Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-06-19
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
C439S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247960
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to insulation displacement connectors and, more particularly, to a top access insulation displacement connector utilizing a sliding element to force and positively hold a conductor in electrical contact with another conductor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of connectors for making electrical connections are presently used and are mounted on blocks in a building entrance protector, i.e. junction box. A common type of connector is an Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC), which is widely used in different types of applications for interconnecting wires; particularly, in the telecommunications industry. An IDC terminal eliminates the need to strip the insulation from a wire prior to making the connection. Since multiple connectors are often positioned in groups on blocks in a small cramped space within a junction box, it is critical and essential to place a selected conductor in the correct connector opening for making contact with a corresponding conductor. In view of the adjacency of multiple openings on a block of connectors and the small space within which to work, this is often difficult, inefficient and time consuming to make a series of good electrical connections between the exposed ends of the conductors and the connector to ensure that each engages the contact element for connection to its corresponding pre-selected conductors. It is important to accommodate a greater number of conductors in the connectors without reducing reliability and electrical connecting efficiency.
Conventional connectors have side wire-connecting openings for receiving the conductor or wire. A conductor is placed into the conductor-receiving opening for engagement with a terminal in the connector for interconnection. As a block of connectors are typically mounted on a junction box on a wall, a technician working with a side-opening connector does not have a top view of the openings. Thus, connectors with side openings are more difficult to use or to identify the corresponding interconnection, which slows the process, creating higher labor costs. Some of the prior art connectors utilize angled side openings, which simplify insertion of conductors but do not remedy the problem.
Therefore, there is a need for an insulation displacement connector having top access openings for receiving conductors to facilitate identification to ensure proper interconnection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a connector terminal that quickly and easily receives conductors to make particular electrical interconnection between selected cooperating wires.
The invention provides a top access insulation displacement connector (IDC) that is securely retained within the housing and is operative by inserting a conductor into a series of aligned openings. This connector terminal has top access and provides strain relief to the conductor while making a positive electrical connection with the selected conductor by sliding housing.
A top access connector is provided with a strain relief position, such that the conductor can resist inadvertent pulling and compressive force exerted on the connector without conductor displacement. The top access connector has three elements, a generally channel-shaped conductive terminal with tails for interconnecting two conductors, a housing which has an interior space and a cantilevered interior panel which underlies the terminal and a base or back plate having a plurality of openings through some of which the tails of the terminal extend from. The housing has at least one pair of axially aligned openings, one on the upper surface and the other on the interior panel, which in turn are aligned with the larger part of a generally keyhole-shaped corresponding opening in the terminal. The housing receives the terminal in the interior space and is then slideable mounted on the back plate through some of its openings. At least one conductor is positioned in the three aligned openings. When the housing is slid slightly along the back panel, it forces the conductor to move in the terminal opening toward the narrower portion of the key-hole, which cuts the insulation to effect an insulation displacement of the conductor to make a conductive connection with the terminal. The terminal in turn is wire wrapped to another conductor to make an electrical interconnection between the inserted wire and the conductor. The inserted conductor is positively engaged in position so that accidental withdrawal of the conductor is prevented and it remains anchored and in positive electrical connection with the wire wrapped terminals.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5620332 (1997-04-01), Gerke et al.
patent: 5664962 (1997-09-01), Noda
patent: 5860829 (1999-01-01), Hower et al.
patent: 6139353 (2000-10-01), Muz
patent: 019835459A1 (2000-02-01), None
patent: 008121457 (1983-05-01), None
Avaya Technology Corp.
Miskin Howard C.
Nguyen Khiem
Tsui-Yip Gloria
Zarroli Michael C.
LandOfFree
Top access slideable insulation displacement connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Top access slideable insulation displacement connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Top access slideable insulation displacement connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2469966