Electrical terminal having improved retention means

Abstract

An electrical terminal (2,102) is shown having a pin (4) or socket contacts (104) a retaining spring (6) and an insulation crimping barrel (8). The retaining spring (6) is defined as a substantial box section where the upper wall (36) includes a stamped out locking lance (38) having a free end (40) for engaging a locking shoulder within an electrical terminal housing. The free end (40) of the locking lance (38) has an embossed section (42) forming a raised surface on the upper surface (44) of the locking lance and an indentation (50) on the lower surface (46) of the locking lance. The embossed area (42) extends into the free end (40) of the electrical terminal so as to define a discontinuous end edge for engaging the locking shoulder of the electrical terminal housing. Medially positioned within the embossed area (42), and extending from the free end (40) thereof, is a sheared tab (54) defined by sheared slits ( 52). The sheared tab (54) is depressed downwardly to further emphasize the discontinuous end edge for the locking lance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.