# US 8,784,144 B2 · Terminal fitting having a retracted portion extending from one side plate to another side plate > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,144 B2 - Document ID: US8784144B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/611,320 - Filed: 2012-09-12 - Published: 2013-03-14 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-14 - Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. - Applicants: Osamu Hirabayashi; Michiaki Okamoto; Yutaka Noro; Daisuke Hirasawa; Yoshihiro Mizutani - Inventors: Osamu Hirabayashi; Michiaki Okamoto; Yutaka Noro; Daisuke Hirasawa; Yoshihiro Mizutani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784144B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/4223: {comprising integral flexible contact retaining fingers} - H01R 13/113: {co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section} - H01R 13/4364: {Insertion of locking piece from the front} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A rectangular tube (10) of a terminal fitting (T) includes a lid plate (16) extending substantially at a right angle from the extending end of a right side plate (15) and formed with a locking hole (20) extending over the entire width. A front plate (19F) is cantilevered from the right side plate (15) and arranged before the locking hole (20). A rear plate (19R) is cantilevered from the right side plate independently of the front plate (19F) and is behind and adjacent to the locking hole (20). A retracted portion (21) is formed over the entire width at the rear plate (19R), retracted inwardly of the rectangular tube (10) from the front plate (19F) to provide a height difference within the range of an engagement margin with a locking projection (34) and capable of facing a rear end of the locking projection (34). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A terminal fitting having a tube extending in forward and backward directions and including a locking hole is formed at a front end part and which is retained not to come off backward by an engagement of a front end edge of the locking hole with a locking projection of a locking portion formed in a terminal accommodating chamber in a state where the terminal fitting is inserted properly in the terminal accommodating chamber, wherein the tube comprises: a base plate; first and second side plates extending from the base plate, each of the first and second side plates having inner and outer surfaces; a lid opposite the base plate and formed with the locking hole, the lid having a front plate cantilevered from a front end of the first side plate, and arranged forward of the locking hole and a rear plate cantilevered from a rear end of the first side plate independently of the front plate and arranged behind and adjacent to the locking hole; and a retracted portion formed at the rear plate, retracted inwardly of the tube from the front plate to provide a height difference within a range of an engagement margin with the locking projection and capable of facing a rear end part of the locking projection, the retracted portion extending from the first side plate to at least the inner surface of the second side plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The terminal fitting of claim 1, further comprising at least one posture stabilizer formed behind an area of the retracted portion substantially facing the locking projection and projecting outwardly of the tube from an outer surface of the retracted portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The terminal fitting of claim 1, wherein a distance from a rear end of the front plate to a front end of the rear plate is shorter than a distance from a front end to a rear end of the locking projection in forward and backward directions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The terminal fitting of claim 1, wherein the retracted portion extends from a front end of the rear plate to a position slightly before a substantial center of the rear plate in forward and backward directions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The terminal fitting of claim 1, wherein the retracted portion is retracted in a direction away from an outer surface of a main body of the locking portion and in an inward direction of the tube as compared with the front plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A connector comprising: a housing with a terminal accommodating chamber having a locking portion with a locking projection; and the terminal fitting of claim 1 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber so that the locking projection engages the front end edge of the locking hole when the terminal fitting is properly inserted in the terminal accommodating chamber to prevent the terminal fitting from coming out backward. ### Claim 7 A female terminal fitting with a tube having opposite front and rear ends, the tube comprising: a base plate; left and right side plates extending from the base plate; a front plate cantilevered from the left side plate; a rear plate cantilevered from the left side plate at a position spaced rearward the front plate so that a locking hole is formed between the front and rear plates, a retracted portion formed on the rear plate and being retracted inwardly of the tube relative to the front plate, the retracted portion extending from the left side plate to at least the right side plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The terminal fitting of claim 7, wherein the locking hole extends from the left side wall to the right side wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The terminal fitting of claim 7, further comprising at least one posture stabilizer formed behind an area of the retracted portion and projecting outwardly of the tube from an outer surface of the retracted portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The terminal fitting of claim 7, wherein the retracted portion extends from a front end of the rear plate to a position slightly before a substantial center of the rear plate in forward and backward directions. ### Claim 11 A connector comprising: a housing with opposite front and rear ends and a terminal accommodating chamber extending from the rear end toward the front end of the housing, a locking portion formed in the terminal accommodating chamber and having a locking projection with a front locking surface and an inclined rear surface; and a terminal fitting inserted in the terminal accommodating chamber and having a tube with opposite front and rear ends, the tube having a base plate, left and right side plates extending from the base plate, a front plate cantilevered from one of the side plates and a rear plate cantilevered from one of the side plates at a position spaced rearward the front plate so that a locking hole is formed between the front and rear plates for receiving the locking projection with the front locking surface engaging a rear end of the front plate, a retracted portion formed on the rear plate and being retracted inwardly of the tube relative to the front plate for accommodating the inclined rear surface of the locking projection, wherein the front plate, the rear plate, and the retracted portion extend from one of the side plates at least to the other of the side plates. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The connector of claim 11, wherein a distance from the rear end of the front plate to a front end of the rear plate is shorter than a distance from a front end to a rear end of the locking projection in forward and backward directions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The connector of claim 11, wherein the retracted portion is retracted in a direction away from an outer surface of a main body of the locking portion and in an inward direction of the tube as compared with the front plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The connector of claim 11, wherein the locking hole extends between the left and right side plates.