US2599488A - Electrical connection fastener - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 1952 F. s. SAMPSON 2,599,488

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FASTENER Filed Feb. 16, 1948 I 8 k, JNVENTOR. FkEDE-R/C/fi SAMPSON,

A T TOR/VII).

Patented June 3, 1952 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FASTENER Frederick S. Sampson, Saugus, Mass, assignor to United-Carr Fastener (Jorporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 16, 1948, Serial No. 8,571

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to fasteners for providing an efficient solderless connection between two or more conductors.

One of the primary objects of th invention is the provision of a simple electrical connector adapted for snap-fastening engagement with an apertured support, and which will provide an eflicient electrical connection with a cooperating lead strip.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved solderless electrical connector adapted for quick and secure attachment to an apertured support.

Other aims and objects of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates from a consideration of the accompanying drawings and annexed specification illustrating and describing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a support;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of a support and showing an improved connector embodying the invention associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the connecting lead or conductor that may be used with the improved connector of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one form of connector embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the connector shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the connector shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view thereof as taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating the connector mounted on a suitable support.

Referring to th drawings, a support I of suitable insulating material, such for example, as a phenolic condensation insulating sheet, is suitably apertured as at 2 to receive elements of the connector device. The improved connector of the invention is adapted to be snap locked in the aperture 2 of the support I and electrically connected with a second conductor inserted in the aperture 2.

In the illustrated embodiment the connector is preferably formed of a fiat strip of conducting material as a part of, or suitably secured to a conductor of an electrical circuit.

Such fiat strip or body Ii! may be of suitable width and has an end portion shaped to provide an angularly extending U-shaped socket portion comprising a depending leg II, bottom I2 and opposed yieldable leg iii, the latter having a support-retaining edge It. The U-shaped socket portion constitute a fastener, and advantageously may be of less diameter or cross sectional dimension than the width of the strip body Ill. The leg I I, is preferably of arcuate cross section and provides wings I5 for a purpose to be described.

The leg l3 of the socket portion, which may be formed in any suitable manner as an integral part thereof, is preferably transversely yieldable relative to the leg I I and is shorter in length by an amount equal to the thickness of the support so as to snap under the support adjacent the aperture 2 thereof. Thus, the socket provides a fastener member for securely connecting the fastener to an apertured support. Obviously, it may be readily removed from the support when desired by simply manually pressing the leg I3 radially inwardly to disengage the edge It from th support I.

Preferably the body portion it, adjacent the socket, is shouldered as at It to receive an end portion I! of a conductor It. The conductor I8 has an opening I9 preferably surrounded by a skirt 2!]. Thus, the socket member may be in sorted in the aperture I9 of the conductor I8, in which case the end portion ll lies under the shoulder It in engagement therewith, and electrical contact between the parts is further effected by engagement of the wings It with the inner surface of the skirt 20.

From the above it will b apparent that the invention provides an extremely simple and economical solderless connector for electric circuits.

Although I have illustrated and described the invention with reference to one specific embodiment thereof, I do not intend to be restricted thereby, as the scope of the invention is best defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

An electrical connector installation comprising a support having an aperture and a' plurality of connector strips disposed on one side of said support and electrically engaged one with another, one of said strips having an opening in alignment with said aperture of said support and said strip having an arcuate wall portion adjacent said opening extending into said aperture of said support, the other of said strips being provided with an angularly-disposed fastener part extending through the opening of said first strip into said support aperture, said fastener part being of U- shaped construction providing a leg in engagement with said arcuate wall portion, a bottom portion and a yieldable leg integral with said bottom portion, said yieldable leg being in engagement with an opposite surface of said support from that on which said strips are disposed whereby said strips are held in assembly with said support-and, in' electrical engagement with each other.

FREDERICK S. SAMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED 4 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Alden Dec. 6, 1927 Becker Apr. 29, 1930 Olson June 6, 1933 Alden Dec. 3, 1935 Anthony Oct. 10, 1939 Eby "Apr. 9, 1940 Todd Dec. 28, 1943 Walsh May 27, 1947 Buell Nov. 25, 1947

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