Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate to connectors for connecting strips of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) end-to-end and for connecting a single strip of LEDs to a power source. The connectors define a compartment to receive a strip of LEDs. Tabs extending inwardly from the sides of the connector retain the strip. Electrical contact with the strip is made by a pair of spring clip contacts that bear against electrical terminals on the strip. A hinged lid has an opening positioned so as not to obstruct the last LED on the strip, and carries a downwardly-facing block that bears against the spring clip ends to keep them in contact with the terminals of the strip. In a strip-to-power connector, the connector defines one compartment for each conductor, and each conductor carries connecting structure. Ends of the spring clip connectors carry complementary connecting structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/967,017, filed Aug. 14, 2013. The contents of that application are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems are in common use today. They offer improved electrical efficiency when compared with incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Individual LED lights are relatively small, ranging in size from a fraction of one millimeter for a single LED to an array of LEDs that is a square centimeter or more, comprising an array of smaller devices. Such lights incorporate lenses, reflectors, phosphors, and diffusers that influence the size, shape, and appearance of light output. 
         [0003]    Prior-art LEDs are often sold in groups formed into a strip configuration that can have any length. These are often seen as flexible strands of lights used in holiday decorations, advertising, and emergency lighting. One such flexible strip configuration employs wire busses to which LEDs and a power source are connected. 
         [0004]    Another prior-art strip configuration comprises conductors on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) to which are attached a plurality of LEDs, often by a well-known surface mount method. 
         [0005]    In order to cause the LEDS on the strip to illuminate, power must be supplied to them from a power supply, which usually energizes pair of wires with a direct-current potential. These wires must be connected to the conductors on the PCB to supply operating current for the LEDs. Various connectors have been used and proposed to connect such wires to the PCB. The following is a list of some possibly relevant prior art that shows connectors for connecting wires to prior-art LED strip lighting systems. Following this list I provide a discussion of these references. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Issue or 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                 Patent or Pub. Nr. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Pub. Date 
                 or Applicant 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,837 
                 B1 
                 1998-12-15 
                 Gustafson 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,748 
                 B2 
                 2004-10-12 
                 Wertz et al. 
               
               
                 US 2009/0064571 
                 A1 
                 2009-03-12 
                 Fakhari 
               
               
                 EP 2078895 
                 B1 
                 2012-12-12 
                 Flashaar-Blooedorn 
               
               
                 WO 2013/010445 
                 A1 
                 2013-01-24 
                 Yong Zhang 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0006]    Gustafson shows an integrally formed linear light strip with LEDs. The light strip is encapsulated between upper and lower thermoplastic extrusions. First and second bus elements are spaced apart and parallel to one-another on a printed circuit strip and LEDs are connected between the first and second bus elements. Connectors at the ends of his light strips connect to either a power source or to another light strip. The connectors are “metal connector pins heat-staked into the thermoplastic to contact the strip bus elements for interconnection of the light strips or for connection of light strips to the power source . . . ” Gustafson also suggests using “conventional wiring means” or an electrical connector such as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,088 (to Tomchak, et al.) and used in lighting strips or surface wiring. The connector taught in this patent employs male pins that are crimped onto the ends of wires, are encased in an electrically conductive gel, and housed in a first rigid housing that mates with a second rigid housing with flat electrical conductors. “Conventional wiring means” implies the soldering or clamping together of conductors. The connectors taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,088 must be urged together using at least one screw. None of these wiring means provides a quick-connect and quick-release feature simply joining the ends of conductors and the printed circuit portion of his light strip. 
         [0007]    Wertz et al. show a three-point spring contact design used to connect varied electrical components to circuit boards. An elongated body has a long axis extending between a solderable portion at a first end and three spring contacts at a second end. The three spring contacts are urged against a single wire with the axis of the wire oriented perpendicularly to the long axis of the body. While this connector is useful for its intended purpose, its required orientation and method of connection to a wire renders it unsuitable as low-profile, flat connector to a PCB. 
