Terminal for connecting lead ends

An electrical connector for connecting the bare end of an insulated conductor (2) to a contact (12), comprising:

• (a) a connector housing (11;
• 27) containing a chamber having walls;
• (b) cage means (3;
• 3′) including a bus bar (5;
• 5′) mounted in said chamber, said housing chamber including a wall containing a conductor opening (14;
• 114) for introducing the conductor bare end into said chamber toward a clamping position (32) adjacent said bus bar, said cage means further including an electrical contact (12;
• 12′) connected with said bus bar, said contact being arranged in a contact opening (13, 13′) contained in a wall of said housing chamber;
• (c) a clamping spring (6;
• 6a, 6b) mounted in said chamber, said clamping spring normally having a released closed condition in which said clamping spring is biased toward with said bus bar;
• (d) retaining means (19, 24;
• 19′, 24′) for retaining said spring in a retained open condition spaced from said bus bar, thereby to permit the conductor bare end to be introduced between said clamping spring and said bus bar;
• and
• (e) release means for releasing said spring from said retained condition, thereby to bias the conductor toward electrical engagement with said bus bar, said release means including:
• (1) an operating member (15;
• 25);
• and
• (2) control means (21;
• 21′) controlling the movement of said operating member relative to said housing, said control means comprising cam track means (21;
• 21′), and a cam follower (19;
• 19′) extending into said cam track means.