(57) A carrier strip for electrical contact members comprises an elongate metallic strip
in which are formed a plurality of orifices. The orifices are shaped to produce cantilevered
portions in the metallic strip which are deformable out of the plane of the metallic
strip to permit the insertion between the strip and each cantilevered portion of an
electrical contact member. The cantilivered portions may be U-shaped or L-shaped.
The invention also comprises a method of making a carrier strip and the electrical
contact members. The method comprises producing an elongate metallic strip having
a number of contact portions extending at right angles from the strip and a number
of cantilevered portions. Contact legs are inserted between the cantilevered portions
and the strip in line with each contact portion and welded in position. A portion
of the strip is then cropped out so that each contact portion is supported by a contact
leg which, in turn, is supported on the strip by the cantilevered portion.
|
|
