Super connector for connecting flat ribbon cables

Claim 2

A connector for electrically joining two electrical cables comprising: a frame comprising a rigid member having an exterior and having a long axis disposed transverse to an axis of conductors of said cables, said rigid member comprising a pair of retaining members forming a chamber extending transverse to said long axis; at least one slot communicating with said chamber and said exterior; force spreading means for equalizing forces on said cables insertable within said chamber and disposed on at least one side of said cables; spring means disposed on said frame and rigidly attached thereto; force transmission means projecting through said frame intermediate said force spreading means and said spring means for transmitting spring force to said force spreading means; relief means for relieving forces from said spring means against said force spreading means, thereby permitting insertion of said cables and said force spreading means into said chamber, application of said force to said cable ends to connect said conductors on said cables, and relieving said force to permit removal of said cable ends from said connector.

Claim 3

The connector of claim 1 wherein said force spreading means comprises a plate disposed transverse to one of said cables and an elastomeric material interposed between said plate and said cable.

Claim 4

The connector of claim 2 wherein said elastomeric member is attached to said plate and said cable.

Claim 5

The connector of claim 2 further comprising a plate attached to the insulated side of said second cable.

Claim 6

The connector of claim 4 wherein said plate attached to said insulated side of said second cable comprises raised regions on said surface engaged with said cable whereby said raised regions of contact are created on said cable for surface contact with said first cable.

Claim 7

A connector for electrically joining two electrical cables comprising: a frame comprising a rigid member having an exterior and having a long axis disposed transverse to an axis of conductors of said cables, said rigid member comprising a pair of retaining members forming a chamber extending transverse to said long axis; an end retainer engaging said retaining means for preventing spreading of said retaining means; at least one slot communicating with said chamber and said exterior; force spreading means for equalizing forces on said cables insertable within said chamber and disposed on at least one side of said cables; spring means disposed on said frame and rigidly attached thereto; force transmission means projecting through said frame intermediate said force spreading means and said spring means for transmitting spring force to said force spreading means; relief means for relieving forces from said spring means against said force spreading means, thereby permitting insertion of said cables and said force spreading means into said chamber, application of said force to said cable ends to connect said conductors on said cables and relieving said force to permit removal of said cable ends from said connector.

Claim 8

A connector for electrically joining two electrical cables comprising: a frame comprising a rigid member having an exterior and having a long axis disposed transverse to an axis of conductors of said cables, said rigid member comprising a pair of retaining members forming a chamber extending transverse to said long axis; an end retainer engaging said retaining means for preventing spreading of said retaining means; at least one slot communicating with said chamber and said exterior; force spreading means for equalizing forces on said cables insertable within said chamber and disposed on at least one side of said cables; spring means disposed on said frame and rigidly attached thereto; force transmission means projecting through said frame intermediate said force spreading means and said spring means for transmitting spring force to said force spreading means; relief means for relieving forces from said spring means against said force spreading means, thereby permitting insertion of said cables and said force spreading means into said chamber, application of said force to said cable ends to connect said conductors on said cables and relieving said force to permit removal of said cable ends from said connector.

Claim 9

The connector of claim 6 wherein said end retainer comprises an end cap for holding said retaining members in close proximity to each other.

Claim 10

The connector of claim 6 wherein said end retainer comprises a clamping means for clamping the ends of said retaining members.

Claim 11

The connector of claim 6 wherein said end retainer is removably attached to said frame member.

Claim 12

The connector of claim 6 wherein said retainer comprises a portion of an apparatus of which said connector is a component.

Claim 13

The connector of claim 6 wherein said relief means comprises a camming member engagable with said spring means whereby said spring means is retractable from engagement with said force spreading means.

Claim 14

The connector of claim 6 wherein said connector comprises a retaining means engaged with said frame and said end retainer.

Claim 15

The connector of claim 12 wherein said retaining means comprises a threaded bolt.

Claim 16

The connector of claim 6 wherein said spring means comprises a plurality of leaf springs.

Claim 17

The connector of claim 14 wherein at least one of said leaf springs comprises at least a comb of springs disposed to act on springs of an adjoining comb of springs.

Claim 18

A connector for electrically joining two electrical cables comprising: a frame comprising a rigid member having an exterior and having a long axis disposed transverse to an axis of conductors of said cables, said rigid member comprising a pair of retaining members forming a chamber extending parallel to said long axis, said retaining members extending one on each side of said cables and disposed parallel to said axis of said chamber; force spreading means for equalizing forces on said cables insertable within said chamber and disposed on at least one side of said cables; spring means disposed on said frame and further engageable with said force spreading means; relief means for relieving forces of said spring means, thereby permitting positioning of said cables and said force spreading means in said chamber, application of said force to said cables to connect said conductors on said cables, and relieving said force to permit removal of said cable ends from said connector.

Claim 19

A connector for electrically joining two electrical cables comprising: a frame comprising a rigid member having an exterior and having a long axis disposed transverse to an axis of conductors of said cables, said rigid member comprising a pair of retaining members forming a chamber extending parallel to said long axis, said retaining members extending one on each side of said cables and disposed parallel to said axis of said chamber; force spreading means for equalizing forces on said cables insertable within said chamber and disposed on at least one side of said cables; spring means disposed on said frame and further engageable with said force spreading means; relief means for relieving forces of said spring means, thereby permitting positioning of said cables and said force spreading means in said chamber, application of said force to said cables to connect said conductors on said cables, and relieving said force to permit removal of said cable ends from said connector.