Patent ID: 8827738

Claim:
A connector for causing electrical contact between blasting components, particularly between a length of insulated line connected to a detonator and another length of insulated line connected to another blasting component, the connector comprising; (i) hinge means; (ii) two components at least one of which comprises terminal means with insulation displacement means, said two components being connected together via the hinge means such that the two components are movable relative to one another between an open position to receive the lengths of insulated line and a closed position in which the two components engage one another with one component overlying the other component to retain the lengths of insulated line in electrical contact with the terminal means, said terminal means providing an electrically conductive bridge such that the lengths of insulated line are in electrical contact with one another, at least one of the components including line retention slots, wherein the line retention slots comprise: (a) a first line retention slot extending unidirectionally from said terminal means to accommodate a first of said lengths of insulated line extending to and terminating at the terminal means; (b) a second line retention slot extending bidirectionally from said terminal means and perpendicularly to said first line retention slot, to accommodate a second of said lengths of insulated line extending through said connector in electrical contact with the terminal means; and (iii) a releasable catch for reversibly securing the two components to one another in said closed position; wherein the first and second line retention slots all have essentially the same width sufficient to accommodate duplex insulated line, such that they can each receive and retain insulated duplex line of the same cross-sectional configuration and dimensions, whereby a user of the connector can place each of the first and second lengths of insulated duplex line having the same cross-sectional configuration and dimensions into any of the first and second line retention slots.