Patent Publication Number: US-2016248175-A1

Title: Push button power poke home connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/221,585, filed Mar. 21, 2014, entitled “Push Button Power Poke Home Connector,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including all references cited therein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of connectors are used for forming connections between two wires or between a wire and an electronic component. For example, connectors may be used in the telecommunications industry and in printed circuit board (PCB) applications. In residential applications, certain connectors may be used to terminate a wire. Some of these locations where terminated wires are used could include lighting systems and components, power outlets and receptacles, circuit breakers, fuse boxes, power panels, and utility systems and components. Other applications such as industrial and commercial settings also require terminating wires at various places to supply power, control, and instrumentation to various systems and components throughout a structure. 
     A further application of wire connectors is in connecting one wire to another wire. For example, a light fixture may be packaged from a factory with pre-installed wiring. The pre-installed wiring may not be long enough to terminate the wire at a power panel; therefore a wire to wire termination may be used to add extra wire length. In this manner, the light fixture may then be connected to a power panel or other power source more easily. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an insulated body, a conductive contact disposed in the insulated body, and a button disposed on the insulated body. The insulated body can receive a wire through an opening in the insulated body. The conductive contact contacts the wire and secures the wire through a compression force exerted on the wire. The button has a neutral position and a depressed position, and the button in the depressed position is configured to reduce the compression force exerted on the wire. 
     In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an insulated body, a conductive contact disposed in the insulated body, and a button disposed on the insulated body. The insulated body can receive a wire through an opening in the insulated body. The conductive contact contacts the wire, secures the wire through a compression force exerted on the wire, and electrically connects the wire to an electrical component. The button has a neutral position and a depressed position, and the button in the depressed position is configured to reduce the compression force exerted on the wire. 
     An illustrative method of manufacture includes forming a body of insulating material, forming a button of insulating material, forming a conductive contact, inserting the button into the opening for receiving the button, and inserting the conductive contact into the opening for the conductive contact. The body has an opening for receiving a wire, an opening for receiving a conductive contact, and an opening for a button. The button has a main portion and at least one prong portion. The prong portion has a first prong section having a first width and a second prong section extending from the first prong section. The second prong section has a second width, and the second width is greater than the first width. The conductive contact has a U-shape, and the U-shape has a first end, a second end, and a base portion connected to the first and second end. There is a groove in the first end of the U-shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a cross-sectional perspective view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a multiple push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a top view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a bottom view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 6C  depicts a front view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 6D  depicts a rear view of a push button power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross-sectional view of the push button power poke home connector shown in  FIG. 6C  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8A  is a front view of a power poke home connector in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the power poke home connector shown in  FIG. 8A  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to various embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. The embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and are not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present application encompass these and other modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Described herein are illustrative electrical connectors for use in applications such as power circuits. When terminating wires, either to each other or to an electronic component, it is worthwhile for such a termination to be easy to perform. Illustrative connectors as disclosed herein may be used to terminate a wire easily and quickly. Further, the illustrative connectors allow the wire to be held securely as a result of the termination. If a wire is not terminated securely, a short may occur causing damage, or at least causing malfunctioning wire systems and electrical components. Thus, the illustrative connectors disclosed herein also secure a terminated wire to prevent such issues. Additionally, illustrative connectors disclosed herein may incorporate a push button release, which allows de-termination of wires in a simple and effective way. By pressing on the push button, a securely terminated wire is released without requiring excessive force or damaging the wire. The wire may also be easily terminated and de-terminated more than once, because the push button connector will not damage the wire during termination or de-termination. 
     Various illustrative embodiments of an electrical connector are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 8B . 
     In a first illustrative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a push button power poke home connector  100  is shown. The connector  100  has an insulated body  105  and a push button  110 . The insulated body  105  has a first opening  115  and a second opening  120 . Opening  115  and opening  120  can receive a wire. A wire can be pushed into the opening  115  and is then terminated inside the insulated body  105 . How the wire may be terminated will be shown in proceeding illustrative embodiments. In an embodiment, a terminated wire inserted into opening  115  is electrically connected to any wire terminated in opening  120 . When a wire is inserted into the opening  115  or opening  120 , the button  110  can be pressed. Pushing down on button  110  when terminating a wire in opening  115  or opening  120  makes it easier to insert the wire into opening  115  or opening  120 . In other words, the force needed to complete a termination of a wire is reduced when button  110  is pressed. A termination can still be completed without pressing button  110 , although it may require more force to insert the wire. 
