Wiretrap electrical connector and assembly with strain relief plate

A canister assembly is provided including electrical connector having a plate which may be moved between a first and second position in order to lock a wire to the electrical connector. The electrical connector provides for a wire trap contact in order to quickly insert a conductor within the electrical connector through an end face of the electrical connector. The electrical connector includes flanges which allow it to be easily mounted to a canister and enclose an opening of the canister. The plate provides for a strain relief for the wires terminated by the electrical connector.

The present invention pertains to an electrical connector and assembly and in particular a wiretrap connector and assembly for terminating a wire and having a plate to provide a strain relief for the wire.

BACKGROUND

Electrical connectors are well known for connecting wires to printed circuit boards. For example, lighting fixtures generally require a ballast assembly to be incorporated in the fixture. The ballast includes a printed circuit board having electronic components that operate the ballast and have many wires extending from it, in order to connect to other parts of the fixture. Electrical connectors are known and may be used for the ballast. For example, a wiretrap connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,456, which provides for an insulator housing having a plurality of holes formed by the insulator for receiving wires. Contacts are mounted within the insulator, each having a wire clamping electrical contact and an over-stress stop abutment for interacting with a wire which is inserted within the insulator of the electrical connector assembly. Such an electrical connector allows for the quick insertion of wires into the connector and provides for an overstress stop abutment for the contact. However, such electrical connectors are generally designed only for the vertical insertion of wires into the electrical connector. As well, such electrical connectors do not provide for a means of enclosing an opening provided by the ballast canister or electrically isolating the contact of the connector. Further, such electrical connectors do not provide for a strain relief for the wires terminated by the electrical connector.

Other means of connecting wires to a printed circuit board are known, such as direct soldering of the wires to the printed circuit board. Such a process is cumbersome due to the difficulties of processing the printed circuit board. Handling the printed circuit board for certain processing steps, such as testing or soldering in an oven is difficult because a plurality of long wires are attached to the printed circuit board during such operations. Therefore, there is desired an electrical connector and assembly which overcomes the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, the present invention may provide an electrical connector comprising a housing having a front face and a rear face, the front face having a first hole, a plate attached to the front face, the plate having a second hole and the plate moveable between a first position where the first hole is aligned with the second hole and a second position where the second hole is off-set from the first hole and a contact mounted in the housing having a trap portion disposed adjacent the first hole and a mounting tail protruding from the bottom, wherein the first and second hole may receive a wire therethrough when the plate is in the first position and the wire is inserted to a mated position within the housing and engages the trap portion of the contact in order to provide an electrical connection between the wire and the contact and upon positioning the plate in the second position, the wire is distorted and locked in position within the housing in the mated condition.

In an embodiment, the rear face may have an open side and the contact has an enclosure portion that encloses the open side. In an embodiment, the mounting tail may extend from the enclosure portion. In an embodiment, the front face may include a first test hole and the plate may include a second test hole and when the plate is in the first position, the first and second test holes may be aligned so that a test probe may be inserted through the test holes to test the contact. In an embodiment, the front face may include a first test hole and the plate may include a second test hole and when the plate is in the second position, the first test hole is enclosed by the plate and the contact is electrically isolated from elements external to the housing.

In an embodiment, the housing may include a cavity in communication with the first hole so that insertion of the wire through the first hole may cause the wire to pass along an insertion path within the cavity and the trap portion of the contact may be disposed in the insertion path so that upon insertion, the wire may engage the trap portion and provide a frictional clamping connection between the contact and the wire. In an embodiment, the contact may be a generally P-shaped contact having an enclosure portion, a top portion formed at a right angle to the enclosure portion and a trap portion having an arcuate bend interconnecting the trap portion to the top portion and the trap portion angled at about 15–50° relative to the top portion. In an embodiment, the trap portion is adjacent a back-up wall provided by the housing upon which the conductor is positioned so that the conductor is clamped and trapped between the trap portion of the contact and the back-up wall. In an embodiment, the housing may include a flange formed at its perimeter for engaging a casing wall of a host device in order to mount the housing to the casing. In an embodiment, the flange may be formed at the sides of the front face and the casing may have an opening having at least two engaging sides so that the flange engages the engaging sides of the casing and the front face encloses the opening. In an embodiment, the plate may provide for a grommet for enclosing the opening of the casing.

