US3880489A

US3880489A - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: US3880489A
Application number: US294934A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr William C Dauser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-10-04
Filing date: 1972-10-04
Publication date: 1975-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-29

Abstract

A solderless electrical connector includes a base portion formed of insulating material having wire-positioning means formed therein and adapted to receive a plug member. The plug member is formed of material whose density and thus its resiliency or rigidity is selected to control the force exerted on a conductor by a conductive element located in the plug member. When secured together, the base cooperates with the plug member and the conductive element to deform the insulation from the wire conductor and to make positive electrical contact therewith.

Description

United States Patent Dauser, J r.

[451 Apr. 29, 1975 1 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR [75] Inventor: William C. Dauser, .1112, North Muskegon, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Lloyd A. Heneveld, Grand Rapids.

Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 294,934

[52] US. Cl. 339/98 [51] Int. Cl. H0lr 9/08 [58] Field of Search 339/97 R, 97 P, 98, 99 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,118.715 1/1964 Potruch 33 /98 3,132,913 5/1964 Pohl 339/97 P 3,142.524 7/1964 McDonough 339/98 3,258,733 6/1966 Elm 339/98 Patton 339/98 Wyatt 339/99 R Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney, Agent, or FirmPrice. Henevald, Huizenga & Cooper [57] ABSTRACT A solderless electrical connector includes a base portion formed of insulating material having wirepositioning means formed therein and adapted to receive a plug member. The plug member is formed of material whose density and thus its resiliency or rigidity is selected to control the force exerted on a conductor by a conductive element located in the plug member. When secured together, the base cooperates with the plug member and the conductive element to deform the insulation from the wire conductor and to make positive electrical contact therewith.

21 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures RJENTEDAPRZQISYS SHEET 10? 3 FIG. I

FIG. 6

FIG.5

PATENTEDAPRmiQYs SHEET 3 BF 3 FIG. l4

FIG. I2

FIG. ll

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly, to solderless electrical connectors such as those used for splicing insulated conductors in telephone and other electrical circuits. Connectors heretofore used for splicing and connectring in electrical circuits generally utilize special terminal blocks in which the wires are positioned. Special tools are required to secure the block and the wires together. To eliminate the possiblity of damage from moisture, humidity, and the like, the terminal block is sealed with plastic sleeving or other plastic-like materials to form a weather-tight unit. Changes to the circuit and correction of errors are virtually impossible without complete destruction of the connection and usually with disruption of the circuits.

Other techniques also utilized, include individual splicing members in the form of sleeves or the like which are postioned and crimped over the stripped ends of the wire conductors. Special crimping tools are required to fasten the sleeve to the wire ends to form the connection. Still other connectors have been utilized wherein a formed connector member including a rigid, slotted plate forms a pluarlity of rigid jaws in which, when installed, the jaws cut through the insulation and deform the wire conductor. When disconnected, the deformed area of the conductor in which the connection is made may break thereby resulting in disruption of service.

The connectors above described are relatively complex in their construction and in their use and as a result are expensive either in the original cost or in their utilization because of the special tools required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the difficulties existing in the prior art in its provision of a plug member which includes a special conductor-engaging conductive element therein and in its further provision of a base portion which is especially adapted to hold and position one or a plurality of conductors. In use, the plug and base portions are press-fit together, thereby providing an extremely effective weather-tight seal while at the same time a positive electrical contact is made. The base acting in conjunction with the plug member operates on the conductive element to remove or displace the insulation on the conductor and make a secure permanent electrical connection. With the preferred embodiment, no special tools are required to install the connector and if changes are required, the plug is simply removed from the base, repairs are made, and the connector reused.

An important feature of the present invention is the use of a formed plastic base and a formed plastic plug member as functional parts. The plug member provides, in part, the biasing force to urge the conductive element into insulation-stripping and wire-engaging positions. The plug and base members may be formed of materials having differing density to thereby control their relative resiliency or rigidity to control the force exerted on the conductor by the conductive element. Accordingly, the conductive element itself need not necessarily be made of a resilient material, and materials having a limited coefficient of elasticity as aluminum, copper and the like, may be utilized rather than special materials, as for example, carbon steel. The conductive element may be formed from wire or may be fabricated utilizing any of the many conventional techniques. In the preferred embodiment, the conductive element is made of phosphor bronze or beryllium copper. In other practical applications of the invention, aluminum has been successfully used since the plug portion when inserted in the base member controls the biasing force on the conductive element [0 effect the necessary forces to strip or displace the insulation on the wire conductor and to make positive electrical contact with the wire.

