Electrical connector pin with wiping action to assure reliable contac

Stella, A. J.

English

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NOTICE 
The invention disclosed in this document resulted from 
research in aeronautical and space activities performed under 
programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
The invention is owned by NASA and is therefore available for  
licensing in accordance with the NASA Patent Licensing Regu- 
lation (14 Code of Federal  Regulations 1245.200). 
To encourage commercial utilization of NASA-owned inven- 
tions, it is NASA policy to grant nonexclusive, royalty-free, 
revocable licenses to any company o r  individual desiring to use 
the invention while the patent application is pending in the U.S. 
Patent Office and within a specified period, presently two years, 
after issuance of the patent to NASA. If commercial use  of the 
invention does not occur during this period, NASA may grant a 
limited exclusive, royalty-free license thereby adding an incen- 
tive to further encourage commercial development. Any company 
desiring to make, use,  o r  se l l  this invention is encouraged to 
obtain a royalty-free license from NASA. 
Address inquiries and all requests for licenses to Assistant 
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NASA-HQ 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19690030349 2020-03-16T19:02:56+00:00Z
July 29, 1969 JAMES E. WEBB 3,458,85 1 
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 
A N D  SPACE ADMINETRATION 
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR PIN WITH WIPING ACTION 
Filed June 29, 1966 
i NVEN TOR. 
ANTHONY J. STELLA 
ATTORNEYS 
3,458,851 United States Patent Office patented JulJr2g, 1g69 
1 
3,4 5 8,8 5 1 
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BIN 
WITH WIPING ACTION 
James E. Webb, Administrator of the National Aeronau- 
tics and Space Administration with respect to an 
invention of Anthony J. Stella, Barton, N.Y. 
Filed June 29,1966, Ser. No. 562,443 
Int. 61. WOlr 1 I /20 
U.S. CI. 339-95 3 Claims 
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 
An electrical connector pin that provides a wiping 
action between contacting surfaces. The connector pin 
comprises an outer housing in which a probe or pin is slid- 
ably disposed. The housing has an internal boss that en- 
gages a helical groove in the probe so that relative move 
ment of the housing with respect to the probe will rotate 
the probe. One end of the probe is adapted to be inserted 
into a socket so there results a wiping action between 
the probe and socket. 
The invention described herein was made in the per- 
formance of work under a NASA contract and is subject 
to the provisions of Section 305 of the National Aero- 
nautics and Space Act of 1958. Public Law 85-568 (72 
Stat. 435; 42 U.S.C. 2457). 
The invention described herein relates in general to 
electrical probes or pin connectors adapted to be plugged 
into electrical sockets present in various types of electri- 
cal and electronic equipment. More particularly, this in- 
vention is an improved probe or pin connector wherein 
2 
It is threfore an object of this invention to provide an 
electrical connector capable of providing a reliable elec- 
trical contact when inserted in a mating socket. 
A yet further object of this invention is to provide an 
electrical connector that includes a housing and a probe 
5 partially disposed within said housing and means for 
rotating said probe with respect to said housing to as- 
sure a reliable electrical connection. 
Other objects and attendant advantages of the present 
invention will become more apparent after ConsideTing 
10 the following detailed description in conjunction with the 
attached drawing wherein: 
FIGURE 1 of the drawing is a cross-sectional view of 
the new and improved electrical connector inserted in a 
mating socket. 
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of a pivot bearing and 
associated bearing surface. There is shown an electrical 
connector comprising a housing 10 and a probe 12 that 
includes an enlarged section 14 which is slidably disposed 
within housing 10. Probe 12 also includes a smaller sec- 
2o tion 16 which extends axially from housing 10. Housing 
10 has an inwardly extending flange portion d8 that de- 
fines an opening which is larger in diameter than section 
16 of the probe, but is smaller in diameter than section 
14 of the probe. Thus, the flange portion functions to 
25 retain probe 12 in housing 10. A coil spring 20 is disposed 
within housing 10 and a guide cylinder 22 is disposed 
around one end of spring 20 and attached thereto by 
suitable means (not shown) such as welding or brazing. 
An electrical lead 24 is soldered, crimped or otherwise 
connected to closed end 26 of housing 10. Guide cylinder 
22 is retained within the housing by closed end 26 of the 
housing. 
A pivot bearing 28 is positioned within the housing 
provision has been made for rotation Of that portion Of 35 and disposed between spring 20 and section 14 of the 
the probe which is inserted into a mating socket. probe. Pivot bearing 28 has a cavity 30 formed therein 
Electrical connector pins which are adapted to be which opens toward section 14 of the probe. Cavity 30 
plugged into various types of electronic equipment are further has a conical projection formed in the bottom 
well known and commonly used. Such COnnectors nor- thereof which extends outwardly and has a bearing sur- 
mallY consist of a Pin Or rod like n~mbers  extending 40 face 32 formed thereon. Bearing surface 32 engages a 
from a handle portion so the device can be grasped and bearing surface 34 formed on a stud 36 which extends 
the pin inserted into a mating socket. The Connector Wi l l  axially from section 14 of probe 12. Bearing surfaces 32 
