Connector

A connector is mateable with a mating connector along a predetermined direction. The connector comprises a holding member, a plurality of contacts and a plurality of contact prevention members. The holding member includes a holding portion. The plurality of contacts include held portions and main portions, respectively. The held portions are held by the holding portion. The main portions extend from the held portions, respectively, in the predetermined direction. The main portions project over the holding portion in the predetermined direction. Each of the main portions has a tubular shape. Each of the contact prevention members is made of insulator. The contact prevention members occupy insides of the main portions, respectively. The contact prevention members project over the main portions, respectively, in the predetermined direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a connector with a structure which prevents a finger of a user from being in contact with a tip of a contact.

As shown inFIG. 29(a), a connector100of JP 3,575,295B comprises a contact101, a holding member102holding the contact101, and a contact prevention member103attached to the contact101. The contact101has a held portion104and a main portion105. The held portion104is held by the holding member102. The main portion105roughly has a tubular shape and extends from the held portion104in a predetermined direction (PD). As shown inFIG. 29(b), the main portion105is formed with holes106, each of which pierces the main portion105in a radius direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The contact prevention member103has a head portion107, a shaft portion108and resilient portions109. The head portion107is larger than an inner shape of the main portion105. The shaft portion108has a shape corresponding to the inner shape of the main portion105. Each of the resilient portions109extends from the shaft portion108. An end of each resilient portion109is formed with an engagement portion110which projects outwards beyond the shaft portion108in the radius direction. When the contact prevention member103is inserted into the contact101, the engagement portions110of the contact prevention member103are engaged with the holes106of the main portion105. Thus, the contact prevention member103is attached to the contact101. The head portion107of the contact prevention member103projects over the tip of the contact101and prevents a finger111of a user from being in contact with the tip of the contact101.

The contact sometimes receives a force obliquely to the predetermined direction when the connector is mated with a mating connector. The connector of JP 3,575,295B has a problem that the contact might buckle when the contact receives the oblique force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector with a structure which prevents a finger of a user from being in contact with a tip of a contact and according to which the contact buckles hardly even if the contact receives oblique force.

One aspect of the present invention provides a connector which is mateable with a mating connector along a predetermined direction (PD). The connector comprises a holding member, a plurality of contacts and a plurality of contact prevention members. The holding member includes a holding portion. The plurality of contacts include held portions and main portions, respectively. The held portions are held by the holding portion. The main portions extend from the held portions, respectively, in the predetermined direction. The main portions project over the holding portion in the predetermined direction. Each of the main portions has a tubular shape. Each of the contact prevention members is made of insulator. The contact prevention members occupy insides of the main portions, respectively. The contact prevention members project over the main portions, respectively, in the predetermined direction.

The contact prevention member occupies the inside of the main portion and projects over the main portion. Since the contact prevention member projects over the main portion, a finger of a user can be prevented from being in contact with the tip of the contact. Since the main portion is reinforced from inside thereof by the contact prevention member, the contact buckles hardly.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a connector10according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mateable with a mating connector (not shown) along a predetermined direction (front-rear direction, PD). The connector10has a mating end12and a receiving portion14. The mating end12is mateable with the mating connector. The receiving portion14receives a part of the mating connector. The mating end12is positioned at a front end of the connector10. The receiving portion14is positioned rearward of the mating end12. Specifically, the receiving portion14is recessed rearward from the mating end12.

The illustrated connector10comprises a holding member20, a plurality of contacts30, a plurality of contact prevention members50and a shell60. The holding member20is made of insulator. Each of the contacts30is made of conductor. Each of the contact prevention members50is made of insulator. The shell60is made of metal.

