Flat cable connector

Claim 1

A connector for making electrical contact with each of a plurality of parallel conductors spaced from each other by a first predetermined distance comprising: a plurality of substantially identical contacts, each comprising a conductor terminating end adapted for making electrical connection with one of said conductors, a contact mating end and a deformable intermediate portion connecting said conductor terminating end and said contact mating end; a shell; at least one dielectric insert housed within said shell and having bores holding said contacts, said contact mating ends being held by said bores in a row and spaced from each other by a second predetermined distance different than said first predetermined distance, said dielectric insert further having slots for receiving said deformable intermediate portions of said contacts and positioning said contacts such that said conductor terminating ends are disposed in a row and spaced from each other by said first predetermined distance; and a rear dielectric insert having a plurality of tapered contact forming apertures aligned in a row, said rear dielectric insert being installable on said connector with one side thereof disposed adjacent said one dielectric insert such that the conductor terminating end of each of said contacts is guided through a respective one of said contact forming apertures to deform the intermediate portions of at least some of said plurality of contacts and align said conductor terminating ends in a row and spaced from each other by said first predetermined distance.