Patent Publication Number: US-8529281-B2

Title: Connector

Description:
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-016958 filed on Jan. 28, 2011, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entity. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to connectors that are connectable electric conductors such as a conductive fabric. 
     2. Background Art 
     A conventional connecting terminal connectable to a conductive fabric includes a hook to be locked in a hole formed in a conductive fabric, a contact provided on the hook and electrically connectable to the conductive fabric, and a cable connected to the contact, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2001-291536 and 2000-28742. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A drawback of the above connecting terminal is the difficulty in changing a connection position of the connecting terminal and the conductive fabric because it is required to make a hole in the conductive fabric. Another drawback is unstable connection between the connecting terminal and the conductive fabric because making the hole may damage an electrode in the conductive fabric. Further, as the connecting terminal is configured such that its contact is in contact with the conductive fabric in the state where the hook is locked into the hole of the conductive fabric, requiring to replace the entire connecting terminal in case of a contact failure due to surface oxidation of the contact by long usage or other causes. 
     The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances. The invention provides a connector that is easy to connect to and disconnect from an electric conductor. 
     A connector of the present invention includes first and second beams, first and second conductive plates, and an urging device. The first and second beams extend substantially in parallel with each other and include first and second accommodating recesses, respectively. The first and second recesses are opposed to each other and open toward distal end sides of the first and second beams. The first and second conductive plates are to be accommodated in the first and second accommodating recesses, respectively, and removably insertable from the distal end sides into the first and second accommodating recesses, respectively. The urging device urges the first and second conductive plates in directions close to each other. 
     According to this aspect of the invention, when an electric conductor is inserted between the first and second conductive plates, the first and second conductive plates are urged by the urging device and brought into elastic contact with the electric conductor, so that the connector is connected to the electric conductor. Accordingly, there is no need to form a hole in the electric conductor, and the connector can be easily connected to and disconnected from the electric conductor. The connector is also easy to change its connection position with respect to the electric conductor. With no hole in the electric conductor, the invention can also prevent damage to the electric conductor due to perforation. Further, the invention makes it possible to removably insert the first and second conductive plates into the first and second accommodating recesses from the distal end sides of the first and second beams, so that it is easy to replace the conductive plates if oxidized or in any other trouble. As the first and second conductive plates are removably insertable into the accommodating recesses from the distal end sides, the connector is applicable to different kinds of electric conductors with different thicknesses by preparing different kinds of conductive plates with different thicknesses for replacement. 
     The first and second conductive plates may each include a first face provided with a projection, and a second face on an opposite side of the first face. In this case, the first and second conductive plates may be accommodated in the first and second accommodating recesses such that the first faces are opposed to each other. According to this aspect of the invention, the projections on the first faces of the first and second conductive plates are contactable with the electric conductor, so that the first and second conductive plates increase in friction resistance with respect to the electric conductor and thereby improve in holding force and tension strength with respect to the same. In addition, the projections on the first faces of the first and second conductive plates are elastically contactable with the electric conductor, stabilizing a contact resistance value of the connector with respect to the electric conductor can be obtained and thereby improving connection stability of the connector. 
     The urging device may be a spring member having electrical conductivity. The spring member may include first and second urging arms that are disposed in the first and second beams, respectively, and are abuttable against the second faces of the first and second conductive plates, respectively, and a connecting portion. A gap distance between the first and second urging arms may be smaller than a sum of thickness dimensions of the first and second conductive plates and a thickness dimension of the electric conductor. According to this aspect of the invention, when the electric conductor is inserted between the first and second urging arms of the spring member, the first and second urging arms elastically abut the second faces of the first and second conductive plates, respectively, so that the first and second conductive plates are pressed onto the electric conductor to establish a stable electrical connection. Further, the spring member has the connecting portion that can be connected to another member. That is, the spring member serves the urging device and also serves as a connecting terminal, making it possible to reduce the number of components of the connector as compared with the case in which an additional connecting terminal is provided. The connector can therefore be manufactured with a reduced cost. 