As shown inFIG. 2, the holding member20includes a holding portion22which consists of two blocks, a front block24and a rear block26. The holding portion22may consist of one block.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, each of the contacts30includes a held portion32and a main portion36. The held portion32is held by the holding portion22. The main portion36projects over the held portion32in the predetermined direction. In detail, the main portion36of the present embodiment extends frontward so as to project over the holding portion22in the predetermined direction. As shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, the held portion32is formed with a stopper portion34projecting in a radial direction. In the present embodiment, the stopper portion34is caught by the front block24and the rear block26as shown inFIG. 2, so that the held portion32is held by the holding portion22. Furthermore, the stopper portion34is provided with a plane portion34′, so that the contact30can be prevented from being rotated. The main portion36has a tubular shape. Especially, the main portion36of the present embodiment has a cross-sectional shape uniform in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

The main portion36of the contact30is a part which is connected to a mating contact (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown). On the other hand, a rear part (including the held portion32) of the contact30is a connection portion which is connected to a signal line. Although the main portion36of the present embodiment has a cylindrical tubular shape, the present invention is not limited thereto. Depending upon a shape or the like of the mating contact (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown), the main portion36may have a square tubular shape. In addition, as understood fromFIG. 4, each of the contacts30of the present embodiment has a hollow structure in which a hole pierces it from its front end30F to its rear end30R. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the contacts30may have a partition wall which separates the main portion36from the connection portion (the rear part of the contact30).

Unlike the connector of JP 3,575,295B, each of the main portions36of the present embodiment is formed with no hole which connects between an inside and an outside of the main portion36, as understood fromFIGS. 3 and 4. Accordingly, when the signal line is connected to the contact30by soldering, molten solder flowing through an inside of the connection portion cannot flow out to an outer surface of the main portion36as a contact portion which connects the mating contact (not shown). Although each of the contacts30of the present embodiment is formed with no hole which connects between the outside and the inside thereof, each of the connection portions of the contacts30may be formed with the hole if each of the main portions36of the contacts30is formed with no hole.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, each of the contact prevention members50of the present embodiment has a head portion52and a shaft portion54. The shaft portion54extends along the predetermined direction (front-rear direction). Except a portion which is crimped to be deformed as described later, the shaft portion54has a bar-like shape having a size uniform in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The head portion52is formed at a front end of the shaft portion54. The head portion52has a shape (large shape portion) larger than the shaft portion54in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. In detail, as understood fromFIGS. 3 and 4, a maximum size of the head portion52is almost same as an outer peripheral size of the main portion36. Specifically, the head portions (large shape portions)52project outwards beyond shapes which are defined by inner walls of the main portions36in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction, respectively. The shaft portions54are accommodated in the contacts30, respectively. The head portions52project frontward from the front ends30F of the main portions36, respectively.

As best illustrated inFIG. 3, each of parts of the contacts30is crimped to be formed with crimped portions40, so that the contact prevention members50of the present embodiment are attached to the contacts30, respectively. In detail, as understood fromFIGS. 5 and 6, the shaft portions54are inserted from the front ends30F of the contacts30into the main portions36, respectively, and regions42are then crimped to be deformed, so that the crimped portions40are formed (seeFIG. 3). By the formation of the crimped portions40, parts of the shaft portions54are deformed so as to occupy inside of the crimped portions40, respectively. Accordingly, the contact prevention members50are held by the contacts30, respectively.

As understood fromFIGS. 5 and 6, each of the contact prevention members50of the present embodiment is provided with the large shape portion (head portion52), which is larger than the shaft portion54, only at one end of the shaft portion54. Accordingly, when the shaft portions54are inserted into the main portions36, respectively, unnecessary loads are not applied to the contact prevention members50and the contacts30, respectively, so that unintended deformations of the contact prevention members50and the contacts30can be prevented.

In addition, as understood fromFIGS. 2 and 4, the shaft portions54of the contact prevention members50occupy insides of the main portions36, respectively. In other words, insides of the main portions36of the contacts30are reinforced by the shaft portions54, respectively. Thus, the contacts30of the present embodiment buckle hardly.

As understood fromFIGS. 2 and 3, each of the crimped portions40of the present embodiment is formed on the held portions32. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 1, the crimped portions40are not exposed in the receiving portion14. Since each of the main portions36has a uniform shape as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the contacts30of the present embodiment buckle hardly. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the crimped portions40may be formed so as to extend over from the held portion32to the main portion36. In other words, each crimped portion40may be formed to bridge the held portion32and the main portion36.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the shell60partly covers the holding member20. The shell60has a surrounding portion62which surrounds the main portions36of the plurality of contacts30altogether in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The surrounding portion62of the present embodiment defines the receiving portion14while an end of the surrounding portion62forms the mating end12. Although the surrounding portion62is formed as a part of the shell60in the present embodiment, the surrounding portion62may be formed as a part of the holding member20. The surrounding portion62may be provided on both the holding member20and the shell60.