In one embodiment of the invention, the plug is made of resilient material while the base is comparatively rigid. The close press-fit of the plug member into the base in addition to providing the biasing force on the conductive element also serves the additional function of providing, when assembled, an extremely tight, weather-proof, moisture-resistant seal for the area in which electrical connection is made between the conductor and the conductive element. The resilient material of the plug when installed in the base is displaced sufficiently to completely close all gaps and spaces about the conductive element such that the area where electrical contact is made with the wire is completely sealed from the environment. As a result, no special sealing materials, tubing, wrappings, or other coverings are required to protect the electrical connection made therein. In another embodiment, the plug and base are both formed of comparatively rigid materials and the force exerted by the conductive'element on the conductor is controlled by its limited movement within the plug member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention as well as the many important features thereof will become readily understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is an exploded, perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base portion of the connector shown in FIG. I with portions cut away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the base portion of the connector taken along plane IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the base portion taken along the plane Illa-Illa of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plug portion of the connector taken along the plane IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the plug portion taken along the plane IVaIVa of FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 in assembled relationship and illustrating a pair of wire conductors connected therein;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly taken along the plane VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a multiple connector block in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspectie view, partially in cross section, of the multiple connector taken along the plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 9 in assembled relationship;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the invention as utilized with an electrical outlet;

FIG. 12 is an exploded. cross-sectional view taken along the plane XII-XII of FIG. 11 with details omit ted for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the base member shown in FIGS. 11 and 12; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the plug member shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1 through 6. Referring first to FIG. 1, the novel connec' tor assembly of the invention generally designated by the numeral includes a resilient plug member or cover assembly 12 and a relatively rigid base member 14. An opening 16 is provided in the base member to receive the plug member with press-fit engagement as will be more fully described hereinafter. Wirepositioning slots 18 are provided at each side of the base member to receive the wire conductors which are to be spliced.

A conductive element or connector 20 is fixed within plug 16 and is adapted to make positive electrical contact with a wire positioned in slots 18 in base member 14. Conductive element 20 includes a pair of wirereceiving and engaging arms each of which include a shank portion 22 and a pressure portion 24 connected by generally U-shaped junction portions 25 to form U- shaped wire-receiving channels 23. The pressure portion 24 extends from junction portion 25 so as to lie adjacent and generally coplanar with shank portion 22 and includes an outwardly extending ear 28 at its lower end. Facing sections of the shank and pressure portions are formed from square-wire stock and are preferably planar with abrupt boundaries so as to provide maximum area contact with the wire conductors. The juncture portion 25 is formed from slightly resilient stock so as to bias the facing sections of the shank and pressure portions toward one another. The relaxed spacing between the shank and pressure portions is less than the nominal cross-sectional measurement of the wire conductor to be placed therebetween whereby when a conductor is pressed into channel 23, the sections will be resiliently forced into conductor-engaging relationship therewith. The two sections of the conductive element are, in the preferred embodiment, connected to each other by a link 26 extending from and formed integrally with the shank 22.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 4 and 4a, plug 12 in which the conductive element is fixed includes a central body portion 30 and a pair of legs 32 on each side thereof forming a pair of slots 53. Openings 34 are provided near the lower ends of legs 32 to receive ears 28 formed on pressure portion 24 of conductive element 20. Recesses 36 are provided at the upper portion of the plug member between the central portion 30 and each leg 32 at the top of slots 53 to receive junction portion 25 of the conductive element. A recess 38 is also provided in the lower portion of central body portion 30 to receive link 26.

When assembled, the conductive element 20 is received and secured in plug 12 by engagement of ears 28 in openings 34 and by the frictional engagement of U-shaped junctions 25 in recesses 36. When assembled. U-shaped junction portions 25 are received in recesses 36. link 26 is positioned in recess 38, and ears 28 are in openings 34 to thereby form an integral unit adapted for press-fit engagement with base member 14.

The conductive element 20 is preferably formed of phosphor bronze or beryllium copper and may be fabricated by using any of the conventional well-known techniques. In the embodiment illustrated, the element is formed from square, phosphor bronze wire, although other materials, as for example berryllium copper or aluminum. and other fabrication techniques may be utilized with equal facility.

Plug member 12 is molded from resilient plastic-like material such as polyethylene so as to provide the proper resiliency to bias the pressure portion 24 of element 20 toward shank 22 and into engagement with a wire conductor when installed in the base member. The resilient material also tends to deform somewhat when installed in opening 16 of base 14 to fill the spaces and gaps to thereby provide an effective, weather-tight seal.