In an embodiment, the plate may provide for a strain relief for the wire inserted therein. In an embodiment, the housing may include a lock member for locking the plate in one of the first and second positions. In an embodiment, the lock member may include a protrusion formed on the plate and a corresponding recess formed on the front face so that upon positioning of the plate from the first position to the second position, the protrusion engages the recess, locks the plate in the second position and the plate locks the wire in the mated condition. In an embodiment, the front face may include an actuator wall having a channel formed therein for receiving a rail of the plate so that the rail slides in the channel when the plate slides from the first to the second position.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides for an assembly for terminating a wire to a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a PCB having electronic components and an electrical connector mounted thereto, the electrical connector including a housing have a front face oriented perpendicular to the PCB, a casing having an opening at an end and the PCB mounted within the casing so that the front face encloses the opening and a wire inserted through the front face of the electrical connector in a direction parallel to the PCB and the wire terminated by the electrical connector so that the wire is electrically connected to the PCB. In an embodiment, the PCB may have an edge and the electrical connector may be mounted so that the front face may extend beyond the edge of the PCB and the front face may include a flange along a side for engaging a side wall of the opening of the casing in order to slidably mount the electrical connector to the casing.

In an embodiment, the front face may have a first hole formed therein for receiving the wire and a cavity formed within the housing in communication with the hole and a contact mounted within the cavity for engaging a stripped portion of the wire inserted within the cavity. In an embodiment, the housing includes a plate slidably attached to the front face, the plate having a second hole corresponding to the first hole of the front face and the plate providing a strain relief for the terminating wire inserted through the first and second holes. In an embodiment, the front face may include at least two holes for receiving the wire therethrough and an extended portion having an attachment member for attaching the plate to the front face and a protrusion, the plate mounted to the front face by the attachment member and the plate having a stop abutment and an edge for receiving an operator's finger or a tool so that in the first position the stop abutment may abut the protrusion and maintain the plate in a first position and upon activation by an operator's finger or a tool against the edge, the plate is slid to a second position. In an embodiment, the case may include a cover enclosing the casing and potting material may be provided to fill the casing. In an embodiment, the electrical connector may include a contact having an enclosure portion that encloses the housing of the electrical connector and prevents potting material within the casing from entering the housing. In an embodiment, the front face may include at least two holes for receiving the wire therethrough.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a method of terminating a wire is provided comprising the steps of providing a printed circuit board (PCB), an electrical connector including a housing having a front face, a casing having an opening and a conductor, mounting the electrical connector to the PCB so that the front face is perpendicular to the PCB and extends beyond an edge of the PCB, mounting the PCB within the casing so that the front face of the electrical connector encloses the opening of the casing, inserting a conductor through the front face into the electrical connector in order to terminate the conductor and electrically connect the conductor through the electrical connector to the PCB and locking the conductor to the electrical connector by actuating a lock member of the electrical connector. In an embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of filling the casing with pitch. In an embodiment, the front face may include a slidable plate having a hole and a first and second position and sliding the plate from the first to the second position in order to lock the conductor within the hole. In an embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of mounting the connector to the PCB and inserting contact tails of the connector into holes of the PCB and soldering the contact tails within the holes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect toFIGS. 1–6. Turning first toFIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical connector10is depicted including a housing20which includes a front face21, rear face22and the bottom23. In an embodiment, the housing is generally a cube-shaped box. The bottom23of the housing extends between the front face21and the rear face22and is generally perpendicular to the planes forming the front and rear faces21,22. In an embodiment, the housing20is formed of an insulator material such as a rigid polymer or plastic material, for example a glass filled PBT. In an embodiment, an actuator wall25forms the front face21of the connector10. In an alternate embodiment, the front face21may be provided by the housing20. The actuator wall25includes an extended portion27that extends beyond the housing20of the connector10. In an embodiment, the actuator wall25is integrally molded with the housing20. The front face21includes a plurality of holes31a,31b,31cformed therethrough. The housing20includes a cavity35(seeFIG. 5) and the holes31a,31b, and31care in communication with the cavity35. The holes are formed for receiving a wire therein and are slightly larger than the wire inserted therein. In an embodiment where a wire of 18 gage solid wire is used a hole may have a diameter of 0.086 inches. Other gage wire may also be used in the holes31a, b, c.

