Patent Publication Number: US-6908331-B2

Title: Insulation stripping connector for insulated wires

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a §111 (a) application relating to commonly owned co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/414,438, entitled “Insulation Stripping Connector for Insulated Wires,” filed Sep. 27, 2002. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to insulation stripping connectors and, more particularly, to insulation stripping connectors for use in the electrical connection of wiring. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Insulation stripping connectors (sometimes referred to in the art as “insulation displacement connectors,” “IDC&#39;s” or “terminals”) are widely used in industry, particularly within the telecommunication, automotive solenoid and electrical motor fields. Insulation stripping connectors offer reliable, gas-tight connections, and their ease and speed of installation eliminate the need for wire stripping, crimping, or soldering techniques. However, the problem with existing insulation stripping connectors is that they accommodate only a small range of wire sizes. For instance, many existing connectors feature rigid beams or legs that engage wire when such connectors are inserted into their associated housings or bobbins. Since the beams or legs offer very little, if any, flexibility, the connectors can only accommodate two to three wire sizes. Consequently, a user must purchase, stock, and utilize many different insulation stripping connectors for use with a wide range of wire sizes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,365 to Magnifico (the “Magnifico &#39;365 Patent”) attempted to address the aforementioned shortcoming of prior insulation stripping connectors. The Magnifico &#39;365 Patent discloses an insulation displacement terminal that includes flexible inner beams and stiff outer beams that allow for the accommodation of a range of wire sizes. However, the range of wire sizes that can be used in conjunction with the terminal disclosed in the Magnifico &#39;365 Patent is limited by the elastic limit of the material used to manufacture the terminal, particularly the elastic limit of the terminal&#39;s inner beams. For instance, a large size wire that engages the terminal may force apart the inner beams to a point that exceeds their elastic limit, resulting in the inner beams losing their elasticity. While exceeding the elastic limit of the inner beams may make an acceptable initial connection with the wire, the failure of this connection can occur due to various environmental conditions, such as ordinary vibrations exerted upon the terminal, as well as diameter changes of the wire, which are caused by reduced or elevated temperatures. Since the inner beams have lost their elasticity, a gas-tight connection between the terminal and the wire is lost. As a result, molecules of oxygen or other gases can enter the interface between the terminal and the wire, thereby causing a buildup of corrosion on the terminal and/or the wire. Consequently, the loss of the gas-tight connection between the terminal and the wire causes intermittent or open circuits during use. Thus, the range of wires that can be reliably used with the terminal disclosed in the Magnifico &#39;365 Patent is severely limited. 
     In addition, the terminal covered by the Magnifico &#39;365 Patent discloses small slits and coined areas located at common expanses (where the inner and outer beams are joined). The slits and the coined areas partially divide the inner and outer beams. The Magnifico &#39;365 Patent discloses that the function of the slits and the coined areas is to create a force that pushes the inner beams toward each other when the terminal engages a wire. The Magnifico &#39;365 Patent further discloses that this configuration allows for the manufacture of a narrow wire slot, thereby increasing the range of wire sizes that can be used in conjunction with the terminal, as well as improving the connecting features of the terminal. However, the problem with this configuration is that the sizes of the slits and the coined areas are very difficult to manufacture within the terminal&#39;s specifications, due to variations in the hardness of the material used to manufacture the terminal, as well as the sharpness of the tools used to create the slits and the coined areas. Since the size of the wire slot depends upon the sizes of the slits and the coined areas, any deviation in the sizes of slits and/or the coined areas would affect the size of the wire slot. For instance, if a slit and/or a coined area is manufactured too small, then the width of the wire slot will be too large. As a result, the inner beams would not maintain a sufficient connection with the wire. On the other hand, if a slit and/or a coined area are manufactured too large, then the width of the wire slot will either be too narrow or the wire slot will be closed up (i.e., the inner beams would be preloaded and, therefore, converge with one another). As a result, a wire that is inserted in the wire slot may be severed when it is engaged with the terminal. Moreover, if the slit contains a gap, then the elastic characteristics of the inner beams would be eliminated. Also, if the slit is manufactured too long, then the inner beams will almost be severed from the outer beams, thereby eliminating the elastic characteristics of the inner beams. As a result of any of the foregoing scenarios, the terminal would not provide a reliable electrical or gas-tight connection with the wire. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an insulation stripping connector that can accommodate a large range of wire sizes, while providing a reliable gas-tight connection between the connector and the wire and, at the same time, maintaining the elastic integrity of the inner legs of the connector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which includes an insulation stripping connector for providing an electrical connection to a wire. The connector has a body, a pair of outer legs, each of which is attached to and extends away from the body, and a pair of inner legs, each of which is joined to a corresponding one of the pair of outer legs and extends towards the body, terminating at a free end that is spaced from the body and from the corresponding outer leg. The inner legs form a wire slot therebetween for the introduction of a wire therein. More particularly, the configuration of the connector allows for the inclusion of a narrow wire slot that accommodates a large range of wire sizes, while overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art. For instance, the inner legs and the outer legs are sufficiently flexible in order to enable the wire slot to open in response to the insertion of a wire into the wire slot. In addition, each of the outer legs is notched in the vicinity of where the outer leg is attached to the body so as to increase the flexibility of the outer legs, thereby enabling the wire slot to open wider in order to accommodate a large range of wire sizes. 
     The forces created by the connector that strip the insulation from a wire differ from the forces created by the connector that are required to maintain constant pressure on the wire. As a result, a gas tight connection between the connector and the wire is ensured, regardless of ordinary vibrations that cause the wire to move and/or temperature variations that cause the wire to expand and contract. The connector further includes a barrier that inhibits a wire from passing beyond the free ends of the inner legs, thereby preventing the connector from losing connection with the wire to which it is being engaged. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an insulation stripping connector constructed in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the insulation stripping connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3   a-c  are sequential front elevational views showing the insulation stripping connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as it is being connected to a small size wire; 
         FIGS. 4   a-d  are sequential front elevational views showing the insulation stripping connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as it is being connected to a medium size wire; 
         FIGS. 5   a-e  are sequential front elevational views showing the insulation stripping connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as it is being connected to a large size wire; 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are sequential front perspective views showing the insulation stripping connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as it is being inserted in an associated bobbin and over a wire; and 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of an insulation stripping connector constructed in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an insulation stripping connector  10  includes a body  12 , a pair of cantilevered outer legs  14 ,  16  that extend from the body  12  in a longitudinal direction, and a pair of inner legs  18 ,  20  that extend in an opposite longitudinal direction. The outer leg  14  is joined to the inner leg  18  by a common span  22 , thereby forming a V-shape. Similarly, the outer leg  16  is joined to the inner leg  20  by a common span  24 , thereby forming a V-shape. The outer legs  14 ,  16 , the inner legs  18 ,  20  and the common spans  22 ,  24  cooperate to form a W-shape. The outer leg  14  has an inboard side  21  and an outboard side  23  opposite the inboard side  21 . Similarly, the outer leg  16  has an inboard side  25  and an outboard side  27  opposite the inboard side  25 . The inner leg  18  includes an inboard side  26  that extends from a transition point  28  to a free end  30  of the inner leg  18 , and an outboard side  29  opposite the inboard side  26 . Similarly, the inner leg  20  includes an inboard side  32  that extends from a transition point  34  to a free end  36  of the inner leg  20 , and an outboard side  31  opposite the inboard side  32 . The inboard side  21  of the outer leg  14  has a semicircular-shaped stop  33  that extends toward the outboard side  29  of the inner leg  18 . Similarly, the inboard side  25  of the outer leg  16  has a semicircular-shaped stop  35  that extends toward the outboard side  31  of the inner leg  20 . The function of the stops  33 ,  35  shall be described hereinafter. The inboard sides  26 ,  32  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  form a narrow wire slot  38  whose function will be described hereinafter. The inner legs  18 ,  20  converge at their respective free ends  30 ,  36 . It is noted that the free ends  30 ,  36  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  are resiliently biased, but they can be forced apart in a manner that will be described hereinafter. The transition points  28 ,  34  are located where the inboard sides  26 ,  32  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  are joined to the common spans  22 ,  24 . An entry gap  40 , whose function will be described hereinafter, is located between the common spans  22 ,  24 . 
