CA1044779A - Flat cable connector having insulation piercing contacts and cable strain relief - Google Patents
Flat cable connector having insulation piercing contacts and cable strain reliefInfo
- Publication number
- CA1044779A CA1044779A CA217,341A CA217341A CA1044779A CA 1044779 A CA1044779 A CA 1044779A CA 217341 A CA217341 A CA 217341A CA 1044779 A CA1044779 A CA 1044779A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- contacts
- contact
- electrical connector
- slot
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
- H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
- H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
- H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
Landscapes
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to electrical connectors for multi-conductor flat cables. Prior art connectors, particularly those with insulation-piercing contacts, generally have not been constructed with a plurality of contacts aligned longitudinally of the cable for con-venient connection with the individual conductors thereof. Additionally, the contacts are not necessarily positively guided during insertion for connection with respective conductors, and have required complete disassembly of the entire connector in order to service a single contact.
The present invention overcomes these deficiencies by providing a flat cable connector constructed with cable receiving slot having grooves in the upper slot defining side wall corresponding to the longitudinal ridges of a flat cable for positive location of the cable with respect to a plurality of contact receiving passages which communicate with the cable slot through the grooved side wall. The passages are oriented to communicate with the slot through respective grooves. The passages receive respective contacts mounted in an insert or contact body in an aligned and staggered relationship whereby a more compact connector having insulation-piercing contacts is provided. A variety of stain-relief construction are disclosed including a stain-relief mechanism which may direct the cable from the connector at various angles with respect to the direction of contact insertions. A particular feature of the connector is the ability to replace or remove one or more contacts without disassembly of the remaining contacts, the flat cable or the strain-relief mechanism.
This invention relates to electrical connectors for multi-conductor flat cables. Prior art connectors, particularly those with insulation-piercing contacts, generally have not been constructed with a plurality of contacts aligned longitudinally of the cable for con-venient connection with the individual conductors thereof. Additionally, the contacts are not necessarily positively guided during insertion for connection with respective conductors, and have required complete disassembly of the entire connector in order to service a single contact.
The present invention overcomes these deficiencies by providing a flat cable connector constructed with cable receiving slot having grooves in the upper slot defining side wall corresponding to the longitudinal ridges of a flat cable for positive location of the cable with respect to a plurality of contact receiving passages which communicate with the cable slot through the grooved side wall. The passages are oriented to communicate with the slot through respective grooves. The passages receive respective contacts mounted in an insert or contact body in an aligned and staggered relationship whereby a more compact connector having insulation-piercing contacts is provided. A variety of stain-relief construction are disclosed including a stain-relief mechanism which may direct the cable from the connector at various angles with respect to the direction of contact insertions. A particular feature of the connector is the ability to replace or remove one or more contacts without disassembly of the remaining contacts, the flat cable or the strain-relief mechanism.
Description
This invention relates to elec~rical connectors, and more particularly to electrical connec-tors for flat cables of the type having a longitudinally ridged surface with each ridge enclosing a separate conductor in insulatin~ material.
A wide variety of electrical connec-tors are recognized in the prior art for extending electrical connections from one or more loca-tions to another. Electric~l connectors for flat cables~ however~
particularly those with insulation-piercing contacts, have generally been constructed with a plurality of contacts aligned transversely of the cable for connection with the individual conductors thereof. Some of these connectors have also utilized a staggered arrangement of contacts in order to cut down on the connector size while maintaining a sufficientLy large and resilient~ stable contact structure capable of piercing the insulation of a flat cable and sufficiently engaglng -the conductora of the cable ln good mechanlcal and electr:lcal contact.
In order to ~ositlvel~ locate the conduc-tors of the cable wlth respect to the inculatlon-pierclng contacts~ one electrical connector is provided with a saw_toothed wall surface for receivir-g the long1tudinal . .
ridges of a flat cable~ the saw-toothed wall surface being on the opposite side of a cable slo-t with respect to the insertion of insula-tion-piercing contacts. With such a construction, -the contacts are not necessarily positlvely guided during insertion for connection with respective conductors ~nd must accurately pierce a flat slde of`-the cable at the proper locations.
- In addition, electrical conductors for conducting flat cables have heretofore been encumbered in removal and replacement of the individual contacts by the necessity for disassembly of the entire connector in order to service a single contact.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector for making solderless connections to the conductors of a flat longitudinally ridged c~ble.
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A particular object of the inverltion is to provide an :Lrnproved electrical connector for flat cables in which removal or replacement of ''' -1-. -~.
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an individual insulation piercing contact can be accomplished wi-th-out complete disassembly of the connector.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electri~
cal connector for making solderless connections with the individual conductors of a flat longitudinally ridged cable in which the indi-vidual conductors are positively located with respect to respective insulation piercing contactsO
Another object of the invention is to pro~ide an electri-cal connector for making solderless electrical connections to a flat cable which has a strain relief mechanism for directing cable exit therefrom in more than one direction.
The present invention provides an electrical connector for making solderless electrical connections to a plurality of conduc-tors of a multiple conductor insulated cable having :~lat sides and ~ ridged peripheral sur~ace portion extending along the longitudi-nal axis of each conductor, the connector includes a connector body with an upper and a lower spaced sidewall de~ining a slot for re-: ... . -ceiving the cable, the upper sidewall has spaced grooves each with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each conductor for receiving a respective ridged peripheral surface portion of the cable. A plurality of passageways extends transver-sely to the slot and is in communication with the slot through a respective groove of the upper sidewall; and a plurality of con-tacts each received in a respective one of the passageways, each - of the contacts has a spring portion ~or engaging a cooperable pin contact and an extended portion for extending into the slot, the extended portion has insulation-piercing contact means passing ;
through a respective groove into the slot and guided by the res-pective ridged peripheral portion in the respective groove for con-tacting a respective cable conductor, the passageways align and guide the contacts during insertion The connector body carries the contacts in an aligned~ but staggered, relationship for proper ~ - 2 -:~:,, ,:
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engagement with the respective cable conductors and each contact :~
includes means for releasably locking the contact within the con-nector body for positive engagement with the respective conductor and with an associated pin contact, and for easy individual remo-val with an appropriate contact removal tool.
The electrical connector is provided with a strain relief - mechanism. In one embodiment 5 the strain relief mechanism directs cable exit at 90 with respect to the direction of contact inser-tionO In a second embodiment, the strain~relief mechanism directs 10 cable exit ~ .
