Patent ID: 6220877
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A monolithic, terminal interface for receiving and retaining an electrical terminal member of an electrical device, said terminal interface comprising:a terminal board comprising a self-supporting sheet of a resilient, electrically insulating material having opposed first and second faces, said terminal board having a terminal slot defined therethrough so as to pass from said first face to said second face, said terminal slot having a length dimension (L) parallel to said faces, a first width dimension (W.sub.1) and a second width dimension (W.sub.2) such that said first width dimension (W.sub.1) is greater than said second width dimension (W.sub.2), said terminal slot defining a first and a second contact beams in said terminal board, each contact beam having a length dimension at least equal to said length dimension of said terminal slot (L), and each contact beam having a contact region defined thereupon, said contact beams being in an opposed relationship so that the contact region of the first beam is spaced from the contact region of the second beam, such that the contact region of the first contact beam and the contact region of said second contact beam are substantially aligned and in an opposed relationship so as to be separated by a distance equal to said second width dimension (W2), and such that the terminal slot and contact beams provide a terminal socket configured to receive and retain said electrical terminal member having a thickness which is less than said first width dimension (W.sub.1), but greater than said second width dimension (W.sub.2); anda pattern of an electrically conductive material disposed on one face of said terminal board and extending into said terminal slot so as to cover at least a portion of the contact region of at least one of said contact beams.