     The common span  22  contains a coined area  37  located below the transition point  28  and proximate to the entry gap  40 , which forms a triangular shaped cutter  39  that extends into the entry gap  40 . Similarly, the common span  24  contains a coined area  41  located below the transition point  34  and proximate to the entry gap  40 , which forms a triangular shaped cutter  43  that extends into the entry gap  40 . The function of the cutters  39 ,  43  shall be described hereinafter. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector  10  further includes a cutout  42  that separates the inner leg  18  from the body  12  and from the outer leg  14 , while also separating the inner leg  20  from the body  12  and from the outer leg  16 . More particularly, the cutout  42  includes a lateral branch  44  that separates the free end  30  of the inner leg  18  and the free end  36  of the inner leg  20  from the body  12 . The lateral branch  44  terminates at opposed ends in a pair of semicircular-shaped notches  46 ,  48  whose function will be described hereinafter. The notch  46  is formed within the inboard side  21  of the outer leg  14  and proximate to the stop  33 , while the notch  48  is formed within the inboard side  25  of the outer leg  16  and proximate to the stop  35 . 
     The cutout  42  further includes a pair of longitudinal branches  50 ,  52 . The longitudinal branch  50  extends from the lateral branch  44  and separates the inboard side  21  of the outer leg  14  from the outboard side  29  of the inner leg  18 . Similarly, the longitudinal branch  52  extends from the lateral branch  44  and separates the inboard side  25  of the outer leg  16  from the outboard side  31  of the inner leg  20 . The longitudinal branch  50  terminates at an end remote from the lateral branch  44  in the form of a semicircular-shaped notch  54  whose function will be described hereinafter. Similarly, the longitudinal branch  52  terminates at an end remote from the lateral branch  44  in the form of a semicircular-shaped notch  56  whose function will described hereinafter. A semicircular-shaped barrier  58 , which can have other shapes and sizes, is coined from the body  12  and extends into the lateral branch  44  directly across from the free ends  30 ,  36  of the inner legs  18 ,  20 . The barrier  58  performs a function that shall be described hereinafter. 
     It is noteworthy that the body  12  can consist of many different shapes and sizes, depending upon the specific application of the connector  10 . While the notches  46 ,  48  and the notches  54 ,  56  are preferably semicircular in shape, it should be noted that they can consist of other shapes and sizes. Also, the stops  33 ,  35  are preferably semicircular in shape, but they can consist of other shapes and sizes. The cutters  39 ,  43  are preferably triangular in shape, but they can consist of other shapes and sizes. In addition, the connector  10  is preferably manufactured from copper alloy. However, the connector  10  may be made from other materials. 
       FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  illustrate the sequence of the connector  10  engaging a small-sized wire  60 . The wire  60  can be, for example, 34 AWG magnet wire, which is relatively small in diameter. In the first stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 3   a , the wire  60  enters the entry gap  40  and makes initial contact with the connector  10  at the transition points  28 ,  34 . It is noteworthy that the wire  60  (which is relatively small in diameter) does not make any contact with the cutters  39 ,  43 . In the second stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 3   b , the wire  60  enters the wire slot  38 . As the wire  60  enters the wire slot  38 , longitudinal (i.e., shearing) forces are exerted against the sides of the wire  60  by the transition points  28 ,  34 . As a result, the transition points  28 ,  34  strip off the insulation from the wire  60 . In the third and final stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 3   c , the continued insertion of the wire  60  into the wire slot  38  continues to force the wire slot  38  open and cause the inner legs  18 ,  20  to spread apart from one another. It is noteworthy that the stops  33 ,  35  are not utilized when the connector  10  engages the wire  60  (which has a relatively small diameter). As the wire  60  travels through the wire slot  38 , the inboard sides  26 ,  32  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  scrape the metal core of the wire  60  where the insulation of the wire  60  has been stripped off, thereby creating clean surfaces on the sides of the metal core of the wire  60 . As a result, full material contact between the connector  10  and the wire  60  is achieved and, therefore, a good electrical connection between the connector  10  and the wire  60  is created. Moreover, when the wire  60  is fully engaged with the connector  10 , the inner legs  18 ,  20  create a lateral clamping force on the wire  60 . This lateral clamping force ensures that constant pressure is maintained on the wire  60  by the connector  10 , thereby creating a gas-tight connection between the connector  10  and the wire  60 . The barrier  58  prevents the wire  60  from traveling too far through the wire slot  38  and past the free ends  30 ,  36  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  and into the lateral branch  44  of the cutout  42 . 
     It is noteworthy that when the wire  60  is fully engaged with the connector  10 , the inner legs  18 ,  20  flex within their elastic limit in order to compensate for ordinary vibrations exerted on the connector  10 , as well as diameter changes of the wire  60  that are caused by reduced or elevated temperatures. It is also noteworthy that the outer legs  14 ,  16  do not exert any force on the wire  60  when the wire  10  engages the connector  10 . Accordingly, the forces that are required to strip the insulation of the wire  60  and to insert the wire  60  into the wire slot  38  are relatively small and, therefore, do not exceed the shear strength of the wire  60 . As a result, severing of the wire  60  by the connector  10  is inhibited. 
       FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  show the sequence of the connector  10  engaging a mid-sized wire  62 . The wire  62  can be, for example, 26 AWG magnet wire, which has a relatively mid-size diameter. In the first stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 4   a , the wire  62  enters the entry gap  40  and makes initial contact with the connector  10  against the common spans  22 ,  24  and below the transition points  28 ,  34 . It is noteworthy that the wire  62  (which has a relatively mid-size diameter) does not make any contact with the cutters  39 ,  43 . In the second stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 4   b , lateral forces are exerted by the wire  62  at the common spans  22 ,  24  and, in turn, against the outer legs  14 ,  16 . These lateral forces cause the outer leg  14  to flex at the notch  46  and the outer leg  16  to flex at the notch  48 , thereby causing the outer legs  14 ,  16  to spread apart from one another. Since the inner leg  18  is connected to the outer leg  14  by the common span  22  and the inner leg  20  is connected to the outer leg  16  by the common span  24 , the aforesaid lateral forces also cause the inner legs  18 ,  20  to spread apart from one another, which, in turn, causes the wire slot  38  to open to an appropriate size for the receipt of the wire  62 . 