normally have an electrical lead connected thereto which and 34 are disposed in an angular relationship such that 
leads away to another electrical COMectiOn Of Some type. when the two surfaces are engaged they tend to maintain 
The electrical connections made utilizing a socket and 45 the probe in a position of alignment with respect to 
pin arrangement are sometimes faulty due to corrosion housing 10 and thus facilitate rotation of probe 12. 
and/or accumulation of foreign material on the mating Section 14 of probe 12 has a helical groove 38 formed 
surfaces of the socket and pin. The occurrence of such a in the periphery thereof. A boss 40 is formed on the in- 
poor connection is not readily detectable and when a terior surface of housing and this boss extends inward- 
50 ly into the helical groove formed in the probe so as to great number of such connectors are employed in setting up an electronic apparatus such as a computer testing de- 
vice a faulty electrical connection can result in a con- cause rotation of the probe when housing 10 is moved 
siderable expenditure of time and effort in locating such 
poor connection. The smaller diameter section of probe 12 is adapted to 
The present invention provides an electrical connector 55 be inserted in a sooket 41 Of an electric Or electronic test 
pin which is capable of making reliable electrical connec- apparatus. A Pilot tip 40 at one end of the probe 12 
tions due to a wiping action which occurs between the functions as a hole or socket finder and is adapted to 
male connector (pin) and the female connection (socket) enter a smaller diameter portion 42 of the socket 41. 
when a connector pin constructed in accordance with Probe 12 has an enlarged portion 43 formed thereon 
this invention is employed. The connector pin comprises, 60 which functions to wipe the wall of the socket 42 and 
briefly, an outer housing and a probe partially disposed also wipe a shoulder surface 44 at the entrance to the 
within said housing. That portion of the probe disposed smaller diameter socket portion 42. 
within the housing is moveable therein and has a helical &- 
groove formed thereon. The housing has an interior snr- lievd apparent from the foregoing description. men the 
therefrom which 65 probe is inserted Or engaged in the socket 41 with the 
engages the helical groove in the probe. Axial movement 
tion of the probe due to the camming action of the boss sure is applied to housing 10, probe 12 and thus enlarged 
riding in the helical groove. Thus, the end of the pin portion 43 is forced to rotate due to the carnming action 
connector which is inserted into a mating socket will be 7o of boss 40 in helical groove 38. Rotation of enlarged 
rotated with respect to the socket to provide the wiping portion 43 within socket 42 produces a wiping action 
action which assures a reliable electrical connection. that results in an improved electrical contact. 
with respect thereto* 
The operation of the device described herein 
face with a boss extending 
of the housing with respect to the probe results in rota- portion 43 bearing On the shoulder surface 44 and pres- 
ond bearing surfaces being dis- 
References Cifed 
UNITED. STATES PATENTS 
35 1,349,405 8/1920 Brown _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  339-48  in said tubular housing be- 1,1273,234 9/ 1934 Tsavaris. 
thereof and probe 2,644,145 611953 Adamr; _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  339-222 uf said probe to one end of 
3,378,810 4/1968 Dorrelli _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  339-95 
ipheay 0% saidi 40 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner 
011i the imterioz JOSEPI3 I-I. McGLYNN, Assistant Examiner 
A W A R D S  A B S T R A C T  
Electrical Connector Pin with Wiping Action 
The present invention i s  an electrical connector pin of a type 
inserted in a receiving hole, or socket such as is commonly found in 
electrical’ ’te s t equipment. The invention includes structure which 
provi8eb’B.wiping action as the connector pin is inserted in the socket. 
Connectors of this type a r e  primarily adapted for use in various types 
of electrical test apparatus where many and various types of electrical 
connections a r e  required. 
The electrical connector pin comprises an outer housing 10 in 
which a spring 20 and a probe 12 is disposed. Probe 12  consists of an 
enlarged cylindrical section 14 which is slidably mounted with respect 
to said housing 10 and reciprocate; therein when pressure is applied to 
‘I 
I 
the heusing. Spring 20 functions to bias the probe to one end of the 
housing. A pivot bearing 38  is disposed within the housing and position- 
ed between spring 20 and probe 12 to facilitate rotation of the probe with 
respect to the housing., The interior surface of housing 10 has a boss 37 
formed thereon which extends into a helical groove 38 formed in probe 
12. It is readily apparent that when a force is applied to housing 10 so 
as to move the housing with respect to probe 12. the carnrning action of 
boss 3 7  in helical groove 3 8  will result in rotation of probe 12. One 
end of pSobe 12 has an enlarged portion 43 formed thereon which is 
adapted to be inserted into an electrical socket 42. Rotation of anlarged 
portion 4 3  with respect-to socket 42 will result in the wiping action 
whkk 
of this invention appears to lie in the means provided 
for causing rotation of probe 12 to cause the wiping action of enlarged 
portion 4 3  on socket 42 and thus assure a reliable electrical connection. 
Inventor! 
Employer: I. B. M. Corporation 
NASA Contract: NAS8-11561 
-2- 


Electrical connector pin with wiping action

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