Terminal cap and cap attachment structure

• US 5,413,500 A
• Filed: 12/16/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US08/167,037
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 439/519, 439/521, 439/522, 439/202, 439/502, 439/503, 439/504, 439/754, 439/801, 439/883
• US Class Current: 439/521
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/22 End caps, i.e. of insulating or conductive material for covering or maintaining connections between wires entering the cap from the same end

Abstract

A pair of engaging projections comprising a first part projecting widthwise and a second part formed by bending the end of this first part to project in the thickness direction is formed opposite each other on the connecting member of the terminal. The terminal cap comprises a fixed member comprising a connector-side member for the terminal and a base-side member for the terminal. The terminal cap also comprises a cover member comprising a first cover part closing the base-side member and a second cover part closing the connector-side member. A connector opening to which is inserted into the connection terminal connecting to the connecting member is provided on the connector-side member. A perimeter wall projecting in the direction reducing the diameter of the connector opening is provided. The first part of the engaging projection of the connecting member inserted to the connector opening engages the perimeter wall. Both sides of the first and second parts of the engaging projections engage the first and third engaging ribs provided on the perimeter wall.

Claims

1. A terminal cap comprising:

a fixed member having an opened top and including a connector-side member for accommodating a connecting member of a terminal element, and a base-side member for accommodating a base of the terminal element, said base having one end of a wire connected thereto; and

a cover member comprising a first cover portion for closing the base-side member, and a second cover portion for closing the connector-side member;

wherein the connector-side member comprises a connector opening in which a terminal connector of an electrical device is inserted for engaging with the connecting member, and a wall member projecting in a direction reducing a diameter of the connector opening, and wherein the connecting member of the terminal element positioned at the connector opening and positioned at a bottom side of the connector-side member is engaged by said wall member wherein the first cover portion of the cover member is connected to the fixed member such that first cover portion can be selectively opened and closed, and the second cover portion is connected to the first cover portion such that the second cover portion can be opened and closed independently of the first cover portion.

2. A terminal cap according to claim 1 wherein an engaging rib engaging the connecting member of the terminal element for positioning the connecting member to the connector opening is provided at the wall member.

3. A terminal cap according to claim 1, wherein said engaging rib is tapered toward the open edge of the wall member.

4. A terminal cap according to claim 1 wherein the second cover portion is integrally molded contiguous to the first cover portion.

5. A terminal cap attachment structure for mounting a terminal cap on a terminal element which comprises:

a connecting member of the terminal element having a pair of engaging projections formed therein, each of said engaging projections including a first part projecting in mutual opposition widthwise to the connecting member, and a second part formed by curving one end of the first part to project in a thickness direction of the connecting member;

said terminal cap comprising a fixed member having an opened top, said terminal cap including a connector-side member locating the connecting member of the terminal element, and a base-side member locating a base of the terminal element and having one end of a wire connected to said base, and a cover member including a first cover for closing the base-side member and a second cover for closing the connector-side member;

wherein the connector-side member comprises a connector opening in which a terminal connector of an electrical device is inserted for engaging with the connecting member, and a wall member projecting in a direction reducing the diameter of the connector opening having an interior surface facing the connector opening and having engaging ribs on the interior thereof, and wherein one surface of the first part of said pair of engaging projections of the connecting member positioned at the connector opening engages the wall member, and both sides of the first and second parts of the engaging projections engage the engaging ribs provided on the wall member.

6. A terminal cap attachment structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein an end of the second part of said pair of engaging projections engages a detent provided on the terminal connector.

7. A terminal cap attachment structure of claim 6 wherein said terminal connector has a base portion and said detent is formed in a detent member surrounding the base portion.

8. A terminal cap attachment structure of claim 7 wherein said detent member is generally annular and is secured to the base portion of the terminal connector by a nut.