Electrical connector with terminal locking means

In an electrical connector which includes

• a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity for insertion thereinto of a terminal in a given insertion direction, the cavity including a constricted opening leading to locking shoulders facing in said direction, and
• a stamped elongated terminal adapted to be inserted into said cavity and having a body portion with cantilevered locking arms formed out of opposite side walls of the body portion, the locking arms each having a fixed end joined to the respective side wall and a free end projecting outwardly from the side wall oblique to and opposite said insertion direction and adapted to engage the respective locking shoulder,
• the housing and terminal being constructed such that, upon insertion of the terminal into the cavity, the locking arms are biased laterally inwardly and then resiliently returned to a locking position with the free ends thereof engaged with the locking shoulders,
• wherein the improvement comprises:
• said locking arms each having a first portion projecting inwardly from the respective fixed end oblique to and opposite said insertion direction, and a second portion projecting outwardly from a juncture with the first portion beyond the respective side wall to said free end of the locking arm, the junctures between the first and second portions of the locking arms opposing each other and adapted to abut each other in response to withdrawal forces on the inserted terminal opposite said insertion direction.

In an electrical connector which includes

• a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity for insertion thereinto of a terminal in a given insertion direction, the cavity including a constricted opening leading to a locking shoulder facing in said direction, and
• a stamped elongated terminal adapted to be inserted into said cavity and having a body portion with a cantilevered locking arm formed out of a side wall of the body portion, the locking arm having a fixed end joined to the side wall and a free end projecting outwardly from the side wall oblique to and opposite said insertion direction and adapted to engage said locking shoulder,
• the housing and terminal being constructed such that, upon insertion of the terminal into the cavity, the locking arm is biased laterally inwardly and then resiliently returned to a locking position with the free end thereof engaged with the locking shoulder,
• wherein the improvement comprises:
• said locking arm having a first portion projecting inwardly from said fixed end oblique to and opposite said insertion direction, and a second portion projecting outwardly from a juncture with the first portion beyond said side wall to said free end of the locking arm,
• said locking arm further including a first bend at the fixed end thereof, a second bend at the juncture between said first and second portions thereof, and a reinforcing rib formed integral therewith and extending lengthwise thereof,
• wherein a portion of a terminal wall adjacent said sidewall is stamped to form an abutment wall extending perpendicularly from the terminal wall adjacent the sidewall to abut said juncture in response to withdrawal forces on the inserted terminal opposite said insertion direction.