Electric plug with snap-fitted housing components

Claim 1

An electrical plug comprising: a housing having two interfitting housing shells providing a wireway open at one end for entry of two insulated conductors; two pairs of flexible legs projecting integrally from one of said shells near opposite ends thereof, each leg having an integral locking foot at its free end extending laterally outward, said legs extending through bores formed in the other shell and having their locking feet engaging retaining shoulders at the outer ends of the bores to prevent withdrawal of the legs from the bores; each of said bores having a widened mouth portion at its inner end aligned with the respective retaining shoulder for introduction of the locking foot of the respective leg at the start of assembly of the housing, and then tapering inwardly from said mouth portion such as to spring the leg laterally inward during assembly until its locking foot reaches the outer end of the bore and springs back outwardly to fit over the respective retaining shoulder, said legs being hidden in said bores and said shoulders being substantially covered by said locking feet; and two conductive members located in the housing and having insulation-piercing elements projecting into said wireway and arranged to pierce the insulation surrounding said conductors and engage respective ones of said conductors when the housing shells are pressed together with said legs in said bores.