Compliant, press fit electrical contact having improved retention

• US 6,338,632 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2000
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Jones, Dennis B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARVEY, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US09/610,671
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 439/825-827, 439/82, 439/751
• US Class Current: 439/82
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/585 Terminals having a press fit or a compliant portion and a shank passing through a hole in the printed circuit board

Abstract

A compliant press fit contact 1 comprises a retaining mounting portion 12 in the shape of a hollow cylinder for mounting the press fit contact into a metal-coated hole 22 defined in a printed circuit board 2. The mounting portion defines a plurality of slots 121 and a slit 122, which are spaced apart from each other, dividing the mounting portion into a plurality of spring beams 120. Each beam has an arced outer surface for engaging with a wall 220 of the metal-coated hole. When inserted into the hole, the mounting portion deforms toward a center thereof, thereby securely retaining the press fit contact 1 in the hole.

Claims

1. A compliant press fit contact for mounting an electrical device to a printed circuit board to establish an electrical connection therebetween, the printed circuit board having a metal coated hole, said press fit contact comprising an elongate mounting portion defining three of slots extending longitudinally along a partial length of the mounting portion and a slit extending longitudinally along a full length of the mounting portion, said slots and slit being spaced apart from each other to divide the mounting portion into four of spring beams, each beam having an outwardly arced outer surface adapted for elastically engaging with a wall of the metal coated hole;

wherein the mounting portion is in the shaped of a hollow cylinder stamped from sheet metal;

wherein a lower end of the mounting portion is tapered for facilitating insertion of the mounting portion into the hole;

further comprising a substantially flat head portion above the mounting portion;

wherein the head portion forms a shoulder adapted for abutting against an edge of the printed circuit board around the hole when the mounting portion is pressed into the hole.