Patent Publication Number: US-11043766-B2

Title: Electrical male terminal, and methods for connecting thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/893,679 filed Aug. 29, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is desired that an electrical male terminal be provided with structural arrangements or features for overstress protection and guide-assist to efficiently protect and guide the electrical male terminal, and thereby prevent undesired deformation of the electrical male terminal during mating thereof with a connector assembly. 
     It is further desired to ensure that orientations or polarities of the electrical male terminal of this invention and a corresponding connector assembly be maintained for proper fitting therewith. 
     It is also desired that a method be provided in this invention for ensuring effective grip of an electrical wire or cable by the electrical male terminal of this invention by including thereof a pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions that are clamped or folded, and crimped onto an inserted wire core portion of an electrical wire or cable to prevent the electrical wire or cable from slipping within or away from the electrical male terminal. 
     It is also desired that a method be provided in this invention for ensuring effective grip of the electrical wire or cable by the electrical male terminal of this invention by including thereof a pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portion that are deformed, clamped or folded, and crimped onto an inserted insulation portion of the electrical wire or cable to prevent the electrical wire or cable from slipping within or away from the electrical male terminal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides the electrical male terminal for mating with a connector assembly, and generally includes a clamp or crimp area, a main body, and a blade. 
     The clamp or crimp area includes a pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions, and a pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions. For ensuring a secured contact and grip with an electrical wire or cable, the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions include, at an electrical wire or cable contact surface thereof, multiple substantially elongated notches and protruding members. The pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions is deformed, clamped or folded, and crimped onto the core portion of the electrical wire or cable. Further, the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions is also respectively deformed, clamped or folded, and crimped onto the insulation portion of the electrical wire or cable. The front portion of the clamp or crimp area has a neck member which transitions to the main body of the male terminal. 
     The main body is substantially box-shaped, and generally includes a tang member. The tang member includes a lever member which locks the electrical male terminal with the connector assembly. The lever member has a protruding member, which meets another protruding member extending from the main body, when the lever member is flexed. Both protruding members act as an overstress protection for the lever member; i.e., to prevent or protect the lever member from becoming deformed when the male terminal is being mated with the connector assembly. 
     A protruding guide member protrudes from and is attached to the tang member. A front end portion of the main body also includes a tapered portion. The front end portion of the main body further includes a panel shield member for protecting the protruding guide member. The tapered portion, along with a protruding guide member and panel guide member, of the main body, assist in guiding the male terminal of this invention when mated with the connector assembly. The front end portion of the main body transitions into a blade having a tip thereof that is also tapered. The main body further includes support members at either end thereof. 
     The electrical male terminal of this invention also has an orientation or polarity for proper fitment into the corresponding connector assembly, having an orientation or polarity which is also maintained for proper fitting with the electrical male terminal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front top perspective view of the electrical male terminal of this invention; and  FIG. 1B  is a back top perspective view of the electrical male terminal of this invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is right side elevational view of the electrical male terminal of this invention; and  FIG. 2B  is a left side elevational view of the electrical male terminal of this invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top elevational view of the electrical male terminal of this invention; and  FIG. 3B  is a bottom elevational view of the electrical male terminal of this invention. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a top elevational view of the clamp or crimp area having the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions and the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions, the latter having a plurality of substantially elongated notches that respectively extend substantially near the ends of the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a top elevational view of the clamp or crimp area having the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions and the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions, the latter having a plurality of substantially elongated notches that respectively extend to the ends of the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions. 
         FIG. 4C  shows a cross-sectional view of a floor of the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions as substantially flat in shape, while  FIG. 4D  shows a cross-sectional view of the floor of the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions as substantially concave, or rounded in shape. 
         FIG. 5A  shows the main body of the male terminal having the tang member, and further shows the guide and overstress protection structural arrangements or features of the male terminal; and  FIG. 5B  shows a first support member and a second support member located at a front end portion and a back end portion, respectively, of the main body. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the tapered portion of the main body with a protruding guide member and a panel shield member for protecting the protruding guide member. 