For example, with reference toFIGS. 20 and 21, a variation of the connector10C comprises, instead of the shell60of the above-described embodiment, a surrounding portion62C made of insulator. Specifically, the connector10C comprises the plurality of contacts30, the holding member20, the surrounding portion62C made of insulator. Each of the contacts30has a structure same as the contact30of the above-described embodiment and is held by the holding member20as described above. The surrounding portion62C surrounds the main portions36of the plurality of contacts30altogether in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. As understood fromFIGS. 1 and 20, similar to the surrounding portion62of the above-described embodiment, the surrounding portion62C of the present embodiment defines a receiving portion14C and an end of the surrounding portion62C forms a mating end12C. Specifically, similar to the receiving portion14of the above-described embodiment, the main portions36of the contacts30are positioned in the receiving portion14C which is defined by the surrounding portion62C of this variation. In addition, the surrounding portion62C may be formed integrally with the holding member20.

With reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, a connector10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention is a variation example of the connector10of the above-described first embodiment. InFIGS. 7 and 8, components which are same as those of the connector10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2are referred by using reference signs same as those of the connector10. As understood fromFIGS. 7 and 8, the holding member20and the shell60of the present embodiment are same as the holding member20and the shell60of the first embodiment. Accordingly, detailed explanation about those components is not made. With reference toFIGS. 5 and 11, each of contacts30A which is not yet crimped has a structure same as the contact30of the first embodiment which is not yet crimped. Accordingly, with reference toFIGS. 9 to 12, a structure of a contact prevention member50A and an attachment method of the contact prevention member50A to the contact30A are mainly described below.

As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, each of the contact prevention members50A of the present embodiment has a shaft portion54A and a large shape portion56A. The shaft portion54A extends along the predetermined direction (front-rear direction). The shaft portion54A has a length longer than the shaft portion54of the above-described first embodiment in the predetermined direction. The shaft portion54A has a bar-like shape having a size uniform in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Parts of the shaft portions54A of the present embodiment project from the front ends30F of the contacts30A, respectively. The remaining parts of the shaft portions54A of the present embodiment are accommodated in the contacts30A, respectively. The large shape portion56A is provided on a rear end of the shaft portion54A. The large shape portion56A has a shape larger than the shaft portion54A in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The large shape portions56A are accommodated in the contacts30A, respectively.

As best illustrated inFIG. 9, each of parts of the contacts30A is crimped to be formed with a crimped portion40A, so that contact prevention members50A of the present embodiment are attached to the contacts30A, respectively. In detail, as understood fromFIGS. 11 and 12, the shaft portions54A are inserted from the rear ends30R of the contacts30A into the main portions36, respectively, and regions42A are then crimped to be deformed, so that the crimped portions40A are formed (seeFIG. 9). By the formation of the crimped portions40A, parts of the large shape portion56A are deformed to occupy insides of the crimped portions40A, respectively, so that the contact prevention members50A are held by the contacts30A, respectively. In addition, as shown inFIG. 3of the first embodiment, each of the crimped portions40A may be formed at a part which is positioned frontward of the stopper portion34.

As understood fromFIGS. 11 and 12, each of the contact prevention members50A of the present embodiment is provided with the large shape portion56A, which is larger than the shaft portion54A, only at one end of the shaft portion54A. Accordingly, when the shaft portions54A are inserted into the contacts30A, respectively, unnecessary loads are not applied to the contact prevention members50A and the contacts30A, respectively, so that unintended deformations of the contact prevention members50A and the contacts30A can be prevented.

In addition, as understood fromFIGS. 8 and 10, the shaft portions54A of the contact prevention members50A occupy insides of the main portions36of the contacts30A, respectively. In other words, insides of the main portions36of the contacts30A are reinforced by the shaft portions54A, respectively. Thus, the contacts30A of the present embodiment buckle hardly.

