Electrical connector with slotted beam contact

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to an electrical connector, or wire connecting block, of the type for electrically interconnecting a set of first conductors to an associated set of second conductors. The connector comprises a dielectric housing defined by a pair of side walls and containing a plurality of through cavities therebetween. The cavities for slidably receiving a like plurality of slotted beam contacts are characterized by a first uniform width over a portion of its length, a second portion having a uniform width greater than the first uniform width, and an angled wall transition portion between the uniform portions. Externally, the housing is provided with a like plurality of thin walled sections along one of the side walls, where each said thin walled section is aligned with a corresponding angled wall transition portion within a given cavity. Into the cavity a slotted beam planar contact is received, where the contact comprises a mid body portion and a pair of opposing end portions each containing an insulation displacing slot for receiving a conductor. The mid body portion includes a lance struck therefrom and angled to abut the angled wall transition portion, whereby to secure the contact against movement in a first direction. Finally, after loading the contact into the cavity, the thin walled section is partially severed, such as by a sharp tool, to allow hinging movement of the section into its respective cavity adjacent said lances, whereby to secure the contact against movement in a second direction.

Inventors

• 👤 Carl G. Reed

Bibliographic Details