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US 7,547,215 B1Granted
Round connector with spring helix
AssigneeMethode Electronics, Inc.
InventorsGregory Mark, Andrew Wallace
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods of manufacturing woven electrical connectors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector is formed with a continuous wire having adjacent sections with passageways formed from the wire through which loading elements may be inserted. In some embodiments, the loading elements include spring band clips and/or helical spring coils.
Claims7
An electrical connector comprising:
- a conductive wire defining a plurality of adjacent sections including a first section and an adjacent second section, the first section having a first portion of the first section comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys and a second portion of the first section continuous with the first portion of the first section comprising a plurality of valleys and peaks, the second portion of the first section is looped back adjacent the first portion of the first section whereby the plurality of peaks and valleys of the first portion of the first section align with the plurality of valleys and peaks, respectively, of the second portion of the first section to define a plurality of passageways in the first section of a plurality of sections, wherein the plurality of sections are disposed about a circumference to form a substantially cylindrical shape and wherein adjacent sections are longitudinally offset from one another such that each of the passageways of one section are offset from each of the passageways of an adjacent section;
- and
- a helically shaped biasing element disposed within the plurality of passageways to radially bias a plurality of peaks into contact with a mating connector when connected thereto.
An electrical connector comprising:
- a conductive wire defining a plurality of adjacent sections including a first section and an adjacent second section, the first section having a first portion of the first section comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys and a second portion of the first section continuous with the first portion of the first section comprising a plurality of valleys and peaks, the second portion of the first section is looped back adjacent the first portion of the first section whereby the plurality of peaks and valleys of the first portion of the first section align with the plurality of valleys and peaks, respectively, of the second portion of the first section to define a plurality of passageways in the first section of a plurality of sections, wherein the plurality of sections are disposed about an arc circumference to form a substantially arcuate shape having the plurality of passageways disposed about an arc;
- and
- an arcuate shaped biasing element disposed within adjacent passageways to bias a plurality of peaks into contact with a mating connector when connected thereto, said arcuate shaped biasing element comprising a radially-biasing spring clip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.