(19)
(11) EP 0 915 532 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
22.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/51

(43) Date of publication A2:
12.05.1999 Bulletin 1999/19

(21) Application number: 98120896.0

(22) Date of filing: 04.11.1998
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6H01R 13/05, H01R 13/115, H01R 13/03
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 10.11.1997 US 967093

(71) Applicant: MOLEX INCORPORATED
Lisle Illinois 60532 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Barbieri, Silvio
    35100 Padova (IT)
  • Fasolo, Ernesto
    35010 Vigonza, Padova (IT)
  • Martucci, Roberto
    35036 Montegrotto Terme, Padova (IT)

(74) Representative: Blumbach, Kramer & Partner GbR 
Patentanwälte, Alexandrastrasse 5
65187 Wiesbaden
65187 Wiesbaden (DE)

   


(54) Electrical terminals


(57) An electrical terminal assembly (10) includes a male electrical terminal (14) having a forward contact end (24) with a given cross-sectional dimension. An interference section (26) is disposed rearwardly of the forward contact end and has a cross-sectional dimension greater than that of the forward contact end. At least a portion of only the forward contact end (24) of the male terminal is selectively plated with a conductive material. A female terminal (12) has a forward mating end (20) for establishing a tight interference fit with the interference section (26) of the male terminal (14). The female terminal (12) has a contact section (22) rearwardly of the forward mating end (20) for receiving the forward contact end (24) of the male terminal (14) with a minimal interference fit.







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