         FIG. 7  shows the male blade extending from the tapered front end portion of the main body. 
         FIG. 8A  is a front elevational view of the male terminal of this invention, while  FIG. 8B  is a back elevational view of the electrical male terminal of this invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a conventional electrical wire or cable for insertion into the male terminal of this invention, the conventional electrical wire or cable having an insulation portion and a wire core portion at a front portion thereof. 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of the manner in which the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions are folded over and deform into the wire core portion of the electrical wire or cable. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view showing how the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions is clamped or folded, and crimped onto the insulation portion of the electrical wire or cable. 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view and  FIG. 12B  is a top elevational view of another embodiment of a pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions, the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions being substantially directly opposed to each other or substantially symmetrical to each other. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the pair of the substantially opposed or substantially symmetrical foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions, the ends of which are folded into the insulation portion of the electrical wire or cable. 
         FIG. 14A  shows a front elevational view of the electrical male terminal of this invention at pre-lock position within the connector assembly; and  FIG. 14B  shows a front elevational view of the electrical male terminal of this invention fully rested and at full-lock position within the connector assembly,  FIGS. 14A and 14B  further showing the polarities or orientations of the electrical male terminal of this invention and the corresponding connector assembly for effective fitting therewith. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a front top perspective view of the electrical male terminal, generally referred to as reference number  1 . The electrical male terminal  1  includes a clamp or crimp area  3 , a main body  5 , and a blade  7  integrally formed in a lengthwise direction. As more fully discussed later, the clamp or crimp area  3  includes a pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 , and a pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14 . The main body  5  includes a tang member  15  as well as a tapered portion  17  at a front end portion  20  thereof. The tapered portion  17  narrowly tapers towards the blade  7 . Similarly shown in the back top perspective view of the male terminal  1  in  FIG. 1B , is the clamp or crimp area  3 , including the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  and the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14 . Also similarly shown in  FIG. 1B  in the back top perspective view of the electrical male terminal  1 , as in  FIG. 1A , are the tang member  15  and the tapered portion  17  at the front end portion  20  of the main body  5 . It is preferable that the main body  5  has a shape or form that is substantially boxed-shape or the like, although the shape or form thereof is not restricted thereto. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  are not aligned when viewed at a side elevational view (that is, one of the pair,  13 ,  14  of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wings  13  is at a location that is closer to the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  compared to the location of one of the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing  14 . As also illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the clamp or crimp area  3  integrally transitions to the main body  5  with a neck member  52 , while the front end portion  20  of the main body  5  integrally transitions to the blade  7 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the tang member  15  includes a lever member  25 , the lever member  25  having an unattached end portion  28  and an attached end portion  30 . As further seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the lever member  25 , is shown here in a normal, relaxed state. 
     The unattached end portion  28  of the lever member  25  preferably has, in a cross-section along a width thereof, a substantially U-shaped form or the like, although the form thereof is not restricted thereto (see,  FIG. 5A ). The attached end portion  30  of the lever member  25  preferably has, in a cross-section along a width thereof, a substantially L-shaped form or the like, although the form thereof is not restricted thereto (see,  FIG. 8A ). 
     Further, the lever member  25  has a protruding member  35 , which meets another protruding member  37  that extends from the main body  5  (see,  FIG. 2A ). Both protruding members  35 ,  37  act as an overstress protection for the lever member  25 . That is, the protruding members  35 ,  37  impinge against each other, when the lever member  25  is in a flexed state. This thereby prevents or protects the lever member  25  from becoming deformed when the male terminal  1  contacts or mates with a connector assembly  90  or the like (see,  FIG. 14A ). As such, the lever member  25  is operative to substantially move between a flexed state and a normal relaxed state without deformation (see,  FIG. 14A, 14B ). When seen at the side elevational views of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the protruding members  35 ,  37  are preferably substantially rectangular, round, trapezoid or the like, although the shape or form thereof is not restricted thereto. 
