Female terminal fitting

• US 6,019,646 A
• Filed: 07/28/1997
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Okamura, Kenji, Oka, Hiroyuki, Wada, Yoshimasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANDIG, BARRY
• Application Number:
  US08/901,080
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 439/851, 439/852, 439/845, 439/850, 439/853, 439/801, 439/858, 439/861, 439/862, 439/748, 439/745
• US Class Current: 439/852
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/113 co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/18 with the spring member surrounding the socket

Abstract

A resilient contact 11 rise upwards diagonally towards the open end of an electrical terminal. A supporting member 11b is formed by folding an end of the contact 11 downwards and making the end of this folded over portion make contact with the base face of the protecting cover B. By these means, even if the point of contact is set towards the open end, the contact force can be maintained, and the rising member 11a is supported by the supporting member 11b when bending.

Claims

1. A female electrical terminal fitting having an aperture to receive a corresponding male terminal fitting and an internal resilient contact, said contact comprising a rising portion extending from one side wall of the terminal fitting such that said rising portion extends away from said side wall in the direction of said aperture, and said contact further being folded under said rising portion adjacent said aperture to constitute a supporting portion having a free end in contact with said side wall.

2. A terminal fitting according to claim 1 wherein said rising portion and supporting portion extend in substantially the same direction.

3. A terminal fitting according to claim 1 and further including an excessive bending preventing member under said rising portion for preventing excessive bending by abutment therewith.

4. A terminal fitting according to claim 3 wherein said excessive bending preventing member is formed on said supporting portion.

5. A terminal fitting according to claim 2 and further including an excessive bending preventing member under said rising portion for preventing excessive bending by abutment therewith.

6. A terminal fitting according to claim 5 wherein said excessive bending preventing member is formed on said supporting portion.

7. A terminal fitting according to claim 1 and further including a projection extending inwardly from said side wall, said projection being in contact with said supporting portion and spaced from the free end thereof.

8. A terminal fitting according to claim 1 and constituted of sheet metal.

9. A terminal fitting according to claim 1 wherein said aperture is positioned to guide a male terminal over said rising portion.

10. A terminal fitting according to claim 1 and comprising a terminal having said contact formed integrally therefrom, and a housing for said terminal, one wall of said housing constituting said side wall.

11. A terminal fitting according to claim 1 wherein said rising portion includes an upstanding contact protrusion at the peak thereof.

12. A terminal fitting according to claim 11 wherein said protrusion is formed as a raised portion of a surface of said rising portion.