Main frame connector and method

Claim 1

A connector for making in-line solderless electrical connection in a communications installation between a pair of insulated wires and a main frame flat post, said connector comprising: an open top hollow insulating body member having inwardly slanted sidewalls, inwardly transversely slotted to provide a transverse narrow slot near one end for receiving a spring reserve wire contact element, and slotted to provide an open slot at the other end for receiving a said post, said body including projecting ledges extending inwardly along both sidewalls for supporting a post inserted through said end slot; a cover member fitting into the open top of said body member and having outwardly slanted resilient sides and side extensions providing a snap fit with said side walls of said body member in both open and shut positions, longitudinallY channeled to provide a pair of parallel wire-supporting surfaces, and transversely slotted across said wire-supporting surfaces to provide an inner narrow transverse slot in line with the transverse slot in said body member; and a spring reserve contact element disposed within said body member, having a wire-connecting flat plate portion fitting within said transverse slots of said body and cover and across said wire-supporting surfaces and slotted to provide an open-ended wire-accepting slot in line with each of said surfaces, and a post-contacting bowed plate portion extending from said wire-connecting portion toward said post-receiving slot in said body member for making spring-reserve sliding contact with a said post.