     Alternatively, if the first and second beams are made of elastically deformable material, they may serve as the urging device for urging the first and second conductive plates in the directions close to each other. According to this aspect of the invention, as the first and second beams also serve as the urging device, it is possible to reduce the number of components of the connector and thereby reduce the cost of the connector. 
     The connector of the invention may further include a first holder and a second holder. The first holder may be embedded with the first conductive plate such that the first face of the first conductive plate is exposed. The first holder and the embedded first conductive plate may be removably accommodated in the first accommodating recess from the distal end side. The second holder may be embedded with the second conductive plate such that the first face of the second conductive plate is exposed. The second holder and the embedded second conductive plate may be removably accommodated in the second accommodating recess from the distal end side. 
     The connector of the invention may further include a flexible coupler to couple the first and second holders. According to this aspect of the invention, the coupler integrates the first and second holders. The integrated first and second holders can be removably inserted together into the first and second accommodating recesses from the distal end sides. This eases replacement of the first and second holders and the first and second conductive plates. 
     The first and second holders may have first and second locking arms, respectively, that are elastically deformable. The first beam may include a wall and a bottom of the first accommodating recess, and the second beam may include a wall and a bottom of the second accommodating recess. The first and second locking arms may each be provided at a distal end portion thereof with a locking claw. The walls or the bottoms may be provided with locking holes that pass through the walls or the bottoms and are configured to lock the locking claws therein. 
     According to this aspect of the invention, when the first and second holders are inserted into the first and second accommodating recesses, respectively, from the distal end sides of the first and second beams, the first and second locking arms of the first and second holders are elastically deformed, and then, the locking claws of the first and second locking arms are locked in the locking holes of the first and second beams. This prevents the first and second holders from accidentally falling out of the first and second accommodating recesses. In addition, when the locking claws of the first and second locking arms are operated through the locking holes, the first and second locking arms are elastically deformed to disengage the locking claws from the locking holes. Accordingly, the invention makes it easy to disengage the locking claws form the locking holes. 
     It is preferable that the projections are square pyramid shaped. This aspect of the invention increases surface areas of the projections. Accordingly, the first and second conductive plates further increase in friction resistance and thereby further improve in holding force and tension strength with respect to the electric conductor. 
     The second faces of the first and second conductive plates may be provided with first and second locking recesses, respectively, to lock distal end portions of the first and second urging arms thereto. According to this aspect of the invention, the distal end portions of the first and second urging arms of the spring member are locked in the first and second locking recesses of the first and second conductive plates, so that the first and second urging arms further improve in holding force with respect to the first and second conductive plates. 
     The connector of the invention may further include a cable that is electrically connected to the connecting portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic perspective view showing a front top right side of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic front view of the connector. 
         FIG. 1C  is a schematic side view of the connector. 
         FIG. 1D  is a schematic plan view of the connector. 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line  2 B- 2 B in  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line  2 C- 2 C in  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of the connector with its first and second conductive plates, first and second holders, and coupler removed from its body. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view illustrating a locked state of the first and second conductive plates, the first and second holders, and spring clips of the connector. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of the first and second conductive plates, the first and second holders, and the coupler of the connector. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of the spring clip of the connector. 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic perspective view showing a front top right side of the body of the connector. 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic perspective view showing a rear top left side of the body of the connector. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 7B . The connector is configured for connection with a flexible conductive fabric (electric conductor) not shown. As shown in  FIGS. 1A to 2C , the connector includes a body  100 , holders  200   a  and  200   b  (first and second holders), a coupling belt  200   c  (coupler), conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  (first and second conductive plates), a pair of spring clips  400  (spring members that serve as urging devices), a bush  500 , and a cable  600 . The respective elements of the connector will be described in detail below. It should be noted that  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A, and  3  shows a fore-aft direction with a reference sign D for the convenience of describing the embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A to 5 , the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  are identical, generally rectangular metal plates having electrical conductivity. The conductive plate  300   a  has a first face  301   a  and a second face  302   a  on the opposite side thereof. A plurality of projections  310   a  of square pyramid shape are arranged in a matrix on the first face  301   a . The conductive plate  300   b  has a first face  301   b  and a second face  302   b  on the opposite side thereof. A plurality of projections  310   b  of square pyramid shape are arranged in a matrix on the first face  301   b.    
     The holders  200   a  and  200   b  are identical, generally rectangular plates made of insulating resin. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the conductive plate  300   a  is embedded in one thickness end of the holder  200   a  such that the first face  301   a  is exposed. As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the other thickness end of the holder  200   a  is provided with a pair of slots  210   a  extending in the fore-aft direction D, substantially in parallel with each other. The slots  210   a  pass through from the second face  302   a  of the conductive plate  300   a  to the other end face in the thickness direction of the holder  200   a  (see  FIG. 2A ). Rear ends of the slot  210   a  are open. At opposite corners in the distal end of the holder  200   a , there is a pair of locking arms  220   a  (first locking arms) extending rearward. Each locking arms  220   a  has a locking claw  221   a  on an outer face of its rear end. 
     The conductive plate  300   b  is embedded in one thickness end of the holder  200   b  such that the first face  301   b  is exposed, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the other thickness end of the holder  200   b  is provided with a pair of slots  210   b  extending in the fore-aft direction D, substantially in parallel with each other. The slots  210   b  pass through from the second face  302   b  of the conductive plate  300   b  to the other end face in the thickness direction of the holder  200   b  (see  FIG. 2A ). Rear ends of the slot  210   b  are open. At opposite corners in the distal end of the holder  200   b , there is a pair of locking arms  220   b  (second locking arms) extending rearward. Each locking arms  220   b  has a locking claw  221   b  on an outer face of its rear end. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the coupling belt  200   c  is an elongated flexible belt made of the same insulating resin as the holders  200   a  and  200   b . The coupling belt  200   c  couples rear ends of the holders  200   a  and  200   b . As shown in  FIG. 2B , when the coupling belt  200   c  is bent in a generally U shape, the conductive plate  300   a  embedded in the holder  200   a  and the conductive plate  300   b  embedded in the holder  200   b  are oriented to face each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C , the body  100  is an insulating resin block of generally lateral U shape in side view. The body  100  has a base  110 , beams  120   a  and  120   b  (first and second beams), and a protrusion  130 . The base  110  is generally rectangular and has front and rear faces in the fore-aft direction D. As shown in  FIGS. 2C and 7A , a generally rectangular hole  111  is formed in the center of the front face of the base  110 . The hole  111  is to receive the coupling belt  200   c  bent in a generally U shape. A pair of slits  112  extend in the fore-aft direction D one on each side of the hole  111  in the front face of the base  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 7A . From upper and lower ends of the front face of the base  110  extend the plate-shaped beams  120   a  and  120   b , respectively, substantially in parallel with and opposed to each other. 
     The beam  120   a  has an accommodating recess  121   a  (first accommodating recess) in its lower end, i.e. at a portion facing the beam  120   b . The accommodating recess  121   a  is open toward a distal end of the beam  120   a . The accommodating recess  121   a  of generally rectangular shape has slightly larger outer dimensions than those of the holder  200   a . The accommodating recess  121   a  removably accommodates the conductive plate  300   a  and the holder  200   a  from the distal end of the beam  120   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2C , the side walls in the width direction of the accommodating recess  121   a  of the beam  120   a  are provided with a pair of generally rectangular locking holes  122   a  passing through the side walls. The locking holes  122   a  lockingly receive the locking claws  221   a  of the locking arms  220   a  of the holder  200   a  to prevent the holder  200   a  and the conductive plate  300   a  from falling out of the accommodating recess  121   a  of the beam  120   a . When the locking claws  221   a  are pressed inward through the locking holes  122   a , the locking arms  220   a  are elastically deformed inward to disengage the locking claws  221   a  from the locking hole  122   a . The holder  200   a  and conductive plate  300   a  are thus removed from the accommodating recess  121   a  of the beam  120   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 7A , a pair of slits  123   a  is formed above and in communication with the accommodating recess  121   a  of the beam  120   a . The slits  123   a  extend in the fore-aft direction D and communicate with upper ends of the slits  112  of the base  110 . The slits  123   a  are open toward the distal end of the beam  120   a.    
