindrical surface 30.

The diameter of the surfaces 30 is such that they may pass through the portion 22 of the opening 20, but will not pass through the portion 23 of this opening. In inserting the end of the conductor into engagement with the terminal assembly, the finger portion l is flexed manually to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, and the tapered end 33 of the terminal portion 28 of the conductor is then inserted through the portion 22 of the opening 20. The terminal portion 28 is then moved inwardly through this opening, in a direction normal to the plane of member 12, substantially as shown in Figure 4, until the two surfaces 39 are disposed upon opposite sides of the vertically extending portion i2 of the rigid frame member 8.

Upon release of the resilient finger member 'i, the arcuate portions 2 1 thereof disposed on opposite sides of the slot it are adapted to engage the corresponding arcuate surfaces of the cylindrical portions 30 of the terminal connector, and urge the connector into the position as shown clearly in Figure 3, with the annular groove 32 of the terminal engaged within the reduced arcuate portion 23 of the opening 223. This forces the peripheral surface of the groove 32 into'tight engagement with the defining edge 23 of the opening 23, and at the same time the resiliency of the finger 3 provides for firm pressure contact between the arcuate surfaces 22 thereof on opposite sides of the slot l3 and the corresponding arcuate surfaces of the cylindrical portions 30 of the terminal lug. lhis is shown in Figure 3, from which it will be noted that the extent of portion 23 of opening at is somewhat greater than the semicircumference of member 28 in the plane of roove 32. Withdrawal or movement of the conductor 28 normal to the plane of the portion l2 of the rigid frame member is prevented by means of the abutting engagement of the shoulders, formed between the surfaces 30 and the groove A suitable exreams 32, against the opposite surfaces of the portion i2 of the frame member. This therefore rigidly locks the conductor in fixed position within the terminal assembly, and prevents its withdrawal therefrom unless the'spring portion 7 of the base 3 is flexed away from the shoulder l5 a sufficient distance to allow the terminal connector 28 to be moved to a. position such that the surfaces 30 may pass through the enlarged portion 22 of the opening 20. It will be noted, by reference to Figures 3 and 4, that the diameter of portion 23 of opening 20 is equal to the diameter of terminal member 28 in the plane of groove 32, and that the diameter of portions 30 of member 28 is approximately equal to that of portion 22 of opening 20, with but such clearance as is required for insertion and withdrawal of the terminal member. Further, nose 33 is of considerable length and tapers to its outer end, at which it is of materially less diameter than member 28 in the plane of groove 32, as is clearly shown in Figure 4.

In practice, block 5 may be secured to a supporting member, in a. known manner, as is usual, being thus effectively anchored. Member 1 provides elements of considerable width at opposite sides of portion or plate l2 of the frame, as shown, and this member is normally disposed remote from the upper portion of opening 20 toward which upper portion it is yieldingly urged. In its normal position, member I may contact shoulder i5, being limited thereby against further upward movement and, in this position, being under initial tension,

In the uppermost position of member I arcuate portions 22 thereof are considerably below the restriction between portions 22 and 23 of opening 20, as in Figure 1. In the lowermost position of member l, determined by the stop element 25', portions 22 thereof are disposed at the lower segment of portion 22 of opening 20. Portions 24 of member "5 are curved on substantially the radius of portion 22 of the opening, and the upper surfaces thereof are coincident with the lower segment of this portion of the opening, in the lowermost position of member 1. Accordingly, portions or elements 24 of member I provide, in the lowermost position of the latter, surfaces of appreciable width constituting, in effect, continuations of the lower portion of the circumferential wall or edge of lower portion 22 of opening 20. This will be clear from Figures 3 and 4, in the former of which member 1 is shown, in dotted lines, in its lowermost position.

Since portions or elements 24 of member 5 are disposed, in the uppermost position of the latter, considerably below the restriction between portions 22 and 23 of opening 20, nose element 33 of member 28 may be inserted through the opening sufficiently to dispose portion 30 of member 28, adjacent nose 33, in contact, for the major portion of its width, with the upper face of adjacent element 2d of member 1. In thus inserting member 28 the latter is conveniently grasped by shoulder or base element 29 thereof, and no downward displacement of member '5 is necessary. Thereafter member 7 is forced downward into its lowermost position, by pressure exerted upon member 28, and the latter is then inserted through porwhich time member 1 acts, due to its inherent resiliency, to force member .28 into portion 23 of opening 20, where it is effectively anchored in the manner previously described. Withdrawal of member 28 may be effected by forcing member I into its lowermost position, by downward pressure exerted on member 28, and the latter may then be withdrawn without difllculty from opening 20, since elements 24 of member 1 preclude possibility of the outer shoulder of groove 32 engaging the edge of the lower segment of portion 22 of opening 20. The terminal lug II may.thus

be inserted into and withdrawn from the terminal connector or assembly with expedition and facility, and with the use of but one hand. This is frequently desirable and advantageous, and provides. an alternative to the method of insertion and withdrawal of the terminal member previously described.