Base member 14 is also formed of an insulating plastic-like material. However. unlike the plug, it is formed of a comparatively rigid material, as for example polypropylene, such that when the plug is installed in the base, all deformation of parts occurs in the plug member because of its resiliency. The rigid base member acts in conjunction with the resilient plug member and operates on the conductive element to bias pressure portion 24 toward shank 22 to deform the insulation on the wire conductor and to make a secure permanent electrical connection. In this embodiment of the invention, the resilient plug member provides the biasing force to urge the shank and pressure portions of conductive element 20 into wire-stripping and engaging positions and in addition, the deformation of the plug materials when inserted in the base also serves the function of providing an extremely tight, weatherproof, moisture-resistant seal. It will be appreciated in view of the foregoing description that relative resilience or rigidity of the plug with respect to the base may be changed by changing the materials from which they are made to thereby control the biasing force on the wire conductor between the pressure and shank portions of conductive element 20.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 2, 3, and 3a, the construction of the body 14 of the connector is shown in detail. As mentioned above, the body is formed of resilient plastic-like material and includes opening 16 to receive the plug member. Wire-positioning slots 18 on the sides of the base receive and guide the wire conductors into channel 23 in the conductive element when the plug is assembled. Base 14 is generally rectangular in shape having end walls 40, side walls 42, and a bottom wall 44 which cooperatively form opening 16. Bottom wall 44 does not completely close the lower portion of the base and a pair of openings 46 are provided adjacent side walls 40 to receive the lowermost ends of legs 32 on plug member 12. Conductor support posts or pads 48 extend upwardly from bottom wall 44 and terminate at a rounded end portion 50 adjacent to or slightly below slots 18. Two pairs of support pads 48 are provided adjacent each slot 18. Pads 48 are integrally molded with bottom wall 44 and side walls 42. A space 52 is provided between each pair of support pads, the width of the space 52 is equal to the thickness of conductive element 20 to allow passage therebetweenv The width of the pads is equal to the width of slot 53 formed in the plug in which conductive element is received. Pads 48 provide a stop or abutment means to hold a conductor as the plug member 12 and its associated conductive element 20 is inserted into the base.

For convenience in making terminal or butt connections with a wire conductor, blind openings 54 are provided in side walls 42. These openings extend from the back or bottom of slots 18 a slight distance to receive the end of a conductor as shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, the blind openings 54 are positioned in each side wall 42 and extend in directions opposite to each other from the back or bottom of slots 18.

The operation of the connector assembly to make electrical connection with a wire conductor is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Prior to assembly of the plug and base, wires or pairs of wires are positioned in slots 18 and moved toward the back or bottom of the slot such that they are positioned generally over the flat upper portion 50 of pads 48 (FIG. 3). Plug member 12 is then positioned in opening 16 and with finger pressure is pushed downwardly into opening 16. As plug 12 moves into the base, the wire in slots 18 therein enters channel 23 in conductive element 20 between the shank and pressure portions such that the insulation on the wire is cut and spread apart along the wire. The inherent resilience of the conductive element and the action of the plug member against walls 40 forming opening 16 biases pressure portion 24 into an engaging relationship with the wire. As the lowermost extermities of legs 32 enter openings 46 in the base, the top of the plug comes flush with the top surface of the base and a secure, permanent electrical connection is completed. The plug member is secured by frictional engagement within base 16 about the side walls and at the juncture oflegs 32 with the wall surfaces forming-openings 46. The material of the plug is additionally slightly deformed such that an effective seal in provided to prevent the entrance of contaminants, moisture, or the like into the connector assembly.

The connector may be disassembled and reused. if desired, by simply pushing the plug member out of opening 16 in base member 14 by inserting a screw driver or like tool into openings 46 against the ends of legs 32 and applying a slight pressure to push plug 12 out of the base member.

MODIFIED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION A terminal block structure incorporating the teachings of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein similar parts are identified with like reference numerals utilizing the prefix 1". Terminal block assembly 100 includes a mounting base or terminal block 101 and a cover 1113 upon which are formed a plurality of individual plug 'members 112 and an equal pluarlity of base members or sockets 114.

The cover may be integrally formed with the plug members thereon or they may be separate parts each of which are fixed to the cover. Each plug member 112 is adapted to carry a conductive element 120. In this embodiment, conductive elements 120 are not arranged in pairs but are individual elements having a channel 123 to receive two or more wires between the pressure and shank portions thereof. Each individual plug member 112 carries a conductive element 120 therein having a shank portion 122 and a pressure portion 124, each portion of which has an outwardly extending ear 128 formed at the entrance to wire channel 123. The ears 128 are received in openings 134 formed in legs 132 of the resilient plug. The U-shaped junction portion 125 of element is received in a recess 136 formed at the uppermost portion of the plug between legs 132.

A cut-off blade 60 is fixed in the plug members in a groove 62 extending along legs 132 and the upper inner portion of the plug member. The cut-off blade 60, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, is provided to trim the wire leads as the plug is assembled with the base.