     The beam  120   b  has an accommodating recess  121   b  (second accommodating recess) at its upper end, i.e. at a portion facing the beam  120   a . The accommodating recess  121   b  is open toward a distal end side of the beam  120   b . The accommodating recess  121   b  of a generally rectangular shape has slightly larger outer dimensions than those of the holder  200   b . The accommodating recess  121   b  is opposed to the accommodating recess  121   a  and removably accommodates the conductive plate  300   b  and the holder  200   b  from the distal end side of the beam  120   b . The first face  301   a  of the conductive plate  300   a  and the first face  301   b  of the conductive plate  300   b  are opposed to each other in the state where the conductive plate  300   a  and the holder  200   a  are accommodated in the accommodating recess  121   a  and where the conductive plate  300   b  and the holder  200   b  are accommodated in the accommodating recess  121   b . The conductive fabric is removably insertable between the first face  301   a  of the conductive plate  300   a  and the first face  301   b  of the conductive plate  300   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2C , the side walls in the width direction of the accommodating recess  121   b  of the beam  120   b  are provided with a pair of generally rectangular locking holes  122   b  passing through the side walls. The locking holes  122   b  lockingly receive the locking claws  221   b  of the locking arms  220   b  of the holder  200   b  to prevent the holder  200   b  and the conductive plate  300   b  from falling out of the accommodating recess  121   b  of the beam  120   b . When the locking claws  221   b  are pressed inward through the locking holes  122   b , the locking arms  220   b  are elastically deformed inward to disengage the locking claws  221   b  from the locking hole  122   b . The holder  200   b  and conductive plate  300   b  are thus removed from the accommodating recess  121   b  of the beam  120   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 7A , a pair of slits  123   b  is formed above and in communication with the accommodating recess  121   b  of the beam  120   b . The slits  123   b  extend in the fore-aft direction D and communicate with lower ends of the slits  112  of the base  110 . The slits  123   b  are open toward the distal end of the beam  120   a.    
     The protrusion  130  is provided on the rear face of the base  110  as shown in  FIG. 7B . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2C , a pair of slits  131  pass through the protrusion  130  and communicate with the slits  112 . As described above, as the slits  123   a  and  123   b  communicate with the slits  112  and the slits  112  communicate with the slits  131 , the slits  123   a ,  123   b ,  112 , and  131  constitute two slit sets to each receive one of the spring clips  400 . In addition, a pair of generally rectangular lock holes  132  are formed in the opposite side faces in the width direction of the protrusion  130 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , the lock holes  132  communicates with the respective slits  131 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 6 , the spring clips  400  are metal plates having electrical conductivity. Each spring clip  400  has a clamp  410  of substantially lateral U shape in side view and a connecting portion  420  of rectangular shape. The clamp  410  has urging arms  411  and  412  (first and second urging arms) and an intermediate portion  413  that connects the urging arms  411  and  412 . The intermediate portion  413  is to be accommodated in one of the slits  112  of the base  110 . The urging arm  411  is to be accommodated in the slit  123   a  of the beam  120   a , and the urging arm  412  is to be accommodated in the slit  123   b  of the beam  120   b . Protrusions  411   a  and  411   b  are provided at an inner end of the urging arm  411 , and protrusions  412   a  and  412   b  are provided along an inner end of the urging arm  412 . The protrusion  411   b  is smaller than the protrusion  411   a , and a distal end of the protrusion  411   a  is at the same height position as a distal end of the protrusion  411   b . The protrusion  412   b  is also smaller than the protrusion  412   a , and a distal end of the protrusion  412   a  is at the same height position as a distal end of the protrusion  412   b . The protrusions  411   a  and  411   b  are to be inserted into one of the slots  210   a  of the holder  200   a  so as to abut the second face  302   a  of the conductive plate  300   a , while the protrusions  412   a  and  412   b  are to be inserted into one of the slots  210   b  of the holder  200   b  so as to abut the second face  302   b  of the conductive plate  300   b . A gap distance S from the protrusions  411   a  and  411   b  of the urging arm  411  to the protrusions  412   a  and  412   b  of the urging arm  412  is smaller than the sum of thickness dimensions of the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  and a thickness dimension of the conductive fabric. As such, when the conductive fabric is inserted between the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b , the urging arm  411  urges the second face  302   a  of the conductive plate  300   a  and the urging arm  412  urges the second face  302   b  of the conductive plate  300   b . The conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  are thus urged in directions close to each other, and the conductive fabric is elastically held between the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b.    
