Patent ID: 8721376
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A single element electrical connector configured for connecting wires to a component, said connector comprising: a single conductive contact element formed into a cage structure having a wire insert end and a wire contact end along a longitudinal centerline axis of said connector, wherein the wire insert end is opposite the wire contact end; said cage structure comprising a wall structure at said insert end defining an inlet opening for a wire, said wall structure defining an upper pick-up surface, wherein said wall structure comprises a plurality of walls bent into a box-like structure, wherein a first wall of the plurality of walls comprises a first end at the wire insert end of the cage structure and a second end toward the wire contact end of the cage structure, wherein said first wall comprises a forward portion at the second end, and wherein the forward portion is angled toward said centerline axis to define an upper wire guide; said cage structure further comprising a pair of contact tines biased towards said centerline axis downstream of said wall structure in an insertion direction of the wire into said connector, said contact tines defining a contact pinch point for an exposed core of the wire, wherein the contact pinch point is positioned downstream of the upper wire guide in the insertion direction of the wire; and a contact surface defined by a member of said cage structure for electrical mating contact with a respective contact element on the component.