Base 101 is generally U-shaped having a central wiring channel 64 formed therein into which conductor pairs from wire cables are fed from either end. Extending along opposite sides of channel 64 are a plurality of base members or sockets 114 adapted to guide wire conductors and to receive plugs 112. Each socket includes a plug-receiving opening 116, end walls 140, side walls 142, and support pads 148. Each side of the connector base portion includes inner wall 66 adjacent wire channel 64 and and outer wall 68.

Slots

118 and 119 are formed in the inner and outer walls respectively to position pairs of wires which are to be connected.

In use, a group of conductors from a cable or the like, which are to be connected with a similar group of wires from another cable, are positioned in channel 64 from either end of the base. Individual wires are then passed through a given pair of

slots

118 and 119 such that the wire lays on top of support pad 148. Pad 148 forms a stop or abutment means for the conductor to hold it in position as the plug assembly is installed. The corresponding wire from the other cable which is to be spliced to the first is also positioned through

slots

118 and 119 such that the ends of each wire extend through slot 119 in outer wall 68. When all of the wires have been paired in like fashion and checked for accuracy at the outer wall in a conventional manner, plug assembly 103 is positioned over base 101 and pressed into position. As the wires are urged into conductive element 120 between legs 122 and 124 into channel 123, electrical connection is made, and cut-off blade 60 cuts through the wire as the blade passes into the slot 69 adjacent support pad 148 to neatly trim the wires which extend outwardly through slot 119 in outer wall 68. As the base and cover snap into place as shown in FIG. 7, all electrical connections are simultaneously made in a rapid and convenient manner and the cut wire ends may be removed.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a single connector assembly is shown which is particularly adapted for automotive use. As in the previous embodiments, like parts are designated with like reference numerals bearing the prefix numeral In this embodiment, it is preferred that the plug member 212 and base 214 each be made of comparatively rigid meterials although it will be understood that the relative resiliency or rigidity of the materials may be changed to control the force exerted on a pair of conductors by the conductive element 220. The connector assembly 200 of FIGS. 9 and 10 includes a rigid plug 212 and a base member 214 having a plugreceiving opening 216 formed therein and a wirereceiving slot 218. Conductive element 220 is similar in construction to that shown in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, i.e., is a single element adapted to receive two or more wires, and includes a U-shaped juncture portion 225, shank and

pressure portions

222 and 224, re spectively, forming wire channel 223, and a pair of outwardly extending ears 228 which are received in corresponding openings 234 in plug 212. In this embodiment, the bottom or back portion of wire-receiving slot 218 is slightly elongated forming a T shape as indicated at 70, such that a pluarlity of wires may be positioned therein for alignment with channel 223 in conductive element 220. Support pads 248 extend upwardly from bottom wall 224 and terminate in a flat upper portion 250 adjacent and below T slot 70. As shown in FIG. 10, the resilient legs of plug member 212 are arranged for press-fit engagement with the rigid inner surfaces of walls 240. The inside diameter of the U-shaped juncture portion 225 is selected for the desired compression of the conductor. When wire channel 223 is closed, the clearance 227 on each side of the

connector legs

222 and 224 at the point of contact is preferably one-half the diameter of the U-shaped juncture portion. When a wire conductor or a pair of wire conductors are positioned in the T slot 70, plug member 212 is then positioned in opening 216 as shown in FIG. 10 to enchance and make electrical connection with the conductor. The wire conductors enter channel 223 as

legs

222 and 224 of conductive element 220 open a distance deter mined by clearance 227 while at the same time of the facing surfaces of the legs are forced through the insulation on the wire conductors and into electrical connection therewith.

In yet another embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 14, the present invention is seen to be readily adaptable for use in making wire connections in a conventional electrical outlet illustrated at 72. In this embodiment, like parts are identified by like reference numerals bearing the prefix letter Connector 300 includes a plug portion 312, body portion 314, and conductive element 320 (FIG. 12) fixed in the plug. The conductive element assembly 320 includes shank portion 322 and pressure portion 324 connected together by link 326 similar to that shown in FIG. 1. Link 326 is welded to outlet 72 and is electrically connected to the conventional socket portion of the outlet. In this embodiment, pairs of connector assemblies are provided on each side of outlet 72 for connection with both sides of the conventional household wiring. Plug portion 312 may be formed of a resilient material and fixed to outlet 72. It is preferably integrally molded with the rigid material from which the outlet 72 and insulating material 74 covering link 326 is molded.

Base member 314 is also formed of rigid material and includes plug-receiving opening 316 and support pads 348. An opening 318 is provided through the side walls 340 adjacent support pads 348 to receive individual wire conductors. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the base member has a dovetail slot 76 molded in one side wall for engagement with corresponding dovetail groove 78 molded on the outer wall of the plug member. In use, the base is shifted to an upward position as shown in FIG. 11, and a wire conductor is positioned through opening 318 adjacent the support pad 348. The body is then slid along the dove-

tails

76 and 78 such that the wire is pressed into channel 323 between

legs

322 and 324 of conductive element 320 to strip the insulation from the wire and to simultaneously make positive electrical contact as described in connection with the previous embodiments. As previously described, the relative resiliency or rigidity of the plug and base members is selective to control the force exerted on the wire conductor by the conductive element.

