ELECTRICAL CONTACT RETENTION BUSHING AND METHOD OF MAKING

摘要

An electrical contact retention bushing (100) which is stamped and formed from flat stock. The bushing is stamped in a shape that includes a base portion (110) with a plurality of fingers (120) extending from the base portion. Each finger (120) includes at least one (and preferably two) retention tine (130). Once formed, the bushing fits within and seats on a shoulder (312) of a wafer (300) within an electrical connector. The bushing retains an electrical contact (500) by engaging a shoulder (510) of the contact with the tines (130) on the fingers (120). The bushing (100) is preferably stamped from a soft metal which is then heat-treated to harden it and formed into the desired shape to save weight and manufacturing and material costs when compared with a machined bushing.