     Further, when using connector  100 , any wire that is already terminated can be easily removed, or de-terminated. The button  110  can be pressed which allows a wire inserted into opening  115  or opening  120  to be easily removed. A wire may be removed without pushing button  110 , but it would require significantly more force to do so. After de-terminating a wire from opening  115  or opening  120 , the connector  100  can be used again, with the same wires or different ones. In the same way, a wire that is de-terminated from connector  100  can be used again in another connector. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, a connector may have more or less than two openings. For example, if there are several wires that can all be terminated together, a connector may have three, four, five, six, or more openings. One example of this may be for a ground bus in a lighting system. In order to ground all circuits in a lighting system, ground wires could all be terminated together in such a connector that has several different openings, where the wires in each opening are all electrically connected after termination into the connector. Additionally, it should be noted that different embodiments of connectors disclosed herein can be made to accommodate wires of different sizes and types. 
     In other illustrative embodiments, the wires terminated in the same connector may not all be electrically connected within the connector. For example, a connector with four openings may electrically connect wires terminated in the first and second openings. The connector may also electrically connect wires terminated in the third and fourth openings. In another illustrative embodiment, a connector may electrically connect wires to an electrical component instead of another wire inserted in the connector. Such an electrical component could be a control system, a circuit breaker, a circuit board, a sensor, a light, a switch, a power receptacle, a motor, a control panel, a computer, a processor, an electronic display, an actuator, or any other suitable electrical component. 
     In other embodiments of the connector  100 , the button  110  may be a certain color which represents what type of wire should be inserted in the connector  100 . The insulated body  105  could also be a certain color that indicates the use of the connector  100 . For example, the button  110  may be green if the wires connected in the connector  100  are also connected to ground. Further either, the button  110  or the insulated body  105  could have letters, numbers, symbols, or a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to indicate the type or identity of wires connected in the connector  100 . 
     In an illustrative example,  FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a connector  200  incorporating a push button release. The connector  200  includes an insulated body  205  and a button  210 . The button  210  has a prong  215  that extends down from the main section of the button  210 . Here, the button  210  is an insulating material. In this embodiment, the button  210  has four prongs that extend down, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, two of the four prongs have sections with varying widths. This is shown by prong section  220 , which has a smaller width than prong section  225 . As will be discussed below, the difference in widths of prong section  220  and prong section  225  will assist in securing all the pieces of connector  200  together, while allowing the button  210  to move up and down and effectuate the push button aspect of the connector. 
     The button  210  fits into a slot  230  in the insulated body  205 . The prong sections, including prong  215 , fit into additional slots in the insulated body  205 . For example, the prong with prong section  225  fits into a slot  235  in the insulated body  205 . Both the slot  230  and the slot  235  allow the button  210  freedom to move up and down within the insulated body  205 . 
     Connector  200  also includes a contact  240 . The contact  240  is made of electrically conductive material. The contact  240  in this embodiment is generally U-shaped. The contact  240  generally has a first end, a second end, and a base portion. In other embodiments, alternative shapes for contact  240  are possible. The contact  240  can fit into the insulated body  205  through slot  250 . The contact  240  includes an angled contact portion  245 . This angled portion is a cutout portion of the second end of the general U-Shape. The angled contact portion  245  is cut from the second end, and bent upward toward the first end of the contact  240 . When the connector  200  is assembled, the angled contact portion  245  can be contacted by the prong  215  of the button  210 . When the button  210  is pushed down, the angled contact portion  245  will in turn be deflected or pushed downward toward the bottom of the connector  200 . Similarly, if the button  210  is released, the angled contact portion  245  will return to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . Further figures and discussion regarding the operation and configuration of the angled contact and push button operation can be found below. 
