Connecting member for flat circuit member and method of connecting the connecting member and the flat circuit member

The connecting member for a flat circuit member, comprising:

• a bottom plate portion;
• at least one side wall portion extending upward from one side edge of the bottom plate portion;
• and
• at least one claw portion extending from the other side edge of the bottom plate portion so as to oppose to the side wall portion,
• wherein the claw portion penetrates a portion of the flat circuit member having a conductor portion in a thickness direction of the flat circuit member, and
• wherein the claw portion is bent such that a portion of the flat circuit member is clamped between an outer surface of the claw portion and an inner edge portion of the side wall portion so as to obtain electric contact with the conductor portion.

A method of connecting a connector member to a flat circuit member including a conductor portion, wherein the connecting member includes a bottom plate portion, at least one side wall portion extending upward from one side edge of the bottom plate portion, and at least one claw portion extending from the other side edge of the bottom plate portion so as to oppose to the side wall portion, the method comprising the steps of:

• causing the claw portion to penetrate a first piercing portion of the flat circuit member in a thickness direction of the flat circuit member;
• and
• bending the claw portion such that a distal end portion of the claw portion pierces a second piercing portion of the flat circuit member which is different from the first piercing portion of the flat circuit member, so as to obtain electric contact with the conductor portion,
• wherein the side wall portion supports the flat circuit member, and the second piercing portion is located in a vicinity of the side wall portion.