Patent ID: 6712641
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical terminal adapted for electrical connection with the end of a conductor, comprising:(a) a conductive metal terminal (5) containing a chamber having a pair of opposed walls (5a; 5b), said terminal also containing a first opening (9) for receiving one end of a conductor (3) within said chamber; (b) a resilient generally U-shaped spring (7) arranged within said terminal chamber, said spring including a pair of leg portions (7a; 7b) that are connected by a connecting portion (7c), said spring connecting portion being arranged adjacent said terminal first opening, a first one of said spring legs (7a) being arranged adjacent a first one (5a) of said terminal walls, and the second of said legs (7b) being resiliently biased outwardly toward a normal extended position adjacent an opposite second one (5b) of said terminal walls, whereby when the conductor end is inserted into the terminal chamber via said first opening, said second spring leg biases the conductor into engagement with said second terminal wall; (c) said terminal and said spring each being unitary and formed from a sheet metal strip; (d) said second spring leg including an orthogonally arranged operating tab portion (7d) that extends away from said first spring leg outwardly through a slot (21) contained in said terminal second wall, said second spring leg being operable by means of said operating tab from said extended position toward a retracted position adjacent said first spring leg, thereby to permit alternate insertion and removal of the conductor relative to said terminal chamber; and (e) an outer housing (27) removably mounted concentrically about said terminal, said outer housing being formed of synthetic plastic electrical insulating material and containing: (1) a plurality of first chambers (29) containing a plurality of said terminals, respectively; (2) a plurality of slots (33) receiving the operating tab portions (7d) of said springs, respectively; and (3) a plurality of first openings (35) opposite the spring second legs for the introduction of the ends of conductors into said first chambers, respectively; and (4) a plurality of second openings (37) opposite said slots and said spring operating tab portions, respectively, thereby to permit the introduction of an operating tool for engagement with the operating tab of a selected one of said springs, respectively.