Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A contact retention system using a self-seating contact (56) includes a housing (22) having at least one contact receiving passageway (30) and a contact (56) associated therewith. Contact (56) has leading and trailing end portions (62, 80) and an intermediate body portion (66). Body portion (66) has a dimension wider than end portions (62, 80) and defines forwardly facing and rearwardly facing latch surfaces (76, 74). Each of opposed passageway side surfaces (36, 42) has a latching projection (38, 44) extending toward the other passageway side surface (44, 38) defining forwardly and rearwardly facing stop surfaces (40, 46) offset from at least one edge (74, 76) of the contact (56) and axially spaced at a slightly greater length that the length of the body portion (66). Upon inserting leading end portion (62) into passageway (30), portion (62) encounters the first latching projection (38) so that trailing end portion (80) is constrained to urge the contact (56) against projection (38) until full insertion thereafter the latch seats and body portion (66) is disposed between the two latch projections (38, 44) and is self-seating in the passageway (30).

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim