Electrical appliance with novel electrical power connector structure

Abstract

A connector apparatus for an electrical appliance which includes a body having first and second spaced opposed faces. The body has a slot defined therein that passes completely through the body between the first and second opposed faces thereof. The slot has first and second spaced and opposed faces. The connector includes a generally planar metallic lug having first and second sides. The lug has at least first and second projections extending therefrom. The projections engage the body when the lug is disposed within the slot. In some forms of the invention the lug includes a third projection and the third projection also engages the body when the lug is disposed in the slot. The lug and the slot may be elongated and the respective directions of elongation may be substantially aligned when the lug is disposed within the slot. The first projection is a spring member such as a leaf spring that is elongated and the direction of elongation is generally aligned with the direction of elongation of the lug in some forms of the invention. The second and third projections may be generally planar and the second and third projection may be generally parallel. The second and third projections are disposed on opposed sides of the elongated lug, the lug is manufactured of sheet metal and the first projection is stamped from the lug, the first projection has a first side that is a free end thereof, two opposed elongated sides and a fourth side that is common to both the lug and the first projection in some forms of the invention. The fourth side may be further from the second and third projections than the free end.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.