In each of the illustrated embodiments, it will be readily recognized that the base member and the plug member cooperate in a novel manner with the conductive element to provide a means of making rapid, reliable. electrical connection with a minimum of effort. It will also be recognized that the density of the plug and body materials and thus its resiliency or rigidity is selected to control the force exerted on a wire conductor by the conductive element located in the plug member. Since the plug and base are of molded construction and the conductive element does not require special treatment to obtain maximum resiliency, the cost is significantly reduced from prior art connector arrangements. While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other differing embodiments may be conceived and fabricated without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An electrical connector assembly adapted to be electrically conductively connected to a conductor comprising:

conductor-engaging means including at least two portions having spaced facing surfaces forming a conductor-receiving channel between which a conductor is to be electrically connected, and flexible means for holding said portions in spaced position but permitting relative movement of said portions toward and away from each other;

a first member receiving and surrounding said conductor-engaging portions on at least two sides thereof opposite said facing surfaces;

a second member having receiving means receiving said first member and said portions;

conductor-positioning means in said second member for guiding a conductor into position to be received between said facing surfaces of said conductorengaging portion when said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member; said first member being constructured of a resilient material and said second member being constructed of a comparatively rigid material with its receiving means being of a size and shape to receive said resilient first member so as to provide a press fit engagement at least along said pressure portions whereby when said first member is inserted and press-fitted within the receiving means of said second member only said first member of the said first and second members is deformed at its sides located along said two sides whereby the deformity of said first member backed up by the rigidity of said second member provides a biasing force against said pressure portions to urge said pressure portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a conductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member.

2. The electrical connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductor positioning means includes a slot formed in said second member, said slot intersecting said receiving means and adapted to hold a conductor in alignment for engagement between said conductor-engaging portions.

3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 2 and further including abutment means in said receiving means, said abutment means being positioned adjacent said conductor positioning means extending at least a portion of its length and positioned in alignment with said conductor-engaging means when said first member is positioned in said receiving-means.

4. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductor-engaging portions include a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally U- shaped junction portion, said legs extending downwardly from said U-shaped junction portion, the inner facing surfaces of said legs forming conductorreceiving channel.

5. An electrical connector assembly adapted to be electrically conductively connected to a conductor comprising:

conductor-positioning means in said second member for guiding a conductor into position to be received between said facing surfaces of said conductorengaging portion when said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member;

said first and second members having in combination means for providing a biasing force against said portions when said first member is received into said second member to urge said portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a conductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member;

said conductor-engaging portions include a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally U-shaped junction portion, said legs extending downwardly from said U-shaped junction portion, the inner facing surfaces of said legs forming said conductorreceiving channel,

said conductor-engaging means being formed from an integral piece of wire-like stock; and

said first member having means therein adapted to abut said sides opposite said facing surfaces to restrict the opening of said conductor-receiving channel whereby when a conductor is positioned in said channel, said legs are forced into electrically conductive engagement with the conductor.

6. The connector as defined in claim 5 wherein one of said first and said second members is formed of rigid material and the other of said members is formed of comparatively resilient material.

7. An electrical connector adapted to conductively engage an insulated conductor, said connector comprising:

a first member constructed of a resilient material;

a pair of conductor-engaging means in said first member, each said conductor-engaging means including a shank portion and a pressure portion connected by a generally U-shaped junction portion, said pressure portion extending from said junction portion so as to be adjacent with said shank portion, and a conductive linking member connecting the shank portion of each of said pair of said engaging means;

a second member constructed of a comparatively rigid material, said second member having receiving means formed therein of a size and shape to receive said first member and said pair of conductorengaging means so as to provide a press fit engagement at least along said pressure portions whereby when said first member is inserted and press-fitted within the receiving means of said second member only said first member of the said first and second members is deformed at its sides located along said two sides whereby the deformity of said first member backed up by the rigidity of said second member provides a biasing force against said pressure portions to urge said pressure portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a conductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member; and

wire-positioning means in said second member for positioning conductors adjacent said receiving means whereby when said first member is inserted in said receiving means, conductors in said positioning means are guided into' each said conductorengaging means between said pressure portion and said shank portion for electrical Connection therebetween.

8. The electrical connector as described in claim 7 wherein said wire-positioning means inlcudes said second member having a pair of slots formed therein transverse to said receiving means.

