Abstract:
Electrical wiring connector assemblies, devices, systems, apparatus, and methods for establishing circuit connections between insulated wire conductors without removing the insulation from the conductors, such as attaching a power conductor cable to multiple lights such as those used with pathway and landscape lights, and the like. The connector can include two legs hinged together with placement and penetrating members on the insides of the legs which when pushed together by squeezing the legs can penetrate the insulated layer of the insulated wire conductor to establish an electrical connection. Pivotable wire lead ports allow for wire leads to other lights to be hooked to the insulated wire conductor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/990,781 filed May 9, 2014, and this application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/291,308 filed May 30, 2014. The entire disclosure of each of the applications listed in this paragraph are incorporated herein by specific reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to electrical wiring connectors, and in particular to connector assemblies, devices, apparatus, systems and methods for establishing circuit connections between insulated wire conductors without removing the insulation from the conductors, such as attaching a power conductor cable to multiple lights such as those used with pathway and landscape lights, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Attaching electrical powered products, such as a series of lights to a main insulated wire conductor often required the installer having to remove part of the insulation layer to expose the underlying wire conductor so that additional connections to other lights can be made. Having to strip off the insulation is both time consuming and also requires the installer reseal the connection which is often done by electrical tape and the like. The use of temporary covers such as electrical tape is not desirable in outside applications, since the tape can easily degrade and fall off over time exposes the bare wire conductor. 
         [0004]    Attempts have been made of the year to pierce the insulation layer with prong type components. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,171 to Czerlanis. However, this connector arrangement requires to separate prong pieces that must be separately manipulated and pushed together. If the parts are not precisely and exactly manipulated together the prongs may not couple with one another. Furthermore, having two separate prong pieces raises the likelihood of losing a prong piece if an installer needs to make multiple connections off a main insulated wire conductor. 
         [0005]    Additionally the prong pieces have exposed sharp portions for use in penetrating the insulator, which can potentially stick into and injure the installer trying to push the prongs with sharp points together. 
         [0006]    Along a low-voltage 12V DC(direct current) or AC (alternating current) power supply cable of a landscape lighting system, it is possible to draw electrical power from the cable at any desired position for supplying power to an electrical device and in particular a lighting fixture in a garden or front/back yard where lighting is desired. A specific type of electrical connector is used for this purpose, which is mounted on the cable at that position and is then screwed tight to pierce a pair of sharp pins into the cable cores for extracting power. 
         [0007]    Connectors of this type are known in general. See for example, U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,448 to Poon, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,690 to Nehm-Engelberts. But these connectors are not convenient to use. For example, the cable leading to the electrical device is cumbersome to connect or disconnect. Such connectors are often material and/or labor intensive to manufacture. 
         [0008]    Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A primary objective of the present invention is to provide electrical wire connector assemblies, devices, apparatus, systems and methods for establishing circuit connections between insulated wire conductors without removing the insulation from the conductors, such as attaching a power conductor cable to multiple conductor lines to lights such as those used with pathway and landscape lights, and the like. 
         [0010]    A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide electrical wire connector assemblies, devices, apparatus, systems and methods for establishing circuit connections between insulated wire conductors with a one piece hinged unit allowing penetrating members to push together penetrating insulation layers of the conductors. 
         [0011]    A third objective of the present invention is to provide electrical wire connector assemblies, devices, apparatus, systems and methods for establishing circuit connections between insulated wire conductors which protects the installer from being stuck and injured. 
         [0012]    A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a one piece electrical wire connector assemblies, devices, apparatus, systems and methods for establishing circuit connections between insulated wire conductors without removing the insulation from the conductors, which can be operated to penetrate the insulation layers with one hand. 
         [0013]    According to the invention, there is provided an electrical cable connector for electrically connecting a second electrical cable to a first electrical cable having two cores with insulation. The electrical cable connector has a body having a first body member and a second body member which are connected together and are movable from an open position in which the first and the second body members are relatively spaced apart to a closed position in which the first and second body members are relatively close together. Included are a first conductor supported by the first body member and a second conductors supported by the second body member. The first and second conductors have respective ends protruding from the corresponding first and second body members, the ends points in opposite directions along an imaginary plane when the first and second body members are in the close position. 
