Patent ID: 6799988
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector of the type for electrically interconnecting a first set of insulated wire conductors with a second set of insulated wire conductors, the connector comprising:a dielectric body having a plurality of contact cavities therein, each contact cavity having an open contact insertion first end, an open second end and an associated stop; a plurality of planar slotted beam contacts, each contact sized to be inserted through the open contact insertion first end of one of the contact cavities and positioned within the contact cavity, each contact having a first end portion, a second end portion and a mid-portion therebetween, the mid-portion having an outward facing side with a protrusion projecting away from the outward side, each contact being configured such that when within one of the contact cavities the first end portion is positioned toward the open contact insertion first end of the contact cavity to displace the insulation and make electrical contact with the wire of one of the insulated wire conductors of the first set of conductors located toward the open contact insertion first end and the second end portion is positioned toward the open second end of the contact cavity to displace the insulation and make electrical contact with the wire of one of the insulated wire conductors of the second set of conductors located toward the open second end; and a plurality of resilient arms, each arm having a hinge portion attached to the body and a free end portion positioned spaced away from the stop associated with the contact cavity at which the arm is positioned by a distance sufficient to receive the protrusion of the contact positioned in the contact cavity between the free end portion of the arm and the stop, the free end portion of the arm being positioned to engage the protrusion of the contact within the contact cavity at which the arm is positioned when the contact is within the contact cavity and limit movement of the contact in a direction toward the open contact insertion first end of the contact cavity, the stop being positioned to engage the protrusion of the contact within the contact cavity with which the stop is associated when the contact is within the contact cavity and limit movement of the contact in a direction toward the open second end of the contact cavity, the hinge portion of the arm having sufficient resiliency to allow the free end portion of the arm to be resiliently moved away from the outward side of the mid-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 first end thereof in response to sliding engagement of the free end portion of the arm with the protrusion of the contact and resiliently moved toward the outward side of the mid-portion of the contact when the free end portion of the arm is out of sliding engagement with the protrusion of the contact to position the free end portion to prevent removal of the contact from the contact cavity through the open contact insertion first end thereof.