     In operation, when the electrical male terminal  1  enters the connector assembly  90 , the unattached end portion  28  of the lever member  25  is freely pushed downward and moves from the normal, relaxed state, into a flexed state (that is, the protruding member  35  approaches the another protruding member  37 ) (see,  FIG. 14A ). Upon full insertion of the electrical male terminal  1  into the connector assembly  90 , the unattached end portion  28  of the lever member  25  freely moves upward, with the return to the normal, relaxed state of the lever member  25  (that is, the protruding member  35  moves away from the another protruding member  37 ) (see,  FIGS. 2A, 14B ). The unattached end portion  28  is thereby impinged onto a member (not shown) inside the connector assembly  90 , locking and securing therein the electrical male terminal  1 . Such a structural arrangement, which has the unattached end portion  28  of the lever member  25  impinged inside the connector assembly, acts as a locking and securing feature of the electrical male terminal  1 . 
     Moreover, when the electrical male terminal  1  is fully inserted into the connector assembly  90 , the clamp or crimp area  3  has a space or transition area  50 , above neck member  52 , (see  FIGS. 2A, 2B ) and between the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  and the main body  5 . The space or transition area  50  is available for accommodating therein a terminal position assurance (TPA) device (not shown) for assuring that the male terminal  1  remains locked, secured, and correctly positioned within the connector assembly  90 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2A  is a panel shield member  40  at the front end portion  20  of the main body  5 , the panel shield member  40  protruding from a portion of the front end portion  20  of the main body. Further shown in  FIG. 2B  is the tapered portion  17  of the front end portion  20  of the main body  5 . Together, the panel shield member  40  and the tapered portion  17  (and a protruding guide member  53 , illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , discussed later) assist in guiding and positioning the blade  7  and the main body  5  when mating the electrical male terminal  1  with the connector assembly  90 . 
     The top elevational views of the clamp or crimp area  3 , the main body  5 , and the blade  7  are shown in  FIG. 3A . As also shown in  FIG. 3A , and previously discussed, the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  are unaligned, not directly aligned with, or substantially opposing each other. Further, as mentioned previously, the location of one of the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portion  13  is nearer to the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  of the electrical male terminal  1  compared to the location of the other one of the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portion  14 . This is so as to maximize the surface area of the insulated portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100  onto which the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  connect and mount when clamped or crimped. As will be described later, another embodiment of electrical male terminal  1  is possible with a substantially directly opposed, or substantially symmetrical pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  213 ,  214  (see,  FIGS. 12A and 12B ). As seen in  FIG. 9 , between the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  is a floor member  40  for receiving thereon an insulated portion  120  of an electrical wire or cable  100 . The pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14 , after receiving the wire or cable  100 , are deformed, clamped or folded and crimped onto the insulated portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100 , without penetrating entirely through the insulated portion  120 , or contacting the core portion  110  (see  FIG. 11 ). Additionally, the shape of the floor member  40  is preferably substantially concave, or rounded (see  FIG. 8B ). 
