Electric power distribution device

Claim 1

A connector device for electric power distribution ducts having respectively a pair of opposing longitudinal conductors respectively held in a duct housing through a pair of insulative members positioned to insulate said conductors from said duct housing, said conductors being laterally spaced from each other to form a longitudinal space therebetween within said housing, said conductors and said insulating members extending longitudinally beyond one end of the duct housing, said connector device comprising a base member of an insulative material provided with at least one longitudinal projection on one end thereof and a pair of longitudinal grooves substantially along each sidewall, the other end of said base member being adapted to receive leads from an electric source, a pair of resilient contactor members respectively fitted in each of said grooves of said base member and forming contacting parts extending longitudinally along opposite sides of said projection and terminating short of the end of said projection, said contactor members having terminal members at the ends opposite the ends forming said contacting parts for connecting said contactor members to said leads, and a single unitary covering member removably attached to said base member and covering the entirety of said contactor members, said projection of the base member being complementary to said longitudinal space formed between said conductors so that, when the connector is engaged to an end of the duct, said projection is closely fitted in said longitudinal space for firm mechanical coupling between the connector device and the duct, said resilient contactor members being positioned to engage only the longitudinal extensions of said opposed surfaces of said conductors when said projection is fitted in said space, said contactor members also being laterally spaced from said projection so as to be deflected inwardly toward said projection upon engagement with said conductors whereby the contactor members are biased away from each other and Toward said conductors to maintain firm electrical contact with said conductors.