         [0014]    Further included is a gap associated with at least one of the first and second body members through which gap the imaginary plane extends, for receiving and locating a section of the cores of a said first electrical cable on the same imaginary plane when the first and second body members are moved to the closed position with the ends of the first and second conductors simultaneously cutting through insulation and coming into electrical connection in opposite directions with the two cores respectively. 
         [0015]    There is also a connecting means associated with the first and second body members and adapted to electrically connect each of the first and second conductors to the respective core of a second electrical cable. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the first and second body members are connected together for pivotal movement and are pivotable from the open position to the closed position. 
         [0017]    More preferably, the first and second body members are distinct parts and are connected together by a hinge connection. 
         [0018]    More preferably, the first and second body members are integral parts and integrally connected together by a resiliently deformable intermediate part. 
         [0019]    It is preferable that the body can have a looped configuration when the first and second body members are in the closed position. 
         [0020]    It is preferred that the body includes a locking device for locking the first and second body members in the closed position against a resiliently biasing force which resiliently biases the first and second body members towards the open position. 
         [0021]    It is preferred that the locking device comprises a releasable latch for latching to lock the first and second body members in the closed position, the latch including a releasing part for deformation to release the latch. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the gap is formed between two opposed gap parts provided by at least one of the first and second body members. 
         [0023]    More preferably, the gap parts are provided by both the first and second body members, one gap part from each body member. 
         [0024]    More preferably, the gap parts are both provided by the second body member. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, the at last one of the gap parts has an inner surface which is resiliently movable to adjust the width of the gap. 
         [0026]    More preferably, the inner surface of the at least one of the gap parts is provided by a resiliently flexible plate. 
         [0027]    It is further preferred that the resiliently flexible plate implements the at least one of the gap parts. 
         [0028]    It is further preferred that the at least one of the gap parts is includes a wall on the associated body member and supporting the resiliently flexible plate, the wall and the resiliently flexible plate together implementing the at least one of the gap parts. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the connecting means comprises respective second ends of the first and second conductors protruding from the corresponding first and second body members and pointing in opposite directions along a second imaginary plane when the first and second body members are in the closed position, and a second gap equivalent to the first-mentioned gap, through which second gap to the second imaginary plane extends, for receiving and locating a section of two cores with insulation of the said second electrical cable on the same second imaginary plane when the first and second body members are moved to the closed position with the second ends of the first and second conductors simultaneously cutting through insulation and coming into electrical connection in opposite directions with the two cores respectively of said second electrical cable. 
         [0030]    In another preferred embodiment, the connecting means can comprised respective second ends of the first and second conductors at the corresponding first and second body members, and a connecting device for connecting the respective core of the second electrical cable to the second of the at least one of the first and second conductors. 
         [0031]    More preferably, the connecting device can comprise a movable member on one of the first and second body members and adjacent the second end of the associated first or second conductor, the moveable member having an engaging part adapted to engage the respective core of the second electrical cable and, upon movement of the movable member, to connect it to the second end of the associated first or second conductor. 
         [0032]    Further more preferably, the movable member is in pivotal engagement with the one of the first and second body members for pivotal movement to connect the respective core of the second electrical cable to the second end of the associated first or second conductor. 
         [0033]    Further more preferably, the engaging part has a hole or recess for receiving to engage the respective core of the second electrical cable. 
         [0034]    Further more preferably, the connecting device can comprise a pair of the moveable members on the first and second body members respectively for connecting the cores of respective said second electrical cables or respective cores of a second electrical cable to the second ends of the first and second conductors respectively. 
         [0035]    In a preferred construction, each end of at least one of the first and second conductors has a relatively sharp tip or edge for piercing through insulation and coming into electrical connection with the respective core. 