As understood fromFIGS. 8 and 9, each of the crimped portions40A of the present embodiment is formed on the held portion32A. Each of the main portions36of the present embodiment has a uniform shape. Accordingly, the contacts30A of the present embodiment buckle hardly.

In the above-described first and second embodiment, the contacts30,30A are formed by cutting and the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in a third embodiment, each of contacts may be formed cylindrically by rolling a blank which is obtained by pressing a metal plate. The third embodiment is described below.

With reference toFIGS. 13 and 14, a connector10B according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a variation example of the connector10of the above-described first embodiment. InFIGS. 13 and 14, the portions which are same as those of the connector10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2are referred by using reference signs same as those of the connector10. As understood fromFIGS. 13 and 14, the holding member20and the shell60of the present embodiment are same as the holding member20and the shell60of the first embodiment. Accordingly, detailed explanation about those portions is not made.

Although, as understood fromFIGS. 14 to 16, a main function of contacts30B is same as the above-described contacts30,30A, a manufacturing method of the contacts30B is different from those of the contacts30,30A. Because of the difference of the manufacturing methods, a structural detail of each of the contacts30B is different from those of the contacts30,30A.

As understood fromFIGS. 15 to 19, the contacts30B of the present embodiment are formed by winding intermediate members70, which are obtained by pressing metal plates, around contact prevention members50B, respectively. The intermediate members70are wound around the contact prevention members50B, respectively, so that the contact prevention members50B are held by the contacts30B, respectively.

With reference toFIGS. 16 to 18, each of the contact prevention members50B of the present embodiment has a structure which has both features of the contact prevention member50B and the contact prevention member50A as described above. Each of the contact prevention members50B has a head portion (large shape portion)52B, a shaft portion54B and a large shape portion56B. The head portion52B corresponds to the head portion52of the contact prevention member50B of the first embodiment. The head portion52B is positioned frontward of the shaft portion54B. The large shape portion56B corresponds to the large shape portion56A of the contact prevention member50A of the second embodiment. The large shape portion56B is positioned rearward of the shaft portion54B. Specifically, in the predetermined direction, each of the contact prevention members50B of the present embodiment has the large shape portion52B on one end of the shaft portion54B and the large shape portion56B on the other end thereof. The large shape portions52B and56B have shapes each of which is larger than a shape of the shaft portion54B in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

As shown inFIG. 17, each of the intermediate members70is formed with a portion34B′ which becomes a stopper portion34B. The illustrated intermediate member70is under a state where the intermediate member70is connected to a carrier72. As shown inFIG. 18, the contact prevention members50B are mounted on the intermediate members70so that the head portions52B project from front ends30F′ of the intermediate members70, respectively, and that the large shape portions56B extend rearward from the portions34B′, respectively. Specifically, the contact prevention members50B are mounted on the intermediate members70so that the shaft portions54B are positioned between the front ends30F′ and the portions34B′, respectively. Next, as shown inFIG. 19, the intermediate members70are wound around the contact prevention members50B, respectively. Thus, the contact prevention members50B are held by the contacts30B, respectively. After that, the carriers72are separated from the contacts30B, respectively, so that the contact30B and the contact prevention member50B as shown inFIG. 15are obtained.

By the above-described manufacturing method, each of the contacts30B has a joint30C. As shown inFIG. 16, the shaft portions54B of the contact prevention members50B occupy insides of the main portions36B, respectively, and each of the contacts30B is formed with no hole which connects between an inside and an outside thereof. Accordingly, similar to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, molten solder cannot flow out to an outer surface of the contact30B when the signal line is connected to the contact30B by soldering. In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the connection portions of the contacts30B may be formed with the hole if each of the main portions36B of the contacts30B is not formed with the hole.

With reference toFIG. 16, a space exists between the stopper portion34B and the large shape portion56B of the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 14, the stopper portion34B is a part of the held portion32B which is held by the holding portion22. Thus, the contacts30B buckle hardly even if the spaces exist. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the contact prevention members50B may be modified so that each of the spaces does not exist between the stopper portion34B and the contact prevention member50B.