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at 180 , and in a third and ~referred embodiment, the strain-relief mechanism provides *or ca~le exit at ~0 and 180 .
me electrical connector is provided with a cover having a plurality of ta~ered pin-guiding apertures for receiving associated pin cont~cts. ;-A post_and-slot construction is ~rovided to frictionally engage the cover, the insert, the cable support and strain-relief members in ~n ~ssembled relationship.
Other ob~ects, $eatures and advantages of the invention, ~
10 together with its organization, construction and oper~tion will be best ~ .
understood from the following det~iled descriPtion o$ vre$erred embodi- .`
: .
ments o~ the invention, taken in conjunction with the ~ccompanying ~-drawings, on which: . ;
FI~r. 1 is A ~ictorial exploded vlew~ shown in sectlon, o$ an electr:lcal connector constructed in accordance with the lnvention;
FIO. 2 is ~n illustration o~ a flat c~ble hnving a longi-tudinally rldged sur$ace with each ridge enclosing ~ separate conductor in insulating material~ shown with the insulating material removed between ridges at a cable end for positive location within an electrical ~i ,~::
connector constructed according to the invention;
.,; . : ': ~ .
I FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the electrical connector illustrated in FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is ~n elevatlonal view of a contact lnsert and connector cover~ as illuatrated in FIG. 3~ shown in an assembled relationship;
FI~S. 5 and 5A are sectional views of the assembly of FIGS. 3 Rnd 4 taken substantially along the parting line V-~ o$ FIG. 3, showing ~, .
~ different contact structures;
i` ~ FIG. 6 i5 a toP plan view of a contact insert of -the electrical . 30 connector illustrated in FIoS. 1, 3 and 49 shown without contacts :~ mounted therein; .
FIG. 7 is an elevational view~ shown p~rtially in section, of a contact insert according to the invention;
, ~','', ~,,:.. '' FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a cable support constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the cab].e support of FIG. 8;
; FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the cable support o~ FIGS.
., 8 and 9 taken substantially along the partiLng line X-X of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a preferred form oE cable ~ .
strain relief member constructed according to the invention;
., .
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the strain relief mem-.: 10 ber of FIG. 11;
FIG~ 13 is a sectional view of the strain relie-f member of FIGS, 11 and 12 taken substantially along the partin~ line XIII~ oE FIG. 11;
; FIGS . 14A, 14B and 14C are partial elevational sectional views of the apparatus of the foregoing figures showing differ0nt .
assembly positions and relationships of the major components of an electrical connector according to the invention; (shown on the . . ~ .
~ sheet containing FIGSo 1 and 2);
i FIG ~ 15 is a sectional view of a cable support without strain relief; (shown on the sheet containing FIGS~ 1 and 2);
~ FIG ~ 16 is a sectional vlew of a cable suppor-t and strain .~ relie~ mechanism for a cable exit in one direction; (shown on the ::
sheet containing FIGS~ 1 and 2);
.~ FIGo 17 is a sectional view of a cable support and strain 'l relief mechanism for another direction o-~E cable exit; (shown on the sheet containing FIGS. 1 and 2), Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical connec- :
tor, generally raferenced 10, receives a -flat cable 12 therein for .
solderless electrical connection.
The Elat cable 12 comprises a plurality o:E parallel lon- .
gitudinal ridges 14 each of which enclose a separate conductor 16 , ~, in insulating material. In order to positively locatle and secure ~ the cable with respect to individual contacts of the connector, : ~ ~ - 4 ~
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the insulation is removed between $he ridges 14, as indicated by the gaps 18, As can be seen in FIG. 1, the electrical connector com-prises a cover 20, a contact body or inser-t 22, a cable support ;
24, and a strain relief member 26, each of which will be discussed : hereinbelow individually :; :
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and with respect to each other. Notwith~tanding a ~ore detailed description, however~ it can be readil~ a~preciated from FIG. 1 th~t the mentioned maJor components interlock to~ether so as to direct a pluralit~ of contacts 66 mounted in the insert 22 in-to a correspondin~
~lur~litY of passA~es 108 in the cable support 24 to pierce and make contact with the res~ective conductors of the cable 12. It can also be apvreciated from FIG. 1 that the cable 12 is provided with a strain~
relief mechanism which directs cable exit in either of two directions.
Referrin~ now to FIGS. 3~ 4 and 5, a sub-assembl~ of the cover 20 and insert 22 is illustrated. The cover 20 comprises an uPper surface ~2 having a plurality of pin-receivin~ apertures 28 extending downwardly therethrough. ~ach of the apertures 28 i8 shaped with inwardly and downwardly directed sur~aces 30 ~or guidin~ the pin contacts into enga~ement wlth cooperatinK portlon~ of the cont~cts 66.
.
Taking FIGS. 6 and 7 also iNto consideration~ the cover 20 is ~urther illustrated as including a pair of longitudinal downturned flanges 34 (only one being illustrated) to be received in longitudinal recesses 45 of the insert 22. me cover 22 also includes a pair of end portions 36 from which depend a ~air of lugs or posts 38 ~only one being A
20 shown) to be received in frictional engagement with correspondingl~ ~
, shaped recesseæ 42 Or the insert 22.
; Referring to FIG9. 6 and 7 in particular, the insert 22 is shcwn as compriæing an u~per surface 40 and a lower surfAce 54. 5te~ped do~n from and partially defining the longitudinal recesses 45 are a pair of longitudinal surfaces 44~ and æte~ed down further from the surfaces 44 are a ~luralit~ of surfaces 46~ 48~ 50 and 52 located substantiall~
near the corneræ of the connector for ~rovid-lng a ~lurality o~ tool receiv-ing ga~æ for remo~ing the cover 20 for servicing the connector.
e insert 22 includes a ~lurality of ~ligned ~assages 56 extending therethrough from the upper surface 40 to the lower surface 54.
Each of the paæsages 56 is offset with respect to the longitudinal ridges of a conductor to be received and includes an internal pro~ection ~ , .
