Patent Publication Number: US-9905955-B2

Title: Terminal and connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-089095, filed on Apr. 27, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates generally to a terminal and a connector. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     For example, as seen with reference to Patent Literature 1 (Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. H10-247543), a terminal inserted in the housing of a connector has a lance formed to be locked in a lance locking part formed within the housing. As the lance is locked in the lance locking part, the terminal is retained in the housing in an unremovable state. 
     The terminal described in the Patent Literature 1 has a lance formed by being cut out and raised from a sidewall of a terminal body made of a metal plate. Therefore, the rigidity of the sidewall easily lowers and consequently the strength of terminal may lower. Particularly, when the terminal is made small in height, the strength of the terminal easily significantly lowers and it is difficult to respond to the request for making a terminal small in height using the prior art structure. 
     The present disclosure is made with the view of the above situation and an objective of the disclosure is to realize a terminal small in height while maintaining the strength of the terminal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminal according to a first exemplary aspect of the present disclosure comprises: 
     a conductive contact plate elastic and making contact with a counterpart terminal; 
     a tube-like conducive body supporting the conductive contact plate and comprising a first wall; 
     a first extended part comprising a first folded part extending from an end of the first wall and folded outward from the conductive body and a first overlapped part extending from a leading end of the first folded part and overlapping with the first wall; and 
     a first lance in the shape of a cantilever beam protruding from the first overlapped part. 
     The following may be possible: 
     the conductive body comprises a second wall facing the first wall, and 
     the conductive contact plate is disposed between the first wall and the second wall. 
     It may be possible to comprise: 
     a second extended part comprising a second folded part extending from an end of the second wall and folded outward from the conductive body and a second overlapped part extending from a leading end of the second folded part and overlapping with the second wall; and 
     a second lance in the shape of a cantilever beam protruding from the second overlapped part. 
     A protrusion protruding from an outer wall surface of the first wall and abutting on the first overlapped part may be formed on the conductive body. 
     The first folded part may be folded at an axial line parallel to an axial direction of the conductive body. 
     The first folded part may be folded at an axial line parallel to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the conductive body. 
     The following may be possible: 
     the first wall faces the conductive contact plate, and 
     the first folded part is folded at an axial line parallel to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the conductive body. 
     The first lance may comprise a fold line part in the shape of a fold line formed in parallel to a protruding direction. 
     The following may be possible: 
     the first extended part is formed at one end of the conductive body, 
     an other-end extended part formed at the other end of the conductive body with the first lance in-between is provided, and 
     the other-end extended part comprises an other-end folded part extending from an end of the first wall and folded outward from the conductive body and an other-end overlapped part extending from a leading end of the other-end folded part and overlapping with the first wall. 
     The connector according to a second exemplary aspect of the present disclosure comprises: 
     the terminal according to the first exemplary aspect of the present disclosure; and 
     a housing in which an engaging part engaging with the first lance is formed. 
     According to the present disclosure, the first lance protrudes from the first overlapped part overlapping with the first wall. Therefore, reduction in the rigidity of the wall due to formation of the lance is suppressed. Consequently, it is possible to realize a terminal small in height while maintaining the strength of the terminal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of this application can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a plane view of the terminal according to Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view at the line IIB-IIB in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view (No.  1 ) of the conductive body according to Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view (No.  2 ) of the conductive body according to Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 4B  is an XY cross-sectional view of the conductive body according to Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view (No.  3 ) of the conductive body according to Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 5B  is a plane view of the conductive body according to Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 6A  is a YZ cross-sectional view (No.  1 ) showing the process of mounting the terminal according to Embodiment 1 in a housing; 
         FIG. 6B  is an XY cross-sectional view (No.  1 ) showing the process of mounting the terminal according to Embodiment 1 in a housing; 
         FIG. 7A  is a YZ cross-sectional view (No.  2 ) showing the process of mounting the terminal according to Embodiment 1 in a housing; 
         FIG. 7B  is an XY cross-sectional view (No.  2 ) showing the process of mounting the terminal according to Embodiment 1 in a housing; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the part indicated by the arrow VII in  FIG. 7B ; 
         FIG. 9A  is an illustration for explaining the method of removing the terminal according to Embodiment 1 from the housing; 
         FIG. 9B  is an illustration for explaining the action and effect of the lance according to Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10B  is a plane view of the connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11B  is a YZ cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiment 1 
     The terminal and connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 . Here, for easier understanding, XYZ coordinates are set up and referred to as necessary. Moreover, the axial direction of the conductive body of the terminal is parallel to the Y-axis direction. 