     In the third stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 4   c , the wire  62  makes initial contact with the transition points  28 ,  34 . At this point, the lateral forces that cause the outer legs  14 ,  16  to spread apart diminish, while longitudinal forces are exerted on the sides of the wire  62  by the transition points  28 ,  34 . As a result, the transition points  28 ,  34  strip off the insulation from the wire  62 . In the fourth and final stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 4   d , the continued insertion of the wire  62  into the wire slot  38  continues to force the wire slot  38  open and cause the inner legs  18 ,  20  to spread apart from one another. It is noteworthy that the stops  33 ,  35  are not utilized when the connector  10  engages the wire  62  (which has a relatively mid-size diameter). As the wire  62  travels through the wire slot  38 , the inboard sides  26 ,  32  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  scrape the metal core of the wire  62  where the insulation of the wire  62  has been stripped off, thereby creating clean surfaces on the sides of the metal core of the wire  62 . As a result, full material contact between the connector  10  and the wire  62  is achieved and, therefore, a good electrical connection between the connector  10  and the wire  62  is created. Moreover, when the wire  62  is fully engaged with the connector  10 , the inner legs  18 ,  20  create a lateral clamping force on the wire  62 . This lateral clamping force ensures that constant pressure is maintained on the wire  62  by the connector  10 , thereby creating a gas-tight connection between the connector  10  and the wire  62 . The barrier  58  prevents the wire  62  from traveling too far through the wire slot  38  and past the free ends  30 ,  36  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  and into the lateral branch  44  of the cutout  42 . It is noteworthy that when the wire  62  is fully engaged with the connector  10 , the inner legs  18 ,  20  flex within their elastic limit in order to compensate for ordinary vibrations exerted on the connector  10 , as well as diameter changes of the wire  62  that are caused by reduced or elevated temperatures. 
       FIGS. 5   a  through  5   e  show the sequence of the connector  10  engaging a large-sized wire  64 . The wire  64  can be, for example, 18 AWG magnet wire, which is relatively large in diameter. In the first stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 5   a , the connector  10  enters the entry gap  40  and makes initial contact with the connector  10  against the common spans  22 ,  24  and below the transition points  28 ,  34 . In the second stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 5   b , lateral forces are exerted by the wire  62  at the common spans  22 ,  24  and, in turn, against the outer legs  14 ,  16 . These lateral forces cause the outer leg  14  to flex at the notch  46  and the outer leg  16  to flex at the notch  48 , thereby causing the outer legs  14 ,  16  to spread apart from one another. The outer legs  14 ,  16  are spread apart until the outboard sides  23 ,  27  thereof impact the sides of a housing or bobbin  66  in which the connector  10  is inserted (not shown in  FIGS. 5   a  through  5   e , but see  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b ). Since the inner leg  18  is connected to the outer leg  14  by the common span  22  and the inner leg  20  is connected to the outer leg  16  by the common span  24 , the aforesaid lateral forces cause the inner legs  18 ,  20  to spread apart, which, in turn, causes the wire slot  38  to open to an appropriate size for the receipt of the wire  64 . 
     Also during the second stage, the cutters  39 ,  43  slice the insulation from the wire  64  and create tears therein. This allows the transition points  28 ,  34  to more easily strip the insulation from the wire  64 , which has a thick insulation due to its relatively large size. 
     In the third stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 5   c , the aforesaid lateral forces created by the wire  64  continue to be exerted on the outer legs  14 ,  16 , while longitudinal forces are exerted against the wire  64  by the transition points  28 ,  34 . Furthermore, the common span  22  rotates in a counterclockwise direction about the notch  54 , while the common span  24  rotates in a clockwise direction about the notch  56 . As a result, the longitudinal branches  50 ,  52  begin to collapse. In the fourth stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 5   d , the wire  64  continues to engage the connector  10  at the transition points  28 ,  34 . At this stage, the wire slot  38  continues to be forced open by the wire  64 , thereby further spreading apart the inner legs  18 ,  20  and further collapsing the longitudinal branches  50 ,  52 . Moreover, the aforesaid lateral forces acting against the outer legs  14 ,  16  diminish, while the longitudinal forces acting against the wire  64  at the transition points  28 ,  34  remain. As a result, the transition points  28 ,  34  strip off the insulation from the wire  64 . Also during the fourth stage, the stop  33  restricts the rotational movement of the inner leg  18 , while the stop  35  restricts the rotational movement of the inner leg  20  so as to prevent the inner legs  18 ,  20  from overstressing. As a result, each of the inner legs  18 ,  20  maintains its resiliency. 
