Electrical connector components
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorsRobert H. Osborn, Jr., Andrew C. Cole, James Michael Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A contact terminal is useful as an electrical disconnect. The contact terminal is generally of one-piece construction having a main body and a portion thereof cantilevered from this main body. This cantilevered portion is configured with a wire receiving apparatus so as to receive the wire therein and allow the wire to make both mechanical and electrical engagement with the contact terminal. The contact terminal is also configured with an embossment or stiffener adjacent the junction of the main body and the cantilevered portion so as to provide rigidity to the cantilevered portion when this portion is subject to a wire withdrawal force.
Claims15
A contact terminal for an electrical connector comprising:
- (a) a main contact body;
- (b) a push-in wire connection portion of said main contact body cantilevered from said main contact body, said portion incorporating an insulation displacement device to receive a wire for electrical connection to the contact terminal;
- (c) a stiffener adjacent the junction of said main contact body and said portion, said stiffener providing rigidity to said cantilevered portion.
A contact terminal for an electrical connector comprising:
- (a) a main contact body;
- (b) a push-in wire connection portion of said main contact body cantilevered from said main contact body, said portion configured to receive a wire for mechanical and electrical connection to the contact terminal;
- (c) a stiffener adjacent the junction of said main contact body and said portion, said stiffener providing rigidity to said cantilevered portion;
- wherein said stiffener comprises an embossment projecting outwardly away from said main contact body.
A modular connector component comprising:
- (a) a contact terminal having a main contact body, an angled portion with an opening for a wire, and a reverse bent wire retention member;
- and
- (b) a dielectric housing segment enclosing at least a part of said contact terminal;
- and
- (c) another dielectric housing segment, said dielectric housing segments including a hermaphroditic interface designed to join together, wherein said wire retention member is configured to positively grip the wire with a force greater than a force of said hermaphroditic interface when the wire is pulled under a load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.