     Also illustrated in  FIG. 3A  are the pair of wire-clamping pads or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 , of clamp or crimp area  3 . The pair of wire-clamping pads or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  are substantially aligned with or substantially opposing each other (see also,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  where the electrical male terminal  1  is viewed at an elevational side thereof) and are substantially symmetrical. Between the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  is a floor member  45  having a plurality of notches  48 . The shape of the floor member  45  may be substantially flat in shape (or substantially concave, rounded, as similar to that of the floor member  40 ). As shown in more detail, the floor  45  of the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  is substantially flat in shape (as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4C ), although the floor  45  may alternatively be substantially concave, or rounded in shape (as similar to that of the floor member  40 ) (as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4D ). Each of the plurality of notches  48  is substantially elongated in shape (as shown in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B ), but the shape of each of the notches  48  is not restricted thereto. A minimum of two notches  48  is possible, but at least three notches  48  are preferable. A minimum of one protruding member  60  is possible, but at least two protruding members  60  are preferable. The combination of the notches  48  and protruding members  60  creates a serration to the floor member  45  and pair of wire-clamping pads or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 . This arrangement ensure a secure contact and grip between the floor member  45  and pair of wire-clamping pads or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  with a wire core portion  110  (see,  FIG. 9 ) of the electrical wire or cable  100 . Once the wire core is inserted, the clamp or crimp area  3  substantially grips the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  so as not to slip away from the floor member  45  and pair of wire-clamping pads or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 ; the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  are then additionally deformed, clamped or folded and crimped toward the floor member  45  onto the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100 . This process ensures a secure contact and grip of the clamp or crimp area  3  of the electrical male terminal  1  with the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  and prevents the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  from slipping away from the male electrical terminal  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the wire core portion  110  subsequently substantially conforms to the shape of the deformed, clamped or folded and crimped wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 . That is, when the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  are deformed, clamped or folded and crimped (clamping or crimping process) onto the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100 , protruding members  60  (see,  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) between the notches  48 , as well as protruding members  68  at each end (see also,  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) dig into, or press into, the outer surface of the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 4A , each of the elongated notches  48  fully extend along the floor member  45  between the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 ; and each of the elongated notches  48  further respectively partially extend, at end portions  49  thereof, into the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  substantially near the ends thereof. Alternatively, an additional embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B , has the end portions  49  of the elongated notches  48  respectively extending into the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  and substantially exiting at and extending into the ends or tips thereof. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 3B  is the bottom elevational views of the clamp or crimp area  3 , the main body  5 , and the blade  7  of the electrical male terminal  1 . The front end portion  20  of the main body  5  transitions the main body  5  to the blade  7  which is connected and integral thereto ( FIG. 3B ). Also shown in  FIG. 3B  are the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 , which are substantially symmetrical and respectively extend from the sides of the floor member  45  of the clamp or crimp area  3 . The embodiment of electrical male terminal  1  shown in  FIG. 3B  displays the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14 , which are substantially unaligned, and is also evident when viewed at side elevational views thereof (see also,  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). 
     Also illustrated in each of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  is a front portion  51  of the clamp or crimp area  3 . The front portion  51  of the clamp or crimp area  3  includes a space or transition area  50  which is above a neck member  52  and between the main body  5  and the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 . The neck member  52  has a narrowly tapered shape, narrowly tapering from the floor member  45 , and the wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 , to where the neck member  52  meets the main body  5 . Also, the narrowly tapered shape of the neck member  52  of the front portion  51  allows the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  to remain seated or mounted within the floor member  45 , and prevents the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  from being seated or mounted, in its entirety, onto the neck member  52 . Preferably, the narrowly tapered form of the neck member  52  of the clamp or crimp area  3  allows only a front portion of the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  to protrude into the neck member  52 . That is, the narrowly tapered form of the neck member  52  further prevents the wire core portion  110  from entering substantially into the space or transition area  50 . The transition area  50  as described earlier, becomes available for accommodating therein the TPA device (not shown) for assuring that the male terminal  1  remains locked, secured, and correctly positioned when inserted within the connector assembly  90 . Thus, wherein only a front portion of the wire core portion  110  enters or protrudes into the space or transition area  50 , the wire core portion  110  will not interfere with or inhibit accommodating therein, of the TPA device (not shown). 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 5A  is the tang member  15  and the attached end  30  and unattached end portion  28  of the lever member  25 . As discussed earlier with respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B ,  FIG. 5A  also shows the protruding member  35  of the unattached end portion  28  of the lever member  25 , which is capable of impinging against another protruding member  37  that extends from the main body  5  in preventing the lever member  25  from being deformed when the main terminal  1  is mated with the connector assembly  90 . The just-described structural arrangement protects the lever member  25  from being overstressed (and thereby prevented from being deformed) when the lever member  25  is flexed when entering the connector assembly  90 . Also shown in  FIG. 5A  is the panel shield member  40  of the front end portion  20  of the main body  5 . The panel shield member  40  is discussed in more detail in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 5B  are both the front and back portions  69 ,  71  of the main body  5  having a first support member  70  and a second support member  75 , respectively. More particularly, an upper portion  69   a  at the front portion  69  of the main body  5  includes the first support member  70 , while an upper portion  71   a  at the back portion  71  of the main body  5  includes the second support member  75 . A gap  76  separates the first support member  70  from a lower portion  80  of the main body  5 . A set of gaps  78   a ,  78   b  separate the second support member  75  from the lower portion  80  of the main body  5 . When the electrical male terminal  1  enters the connector assembly  90 , the first support member  70  and the second support member  75  are resiliently pushed downward toward the lower portion  80  of the main body  5  through the gaps  76 ,  78   a / 78   b , respectively, located therebetween. With the above-described structural arrangements, the first and second support members  70 ,  75  provide the necessary resilience in preventing the electrical male terminal  1  of this invention from being overstressed and from being deformed when fitted into the connector assembly  90 , thereby retaining polarity of the male terminal  1  (see,  FIGS. 14A and 14B ). 