     The connecting portion  420  is a rectangular plate extending from the intermediate portion  413  of the clamp  410  to an opposite side of the urging arms  411  and  412 . The connecting portion  420  is larger in length than the protrusion  130 . Accordingly, when pressed into one of the slits  131  of the protrusion  130 , the connecting portion  420  passes through the protrusion  130 . The connecting portion  420  has a lock piece  421  to be locked in one of the lock holes  132  of the protrusion  130 . The lock piece  421  locked in the lock hole  132  prevents the spring clip  400  from falling out of the body  100 . The connecting portion  420  is to be electrically connected at its rear end with a core wire  610  of the cable  600 . In this embodiment, the core wire  610  of the cable  600  is inserted into a connection hole formed at the rear end of the connecting portion  420  and is connected to the connecting portion  420  by soldering. Alternatively, slots may be formed in widthwise ends of the rear end of the connecting portion  420  to engage and solder the core wire  610  of the cable  600  with the slots. 
     The bush  500  is a generally square pyramid member of insulating resin and is detachably attached to a rear end of the base  110 . The protrusion  130  of the base  110 , the rear end of the connecting portion  420  of the spring clip  400 , an end of the cable  600 , and the core wire  610  taken from the end of the cable  600  are embedded in the bush  500 . 
     The connector may be configured as described above and may be assembled in the following steps. The first step is to prepare the body  100  produced by a known injection molding method and a pair of spring clips  400  produced by a known press molding method. Thereafter, the connecting portions  420  of the spring clips  400  are inserted through the pair of slits  112  of the body  100  and into the pair of slits  131  of the protrusion  130  to project the rear ends of the connecting portions  420  out of the protrusion  130 . Then, the lock pieces  421  of the connecting portions  420  are locked in the pair of lock holes  132  of the protrusion  130 . Simultaneously, the intermediate portions  413  of the clamps  410  of the spring clips  400  are inserted into the pair of slits  112  of the body  100 , and the urging arms  411  and  412  of the spring clips  400  are inserted into the pair of slits  123   a  and  123   b  of the beams  120   a  and  120   b.    
     The next step is to prepare the cable  600 . The core wire  610  of the cable  600  is inserted into the connection holes in the rear ends of the connecting portions  420  and then soldered to the connecting portions  420 . Thereafter, the body  100 , the spring clips  400 , and the cable  600  are placed in a die (not shown), and insulating resin is poured into the die to mold the bush  500 . The bush  500  is thus produced, embedded with the protrusion  130  of the base  110 , the rear ends of the connecting portions  420  of the spring clips  400 , the end of the cable  600 , and the core wire  610  taken from the end of the cable  600 . 
     Also prepared are the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  produced by a known casting method such as aluminum die casting. The conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  are insert molded with insulating resin to produce the holders  200   a  and  200   b  embedded with the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  and the coupling belt  200   c.    
     Thereafter, the coupling belt  200   c  is bent into a generally U shape such that the first face  301   a  of the conductive plate  300   a  and the first face  301   b  of the conductive plate  300   b  are opposed to each other. The bent coupling belt  200   c  is inserted into the hole  111  of the body  100 , the holder  200   a  is inserted into the accommodating recess  121   a  of the beam  120   a  from the distal end of the beam  120   a , and the holder  200   b  is inserted into the accommodating recess  121   b  of the beam  120   b  from the distal end of the beam  120   b . Then, the pair of locking claws  221   a  of the locking arms  220   a  of the holder  200   a  are fitted and locked into the pair of locking holes  122   a  of the beam  120   a , and the locking claws  221   b  of the pair of locking arms  220   b  of the holder  200   b  are fitted and locked into the pair of locking holes  122   b  of the beam  120   b . At this time, the protrusions  411   a  and  411   b  of the urging arms  411  of the spring clips  400  are inserted into the pair of slots  210   a  of the holder  200   a  so as to abut the second face  302   a  of the conductive plate  300   a , and the protrusions  412   a  and  412   b  of the urging arms  412  of the spring clips  400  are inserted into the pair of slots  210   b  of the holder  200   b  so as to abut the second face  302   b  of the conductive plate  300   b . Consequently, the pair of spring clips  400  are electrically connected to the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b.    
     In the connector assembled in the above manner, the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  may be replaced in the following steps. First, the locking claws  221   a  of the pair of locking arms  220   a  of the holder  200   a  are pressed inward through the pair of locking holes  122   a  of the body  100 . Then, the locking arms  220   a  are elastically deformed inward to disengage the locking claws  221   a  form the locking holes  122   a . Likewise, the locking claws  221   b  of the pair of locking arms  220   b  of the holder  200   b  are pressed inward through the pair of locking holes  122   b  of the body  100 . Then, the locking arms  220   b  are elastically deformed inward to disengage the locking claws  221   b  form the locking holes  122   b . In this state, the holder  200   a  with the conductive plate  300   a  are pulled out of the accommodating recess  121   a  of the beam  120   a  toward the distal end of the beam  120   a , and the holder  200   b  with the conductive plate  300   b  are pulled out of the accommodating recess  121   b  of the beam  120   b  toward the distal end of the beam  120   b . Now the holders  200   a  and  200   b , the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b , and the coupling belt  200   c  are removed from the body  100 . A new set of holders  200   a  and  200   b , conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b , and coupling belt  200   c  is prepared and is attached to the body  100  in the steps described above. 
     The connector assembled in the above manner may be attached to the conductive fabric in the following manner. The conductive fabric is inserted between the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  of the connector, then the urging arms  411  of the pair of spring clips  400  are pressed upward by means of the conductive plate  300   a , and the urging arms  412  of the pair of spring clips  400  are pressed downward by means of the conductive plate  300   b . The urged urging arms  411  and  412  then urge back the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  in the directions close to each other, so that the conductive fabric is held between the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b . The projections  310   a  of the conductive plate  300   a  are brought into contact with a first electrode on a first face of the conductive fabric, and the projections  310   b  of the conductive plate  300   b  are brought into contact with a second electrode of a second face (opposite side of the first face) of the conductive fabric. The connector is thus connected to the conductive fabric. To remove the conductive fabric from the connector, the conductive fabric is pulled from between the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b.    
     In the connector as described above, the conductive fabric is elastically held between the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  for electrical connection, so that the connector can be easily connected to and disconnected from the conductive fabric, and there is no need to make a hole in the conductive fabric. It is therefore easy to change a connection position of the connector with respect to the conductive fabric. With no hole in the conductive fabric, the electrodes of the conductive fabric will not be damaged due to perforation. Further, the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  are removably insertable into the accommodating recesses  121   a  and  121   b  of the beams  120   a  and  120   b  from the distal ends of the beams  120   a  and  120   b . It is accordingly easy to replace the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  if the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  undergo oxidation following an extended period of use of the connector. Another advantage of the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  that are removably insertable into the accommodating recesses  121   a  and  121   b  from the distal ends of the beams  120   a  and  120   b  is that the connector is applicable to different kinds of conductive fabrics with different thicknesses by preparing different kinds of conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  with different thicknesses for replacement. 
     In addition, the projections  310   a  and  310   b  of square pyramid shape of the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  are brought into elastic contact with the first and second electrodes of the conductive fabric, increasing contact areas of the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  with respect to the first and second electrodes of the conductive fabric. Therefore, frictional resistance of the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  with respect to the conductive fabric is increased, improving a holding force and a tension strength of the connector with respect to the conductive fabric. Also, the projections  310   a  and  310   b  of square pyramid shape of the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  in elastic contact with the first and second electrodes of the conductive fabric can stabilize a contact resistance value of the connector with respect to the conductive fabric and thereby improving connection stability of the connector. 
     The connector of the invention is not limited to the above embodiment but may be modified in design within the scope of claims. Examples of the modifications will be described in detail below. 
     The first and second beams of the invention may extend substantially in parallel with each other from the upper and lower ends of the base  110  as in the beams  120   a  and  120   b  of the above embodiment. However, the first and second beams may have any other configuration as long as they extend substantially in parallel with each other and include the first and second accommodating recesses, respectively, that are opposed to each other. 
     The accommodating recesses of the invention are not limited to the ones according to the above embodiment, wherein the accommodating recesses  121   a  and  121   b  are open toward the distal end sides of the beams  120   a  and  120   b  and have generally rectangular shapes with slightly larger outer dimensions than those of the holders  200   a  and  200   b . The accommodating recesses may be modified in design as long as they are open toward the distal end sides of the beams and have such outer shapes as to removably accommodate the holders or the conductive plates from the distal ends. In other words, the accommodating recesses may accommodate the holders or may directly accommodate the conductive plates. In the latter case, the holders and the coupler may be omitted. 
