Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Patent
1995-04-19
1997-06-24
Pirlot, David L.
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
439716, H01R 424
Patent
active
056413025
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric connector of the type which retains an end portion of an electric wire and forms an electrical connection with the end portion of the wire, so as to electrically connect the wire with some other electric component. Particularly, the invention relates to the type of electric connector in which the electrical connection between the end portion of the wire and the connector is made by the act of inserting the end portion of the wire into part of the connector, thereby obviating the need for pre-stripping the wire.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
Conventional electric connectors of this type are known from, for example, EP (UK) 0 247 360 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,672. Each of these documents shows a connector by means of which electric conductors are connected by insulation-displacing and connecting pieces which are located within a housing. However, the wires are fitted and removed, in each case, by using a manual tool. Although such an arrangement provides a successful connector, the use of the tool can waste time, due to problems of manipulation and also because the connectors cannot be assembled or dismantled if the tool is not at hand. U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,996 discloses a prior art connector. In the disclosed arrangement a connector block includes a housing provided with plural apertures and individual terminal modules for insertion into the housing. Each module is first inserted into the housing and a wire is subsequently inserted into the module. Electrical connection of the wire is achieved after insertion by tightening a bolt situated on an outer surface of the module, so as to force the wire into contact with a conductor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention sets out to provide a connector which allows electric wires to be connected to electric equipment without using any additional manual tools.
According to the invention there is provided an electric connector comprising an electric contact, a first housing adapted to receive the said contact and a second housing adapted to receive a cable; such that, during assembly of the connector, the second housing can guide the cable to abut the contact in such a manner that the contact displaces an insulating layer of the said cable and forms an electrical connection with a wire core of the cable, and the second housing comprises a second gripping surface, which gripping surfaces are adaptated to be arranged to face away from each other and face perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cable prior to assembly, such that they can be gripped by a thumb and forefinger and squeezed together to effect assembly.
Preferably, the first housing comprises a female formation and the second housing comprises a male formation. The second housing may comprise an aperture for receiving and guiding the cable, a guide means for urging the cable against the contact is preferably also provided on the second housing.
The contact may be generally tubular and comprise a contact arm extending from its perimeter. Advantageously, the contact will also comprise a slit, into which the cable is guided by the second housing. The slit may be tapered in such a way that it serves to bite into the insulation of the cable, as the cable is inserted in order to eventually contact the inner wire core of the cable.
The first and second housing may optionally be configured to define, once fitted together, a sleeve to surround the contact arm of the contact. This sleeve can be used as a male formation for insertion into another component, to form a contact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a connector according to the present invention and a terminal block;
FIG. 2 shows a female housing of the connector shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the opposite direction;
FIG. 3 shows a wire receivin
REFERENCES:
patent: 3609644 (1971-09-01), Seim
patent: 3772635 (1973-11-01), Frey et al.
patent: 3858158 (1974-12-01), Henn et al.
patent: 3910672 (1975-10-01), Frantz
patent: 4340270 (1982-07-01), Wilmes et al.
patent: 4428115 (1984-01-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 4462655 (1984-07-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 4789354 (1988-12-01), Smith et al.
patent: 4993966 (1991-02-01), Levy
patent: 5096437 (1992-03-01), Levy
patent: 5149278 (1992-09-01), Waas et al.
Demello Jill
Pirlot David L.
Weidmuller (Klippon Products) Limited
LandOfFree
Electric connector having gripping surfaces for assembling conne does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electric connector having gripping surfaces for assembling conne, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electric connector having gripping surfaces for assembling conne will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-146688