Also provided in the front face21are test holes37a,37b,37c. The test holes37a,37b,37care provided to communicate with the cavity35and for receiving a test probe in order to test the circuit to be sure it is properly and electrically connected to a printed circuit board. As shown inFIG. 2, the front face includes three holes31a,31b,31cand arranged above each hole is a corresponding test hole37a,37b,37c. However, the present invention may have any number of holes formed in the front face21and, as well, the arrangement of the test holes37a,37b,37cneed not necessarily be corresponding in location to each of the holes31a,31band31c. It is preferred that the number of holes31a,31b,31cand test holes37a,37b,37ccorresponds to the number of contacts provided within the housing, so that each contact may be tested via a test probe and wires may be terminated to each contact.

The front face21also includes actuation means such as channels39a,39b,39c. Each connector10also includes a plate40(depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2being unattached, so that the plate40and front face21may be viewed more fully) which includes holes42a,42band42cdisposed on the plate that extend through the thickness of the plate40. The plate includes test holes47a,47b,47c. The plate40also includes rails49a,49b,49cof the plate40which extend from a top edge50of the plate40and extend in a direction transverse to the edge50. The holes42a,42b,42c, test holes47a,47b,47cand rails49a,49b,49cof the plate40are formed to correspond in orientation to the holes31a,31b,31c, test holes37a,37b,37cand channels39a,39b,39c, respectively, of the front face21.

The plate40is mounted to the front face21by inserting the rails49a,49b,49cwithin the corresponding channel39a,39b,39c, respectively, and sliding the plate40downward along the extended portion27of the actuator wall25. The plate40is fully mated to the front face21in a first position when the rails49a,49b,49care fully received within the channels39a,39b,39c, respectively. The holes42a,42b,42cand test holes47a,47b,47cof the plate40will be aligned with the holes31a,31b,31cand test holes37a,37b,37cof the front face21in the first position. In an embodiment, the holes42a,42b,42cof the plate40have the same diameter as the holes31a,31b,31cof the front face21and wires may be inserted through the holes42a,42b,42cof the plate40, into the holes31a,31b,31cof the front face21and into the cavity35within the housing when the plate40is in the first position (as shown inFIG. 5).

It is also to be understood that in the first open position, when the plate40is slid fully downward onto the front face21, the test holes47will be aligned with the test holes37on the front face so that a test probe may be inserted all the way through the test holes47a,47b,47cand into the cavity35in order to test the contacts therein. It is to be understood that other actuator means may be provided in order to connect the plate40to the front face21and in order to provide movement of the plate40between a first and second position. For example, the channels39may be provided on the plate40and the rails49may be provided on the front face21of the actuator wall25. As well, other means of attaching the plate40to the front face21may be provided including grooves, flanges, fasteners or pivot members.

The housing20includes open portions61,62,63at the rear face22. The open portions61,62,63extend into the cavity35of the housing20. In an embodiment, each open portion61,62,63is generally rectangular and is shaped to receive contacts71,72,73therein. Each contact includes an enclosure portion75a,75b,75c. The enclosure portion75a,75b,75cis a flat vertical portion of the contact which includes a mounting tail77a,77b,77c. The enclosure portion75of the contact71,72,73is formed so that it encloses each of the open portions61,62,63at the rear face22of the housing20. In an embodiment, the open portions61,62,63are formed so that each contact71,72,73may be mounted within the housing20through the open portions61,62,63, respectively. Although each open portion61,62,63is a generally large opening, with respect to the overall surface area of the rear face21, each of the openings61,62,63may be completely enclosed by each of the enclosure portions75a,75b,75cof the contacts71,72,73respectively. Due to the flat long and broad nature of each of the enclosure portions75a,75b,75cthey can completely enclose each of the open portions61,62,63, respectively.

Turning toFIG. 3, a casing assembly80of the present invention will be described. A casing81is provided having a first end82and a second end83. An opening85,86is formed at each end82,83respectively. In an embodiment, the opening85,86is rectangular in shape and extends so that it has an open end at the top edge87of the first and second end82,83. The casing81includes a casing wall88that forms the opening85. In an embodiment, the casing81is formed of a metallic material such as stamped aluminum. In an embodiment, the casing81is generally rectangular shaped having five sides and an open top89. A lid90is formed, in an embodiment, as a generally flat rectangular sheet that may be placed over the top89of the casing81. The lid90may include flanges95so that the assembled casing80may be mounted to a host device, such as a lighting fixture.