     The urging device of the invention may be configured like the spring clips  400  according to the above embodiment. However, the urging device may have any other configuration as long as it is adapted to urge the first and second conductive plates in directions close to each other. For example, the urging device may be a coil spring, a plate spring, or any other elastic member, which may be interposed between the first and second accommodating recesses and the holders or between the first and second accommodating recesses and the conductive plates so as to urge the first and second conductive plates in directions close to each other. Alternatively, the urging device may be the first and second beams made of an elastically deformable material and capable of approaching each other, in which case the first and second beams should urge the first and second conductive plates in directions close to each other. The spring clips  400  may electrically connect the first and second conductive plates to a cable or any other object to be connected, e.g. a printed circuit board. That is, the connecting portion of the urging device may be connectable to various kinds of objects to be connected. Also, the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  and the cable  600  may be electrically connected via the spring clips  400  serving as the urging device, as in the above embodiment. However, a certain connection device may be separately provided from the urging device to provide electrical connection between the first and second conductive plates and the cable. This separate connection device may connect between the first and second conductive plates and the object to be connected. 
     The first and second urging arms of the invention may be configured like the urging arms  411  and  412  with the protrusions  411   a ,  411   b ,  412   a , and  412   b  according to the above embodiment. However, the first and second urging arms may be modified in design as long as the first and second urging arms are contactable to the second faces of the conductive plates. 
     The conductive plates of the invention may be configured like the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b  being conductive metal plates manufactured by casting as in the above embodiment. However, the conductive plates may be any other plates having electrical conductivity. For example, they may be press-molded conductive metal plates. The second faces of the first and second conductive plates may be provided with first and second locking recesses to lock the first and second urging arms thereto. In this case, the first and second urging arms are to be locked in the first and second locking recesses of the first and second conductive plates, making it possible to improve a holding force of the first and second urging arms with respect to the first and second conductive plates. 
     The conductive plates of the invention may be provided with projections such as the square pyramid shaped projections  310   a  and  310   b  provided on the first faces  301   a  and  301   b  of the conductive plates  300   a  and  300   b . However, the projections may be omitted if sufficient electrical continuity can be obtained by just bringing the first faces of the first and second conductive plates into surface contact with the electric conductor. The projections may be of square pyramid shape or any other convex shapes, such as triangular pyramid shapes and cut-and-raised teeth as used in graters. 
     The first and second holders of the invention are not limited to the holders  200   a  and  200   b  with the locking arms  220   a  and  220   b  according to the above embodiment, wherein the locking claws  221   a  and  221   b  of the locking arms  220   a  and  220   b  are adapted to be locked in the locking holes  122   a  and  122   b  of the beams  120   a  and  120   b . Alternatively, the holders may be press-fitted, bonded, or locked by any other means into the first and second accommodating recesses of the first and second beams. Also, the locking claws of the invention may be configured like the locking claws  221   a  and  221   b  provided on the outer faces of the locking arms  220   a  and  220   b . However, the locking claws may be provided on such faces of the first and second locking arms as to be opposed to bottoms of the first and second accommodating recesses. In this case, the locking holes are preferably through-holes provided in the bottoms of the first and second accommodating recesses, so that it is possible to operate the locking claws through the locking holes to disengage the locking claws from the locking holes. 
     The coupler of the invention may be configured like the coupling belt  200   c  that couples the holders  200   a  and  200   b , but it may be modified in design as long as it is a flexible coupler to couple the first and second holders. The coupler may be omitted and the first and second holders may be separately provided. 
     The materials, shapes, dimensions, arrangements, etc. of the respective elements of the present connector have been described by way of example only, and they may be modified in design in any manner as long as they provide similar functions. Also, the electric conductor may be a flexible conductive fabric as in the above embodiment, but it may be any other electric conductor as long as it is adapted to be inserted for electrical connection between the first and second conductive plates of the connector. For example, the present invention is applicable to rigid plate-like electric conductors. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 100 
                 Body 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 Base 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 Hole 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 Slit 
               