     The panel shield member  40  is further illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The panel shield member  40  is illustrated herein as extending from a side portion of the front end portion  20  of the main body  5 , although not limited thereto. The panel shield member  40  has an upper surface  55  and shown here at an incline, wherein the lower end of the upper surface  55  is toward the blade  7  and the upper end of upper surface  55  is toward the tang member  15 . 
     Also shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  is a protruding guide member  53  that extends from and is attached to the tang member  15  of the main body  5 . The panel shield member  40  protects the deformation of the protruding guide member  53  during, e.g., transport of the electrical male terminal  1  or preferably, when the electrical male terminal  1  is mated with and inserted into the connector assembly  90 . As more particularly illustrated in  FIG. 6B , it is preferred that an upper surface  55  extending, in its entirety, along the panel shield member  40  is substantially higher or equal in height to an upper surface  58  of the protruding guide member  53  (see,  FIG. 6B ). That is, it is preferable that the upper surface  55  of the panel guide member  40  is, in its entirety, higher than or equal to in height in comparison to the upper surface  58  of the protruding guide member  53 . Likewise, the upper surface  58  of a portion of the protruding guide member  53  along the panel shield member  40 , is lower than or equal to the upper surface  55  of the panel guide member  40 , wherein the protruding guide member  53  substantially tapers from its attachment point with the tang member  15  substantially downward and toward the front end portion  20 . 
     The front end portion  20  of the main body  5 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , transitions into the blade  7 . The blade  7 , as also shown in  FIG. 7 , acts as a male contact for the electrical male terminal  1  within the male connector assembly  90 , and may be substantially rectangular, square, or the like in cross-sectional shape, although not limited thereto. At the end portion of the blade  7  is a tapered tip  60 , which may include a lower portion  62  that is substantially symmetrical to an upper portion  64 , but the lower portion  62  and upper portion  64  of the blade are not limited thereto so long as the tip  60  of the blade  7  is in a narrowly tapered form. The tapered tip  60  narrowly tapers toward the end of the blade  7 , respectively, at the end of the electrical male terminal  1 , and additionally acts to prevent stubbing or deformation of the blade  7 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a front elevational view of the electrical male terminal  1 . Shown here are the lower and upper portions  62 ,  64 , and tip  60  of the blade  7  that extend from the main body  5 . Also shown in  FIG. 8A  are the upper surface  55  of the panel shield member  40  having a height higher or equal (preferably in its entirety) along the upper surface  58  of the protruding guide member  53 , the protruding guide member  53  extending from the tang member  15  of the main body  5 . Shown also in  FIG. 8A  are the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  and the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14 , both extending from the clamp or crimp area  3 . Also seen in  FIG. 8A  are the gap  76  that separates the first support member  70  from the lower portion  80  of the main body  5 , and similarly the gap  78   a  beneath the second support member  75  (see also,  FIG. 5B ). 