     A connector  100  according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is, for example, a non-directional connector used in electronic circuit parts mounted on vehicles. The connector  100  is connected to a counterpart connector  200  comprising a male terminal as shown in  FIG. 1 . The connector  100  comprises a terminal  1 , a housing  101 , and a cover  110 . The cover  110  is attached to the housing  101  and covers the housing  101  in part. 
     The terminal  1  comprises a female terminal in a shape extending in the Y-axis direction as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In this embodiment, the terminal  1  is formed from a sheet of metal plate. However, this is not restrictive and the terminal  1  may be a multiple-piece type terminal formed from two or more metal plates. The terminal  1  comprises a conductive contact plate  10 , a conductive body  20 , extended parts  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60 , lances  70  and  80 , and a caulking part  90 . 
     The conductive contact plate  10  is a leaf spring member formed from an elastic and conductive plate material consisting of copper, copper alloy or the like. The conductive contact plate  10  has an arched part formed into the shape of an arch protruding to the +Z side. The conductive contact plate  10  is covered by the conductive body  20  and the arched part of the conductive contact plate  10  is exposed from the conductive body  20 . The +Z-side surface of the arched part of the conductive contact plate  10  makes contact with a male terminal that is the counterpart terminal. 
     The conductive body  20  is a member supporting the conductive contact plate  10 . The conductive body  20  is formed, as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 3 , into the shape of a square tube comprising a bottom plate  21 , a top plate  22 , a side plate  23  (the first wall) that is the side wall on the +X side, and a side plate  24  (the second wall) that is the sidewall on the −X side. The bottom plate  21  faces the top plate  22  and the side plate  23  faces the side plate  24 . The conductive contact plate  10  is disposed between the side plate  23  and the side plate  24  of the conductive body  20 . The conductive body  20  is made of a conductive material such as copper, copper alloy, and the like. 
     A protrusion  23   a  protruding from the outer wall surface of the side plate  23  is formed on the conductive body  20 . The protrusion  23   a  is provided at a position adjoining the −Y-side end of the extended part  30 . In this Embodiment 1, the protrusion  23   a  is formed on the side plate  23  but is not formed on the side plate  24 . 
     The extended part  30  (the first extended part) is formed at the end on the +X side and on the −Y side (one end) of the conductive body  20  as shown in  FIG. 4A . The extended part  30  has a folded part  31  and an overlapped part  32 . 
     The folded part  31  extends from the upper end (the +Z-side end) of the side plate  23  and is folded outward from the conductive body  20 . In detail, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the folded part  31  is folded at an axial line A 1  parallel to the Y-axis direction. 
     The overlapped part  32  extends from the leading end of the folded part  31  and overlaps with the side plate  23 . This overlapped part abuts on the protrusion  23   a  formed on the side plate  23 . 
     The extended part  40  (the second extended part) is formed at the end on the −X side and on the −Y side of the conductive body  20  as shown in  FIG. 5A . The extended part  40  has a folded part  41  and an overlapped part  42  like the extended part  30 . 
     The folded part  41  extends from the upper end (the +Z-side end) of the side plate  24  and is folded outward from the conductive body  20 . In detail, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 4B , the folded part  41  is folded at an axial line A 2  parallel to the Y-axis direction. 
     The overlapped part  42  extends from the leading end of the folded part  41  and overlaps with the side plate  24 . 
     The extended part  40  and the extended part  30  are formed at positions symmetric about an axis L parallel to the axial direction of the conductive body  20  in a plane view shown in  FIG. 2A . 
     The extended part  50  (the other-end extended part) is formed, as shown in  FIG. 4A , on the opposite side to the position where the extended part  30  is formed in the Y-axis direction with the lance  70  in-between. The extended part  50  has a folded part  51  and an overlapped part  52 . 
     The folded part  51  extends from the upper end (the +Z-side end) of the side plate  23  and is folded outward from the conductive body  20 . In detail, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the folded part  51  is folded at the axial line A 1  parallel to the Y-axis direction. 
     The overlapped part  52  extends from the leading end of the folded part  51  and overlaps with the side plate  23 . 
     The extended part  60  is formed, as shown in  FIG. 5A , on the opposite side to the position where the extended part  40  is formed in the Y-axis direction with the lance  80  in-between. The extended part  60  has a folded part  61  and an overlapped part  62  like the extended part  50 . 
     The folded part  61  extends from the upper end (the +Z-side end) of the side plate  24  and is folded outward from the conductive body  20 . In detail, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 4B , the folded part  61  is folded at the axial line A 2  parallel to the Y-axis direction. 