     The contact  240  also includes a groove  255 . In an embodiment, the groove  255  is present in the first end of the contact  240 . The narrower width prong section  220  can fit into groove  255  when the connector  200  is assembled. The relatively wider prong section  225  cannot fit into the groove  255 . As will be discussed below, this allows the button  210  to move up and down, while also securing the button within the connector  200 . 
     The connector  200  also includes a cap  260 . The cap  260  fits into the slot  250  in the insulated body  205 . The cap  260  is made of an insulating material. The cap  260  helps secure the contact  240  within the insulated body  205 . The cap  260  also prevents electrically conductive material like the contact  240  from being exposed. In an embodiment, the cap  260  may have some sort of identifier on it, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In other embodiments, the cap  260  may be omitted, or it may be modified in some way to allow the connector  200  to connect to an electrical component. In further embodiments, the contact  240  may be part of an electrical component, or the contact of an electrical component itself. The contact  240  may also be more than one piece in other embodiments. The contact  240  may also have varying shapes. The U-shape of contact  240  may be rounded or square on the corners. In another embodiment, the U-shape may not have corners and may be a continuous curve or arc. In some embodiments the first and second end of the U-shape may have different lengths. In another embodiment the first and second end of the U-shape may have the same lengths. In still further embodiments, a contact that does not have a U-shape at all may be used. Additionally, a combination of separately formed contacts may be used to affect the same results. In another embodiment, the insulated body  205  and the button  210  may be formed at the same time as one piece of insulating material. In such an embodiment, the top button  210  may be attached to the insulated body  205  at one side, and the button  210  would move on an axis where it is attached to the insulated body  205 , rather than a straight up and down (i.e., vertical) movement. 
     In an illustrative example,  FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a connector  300  incorporating a push button release. The connector includes an insulated body  310  and a button  305 . The button  305  fits into a slot  315  in the insulated body  310 . The slot  315  allows the button  305  to move up and down within the insulated body  310 . The button  305  includes a prong  320 . Other prongs may be attached to the button  305 , but only prong  320  is visible here. Prong  320  extends down into the insulated body  310  through a slot for the prongs that is not visible in  FIG. 3 . The prong  320  is therefore free to move up and down along with the button  305 . 
     The connector  300  also includes a contact  335 . The contact  335  includes an upper portion  345  and an angled portion  340 . The upper portion  345  includes a slot that is not visible in this view. The slot accommodates the prong  320 , and allows it to move up and down along with the button  305 . 
     The insulated body  310  includes an opening  325 . The opening  325  allows a wire to be inserted into the insulated body  325 . In this particular embodiment, the opening  325  includes a reduced opening  330  further within the insulated body  310 . This configuration allows a wire with insulation to be easily and securely inserted into the opening  325 . After a wire with insulation is stripped, only a section at the end of the wire will be lacking insulation. This section without insulation will extend into the reduced opening  330  and further into the insulated body  310  toward the contact  335 . The part of wire that still has insulation can be inserted into the wider opening  325 . This can allow for a safe and efficient insertion of wire into connector  300 . If the connector does not accommodate wire with insulation, it may allow exposed wire to exist outside of the insulated body  310 . 
     When a wire is inserted into the opening  325  and the reduced opening  330 , it extends into the insulated body  310  toward the contact  335 . It does not necessarily impact the prong  320 , as prong  320  is offset from the reduced opening  330  so as to not interfere with an inserted wire. This will be evident from other figures to be discussed below. In particular the wire will extend toward the upper portion  345  and the angled portion  340  of the contact  335 . The angled portion  340  of the contact  335  is designed to be flexible. The angled portion  340  is also substantially elastic in this embodiment. In other words, when a wire is inserted it is pushed in between the angled portion  340  and the upper portion  345 . The angled portion  340  can deflect to accommodate the inserted wire, and it exerts a force on the wire (when the wire is inserted) that presses it up against the upper portion  345 . Since the angled portion  340  is elastic, it will generally return to the configuration as shown in  FIG. 3  without a wire. When the wire is originally inserted, the force from inserting the wire itself can be the force which causes the angled portion  340  to deflect. Since the angled portion  340  is angled in the direction the wire would be inserted, it allows the wire to be inserted without too much force, but prevents the wire from being easily removed after it has been inserted. 
