Connector terminal

• US 5,486,123 A
• Filed: 03/09/1994
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyazaki, Sho
• Primary Examiner(s): PIRLOT, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/207,675
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 439/826, 439/825, 439/824, 439/851-857, 439/861, 439/862, 439/842, 439/843
• US Class Current: 439/825
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/15 Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure

Abstract

A connector terminal includes a first terminal having a cylindrical tubular portion, and a second terminal that can be connected to the cylindrical tubular portion. An outer terminal member and an inner terminal member for contacting respectively with outer and inner surfaces of the tubular portion are selectively attached to the second terminal. By selecting the two terminal members suitably, designs for respectively accommodating different allowable current values can be easily achieved.

Claims

1. A connector terminal comprising a first terminal having a cylindrical tubular portion, and a second terminal that can be fitted in said tubular portion, wherein an outer terminal member and an inner terminal member for contacting respectively with outer and inner surfaces of said tubular portion are attached to said second terminal in coaxial relation, said outer terminal member being displaced radially from the axis of said cylindrical tubular portion and radially displaced and separated throughout from said inner terminal member when attached to said second terminal, and said outer terminal member being selectively removable from said second terminal without deformation of said outer terminal member or any portion of said second terminal.

2. A connector terminal comprising:

a first terminal having a cylindrical tubular portion;

a second terminal having an inner terminal member insertable in said cylindrical tubular portion; and

an outer terminal member selectively engageable with an outer surface of said cylindrical tubular portion and said second terminal, said outer terminal member being displaced radially from the axis of said cylindrical tubular portion and radially displaced and separated throughout from said inner terminal member when attached to said second terminal, and said outer terminal member being selectively removable from said second terminal without deformation of said outer terminal member or any portion of said second terminal.

4. A connector terminal according to claim 2, wherein said inner terminal member comprises a plurality of expanding slots, said slots facilitating engagement with said cylindrical tubular portion, wherein said terminal member contacts an inner surface of said tubular portion over substantially an entire length thereof with a predetermined contact pressure.

5. A connector terminal according to claim 2, wherein said outer terminal member comprises a mounting base and a plurality of spaced terminal pieces extending from a peripheral edge of said mounting base, said plurality of spaced terminal pieces being spaced at equal intervals in a circumferential direction.

6. A connector terminal according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of spaced terminal pieces are integral with said mounting base.

7. A connector terminal according to claim 5, wherein said mounting base is chamfered.

8. A connector terminal according to claim 5, wherein said spaced terminal pieces are contracted radially in a free condition and form a diameter that is smaller than said outer surface of said cylindrical tubular portion, said spaced terminal pieces expanding radially outwardly when said outer terminal member is engaged with said outer surface of said cylindrical tubular portion and said second terminal, wherein said spaced terminal pieces contact said outer surface of said cylindrical tubular portion over substantially an entire length thereof with a predetermined contact pressure.

9. A connector terminal according to claim 2, wherein said second terminal comprises a guide groove, said outer terminal member comprising a mounting base having a projection engageable with said guide groove.

10. A connector terminal according to claim 9, wherein said guide groove comprises a retaining portion engageable with said projection, said guide groove guiding said projection into engagement with said retaining portion.

3. A connector terminal comprising:

a first terminal having a cylindrical tubular portion;

a second terminal having an inner terminal member insertable in said cylindrical tubular portion; and

an outer terminal member selectively engageable with an outer surface of said cylindrical tubular portion and said second terminal, said outer terminal member being displaced radially from the axis of said cylindrical tubular portion and radially displaced and separated throughout from said inner terminal member when attached to said second terminal, and said outer terminal member being selectively removable from said second terminal without deformation of said outer terminal member or any portion of said second terminal and wherein said second terminal comprises a threaded connection portion, said outer terminal member comprising a mounting base that is threadedly engageable with said threaded connection portion.