58 having an up~er surface 60 which divides each ~assage 56 into an ~ ~5~
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enlarged portion 62 aligned with like portions in the directionof cable insertiony and a portion 64 which is offset with respect to the direction of cable insertion. As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5and 6, it is this offset alignment arrangement, together with the cor-responding passage alignment of the passages 10~ in the cable sup-port 24 with respect to the cable slot 98 to be discussed below ~ ~ :
which provides for positive location and engagement of the indivi~
dual contacts and cable conductors~
Referring to FIG. 5, the insert 22 is shown with a pairof adjacent contacts 66 mounted thereinO ~ach of the contacts 66 includes an intermediate portion 68 which terminates at a lower por- ~.
tion 70 in a pair of insulation-piercing spaced-apart tines 72 ;
(FIGS. 1, 14A, 14B and l~C), and an upper portion which includes a : :.:
pair o~ convergently directed pin-receiving spring portions 76 and :
an edge 7~ which abuts the upper surface 60 of the internal passage ;:
projections 580 As a contact is inser-ted downwardly through a pas- : .
sage 56, and the edge 74 engages the upper surface 60 of the pro-jection 58, the contact is forced slightly further inwardly to a .~ .
: . :
', point where an outwardly extending barb or lip 78 clears the lower i 20 surface 54 and the intermediate contact portion 68 springs outward-ly. The contact 66 is therefore mounted to prevent movement there-o~ in either direction thro~lgh the passage 560 ~owever, with the cover 20 removed, a contact removal tool may be extended down through .
~ the passage 56 to disengage the lip 78 by flexing the intermediate : contact portion 68 inwardlyD Therefore, a single contact may be ~ ~
-, removed without disassembly of the entire connector by then simply .
;1 grasping the bridge portion 78b on which stop edge 74 is formedwith . ~
~ a tool since the bridge portion has a section spanning and spaced . ~.
','! from the walls of the passagewayO It will be noted that the flat ~, 3~ portion or leg of the contact on which tines 72 are formed has a U
shaped form 78c therein (seen in Figure 1) for engaging the passage-way wall or projection 58 to hold the flat portion against the op-~,~ posite wall o-~ the passageway~ ; . .
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Re~erring to FIG. 5A, a section view similar to that of FIG. 5 is illustrated wherein a dif~erent contact structure is em-ployed, a contact structure which may be pre~erred over that illus-trated in FIG. 50 In FIG. 5A, the cover 20 and the insert 22 have the same structure as $hat illust~ated in FIG. 5; however, it will be noted that the barbs 78 which take the insertion ~orce in FIG. 5 are not utilized and, instead, the spring portions 76 are extended . .
upwardly to terminate at ends 76a which abut the inside sur~ace of ;
the cover 200 With this structure, the insertion force applied to lO the cover 20 is transmitted to the tines 72 o~ the lower portion70 :~
: by way o~ the cover and the contacts, rather than through the in- : ;
termediary o~ the insert and lip structure. There~ore, to remove a contact, it is not necessary to extend a tool completely through the insert to release the lip or barb and the contact can be read-ily removed by utilizing a tool to hook under the upper bridge por-tion o~ the contactO
Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and lO, a cable support is ~:
illustrated as comprising an upper sur~ace 80 having a pair o~
spaced upstanding posts 82 and 84 ~or ~rictional engagement within respective recesses 42 o~ the insert 22~ The cable support 24 ~ur-ther includes a lower sur~ace 86 and a pair o~ downwardly extending end portions 88 and 90 having respective recesses 92 and 94 -there-in ~or engagement with a strain relie~ member as will be discussed :~ .
; below.
The cable support 24 -~urther comprises a surface 96 from :~. which a cable slot 98 extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 80, The cable slot 98 is generally de~ined by a lower sur-~ace 100 and a grooved upper sur~ace including spaced grooves 104 and intermediate downwardly projecting portions 102. The grooves .
~;~ 30 104 receive respective ones o~ the longitudinal ridges 14 o~ $he :
~lat cable 12, while the downwardly projecting portions 102 extend into the gaps 18 (FIG. 2) caused by removal o-~ insulation between _ : :
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the ridges. Receipt o~ a cable in the cable slot 98 there~ore constitutes receipt and positive location o~ the individual con-ductors enclosed within the respective ridges For accurate alignment o~ and positive association of the individual conductors and connector contacts, the cable sup-port 24 is provided with a plurality of aligned and staggered pas-sages 108, each having a contact guiding ramp llO, extending through the upper portion of the cable support and into communication with the cable slot 98 through respective ones o~ the grooves 104. In-asmuch as the tines 72 of the contacts 66 must extend completely through the cable in order to insure proper electrical contact with ,:
the conductors, each passage 108 has associated and aligned there-with a recess or well 112 ~or receiving the ends o~ the tines upon .:
complete insertlon (FIG. l~C).
The bottom sur~ace 100 o~ the cable slot 9B develops lnto the lower surface 86 o~ -the cable support by way o-~ an arcuate sur- ~:~
-~ace 106 about which the flat cable is wrapped for strain relief and ; ;
exit ~rom the connectorO It will be noted that the reverse bend in the cable created by the strain relief path of the cable in a dir- :
ection transverse to the slot 98 creates a biasing -~orce ~or hold- ~
ing the ridged or arcuate peripheral sur~ace o~` each cable conduc- :
tor in its respective groove and that the tines -~'irst pass through the grooves in order to be received in -the slot 98 whereby the ridged or arcuate peripheral sur-~ace of the insulation on each con- ::
ductor serves to guide and align the prongs or tines 72 with the respective conductor so that the conductor is engaged in the notch for completing an electrical connection to the contact. : : .
Re~erring now to FIGS. 1, 11; 12 and 13, a p:re~erred ., ;l .... .
strain-relief cons$ruction is illustrated wherein the cable 12 may ~: -.. ~ . . .
;l 30 exit in either o-~ two directions~ The strain-relie~ member 26 is , illustrated as comprising an upper sur~ace 11~, a lower sur~ace 116, ' and a pair o~ upstanding spaced-apart posts 118 and 12~ ~or -~ric-: 8 -tional engagement in respective ones o~ the recesses 92 and 9~ of the cable support 24. The upper surface 114 also carries a longi-tudinal ridge, transverse to the cable direction, a longitudinal -ridge 124, also transverse to the cable direction~ and a generally vertical slot 126 defined by a side wall 12~ and a side wall 130. ~:The side wall 130 includes an arcuate portion 132 having an addi-tional longitudinally extending ridge 1340 If the cable 12 is to wrap about the sur~ace 106 of the cable support 24 and exit parallel to the cable slot 98 J the ridges ,, - ~:
122 and 124 cooperate with the lower sur~ace 86 of the cable sup-port 24 to grip the cable and provide strain reliefO However, the ~ cable may be directed about the surface 106 or the ridges 122 and 1 134 for exit downwardly through the slot 1260 In this case, the l,-~, , ridges 122 and 124 engage the longitudina~ly ridged surface of the cable 12 and the cable is gripped between the ridges 122, 134 and the lower surface 86 of the cable support 24. Of course, the slot 126, or a plurality of such slots, could be directed at various ' and/or additional angles for providing dif~erent directions of ; ca~le exit accompanied with the strain relief featureO
Referring to FIGS, 14A, 14B and 14C, it will be appreci-` `-a-ted that the cable is first prepared for connection by removing insulation to provide the gaps 18. The prepared end of the cable ls then inserted into the cable slot 98 of the cable support 24.
