# US 2023/0056567 A1 · Spring Clip and Connector For a Flat Flexible Cable

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- Number: US 2023/0056567 A1
- Document ID: US20230056567A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/880,296
- Filed: 2022-08-03
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Earliest claimed: 2021-08-20
- Assignees: TE Connectivity Services GmbH
- Applicants: TE Connectivity Services GmbH
- Inventors: Christopher Raybold; John Mark Myer; Ryan David Hetrick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230056567A1

## CPC

- H01R 12/774: {Retainers}
- H01R 12/79: connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
- H01R 4/2404: the contact members having teeth, prongs, pins or needles penetrating the insulation
- H01R 12/7023: {integral with the coupling device}
- H01R 12/778: {Coupling parts carrying sockets, clips or analogous counter-contacts (H01R12/78, H01R12/79 take precedence)}
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A spring clip has a first beam and a second beam connected to the first beam. The second beam is resiliently deflectable toward the first beam from a relaxed position distal from the first beam to a compressed position proximal to the first beam. The second beam has a spring latch disposed at an end of the second beam and extending toward the first beam. The spring latch engages the first beam to secure the second beam in the compressed position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spring clip, comprising:
a first beam; and
a second beam connected to the first beam and resiliently deflectable toward the first beam from a relaxed position distal from the first beam to a compressed position proximal to the first beam, the second beam has a spring latch disposed at an end of the second beam and extending toward the first beam, the spring latch engages the first beam in the compressed position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the first beam has a contact section and a latch section extending from the contact section along a longitudinal direction, the spring latch engages the first beam in the latch section.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The spring clip of claim 2, wherein the contact section has a base beam and a folded structure that extends from the base beam and is folded over the base beam, the folded structure forms a contact surface in the contact section facing the second beam.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The spring clip of claim 3, wherein a folded extension extends from the folded structure into the latch section, the folded extension is positioned above the base beam in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The spring clip of claim 2, wherein the latch section is positioned above the contact section in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the latch section has a pair of support legs extending in the vertical direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The spring clip of claim 2, wherein the second beam has a contact bend extending toward the first beam and aligned with the contact section, the spring latch engaging the first beam maintains a contact force of the contact bend toward the contact section in the compressed position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the spring latch has a pair of latch arms extending from opposite sides of the second beam, each of the latch arms has a latch tip angled toward the opposite one of the latch arms.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The spring clip of claim 7, wherein the latch tip of each of the latch arms resiliently deflects to engage the first beam in the compressed position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The spring clip of claim 7, wherein each of the latch arms has a sharp free end opposite the second beam.

### Claim 10

A connector for a flat flexible cable, comprising:
a housing having a base and a cover, the base has a closed section with a receiving passageway and an open section extending from the closed section, the cover is movable with respect to the base between an open position exposing the open section and a closed position enclosing the open section, the cover has a main body with a pressing surface; and
a spring clip disposed in the receiving passageway, the spring clip having a first beam and a second beam connected to the first beam, the pressing surface contacts the second beam as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position and deflects the second beam toward the first beam into a compressed position, the second beam has a spring latch extending toward the first beam, the spring latch engages the first beam in the compressed position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The connector of claim 10, wherein the cover has a window extending through the cover from the pressing surface to an exterior surface of the cover opposite the pressing surface, the window exposes the second beam to an area outside the connector in the closed position.

### Claim 12

A connector assembly, comprising:
a flat flexible cable having an insulation material and a conductor embedded in the insulation material, the conductor is exposed through a portion of the insulation material; and
a connector including a housing and a spring clip disposed in the housing, the spring clip has a first beam and a second beam connected to the first beam, the flat flexible cable is disposed between the first beam and the second beam, the second beam is resiliently deflectable toward the first beam into a compressed position in which the conductor is electrically connected to the spring clip, the second beam has a spring latch engaging the first beam in the compressed position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the spring latch has a latch arm extending through the insulation material in the compressed position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the housing has a base and a cover, the cover is movable with respect to the base between an open position exposing an open section of the base and a closed position enclosing the open section.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the cover has a pressing surface contacting the second beam as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position and moving the second beam into the compressed position.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the cover has a window extending through the cover from the pressing surface to an exterior surface of the cover opposite the pressing surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein a conductive weld joint is formed between the second beam and the conductor through the window.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the cover has a separating surface adjacent to the pressing surface, the separating surface abutting the insulation material of the flat flexible cable in the closed position.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The connector assembly of claim 12, further comprising a retention plate disposed on at least one of an upper side and a lower side of the flat flexible cable, the housing extends through the retention plate.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the second beam is flattened against the conductor in the compressed position and remains in an elastic state.