         [0008]    Fakhari shows an electrical conductor strip containing embedded wires. The strip is an elongated, flat ribbon. It is used as a lawn edging and is normally installed underground so that the top surface, i.e. the edge of the ribbon, faces upward. Lights are attached to the embedded wires using various means. Various means including wire nuts are used to join strips by joining their wires serially and to connect light sources such as LEDs to these wires. While this strip is useful it is also very bulky by nature, due to its outdoor placement at the lawn edge. 
         [0009]    Flashaar-Blooedorn shows an LED light strip with a bus having a plurality of wires with self-healing insulation. The wires carry power for the LEDs and optionally also carry data for controlling the operation of the light strip. A plurality of pins connected to the light strip pierce the insulation on the wires and deliver power to the LEDs. A snap-on bridge connector joins LED strips. While this strip is useful, it is also bulky by nature since it contains a layer of wires underneath the LEDs. 
         [0010]    Yong shows a piercing connector for a flexible LED light strip. Wires for supplying power to the LED strip are each terminated a piercing point. The piercing points are held in a fixture with a lid. The light strip is positioned in the fixture and the lid is closed, causing the piercing points to pierce conductors on the strip, thereby securing the strip to the connector. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    We have discovered a method and apparatus that employs a plurality of electrically conductive pressure contacts to deliver power to a plurality of respective busses on a PCB strip having at least one LED attached. An openable and removable connector captures one or more LEDs when it is closed and attached to the PCB, thereby using the LED that was previously anchored to the PCB as an anchor. In a first aspect of a first embodiment, our connector comprises two parts: a first part provides a terminus for wires of different wire gauges that deliver power to the strip, and a second part that is anchored to at least one LED on the PCB removably captures the first part, thereby securely attaching the wires to the PCB strip without compromising or obscuring light output of the LED closest to the end of the PCB strip. In a second aspect, our connector provides electrically conductive pressure contacts that electrically join two PCB strips at their respective ends while securely anchoring itself to at least one LED located near the end of each strip without compromising or obscuring the light output of the LED&#39;s closest to the end of the strip. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a connector defines at least two compartments, including one compartment designed to receive a strip of LEDs. Tabs extend inwardly from the lateral sidewalls of the compartment to retain the strip of LEDs. A pair of electrical connecting members is attached to a central bridge between compartments and extends down into the compartment to make contact with electrical terminals on the strip of LEDs. The connector includes a lid connected to it by a hinge. The lid has an opening that is positioned so as not to obstruct the light from the first LED on the strip and includes a downwardly-projecting bar on its underside that is positioned to bear of the ends of the electrical connecting members to keep them in contact with the terminals. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, the connector defines a second compartment that is a mirror image of the first compartment and connects two strips of LEDs end-to-end. In another embodiment, the connector defines two compartments that are opposite the first compartment and are adjacent to one another. These additional compartments accept conductors with connecting structure on their ends. In this embodiment, ends of the connecting members form complementary connecting structure. Thus, this embodiment of the connector can connect a strip of LEDs to power. 
         [0014]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0015]    The invention will be described with respect to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like features throughout the drawings, and in which: 
           [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a prior-art LED light strip; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a power or wire connector portion that is ready for assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a detail of a component of the connector of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a LED connector portion assembly prior to assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a component of the assembly in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the components in  FIG. 5 , ready for assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a plan view showing two components of a LED connector assembly ready to be joined; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the components in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a plan view showing the two components of  FIGS. 8 and 9  after they are connected; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment, ready for assembly; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  after assembly; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a strip-to-strip connector according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the connector of  FIG. 13  with its lid open; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the connector of  FIG. 13  with its lid closed; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken through Line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a strip-to-power connector according to yet another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the connector of  FIG. 17  with its lid open; 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the connector of  FIG. 17  with its lid closed; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view taken through Line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Prior Art Light Strip and Connector 
       [0035]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a plan and end views, respectively, of one end of a prior-art PCB LED light strip  100 . A light-strip board  105  is made of an insulating material, such as fiberglass, phenolic plastic, etc., that has printed conductors or busses  110  thereon. Conductors  110  extend down the length of strip  100 , are typically made of copper, and are securely bonded to board  105  in well-known fashion. 
         [0036]    The board has a row of LED assemblies, such as assembly  115 , each having a central light-emitting portion  120  and at least two electrical connections  125 . The LED assemblies are bonded to strip  100  using an adhesive compound (not shown) between the underneath surface of each assembly and board  105  and connections  125  are soldered to conductors  110  ( FIG. 1 ), respectively, using well-known reflow soldering methods. The combination of the adhesive and solder bonds firmly secures the LED assemblies to board  105 . 
         [0037]    The semiconductor junctions that form the LEDs produce light when energized by a limited, direct-current potential source. Excessive currents or reverse potentials can cause failure of a device. Because of this, LED assemblies contain well-known current limiting circuitry, such as a resistor or current-limiting integrated circuit (not shown). If they are to be operated by an alternating current source, they also contain a rectifier (not shown) to prevent application of a reverse potential to the junction of the device. 
         [0038]    The length of LED strip  100  can be short and include from one LED assembly  115  to several, or it can be very long and include many LED assemblies like assembly  115 . In some applications a plurality of strips  100  are joined together, end-to-end. 
         [0039]    In all applications, it is necessary to apply electrical power to conductors  110  on strip  100  in order to energize the LEDs. In the past, this was done by soldering wires to conductors  110 . Wires from a power source (not shown) were soldered to conductors  110  and a plurality of strips  100  were electrically connected at their ends by soldering their respective conductors  110  together. While these connections worked, they were not easily disconnected. In addition, the spacing between assembly  115  at the end of a first strip  100  and a second assembly (not shown) at the beginning of a second strip (not shown) often would be different from the spacings of the remaining LED assemblies on each strip. This difference in spacing would call undesired attention to the joint between the first and second strips. 
       Connectors According to Embodiments of the Present Invention 
       [0040]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded exterior perspective view of a power or wire connector portion or half  300  that can alleviate one or more of the above problems and that is ready for assembly. Wire connector half  300  of  FIG. 3 , together with a mating LED strip or anchor connector portion or half  500  ( FIG. 5 ), are used to connect power supply wires  315  to strip of LEDs  100  ( FIG. 5 ). I.e., wires  315  are connected to wire connector half  300  and LED strip  100  is connected to strip connector half  500 , whereupon connector halves  300  and  500  can be connected together (mated) to connect the wires to the strip. This section discusses wire connector half  300  and its connection to wires  315  and the next section discusses strip connector half  500  and its connection to LED strip  100 . 
         [0041]    Wire connector half  300  has a housing  310  with a boxlike shape with a hollow interior and open left and right ends. A pair of wire-gripping terminals  305  are shown outside the left end but are assembled by securely molding them into housing  310 . Wires  315  comprise a pair of wires with stripped ends; these are inserted into respective terminals  305  as described infra Housing  310  has a bendable tongue  320  with a raised tip  325  that extends upward from the top surface of housing  310 . Tongue  320  can be inserted and removably locked into a recess in LED strip connector half  500 , as discussed infra. Connector half  300  is made of an electrically insulating plastic such as nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows one of terminals  305  of connector half  300  with one of wires  315  installed. Each wire  315  comprises an electrical conductor such as copper that is surrounded with an electrically insulating material such as vinyl. Terminal  305  comprises a collar  400 , two arms  405 , and a contact tongue  410 . Installation of wires  315  begins with the removal, or stripping, of insulation from the ends of wires  315  for a distance about equal to one half the length of terminal  305 . 
         [0043]    Wires  315  are then inserted through respective collars  400  until the stripped ends extend past the ends of arms  405  toward the distal end of contact tongue  410 . Each of the wires or conductors in wires  315  is of sufficient diameter to springably urge arms  405  apart as each wire  315  is inserted into its terminal  305 . Arms  405  pinch the conductor in each of wires  315  and therefore resist the removal of wires  315  by pulling from behind collar  400 . Collar  400  is crimped securely against the insulation of wires  315  when added resistance to removal of these wires from terminal  305  is required. Terminal  305  is formed from a single, stamped piece of springable metal such as steel in well-known fashion. Terminal  305  can be either plated with a metal such as chromium or gold, or left as-is. On one realization of the connector the diameter of the group of conductors in each of wires  315  was about 1 mm, although other sizes can be used, depending upon the electrical current requirement of the LED strip. In lieu of a group of conductors, wires  315  can constitute a single conductor. 
