Patents Represented by Attorney Adrain J. LaRue
  • Patent number: 5458502
    Abstract: An IDC terminal is shown comprising a contact body and a back-up spring having an IDC back-up portion for resiliently supporting the IDC contacts. The back-up spring further has a contact spring section comprising bowed-in resilient beams supported on both ends to cavities respectively that are supported to side walls of the contact body. The contact spring section forms a top wall of the contact and provides a very high spring force onto a complementary male tab for producing high contact pressure. The IDC back-up portion comprises a central reinforcing rib for increasing the spring strength thereof, whereby positioning the IDC back-up spring within the IDC contact section, provides for a very compact design. Due to the use of a back-up spring, the contact material can be optimally chosen. Advantageously therefore, the terminal is compact yet has a high current carrying capability and is well adapted for cost-effective automated assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Jean C. Joly