     The overlapped part  62  extends from the leading end of the folded part  61  and overlaps with the side plate  24 . 
     The extended part  60  and the extended part  50  are formed at positions symmetric about the axis L parallel to the axial direction of the conductive body  20  in a plane view shown in  FIG. 2A . 
     Moreover, the conductive body  20  has, as shown in  FIG. 5B , a one-end extended part formation part P 1  constructed to include the extended parts  30  and  40  and an other-end extended part formation part P 2  constructed to include the extended parts  50  and  60 . Here, in  FIG. 5B , the one-end extended part formation part P 1  and the other-end extended part formation part P 2  are dotted for easier understanding. The width W 1  of the one-end extended part formation part P 1  (the width W 1  between the outer surface of the extended part  30  and the outer surface of the extended part  40 ) and the width W 2  of the other-end extended part formation part P 2  (the width W 2  between the outer surface of the extended part  50  and the outer surface of the extended part  60 ) are equal. However, this is not restrictive. The width W 2  may be slightly smaller than the width W 1  or slightly larger than the width W 1 . 
     The lance  70  (the first lance) is formed to be locked in a lance locking part of the housing so as to retain the terminal  1  in the housing in an unremovable state. The lance  70  is formed to protrude from the overlapped part  32  of the extended part  30  as shown in  FIG. 4A . As a result, the lance  70  is formed into the shape of a cantilever beam having the end closer to the overlapped part  32  as a fixed end and the opposite end as a free end. Moreover, the lance  70  has a fold line part  71  in the shape of a fold line formed in parallel to the protruding direction. The lance  70  is bent along the fold line part  71 . 
     The lance  80  (the second lance) is formed to be locked in a lance locking part of the housing so as to retain the terminal  1  in the housing in an unremovable state. The lance  80  is formed to protrude from the overlapped part  42  of the extended part  40  as shown in  FIG. 5A . As a result, the lance  80  is formed into the shape of a cantilever beam having the end closer to the overlapped part  42  as a fixed end and the opposite end as a free end. Moreover, the lance  80  has a fold line part  81  in the shape of a fold line formed in parallel to the protruding direction. The lance  80  is bent along the fold line part  81 . The lance  80  and the lance  70  are formed symmetrically about the axis L in a plane view shown in  FIG. 2A . 
     The caulking part  90  comprises a conductor caulking part  91  and a cladding fixing part  92  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Pressed against the leading end of the core line of an insulating-clad line by caulking, the conductor caulking part  91  is electrically connected. Pressing the end of the insulating-clad line by caulking, the cladding fixing part  92  protects the connection between the conductor caulking part  91  and the core line from a drawing force. Since the caulking part  90  and conductive body  20  are formed in one piece, the core line against which the conductor caulking part  91  is pressed and the male terminal connected to the conductive body  20  are electrically connected. 
     The terminal  1  having the above structure is mounted in the housing  101  formed into a nearly cylindrical shape as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     The housing  101  is made of an insulating material. A terminal housing space  102  housing the terminal  1  and lance locking parts  103  and  104  are formed in the housing  101 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , a tilted surface  102   a  tilted with respect to the Y-axis direction is formed on the bottom surface of the terminal housing space  102  (the surface facing the bottom plate  21  of the conductive body  20 ). Moreover, a fit-in space  102   b  is formed in the terminal housing space  102  as shown in  FIG. 6B , which has the smallest width in the terminal housing space  102 . The fit-in space  102   b  has a width W 3  (the length in the X-axis direction) equal to the width W 2  of the other-end extended part formation part P 2  of the conductive body  20 . 
     With the lances  70  and  80  of the terminal  1  being locked in, the lance locking parts  103  and  104  retain the terminal  1  in the housing  101  in an unremovable state. 
     Operation of the members when the terminal  1  is mounted in the housing  101  will be described next with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 8 . 