         [0044]    Arms  405  of terminal  305  further include a pair of curved wings  415  that are used in the removal of wire  315 . When it is desired to remove wires  315  from terminal  305  wings  415  are displaced or pried apart by a lever such as the tip of a standard, flat-tipped cabinet screwdriver. A pair of slots  815  ( FIG. 8 ) are provided for this purpose when terminal  305  is installed in connector half  300 . 
         [0045]    The right side of  FIG. 8  shows a plan view of connector half  300  assembled and ready to use. A pair of wires  315  are connected to terminals  305 , which are in turn installed in housing  310  of connector half  300 . 
       Connector and Anchor—FIG. 5 Through 7 and  8   
       [0046]      FIGS. 5 through 7  show one aspect of anchor connector half  500  which is connected to or terminates LED strip  100  to enable strip  100  to be electrically connected to wire connector half  300  and hence wires  315  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of LED connector and anchor half  500  which is used to connect to and hold strip  100 . The busses or conductors  110  on strip  100  have solder bumps  510  at the ends of the strip to improve the electrical and mechanical contact to strip connector half  500 . 
         [0048]    Connector half  500  has a pair of spring clip electrodes  505  that are used to provide electrical contact to tongue  410  of collar  400 , as described below. Electrodes  505  each have a channel shape and are mounted on connector half  500  so that the open sides of the channels face each other. Connector half  500  also includes a lid  700  with openings  705  and  710 . Lid  700  is secured to body  715  by a “living” hinge  720  of flexible plastic material that is formed together with body  715  in well-known fashion. Alternatively, hinge  720  can be a standard “piano” hinge or other kind of hinge that hingedly joins lid  700  to body  715 . Connector half  500  is formed by injection molding or another well-known method.  FIG. 5  also shows LED strip  100 , described supra. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one of spring clip electrodes  505  on connector half  500 . Electrodes  505  comprise a channel-shaped body part  600 . A curved arm  605  extends from one end of one side of the channel. One or more teeth  615  are provided at the inner, upper side of the channel of electrode  505  in order to provide secure electrical contact to buss  110 . Additional teeth  610  are provided on the inner edge of the lower side of the channel to secure electrode  505  to board  110  when the two are joined ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ). Electrodes  505  are formed of the same material as terminals  305 . Electrodes  505  are secured within connector half  500  when it is molded. To assemble strip  100  and connector half  500 , strip  100  is slidably engaged into the channels of electrodes  505  as indicated by arrow A. Teeth  615  in electrodes  505  ( FIG. 6 ) engage conductors or busses  110  via solder bumps  510  (if present) and teeth  610  in engage the under-surface of strip  100  to secure strip  100  in electrodes  505 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing strip  100  and placed in electrodes  505  of connector half  500 , ready for the closing of connector half  500 . When lid  700  is closed (arrow D) opening  705  surrounds LED  115 , thereby securing connector half  500  to strip  100 . At the same time, a projection  725  on body  715  of connector half  500  slidably engages opening  710 , thereby locking lid  700  in a closed position. After it has been locked, lid  700  can be opened by springably urging opening  710  away from projection  725  and raising lid  700 . Although strip  100  and connector half  500  are secured together in part by the capture of LED  115 , the light output of the first LED  115  on strip  100  is not obscured since LED  115  is fully exposed through opening  705 . 
