Electrical contact with plural arch-shaped elements
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsCharles Dudley Copper, Michael Laub
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical contact includes a conductor comprising a series of arch-shaped elements that are formed continuous with one another and extend along a centerline. Optionally, the arch-shaped elements are pitched at an acute angle with respect to the centerline and are arranged in separate parallel planes that are also oriented at an acute angle with respect to the centerline. The arch-shaped elements includes a pair of opposed leg portions, having first ends joined to a bridge portion and having second ends spaced apart to form an opening therebetween. The leg portions of adjacent arch-shaped elements are joined to one another at linking portions. The arch-shaped elements and the centerline can be arranged in a circular geometry about a center point.
Claims16
An electrical contact comprising:
- a conductor comprising a series of arch-shaped elements that are continuously formed with one another and extend along a centerline, wherein said arch-shaped elements are aligned to transverse said centerline and are pitched at an acute angle with respect to said centerline, said arch-shaped elements each having a pair of opposed leg portions joined by a bridge portion, each said bridge portion being configured to engage a mating contact along a direction traversing said centerline, wherein said leg portions of adjacent said arch-shaped elements are straight and are joined to one another on alternating sides of said arch-shaped elements, wherein said bridge portions are bent in an arch shape, wherein said arch-shaped elements and said centerline are arranged in a linear geometry.
An electrical contact comprising:
- a conductor comprising a series of arch-shaped elements that are continuously formed with one another and extend along a centerline, wherein said arch-shaped elements are aligned to transverse said centerline and are pitched at an acute angle with respect to said centerline, said arch-shaped elements each having a pair of opposed leg portions joined by a bridge portion, each said bridge portion being configured to engage a mating contact along a direction traversing said centerline, wherein each said pair of opposed leg portions are arranged in a plane, adjacent said arch-shaped elements being arranged in parallel said planes, said leg portions of adjacent said arch-shaped elements being joined to one another on alternating sides of said arch-shaped elements.
An electrical contact comprising:
- a conductor comprising a series of arch-shaped elements that are continuously formed with one another and extend along a centerline, wherein said arch-shaped elements are aligned to transverse said centerline and are pitched at an acute angle with respect to said centerline, said arch-shaped elements each having a pair of opposed leg portions joined by a bridge portion, each said bridge portion being configured to engage a mating contact along a direction traversing said centerline, wherein said leg portions of adjacent said arch-shaped elements are straight and are joined to one another on alternating sides of said arch-shaped elements, wherein said bridge portions are bent in an arch shape, wherein said arch-shaped elements and said centerline are arranged in a circular geometry about a center point.
An electrical connector comprising:
- a body having a mating face;
- and
- a contact held in said body proximate said mating face, said contact comprising a conductor folded into a series of arch-shaped elements that are formed continuous with one another and extend along a centerline, wherein said arch-shaped elements are oriented at an acute angle with respect to said centerline, wherein each said arch-shaped element has a pair of opposed leg portions joined by a curved bridge portion, said leg portions of adjacent arch-shaped elements being arranged in parallel planes and being joined to one another on alternative sides of said arch-shaped elements by linking portions the bridge portions being engaged by a mating contact and the linking portions flexing.
An electrical contact, comprising:
- a series of arch-shaped elements arranged adjacent one another along a centerline, each said arch-shaped element includes a pair of straight leg portions and a bridge portion integrally formed with said leg portions and arranged in a plane, said leg portions being positioned on opposite sides of said centerline, adjacent said arch-shaped elements being arranged in parallel planes and joined continuous with one another through linking portions that are integrally formed with said leg portions of adjacent arch-shaped elements on alternating sides of said arch-shaped elements, said arch-shaped elements being oriented at an acute angle with respect to said centerline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.