If the cable is to exit -through the slot 126, it may first be ne-~, cessary to thread the cable through the slot 126 before inserting ~ -' the prepared end of the cable into the cable slot 980 The strain- ~;relief member 26 and the cable support 24 are then secured togetherO
~ The contact insert 22, with the cover 20 in place, is then aligned ~ `
s with the sub-assembly and lowered to a position where the tines 72 ~ ::engage the insulation of the ridges 14 (FIG. 14B)o The two sub- ~;. :
assemblies 20, 22 and 24, 26 are -then forced togethe:r so that the .-:
tines 72 pierce the insulation and the conductors 16 are forced ~ :
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''-: , ' into engagement with the tines 72 within the gap 73 ther0betwesnO
Referring to FIG. 15, another construction of a cable .: support 140 is illustrated for a connector constructed as set -forth above In this construction, however, strain relie-f is not provi- :
ded and the connector may be utilized in those applications where strain relief is unnecessaryO
Referring to FIG. 16, another connector construction is -~
illustrated wherein strain relief for one direction of exit, 90~ ~
with respect to the contact of direction, is provided by a strain- ... :.
relief member 150 having an upper surface 152 carrying a plurality ~-of spaced-apart ribs 154 which e~tend transversely of -the cable 120 .. ..
~; For a cable exit in line with, but 180 opposite to, the ...
direction of pin contact receipt, the cable support may be con-: structed at its lower end as illustrated by the cable support 160 .`
ln FIG. 17. The lower surface of the cable slot 100 develops into a generally S-shaped surface including connected surface portions - 162, 164 and 1660 The cable support 160 includes a downwardly ex-tending tail 168 which carries the surface portions 164 and 166~
The downwardly extending tail 168 is received within an elongate ~ 20 complemental slot 176 of a strain-relief member 170 which includes a pair of surfaces 172 and 174 which are parallel to the surfaces ' 16~ and 166 and therewith define a cable receiving slot for clamp-ingly engaging the cable 12 ancl directing the exit o~ the cable from the connector. .:
Although the present invention has been described by re- ;
-l ference to particular illustrative embodiments -thereof, the illus- -~
-. : :.
trations and descriptions have been provided only as non-limiting ~ .
. . .. . .
: examples~ Many changes and modifications of the inven-tion may be-come apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, intended ,' ~., :'" ..
that the patent warranted hereon cover all such changes and modifi~
cations as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope :
of the contribution to ~he art~ .
A wide variety of electrical connec-tors are recognized in the prior art for extending electrical connections from one or more loca-tions to another. Electric~l connectors for flat cables~ however~
particularly those with insulation-piercing contacts, have generally been constructed with a plurality of contacts aligned transversely of the cable for connection with the individual conductors thereof. Some of these connectors have also utilized a staggered arrangement of contacts in order to cut down on the connector size while maintaining a sufficientLy large and resilient~ stable contact structure capable of piercing the insulation of a flat cable and sufficiently engaglng -the conductora of the cable ln good mechanlcal and electr:lcal contact.
In order to ~ositlvel~ locate the conduc-tors of the cable wlth respect to the inculatlon-pierclng contacts~ one electrical connector is provided with a saw_toothed wall surface for receivir-g the long1tudinal . .
ridges of a flat cable~ the saw-toothed wall surface being on the opposite side of a cable slo-t with respect to the insertion of insula-tion-piercing contacts. With such a construction, -the contacts are not necessarily positlvely guided during insertion for connection with respective conductors ~nd must accurately pierce a flat slde of`-the cable at the proper locations.
- In addition, electrical conductors for conducting flat cables have heretofore been encumbered in removal and replacement of the individual contacts by the necessity for disassembly of the entire connector in order to service a single contact.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector for making solderless connections to the conductors of a flat longitudinally ridged c~ble.
~:
A particular object of the inverltion is to provide an :Lrnproved electrical connector for flat cables in which removal or replacement of ''' -1-. -~.
, , i~ ~3~7i~9~
an individual insulation piercing contact can be accomplished wi-th-out complete disassembly of the connector.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electri~
cal connector for making solderless connections with the individual conductors of a flat longitudinally ridged cable in which the indi-vidual conductors are positively located with respect to respective insulation piercing contactsO
Another object of the invention is to pro~ide an electri-cal connector for making solderless electrical connections to a flat cable which has a strain relief mechanism for directing cable exit therefrom in more than one direction.
The present invention provides an electrical connector for making solderless electrical connections to a plurality of conduc-tors of a multiple conductor insulated cable having :~lat sides and ~ ridged peripheral sur~ace portion extending along the longitudi-nal axis of each conductor, the connector includes a connector body with an upper and a lower spaced sidewall de~ining a slot for re-: ... . -ceiving the cable, the upper sidewall has spaced grooves each with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each conductor for receiving a respective ridged peripheral surface portion of the cable. A plurality of passageways extends transver-sely to the slot and is in communication with the slot through a respective groove of the upper sidewall; and a plurality of con-tacts each received in a respective one of the passageways, each - of the contacts has a spring portion ~or engaging a cooperable pin contact and an extended portion for extending into the slot, the extended portion has insulation-piercing contact means passing ;
through a respective groove into the slot and guided by the res-pective ridged peripheral portion in the respective groove for con-tacting a respective cable conductor, the passageways align and guide the contacts during insertion The connector body carries the contacts in an aligned~ but staggered, relationship for proper ~ - 2 -:~:,, ,:
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engagement with the respective cable conductors and each contact :~
includes means for releasably locking the contact within the con-nector body for positive engagement with the respective conductor and with an associated pin contact, and for easy individual remo-val with an appropriate contact removal tool.
The electrical connector is provided with a strain relief - mechanism. In one embodiment 5 the strain relief mechanism directs cable exit at 90 with respect to the direction of contact inser-tionO In a second embodiment, the strain~relief mechanism directs 10 cable exit ~ .