         [0051]    The left side or  FIG. 8  is a plan view of connector half  500  in a closed and locked condition showing LED  115  of strip  100  held securely in place within opening  705 . The top of connector half  500  has a female socket  800  that receives and holds a spring catch or tongue  320  of connector half  300 . The right side of  FIG. 8  shows connector half  300 , ready to be mated with connector half  500  as indicated by arrows E and F. Arms  605  of electrodes  505  are prepared to slidably contact tongues  410  of terminals  305 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a simplified side view of connector halves  300  and  500  prior to the joining of the two parts. Connector half  500  includes female socket  800  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Connector half  300  includes a tongue portion  320  with a tip portion  325  ( FIGS. 8  and  9 ) that is sized to slidably enter socket  800  when connector halves  300  and  500  are urged together from the positions shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Tongue  320  springably urges tip  325  upward so that when tip  325  enters socket  800  tip  325  will remain secured in socket  800  until tongue  320  is manually depressed. As also shown in  FIG. 8 , arms  605  of electrodes  505  are prepared to slidably contact tongues  410  of terminals  305 . 
       Operation 
     First and Second Aspects of a First Embodiment are Joined 
     FIG.  10   
       [0053]      FIG. 10  is a plan view showing the previously prepared connector halves  300  and  500  and their related components. Connector halves  300  and  500  have been urged together, as indicated by arrows E and F ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Tip  325  of tongue  320  has springably and slidably entered socket  800  and is secured there by the upward spring force exerted by tongue  320 , thereby securing the two housings together. 
         [0054]    Arms  605  of electrodes  505  are springably urged against contact tongues  410  of terminals  305 , making secure electrical contact between electrodes  505  and terminals  305 . All components are now securely attached to one-another. LEDs  115  on strip  100  are ready for use and no portion of the light output of strip  100  is obscured by connector half  500 . 
       Description and Operation 
     Second Embodiment 
     FIGS.  11  and  12   
       [0055]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment, here a connector for connecting two strips together. Specifically a connector  1100  is arranged to join and transferring power between two strips of LEDs  100 A and  100 B. Connector  1100  is constructed similarly to connector half  500 . Connector  1100  comprises a lid  1105  and a body  1115  that are joined by a living hinge  1120  or piano hinge or other similar arrangement. Lid  1105  includes a plurality of openings  1110 A,  1110 B,  1110 C, and  1110 D. 
         [0056]    Openings  1110 A and  1110 B removably mate with projections  1112 A and  1112 B when lid  1105  is closed, as indicated by arrow I. 
         [0057]    Body  1115  further includes an open channel  1125 . Channel  1125  further includes a plurality of gripping members  1130  on its lower surface. Members  1130  include a plurality of teeth  1135  and are made of metal or plastic. Strips  100 A and  100 B are installed in body  1115  by slidably urging them into channel  1125  as shown by arrows G and H, respectively. Teeth  1135  engage the lower side of strips  100 A and  100 B as the strips are urged into channel  1125 . When they are fully inserted, strips  100 A and  100 B meet near the middle of body  1115  and LEDs  115 A and  115 B are located adjacent openings  1110 D and  1110 C, respectively. 
         [0058]    Lid  1105  further includes a pair of electrodes  1140  with a plurality of teeth  1145 . Electrodes  1140  are positioned so that when strips  100 A and  100 B have been installed and lid  1105  is closed, teeth  1145  will securely engage and connect solder bumps  510  and busses  110  on strips  100 A and  100 B. 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  is a plan view showing strips  100 A and  100 B properly installed in connector  1100 . Openings  1110 A and  1110 B have springably and removably engaged projections  1112 A and  1112 B ( FIG. 11 ), respectively so that connector  1100  is securely closed. Conductive members  1130  and teeth  1135  have been firmly urged against and connected busses  110 , and LEDs  115  A and  115 B are secured within openings  1110 C and  1110 D, respectively. 
         [0060]    Connector  1100  is molded and made of the same material as connector halves  300  and  500 , although other materials can be used. Members  1130  and electrodes  1140  are made of a sturdy, electrically conductive metal such as steel, copper, brass, or another material, although members  1130  can be made of another, electrically non-conductive material. They are installed in connector  1100  either at the time of molding, or they can be installed at a later time. 
       Additional Embodiments 
       [0061]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a connector  1200  according to another embodiment of the invention, shown as joining two strips of LEDs  100 A and  100 B. As compared with connectors  500 ,  1100  according to previous embodiments, the connector  1200  has different, and more easily connectable, structure for connecting and retaining the two strips of LEDs  100 A and  100 B. 