9. The electrical connector as described in claim 8 and further including wire-receiving means formed in said second member, said wire-receiving means being positioned adjacent said slots formed in said second member parallel to said receiving means where in a conductor having an end terminating at said connector positioned in said wire-receiving means is held therein and positioned in said wire-positioning means for electrical contact with said conductor-engaging means when said conductor-engaging means is positioned in said receiving means.

10. The connector as defined in claim 7 wherein said second member is molded of rigid, plastic-like material.

11. The connector as defined in claim 10 wherein said rigid, plastic-like material is polypropylene.

12. The electrical connector as defined in claim 7 wherein said first member is formed of resilient plasticlike material.

13. The electrical connector as defined in claim 12 wherein said first member is molded polyethylene.

14. The electrical connector as defined in claim 7 and further including said first member having a central body portion; a pair of legs adjacent the sides of said central portion; said pair of conductor-engaging means being positioned in said first member with said shank, pressure and junction portions being embraced between said central body portion and said leg with said shank portions abutting said body portion; said conductive linking member extending along said central body portion; and means in said first member for retaining said conductor-engaging means in said first member.

15. The electrical connector as defined in claim 14 and further including abutment means in said receiving means, said abutment means being positioned adjacent said wire-positioning means and extending along at least a portion of its length, said abutment means being positioned in alignment with said conductor engaging means when said first member is positioned in said receiving means to thereby guide a conductor positioned therein into electrically conductive engagement with said conductor-engaging means.

16. In a solderless electrical connector having a base portion adapted to position wire conductors and a plug portion having a conductive element therein for electrical connection with the wire conductors, the improvement comprising:

said plug portion being molded from a resilient plastic-like material and having means therein for holding said conductive element;

said conductive element having at least a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally U-shaped junction portion, said legs extending downwardly from said U-shaped junction portion, at least one of said legs being relatively movable with respect to the other of said legs to form a pressure applying means againt said other leg, said legs having portions cooperatively forming a wire-receiving channel;

said base portion being molded from a comparatively rigid plastic-like material, and having means formed therein for positioning wire conductors; and

means formed in said base portion for receiving said plug portion and said conductive element, said means being of a size and shape to receive said resilient plug so as to provide a press fit engagement at least along the portions of said legs forming said wire-receiving channel whereby when said plug is inserted and press-fitted within the base only said plug is deformed at its sides located at said legs whereby the deformity of said plug backed up by the rigidity of said base causes said plug portion to cooperably operate with said base portion for restricting the movement of said legs forming said channel when a wire conductor is forced therein to remove the insulation therefrom and to conductively engage the wire positioned therebetween.

17. The connector as defined in claim 16 wherein said conductive element includes said junction portion and said legs being formed from an integral piece of wire-like stock having a constant cross section, said legs converging toward one another as they extend from the said junction portion and forming said channel therebetween, the normal spacing between said legs being less than the nominal cross-sectional measurement of a wire conductor whereby when conductors are forced in said channel said legs are forced into conductor-deforming relationship therewith.

18. A solderless electrical terminal block connector comprising:

an elongated cover member;

a plurality of plug members arranged on said cover member, each said plug member having a conductive element fixed therein, said conductive elements each having a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally-U-shaped juncture portion, said legs being resilient and relatively movable with respect to each other, the inner facing portions of said legs forming a wire-receiving channel;

said conductive element being in the form of an integral piece of wire-like stock mounted on said plug with said plug abutting the sides of said legs opposite said facing surfaces to restrict the opening of said wire-receiving channel whereby when a wire is positioned in said channel, said legs are forced into electrically conductive engagement with the wire;

an elongated terminal block, said block having a plurality of rigid sockets formed therein, said sockets arranged for cooperative engagement with a corresponding plug member on said cover;

wire-receiving means formed in each of said sockets for receiving and guiding pairs of wire conductors into engagement with said wire-receiving channels in said conductive elements in said plugs;

cut-off means separate and apart from said conductive element; and

said cut-off means being mounted on said plugs adjacent said conductive element to cut the terminal ends of said wire conductors when said conductors are engaged by said conductive elements.

19. The terminal block connector as defined in claim 18 wherein each said rigid socket further includes abutment means positioned adjacent said receiving means, said abutment means being positioned in alignment with said conductive element when said plug is positioned in said socket to thereby guide said wire conductor into said wire-receiving channel, said blade member being cooperatively engageable with said abutment means to cut said wire conductor.

