Patent ID: 6475019
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector of the type for electrically interconnecting a first set of insulated wire conductors with a second set of conductors, the connector comprising:a dielectric body having a plurality of contact cavities therein, each contact cavity having an open wire receiving end and an opposite open contact insertion end; a plurality of planar slotted beam contacts, each contact sized to be inserted through the open contact insertion end of one of the contact cavities and removably positioned within the contact cavity, each contact having a first end portion located at the open wire receiving end of the contact cavity and an opposite second end portion located at the open contact insertion end of the contact cavity in which the contact is positioned, the first end portion configured to displace the insulation and make electrical contact with the wire of one of the insulated wire conductors of the first set of conductors and the second end portion having an outward facing side with a protrusion projecting away from the outward side; and a plurality of resilient arms, each arm positioned adjacent to the open contact insertion end of one of the contact cavities, each arm having a hinge portion attached to the body, a free end portion and a mid-portion therebetween, the mid-portion of the arm having a receiving aperture sized and positioned to receive and capture therein the protrusion of the contact in the contact cavity at which the arm is positioned when the contact is within the contact cavity, the hinge portion of the arm having sufficient resiliency to allow the mid-portion of the arm to be resiliently moved away from the outward side of the second end portion of the contact in the contact cavity at which the arm is positioned as the contact is inserted into the contact cavity from the open contact insertion end thereof in response to engagement of the free end portion with the protrusion of the contact and resiliently moved toward the outward side of the second end portion of the contact when the receiving aperture is in registration with the protrusion of the contact to position the protrusion in the receiving aperture of the arm.