Varying diameter canted coil spring contacts and related methods of forming
First Claim
1. A contact assembly comprising:
- a spring contact comprising a plurality of coils interconnected with one another such that each portion of the plurality of coils are canted toward a common direction and at least some of the coils have outside diameters of different outside dimensions;
the spring contact comprising a first end, a second end, a center section and an open passage through the plurality of canted coils;
a housing comprising an interior cavity;
wherein the spring contact is located, at least in part, inside the interior cavity of the housing and wherein the first end and the second end are spaced from one another and some of the plurality of coils do not contact the housing; and
wherein a pin is disposed in the open passage of the plurality of coils.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A contact assembly is disclosed herein with a spring contact located in a housing wherein a plurality of coils of the spring contact are interconnected with one another and all slanted or canted. The coils further have outside diameters of different outside dimensions, such as one section of the spring contact having a larger outside diameter than the other section or sections of the spring contact. When inside the interior cavity of the housing, the first end and the second end are spaced from one another and wherein some of the plurality of coils do not contact the housing. A pin, rod, or shaft is locatable in a passage of the spring contact of the contact assembly but less than all of the coils of the spring contact grip against the exterior surface of the pin, rod or shaft.
26 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A contact assembly comprising:
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a spring contact comprising a plurality of coils interconnected with one another such that each portion of the plurality of coils are canted toward a common direction and at least some of the coils have outside diameters of different outside dimensions;
the spring contact comprising a first end, a second end, a center section and an open passage through the plurality of canted coils;a housing comprising an interior cavity;
wherein the spring contact is located, at least in part, inside the interior cavity of the housing and wherein the first end and the second end are spaced from one another and some of the plurality of coils do not contact the housing; andwherein a pin is disposed in the open passage of the plurality of coils. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for forming a contact assembly comprising:
providing a spring contact comprising a plurality of coils interconnected with one another such that each portion of the plurality of coils are canted toward a common direction and at least some of the coils have outside diameters of different outside dimensions and having an open passage through the plurality of canted coils;
the canted coil spring contact comprising a first end, a second end, and a center section and wherein the plurality of canted coils are canted to a respective relaxed state;providing a housing comprising an interior cavity and at least one open end; and placing the canted coil spring contact into the interior cavity of the housing through the at least one open end such that the first end and the second end are spaced from one another and wherein some of the plurality of coils do not contact the housing; placing a pin through the open passage of the canted coil spring contact; and
wherein insertion of the pin causes at least one of the plurality of coils to enlarge by deflecting more upwardly and less canted.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A contact assembly comprising a housing and a spring contact located therein in electrical contact with a pin;
- wherein the spring contact comprises a plurality of coils interconnected with one another such that each portion of the plurality of coils are canted toward a common direction and provide an open passage through the plurality of canted coils which include a first diameter and a second smaller diameter;
wherein the pin causes at least one of the plurality of coils with the second smaller diameter to enlarge by deflecting more upwardly and less canted. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- wherein the spring contact comprises a plurality of coils interconnected with one another such that each portion of the plurality of coils are canted toward a common direction and provide an open passage through the plurality of canted coils which include a first diameter and a second smaller diameter;
Specification