US 4,286,836 AGranted

Connector block with strain prevention

AssigneeTeletype Corporation

InventorNorbert A. Rumps

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Abstract

A connector block body of nonconductive material has a row of spaced open cavities. Within each cavity there is mounted an insulation displacement connector in the form of a metallic cylinder having a longitudinal slit. One wall of each of the cavities has a first slot extending from the cavity opening. The width of the first slot is slightly less than the diameter of the insulated wire for which the connector block is designed. A stuffer cap, which is attached to the block by a tether, has an open cavity. Mounted within the cavity of the cap is a post for engaging and forcing an insulated wire into the slit of the connector. Additionally, one wall of the cap has a slot and a cooperating nib which engage the wire and force it in the first slot wherein the wire is tightly grasped to prevent strain. In a second embodiment of the invention, a flat plate, bifurcated to define a restricted slit, is used as the connector. In lieu of the post, the cap in this embodiment has a ridge which engages the insulated wire forcing it into the slit of the plate.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A connector block 10 having an insulation displacement connector 28, 114 for connection to an insulated wire, the connector block 10 is constructed of a material having electrical insulating properties and includes a body 12, 72 having an open first cavity 18, 94 with said connector 28 securely mounted therein, at least a first wall defining said first cavity has an elongated first slot 42, 224 extending from the opening of said first cavity toward the base of said first cavity, the width of said first slot being less than the minimum diameter of the insulated wire for which the connector block 12, 72 is to be used, characterized in that:

a cap defining a projecting member 56, 230 located within said second cavity, said projecting member 52 having a second cavity is attached to said block by a tether 51, said cap being shaped to engage a wire positioned adjacent said connector 28 and to force the wire into said connector so as to complete an electrical connection to the conductor of a wire,
said cap 52 includes a first wall having a second slot 60 for engaging a wire positioned adjacent said first slot 42, 224 and forcing the wire into said first slot so that when a wire is connected to said connector and forced into said first slot, strain on the conductor of said wire at the connection will be prevented.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.