Electrical connector

Claim 1

A connector part for a multi-way electrical connector comprising: a connector housing having at least two kinds of substantially parallel terminal passages, said terminal passages being arranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows such that substantially each row includes the same kind of terminal passages; at least two kinds of terminals received in the corresponding two kinds of terminal passages, respectively, and each terminal having an electrical contact portion, a connecting portion for connection with a conductive lead and a transition portion between said electrical contact portion and said conductive lead connecting portion; each of said terminal passages having an intermediate portion between the opposite ends thereof for receiving said transition portion of said terminal; said terminals being respectively formed with windows and said terminal passages being provided with latching arms engaged in said windows to latch said terminals when said terminals are inserted into position; said at least two kinds of terminals being arranged so that the electrical contact portion of substantially each terminal of one kind and the electrical contact portion of substantially each terminal of the other kind, when extended in their respective width directions by imaginary planes respectively coplanar with said electrical contact portions, intersect at substantially right angles to each other; said housing being formed with a plurality of retainer passages extending at substantially right angles to said terminal passages, said retainer passages being arranged in generally parallel rows and in such a manner that each retainer passage passes through the intermediate portions of said terminal passages of each row; and a retainer having a plurality of retainer pins inserted into said retainer passages and engaged with said transition portions of said terminals in such a manner as to prevent movement of said terminals in a rearward, withdrawal direction.