     As noted above, a wire can be inserted into the opening  325  and the opening  330  without pushing the button  305 . However, the wire can also be inserted while the button  305  is depressed. This will allow the wire to be inserted with even less force. This may be particularly useful for smaller wires that may bend easily when inserted and contacting the angled portion  340 . When button  305  is depressed, the prong  320  will press down on the angled portion  340 , causing it to deflect or bend away from the upper portion  345 . This may allow a wire to be inserted into the gap between the angled portion  340  and the upper portion  345  with little or no force. When the button  305  is then released after insertion of the wire, the angled portion  340  will then attempt to resume its original position as shown in  FIG. 3 . The wire will prevent the angled portion  340  from completely returning to its original position, which will cause the angled portion  340  to exert a force on the wire, holding the wire in place between the angled portion  340  and the upper portion  345 . Such a configuration will also allow for electrical connectivity between the wire and the contact  335 . 
     When an inserted wire is to be removed from the connector  300 , the button  305  may be depressed causing the prong  320  to press down on the angled portion  340  of the contact  335 . This will release the force exerted on the wire and allow removal of the wire from the opening  325 . It may be possible to remove an inserted wire from the connector  300  without depressing the button  305 , but it would require significantly more force than if the button  305  is depressed. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the prong  320  is not touching the angled portion  340 . In other embodiments, the prong  320  may normally rest on the angled portion  340 . In such an embodiment, the angled portion  340  could hold the prong  320 , and in turn the entire button  305 , in place. Thus, the prong  320  would always be engaged with the angled portion  340 , providing stability for the button  305  and causing the button  305  to return to a particular position when the button  305  is released or a wire is removed from the connector  300 . 
     The connector  300  also includes a cap  350 . The cap  350  can be located in the insulated body in order to hold the connector  335  in place and also prevent the contact  335  from being exposed at the back of the insulated body  310 . In other embodiments, the cap  350  may not exist and may be an integrated part of the insulated body  310 . 
     In another illustrative example,  FIG. 4  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a connector  400  that utilizes a push button release. To better understand the view of  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional line  360  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The cross-sectional line  360  shows the approximate location of where the connector  400  has been cross-sectional to demonstrate how the connector  400  operates inside. 
     The connector  400  includes a button  405 , an insulated body  410 , and a contact  430 . The insulated body  410  includes an opening  415  through which a wire can be inserted. The button  405  includes a prong  435 . As discussed previously (and more evident in this figure), the prong  435  is positioned between openings  415  and thus does not block the openings  415 , allowing for a wire to be passed through the openings  415 . 
     Another prong  450  is also part of the button  405 . This prong  450  can move within a slot  455  in the insulated body  410 . Further, the section at the top of prong  450  has a particular width. Extending down from that is a section  445  having a smaller width than the section at the top of prong  450 . Further below the smaller width section  445  is a wider section  440 . The smaller width section  445  fits in a groove in the contact  430 . An upper portion  420  of the contact  430  has the groove which fits the smaller width section  445 . The prong  450  can then move up and down within the groove. In this embodiment, the prong  450  only moves up and down the length of the smaller width section  445 , as the upper section of prong  450  and the wider section  440  prevent the prong from moving within the groove past the smaller width section  445 . This configuration limits how far the entire button  405  can move, and keeps the button  405  a part of the connector  400 . As discussed with respect to  FIG. 3 , the prongs  435  and  450  can push down on an angled portion  425  of the contact  430 . This may allow a wire to be easily inserted into the opening  415 , and make it possible to easily remove a wire from the opening  415 . To effectuate this, the prongs  435  and  450  press down on the angled portion  425  when the button  405  is depressed. When the button  405  is released, the angled portion  425  returns to a more upright position. If a wire is present when the button  405  is released, the angled portion  425  would press up against the wire to hold it in place against the upper portion  420  and provide electrical connectivity between the wire and the contact  430 . 