A printed circuit board (PCB)100is provided having electronic components101,102,103such as capacitors, resistors or microprocessors mounted thereon. In an embodiment, the printed circuit board100is generally rectangular in shape and includes a first edge111and a second edge112. The connector10is mounted to the printed circuit board100so that the end face21extends beyond the first edge111. In an embodiment, a second electrical connector (not shown) may also be mounted so that it extends beyond the second edge112on the PCB100.

Mounting of the connector10to the PCB100will now be described in more detail. As shown inFIG. 3, the contacts71,72,73are oriented above mounting holes121,122,123. AlthoughFIG. 3depicts the contact71,72,73separated from the housing20of the connector10, this drawing is depicted in this way only as a convenience to depict how the contacts71,72,73are mounted to the PCB100. However, in a preferred embodiment, the contacts71,72,73will first be mounted within the housing20by known mounting methods, so that mounting tails77a,77b,77cextend perpendicularly from the bottom23of the housing. In an embodiment, the mounting tail77bis offset with respect to mounting tails77a,77eto allow for arc tracking in a high density configuration (SeeFIG. 2).

The entire electrical connector10is then mounted to the PCB100by inserting contact tails77a,77b,77cinto the corresponding mounting holes121,122,123, respectively. In an embodiment, the mounting holes121,122,123are soldered in thru-holes. After mounting of the electrical connector10to the PCB100; and mounting of the other components101,102,103to the PCB100, the PCB assembly may then be processed by running the PCB thru a solder wave to flow the solder within holes121,122,123and other thru-holes on the PCB100. Such processing retains the electrical connector10and other components101,102,103on the PCB100. After running the PCB100through the solder wave, the solder is allowed to cure so that the mounting tails77a,77b,77cwill be securely mounted and electrically connected through the soldered thru-holes121,122,123. After such processing of the PCB100and its components, the PCB100is then mounted within the casing81as described above.

The electrical connector10includes a flange120formed at an outer edge of the front face21. The flange120is formed so that it engages the casing wall88of the opening85formed at the first end82of the casing81. Thus, it may be understood that after the connector10is mounted to the PCB100, the entire PCB assembly can be mounted within the casing81so that the flange120of the connector10mates with the casing wall88of the opening85and the end face21is slid down into the opening85and encloses the opening.

The completed casing assembly80is depicted inFIG. 4. The casing assembly80has been partially sectioned, so that the electrical connector19may be described in more detail.FIG. 5is an enlarged view of the sectioned area5—5taken fromFIG. 4. The operation of the electrical connector10mounted to the PCB100will be described with respect toFIGS. 4 and 5. In the completed casing assembly80, the edges of the face21of the connector10act as a grommet which encloses the opening85at the first end82of the casing81. The plate40includes holes42a,42b,42cdisposed therein for receiving wires131,132,133. Prior to insertion and termination of the wires131,132,133the connector10may be tested.

As shown inFIG. 5, the plate40is in a first position where the plate has been slid downward so that the holes31a,31b,31cand test holes37a,37b,37cof the front face21are aligned with the holes42a,42b,42cand test holes47a,47b,47cof the plate, respectively. The housing includes a protrusion140and the plate40includes a stop abutment141so that when the plate40is in the first position, as shown inFIG. 5, the stop abutment141will abut against the protrusion140and a locking member will maintain the plate40in the first position. In the first position, prior to insertion of the wires131,132,133, the connector10may be tested by inserting a test probe (not shown) through the test holes37a,47awhich are aligned (as shown inFIG. 5). The test probe is inserted so that it extends into the cavity35within the housing20.

As shown inFIG. 5, the contact71has generally a P-shape including enclosure portion75, a top portion150, an arcuate bend151and a trap portion152. In an embodiment, the top portion150is bent at a right angle relative to the enclosure portion75. In an embodiment, the trap portion152is angled at about 15–50° relative to the top portion150. In an embodiment, the contact71is disposed so that the arcuate portion151is adjacent the test hole37aso that when a test probe is inserted through the test holes37a,47a, the probe will abut against the arcuate portion151. A proper electrical connection through the contact tail77ato the printed circuit board100is tested. As discussed above, a corresponding test hole37a,37b,37cis provided for each contact72,73, respectively. The test probe may be moved to each hole37b,37cin order to test each of the contacts71,72,73populated within the connector10. In the embodiment depicted, the test holes37,47may only be used when the plate is in the first position. It is to be understood that, while only three contacts are depicted in the figures of this application, any number of contacts may be provided for other types of applications. Likewise, as the number of contacts71,72,73is varied, the number of holes31,42and test holes37,47will also vary accordingly.

