Multiple electrical connector and block

Claim 2

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; and means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section.

Claim 3

A block as in claim 1 wherein: said main body section has a floor spaced from said retainer section; and said bridge elements extend from said floor away from said retainer section.

Claim 4

A block as in claim 1 further including: fanning strips on the sides of said main body section; said fanning strips defining conductor entry passages in alignment with the spaces disposed between rows of said bridge elements.

Claim 5

A block as in claim 1 wherein: said releasable joining means includes locking arms extending from said retainer section, and locking surfaces on said main body section for locking engagement with said locking arms.

Claim 6

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; and said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block.

Claim 7

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; and said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block.

Claim 8

A block as in claim 5 wherein: said projecting means includes bridge elements with passages therein in alignment with the slots in said main body section.

Claim 9

A block as in claim 6 wherein: said main body section has a floor spaced from said retainer section; and said bridge elements extend from said floor away from said retainer section.

Claim 10

A block as in claim 6 further including: fanning strips on the sides of said main body sections; said fanning strips defining conductor entry passages in alignment with the spaces between rows of said bridge elements.

Claim 11

A block as in claim 6 wherein: said releasable connecting means includes locking arms extending from said retainer section, and locking surfaces on said main body section for locking engagement with said locking arms.

Claim 12

An insulation piercing electrical connector comprising: a housing formed of non-conductive material, said housing including a base portion and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, said side walls being provided with facing generally U-shaped grooves, said housing further having at least a first projection extending outwardly from said base portion in the same direction as said side walls, said projection having a slot extending therethrough, said slot being in registration with said side wall grooves; and a connector element, said connector element being formed from a resilient electrically conductive wire stock of circular cross-section, said connector element defining a series of interconnected loops arranged in co-planar relationship, said loops each having two straight parallel side portions, the straight side portions of adjacent loops being in an abutting relationship, said connector element being positioned in said housing with the outermost straight side portions of the opposite end loops of the series disposed in said U-shaped grooves and an intermediate loop at least partly disposed in said slot in said first projection, abutting straight side portions of adjacent loops being disposed to either side of said first projection whereby an insulated electrical conductor may be forced therebetween, the slot defining walls of said housing projection and said U-shaped grooves preventing lateral movement of adjacent loops of said connector element and stiffening said connector element whereby a compressive force with decreases in the direction of insertion will be applied to an insulated electrical conductor inserted between a pair of adjacent loops, said force being sufficient to remove the insulation from the conductor and subsequently capture the conductor between the abutting straight side portion of adjacent loops.

Claim 13

An insulation piercing electrical connector comprising: a housing formed of non-conductive material, said housing including a base portion and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, said side walls being provided with facing generally U-shaped grooves, said housing further having at least a first projection extending outwardly from said base portion in the same direction as said side walls, said projection having a slot extending therethrough, said slot being in registration with said side wall grooves; and a connector element, said connector element being formed from a resilient electrically conductive wire stock of circular cross-section, said connector element defining a series of interconnected loops arranged in co-planar relationship, said loops each having two straight parallel side portions, the straight side portions of adjacent loops being in an abutting relationship, said connector element being positioned in said housing with the outermost straight side portions of the opposite end loops of the series disposed in said U-shaped grooves and an intermediate loop at least partly disposed in said slot in said first projection, abutting straight side portions of adjacent loops being disposed to either side of said first projection whereby an insulated electrical conductor may be forced therebetween, the slot defining walls of said housing projection and said U-shaped grooves preventing lateral movement of adjacent loops of said connector element and stiffening said connector element whereby a compressive force with decreases in the direction of insertion will be applied to an insulated electrical conductor inserted between a pair of adjacent loops, said force being sufficient to remove the insulation from the conductor and subsequently capture the conductor between the abutting straight side portion of adjacent loops.

Claim 14

The connector of claim 10 wherein said housing projection comprising an inverted U-shaped element having uprights joined together by a cross piece.

Claim 15

The connector of claim 10 wherein said housing base portion is slotted and said sidewalls also extend downwardly therefrom to define a recess below said base portion, said connector element extending partly through said slotted portion and into said recess whereby the straight abutting side portions of adjacent connector element loops intercept the plane of said base portion and said base portion may function as an anvil against which an electrical conductor inserted in the connector may be cut.

Claim 16

The connector of claim 11 wherein said housing base portion is slotted and said sidewalls also extend downwardly therefrom to define a recess below said base portion, said connector element extending partly through said slotted portion and into said recess whereby the straight abutting side portions of adjacent connector element loops intercept the plane of said base portion and said base portion may function as an anvil against which an electrical conductor inserted in the connector may be cut.

Claim 17

The connector of claim 12 wherein said housing further comprises: a releasable retainer, said retainer spanning said recess below said base portion and defining the length of said connector element which extends through said base portion slot.

Claim 18

The connector of claim 14 wherein said retainer is provided with a connector element receiving slot which facing into said recess, said retainer slot being in alignment with the slot in said first projection.

Claim 19

The connector of claim 14 wherein said retainer is provided with a connector element receiving slot which faces into said recess, said retainer slot being in alignment with the slot in said first projection.

Claim 20

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section, said main body section having a floor spaced from said retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; said bridge elements extending from said floor away from said retainer section, and each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element integrally molded with the block and having uprights joined together by a cross piece; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; and means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section.

