Electrical connection device providing integral strain relief

Claim 1

Apparatus for forming an electrical connection to a wire comprising: a base member; a first aperture in the base member for receiving an electrical wire; a second aperture spaced apart from the first aperture for receiving a cap, the second aperture intersecting the first aperture; an electrically conductive binding post fixed in the base member and protruding into said second aperture said electrically conductive binding post contains an aperture in substantial alignment with the first aperture for the insertion of a wire therethrough; a cap substantially filling the second aperture and capable of engaging the binding post, the cap including a central conductive portion and an outer nonconductive portion surrounding the central conductive portion, the central conductive portion including conductive means for cutting wire insulation and means for mechanically cooperating with the base member immediately adjacent a region forming an electrical contact with a wire and the aperture in the electrically conductive binding post to retain the wire within the apparatus and the binding post while forming an electrical contact thereto; and cooperative restraining means between the binding post, the aperture in the binding post, and the cap to restrain the conductive cutting means from completely severing a wire inserted into the first aperture.