After testing of the electrically connector10potting material may be provided within the interior of the casing81. The pitch may completely fill the interior of the casing80. As discussed above, the enclosure portion75of the contacts71,72,73encloses the rear face22of the housing20so that pitch will not seep into the cavity35of the electrical connector10.

Once the electrical connector10has been tested, determined to work properly and potted, the assembled canister80may then be mounted to a host device. For example, the canister assembly80may provide for a ballast for a lighting fixture. The completed assembly80may be attached to the host device, such as a lighting fixture and then sent into the field where it will be assembled to a building. Thus, it is understood that the electrical connector10provides for a finished part of the assembly80and the plate40appears as a grommet which encloses the end of the casing81and provides for a integrated and finished look for the casing assembly80.

Following assembly of the casing80to the host device the wires131,132,133may then be terminated to the device81via the electrical connector10. Alternatively, the wires131,132,133may be terminated to the device prior to assembly of the device to the ballast. In an embodiment, each wire has an insulator jacket135and a stripped bare conductor end137. In an embodiment, each stripped conductor137has a length at least as long as the width of the cavity35of the housing20. With the plate40in the first position the wires131,132,133may be inserted through the holes42a,42b,42c, respectively. The stripped conductor137of the wire131, as shown inFIG. 5, is received within the cavity35. The connector10is mounted so that trap portion152of the contact71is disposed along an insertion path provided in communication with the hole31a, so that upon insertion of the wire131, the stripped conductor137will enter along the insertion path and engage the trap portion152of the contact71. Insertion of the conductor137of the wire131causes the trap portion152to deflect and bend upwardly toward the top portion150of the contact. Upon deflection and biasing-back, the trap portion152causes the sharp tip of the trap portion152penetrates the outer surface of the stripped conductor137in order to make an electrical contact thereto and to trap the conductor so that the wire131is resistant to backing-out through the hole42. In an embodiment, the contact71is formed of such metallic material such as 0.014 inch thick pre-plated copperstock so that the trap portion152maintains a bias against the stripped conductor137and causes the trap portion152to clamp against and trap the conductor137.

A backup wall145is provided by the housing20adjacent the insertion path, in order to hold the stripped conductor137in position against the compression force of the trap portion152of the contact71. Thus it is understood that the shape of the contact71provides for the trap portion152to make an electrical connection with the conductor137and simultaneously trap the conductor137within the cavity35of the housing20. While the force of the trap portion152is sufficient to maintain the wire131within the cavity35, during normal movement of the casing assembly80and to withstand vibrational forces, if the wire131were directly pulled-on, the conductor137could be removed from the cavity35when the plate40is in the open or first position (FIG. 5).

In order to lock the conductor131within the housing20the plate40is moved from the first position to a second position as shown inFIG. 6. The plate40is slid upwardly so that the holes42a,42b,42care offset with respect to the holes31a,31b,31c, respectively, and causes the wire131to have a distorted portion158providing a generally serpentine shape to the conductor137. The plate40is locked in the second position by a locking member160. In an embodiment, the locking member may be a protrusion formed on the back of the plate40which mates with a recess formed in the front face21of the extended portion27of the housing20. Other locking members may be provided such as fasteners, detents, buttons or slide members. In an embodiment, the offset between the first and second positions provides for a vertical offset in the range of 0.050 to 0.150 inches between the longitudinal axis of the conductor137and the longitudinal axis of the wire131in the distorted second position. It is to be understood that flexure or rotation of the wire131will not be transmitted to the conductor137due to the locked position of the plate40acting as a strain relief.

In an embodiment, the plate40is oriented so that its edge165is spaced apart from the bottom167of the casing81at the first end82, so that an operator's fingers or a tool may be placed under the edge165in order to slide the plate40upwardly into the second position. Other sliding means may be provided such as a tool notch, finger grips or serrated portions provided on the plate40in order to help slide the plate40into the second position. The plate40in the second position provides for a locking means in order to lock the wire131within the connector10. The distortion of the conductor, in an embodiment, occurs by moving the plate approximately 0.100 inches which provides a sufficient strain relief to the wire131, so that if the wire is pulled-on with a force of up to 25 pounds, the plate40will prevent the conductor137from being removed from the cavity35. Therefore, it is understood that the canister assembly80of the present invention provides for a simple and quick method of terminating a wire131to a connector10and locking the conductor thereto. The connector10also provides for an integrated system including a grommet formed by the plate40and end face21which seals the opening85of the canister81. The flange120is provided around three sides of the end face21so that the side walls88of the opening85can be mated to the flange in order to quickly mount the connector10to the canister81.

