Multi-conductor tap-connector
AssigneeAMP Incorporated
InventorsGeorge Allen Patton, John James Tucci
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A simple, compact multi-conductor tap-connector device incorporates at least three standard multi-contact individual connectors with the corresponding terminals in all of the connectors attached only by short wires running directly between the terminals. Various configurations of mating connectors can be fabricated by the same operations. The interconnecting wires form a unique latticework pattern which permits assembly of the device without the need for excess wire and gives the tap-connector device a degree of structural rigidity. Two forms of specialized apparatus suitable for inserting wires into terminal slots to establish electrical contact are used in assembly of the device.
Claims9
A tap connector assembly for making a tap connection at a location in a multi-conductor cable, said cable having multi-contact electrical connectors attached to the ends of wires in said cable at said location, said assembly comprising:
- first, second and third separate assembly connectors of the same type employed with said multi-contact electrical connectors attached to said cable ends, said assembly connectors each having similar insulating housings having a mating side and rearward side, said housings having a plurality of terminal receiving cavities arranged in first and second parallel rows extending from said rearward side to said mating side, said housing being asymetric so that said first and second cavity rows are distinct.
- a plurality of terminals in said cavities, said terminals having a conductor receiving portion and a contact portion, said conductor receiving portions being identical and being aligned in first and second parallel rows along the rearward sides of said housings,
- said housings being arranged in surrounding relationship to a common central axis with said rearward sides parallel to, and closely adjacent to, said common axis, said connectors being in end-to-end alignment, with said rows extending parallel to each other,
- a plurality of electrical conductors extending between corresponding terminals in said first and second rows in said first and second connector housings, and a number of conductors extending from said first row in said first housing to said first row in said third housing, and a number of different conductors extending between said second row in said second housing to said second row in said
- third housing, whereby
- said interconnecting conductors join said connector housings in a latticework pattern rather than a chain and a compact tap connector assembly capable of being attached to multi-conductor cables having similar individual mating connectors mounted thereon is formed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.