Electrical connector

An electrical connector comprising at least one compartment adapted to house a first electrical contact device wherein said at least one compartment has an aperture therein adapted to permit said first electrical contact device to extend therethrough, wherein said first electrical contact device and said at least one compartment are adapted to be positioned in a first position with respect to each other, wherein at least one compartment comprises:

• a first portion extending from said aperture inwardly;
• a second portion extending from said first portion away from said aperture, wherein said second portion is adapted to be connected to a second electrical contact device, wherein said first and said second portions comprise means for receiving said first electrical contact device;
• prevention means for preventing said first electrical contact device from extending into said second portion from said first portion in response to positioning said first electrical contact device and said at least one compartment in a position other than a first position with respect to each other, said prevention means comprising a lug and a ramp abutting said lug, wherein said lug comprises means for engaging an opening in said electrical contact device positioned behind the front of said electrical contact device when said electrical contact device and said at least one compartment are in said first position so as to launch said electrical contact device into engagement with said connector, wherein said ramp comprises means for guiding said electrical contact device over said ramp and over said lug so that said lug engages said opening, wherein said ramp further comprises means for engaging an aperture in the front of said electrical contact device and for guiding said front of said electrical contact device to abut said lug so as to space said opening from said lug, thereby preventing the engagement of said opening and said lug when the electrical contact device and the at least one compartment are positioned in a position other than said first position.

An electrical connector comprising:

• two complementary shaped box elements, each comprising a body comprising a plurality of compartments, wherein each compartment comprises:
• an aperture adapted to receive an electrical contact device;
• a locking device having a lug for engaging a complementary device on said electrical contact device to lock said electrical contact device in said compartment;
• a portion extending from said aperture, wherein said portion comprises:
• a lug comprising a portion sufficiently steep to prevent said electrical contact device from passing over said portion of said lug when said electrical contact device is inserted into said compartment in a position different from a normal insertion position;
• and
• a barrier comprising a ramp connected to said steep portion of said lug, wherein in said normal insertion position said electrical contact device passes over said ramp and said lug, wherein in a position different from said normal insertion position said electrical contact device abuts said portion of said lug;
• said complementary device comprising an opening in a first surface of said electrical contact device, wherein said barrier has a width smaller than an aperture positioned at the free end of a second wall of said electrical contact device positioned above said first wall, and wherein the width of said lug is larger than the width of said aperture of said electrical contact device.