Connector means for electrical apparatus, particularly plugs

A connector assembly for connecting the inner conductor of an insulated wire (26) with an electrical output terminal (17), comprising:

• (a) an open-topped rectangular housing (2) including a base, a pair of parallel spaced vertical outer side walls (8, 9) connected with and extending upwardly from said base, and vertical inner wall means (6, 7) defining between said side walls at least one open-topped chamber (5);
• (b) stationary knife means (14 ) mounted in said chamber, said knife means including a pair of spaced upwardly-directed knife edges (14a);
• (c) output terminal means (17) mounted on said housing outside said chamber;
• (d) means (34) electrically connecting said output terminal means with said knife means;
• and
• (e) a rectangular carrier member (19) arranged within said chamber for vertical displacement between an upper loading position and a lower knife-engaging position, said carrier member (19) including:
• (1) a vertical first end surface (19a) containing a bore (30) for receiving one end of the insulated wire when said carrier member is in said upper loading position;
• (2) a horizontal top surface (19b) containing a first slot (24) for receiving the tip of an operating tool for displacing said carrier member downwardly in said chamber toward said knife engaging position, thereby to cause said knife edges sever the conductor insulation layer and come into direct contact with the electrical conductor;
• (3) a vertical first side wall surface (19c) containing at least one recess (27) for receiving the tip of a tool that is pivoted against said inner wall means for displacing said carrier member upwardly in said chamber toward said loading position, thereby to permit removal of the insulated wire end from said lateral bore;
• and
• (4) a horizontal bottom surface (19f) containing a vertical second slot (40) arranged to receive said knife means, said second slot being in communication at its upper end with said bore.