A further embodiment of the present invention is depicted with respect toFIG. 7. An electrical connector housing220is shown having a front face221, a rear face222and a bottom223. A first hole231is formed through the front face221and receives a stripped conductor237therein which extends from a wire233. A plate240is slidably mounted to the front face221. The plate240includes a second hole242for receiving the wire233.FIG. 7shows the plate240slid in to its second, offset or closed position in the direction as shown by the arrow A. As shown inFIG. 7, the wire233is distorted and provides for a strain relief when the plate240is in the second position. As described thus far, the invention ofFIG. 7is similar to the invention described previously with respect toFIGS. 1–6.

However, with respect to the orientation of the electrical connector220within the casing assembly280, the electrical connector220is inverted, compared to the casing assembly80, described above with respect toFIGS. 3–6. The casing assembly280provides for a five-sided oblong box having an open side289. A lid290is placed on the casing assembly280and encloses the open side289. While the casing assembly80depicted inFIGS. 3–6, provided for the lid90to be placed on the “top” for the invention depicted inFIG. 7the lid290may be viewed as being located at the “bottom.” (The use of the terms “top” and “bottom” is relative, in that such terms are used only to describe the orientation of the casing assembly as shown in the drawing figures provided herein. However, it is to be understood that when the casing assembly of the present invention is used in the field and installed in a host device, such as a lighting fixture, the casing assembly may be rotated so that the “top” becomes the “bottom,” or the “bottom” becomes the “top.” In further applications the “top” or “bottom” may become a “side.”)

As shown inFIG. 7, the printed circuit board100ais oriented adjacent the lid290when the casing assembly280and electrical connector220are is assembled together. Therefore, in comparison to the casing assembly80, described above with respect toFIGS. 3–6, the printed circuit board100aofFIG. 7is on the opposite side of the casing assembly280. In view of the inversion of the assembly280ofFIG. 7, in comparison to the casing assembly80ofFIGS. 3–6, a further embodiment of the present invention is provided by modifying the electrical connector220to accommodate the inverted orientation within the casing assembly280.

Thus, the contact271includes a trap portion252which abuts against the conductor237from an opposite side of the conductor237from that shown for the conductor137ofFIGS. 1–6. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the contact271extends linearly downward and includes a co-linear contact tail277. When the connector220is mounted to the PCB100a, the contact tail272extends through the PCB100a. The trap portion252of the contact is of a generally linear shape and is angled from the contact body271at an angle of between 15 and 45 degrees from the longitudinal access of the contact body271. The contact271may be loaded into the housing of the electrical connector220via any means well known in the art. The trap portion252operates similar to that described above forFIGS. 1–6, so that when the stripped conductor237is inserted within the first hole231, it abuts against the tip of the trap portion152and causes the trap portion152to move away from the conductor237and to bias back against the conductor237in order to clamp the conductor within the housing of the electrical connector220.

The electrical connector220also includes a first test hole237which is oriented adjacent the first hole231and is in communication with the contact body271. The plate240includes a second test hole247. When the plate240is in its first or unlocked position (not shown inFIG. 7) the first test hole237and second test hole247will be aligned so that a probe can be inserted through both holes237,247in order to engage the contact body271. The probe can provide for testing to determine that a proper electrical circuit has been established. As shown inFIG. 7, upon sliding of the plate240in direction of arrow A, the second test hole247is offset, moves out of alignment with the first test hole237and provides for a closed system in order to seal the contact271from the external environment.

In an embodiment, the electrical connector220is formed so that the first hole231and second hole242are separated a predetermined distance from the bottom223of the electrical connector220. When the connector220is mounted to the casing assembly280, there is sufficient room between the wire233extending from the first hole231and the flange295extending from the lid290, so that a fastener extending through the flange295may be adjusted in order to attach the casing assembly280to a fixture. As shown, a distance d1is provided between the insulator of the wire233and the flange295, which provides for adequate access by a tool in order to access a fastener mounted on the flange295. In an embodiment, the distance d1is approximately 0.40 inches. Thus, it can be understood, that even when the plate240is slid to its closed position, as shown inFIG. 7, and the wire230is crimped downward towards the lid290, there is still be a gap d1provided. In an embodiment, the total height h of the casing assembly280may be approximately 1.16 inches.