         [0062]    The connector  1200  itself has a body  1202  that is connected to a lid  1204  by a living hinge  1206 , and may be made of the same types of non-conductive materials as the other connectors  500 ,  1100 . The body  1202  defines two compartments  1208 ,  1210 , one for each of the strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B that are to be connected. Two tabs  1212  extend into each compartment  1208 ,  1210 , one from each sidewall, at a height just greater than the thickness of the strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B, thus creating a partial slot between the floor of the compartment  1208 ,  1210  and the tabs  1212  and helping to retain the two strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B in their respective compartments  1208 ,  1210 . A raised central piece or bridge  1214  extends between the two compartments  1208 ,  1210  and defines their inner wall. 
         [0063]    Two pairs of generally cylindrical, upwardly-extending pegs  1216 , made of an electrically insulative material, arise from the central piece  1214  and seat two spring clips  1218  with complementary openings  1220 . The fit between the pegs  1216  and the openings  1220  is preferably tight. The spring clips  1218  extend into the two compartments  1208 ,  1210  and have sufficient length to contact the respective terminals  1222  of the strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B when the strips  100 A,  100 B are in the connector  1200 , are made of an electrically conductive material, and serve to place the two strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B in electrical contact with one another. 
         [0064]    While two pairs of pegs  1216  are shown in the illustrated embodiment, in some embodiments, due to size and other considerations, a single, larger peg may be used instead of a pair of pegs  1216 . In some cases, the structure that seats and connects the spring clips  1218  on the central piece  1214  may not be a peg, but rather, a structure with a more specific shape. 
         [0065]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the connector  1200 , showing the two strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B in the connector  1200 . The installer slides the two strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B into the connector  1200 , where they are retained by the tabs  1212 . The spring clips  1218  insert over the pegs  1216 , contact the terminals  510 , and also mechanically secure the two strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B in the connector  1200 . 
         [0066]    In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  1204  actually has two halves  1222 ,  1224  that are mirror images of one another and that move independently of one another. Each half  1222 ,  1224  has a depending flange  1226  that defines an opening  1228 . On the side of the base  1202 , a set of wedges  1230  is provided in a position to complement and engage the openings  1228 , such that when the halves  1222 ,  1224  of the lid  1204  are closed, the flanges  1226  slide over the wedges  1230  and engage them within the openings  1230  to secure the lid  1204  in place. 
         [0067]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the connector  1200  with the lid  1204  closed over the two strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B. As shown in  FIG. 15 , windows  1232  in the lid  1204  are positioned and dimensioned so as to expose and not obstruct the light from the first LEDs in the strips  100 A,  100 B. The connector  1200  as a whole is also dimensioned such that it terminates just before the second LED in the strip  100 A,  100 B, so it does not obstruct that LED either. In fact, while the illustrated embodiment shows four-sided windows  1232 , the windows  1232  may be of any shape. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B have rectangular LED assemblies; however, the LED assemblies may be of any shape, and the windows  1232  may match that shape. 
         [0068]    The lid  1204  also includes other features that to secure the strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B mechanically within the connector  1200 . More specifically, each half  1222 ,  1224  of the lid  1204  has a downwardly-projecting bar  1234  on its underside.  FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the connector  1200 , taken through Line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 . As can be seen in  FIG. 16 , when the lid  1204  is closed, the bars  1234  on the underside of the lid  1204  bear down on the spring clips  1218 , keeping them in place. While the windows  1232  in illustrated embodiment of the lid  1204  are shown as being four-sided, the edge that faces the strip of LEDs  100 A,  100 B may simply be omitted, leaving windows  1232  that are essentially U-shaped cut-outs in the lid. 
