Method and apparatus for terminating high-speed signal transmission cable

Claim 2

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, said passages emerging at an end of said first body, and said groove means having depths that decrease as said groove means extend from said end of said first body.

Claim 3

An electrical connector for connection with multiple slender wires of an electrical cable, comprising; a first insulative body dimensioned for connection with said slender wires, said first body being a substantially solid unitary body and including: an elongated longitudinal axis and first and second axes transverse thereto, said first insulative body being wider along said first axis than said second axis, tactile orientation means comprising projections extending from said first body in the direction of said first axis, wire receiving passages extending longitudinally through said first body, each of said passages being dimensioned to closely receive a separate uninsulated slender wire, said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along said larger width portion, and flat sidewalls on opposite sides of said smaller width portion having wire receiving groove means for receiving slender wires emerging from said passages, said connector further comprising a second insulative body including conductive electrical terminals for connection along said flat sidewalls with said slender wires, said terminals having wire receiving slots, said slots having widths less than corresponding said wires, and open ends of said slots facing said first body for receiving corresponding said wires.

Claim 4

An electrical connector for connection with multiple slender wires of an electrical cable, comprising; a first insulative body dimensioned for connection with said slender wires, said first body being a substantially solid unitary body and including: an elongated longitudinal axis and first and second axes transverse thereto, said first insulative body being wider along said first axis than said second axis, tactile orientation means comprising projections extending from said first body in the direction of said first axis, wire receiving passages extending longitudinally through said first body, each of said passages being dimensioned to closely receive a separate uninsulated slender wire, said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along said larger width portion, and flat sidewalls on opposite sides of said smaller width portion having wire receiving groove means for receiving slender wires emerging from said passages, said connector further comprising a second insulative body including conductive electrical terminals for connection along said flat sidewalls with said slender wires, said terminals having wire receiving slots, said slots having widths less than corresponding said wires, and open ends of said slots facing said first body for receiving corresponding said wires.

Claim 5

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, collar means axially spaced from said sides of the first body and projecting laterally outward with respect to said sides of the first body, and wire receiving grooves in said collar means aligned with corresponding said groove means.

Claim 6

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, collar means axially spaced from said sides of the first body and projecting laterally outward with respect to said sides of the first body, and wire receiving grooves in said collar means aligned with corresponding said groove means.

Claim 7

In an electrical connector for connecting with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, insulative means for covering said opposite sides of the first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides, and said insulative means being a part of said second body.

Claim 8

In an electrical connector for connecting with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, insulative means for covering said opposite sides of the first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides, and said insulative means being a part of said second body.

Claim 9

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of a larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, insulative means for covering said opposite sides of the first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides, and said insulative means surrounding said second body and said first body.

Claim 10

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of a larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, insulative means for covering said opposite sides of the first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides, and said insulative means surrounding said second body and said first body.

Claim 11

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the fist body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, and one of said terminals having a portion forming a conductive pin, and another of said terminals having a portion forming a ring surrounding said pin.

Claim 12

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the fist body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, and one of said terminals having a portion forming a conductive pin, and another of said terminals having a portion forming a ring surrounding said pin.

Claim 13

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, collar means axially spaced from said sides of the first body and projecting laterally outward with respect to said sides of the first body, wire receiving grooves in said collar means aligned with coresponding said groove means, and insulative means surrounding said first body and engaging said collar means for covering said opposite sides of said first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides.

Claim 14

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, collar means axially spaced from said sides of the first body and projecting laterally outward with respect to said sides of the first body, wire receiving grooves in said collar means aligned with coresponding said groove means, and insulative means surrounding said first body and engaging said collar means for covering said opposite sides of said first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides.

Claim 15

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, wherein said passages emerge at an end of said first body, and said groove means have depths that decrease as said groove means extend from said end of said first body.

Claim 16

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, wherein said passages emerge at an end of said first body, and said groove means have depths that decrease as said groove means extend from said end of said first body.

Claim 17

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, further comprising collar means axially spaced from said sides of the first body and projecting laterally outward with respect to said sides of the first body, and wire receiving grooves in said collar means aligned with corresponding said groove means.

Claim 18

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, further comprising collar means axially spaced from said sides of the first body and projecting laterally outward with respect to said sides of the first body, and wire receiving grooves in said collar means aligned with corresponding said groove means.

Claim 19

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, further comprising insulative means for covering said opposites sides of the first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides, said insulative means surrounding said second body and said first body.

Claim 20

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, further comprising insulative means for covering said opposites sides of the first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides, said insulative means surrounding said second body and said first body.

Claim 21

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, wherein one of said terminals has a portion forming a conductive pin, and another of said terminals has a portion forming a ring surrounding said pin.

Claim 22

In an electrical connector for connection with multiple wires of an electrical cable, comprising; wire receiving passages extending through an insulative first body, said first body having sides for receiving corresponding said wires emerging from corresponding said passages, conductive electrical terminals supported by an insulative second body and received by said sides for connection with corresponding said wires received by said sides, the improvement comprising; the first body having tactile orientation means for providing a larger width portion of the first body and a smaller width portion of the first body extending transversely of the larger width portion, and the first body being adapted with a slender size for connection with wires of a cable having a corresponding slender size, by said passages being spaced apart laterally from one another along the larger width portion, and by wire receiving groove means extending along opposite sides of the smaller width portion for receiving corresponding said wires, said opposite sides being said sides of said first body, wherein one of said terminals has a portion forming a conductive pin, and another of said terminals has a portion forming a ring surrounding said pin.

Claim 23

In an electrical connector as recited in claim 9, the improvement further comprising insulative means surrounding said first body and engaging said collar means for covering said opposite sides of said first body, for covering corresponding said wires received by said opposite sides and for engaging said terminals received by said opposite sides.

Claim 24

In an electrical connector as recited in claim 12, the improvement further comprising said insulative means being a part of said second body.