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at 180 , and in a third and ~referred embodiment, the strain-relief mechanism provides *or ca~le exit at ~0 and 180 .
me electrical connector is provided with a cover having a plurality of ta~ered pin-guiding apertures for receiving associated pin cont~cts. ;-A post_and-slot construction is ~rovided to frictionally engage the cover, the insert, the cable support and strain-relief members in ~n ~ssembled relationship.
Other ob~ects, $eatures and advantages of the invention, ~
10 together with its organization, construction and oper~tion will be best ~ .
understood from the following det~iled descriPtion o$ vre$erred embodi- .`
: .
ments o~ the invention, taken in conjunction with the ~ccompanying ~-drawings, on which: . ;
FI~r. 1 is A ~ictorial exploded vlew~ shown in sectlon, o$ an electr:lcal connector constructed in accordance with the lnvention;
FIO. 2 is ~n illustration o~ a flat c~ble hnving a longi-tudinally rldged sur$ace with each ridge enclosing ~ separate conductor in insulating material~ shown with the insulating material removed between ridges at a cable end for positive location within an electrical ~i ,~::
connector constructed according to the invention;
.,; . : ': ~ .
I FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the electrical connector illustrated in FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is ~n elevatlonal view of a contact lnsert and connector cover~ as illuatrated in FIG. 3~ shown in an assembled relationship;
FI~S. 5 and 5A are sectional views of the assembly of FIGS. 3 Rnd 4 taken substantially along the parting line V-~ o$ FIG. 3, showing ~, .
~ different contact structures;
i` ~ FIG. 6 i5 a toP plan view of a contact insert of -the electrical . 30 connector illustrated in FIoS. 1, 3 and 49 shown without contacts :~ mounted therein; .
FIG. 7 is an elevational view~ shown p~rtially in section, of a contact insert according to the invention;
, ~','', ~,,:.. '' FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a cable support constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the cab].e support of FIG. 8;
; FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the cable support o~ FIGS.
., 8 and 9 taken substantially along the partiLng line X-X of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a preferred form oE cable ~ .
strain relief member constructed according to the invention;
., .
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the strain relief mem-.: 10 ber of FIG. 11;
FIG~ 13 is a sectional view of the strain relie-f member of FIGS, 11 and 12 taken substantially along the partin~ line XIII~ oE FIG. 11;
; FIGS . 14A, 14B and 14C are partial elevational sectional views of the apparatus of the foregoing figures showing differ0nt .
assembly positions and relationships of the major components of an electrical connector according to the invention; (shown on the . . ~ .
~ sheet containing FIGSo 1 and 2);
i FIG ~ 15 is a sectional view of a cable support without strain relief; (shown on the sheet containing FIGS~ 1 and 2);
~ FIG ~ 16 is a sectional vlew of a cable suppor-t and strain .~ relie~ mechanism for a cable exit in one direction; (shown on the ::
sheet containing FIGS~ 1 and 2);
.~ FIGo 17 is a sectional view of a cable support and strain 'l relief mechanism for another direction o-~E cable exit; (shown on the sheet containing FIGS. 1 and 2), Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical connec- :
tor, generally raferenced 10, receives a -flat cable 12 therein for .
solderless electrical connection.
The Elat cable 12 comprises a plurality o:E parallel lon- .
gitudinal ridges 14 each of which enclose a separate conductor 16 , ~, in insulating material. In order to positively locatle and secure ~ the cable with respect to individual contacts of the connector, : ~ ~ - 4 ~
`
the insulation is removed between $he ridges 14, as indicated by the gaps 18, As can be seen in FIG. 1, the electrical connector com-prises a cover 20, a contact body or inser-t 22, a cable support ;
24, and a strain relief member 26, each of which will be discussed : hereinbelow individually :; :
' " '~ ' .
:: 10 ':
: ~ .
ao : ~.
'.,.,,:, . 30 ~
: ~', ' .'~' ~; ' '''~
~ 4a -:, ~ 7-~t~
and with respect to each other. Notwith~tanding a ~ore detailed description, however~ it can be readil~ a~preciated from FIG. 1 th~t the mentioned maJor components interlock to~ether so as to direct a pluralit~ of contacts 66 mounted in the insert 22 in-to a correspondin~
~lur~litY of passA~es 108 in the cable support 24 to pierce and make contact with the res~ective conductors of the cable 12. It can also be apvreciated from FIG. 1 that the cable 12 is provided with a strain~
relief mechanism which directs cable exit in either of two directions.
Referrin~ now to FIGS. 3~ 4 and 5, a sub-assembl~ of the cover 20 and insert 22 is illustrated. The cover 20 comprises an uPper surface ~2 having a plurality of pin-receivin~ apertures 28 extending downwardly therethrough. ~ach of the apertures 28 i8 shaped with inwardly and downwardly directed sur~aces 30 ~or guidin~ the pin contacts into enga~ement wlth cooperatinK portlon~ of the cont~cts 66.
.
Taking FIGS. 6 and 7 also iNto consideration~ the cover 20 is ~urther illustrated as including a pair of longitudinal downturned flanges 34 (only one being illustrated) to be received in longitudinal recesses 45 of the insert 22. me cover 22 also includes a pair of end portions 36 from which depend a ~air of lugs or posts 38 ~only one being A
20 shown) to be received in frictional engagement with correspondingl~ ~
, shaped recesseæ 42 Or the insert 22.
; Referring to FIG9. 6 and 7 in particular, the insert 22 is shcwn as compriæing an u~per surface 40 and a lower surfAce 54. 5te~ped do~n from and partially defining the longitudinal recesses 45 are a pair of longitudinal surfaces 44~ and æte~ed down further from the surfaces 44 are a ~luralit~ of surfaces 46~ 48~ 50 and 52 located substantiall~
near the corneræ of the connector for ~rovid-lng a ~lurality o~ tool receiv-ing ga~æ for remo~ing the cover 20 for servicing the connector.
e insert 22 includes a ~lurality of ~ligned ~assages 56 extending therethrough from the upper surface 40 to the lower surface 54.
Each of the paæsages 56 is offset with respect to the longitudinal ridges of a conductor to be received and includes an internal pro~ection ~ , .
58 having an up~er surface 60 which divides each ~assage 56 into an ~ ~5~
:, . , .