It is therefore apparent that I have provideda terminal assembly providing for fixed and rigid pressure contact of the contacting portion of the assembly with the conductor, and for preventing.

rattlingor vibration of the conductor when engaged in the terminal assembly. Further, I have provided a construction of relatively simple form, in which the two pieces comprising'the structure are formed from metal stampings, and may be readily assembled by means of a single rivet member, which rivet member in turn, provides a switch contact for directly connecting the terminal assembly to a suitable switch operating mechanism or the like.

I do not intend to be limited to the exact struc ture which I have shown and described, inasmuch as certain variations in design and position of the parts may be provided, without, however, departing from the underlying principles of the present invention.

Having therefore described my invention in accordancewith the patent statutes, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A terminal assembly for receiving and locking a conductor against displacement, said conductor having a cylindrical portion with an annular groove intermediate the ends thereof, comprising a base, a resilient contact member having a portion lying on said base and having a substantially planar portion extending angularly from said base provided with a longitudinal slot and displaceable about an axis parallel to and adjacent the base, an L-shaped frame plate having one leg thereof superposed on the base portion of said contact member and secured thereto.

' the other leg of said plate partiallyprojecting through said slot and" having a pair of overlapping circular apertures of different diameters, the centers of said apertures lying in the arc of movement of said slotted portion of said contact member, whereby said member may be displaced to allow insertion of said conductor into the larger of said apertures and upon release urges the grooved portion of said conductor into the smaller of said apertures.

2. The combination with a conductor terminal having a cylindrical portion provided with an annular groove intermediate its ends defined by radial shoulders, of a terminal assembly for receiving said conductor, comprising a resilient contact member having a planar base portion and an angularly extending substantially planar named base portion and rigidly securedthereto and having a planar portion projecting partially through said slot and extending normal to said contact portion, said projecting portion having overlapping circular apertures of diameters corresponding to said cylindrical portion and said groove of said conductor, said slotted portion being displaceable to provide for insertion of said conductor into the larger of said apertures and movable laterally by said slotted portion to engage said groove in the smallerof said apertures with the radial shoulder engaging opposite defining surfaces about said last named aperture whereby said conductor is held against lateral and longitudinal movement in said assembly.

3. A terminal assembly for receiving a conductor, said conductor having a cylindrical portion with an annular groove-intermediate the ends thereof, comprising a base, a resilient contact member having a portion lying on said base and a substantially planar angularly extending portion provided with a longitudinal slot, a frame plate having a base portion superposed on the base portion of said contact member and having a planar normally extending portion partially projecting through said slot, said last-named portion being apertured to receive said conductor,

and meanssecuring said base portions to said base.

4. Receptacle means, comprising: a wall having an aperture for receiving a conductor terminal, and having also a recess formed in a marginal surface; and a sheet metal member, havinga part fixed with respect to said wall, and a leg provided with 'a slot terminating short of the extremity of said leg, said slot being proportioned to receive said wall, and said leg being constructed and arranged to move transversely with respect to said aperture, the extremity of said leg being engageable with at least one margin of said wall recess to limit movement of said leg.

5. A terminal assembly for receiving a conductor having a portion with a groove therein, comprising a resilient contact member having an angularly extending portion provided with a longitudinal slot with conductor-engaging portions on opposite sides of the slot, a conductorreceiving plate disposed so as to extend only partially through said slot, said plate being apertured to receive the groove of the conductor and the said conductor-engaging portions of the resilient contact member being adapted to engage the conductor on opposite sides of the groove and to hold the groove of the conductor engaged in the aperture of said plate and said connector being locked in said plate so long as the opposite sides of said groove engage the edge of the aperture in said plate, and means at the outer end of the latter engageable with the outer end portion of said contact member for limiting the movement of the latter.

6. A terminal assembly for receiving a conductor, comprising a base, a resilient contact member having a portion lying against said base and a substantially planar angularly extending portion provided with a longitudinal slot, a frame plate having a base portion secured to said base and having a planar normally extending portion partially projecting through said slot, said last named portion being apertured to receive said conductor, and means securing said base portions to said base.

FRANK A. DO'I'I'ERER.

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