               
                   
                 120a 
                 Beam (first beam) 
               
               
                   
                 121a 
                 Accommodating recess (first accommodating recess) 
               
               
                   
                 122a 
                 Locking hole 
               
               
                   
                 123a 
                 Slit 
               
               
                   
                 120b 
                 Beam (second beam) 
               
               
                   
                 121b 
                 Accommodating recess (second accommodating recess) 
               
               
                   
                 122b 
                 Locking hole 
               
               
                   
                 123b 
                 Slit 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 Protrusion 
               
               
                   
                 131 
                 Slit 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 Lock hole 
               
               
                   
                 200a 
                 Holder (first holder) 
               
               
                   
                 210a 
                 Slot 
               
               
                   
                 220a 
                 Locking arm 
               
               
                   
                 221a 
                 Locking claw 
               
               
                   
                 200b 
                 Holder (second holder) 
               
               
                   
                 210b 
                 Slot 
               
               
                   
                 220b 
                 Locking arm 
               
               
                   
                 221b 
                 Locking claw 
               
               
                   
                 300a 
                 Conductive plate (first conductive plate) 
               
               
                   
                 301a 
                 First face 
               
               
                   
                 302a 
                 Second face 
               
               
                   
                 310a 
                 Projection 
               
               
                   
                 300b 
                 Conductive plate (second conductive plate) 
               
               
                   
                 301b 
                 First face 
               
               
                   
                 302b 
                 Second face 
               
               
                   
                 310b 
                 Projection 
               
               
                   
                 400 
                 Spring clip (urging device: spring member) 
               
               
                   
                 410 
                 Clamp 
               
               
                   
                 411 
                 Urging arm (first urging arm) 
               
               
                   
                 412 
                 Urging arm (second urging arm) 
               
               
                   
                 413 
                 Intermediate portion 
               
               
                   
                 420 
                 Connecting portion 
               
               
                   
                 500 
                 Bush 
               
               
                   
                 600 
                 Cable