: .
enlarged portion 62 aligned with like portions in the directionof cable insertiony and a portion 64 which is offset with respect to the direction of cable insertion. As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5and 6, it is this offset alignment arrangement, together with the cor-responding passage alignment of the passages 10~ in the cable sup-port 24 with respect to the cable slot 98 to be discussed below ~ ~ :
which provides for positive location and engagement of the indivi~
dual contacts and cable conductors~
Referring to FIG. 5, the insert 22 is shown with a pairof adjacent contacts 66 mounted thereinO ~ach of the contacts 66 includes an intermediate portion 68 which terminates at a lower por- ~.
tion 70 in a pair of insulation-piercing spaced-apart tines 72 ;
(FIGS. 1, 14A, 14B and l~C), and an upper portion which includes a : :.:
pair o~ convergently directed pin-receiving spring portions 76 and :
an edge 7~ which abuts the upper surface 60 of the internal passage ;:
projections 580 As a contact is inser-ted downwardly through a pas- : .
sage 56, and the edge 74 engages the upper surface 60 of the pro-jection 58, the contact is forced slightly further inwardly to a .~ .
: . :
', point where an outwardly extending barb or lip 78 clears the lower i 20 surface 54 and the intermediate contact portion 68 springs outward-ly. The contact 66 is therefore mounted to prevent movement there-o~ in either direction thro~lgh the passage 560 ~owever, with the cover 20 removed, a contact removal tool may be extended down through .
~ the passage 56 to disengage the lip 78 by flexing the intermediate : contact portion 68 inwardlyD Therefore, a single contact may be ~ ~
-, removed without disassembly of the entire connector by then simply .
;1 grasping the bridge portion 78b on which stop edge 74 is formedwith . ~
~ a tool since the bridge portion has a section spanning and spaced . ~.
','! from the walls of the passagewayO It will be noted that the flat ~, 3~ portion or leg of the contact on which tines 72 are formed has a U
shaped form 78c therein (seen in Figure 1) for engaging the passage-way wall or projection 58 to hold the flat portion against the op-~,~ posite wall o-~ the passageway~ ; . .
- 6 :
'~ , ',, '.
Re~erring to FIG. 5A, a section view similar to that of FIG. 5 is illustrated wherein a dif~erent contact structure is em-ployed, a contact structure which may be pre~erred over that illus-trated in FIG. 50 In FIG. 5A, the cover 20 and the insert 22 have the same structure as $hat illust~ated in FIG. 5; however, it will be noted that the barbs 78 which take the insertion ~orce in FIG. 5 are not utilized and, instead, the spring portions 76 are extended . .
upwardly to terminate at ends 76a which abut the inside sur~ace of ;
the cover 200 With this structure, the insertion force applied to lO the cover 20 is transmitted to the tines 72 o~ the lower portion70 :~
: by way o~ the cover and the contacts, rather than through the in- : ;
termediary o~ the insert and lip structure. There~ore, to remove a contact, it is not necessary to extend a tool completely through the insert to release the lip or barb and the contact can be read-ily removed by utilizing a tool to hook under the upper bridge por-tion o~ the contactO
Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and lO, a cable support is ~:
illustrated as comprising an upper sur~ace 80 having a pair o~
spaced upstanding posts 82 and 84 ~or ~rictional engagement within respective recesses 42 o~ the insert 22~ The cable support 24 ~ur-ther includes a lower sur~ace 86 and a pair o~ downwardly extending end portions 88 and 90 having respective recesses 92 and 94 -there-in ~or engagement with a strain relie~ member as will be discussed :~ .
; below.
The cable support 24 -~urther comprises a surface 96 from :~. which a cable slot 98 extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 80, The cable slot 98 is generally de~ined by a lower sur-~ace 100 and a grooved upper sur~ace including spaced grooves 104 and intermediate downwardly projecting portions 102. The grooves .
~;~ 30 104 receive respective ones o~ the longitudinal ridges 14 o~ $he :
~lat cable 12, while the downwardly projecting portions 102 extend into the gaps 18 (FIG. 2) caused by removal o-~ insulation between _ : :
I
the ridges. Receipt o~ a cable in the cable slot 98 there~ore constitutes receipt and positive location o~ the individual con-ductors enclosed within the respective ridges For accurate alignment o~ and positive association of the individual conductors and connector contacts, the cable sup-port 24 is provided with a plurality of aligned and staggered pas-sages 108, each having a contact guiding ramp llO, extending through the upper portion of the cable support and into communication with the cable slot 98 through respective ones o~ the grooves 104. In-asmuch as the tines 72 of the contacts 66 must extend completely through the cable in order to insure proper electrical contact with ,:
the conductors, each passage 108 has associated and aligned there-with a recess or well 112 ~or receiving the ends o~ the tines upon .:
complete insertlon (FIG. l~C).
The bottom sur~ace 100 o~ the cable slot 9B develops lnto the lower surface 86 o~ -the cable support by way o-~ an arcuate sur- ~:~
-~ace 106 about which the flat cable is wrapped for strain relief and ; ;
exit ~rom the connectorO It will be noted that the reverse bend in the cable created by the strain relief path of the cable in a dir- :
ection transverse to the slot 98 creates a biasing -~orce ~or hold- ~
ing the ridged or arcuate peripheral sur~ace o~` each cable conduc- :
tor in its respective groove and that the tines -~'irst pass through the grooves in order to be received in -the slot 98 whereby the ridged or arcuate peripheral sur-~ace of the insulation on each con- ::
ductor serves to guide and align the prongs or tines 72 with the respective conductor so that the conductor is engaged in the notch for completing an electrical connection to the contact. : : .
Re~erring now to FIGS. 1, 11; 12 and 13, a p:re~erred ., ;l .... .
strain-relief cons$ruction is illustrated wherein the cable 12 may ~: -.. ~ . . .
;l 30 exit in either o-~ two directions~ The strain-relie~ member 26 is , illustrated as comprising an upper sur~ace 11~, a lower sur~ace 116, ' and a pair o~ upstanding spaced-apart posts 118 and 12~ ~or -~ric-: 8 -tional engagement in respective ones o~ the recesses 92 and 9~ of the cable support 24. The upper surface 114 also carries a longi-tudinal ridge, transverse to the cable direction, a longitudinal -ridge 124, also transverse to the cable direction~ and a generally vertical slot 126 defined by a side wall 12~ and a side wall 130. ~:The side wall 130 includes an arcuate portion 132 having an addi-tional longitudinally extending ridge 1340 If the cable 12 is to wrap about the sur~ace 106 of the cable support 24 and exit parallel to the cable slot 98 J the ridges ,, - ~:
122 and 124 cooperate with the lower sur~ace 86 of the cable sup-port 24 to grip the cable and provide strain reliefO However, the ~ cable may be directed about the surface 106 or the ridges 122 and 1 134 for exit downwardly through the slot 1260 In this case, the l,-~, , ridges 122 and 124 engage the longitudina~ly ridged surface of the cable 12 and the cable is gripped between the ridges 122, 134 and the lower surface 86 of the cable support 24. Of course, the slot 126, or a plurality of such slots, could be directed at various ' and/or additional angles for providing dif~erent directions of ; ca~le exit accompanied with the strain relief featureO
Referring to FIGS, 14A, 14B and 14C, it will be appreci-` `-a-ted that the cable is first prepared for connection by removing insulation to provide the gaps 18. The prepared end of the cable ls then inserted into the cable slot 98 of the cable support 24.