         [0036]    Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical cable connector in accordance with the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is an exploded front perspective view of the electrical cable connector of  FIG. 1 , showing two electrical conductors therein. 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is an assembled front perspective view of the electrical cable connector of  FIG. 2 , shown in a see-through view to reveal the two electrical conductors. 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the electrical cable connector of  FIG. 1 , shown in an open condition and with an electrical cable connection thereby. 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the electrical cable connector subsequent to  FIG. 4 , showing the electrical cable being connected. 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the electrical cable connector subsequent to  FIG. 5 , shown in a closed condition and with the electrical cable connected. 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the electrical cable connector of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the electrical cable connector of  FIG. 7 , with a second electrical cable for connection thereby. 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the electrical cable connector subsequent to  FIG. 8 , showing the second electrical cable being connected. 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the electrical cable connector subsequent to  FIG. 9 , showing the second electrical cable connected. 
           [0047]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are cross-sectional views of the electrical cable connector, showing connection of the second electrical cable in conditions corresponding to those of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively. 
           [0048]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are cross-sectional views of the electrical cable connector, showing connection of the second electrical cable in stages sequentially from  FIGS. 9-10 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrical cable connector in accordance with the invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 14  is a front view of the electrical cable connector of  FIG. 13 , shown in an open condition and with two electrical cables for connection thereby. 
           [0051]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the electrical cable connector subsequent to  FIG. 14 , shown in a closed condition and with the two electrical cables connected. 
           [0052]      FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical cable connector in accordance with the invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 17  is a front view of the electrical cable connector of  FIG. 16 , shown in an open condition and with two electrical cables for connection thereby. 
           [0054]      FIG. 18  is a front view of the electrical cable connector subsequent to  FIG. 17 , shown in a closed condition and with the two electrical cables connected. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0055]    Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
         [0056]    In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification does not include all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
         [0057]    In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
         [0058]    A list of components will now be described. 
         [0059]      10  Cable connector 
         [0060]      10 A second cable connector 
         [0061]      10 B third cable connector 
         [0062]      20  power cable 
         [0063]      21  insulating sheath 
         [0064]      22  conductive core 
         [0065]      30  fixture cable 
         [0066]      31  insulating sheath 
         [0067]      32  conductive core 
         [0068]      100  connector body 
         [0069]      100 A second connector body 
         [0070]      100 B third connector body 
         [0071]      110  oblong first body member 
         [0072]      110 A first body member 
         [0073]      110 B first body member 
         [0074]      112  transverse slit 
         [0075]      112 A slit 
         [0076]      114  rectangular recess 
         [0077]      120  oblong second body member 
         [0078]      120 A second body member 
         [0079]      120 B second body member 
         [0080]      121  step 
         [0081]      122 A slit 
         [0082]      124  rectangular recess 
         [0083]      130  band 
         [0084]      130 A integral band 
         [0085]      130 B hinge connection 
         [0086]      131  keyhole-shaped aperture 
         [0087]      140  lever 
         [0088]      141  step 
         [0089]      142  releasing tab 
         [0090]      210  first conductor 
         [0091]      210 A first conductor 
         [0092]      211  first end 
         [0093]      211 A first end 
         [0094]      212 A end 
         [0095]      222  second end 
         [0096]      213  plate 
         [0097]      220  second conductor 
         [0098]      220 A second conductor 
         [0099]      221  first end 
         [0100]      221 A first end 
         [0101]      222  second end 
         [0102]      222 A end 
         [0103]      223  plate 
         [0104]      300  gap 
         [0105]      300 A gap 
         [0106]      301 / 302  inner surfaces 
         [0107]      310 / 320  gap parts 
         [0108]      310 A/ 320 A gap parts 
         [0109]      311 / 321  wall 
         [0110]      311 A wall 
         [0111]      312 / 322  resiliently flexible plates 
         [0112]      312 A/ 322 A resiliently flexible plates 
         [0113]      400  connecting device 
         [0114]      401  recess or hole 
         [0115]      410  oblong movable member 
         [0116]      411  lower prong 
         [0117]      412  upper prong 
         [0118]      413  tab 
       FIRST EMBODIMENT 
       [0119]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-12B , an installer can use a one piece low voltage connector. The connector can have an upper first leg with a tab end and having a downwardly facing upper Main wire placement location (allows wire gauges 18-12) adjacent to a downwardly facing upper main brass connection pin for main wire. The end opposite the tab end can be attached by a hinge member to an end of a lower second leg having with an opposite end having a clip edge. The lower second leg can include an upper facing lower Main wire placement location (allows wire gauges 18-12), adjacent to a lower main brass connection pin for main wire. The outer surfaces of the legs can have grooves or raise edges to enhance gripping action 
         [0120]    The installer can place a main insulated wire conductor in the space between the facing main wire placement locations, and squeeze against the raised/grooved surfaces pressing the legs together and causing the facing pins to penetrate the insulated layer of the conductor. The legs can be locked together by the clip end of the lower leg catching against a clip portion on the tab end of the upper leg. 