Claim 21

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section, said main body section having a floor spaced from said retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; said bridge elements extending from said floor away from said retainer section, and each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element integrally molded with the block and having uprights joined together by a cross piece; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; and means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section.

Claim 22

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element integrally molded with the block and having uprights joined together by a cross piece; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; and means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section.

Claim 23

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element integrally molded with the block and having uprights joined together by a cross piece; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; and means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section.

Claim 24

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; said bridge elements in alignment with each body section slot having projections on the top thereof extending toward adjacent bridge elements aligned with the same body section slot; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; and means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section.

Claim 25

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; said bridge elements in alignment with each body section slot having projections on the top thereof extending toward adjacent bridge elements aligned with the same body section slot; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; and means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section.

Claim 26

A block as in claim 19 wherein: said projections on adjacent bridge elements cooperate to define a lead in area for insertion of a wire including an electrical conductor.

Claim 27

A block as in claim 20 wherein: said projections on adjacent bridge elements cooperate to define retaining means to retain a wire including an electrical conductor therebetween prior to connections to a connector element.

Claim 28

A block as in claim 19 wherein: said projections on adjacent bridge elements cooperate to define retaining means to retain a wire including an electrical conductor therebetween prior to connection to a connector element.

Claim 29

A block as in claim 19 wherein: facing projections on adjacent bridge elements define a space in alignment with conductor receiving portions of a connector element housed in the block.

Claim 30

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section having a floor spaced from said retainer section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block, said projection means including bridge elements with passages therein in alignment with the slots in said main body section; and said bridge elements extending from said floor away from said retainer section, each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element having uprights joined together by a cross piece.

Claim 31

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section having a floor spaced from said retainer section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block, said projection means including bridge elements with passages therein in alignment with the slots in said main body section; and said bridge elements extending from said floor away from said retainer section, each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element having uprights joined together by a cross piece.

Claim 32

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block, said projecting means including bridge elements with passages therein in alignment with aligned slots in said main body section and said retainer section; and each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element having uprights joined together by a cross piece.

Claim 33

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block, said projecting means including bridge elements with passages therein in alignment with aligned slots in said main body section and said retainer section; and each of said bridge elements being an inverted U-shaped element having uprights joined together by a cross piece.

Claim 34

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block; and said projecting means in each row having projections at the top thereof extending toward adjacent bridge elements in the row.

Claim 35

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block; and said projecting means in each row having projections at the top thereof extending toward adjacent bridge elements in the row.

Claim 36

A block as in claim 26 wherein: said projections on adjacent of said projecting means cooperate to define a lead in area for insertion of a wire including an electrical conductor.

Claim 37

A block as in claim 27 wherein: said projections on adjacent of said projecting means cooperate to define retaining means to retain a wire including an electrical conductor therebetween prior to connection to a connector element.

Claim 38

A block as in claim 26 wherein: said projections on adjacent of said projecting means cooperate to define retaining means to retain a wire including an electrical conductor therebetween prior to connection to a connector element.

Claim 39

A block as in claim 26 wherein: facing projections on adjacent of said projecting means define a space in alignment with conductor receiving portions of a connector element housed in the block.

Claim 40

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section; connector elements disposed in said body section slots, said connector elements each being formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section and defining a plurality of interconnected connectors; and each of said slots in said main body section being dimensioned to restrain a connector element disposed therein from lateral movement.

Claim 41

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said retainer section; a main body section; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced slots in said main body section, said body section slots each being in alignment with a corresponding slot in said retainer section; a plurality of bridge elements on said main body section, said bridge elements each being in alignment with a main body section slot, each bridge element defining a passage in registration with the main body section slot with which it is aligned; said corresponding retainer section slots, main body section slots and bridge element passages cooperating to define housings for the connector elements; the bridge elements which are in alignment with each slot being spaced apart and being in alignment with the bridge elements which are in alignment with other body section slots to define spaced columns which guide electrical conductors to connector elements which are to be inserted in said block; means for releasably joining said retainer section to said main body section; connector elements disposed in said body section slots, said connector elements each being formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section and defining a plurality of interconnected connectors; and each of said slots in said main body section being dimensioned to restrain a connector element disposed therein from lateral movement.

Claim 42

A block as in claim 31 wherein said bridge elements are aligned in rows and wherein the passages in the bridge elements at the opposite ends of each row are in the form of U-shaped slots, the connector elements engaging the bottoms of said U-shaped slots.

Claim 43

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block; connector elements disposed in said body section slots, said connector elements each being formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section and defining a plurality of interconnected connectors; and each of said slots in said main body section being dimensioned to restrain a connector element disposed therein from lateral movement.

Claim 44

A block for housing connector elements formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section, the block including: a retainer section; a main body section, said body section defining a plurality of generally parallel slots; means releasably connecting said retainer section to said main body section; projecting means extending from said main body section and cooperating with the slots in said main body section to define housings for rows of the connector elements; said projecting means being aligned to define spaced columns and rows of connector locations in said block; connector elements disposed in said body section slots, said connector elements each being formed from electrically conductive stock of circular cross-section and defining a plurality of interconnected connectors; and each of said slots in said main body section being dimensioned to restrain a connector element disposed therein from lateral movement.

Claim 45

A block as in claim 33 wherein said projecting means includes bridge elements with passages therein, said bridge elements being aligned in rows and wherein the passages in the bridge elements at the opposite ends of each row are in the form of U-shaped slots, the wire connector elements engaging the bottoms of said U-shaped slots.