Patent ID: 6761054
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a four-sided electrical contact from a generally planar shaped work piece of conductive material having a thickness â€œTâ€  and a width â€œDâ€  and having generally parallel side surfaces, generally planar top and bottom surfaces and an end surface comprising the steps of:(a) continuously supporting said side surfaces of the work piece to prevent lateral deformation of said side surfaces; (b) while continuously supporting said side surfaces of the work piece, shearing the work piece using a shearing tool having a width less than the width â€œDâ€  to impart a shearing force to said end surface of said work piece at a location intermediate said side surfaces and advancing said shearing tool to simultaneously form first and second precursor side tongues each having a first thickness and precursor top and bottom tongues each having a second thickness; (c) retracting said shearing tool and forming said precursor side tongues into shaped side tongues; and; (d) forming said precursor top and bottom tongues into shaped top and bottom tongues.