     In the fifth and final stage of the sequence, as shown by  FIG. 5   e , the continued insertion of the wire  64  into the wire slot  38  continues to force open the wire slot  38 , thereby spreading apart the inner legs  18 ,  20 . As the wire  64  travels through the wire slot  38 , the inboard sides  26 ,  32  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  scrape the metal core of the wire  64  where the insulation of the wire  64  has been stripped off, thereby creating clean surfaces on the sides of the metal core of the wire  64 . As a result, full material contact between the connector  10  and the wire  64  is achieved and, therefore, a good electrical connection between the connector  10  and the wire  64  is created. Moreover, when the wire  64  is fully engaged with the connector  10 , the inner legs  18 ,  20  create a lateral clamping force on the wire  64 . This lateral clamping force ensures that constant pressure is maintained on the wire  64  by the connector  10 , thereby creating a gas-tight connection between the connector  10  and the wire  64 . It is noteworthy that when the wire  64  is fully engaged with the connector  10 , the inner legs  18 ,  20  are preloaded in order to compensate for ordinary vibrations exerted on the connector  10 , as well as diameter changes of the wire  64  caused by reduced or elevated temperatures. The barrier  58  prevents the wire  64  from traveling past the free ends  30 ,  36  of the inner legs  18 ,  20  and into the lateral branch  44  of the cutout  42  and past the tangential center-point of each of the stops  33 ,  35 . As a result, the preloaded state of the inner legs  18 ,  20  is maintained, thereby ensuring a good electrical connection between the wire  64  and the connector  10 . 
       FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show the sequence of the connector  10  being inserted into its associated bobbin  66 . Referring initially to  FIG. 6   a , the bobbin  66  includes a wire slot  68  that longitudinally traverses the bobbin  66  and a connector slot  70  that laterally traverses the bobbin  66  ninety (90) degrees from the wire slot  68 . The wire slot  68  is shaped and sized to accommodate receipt of a wire  72 , while the connector slot  70  is shaped and sized to accommodate receipt of the connector  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6   b , the connector  10  is inserted into the connector slot  70 , thereby forcing the wire  72  into the wire slot  38  of the connector  10 . Depending upon the size of the wire  72 , the connector  10  engages the wire  72  and otherwise functions in a manner as previously described herein and as shown by  FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  (for small-sized wire),  FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  (for mid-sized wire) and  FIGS. 5   a  through  5   e  (for large-sized wire). 
     Specifically, the connector  10  has been adapted for use in connection with magnet wires. However, the connector  10  can be utilized with other types of wire. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  7 . Elements illustrated in  FIG. 7  that correspond to the elements described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred (100). The embodiment of  FIG. 7  operates in the same manner as the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , unless it is otherwise stated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an insulation stripping connector  110  includes a body  112 , a pair of cantilevered outer legs  114 ,  116  that extend from the body  112  in a longitudinal direction, and a pair of inner legs  118 ,  120  that extend in an opposite longitudinal direction. The outer leg  114  has an inboard side  121  and an outboard side  123  opposite the inboard side  121 . Similarly, the outer leg  116  has an inboard side  125  and an outboard side  127  opposite the inboard side  125 . The connector  110  further includes a notch  111  that is located on the outboard side  123  of the outer leg  114  and between the outer leg  114  and the body  112 , and a notch  113  that is located on the outboard side  127  of the outer leg  116  and between the outer leg  116  and the body  112 . The function of the notches  111 ,  113  will be described hereinafter. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 7 , the outer leg  114  is joined to the inner leg  118  by a common span  122 , thereby forming a V-shape. Similarly, the outer leg  116  is joined to the inner leg  120  by a common span  124 , thereby forming a V-shape. The outer legs  114 ,  116 , the inner legs  118 ,  120  and the common spans  122 ,  124  cooperate to form a W-shape. The inner leg  118  includes an inboard side  126  that extends from a transition point  128  to a free end  130  of the inner leg  118  and an outboard side  129  opposite the inboard side  126 . Similarly, the inner leg  120  includes an inboard side  132  that extends from a transition point  134  to a free end  136  of the inner leg  120  and an outboard side  131  opposite the inboard side  132 . The inboard side  121  of the outer leg  114  has a semicircular-shaped stop  133  that extends toward the outboard side  129  of the inner leg  118 . Similarly, the inboard side  125  of the outer leg  116  has a semicircular-shaped stop  135  that extends toward the outboard side  131  of the inner leg  120 . The function of the stops  133 ,  135  shall be described hereinafter. The inboard sides  126 ,  132  of the inner legs  118 ,  120  form a narrow wire slot  138  whose function will be described hereinafter. The inner legs  118 ,  120  converge at their respective free ends  130 ,  136 . It is noted that the free ends  130 ,  136  of the inner legs  118 ,  120  are resiliently biased, but they can be forced apart in a manner that will be described hereinafter. The transition points  128 ,  134  are located where the inboard sides  126 ,  132  of the inner legs  118 ,  120  are joined to the common spans  122 ,  124 . An entry gap  140 , whose function will be described hereinafter, is located between the common spans  122 ,  124 . 
