Patent ID: 6488549
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A pair of mating electrical contacts, comprising:a blade contact having a support section that is securely mounted in an insulated connector housing and having at least one contact knife projecting from said support section; a receptacle contact having a base section that is securely mounted in an insulated receptacle housing and having a pair of contact springs projecting from said base section, said pair of contact springs having outer ends joined by a strap, said blade and receptacle contacts being joined in a mating operation as said blade and receptacle contacts move from initial to final mating positions; blade and receptacle mating zones defined on said blade and receptacle contacts, respectively, that electrically engage one another when in said final mating position to maintain a primary electrical interface between said blade and receptacle contacts, said receptacle mating zones including raised bumps located proximate opposite ends of said strap; and blade and receptacle arcing zones defined on said blade and receptacle contacts, respectively, that electrically engage one another when in said initial mating position to provide a temporary electrical interface for discharge of arcing between said blade and receptacle contacts, said receptacle arcing zone being located in a center portion of said strap, said receptacle arcing zone being separate and distinct from said raised bumps.