Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-06-26
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
C439S789000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250948
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly, to an insulation displacement connector which pierces through an insulation layer of an insulated wire to establish electrical contact between the conductor of the wire and a conductive terminal of the connector.
2. Description of the Background Art
Various types of connectors are known for interconnecting with wires having conductors surrounded by an insulating layer. One type of connector is known as an insulation displacement connector, with which an electrical connection can be achieved without stripping away the insulation from the wire. A typical insulation displacement connector includes a generally flat conductive terminal having a slot therein which receives an insulated wire. Sharpened edges along the slot sever the insulation as the wire slides along the slot, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the terminal and the conductor of the wire, without necessitating the pre-stripping of the insulation from the wire.
In one style of insulation displacement connector, the wire is inserted, for example, into the connector from one side thereof until the wire is overlying the slot of the terminal. A large force is then applied, for example, downwardly and orthogonally to the direction of insertion of the wire, in order to force the wire into the slot between the blades of the terminal.
Unfortunately, with this style of insulation displacement connector, it is necessary to have clearance on both the side and the top of the connector in order to accommodate insertion of the wire into the connector, and subsequent insertion of the wire onto the terminal. Further, the large forces required to force the wire into the slot can dislodge the terminal from securement within the connector, since typically the terminal is inserted into the connector during manufacture in the same direction as the forces applied to the terminal during the forcing of the wire into the slot.
There is a need in the art for an insulation displacement connector which requires a minimum of clearance space therearound so that more connectors may be accommodated within a given space. Further, there is a need for an insulation displacement connector which is not susceptible to dislodging of the terminal under the forces applied to the terminal during insertion of the wire into the slot of the terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention fulfills the aforementioned need in the art by providing an electrical connector which includes a base, a connector housing supported by the base, and at least one conductive terminal received within the connector housing. The conductive terminal includes a keyhole slot therein including a circular aperture and an elongated slot extending therefrom. The connector housing includes a handle having at least one wire-receiving passage therein, and is movable between a first position and a second position. An insulated wire is readily insertable and removable through the wire-receiving passage in the handle and the circular aperture in the conductive terminal when the connector housing is in the first position. When the connector housing is moved to the second position, the wire is moved from the circular aperture and forced into the elongated slot. The elongated slot constricts the wire and pierces the insulation of the wire, thereby establishing electrical contact between the conductor of the wire and the conductive terminal, and restricting removal of the wire from the connector housing. The connector housing may include one or more separate terminals therein for receiving one or more wires therein. The base may be formed as a panel having a plurality of housing receiving portions, with a plurality of electrical connectors arranged in the plurality of housing receiving portions to form an array of electrical connectors.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4153322 (1979-05-01), Godfrey
patent: 4793823 (1988-12-01), Cozzens et al.
patent: 4795363 (1989-01-01), Scherer et al.
patent: 5417583 (1995-05-01), Ishizaki et al.
patent: 6080006 (2000-06-01), Broder
patent: 198401 (1984-01-01), None
Avava Technology Corp.
Le Thanh-Tam
Patel Tulsidas
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