Electrical connecting devices for terminating cords

An electrical connector for terminating a cord having a plurality of insulated conductors and for making electrical contact external to the connector, which comprises:

• an unipartite dielectric housing having one free end with internal surfaces of the housing defining a cavity that opens to the other end of the housing for receiving and substantially enclosing an end portion of a cord, with at least one portion of the housing adjacent the cavity connected pivotally to the remainder of the housing toward the free end thereof and having a surface which protrudes into the cavity slightly beyond the adjacent surface of a portion of the remainder of the housing adjacent the cord-input end of the housing when the pivotally moveable portion is in an initial position, the pivotally connected portion capable of being moved from the initial position to an actuated position at least partially into the cavity with substantially all of the protruding surface engaging and clamping portions of the cord, and with a portion of another surface of the pivotally moveable portion engaging in locking relationship a portion of the remainder of the housing adjacent the cord-input end of the housing, the locking relationship being maintained during the application of retrograde forces to the cord;
• and
• a plurality of electrically conductive terminals positioned within the housing and extending between the cavity for piercing the insulation of and making electrical engagement with associated conductors of the cord and an external surface for making electrical contact external to the connector.