     The common span  122  contains a coined area  137  located below the transition point  128  and proximate to the entry gap  140 , which forms a triangular shaped cutter  139  that extends into the entry gap  140 . Similarly, the common span  124  contains a coined area  141  located below the transition point  134  and proximate to the entry gap  140 , which forms a triangular shaped cutter  143  that extends into the entry gap  140 . The function of the coined areas  137 ,  141  and the cutters  139 ,  143  shall be described hereinafter. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 7 , the connector  110  further includes a cutout  142  that separates the inner leg  118  from the body  112  and from the outer leg  114 , while also separating the inner leg  120  from the body  112  and from the outer leg  116 . More particularly, the cutout  142  includes a lateral branch  144  that separates the free end  130  of the inner leg  118  and the free end  136  of the inner leg  120  from the body  112 . The cutout  142  further includes a pair of longitudinal branches  150 ,  152 . The longitudinal branch  150  extends from the lateral branch  144  and separates the inboard side  121  of the outer leg  114  from the outboard side  129  of the inner leg  118 . Similarly, the longitudinal branch  152  extends from the lateral branch  144  and separates the inboard side  125  of the outer leg  116  from the outboard side  131  of the inner leg  120 . The longitudinal branch  150  terminates at an end remote from the lateral branch  144  in the form of a semicircular-shaped notch  154  whose function will be described hereinafter. Similarly, the longitudinal branch  152  terminates at an end remote from the lateral branch  144  in the form of a semicircular-shaped notch  156 . A semicircular-shaped barrier  158  is coined from the body  112  and extends into the lateral branch  144 . The barrier  158 , which can have other shapes and sizes, is located directly above the free ends  130 ,  136  of the inner legs  118 ,  120  to perform a function that shall be described hereinafter. 
     It is noteworthy that the body  112  can consist of many different shapes and sizes, depending upon the specific application of the connector  110 . While the notches  111 ,  113  and the notches  154 ,  156  are preferably semicircular in shape, it should be noted that they could consist of other shapes and sizes. Also, the stops  133 ,  135  are preferably semicircular in shape, but they can consist of other shapes and sizes. The cutters  139 ,  143  are preferably triangular in shape, but they can consist of other shapes and sizes. In addition, the connector  110  is preferably manufactured from copper alloy. However, the connector  110  may be made from other materials. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 7  operates in the same manner as the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  with one difference. That is, when the connector  110  engages a mid-size wire or a large-size wire, the lateral forces exerted against the outer legs  114 ,  116  cause the outer leg  114  to flex at the notch  111  and the outer leg  116  to flex at the notch  113 , thereby causing the outer legs  114 ,  116  to spread apart from one another. 
     Specifically, the connector  110  has been adapted for use in connection with magnet wires. However, the connector  110  can be utilized with other types of wire. 
     It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.