If the cable is to exit -through the slot 126, it may first be ne-~, cessary to thread the cable through the slot 126 before inserting ~ -' the prepared end of the cable into the cable slot 980 The strain- ~;relief member 26 and the cable support 24 are then secured togetherO
~ The contact insert 22, with the cover 20 in place, is then aligned ~ `
s with the sub-assembly and lowered to a position where the tines 72 ~ ::engage the insulation of the ridges 14 (FIG. 14B)o The two sub- ~;. :
assemblies 20, 22 and 24, 26 are -then forced togethe:r so that the .-:
tines 72 pierce the insulation and the conductors 16 are forced ~ :
_ g _ :
, '. ':
''-: , ' into engagement with the tines 72 within the gap 73 ther0betwesnO
Referring to FIG. 15, another construction of a cable .: support 140 is illustrated for a connector constructed as set -forth above In this construction, however, strain relie-f is not provi- :
ded and the connector may be utilized in those applications where strain relief is unnecessaryO
Referring to FIG. 16, another connector construction is -~
illustrated wherein strain relief for one direction of exit, 90~ ~
with respect to the contact of direction, is provided by a strain- ... :.
relief member 150 having an upper surface 152 carrying a plurality ~-of spaced-apart ribs 154 which e~tend transversely of -the cable 120 .. ..
~; For a cable exit in line with, but 180 opposite to, the ...
direction of pin contact receipt, the cable support may be con-: structed at its lower end as illustrated by the cable support 160 .`
ln FIG. 17. The lower surface of the cable slot 100 develops into a generally S-shaped surface including connected surface portions - 162, 164 and 1660 The cable support 160 includes a downwardly ex-tending tail 168 which carries the surface portions 164 and 166~
The downwardly extending tail 168 is received within an elongate ~ 20 complemental slot 176 of a strain-relief member 170 which includes a pair of surfaces 172 and 174 which are parallel to the surfaces ' 16~ and 166 and therewith define a cable receiving slot for clamp-ingly engaging the cable 12 ancl directing the exit o~ the cable from the connector. .:
Although the present invention has been described by re- ;
-l ference to particular illustrative embodiments -thereof, the illus- -~
-. : :.
trations and descriptions have been provided only as non-limiting ~ .
. . .. . .
: examples~ Many changes and modifications of the inven-tion may be-come apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, intended ,' ~., :'" ..
that the patent warranted hereon cover all such changes and modifi~
cations as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope :
of the contribution to ~he art~ .
Claims (18)
1. An electrical connector for making solderless elec-trical connections to a plurality of conductors of a multiple con-ductor insulated cable having flat sides and a ridged peripheral surface portion extending along the longitudinal axis of each con-ductor, said connector comprising: a connector body including an upper and a lower spaced sidewall defining a slot for receiving the cable, said upper sidewall including spaced grooves each hav-ing a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each conductor for receiving a respective ridged peripher-al surface portion of the cable, a plurality of passageways ex-tending transversely to said slot and in communication with said slot through a respective groove of said upper sidewall; and a plurality of contacts each received in a respective one of said passageways, each of said contacts including a spring portion for engaging a cooperable pin contact and an extended portion for ex-tending into said slot, said extended portion including insulation piercing contact means passing through a respective groove into said slot and guided by the respective ridged peripheral portion in the respective groove for contacting a respective cable conduc-tor, said passageways align and guide the contacts during inser-tion.
2. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector body is a cable support body, and said con-tacts each have a notch at its extended end defining a pair of spaced prongs, said electrical connector including: a contact body carrying said contacts with each contact extended portion ex-tending from said contact body and spaced for receipt in a respec-tive one of said passageways; and means on said support body and said contact body for positioning each contact extended portion for passage through a respective one of said passageways with the peripheral insulating portion of each conductor facing the exten-ded portion of a respective contact to engage the respective prongs for guiding and aligning the notch of a respective contact with a respective conductor as said prongs are received in said slot for establishing an electrical connection to the respective conductor in response to the passage of a portion of each prong through a respective groove and the peripheral insulating portion of a res-pective conductor.
3. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, com-prising biasing means for holding said cable in a position wherein the longitudinal axis of said conductors extends transversely to said slot and defining a strain relief slot for clampingly receiv-ing the cable with the peripheral surface portion of each conductor biased toward the respective groove.
4. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said biasing means includes a plurality of walls defining a multichannel slot with each channel extending in a unique direc-tion and the insulation piercing contact means of adjacent ones of said contacts are offset along the longitudinal axis of said con-ductors.
5. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said biasing means comprises first, second, third and fourth walls defining a slot arrangement having a cable entry and a pair of differently directed cable exits.
6. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, in which said contact body has . second passageways for receiving said contacts and has spaced surfaces with said contact extended portion projecting from one of said spaced surfaces and said con-tact spring portion projecting from the other spaced surface, and a cover for connection to said contact body to cover the other of said spaced surfaces with said cover having a plurality of openings therethrough aligned with said second passages for directing a respective pin contact into engagement with a respective contact spring portion in said contact body.
7. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein said cover is removable and said openings are of smaller size than said spring portions to provide a protected entry for each of said contacts.
8. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, com-prising: a projection extending transversely of and within each of said second passages, and wherein each of said contacts in-cludes an edge for abutting the respective projection to prevent movement of the contact relative the passage toward said one con-tact body face.
9. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said contacts includes a lip spaced from said edge substantially the distance between said projections and said other face, said lip and said edge gripping said body to prevent movement of a contact through a second passage in either direction.
10. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second passages are spaced in a row extending trans-versely to the longitudinal axis of said longitudinally extending grooves and conductors, said projections within adjacent ones of said second passageways offset with respect to each other, and each of said contacts includes a transversely extending portion having said edge thereon for locating adjacent contacts in longi-tudinally offset positions relative said grooves and conductors for enabling engagement of the prongs of adjacent contacts with a respective adjacent one of the conductors of the cable.
11. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first passages in said cable support body extend through the other of said slot defining sidewalls to receive said prongs of respective extended portions of said contacts when said contacts are mated with the conductors of the cable.
12. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein one surface of said strain relief slot includes at least one rib extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the con-ductor of the cable.
13. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means defining a strain relief slot connects with said cable support body to grip the cable therebetween, said strain re-lief means including a surface parallel to said second surface of said cable support body to define a passageway receiving said cable in a direction providing a reverse bend in said cable for biasing each arcuate insulating portion into a respective groove, and a pair of internal spaced sidewalls extending from and at an angle with respect to said surface of said strain relief means.
14. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first surface includes an arcuate portion connecting said second surface of said connector body with said other sidewall for supporting the cable.
15. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said extended portion is generally flat with said prongs directed downwardly and rearwardly, said prongs forming an insula-tion-piercing notch, said contact including an upper funnel-shaped portion having opposed first and second spring members with lower free ends, said first member joined to said extended portion with said second spring member facing said flat portion and having said free end bent inwardly toward said first spring member, and an up-per bridge portion on said contact joining said second member to said extended portion and having a section laterally separated from said funnel and spaced from the walls of said passageway in span-ning relationship to said passageway for enabling said contact to be grasped for removal from said passageway.
16. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said second passages includes an upper projection, said bridge portion includes an edge for abutting the upper projec-tion to limit the movement of said contact in one direction through said passage, and biasing means on said flat portion engaging one wall of said passage for holding said flat portion and insulation piercing means spaced from said one wall.
17. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the contact body is formed from insulating material and wherein each of the contacts is removable and of one-piece sheet metal construction mounted in one of said passageways and compris-ing a generally flat portion with rearwardly directed tines having spaced apart ends and forming an insulation-piercing notch adjacent one end of said flat portion, each of said contacts including an upper funnel-shaped portion having opposed first and second spring members with lower free ends, said first spring member joined to said flat portion with said second spring member facing said flat portion and having said free end bent inwardly toward said first member, and an upper bridge portion on each of said contacts join-ing said second member to said flat portion and having a section laterally separated from said funnel and spaced from the walls of each of said passageways in spanning relationship to each of said passageways for enabling each of said contacts to be grasped for removal from each of said passageways.
18. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said passageways includes an upper projection, said bridge portion includes an edge for abutting the upper projection to limit the movement of each of said contacts in one direction through each of said passageways, and biasing means on said flat portion engaging one wall of each of said passageways for holding said flat portion and insulation piercing means spaced from said one wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US43111874A | 1974-01-07 | 1974-01-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1044779A true CA1044779A (en) | 1978-12-19 |
Family
ID=23710546
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA217,341A Expired CA1044779A (en) | 1974-01-07 | 1975-01-06 | Flat cable connector having insulation piercing contacts and cable strain relief |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS50100588A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU503646B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1044779A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2500189A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2257158A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1491694A (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL173002C (en) * | 1976-03-30 | 1983-11-16 | Du Pont | CONNECTING DEVICE FOR A MULTI-WIRE CABLE AND ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING A CONNECTING DEVICE ENCLOSED BY A TWO-PART HOUSE. |
| US4083615A (en) * | 1977-01-27 | 1978-04-11 | Amp Incorporated | Connector for terminating a flat multi-wire cable |
| US4099822A (en) * | 1977-01-24 | 1978-07-11 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Connector for making splicing, half-tap, bridging and terminating connections of multiple insulated conductors |
| US4111512A (en) * | 1977-06-13 | 1978-09-05 | Amp Incorporated | Strain relief cover for flat flexible cable connector |
| CA1096455A (en) * | 1977-08-12 | 1981-02-24 | Joseph M. Ensminger | Electrical connector with dual position latches |
| US4496207A (en) * | 1977-08-12 | 1985-01-29 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Electrical connector with dual position latches |
| DE2748192C2 (en) * | 1977-10-27 | 1982-09-02 | Telefonbau Und Normalzeit Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt | Electrical clamp connection arrangement |
| GB2110886B (en) * | 1981-12-01 | 1985-12-11 | Bunker Ramo | Electrical connector member |
| KR900007576B1 (en) * | 1983-07-04 | 1990-10-15 | 도요구니 사사끼 덴센 가부시끼가이샤 | Plug socket for a flat cable |
| JPS61131382A (en) * | 1984-11-29 | 1986-06-19 | アンプ インコ−ポレ−テツド | Electric connector |
| DE3543200A1 (en) * | 1984-12-22 | 1986-07-03 | Thomas & Betts GmbH, 6073 Egelsbach | Flat-cable connector |
| US4591225A (en) * | 1985-01-14 | 1986-05-27 | Molex Incorporated | Arrangement for interconnecting a printed circuit board with a multi-conductor cable |
| DE3503412C2 (en) * | 1985-02-01 | 1987-01-15 | Assmann Electronics Ltd., Ennis, Co. Clare | Connector for connecting a multi-core electrical flat cable to other circuit elements |
| DE4008439C2 (en) * | 1990-03-16 | 1994-05-19 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Device for connecting a plurality of insulated conductors with electrical contacts |
| FR2947669B1 (en) | 2009-07-02 | 2014-04-25 | Yantec | CONNECTOR OF FLAT-CONDUCTIVE RIBBONS, IN PARTICULAR FLEXIBLE LUMINOUS RIBBONS WITH LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES |
-
1974
- 1974-12-04 GB GB5250174A patent/GB1491694A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-12-06 AU AU76165/74A patent/AU503646B2/en not_active Expired
-
1975
- 1975-01-03 DE DE19752500189 patent/DE2500189A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1975-01-06 FR FR7500252A patent/FR2257158A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
- 1975-01-06 CA CA217,341A patent/CA1044779A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-01-07 JP JP50004313A patent/JPS50100588A/ja active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7616574A (en) | 1976-06-10 |
| JPS50100588A (en) | 1975-08-09 |
| AU503646B2 (en) | 1979-09-13 |
| FR2257158A1 (en) | 1975-08-01 |
| GB1491694A (en) | 1977-11-09 |
| DE2500189A1 (en) | 1975-07-17 |
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