         [0121]    The installer can push ends of additional lead wires from other powered products such as landscape/pathway lights into the open upper lead wire ports, and the open lower lead wire ports. Next the user can pivot the ports against the legs to close the ports establishing an electrical connection between the main wire conductor and the lead wires. 
         [0122]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-12B , an electrical connector  10  can be used with a landscape lighting system upon an electrical cable  20 , which is connected to a 12V DC (direct current) or AC (alternating current) power source, for drawing electrical power therefrom to operate a lighting fixture in a garden or the like, e.g. a garden light, via an individual electrical cable  30  connected to the garden light. The cable connector  10  can serve to electrically connect the fixture cable  30  to the power cable  20 . Each cable  20 / 30  typically can have a pair of conductive cores  22 / 32  protected by insulation, such as an insulation sheath  21 / 31 . 
         [0123]    The cable connector  10  can have a body  100 , molded from plastics material for example, and first and second conductors  210  and  220 , made of copper material for example, supported by the connector body  100  for establishing electrical connection between the power and fixture cables  20  and  30 . 
         [0124]    The cable connector body  100  can include an oblong first body member  110  and an oblong second body member  120  which are connected together and are movable, and preferably pivotable, from an open position in which the first and second body members  110  and  120  are relatively spaced apart ( FIG. 4 ) to a closed position in which the first and second body members  110  and  120  are relatively close together ( FIG. 6 ). The two body members  110  and  120  are integrally connected together, at respective near or connected ends, by a resiliently deformable intermediate part in the form of a relatively thin band  130  which permits flexing or pivotal movement, in opposite directions, of the body members  110  and  120  between the open and the closed positions. 
         [0125]    The band  130  is resiliently deformable and is shaped such that the two body members  110  and  120  are held by the band  130  (having a memory) to stay normally or at rest in the open position and are upon compression pivotable to the closed position against the resiliently biasing action of the band  130 . 
         [0126]    The first body member  110  ahs at its free end, as opposed to the connected end, an integral lever  140  which extends transversely to reach the free end of the second body member  120 . At the free end of the lever  140  and that of the second body member  120 , there are formed respective steps  141  and  121  which face in opposite directions for inter-engagement through a snap action, as permitted through slight flexing of the lever  140 , when the body members  110  and  120  are pivoted to reach the closed position. 
         [0127]    The lever  140  acts as a locking device designed to lock the first and second body members  110  and  120  in the closed position against the resiliently biasing force imparted by the band  130 , which resiliently biases the first and second body members  110  and  120  apart from one another towards the open position. This locking device takes the form of a releasable latch for latching, by way of inter-engagement between the associated steps  141  and  121  through a snap action, to lock the first and second body members  110  and  120  in the closed position. 
         [0128]    This results in a locked condition, with the two body members  110  and  120  in the closed position, in which the overall connector body  100  is completely closed as between the body members  110  and  120  by the lever  140  to form a looped configuration. The band  130  is restricted to form a keyhole-shaped aperture  131 . 