20. A solderless electrical connector for an electrical outlet comprising:

a conductive element adapted to be connected to said outlet and having a pair of generally U-shaped wire-receiving channels formed thereon, said channels including a shank portion and a pressure portion, said shank portions being integrally connected by a link, said pressure and shank portions having facing surfaces forming said wire-receiving channels, said link being electrically connected to said outlet;

a non-conductive first member receiving and surrounding said pressure and said shank portions of each of said channels on at least two sides thereof opposite said facing surfaces;

a rigid second member having an opening formed therein for engagement with said first member, said second member having receiving means therein to receive and guide a wire conductor into said wirereceiving channel; and

said first member being constructed of a resilient material and said second member being constructed of a comparatively rigid material with its receiving means being of a size and shape to receive said resilient first member so as to provide a press fit engagement at least along said pressure portions whereby when said first member is inserted and press-fitted within the receiving means of said second member only said first member of the said first and second members is deformed at its sides located along said two whereby the deformity of said first member backed up by the rigidity of said second member provides a biasing force against said pressure portions to urge said pressure portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a conductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member.

21. An electrical connector adapted to conductively engage an insulated conductor, said connector comprising:

a first member;

conductor-engaging means in said first member said conductor-engaging means being in the form of an integral piece of wire-like stock including a shank portion and a pressure portion, said pressure portion extending from said junction portion so as to be adjacent with said shank portion, said pressure and shank portions having facing surfaces forming a conductor receiving channel;

a second member, said second member having receiving means formed therein to receive said first LII member and said conductor-engaging means; said first member having means therein adapted to abut said portions opposite said facing surfaces to restrict the opening of said conductor-receiving channel whereby when a conductor is positioned in said channel, said portions are forced into electrically conductive engagement with the conductor, and wire-positioning means in said second member for positioning a conducor adjacent said receiving means. whereby when said first member is inserted into said receiving means, a conductor in said positioning means is guided into said conductorengaging means between said pressure portion and said shank portion for electrical connection therewith.

Claims

1. An electricl connector assembly adapted to be electrically conductively connected to a conductor comprising: conductor-engaging means including at least two portions having spaced facing surfaces forming a conductor-receiving channel between which a conductor is to be electrically connected, and flexible means for holding said portions in spaced position but permitting relative movement of said portions toward and away from each other; a first member receiving and surrounding said conductor-engaging portions on at least two sides thereof opposite said facing surfaces; a second member having receiving means receiving said first member and said portions; conductor-positioning means in said second member for guiding a conductor into position to be received between said facing surfaces of said conductor-engaging portion when said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member; said first member being constructured of a resilient material and said second member being constructed of a comparatively rigid material with its receiving means being of a size and shape to receive said resilient first member so as to provide a press fit engagement at least along said pressure portions whereby when said first member is inserted and pressfitted within the receiving means of said second member only said first member of the said first and second members is deformed at its sides located along said two sides whereby the deformity of said first member backed up by the rigidity of said second member provides a biasing force against said pressure portions to urge said pressure portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a coNductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member.

3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 2 and further including abutment means in said receiving means, said abutment means being positioned adjacent said conductor positioning means extending at least a portion of its length and positioned in alignment with said conductor-engaging means when said first member is positioned in said receiving means.

4. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductor-engaging portions include a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally U-shaped junction portion, said legs extending downwardly from said U-shaped junction portion, the inner facing surfaces of said legs forming conductor-receiving channel.

5. An electrical connector assembly adapted to be electrically conductively connected to a conductor comprising: conductor-engaging means including at least two portions having spaced facing surfaces forming a conductor-receiving channel between which a conductor is to be electrically connected, and flexible means for holding said portions in spaced position but permitting relative movement of said portions toward and away from each other; a first member receiving and surrounding said conductor-engaging portions on at least two sides thereof opposite said facing surfaces; a second member having receiving means receiving said first member and said portions; conductor-positioning means in said second member for guiding a conductor into position to be received between said facing surfaces of said conductor-engaging portion when said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member; said first and second members having in combination means for providing a biasing force against said portions when said first member is received into said second member to urge said portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a conductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member; said conductor-engaging portions include a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally U-shaped junction portion, said legs extending downwardly from said U-shaped junction portion, the inner facing surfaces of said legs forming said conductor-receiving channel, said conductor-engaging means being formed from an integral piece of wire-like stock; and said first member having means therein adapted to abut said sides opposite said facing surfaces to restrict the opening of said conductor-receiving channel whereby when a conductor is positioned in said channel, said legs are forced into electrically conductive engagement with the conductor.

7. An electrical connector adapted to conductively engage an insulated conductor, said connector comprising: a first member constructed of a resilient material; a pair of conductor-engaging means in said first member, each said conductor-engaging means including a shank portion and a pressure portion connected by a generally U-shaped junction portion, said pressure portion extending from said junction portion so as to be adjacent with said shank portion, and a conductive linking member connecting the shank portion of each of said pair of said engaging means; a second member constructed of a comparatively rigid material, said second member having receiving means formed therein of a size and shape to receive said first member and said pair of conductor-engaging means so as to provide a press fit engagement at least Along said pressure portions whereby when said first member is inserted and press-fitted within the receiving means of said second member only said first member of the said first and second members is deformed at its sides located along said two sides whereby the deformity of said first member backed up by the rigidity of said second member provides a biasing force against said pressure portions to urge said pressure portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a conductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member; and wire-positioning means in said second member for positioning conductors adjacent said receiving means whereby when said first member is inserted in said receiving means, conductors in said positioning means are guided into each said conductor-engaging means between said pressure portion and said shank portion for electrical connection therebetween.

