Support device for wires in multi-contact connectors

Claim 1

A multiple contact connector comprising, a connector body having a body interior and having a front mating surface and an open-end body cavity, a plurality of angulate contact elements, each contact element having a first and second rectilinear segment and an angulate segment coupling said rectilinear segments, said first rectilinear segments fixed to the front mating surface in an array of at least two rows, said second rectilinear segments arranged at an angle to the first segments in at least two rows in an alternating fashion relative to a plane extending parallel to said second rectilinear segments through a base coupling surface, and a locking reinforcement support member having a mating means for selectively engaging said connector body at said open-end body cavity, said locking support member having a plurality of teeth spaced apart to define indentations, said indentations each being partially defined by rearward walls, said rearward walls having a staggered distance relative to said front mating surface when said locking support member engages said connector body, each indentation correspondingly housing and supporting a portion of a second rectilinear segment and a portion of an angulate segment of a contact element when said locking support member is brought into mating engagement with said connector body, said indentations each partially defined by a cover portion, said cover portions staggered in distance relative to a plane parallel to said first rectilinear segments so as to coincide with said array of the first rectilinear segments.