Electrical tap connector with spreader means
AssigneeMolex Incorporated
InventorsRobert DeRoss, Richard A. Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tap connector is provided for interconnection to an electrical cable having a plurality of conductor wires. A base defines a longitudinal axis along which the electrical cable is disposed. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the base and are spaced laterally of the axis for terminating the conductor wires. A cover is pivotally mounted on the base and includes a spreader structure for engaging and spreading the conductor wires automatically in response to mounting the cover on the base.
Claims18
A tap connector for interconnection to an electrical cable having a plurality of conductor wires, comprising:
- a base housing part defining a longitudinal axis along which the electrical cable is disposed;
- a plurality of insulation displacement terminals on the base housing part spaced laterally of said axis for terminating the conductor wires of the cable;
- a cover housing part pivotally mounted on the base housing part for movement between an open position and a closed position whereat the insulated conductor wires are biased into termination with the insulation displacement terminals;
- and
- spreader means on the cover housing part for engaging the conductor wires and spreading the wires into alignment with the laterally spaced terminals automatically in response to pivoting the cover housing part from its open position to its closed position.
A tap connector for interconnection to an electrical cable having a plurality of conductor wires, comprising:
- a base housing part defining a longitudinal axis along which the electrical cable is disposed;
- a plurality of insulation displacement terminals on the base housing part spaced laterally of said axis for terminating the conductor wires of the cable;
- a cover housing part pivotally mounted on the base housing part for movement between an open position and a closed position whereat the conductor wires are biased into termination with the insulation displacement terminals;
- a pair of spreader means on the cover housing part spaced longitudinally on opposite sides of the insulation displacement terminals in a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base housing part, the spreader means including a pair of angled surfaces at opposite angles for engaging a pair of conductor wires and spreading the wires away from each other into alignment with a pair of the laterally spaced terminals automatically in response to pivoting the cover housing part from its open position to its closed position;
- and
- wire locating means on the cover housing part between said pair of spreader means.
A tap connector for interconnection to an electrical cable having a plurality of conductor wires, comprising:
- a first part defining a longitudinal axis along which the electrical cable is disposed;
- a plurality of terminals spaced on the first part spaced laterally of said axis for terminating the conductor wires of the cable;
- and
- a second part mountable on the first part and including spreader means for engaging and spreading the conductor wires automatically in response to mounting the first part on the second part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.