Electrical terminal structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A switch cartridge, the combination comprising:
- a plunger within the cartridge framework;
a switch mounted within the cartridge framework to one side of the plunger and which is actuated by the axial movement thereof;
said switch including a pair of contacts, one of which has a contact end, the contact end extending into a receptacle in the cartridge framework;
a terminal member attached to the contact end and having a terminal surface within the receptacle;
a terminal housing wedgingly retained within the receptacle and having an interior terminal support member which is configured to receive and retain said terminal member;
said terminal member having a portion conforming to the terminal support and mating with the terminal support member to provide a firm union between the contact end and the terminal housing;
an elongated threaded fastener within said terminal housing;
a pressure plate carried by said elongated threaded fastener and restrained against rotation during turning movement of said elongated threaded fastener;
said pressure plate having a wire contact surface opposing the terminal surface of said terminal member and being substantially parallel thereto to form a wire receiving mouth between the wire contact surface and the terminal surface;
the wire contact surface being brought into contact with a wire when inserted between the wire contact surface and the terminal surface by rotation of said elongated threaded fastener to provide a direct contact between the wire and said terminal member in said switch cartridge.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A switch cartridge wedgingly retains an electrical terminal structure having a terminal housing with a hollow interior which receives a threaded fastener and a terminal. The threaded fastener carries a pressure plate which is restrained against rotation and translated toward the terminal upon tightening of the fastener within the terminal housing. A wire is inserted into the terminal housing and firmly held between the pressure plate and the terminal by tightening the fastener thereby making a direct wire to terminal contact.
19 Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A switch cartridge, the combination comprising:
-
a plunger within the cartridge framework; a switch mounted within the cartridge framework to one side of the plunger and which is actuated by the axial movement thereof; said switch including a pair of contacts, one of which has a contact end, the contact end extending into a receptacle in the cartridge framework; a terminal member attached to the contact end and having a terminal surface within the receptacle; a terminal housing wedgingly retained within the receptacle and having an interior terminal support member which is configured to receive and retain said terminal member; said terminal member having a portion conforming to the terminal support and mating with the terminal support member to provide a firm union between the contact end and the terminal housing; an elongated threaded fastener within said terminal housing; a pressure plate carried by said elongated threaded fastener and restrained against rotation during turning movement of said elongated threaded fastener; said pressure plate having a wire contact surface opposing the terminal surface of said terminal member and being substantially parallel thereto to form a wire receiving mouth between the wire contact surface and the terminal surface; the wire contact surface being brought into contact with a wire when inserted between the wire contact surface and the terminal surface by rotation of said elongated threaded fastener to provide a direct contact between the wire and said terminal member in said switch cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A switch cartridge, the combination comprising:
-
a plunger within the cartridge framework; a switch mounted within the cartridge framework to one side of the plunger and which is actuated by the axial movement thereof; said switch including a pair of contacts, one of which has a contact end, the contact end extending into a receptacle in the cartridge framework; a polyhedral terminal housing wedgingly retained within a receptacle which is formed in the cartridge framework, said terminal housing having a hollow interior, a first housing wall which has a threaded aperture, a second housing wall which has a terminal-receiving opening and a third housing wall which has a wire-receiving entrance, the hollow interior of said terminal housing being adapted to receive a wire; an elongated threaded fastener having one end disposed within the hollow interior of said terminal housing and which is rotatably removable therefrom through the threaded aperture in the first housing wall; a pressure plate having a first end disposed within the hollow interior of said terminal housing and a second end carried by said elongated threaded fastener, said pressure plate being restrained against rotation during rotational movement of said elongated threaded fastener within the threaded aperture; and a terminal member attached to the contact end and having a terminal surface at one of its ends, said terminal member being connected to said terminal housing in the interior thereof with a firm mechanical fit and being removable from the terminal-receiving opening in the second housing wall; said elongated threaded fastener being rotatable within the threaded aperture towards said terminal member to bring the first end of said pressure plate against a wire inserted through the wire-receiving entrance in the third housing wall to provide a direct contact between the wire and said terminal member in said switch cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
Specification