     Additional features of the connector  400  can be observed from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . It should be noted that the button  405  is shaped in a way that properly insulates and protects the contact  430  from outside interactions. For example, it the button  405  were not present, the contact  430  may be partially exposed through the openings, such as slot  455 , that the prongs  435  and  450  extend through the insulated body  410 . With the button  405  in place, the contact  430  is properly insulated to protect outside objects and persons from any current running through the contact  430 . 
     Additionally, as shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , the insulated body  410  may incorporate additional features to secure the contact  430  in place. For example, a groove  460  is shown. The groove  460  may accommodate and snugly fit the contact  430  in a way that secures the contact  430  into the insulated body  410 . This may add extra safety to keep the contact from moving and causing faulty connections with wires inserted into the connector  400 . Additionally, it may keep the contact  430  from moving when it is subjected to various forces, including depression of the button  405 , removal of a wire, or insertion of a wire. This may contribute to the overall reliability and sturdiness of the connector  400 . 
     In another illustrative embodiment,  FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a multiple push button power poke home connector  500 . In this embodiment, several different connectors are sold or packaged as one unit. Here, a first connector section  505  is provided, along with a second connector section  510  and a third connector section  515 . In this embodiment, the first connector section  505  has two wire openings  520  and  525 . If wires are inserted into the wire openings  520  and  525 , they would be electrically connected by the first connector section  505 . 
     Similarly, if wires are inserted into openings  530  and  535  in the second connector section  510 , those two wires would be electrically connected. In the same manner, two wires inserted into openings  540  and  545  in the third connector section  515  would be electrically connected. 
     The configuration shown by connector  500  could be useful for wire connections of different, but related, types. For example, if wires of three different phases are being used, it may be useful to have a connector with three separate sections like connector  500 , where one section could be used for each phase of the circuit. In another application, it may be useful to have a connector like the connector  500  where the three types of wires to run are a positive, a neutral, and a ground wire. 
     Additionally, the connector  500  may have a way of showing visually how the connector sections are defined. For example, they may be color coded. In one example, a button  550  of the first connector section  505  may be colored red to signal that the first connector section  505  is to be used for a “positive” wire. A button  555  may be colored black to signal that the second connector section  510  is to be used for a “neutral” wire. A button  560  may be colored green to signal that the third connector section  515  is to be used for a “ground” wire. Other embodiments may use the color blue to signify a “neutral” wire. A different embodiment may use the color brown to signify a “live” or “positive” wire. 
     It is contemplated by the current application that there can be many various embodiments and configurations of the connector  500 . For example, each connector section  505 ,  510 , and  515  may have three wire openings instead of two as shown. Each connector section may have even more than three openings in other embodiments. Further, each connector section may only have one opening. An example of where this may be used is if the connector is designed to connect multiple wires to a single electrical component. Additionally, other colors than the ones mentioned above may be used as identifiers for connectors or connector sections. The colors may be on other parts of the connector as opposed to the buttons. Symbols or alphanumeric characters may also be used to denote a connector or connector section for a particular use or purpose. Furthermore, the colors, symbols, or characters used to identify a connector or connector section may occur elsewhere on the connector than the buttons. In other embodiments, a connector may have more or fewer than three connector sections. 
     The different sections shown in  FIG. 5  may also be packaged and/or connected in different ways. For example, the sections may be affixed together in one unit. In such an embodiment, the sections may be formed together, or they may be attached by an adhesive or other attaching mechanism. In a different embodiment, the different sections may only be packaged together, but are not actually attached to each other. In such an embodiment, the sections may still be designed for use in a related application, but are not attached to each other to allow flexibility both for accommodating various lengths of wires, small installation spaces, and aid ease of installation by a user. 
     In another illustrative embodiment,  FIG. 6A  shows a top view  600  of a push button power poke home connector. The view shows an insulated body  610  and a button  605 . The button  605  includes ridges  620 . The ridges  620  may allow better traction for when the button is pushed, preventing a finger from slipping off the button at an inopportune moment. The button  605  also includes an open space  615 . The open space  615  may be a location suited for indicating what sort of wire is connected within the connector  600 . A label could be affixed here, or to other parts of the connector. Further, the open space  615  may work along with the ridges  620  to provide a good surface for pushing the button  605  while preventing slippage. 