By the above-described manufacturing method, the large shape portions52B and56B having shapes each of which is larger than an inner shape of the main portion36B can be provided at opposite ends of the tubular main portion36B, respectively. Accordingly, the contact prevention member50B are prevented from coming off from the contacts30B, respectively.

In the present embodiment, each of the contact prevention members50B having a size slightly larger than a normal size may be pressed to be compressed and deformed when the intermediate member70is wound therearound. In that case, the contacts30B are engaged with the surface of the contact prevention members50B by winding the intermediate members70, respectively, so that the contact prevention members50B are held by the contacts30B, respectively. Accordingly, at least one of the head portion52B and the large shape portion56B can be omitted. In addition, similar to the first and second embodiment, at least one of the crimped portions40,40A may be formed on the contact30B.

With reference toFIGS. 22 and 23, the connector10D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is a variation example of the connector10of the above-described first embodiment. InFIGS. 22 and 23, components which are same as those of the connector10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2are referred by using reference signs same as those of the connector10. As understood fromFIGS. 22 and 23, the holding member20and the shell60of the present embodiment are same as the holding member20and the shell60of the first embodiment. Accordingly, detailed explanation about those components is not made.

As understood fromFIGS. 24 and 25, each of the contacts30D of the present embodiment is obtained by pressing a metal plate followed by bending it. Each of the contacts30D of the present embodiment has a joint30C similar to the contact30B (seeFIG. 15) of the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the contacts30D may be formed by cutting and the like.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 24 and 25, each of the contacts30D has a held portion32D and a main portion36D. The held portion32D is held by the holding portion22. The main portion36D extends from the held portion32D in the predetermined direction. In detail, the main portion36D of the present embodiment extends frontward so as to project over the holding portion22in the predetermined direction. As shown inFIGS. 23 to 25, the held portion32D is formed with a stopper portion34D projecting in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 23, the stopper portion34D is caught by the front block24and the rear block26as shown inFIG. 23, so that the held portion32D is held by the holding portion22. The main portion36D has a tubular shape. Except a portion which is crimped to be deformed as described later, the main portion36D of the present embodiment has a cross-sectional shape uniform in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. As best illustrated inFIG. 25, each of the contacts30D is formed with a partition portion44D which separates solder from the contact prevention member50D so that the solder is prevented from being adhered to the contact prevention member50D when the signal line is connected to the contact30D by soldering. Each of the contact prevention members50D is described later. In the present embodiment, the partition portion44D is positioned rearward of the stopper portion34D.

As shown inFIGS. 25 and 26, each of the contact prevention members50D of the present embodiment has a head portion (large shape portion)52D, an inner fit portion56D and a shaft portion54D. The shaft portion54D extends along the predetermined direction (front-rear direction). Except a portion which is crimped to be deformed as described later, the shaft portion54D has a bar-like shape having a size uniform in the plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Especially, in the plane (perpendicular plane) perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the shaft portion54D of the present embodiment has a size smaller than a shape which is defined by an inner wall38D of the main portion36D of the contact30D. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 26, a slight space exists between the inner wall38D of the main portion36D and the shaft portion54D, and the shaft portion54D is not closely fit on the inner wall38D. The inner fit portion56D is provided on a front end of the shaft portion54D. The inner fit portion56D has a size larger than the shaft portion54D in the perpendicular plane. In other words, the shaft portion54D has a size smaller than the inner fit portion56D in the perpendicular plane. Specifically, the inner fit portion56D is closely fit on the whole inner wall38D of the main portion36D in the perpendicular plane. The head portion52D is provided on a front end of the inner fit portion56D. Specifically, the inner fit portion56D is positioned between the head portion52D and the shaft portion54D in the predetermined direction. The head portion52D of the present embodiment is in contact with the main portion36D without any gaps in the predetermined direction. In other words, the head portion52D is in contact with a whole circumference of an end of the main portion36D. Furthermore, the head portion52D has a size larger than the inner fit portion56D in the perpendicular plane. Specifically, the head portion52D has a size larger than the shaft portion54D in the perpendicular plane. In detail, as understood fromFIGS. 25 and 26, the head portion (large shape portion)52D projects outwards beyond a shape which is defined by the inner wall38D of the main portion36D in the perpendicular plane. The inner fit portion56D and the shaft portion54D are accommodated in the contact30D. The head portion52D projects frontward from the front end30F of the main portion36D.