Turning toFIG. 8a further alternate embodiment of the present invention is provided. An electrical connector320is shown that is similar to the electrical connector220described above with respect toFIG. 7, except that it is inverted from the orientation shown inFIG. 7. The electrical connector320ofFIG. 8includes a front face321, a rear face322and a bottom323. A first hole331is provided protruding through the front face321and receives a stripped conductor337therein. A plate340is slidably mounted onto the front face321and includes a second hole342for receiving a wire333therein. As shown inFIG. 8, the plate340is in its closed or second position having been slid in the direction of arrow A in order to crimp the wire333within the first and second holes331,342.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the second holes242,342, respectively, are angled with respect to the longitudinal access of the conductor237,337. The angled second hole242,342allows for the insulator of the wire233,333to be distorted. However, in an alternate embodiment, the second hole242,342may be collinear with the first hole231,331and the longitudinal access of the conductor237,337, respectively.

FIG. 8depicts a casing assembly380having an inverted orientation from the assembly280shown inFIG. 7. The lid390ofFIG. 8is shown at the “bottom,” similar to that shown inFIG. 7; however, the printed circuit board100bis on the opposite side, away from the open side389of the casing assembly380. In view of such an orientation, when the plate340is slid to its closed or second position, as shown inFIG. 8, the end396will abut against the lid390, adjacent the flange395.

Similar to the distance d1discussed above, a spacing distance d2must be maintained between the lid390and the wire333, so that a fastener provided on the flange395may be accessed and adjusted. However, as may be understood, due to the inverted orientation of the electrical connector320ofFIG. 8(with respect toFIG. 7), the distance d2is measured differently. Distance d2is generally the distance between the first hole and second hole337,342, respectively, and the extended portion327and end396of the plate340(whereas, inFIG. 7the distance d1was with respect to the first and second holes231,242and the bottom223of the electrical connector220). However, it is preferable that distance d2also is equal to approximately 0.40 inches. In an embodiment, in order to allow for uniform tooling and machinery to be employed to manufacture a hermaphroditic housing for either the electrical connector220ofFIG. 7or the electrical connector320ofFIG. 8, the location of the first hole331,231should be centered along the housing of the electrical connector220,320, so that the dimension d1equals dimension d2, as shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8.

The connector housing320includes a first test hole337which is in communication with the electrical connector body371. The plate340also includes a second test hole347which may be aligned with the first test hole in order to allow a probe to be inserted therein in order to test the contact371. As shown inFIG. 8, the second test hole347is offset with respect to the first test hole337when the plate340is moved to its locked or closed position.

As shown inFIG. 8, the test hole337lies adjacent the contact body371away from the trap portion352. It may be understood that the contact body371may be held securely within the housing, as that portion of the contact does not need to flex. By providing for the orientation of the contact hole337adjacent the contact body371, the insertion of a probe is less likely to damage or permanently deform the contact and prevents a probe from engaging the trap portion352of the contact, which may permanently deform the trap portion so that it does not properly flex or bias against a conductor337to be inserted within the electrical connector320.

The contact371of the electrical connector320operates in a similar fashion as discussed above with respect to the contact271ofFIG. 7. The contact371includes a trap portion352which clamps against the stripped conductor337when inserted into the connector housing320. The contact371includes a mounting tail377which is inserted through the PCB100bwhen the electrical connector320is mounted thereto.

Therefore, it may be understood that an electrical connector is provided by the present invention which provides for the quick and easy termination of a wire through an opening of a casing assembly and the electrical connector provides for strain relief on the wire via a slidable plate. Such functionality may be provided by the electrical connector for many types of casing assemblies, such as those having a PCB mounted at an open side or PCB adjacent a lid. As well, it may be understood that multiple types of contacts may be provided with the electrical connector, in order to provide a clamping function to help retain the conductor within the electrical connector housing and provide an electrical connection thereto. The present invention allows for the assembly of a casing assembly to be completed without having to attach wires thereto until the final assembly steps in the field. The present invention also enables the wires to be inserted quickly, but after closing of the plate or actuator the wires may be held strongly therein and are bent in a way to prevent the wires from screwing out or e.g. being rotated so that they thread.

While particular embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the present application in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present applications. The matters set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the present application is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.