       FIG. 6B  shows the bottom view  630  of a push button power poke home connector. The view shows the insulated body  610 . In this embodiment, the insulated body has a beveled edge  635 . 
       FIG. 6C  shows the front view  640  of a push button power poke home connector. The view shows the button  605  and the insulated body  610 . This view also show an opening  645  for a wire. Each opening also shows a reduced opening wall  655 . This allows a wire with insulation to be inserted, where bare wire extends fully into the connector. Additionally visible from this view is a contact  650 , which contacts any inserted wire and assists in holding such a wire in place.  FIG. 6C  also shows a cut-away line  700 , which will be discussed with regard to  FIG. 7  below. 
       FIG. 6D  shows the rear view  680  of a push button power poke home connector. The view shows the button  605  and the insulated body  610 . Additionally, this view shows a cap  685 . The cap fits into an opening on the back of the insulated body  610 . In this embodiment, the cap  685  includes writing signifying the part number of the manufacturer for this particular connector. In other embodiments, the cap  685  may have other writing, symbols, or labels on it, or may have nothing on it at all. 
       FIG. 7  shows the cross-sectional view  700  of a push button power poke home connector as demonstrated by cross-sectional line  700  in  FIG. 6C . This view will not be discussed at length here, as it is similar to the cross-sectional view shown by  FIG. 3  discussed above. 
     In another illustrative embodiment,  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show different views of a power poke home connector  800  without a push button release mechanism.  FIG. 8A  shows the front view of the power poke home connector  800 . The power poke home connector  800  has an insulated body  805 . The insulated body  805  includes an opening  810  for inserting a wire. The opening  810  has a reduced opening wall  815 . This reduced opening wall  815  allows a wire with insulation to be inserted, where a bare wire extends fully into the connector. Additionally visible from this view is an angled portion  820  of a contact, which contacts any inserted wire and assists in holding such a wire in place. 
     A cross-sectional view line  840  is also shown in  FIG. 8A . This line shows where the cross-sectional view  840  of  FIG. 8B  is.  FIG. 8B  shows the insulated body  805  and the opening  810 . The view also demonstrates the angled portion  820  of the contact and an upper portion  825  of the contact. As with other embodiments, the angled portion  820  can exert a force on an inserted wire that presses the wire up against the upper portion  825 . Because of the shape of the angled portion  820 , a wire may be easily inserted into the connector  800 . Since there is no push button release in this embodiment, removal of a wire from the connector  800  may require more force than some other embodiments. The connector  800  also has a cap  830  that fits into the back of the insulated body  805  and secures the contact in place. 
     In the aforementioned embodiments, the connectors could be fashioned to accommodate a variety of sizes and types of wires. Some embodiments may be made to accommodate a range of wire sizes and types. For example, one connector may be able to accommodate wires from a range of 18 AWG to 14 AWG. AWG refers to the American Wire Gauge sizes. Embodiments may accommodate various insulation thicknesses as well. For example, a connector that accommodates wire sizes of 18 AWG to 14 AWG may accommodate a maximum insulation up to 3.90 mm in diameter. Another embodiment may be sized to accommodate wires from 20 AWG to 12 AWG and accommodate insulation up to 4 mm in diameter. 
     The contacts of the aforementioned embodiments may be made of any suitable material for electrical conductivity. For example, one such contact may be made of 0.25 mm thick phosphor bronze, pre-tinned strip. 
     The insulated body, cap, and buttons of the aforementioned embodiments may be made from any suitable non-electrically conductive material. These materials are well known to those in the art, and may include a variety of plastics and other materials. 
     Connectors as disclosed herein may also be rated for a variety of applications. For example, some connectors may be rated for high power applications, while other connectors may be rated for low power. Other connectors may be rated for signal, control, or data type wiring. For example, one type of connector may have a nominal voltage rating of 300 Volts and a nominal current rating of 15 Amps. 
     It should be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that such modifications and variations be encompassed by the appended claims.