Patent GB-1423298-A (GB)
Title: Conductor interconnection apparatus
IPC: H01R4/24
Filed: 1973-01-16
Abstract: 1423298 Electric couplings WESTERN ELECTRIC CO Inc 16 Jan 1973 [17 Jan 1972] 2179/73 Addition to 1295059 Heading H2E The interconnection apparatus of the parent Specification 1,295,059 is modified in respect of the nature of construction of the connector and indexing blocks, the contact pieces, and the method of mounting both the contact pieces and the indexing blocks on their respective supports. The connector block is provided in two mating portions 42, 43 each of which have a row of teeth 58, 59, and 88, 89 respectively, as in the parent Specification 1,295,059, but adjacent teeth are of alternating height. Each portion (e.g. portion 42) comprises an outer ledge 67 running transversely of teeth 57, 58, above, and in parallel with, concave cavity 68, and projections 77 with studs 78 which mate with corresponding slots and recesses 81, and which separate the mated connector into insulated cells. Each connector block may have provision for 1, 3 or 5 pairs of conductors 32. A plurality of septa.are provided on each body portion 42,43, protruding transversely of the central body portion 56. Septa 74 and 76 are aligned with a parallel sided slot 64. and with guide fins 70 (Fig. 1) (where provided). The contact pieces may be bonded together by, for example, ultrasonic welding. Contact pieces 41 which are of the quick clip, insulation penetrating type of the main Specification comprise a flat strip of conductive resilient material such as Phosphor bronze, which has a central portion 44 with two pairs of oppositely extending tapered beams 46 cantilevered therefrom. A slot 47 is defined between beams 57, and each is located on to a respective septum 74, 76, the vertical flat faces 45 of the centre portion engaging the partitions 77, the plane faces of the connector being contiguous with the inner surface of the connector block, to prevent lateral and longitudinal movement of the contact. The conductor contacting faces 48, 49 (Fig. 4) may be plated to avoid corrosion. Abutting portions 51 are formed to deform the beams apart so that the width of slot 52 is less than the diameter of the conductor portion of insulated conductor 32. The free ends of beams 46 are formed with tapered portions 53 to form a V-shaped entrance for receiving a conductor 32. Slicing edges 54 initially slice through the insulation of conductor 32 and are disposed at an angle a, which may be varied, e.g. in the region 120-150 degrees. The angle of bevel, and radius of curvature of the innermost portion 55, of the slicing edges 54 may be varied, e.g. radius 55 between 0 and 10 mils. The indexing block, 33, has adjacent teeth 107, 108, alternating in height to correspond to these of the connector block, and which include curved conductor retaining groove walls (Fig. 8, not shown). The indexing block is secured to the back plate (36) by means of pegs 122 which are secured in holes therein, the lower portions of the pegs being deformed. In a further embodiment (Fig. 12, not shown) the contact piece (30) has an offset central body portion (133), which is secured within mating portions of the connector block 30 by suitable modification to the projections therein.