Terminal for flat conductor

Claim 2

A terminal for a flat electrical conductor which may have insulation on the opposed surfaces thereof comprising: a pair of jaws adapted to receive said flat electrical conductor therebetween; means on said jaws for making an electrical connection with said flat electrical conductor; said means comprising longitudinally spaced projections on each said jaw extending toward the other jaw, the projections on one jaw being alternately disposed with respect to the projections on the other jaw, said projections having curved convex outer surfaces; the spaces between said projections on each said jaw defining concave surfaces, said spaces being dimensioned so as to be able to receive said projections whereby clamping of said jaws together brings said convex and concave surfaces into mating relationship whereby the insulation on a flat electrical conductor disposed therebetween is deformed to produce electrical contact between said jaws and said conductor; and each said projection being formed with an aperture whereby said projection may deform when said jaws are clamped together.

Claim 3

A terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein: each said convex surface is semi-circular and each said concave surface has the general configuration of a half-ellipse, with the major axis of the ellipse extending longitudinally of said jaws.

Claim 4

A terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said jaws are spaced apart in parallel relationship to define a slot therebetween and are integrally joined at one end to a forward body.

Claim 5

A terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said projections on each jaw cooperate with the concave surfaces on the other jaw to produce a mechanical joint between said jaws when said conductor is sandwiched therebetween.

Claim 6

A terminal as set forth in claim 1 including: a plurality of said pairs of jaws arranged in parallel spaced relationship.

Claim 7

A terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein: one of said jaws embodies an integral electrical contact element.

Claim 8

A terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pair of jaws are separate pieces, at least one of said jaws being formed of metal strip.

Claim 9

A terminal as set forth in claim 7 wherein each said metal jaw has an insulating material coating thereon which is ruptured when said jaws are clamped together onto said conductor.

Claim 10

A terminal for a flat electrical conductor which may have insulation on the opposed surfaces thereof comprising: a pair of jaws adapted tO receive said flat electrical conductor therebetween; means on said jaws for making an electrical connection with said flat electrical conductor; said means comprising longitudinally spaced projections on each said jaw extending toward the other jaw, the projections on one jaw being alternately disposed with respect to the projections on the other jaw, said projections having curved convex outer surfaces; the spaces between said projections on each said jaw defining concave surfaces, said spaces being dimensioned so as to be able to receive said projections whereby clamping of said jaws together brings said convex and concave surfaces into mating relationship whereby the insulation on a flat electrical conductor disposed therebetween is deformed to produce electrical contact between said jaws and said conductor; and one of said jaws being of an insulating material while the other of said jaws is of metal.

Claim 11

A terminal for a flat electrical conductor which may have insulation on the opposed surfaces thereof comprising: a pair of jaws adapted tO receive said flat electrical conductor therebetween; means on said jaws for making an electrical connection with said flat electrical conductor; said means comprising longitudinally spaced projections on each said jaw extending toward the other jaw, the projections on one jaw being alternately disposed with respect to the projections on the other jaw, said projections having curved convex outer surfaces; the spaces between said projections on each said jaw defining concave surfaces, said spaces being dimensioned so as to be able to receive said projections whereby clamping of said jaws together brings said convex and concave surfaces into mating relationship whereby the insulation on a flat electrical conductor disposed therebetween is deformed to produce electrical contact between said jaws and said conductor; and one of said jaws being of an insulating material while the other of said jaws is of metal.

Claim 12

A terminal for a flat electrical conductor which may have insulation on the opposed surfaces thereof comprising: a pair of jaws adapted to receive said flat electrical conductor therebetween; means on said jaws for making an electrical connection with said flat electrical conductor; said means comprising longitudinally spaced projections on each said jaw extending toward the other jaw, the projections on one jaw being alternately disposed with respect to the projections on the other jaw, said projections having curved convex outer surfaces; the spaces between said projections on each said jaw defining concave surfaces, said spaces being dimensioned so as to be able to receive said projections whereby clamping of said jaws together brings said convex and concave surfaces into mating relationship whereby the insulation on a flat electrical conductor disposed therebetween is deformed to produce electrical contact between said jaws and said conductor; and at least one of said projections, and/or at least one of said concave surfaces being provided with serrations which facilitate the rupturing of the insulation on said conductor when said jaws are clamped together.

Claim 13

A terminal for a flat electrical conductor which may have insulation on the opposed surfaces thereof comprising: a pair of jaws adapted to receive said flat electrical conductor therebetween; means on said jaws for making an electrical connection with said flat electrical conductor; said means comprising longitudinally spaced projections on each said jaw extending toward the other jaw, the projections on one jaw being alternately disposed with respect to the projections on the other jaw, said projections having curved convex outer surfaces; the spaces between said projections on each said jaw defining concave surfaces, said spaces being dimensioned so as to be able to receive said projections whereby clamping of said jaws together brings said convex and concave surfaces into mating relationship whereby the insulation on a flat electrical conductor disposed therebetween is deformed to produce electrical contact between said jaws and said conductor; and at least one of said projections, and/or at least one of said concave surfaces being provided with serrations which facilitate the rupturing of the insulation on said conductor when said jaws are clamped together.