         [0129]    The latch is releasable and, for this purpose, includes a releasing tab  142  provided right at the free end of the lever  140  for pressing to deform or bend the lever  140  slightly outward so as to release the latch through disengagement of the lever&#39;s step  141  from the body member&#39;s step  121 . Whereupon the body members  110  and  120  are instantly sprung open, therefore back to the open position. Such quick release or unlocking is a convenient attribute of the latch. 
         [0130]    Referring to the first and second conductors  210  and  220 , they are supported by the first and second body members  110  and  120  respectively. In each case, the conductor  210 / 220  has a generally flat profile, having a plate  213 / 223  with two first and second ends  211 / 221  and  212 / 222  projecting outwardly in mutually perpendicular directions. Each end  211 / 221 / 212 / 222  can have a relatively sharp tip (or edge) for piercing through insulation  21 / 31  and coming into electrical connection with the respective core  22 / 32 , as hereinafter described. 
         [0131]    The first conductor  210  can be inserted with its plate  213  in a transverse slit  112  in the first body member  110 , with its first end  211  protruding and pointing generally at the second body member  120  and its second end  212  pointing to the front side of the connector body  100 . Similarly, the second conductor  220  is inserted with its plate  223  in a transverse slit  122  in the second body member  120 , with its first end  221  protruding and pointing generally at the first body member  110  and its second end  222  pointing also to the front side of the connector body  100 . 
         [0132]    More specifically, with the first and second body members  110  and  1220  in the closed position, the two first ends  211  and  221  of the conductors  210  and  220  point in opposite directions right at each other and, in particular along an imaginary plane X (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0133]    The power cable  20  is intended to be located with a section of its two cores  22  extending through the connector body  100  and lying on the same imaginary plane X, when the first and second body members  110  and  120  are pivoted to the closed position, for electrical connection by the first ends  211  and  221  of the two conductors  210  and  220  respectively. Locating the cable section  20  in such a position involves the use of a gap  300  which is associated with both (or at least one) of the first and second body members  110  and  120 , through which gap  300  the imaginary plane X extends. 
         [0134]    The gap  300  can be formed by and between a pair of opposed gap parts  310  and  320  which are provided by both (or at least one) of the first and second body members  110  and  120 , one gap part  310 / 320  from each body member  110 / 120 . The gap parts  310  and  320  can have respective inner surfaces  301  and  302  which are resiliently movable to adjust, either increasing or reducing, the width of the gap  300 . Each inner surface  301 / 302  can be provided by a resiliently flexible plate  312 / 322  which alone can implement the respective gap part  310 / 320  (see second embodiment), or in conjunction with a wall  311 / 321  on the associated body member  110 / 120  as in the present embodiment. 
         [0135]    More specifically, each gap part  310 / 320  can include the wall  311 / 321  that supports the corresponding resiliently flexible plate  312 / 322 , together implementing the gap part  310 / 320 . The resiliently flexible plate  312 / 322 , which is an integral part of the wall  311 / 312 , extends downward from the upper end of the wall  311 / 321  and overlaps with the wall  311 / 321  but is spaced apart therefrom at a small yet adequate distance. 
         [0136]    In operation, while the cable connector  10  is open, the power cable  20  is inserted laterally into the space between the first and second body members  110  and  120  ( FIG. 4 ) and in particular the space right between the first ends  211  and  221  of the conductor  210  and  220  ( FIG. 5 ). Upon the first and second body members  110  and  120  being pivoted to the closed position, the conductors&#39; first ends  211  and  221  simultaneously cut or pierce through the insulation  21  and come into electrical connection in opposite directions with the two cable cores  22  respectively, with the lever  140  finally and automatically latching the body members  110  and  120  in the closed position and hence the cable connector  10  firmly closed ( FIG. 6 ). Cable connection can be made as a simple and a quick operation. 
