Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Spring actuated or resilient securing part
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-29
2001-05-01
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient...
Spring actuated or resilient securing part
C439S857000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224432
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical contacts and, more particularly, to an electrical contact with orthogonal contact arms and offset contact areas.
2. Brief Description of Earlier Developments
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,690 discloses a card edge connector having an electrical contact with two orthogonally bent contact arms and offset contact areas between the two arms. U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,907 discloses an electrical contact with generally parallel, but offset contact portions which overlap in a path of insertion of a male pin between the two contact areas. A problem with conventional electrical contacts which are intended to receive a mating male contact is that contact arm deflection can vary too much to be efficiently used in electrical connectors with very small spacings or pitch between contacts. In addition, insertion forces of a male contact between two contact arms in a very small contact pitch connector cannot be too large, which might result in damage to the contacts, but contact wipe between the contacts and contact force between the contacts needs to be sufficient to establish a good electrical mating between the contacts. Thus, there is a need for an electrical contact which can be used in very small contact pitch connectors which has good contact wipe characteristics, relatively low mating force characteristics, and good electrical contact with a mating male contact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical contact is provided comprising a first contact arm having a first contact area; and a second contact arm having a second contact area. The first and second contact arms form a male contact receiving area therebetween. The first and second contact arms are generally orthogonal to each other with a relatively narrow side edge of the first contact arm forming the first contact area and facing a relatively wide side face of the second contact arm which forms the second contact area.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an electrical contact is provided comprising a first connection section for connection to a first electrical component; and a second connection section, connected to the first connection section, for connection to a second electrical component. The second connection section comprises two contact arms forming a male contact receiving area therebetween. The two contact arms each have a male contact contacting area which are longitudinally offset from each other along a path of insertion of the male contact into the contact receiving area. Before the male contact is inserted into the contact receiving area, the two contacting areas overlap each other through the path of insertion of the male contact.
In accordance with one method of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an electrical contact is provided comprising steps of providing a one-piece member with a first section having two contact arms; forming a first contact area on a first relatively narrow face of a first one of the contact arms, and a second contact area on a second relatively wide face of a second one of the contact arms; and bending the one-piece member to locate the two contact arms into a general orthogonal position relative to each other such that the first and second faces are located opposite each other and form a male contact receiving area therebetween.
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Berg Technology Inc.
Donovan Lincoln
Le Thanh-Tam
Perman & Green LLP
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