Flexible connecting means

Flexible connecting means comprising:

• a length of generally flat flexible dielectric material having a first end and a second end, said first and said second ends defining the limits of the length of said dielectric material;
• and a plurality of thin metallic strips of substantially uniform thickness disposed within said dielectric material and arranged in spaced parallel relationship, each of said strips having a first end, a second end, and a generally flat flexible central portion oriented coplanar with said dielectric material;
• said first and second ends of said strips each comprising an elongate curled tubular portion to provide a contact means thereat, each of said curled portions being located beyond a respective one of said first and second ends of said flexible dielectric material for connection to a further member, each of said strips further comprising elongate stiffening means in the form of an elongate coined portion deformed out of the plane of said strip and integral therewith, said coined portion being located between each of said curled portions and said central portion of each of said strips to provide a rigid zone thereat, said strips being selectively located in said flexible dielectric material such that said coined portions each extend partially within and partially beyond the limits of the length of said flexible dielectric material as defined by said first and second ends thereof to reduce the flexure of said strips at the juncture between each of said first and second ends thereof and a respective one of said first and second ends of said flexible dielectric material.