Electrical contact for terminating insulated conductors

Abstract

A contact member for forming an electrical connection with insulated conductors of either a solid core, stranded or tinsel ribbon type is formed from a unitary piece of stamped sheet metal and includes both an insulation displacement portion and an insulation piercing portion. The insulation displacement portion comprises a slotted plate for establishing contact with the conductor by severing and displacing its insulation. The insulation piercing portion includes an arm spaced laterally from the plate and adapted with a barb for piercing through the conductor insulation. The insulation displacement and insulation piercing portion of the contact member cooperate or function alternatively to provide an effective electrical connection with the conductor, regardless of its particular type.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.