Pre-insulated connecting device for a plurality of wires having insulation displacing features

Claim 1

A connecting device for electrically connecting at least two insulated wires to each other, said connecting device comprising: a formed tubular metallic terminal member having an axially extending open seam, said seam constituting a wire-receiving and insulation displacing slot extending therein from one end thereof, a two-part insulating housing comprising a first generally tubular housing part having an open end, said tubular terminal member being concentrically contained in said first housing part with said one end of said terminal member proximate to said open end, said first housing part having a first housing slot extending therein from said open end, said first housing slot being in registry with said wire-receiving slot, said housing comprising a second generally tubular housing part having an open end which extends into, and is telescopically slidable into, said open end of said first housing part, said second housing part having a wire receiving recess proximate to its open end and having a wire aligning slot extending axially from said recess, said wire aligning slot being in axial alignment with said wire receiving slot and said first housing slot and having a width which is substantially equal to the diameter of one of said wires and a length which is at least equal to the combined diameters of said wires whereby, upon locating the ends of said wires in said recess and telescopically moving said second housing part into said first housing part, said wires move relatively into said wire aligning slot and upon further movement of said second housing part into said first housing part, said wires will be moved into said wire receivinG slot and into said first housing slot whereby the edges of said wire receiving slot penetrate the insulation of said wires and establish electrical contact with the cores thereof.