     The user who mounts the terminal  1  into the housing  101  inserts the terminal  1  into the terminal housing space  102  of the housing  101  from the opening on the +Y side as shown in  FIG. 6A . Then, the terminal  1  shifts within the terminal housing space  102  in the −Y direction with the arched part of the conductive contact plate  10  being flexed. Moreover, the terminal  1  shifts within the terminal housing space  102  with the lances  70  and  80  being flexed in the directions indicated by the arrows R 1  as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
     Next, as the terminal  1  shifts within the terminal housing space  102 , the conductive contact plate  10  of the terminal  1  reaches the tilted surface  102   a . Then, guided by the tilted surface  102   a , the conductive contact plate  10  is flexed to the +Z side and the arched part of the conductive contact plate  10  protrudes in the +Z direction as shown in  FIG. 7A . Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 7B and 8 , the terminal  1  has the lances  70  and  80  elastically restored in the directions indicated by the arrows R 2  and the lances  70  and  80  are locked in the lance locking parts  103  and  104 . As a result, the terminal  1  is retained in the housing  101  in the state of being unremovable from the housing  101  in the +Y direction. Moreover, the other-end extended part formation part P 2  of the conductive body  20  is fitted in the fit-in space  102   b . Here, in  FIG. 8 , the other-end extended part formation part P 2  is dotted for easier understanding. 
     The method of removing the terminal  1  from the housing  101  will be described next with reference to  FIG. 9A . 
     For removing the terminal  1  from the housing  101 , as seen with reference to  FIG. 9A , the user flexes the lances  70  and  80  in the directions indicated by the arrows R 1  using a dedicated jig J. As a result, the lances  70  and  80  are unlocked from the lance locking parts  103  and  104 . Next, the terminal  1  is pulled in the +Y direction. Then, removal of the terminal  1  from the housing  101  is completed. 
     As described above, according to the terminal  1  according to this Embodiment 1, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4A , the lances  70  and  80  protrude from the overlapped parts  32  and  42  overlapping with the side plates  23  and  24 . Therefore, reduction in the rigidity of the side plates  23  and  24  due to formation of the lances  70  and  80  is suppressed. As a result, the thickness (the measurement in the Z-axis direction) of the terminal  1  can be reduced. Consequently, it is possible to make the terminal  1  small in height while maintaining the strength of the terminal  1 . 
     Moreover, in this Embodiment 1, the protrusion  23   a  protruding from the outer wall surface of the side plate  23  and abutting on the overlapped part  32  is formed on the conductive body  20 . The protrusion  23   a  functions as a stopper regulating deformation of the overlapped part  32  with respect to the side plate  23  when a force in the direction of removing the terminal  1  from the housing  101  is applied. 
     For example, a case in which the protrusion  23   a  is not formed on the conductive body  20  will be described. When some action different from the normal action of removing the terminal  1  from the housing  101  is taken, an unexpected force F different from the normal removal force may be applied to the conductive body  20  because the lances  70  and  80  are locked in the lance locking parts  103  and  104 . In such a case, the overlapped part  32  may be deformed with respect to the side plate  23  in the direction indicated by the arrow A 3  in  FIG. 9A  (in the −Y direction). On the other hand, in this Embodiment 1, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4A , the protrusion  23   a  functions as a stopper and it is possible to suppress deformation of the overlapped part  32  with respect to the side plate  23  when an unexpected force F is applied to the conductive body  20 . 
     Moreover, the terminal  1  according to this Embodiment 1 comprises the extended parts  50  and  60  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The width W 2  in the X-axis direction of the other-end extended part formation part P 2  constructed to include the extended parts  50  and  60  is equal to the width W 3  in the X-axis direction of the fit-in space  102   b  of the terminal housing space  102  of the housing  101  (see  FIG. 6B ). Therefore, as the terminal  1  is housed in the terminal housing space  102 , the other-end extended part formation part P 2  is fitted in the fit-in space  102   b , whereby it is possible to suppress wobbling of the terminal  1  housed in the terminal housing space  102 . Moreover, it is possible to suppress unlocking of the lances  70  and  80  from the lance locking parts  103  and  104  as a result of the terminal  1  being biased in the −X direction or in the +X direction within the terminal housing space  102 . Here, the same effect can be obtained even if the width W 2  is slightly larger or slightly smaller than the width W 3 . 
     Moreover, in the terminal  1  according to this Embodiment 1, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the lances  70  and  80  have the fold line parts  71  and  81  formed in parallel to the protruding direction. The fold line parts  71  and  81  can improve the strength of the lances  70  and  80 . Moreover, it is possible to suppress return of the free ends of the lances  70  and  80  when an unexpected force F different from the normal removal force is applied to the conductive body  20 . For example, in the case shown in  FIG. 9B  in which the lances  70  and  80  do not have the fold line parts  71  and  81 , there is the risk of the free end of the lance  70  being returned in the −Y direction and a returned part  72  being formed on the lance  70  when an unexpected force F is applied to the conductive body  20 . However, in this Embodiment 1, the lances  70  and  80  have the fold line parts  71  and  81 , whereby it is possible to suppress return of the free ends of the lances  70  and  80  and consequently improve the retention of the terminal  1  in the housing  101 . 