12. The electrical connector as defined in claim 7 wherein said first member is formed of resilient plastic-like material.

16. In a solderless electrical connector having a base portion adapted to position wire conductors and a plug portion having a conductive element therein for electrical connection with the wire conductors, the improvement comprising: said plug portion being molded from a resilient plastic-like material and having means therein for holding said conductive element; said conductive element having at least a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally U-shaped junction portion, said legs extending downwardly from said U-shaped junction portion, at least one of said legs being relatively movable with respect to the other of said legs to form a pressure applying means againt said other leg, said legs having portions cooperatively forming a wire-receiving channel; said base portioN being molded from a comparatively rigid plastic-like material, and having means formed therein for positioning wire conductors; and means formed in said base portion for receiving said plug portion and said conductive element, said means being of a size and shape to receive said resilient plug so as to provide a press fit engagement at least along the portions of said legs forming said wire-receiving channel whereby when said plug is inserted and press-fitted within the base only said plug is deformed at its sides located at said legs whereby the deformity of said plug backed up by the rigidity of said base causes said plug portion to cooperably operate with said base portion for restricting the movement of said legs forming said channel when a wire conductor is forced therein to remove the insulation therefrom and to conductively engage the wire positioned therebetween.

18. A solderless electrical terminal block connector comprising: an elongated cover member; a plurality of plug members arranged on said cover member, each said plug member having a conductive element fixed therein, said conductive elements each having a pair of legs connected by an integral, generally-U-shaped juncture portion, said legs being resilient and relatively movable with respect to each other, the inner facing portions of said legs forming a wire-receiving channel; said conductive element being in the form of an integral piece of wire-like stock mounted on said plug with said plug abutting the sides of said legs opposite said facing surfaces to restrict the opening of said wire-receiving channel whereby when a wire is positioned in said channel, said legs are forced into electrically conductive engagement with the wire; an elongated terminal block, said block having a plurality of rigid sockets formed therein, said sockets arranged for cooperative engagement with a corresponding plug member on said cover; wire-receiving means formed in each of said sockets for receiving and guiding pairs of wire conductors into engagement with said wire-receiving channels in said conductive elements in said plugs; cut-off means separate and apart from said conductive element; and said cut-off means being mounted on said plugs adjacent said conductive element to cut the terminal ends of said wire conductors when said conductors are engaged by said conductive elements.

20. A solderless electrical connector for an electrical outlet comprising: a conductive element adapted to be connected to said outlet and having a pair of generally U-shaped wire-receiving channels formed thereon, said channels including a shank portion and a pressure portion, said shank portions being integrally connected by a link, said pressure and shank portions having facing surfaces forming said wire-receiving channels, said link being electrically connected to said outlet; a non-conductive first member receiving and surrounding said pressure and said shank portions of each of said channels on at least two sides thereof opposite said facing surfaces; a rigid second member having an opening formed therein for engagement with said first member, said second member having receiving means therein to receive and guide a wire conductor into said wire-receiving channel; and said first member being constructed of a resilient material and said second member being constructed of a comparatively rigid material with its receiving means being of a size and shape to receive said resilient first member so as to provide a press fit engagement at least along said pressure portions whereby when said first member is inserted and press-fitted within the receiving means of said second member only said first member of the said first and second members is deformed at its sides located along said two whereby the deformity of said first member backed up by the rigidity of said second member provides a biasing force against said pressure portions to urge said pressure portions of said conductor-engaging means into engagement with a conductor as said first member is inserted in said receiving means of said second member.

21. An electrical connector adapted to conductively engage an insulated conductor, said connector comprising: a first member; conductor-engaging means in said first member, said conductor-engaging means being in the form of an integral piece of wire-like stock including a shank portion and a pressure portion, said pressure portion extending from said junction portion so as to be adjacent with said shank portion, said pressure and shank portions having facing surfaces forming a conductor receiving channel; a second member, said second member having receiving means formed therein to receive said first member and said conductor-engaging means; said first member having means therein adapted to abut said portions opposite said facing surfaces to restrict the opening of said conductor-receiving channel whereby when a conductor is positioned in said channel, said portions are forced into electrically conductive engagement with the conductor, and wire-positioning means in said second member for positioning a conducor adjacent said receiving means, whereby when said first member is inserted into said receiving means, a conductor in said positioning means is guided into said conductor-engaging means between said pressure portion and said shank portion for electrical connection therewith.