         [0137]    As the body members  110  and  120  are pivoting together, the gap parts  310  and  320  thereon are simultaneously brought closer together to form the gap  300  locating the relevant section of the power cable  20  and hence its cores in alignment, along the imaginary plane X, with the respective conductor ends  211  and  221  for electrically connection thereby through the insulation  21 . 
         [0138]    The resiliently flexible plates  312  and  322  on opposite sides in the gap  300  can be flexed slightly inwards by the cable  20  to self-adjust the width of the gap  300  for accommodating the cable  20  of a size or thickness in the upper part of a range for which the cable connector  10  is designed. Hence, the cable connector  10  is fit for use with cables of an extended range of thickness/size. 
         [0139]    For electrical connection to the garden light, the cable connector  10  can include a connecting means associated with the first and second body members  110  and  120  and adapted to electrically connect each of the first and second conductors  210  and  220  to the or a respective core of the fixture cable  30 . 
         [0140]    The connecting can be implemented by the second ends  212  and  222  of the first and second conductors  210  and  220  at the corresponding first and second body members  110  and  120 , and includes a pair of identical connecting devices  400  each for connecting a respective core  32  of the fixture cable  30  to the second end  212 / 222  of the corresponding conductor  110 / 120 . Each connecting device  400  can be implemented by an oblong movable member  410  mounted partially in a rectangular recess  114 / 124  on the associated body member  110 / 120  and adjacent the second end  212 / 222  of the related conductor  210 / 220 . 
         [0141]    Each moveable member  410  can have an engaging part in the form of a recess or hole  401  adapted to receive and engage the end of a respective core  32  of the fixture cable  30 . The movable member  410  includes a lower prong  411  pivotally engaged or hinged within the lower end of the body member recess  114 / 124  such that the movable member  410  is pivotable into or out of the recess  114 / 124 , and an upper prong  412  for snapping within the upper end of the recess  114 / 124  to lock the movable member  410  inside the recess  114 / 124 . A tab  413  at the top of the movable member  410  can be pressed to unlock and pivot the movable member  410  out from the recess  114 / 124 , thereby exposing the hole  401  for insertion (or withdrawal) of the end of the cable core  32 . 
         [0142]    In operation of each connecting device  400 , while the movable member  410  is in the outer position, the fixture cable core  32  is inserted with its end fully into the hole  401  ( FIG. 9 ). The movable member  410  is then pivoted into the recess  114 / 124  ( FIG. 10 ), whereupon the moveable member  410  brings the cable core end close to and pushes it against the second end  212 / 222  of the corresponding first/second conductor  110 / 120 , with the conductor end  212 / 222  simultaneously cutting or piercing through the insulation  31  and coming into electrical connection with the cable core  32  ( FIGS. 11A-11B ), until the movable member  410  is fully pushed into the recess  114 / 124  and firmly locked therein 
         [0143]    To reinforce the attachment of the fixture cable  30  to the cable connector  10 , the fixture cable  30  can first be threaded through the keyhole-shaped aperture  131  provided by the band  130  ( FIG. 8 ) before its cores  32  are electrically connected as described above. 
       SECOND EMBODIMENT 
       [0144]    Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , a second embodiment of the electrical connector  10 A is shown, which has a similar construction as the first embodiment above, with equivalent parts designated by the same reference numerals suffixed by the letter “A”. 
         [0145]    In the second cable connector  10 A, the connector body  100 A is likewise formed by a pair of first and second body members  110 A and  120 A which are interconnected by an integral band  130 A, support respective conductors  210 A and  220 A, and includes a gap  300 A for connecting the power cable  20  in generally in the same manner as previously described. There is a minor difference in that the two gap parts  310 A and  320 A forming the gap  300 A can be provided by only one of the body members  110 A and  120 A, i.e. the second body member  120 A, such that the gap  300 A is always present and ready for use even when the connector body  100 A is in the open condition. 
