Twist lock connector system

A terminal adapted to individually connect an electric wire to a circuit board comprising:

• a first end adapted to engage the electrical wire and a second end, opposite said first end, adapted to engage the circuit board;
• a first pair of opposing flaps located adjacent said first end adapted to engage the electrical wire to secure the electrical wire to said terminal;
• a second pair of opposing flaps located at a distance from said first pair of opposing flaps and adapted to engage the electrical wire to conduct electric current between the electric wire and said terminal;
• a square tubular section disposed between said second pair of opposing flaps and said second end, a notch within said square tubular section, a first curved flexible finger extending from said second end on a first side of said square tubular section, and a second curved flexible finger extending from said second end on a second side of said square tubular section, said second side being opposite said first side of said square tubular section, said second flexible finger including a dimple within said second flexible finger extending away from said second end.

A method of connecting a wire to a circuit board comprising:

• providing a terminal for connecting the wire to the circuit board, the terminal including a first end, a second end, a first pair of opposing flaps located adjacent the first end, a second pair of opposing flaps located at a distance from the first pair of opposing flaps, a square tubular section disposed between the second pair of opposing flaps and the second end, a notch within the square tubular section, and a first curved flexible finger extending from the second end on a first side of the square tubular section,
• providing a housing for supporting the terminal, the housing includes a first end and a second end and defines at least one slot adapted to support the terminal in a particular position and at least one retaining surface, the slot including a flexible extension disposed therein to engage the notch on the terminal to secure the terminal within the slot, the second end of the housing including a base, the base including a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one aperture extending through the base,
• providing a retainer with at least one hook for securing the housing to the circuit board, the retainer including a top surface, the hook extending from the top surface and including an extending lip, the extending lip including a bottom surface adapted for frictional engagement with the retaining surface of the housing, the aperture of the base adapted to receive the hook, the retaining surface being a portion of the top surface of the base immediately adjacent to the opening;
• attaching the terminal to the wire by folding the first pair of opposing flaps inward to secure the wire to the terminal and folding the second pair of opposing flaps inward to electrically connecting the wire to the terminal;
• inserting the terminal into the housing by inserting the terminal within the slot until the flexible extension engages the notch;
• securing the retainer to the housing with the circuit board therebetween by inserting the hook of the retainer through a hole in the circuit board, inserting the hook of the retainer through the opening within the base of the housing with the circuit board between the top surface of the retainer and the bottom surface of the base, rotating the retainer until the bottom surface of the extending lip frictionally engages the top surface of the base immediately adjacent to the opening.