Sealed insulation displacement connector

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein said contact means includes at least one electrically conductive contact element having a plurality of slots for receiving the wires.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1 wherein: said cap member has a first slot therein generally perpendicular to said first channel in said cap member; said base member has a second slot therein generally perpendicular to said second channel in said base member and aligned with said first slot of said cap member; and said contact means includes an H-shaped contact element extending between said first and second slots.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 further comprising: a cuff attached to said cap member, said base member engaged with said cuff; and means for sealing said cap to said base.

Claim 6

A sealed wire connector comprising: a cap having first and second channels therein, and having first and second voids in fluid communication with said first and second channels, respectively; a base having third and fourth channels therein, and having third and fourth voids in fluid communication with said third and fourth channels, respectively, said base and said cap defining a clearance space therebetween, and each of said voids opening toward said clearance space; sealing material filling each of said voids; contact means located within said cap and base for providing an electrical connection between wires which may be inserted in said channels; first and second pistons extending from said cap into said clearance space, said first piston located opposite said third void in said base and said second piston located opposite said fourth void in said base; and third and fourth pistons extending from said base into said clearance space, said third piston located opposite said first void in said cap and said fourth piston located opposite said second void in said cap.

Claim 7

A sealed wire connector comprising: a cap having first and second channels therein, and having first and second voids in fluid communication with said first and second channels, respectively; a base having third and fourth channels therein, and having third and fourth voids in fluid communication with said third and fourth channels, respectively, said base and said cap defining a clearance space therebetween, and each of said voids opening toward said clearance space; sealing material filling each of said voids; contact means located within said cap and base for providing an electrical connection between wires which may be inserted in said channels; first and second pistons extending from said cap into said clearance space, said first piston located opposite said third void in said base and said second piston located opposite said fourth void in said base; and third and fourth pistons extending from said base into said clearance space, said third piston located opposite said first void in said cap and said fourth piston located opposite said second void in said cap.

Claim 8

The connector of claim 5 wherein: said cap further includes a cuff, said base being partially inserted into said cuff; and said cuff also includes means for providing a seal between said cap and said base.

Claim 9

The connector of claim 6 wherein: said cap has first and second slots extending from said clearance space into said first and second channels, respectively; said base has third and fourth slots extending from said clearance space into said third and fourth channels, respectively, said third and fourth slots further being aligned with said first and second slots of said cap, respectively; and said contact means comprises first and second H-shaped contact elements, said first H-element extending between said first and third slots, and said second H-element extending between said second and fourth slots.

Claim 10

A sealed insulation displacement connector for interconnecting two pairs of wires, comprising: an electrically insulative, generally cylindrical cap having: a cuff, defining a clearance space, said cuff having first and second inner annular grooves, first and second channels, first and second voids exposed to said clearance space and in fluid communication with said first and second channels, respectively, first and second pistons extending from said cap into said clearance space, and first and second slots extending from said clearance space into said first and second channels, respectively; an electrically insulative, generally cylindrical base having: an annular flange for engagement with said first or second inner annular groove of said cap, third and fourth channels generally parallel to said first and second channels of said cap, third and fourth voids in fluid communication with said third and fourth channels, respectively, said third and fourth voids further being aligned with said first and second pistons of said cap, respectively, third and fourth pistons extending from said base into said clearance space, and aligned with said first and second voids in said cap, respectively, third and fourth slots extending from said clearance space into said third and fourth channels, respectively, said third and fourth slots further being aligned with said first and second slots of said cap, respectively; sealing material in each of said voids; and first and second H-shaped contact elements, said first H-element positioned in said first and third slots, and said second H-element positioned in said second and fourth slots.

Claim 11

A sealed insulation displacement connector for interconnecting two pairs of wires, comprising: an electrically insulative, generally cylindrical cap having: a cuff, defining a clearance space, said cuff having first and second inner annular grooves, first and second channels, first and second voids exposed to said clearance space and in fluid communication with said first and second channels, respectively, first and second pistons extending from said cap into said clearance space, and first and second slots extending from said clearance space into said first and second channels, respectively; an electrically insulative, generally cylindrical base having: an annular flange for engagement with said first or second inner annular groove of said cap, third and fourth channels generally parallel to said first and second channels of said cap, third and fourth voids in fluid communication with said third and fourth channels, respectively, said third and fourth voids further being aligned with said first and second pistons of said cap, respectively, third and fourth pistons extending from said base into said clearance space, and aligned with said first and second voids in said cap, respectively, third and fourth slots extending from said clearance space into said third and fourth channels, respectively, said third and fourth slots further being aligned with said first and second slots of said cap, respectively; sealing material in each of said voids; and first and second H-shaped contact elements, said first H-element positioned in said first and third slots, and said second H-element positioned in said second and fourth slots.

Claim 12

A sealed insulation displacement connector for connecting a tap wire to a run wire, comprising: an electrically insulative housing having: a first channel running completely through said housing and being exposed along its length, a second channel terminating within said housing, an upper surface, first and second voids proximate said first channel, exposed at said upper surface and in fluid communication with said first channel, third and fourth voids proximate said second channel, exposed at said upper surface and in fluid communication with said second channel, and a slot which is generally perpendicular to said first and second channels; sealing material in each of said voids; an M-shaped contact element located in said slot; a retaining wall hingedly attached to said housing proximate said first channel; a cover hingedly attached to said retaining wall; first, second, third and fourth posts each attached to said cover whereby, when said cover is placed against said upper surface of said housing, said first, second, third and fourth posts enter said first, second, third and fourth voids, respectively: and means for securing said cover over said upper surface of said housing.

Claim 13

A sealed insulation displacement connector for connecting a tap wire to a run wire, comprising: an electrically insulative housing having: a first channel running completely through said housing and being exposed along its length, a second channel terminating within said housing, an upper surface, first and second voids proximate said first channel, exposed at said upper surface and in fluid communication with said first channel, third and fourth voids proximate said second channel, exposed at said upper surface and in fluid communication with said second channel, and a slot which is generally perpendicular to said first and second channels; sealing material in each of said voids; an M-shaped contact element located in said slot; a retaining wall hingedly attached to said housing proximate said first channel; a cover hingedly attached to said retaining wall; first, second, third and fourth posts each attached to said cover whereby, when said cover is placed against said upper surface of said housing, said first, second, third and fourth posts enter said first, second, third and fourth voids, respectively: and means for securing said cover over said upper surface of said housing.

Claim 16

The device of claim 10 wherein: said housing means includes a slot which is generally perpendicular to said channels; and said contact means comprises an M-shaped contact element located within said slot.

Claim 17

The device of claim 10 wherein one of said channels is exposed along its length, allowing lateral insertion of one of the wires, and further comprising means for retaining the laterally inserted wires in said exposed channel.