         [0146]    As a major difference in this cable connector  10 A, the previous connecting devices  400 /moveable members  410  and related recesses  114 / 124  on the body members have been omitted and are replaced by a different connecting means. Although the fixture cable  30  is connected differently, it is now connected in the same manner as the power cable  20 , and simultaneously in a unitary operation, thereby making quick cable connection possible. To achieve this, there is provided a second gap  300 A associated with the body members  110 A and  120 A for connecting the fixture cable  30 , of the same construction as and provided next to the first gap  300 A. 
         [0147]    The two gaps  300 A do not share the same construction with the previous gap  300 . In the present case, each gap  300 A is formed between a pair of opposed gap parts  310 A and  320 A which are both formed on the second body member  120 A. Thus, the two pairs of gap parts  310 A and  320 A both protrude from the inner side of the second body member  120 A. There is also another change, in that whilst one gap part  310 A is likewise provided by a wall  311 A with an integrally-connected resiliently flexible plate  312 A, the other gap part  320 A is implemented only by a resiliently flexible plate  322 A alone, which protrudes directly from the associated body member  120 A. 
         [0148]    In any event, both of the gaps  300 A can be made to keep the function of self-adjusting their gap width to accommodate cable of an extended range of thickness/size, for connection of power cables as well as fixture cables. 
         [0149]    The two gaps  300 A for connecting respective cables  20  and  30  are arranged side-by-side, and this warrants a similar arrangement as between opposite ends  211 A/ 221 A and  212 A/ 222 A of the first and second conductors  210 A and  220 A. More specifically, each conductor  210 A/ 220 A is now made from a rectangular U-shaped strip and is located in a corresponding slit  112 A/ 122 A of a matching shape in the respective first/second body member  110 A/ 120 A. The slit  112 A/ 122 A is flatter (i.e. having shorter legs) so as to expose opposite ends  211 A/ 221 A and  212 A/ 222 A of the conductor  210 A/ 220 A, which in turn protrude in the same direction from the associated body member  110 A/ 120 A and point at or towards the respective gaps  300 A. 
         [0150]    Generally stated, the connecting parts for connecting the fixture cable  30  includes respective second ends  212 A and  222 A of the tow conductors  210 A and  220 A protruding from the corresponding first and second body members  110 A and  120 A and pointing in opposite directions along a second imaginary plane Y when the body members  110 A and  120 A are in the closed position. Also, included is a second gap  300 A, of identical construction as the first-mentioned gap  300 A for the power cable  20 , through which second gap  300 A a second imaginary plane Y (parallel to the first imaginary plane X) extends, for receiving and locating a section of two cores  32  with insulation of the fixture cable  30  on the same second imaginary plane Y when the body members  110 A and  120 A are pivoted to the closed position. As the body members  110 A and  120 A are being closed, the second ends  212 A and  222 A of the two conductors  210 A and  220 A will simultaneously cut through the insulation and come into electrical connection, in opposite directions, with the respective cable cores  32 . 
         [0151]    It is understood that the same operation as described in the preceding paragraph also applies to the connection of the power cable  20 , and will take place simultaneously as the power and fixtures cables  20  and  30  are connected by the cable connector  10 A ( FIGS. 15-16 ) to complete the power supply circuit for the garden light. 
       THIRD EMBODIMENT 
       [0152]    Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , a third embodiment of the electrical cable connector  10 B can have a similar construction as the second electrical cable connector  10 A described above unless otherwise stated, with equivalent parts designated by the same reference numerals suffixed by a letter “B” in place of “A”. 
         [0153]    The third cable connector  10 B can be made relatively larger and physically stronger for heavier duty tasks, e.g. use on thicker cables. A difference can be in the connector body  100 B being formed by a pair of distinct (i.e. separate) first and second body members  110 B and  120 B which are connected together by means of a hinge connection  130 B (e.g. hinge pin or equivalent structure). The hinge connection  130 B permits a wider opening between the body members  110 B and  120 B. 
         [0154]    As shown in the drawings and described above, the subject electrical cable connector can have a minimal construction and is simple and quick to use. It is also capable of self-adjustment, and without use of any tool, to allow for connection of cables of an extended range of thickness/size. 
         [0155]    While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.