Patent ID: 6764355
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly, comprising:(a) a generally rectangular housing (2) formed of synthetic plastic electrical insulating material and including vertical front (16), rear (14), and side (20) walls, said housing having a horizontal top wall containing a plurality of vertical chambers (3) arranged in a row, and a bottom wall containing a plurality of bottom openings (22) communicating with said chambers, respectively; (b) a plurality of hollow sleeve members (6) arranged in said chambers, respectively, each of said sleeve members containing a vertical through bore (6c), and diametrically opposed side wall portions 6a, (c) a plurality of bus bars (4) having vertical portions (4a) arranged in said sleeve members adjacent the front wall of said housing, respectively; (d) a plurality of resilient contacts(S) connected with lower portions of said bus bars opposite said bottom openings, respectively, said resilient contacts being arranged for electrical engagement with wires (W) introduced into said chambers via said bottom openings, respectively; (e) a plurality of horizontal fastening screws (7) extending through front openings (23) contained is said front wall of said housing (16) opposite and in communication with said chambers, respectively, said fastening screws being threadably connected with corresponding threaded bores (24) contained in side wall portions (6a) of said hollow sleeve members, said fastening screws being operable to bias said vertical portions of said bus bars into electrical engagement with conductors (C) introduced vertically into said chambers, respectively; and (f) conductive bridle strap means (10) electrically connecting selected first bus bars of said plurality of bus bars, said bridge strap means including a conductive bridge strap having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a horizontal base portion (10a) that extends beneath first sleeve members associated with said selected first bus bars, respectively, a fret vertical portion (10b) that extends upwardly from said base portion between said rear wall of said housing and said first sleeve members, respectively, and at least one pair of laterally spaced second vertical portions (10c) that extend upwardly from the base portion into said first sleeve members in electrical contact with and permanently secured to said selected first bus bars, respectively.