       FIG. 8B  shows the back elevational view of the electrical male terminal  1 . Shown is the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  extending from respective sides of the floor member  40  of the clamp or crimp area  3 . Also shown is the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  extending from the floor member  45 . As part of the main body  5 , the second support member  75  is located, as shown, at the upper portion  71   a  of the back portion  71  of the main body  5  (see also,  FIG. 5B ). Also illustrated in  FIG. 8B  are the front end portion  20  of the main body  5 , which transitions to the blade  7 , and the substantially U-shaped unattached end portion  28  of the lever member  25 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary electrical wire or cable  100  having the wire core portion  110  and the insulation portion  120 , which is accommodated by the electrical male terminal  1  of this invention. Although not limited thereto, the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  may rest onto the serrated portions (formed by the notches  48  and protruding members  60 ,  68 ; see,  FIGS. 4A, 4B ), and as discussed earlier, the floor member  45  and the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  to provide a secure contact between the clamp or crimp area  3  of the electrical male terminal  1  and the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100 ; and when the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  are deformed, clamped or folded and crimped onto the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  (see,  FIG. 10 ). 
     Moreover in  FIG. 9 , although not limited thereto, the insulation portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100  may rest onto the floor member  40  of the clamp or crimp area  3  of the electrical male terminal  1  (see  FIGS. 4A, 4B ); and the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  are clamped or folded and crimped onto the insulated portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100 . 
     As discussed (see,  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  are clamped or folded and crimped onto the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  (see,  FIG. 10 ), and the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  are clamped or folded and crimped onto the insulated portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100  (see,  FIG. 11 ); and the electrical male terminal  1  is then inserted into the connector assembly  90  or the like, as illustrated in  FIG. 14A . 
     Shown in more detail in  FIG. 10  is the orientation in which the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  are folded towards each other, and the floor member  45 , and are deformed, clamped or folded and crimped around and into the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100 . Here, the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100  is essentially crushed, deformed, compacted, and substantially surrounded by the pair of wire clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11 . 
       FIG. 11  shows how the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  13 ,  14  are clamped or folded towards floor  40  and crimped onto the insulated portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100 . As further detailed in  FIG. 11 , when deformed, clamped or folded and crimped onto the insulation portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100 , a gap A exists between an unaligned pair of the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  13 ,  14 . Alternatively, the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  13 ,  14  may contact each other on one or more points when clamped or folded, and crimped onto the insulation portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11 ). 
     As mentioned earlier, alternatively, another embodiment of the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  213 ,  214  are shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , wherein the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  213 ,  214  are substantially aligned and directly opposed to each other, or substantially symmetrical to each other. The pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  213 ,  214 , extends from a substantially concave or rounded floor member  245 . After insertion of the insulated portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100 , the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  213 ,  214  are folded toward each other, and toward the floor  245 , dig into the insulated portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . As further shown in  FIG. 13 , the end portions  220 ,  221  of the pair of foldable wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation wing portions  213 ,  214 , respectively, preferably penetrate into a portion of the insulation portion  120 , but preferably do not penetrate entirely through the insulation portion  120 , or contact the core portion  110 , of the electrical wire or cable  100 . 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 14A  is the electrical male terminal  1 , in a pre-lock position, while being inserted into and through the connector assembly  90  or the like, the electrical male terminal  1  being shown in a front elevational view. Here the blade  7  is inserted first and enters the connector assembly  90 , as understood, as the direction of mating of the electrical male terminal  1  with the respective connector assembly  90 . Herein and before insertion commences, the pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions  10 ,  11  are deformed, clamped or folded and crimped onto the wire core portion  110  of the electrical wire or cable  100 , and the pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions  13 ,  14  are clamped or folded and crimped onto the insulation portion  120  of the electrical wire or cable  100 . As discussed above in the elevational view of the electrical male terminal  1  in  FIG. 8A , shown here also, in  FIG. 14A , are the lower and upper portions  62 ,  64  and tapered tip  60  of the blade  7  that extends from the main body  5 . Also shown is the upper surface  55  of the panel shield member  40  with its height (preferably in its entirety) higher or equal to the upper surface  58  of the protruding guide member  53 . The protruding guide member  53  extends from the tang member  15  and above the front end portion  20 . The lever member  25  here has been flexed downward by the connector assembly  90  which allows the electrical male terminal  1  main body  5  to be inserted there into upper portion  90   a  and guided into by protruding guide member  53  (see  FIG. 14A ). 
