Patent ID: 8323039

Claim:
An electrically conductive contact element, comprising: a compression molded electrically conductive part formed in a single molding step, wherein the single molded part comprises: a sliding electrical contact portion for fitting flush and sliding against an electrically conductive rail, wherein the sliding contact electrical portion is disposed at one end of the compression molded electrically conductive part; a contact pin portion that serves as a connector to an electric conductor, wherein the contact pin portion is disposed at another end of the compression molded electrically conductive part; and a support portion for electrically connecting the sliding electrical contact portion to the contact pin portion, wherein the support portion is attached to and materially bonded to the sliding electrical contact portion, wherein the support portion and the contact pin portion have the same material composition, wherein the sliding electrical contact portion has a material composition differing from that of the support portion and the contact pin, and wherein the contact pin portion is materially bonded to the support portion.