Connector of a type used with dry cell batteries and manufacturing method

A dry cell battery of the type comprising a tubular jacket having at least one open end, at least one cell contained in said jacket, an insulating closure in said open end, said closure having an internal surface and an external surface, at least one terminal on said external surface, said terminal being connected to said cell, said battery being characterized in that:

• said closure is a molded thermoplastic member having terminal supporting portions on said external surface,
• said terminal being a shaped sheet metal member having external contact portions and internal contact portions, said external contact portions being on said external surface of said closure and being supported on said terminal supporting portions, said internal contact portions being contained within said jacket and being adjacent to said internal surface of said closure,
• said terminal being partially inserted through said closure from one side to the other side so that said external contact portions are on said external surface and said internal contact portions are adjacent to said internal surface, and
• cell connecting means in said jacket serving to connect said internal contact portions to said cell.

A method of making a dry cell battery of the type comprising a tubular jacket having an open end, a flat platelike closure in said open end, said closure having a first surface which is the external surface of the closure and a second surface which is the internal surface of the closure, a plug type snap fastener terminal and a receptacle type snap fastener terminal on said first surface, said terminals extending through said closure to said second surface and being connected to a power source which is contained in the jacket, said terminal extending normally of said first surface, said method comprising the steps of:

• producing said closure as a thermoplastic molded part having integral terminal supporting portions extending from said first surface,
• producing said terminals as sheet metal stamped and formed members, each having an external contact portion and an internal contact portion and with one of the portions having an edge and being capable of being inserted through said closure upon pushing the edge through the closure,
• inserting said terminals through said closures so that the external contact portion of each terminal is against, and supported by, its associated terminal supporting projection and its internal contact portion is proximate to said second surface of said closure, and
• assembling the power source and the closure to the jacket so that the power source is electrically connected to the internal contact portions of the terminals.