     As discussed earlier, and seen in  FIG. 14A , during insertion of the electrical male terminal  1  into the connector assembly  90 , the protruding members  35 ,  37  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2A and 5A ) and the first and second support members  70 ,  75  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5B ) prevent or protect at least the lever member  25  and the male terminal  1  from becoming overstressed or deformed (see  FIGS. 14A, 14B ). Also, as discussed earlier, the tapered portion  17  of the front end portion  20  of the main body (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2A ) and the protruding guide member  53  assist in guiding the male terminal  1  into the connector assembly  90  (see,  FIG. 14A ). The panel shield member  40  protects the protruding guide member  53  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 6A and 6B ), during the insertion of the electrical male terminal  1  into the connector assembly  90  (see,  FIG. 14A ). 
       FIG. 14B  shows the fully inserted electrical male terminal into the connector assembly  90 . As shown in  FIG. 10B , the lever member  25  retracts upward to a normal relaxed state and is locked or secured at the unattached end portion  28  by a member (not shown) inside the connector assembly  90 . After or at this time, as discussed earlier (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2A ), the TPA device (not shown) is then accommodated within the space  50  above neck member  52  located between the clamp or crimp area  3  and the main body  5 , and assures that the electrical male terminal  1  remains locked, secured, and correctly positioned within the connector assembly  90 . 
     Also shown in more detail in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  are the upper portion  90   a  and a lower portion  90   b  of the connector assembly  90 . The orientation or polarity of the male terminal  1  of this invention is such that when the electrical male terminal  1  of this invention is oriented, inserted, and fitted with the with connector assembly  90 , with the blade  7  entering first, and respective front end portion  20  further entering, the upper portion  69   a  at a front portion  69  and the upper portion  71   a  at a back portion  71  of the main body  5  are respectively accommodated by an upper portion  90   a  of the connector assembly  90 , while the lower portion  80  of the main body  5  is respectively accommodated by a lower portion  90   b  of the connector assembly  90 . The upper portion  69   a  is guided into upper portion  90   a  by protruding guide member  52 . The lower portion  80  is guided into the lower portion  90   b  by the tapered portion  17  and panel shield member  40 . The structural orientation or polarity shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  of the electrical male terminal  1  of this invention are such that the upper portions  69   a ,  71   a  of the main body  5 , will reside or fit within the narrower upper portion  90   a . Further, here the upper portion  69   a  and upper portion  71   a  are offset to one side in comparison to the lower portion  80  of the main body  5 . The lower portion  80  is wider than the upper portions  69   a ,  71   a  and resides within the wider lower portion  90   b  of the electrical male terminal  1 . However, such structural orientations or polarities of the electrical male terminal  1  of this invention, when inserted or fitted into the connector assembly  90  are not limited thereto. That is, when the electrical male terminal  1  of this invention is oriented, inserted, and fitted with connector assembly  90 , with the with the blade  7  entering first, and respective front end portion  20  further entering, it may have the upper portions  69   a ,  71   a  of the main body  5  and the upper portion  90   a  of the connector assembly  90  being wider in comparison to the lower portion  80  of the main body  5  and the lower portion  90   b  of the connector assembly  90 . And similarly, the upper portion  69   a  and upper portion  71   a  may be centered, or offset compared to the lower portion  80  of the main body  5  while fitted in the direction of mating, with the blade  7  entering first into the connector assembly  90 . The polarity or orientation of the electrical male terminal  1  and connector assembly  90  will be substantially similar to allow a substantial fitment thereby together. 
     Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.