         [0069]    The connector  1200  of  FIGS. 13-16  is used to connect two strips of LEDs  100 A,  100 B.  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a connector  1300  that has the same features and advantages of connector  1200  with respect to connecting to a strip of LEDs  100 A but also has advantages for connecting to a power source. As shown in  FIG. 17 , like connector  1200 , the base  1302  of connector  1300  includes three compartments. One compartment  1210  is substantially identical to the compartments  1208 ,  1210  of connector  1200  and secures the strip of LEDs  100 A. The description above will suffice to describe similar components in that compartment. The other side of the connector  1300  is divided into two compartments  1304 ,  1306 . 
         [0070]    Instead of receiving bare wire conductors, with connector  1300 , the conductors  1307  are encased in standard spaded male connectors  1308 . In connector  1300 , instead of bilateral spring clips  1218 , connector  1300  has a set of electrical contact members  1310 . One end  1312  of each of these contact members  1310  is shaped as a spring clip and makes contact with the terminals  510  of the strip of LEDs  100 A. The other end  1314  of each contact member  1310  comprises female connecting structure complementary to the spaded connectors  1308 , and extends downwardly into the compartments  1304 ,  1306 . Thus, when the contact members  1310  are secured on the pins  1216 , the spaded male connectors  1308  insert into respective compartments and into the complementary female conducting structure  1314  found there. 
         [0071]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of connector  1300  with both the spaded connectors  1308  of the power conductors  1307  and the strip of LEDs  100 A installed. In the view of  FIG. 18 , the lids  1316 ,  1318  of the connector  1300  are open;  FIG. 19  is a top plan view of connector  1300  with the lids  1316 ,  1318  closed. As shown in the figures, the two lids  1316 ,  1318  are different. The lid  1316  over the compartment  1210  is similar to the half-lid  1222  of connector  1200 . The lid  1318  has essentially the same functional features as the lid  1316 , and in particular, engages with the body  1302  of connector  1300  in the same way; however, it is closed and has no windows or openings. 
         [0072]    While the lids  1316 ,  1318  are similar to lids according to previous embodiments of the invention, both of them illustrate optional mechanical features that may be used to better retain the strip of LEDs  100 A and the two power conductors  1307  in the respective compartments  1302 ,  1304 ,  1306 . More specifically, the lid  1316  has two downwardly-projecting triangular points  1233  that bear on the strip of LEDs  100 A and exert force when the lid  1316  is closed to keep the strip of LEDs  100 A in place. By the same principle, the outward edge of the lid  1318  has a bar  1235  with semicircular cut-outs  1237  that are sized and positioned to fit over and bear on the two power conductors  1307 . When the lid  1318  is closed, the bar  1235  bears on the conductors and helps to retain them in the compartments  1304 ,  1306 . In general, connectors according to embodiments of the invention may have any number or type of features intended to help secure the components within the connector. 
         [0073]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view taken through Line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 , illustrating the structures within the connector, and in particular, how the female connecting structure  1314  of the contact member  1310  sits proximate to the base  1302 . As is also shown in  FIG. 20 , the body  1302  of connector  1300  may have various internal contours such that the floor  1330  of the compartment  1210  and the floor  1332  of the two compartments  1304 ,  1306  provided for the conductors  1307  are set at different levels. This is done so that the components received in the connector will be at the same level despite different thicknesses. 
       CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0074]    The present method and apparatus securely electrically and mechanically connects a LED strip to a power source connector and also permits the secure electrical and mechanical joining of two LED strips without the need for soldering. In various aspects it has one or more of the following advantages: the ability to make and release connections faster, the provision of a low-profile, flat connector for a PCB, and the provision of a compact connector. 
         [0075]    While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but as exemplifications of some present embodiments. Many other ramifications and variations are possible using the system and methods described. For example, round LEDs can be used instead of square, with round openings in the lids of the LED holders. Mounting holes can be included in the bases of the LED holders so that fasteners can be used to secure the connectors to a surface. Adhesive can be applied to the underneath surface of the LED holders so that they can be secured to a surface. Different widths and sizes of LEDs and different wire gauges and conductor widths and thicknesses can be used. The holders can be supplied in any color. Instead of a hinge joining the cover and the base, a snap-on cover or two-piece can be provided. 
         [0076]    Thus the scope should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the examples and particulars given.