In the present embodiment, the shaft portion54D has the bar-like shape having a cross-sectional shape uniform in the perpendicular plane. Accordingly, an end of each of the contact prevention members50D of the present embodiment opposite to the head portion52D thereof has a size smaller than a shape which is defined by the inner wall38D of the main portion36D in the perpendicular plane. Specifically, each of the contact prevention members50D of the present embodiment is formed with a large shape portion (head portion52D) only at one end in the predetermine direction, wherein the large shape portion (head portion52D) projects outwards beyond a shape which is defined by the inner wall38D of the main portion36D in the perpendicular plane.

As shown inFIGS. 27 and 28, each of the contact prevention members50D of the present embodiment is formed by thermally welding a rod material54D1made of resin by use of a jig80. The illustrated contact30D is connected to the carrier72. The carrier72holds the contact30D upon formation of the contact prevention member50D.

In detail, with reference toFIG. 27, after a continuously-formed, long rod material54D1is inserted into the main portion36D of the contact30D, the rod material54D1is cut so as to have a predetermined length. Alternatively, the rod material54D1may be first cut to have the predetermined length, and then may be inserted into the main portion36D of the contact30D. Thereafter, a part of the contact30D is crimped to form a crimped portion40D, so that the rod material54D1is fixed so as not to be moved in the predetermined direction. In this state, as shown inFIG. 28, an end of the rod material54D1projects frontward from the front end30F of the contact30D, and the head portion52D is then formed by using the jig80. The jig80is formed with a recess82which has a shape corresponding to a shape of the head portion52D. After the jig80is heated over a melting point of the rod material54D1, the heated jig80is pressed against the end of the rod material54D1. Accordingly, the head portion52D is formed while an excess resin is pushed into the main portion36D so that the inner fit portion56D is formed. In other words, the contact prevention member50D is formed by the above-described process. After that, the carrier72is separated from the contact30D.

In the above-described heating process with using the jig80, the head portion52D is closely fit on the front end30F of the contact30D in the predetermined direction while the inner fit portion56D is closely fit on the inner wall38D of the main portion36D. Accordingly, looseness of the contact prevention member50D (especially, the head portions52D and the vicinities thereof) against the contact30D can be suppressed.

In the above-described manufacturing method, the rod material54D1is inserted into the contact30D and then a part of the contact30D is crimped so that a position of the rod material54D1with respect to the contact30D is fixed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the contact30D may be provided with a projection on its inside, and then the rod material54D1may be press-fitted into the contact30D so that a position of the rod material54D1with respect to the contact30D is fixed.

Instead of the rod material54D1having a simple shape, for example, a premolded insulator, such as the contact prevention member50A as shown inFIG. 11, can be used. In that case, after the insulator is inserted into the contact30A as shown inFIG. 12, the crimped portion40A (seeFIG. 9) is formed, and the jig80is then pressed against the insulator as shown inFIG. 28, so that the head portion52D (large shape portion) is formed. In the above-described process, instead of forming the crimped portion40A and pressing the jig80against the insulator, the jig80may be pressed against the insulator as shown inFIG. 28in a state where movement of the insulator is restricted by pressing a rear part of the large shape portion56A (seeFIG. 11). In this case, similar to the third embodiment, the large shape portions are formed at opposite ends of the contact prevention member, respectively. Nonetheless, the contact prevention member50D has the large shape portion only at one end thereof. The contact prevention member50D can be formed by using a resin rod having a simple shape and can be formed by the above-described manufacturing method suitable for automatization. Accordingly, the contact30D including the contact prevention member50D having the large shape portion only at one end thereof is advantageous in cost.

The above-described connectors10,10A,10B and10D are especially useful for a medical equipment which requires that a finger of a user is prevented from being brought into contact with tips of the contacts30,30A,30B and30D whose diameters are small.

The present application is based on Japanese patent applications of JP2013-245042 and JP2014-133000 filed before the Japan Patent Office on Nov. 27, 2013 and Jun. 27, 2014, respectively, the contents of which are incorporated herein by references.