GB1494179A - Electrical terminals - Google Patents

Abstract

1494179 Electrical terminals AMP Inc 15 July 1976 29431/76 Heading H2E An electrical terminal 1, Fig. 3, has a metal ferrule 22 for crimp connection to an end of a conductor 2, the ferrule 22 including an outer layer 31, portions of which are folded over about fold lines 27, 28 so as to be contiguous with the inner surface of the outer layer 31 to form an inner layer 33, free edges 36, 37 of the portions defining between them a seam or gap extending longitudinally of the ferrule. As shown in Fig. 3, the seam or gap is offset from a plane of symmetry of the terminal and the edges 36, 37 are chamfered, one edge riding over the other on crimping so as to extend in to the ferrule, and engage the conductor 2. The inner layer is provided with a plurality of elongated holes extending transversely to the length of the ferrule, the holes serving to engage portions of the conductor 2 when under crimping pressure, the latter becomes plastic, so as to promote retention of the conductor on the ferrule. In another embodiment, Fig. 8 (not shown), a plurality of sets of holes (70) is provided in place of elongated holes, so as to improve retention of aluminium conductors. In one further embodiment, Figs. 9, 10 (not shown), the inner layer is of shorter length than the outer layer and has portions (81) convex in a direction longitudinally of the ferrule, whilst in another embodiment, Fig. 11, the inner layer has twisted conductorengaging portions. The free edges of the inner layer may have contacting portions, Fig. 12, or they may be formed with pointed teeth which mesh alternately at the seam between the edges, Figs. 14-16 (not shown). The edges may have parallel portions which define slots one of which may be wider than the other to grip the insulation of a conductor gripped by the other slot, Fig. 17. Elongated slots which are chevronshaped may be provided, Fig. 20. The inner and outer layers may each be formed of a bi-metallic metal, Figs. 21, 22 (not shown). In all embodiments the terminal is stamped and formed from sheet metal and in those embodiments in which holes are provided in the inner layer these are preferably though not necessarily flared outwardly towards the outer layer.