     Embodiment 2 
     The terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 10A and 10B . Mainly the difference from Embodiment 1 will be described. It is assumed that the matters other than the described difference are the same as in Embodiment 1. Here, for easier understanding, XYZ coordinates are set up and referred to as necessary. 
     A terminal  2  according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure comprises, as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a conductive contact plate  10 , a conductive body  20 , extended parts  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60 , lances  70  and  80 , and a caulking part (not shown). The terminal  2  according to Embodiment 2 is different from the terminal  1  according to Embodiment 1 in that the folded parts  31  and  41  of the extended parts  30  and  40  are folded in a different shape. 
     The extended part  30  (the first extended part) is formed at the end on the +X side and on the −Y side of the conductive body  20  (at one end). The extended part  30  has a folded part  31  and an overlapped part  32 . 
     The folded part  31  extends from the leading end (the end on the −Y side) of the side plate  23  and is folded outward from the conductive body  20 . In detail, the folded part  31  is folded at an axial line parallel to a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction (an axial line parallel to the Z-axis direction). 
     The overlapped part  32  extends from the leading end of the folded part  31  and overlaps with the side plate  23 . 
     The extended part  40  (the second extended part) is formed at the end on the −X side and on the −Y side of the conductive body  20  (at one end). The extended part  40  has a folded part  41  and an overlapped part  42  like the extended part  30 . 
     The folded part  41  extends from the leading end (the end on the −Y side) of the side plate  24  and is folded outward from the conductive body  20 . In detail, the folded part  41  is folded at an axial line parallel to a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction (an axial line parallel to the Z-axis direction). 
     The overlapped part  42  extends from the leading end of the folded part  41  and overlaps with the side plate  24 . 
     The extended part  40  and the extended part  30  are formed at positions symmetric about an axis parallel to the axial direction of the conductive body  20  in a plane view shown in  FIG. 10B . 
     As described above, according to the terminal  2  according to this Embodiment 2, the lances  70  and  80  protrude from the overlapped parts  32  and  42  overlapping with the side plates  23  and  24 . Therefore, reduction in the rigidity of the side plates  23  and  24  due to formation of the lances  70  and  80  is suppressed. As a result, the thickness (the measurement in the Z-axis direction) of the terminal  2  can be reduced. Consequently, it is possible to make the terminal  2  small in height while maintaining the strength of the terminal  2 . Moreover, the same effect as the terminal  1  according to Embodiment 1 can be obtained. 
     Embodiment 3 
     The terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 11A and 11B . Mainly the difference from Embodiment 2 will be described. It is assumed that the matters other than the described difference are the same as in Embodiment 2. Here, for easier understanding, XYZ coordinates are set up and referred to as necessary. 
     A terminal  3  according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure comprises, as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , a conductive contact plate  10 , a conductive body  20 , an extended part  30 , a lance  70 , and a caulking part (not shown). The terminal  3  according to Embodiment 3 is different from the terminal  2  according to Embodiment 2 in that the folded part  30  formed and the lance formed are different in number. 
     The extended part  30  (the first extended part) is formed at the end on the −Z side and on the −Y side of the conductive body  20  (at one end). The extended part  30  has a folded part  31  and an overlapped part  32 . 
     The folded part  31  extends from the leading end (the end on the −Y side) of the bottom plate  21  (the first wall) and is folded outward from the conductive body  20 . In detail, the folded part  31  is folded at an axial line parallel to a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction (an axial line parallel to the X-axis direction). 
     The overlapped part  32  extends from the leading end of the folded part  31  and overlaps with the bottom plate  21 . 
     The lance  70  (the first lance) is formed to be locked in the lance locking part of the housing so as to retain the terminal  3  in the housing in an unremovable state. The lance  70  is formed to protrude from the overlapped part  32  of the extended part  30 . As a result, the lance  70  is formed into the shape of a cantilever beam having the end closer to the overlapped part  32  as a fixed end and the opposite end as a free end. Moreover, the lance  70  has a fold line part in the shape of a fold line formed in parallel to the protruding direction. 
     The present disclosure is not confined to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various manners without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. 
     For example, in this Embodiment 1, the protrusion  23   a  is formed on the side plate  23  but is not formed on the side plate  24 . However, this is not restrictive. The protrusion  23   a  may be formed both on the side plate  23  and on the side plate  24 . 
     The foregoing describes some example embodiments for explanatory purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the included claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.