Patent ID: 7568937

Claim:
A termination device to facilitate interconnection of a twisted pair communications cable to a plurality of insulation displacement contacts (IDCs), comprising: a body having an outer surface; a channel in the outer surface of the body, the channel being sized and configured to receive a twist of two conductors of a twisted pair communications cable and to maintain the twist in position; an IDC guide structure configured to guide a first IDC of a pair of IDCs into engagement with a first conductor of a twisted pair at a first engagement location and a second IDC of the pair of IDCs into engagement with a second conductor of the twisted pair at a second engagement location; wherein the first and second engagement locations are positioned within the channel, and wherein the channel has a generally centrally located expanded portion and first and second necked portions located at respective ends of the channel and wherein the first and second engagement locations are positioned adjacent the first and second necked portions, respectively; and wherein the first and second necked portions are sized such that first and second conductors are received therein in overlying relationship, and wherein the IDC guide structure is configured such that the first IDC engages the first conductor as the first conductor overlies the second conductor, and such that the second IDC engages the second conductor as the second conductor overlies the first conductor.