Patent ID: 7267571

Claim:
A wire connector for connecting a plurality of wires comprising: a base member having a plurality of side-by-side elongate ribs forming wire-receiving channels adapted to support the plurality of wires, at least one groove extending between each of the ribs and generally perpendicular to the channels, the base member having a wall member having an inner and outer surface housing the ribs and defining a cavity within the base member including an opening between the wall member and the ribs; a cap adapted to fit onto the base member, the cap having an end wall and a pair of side walls comprising inside and outside walls both having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the inside wall of the cap configured to interface with the inner surface of the wall member of the base member and the inner surface of the outside wall of the cap configured to interface with the outer surface of the wall member of the base member, such that the inside wall of the cap penetrates a portion of the cavity of the base member and the outside wall of the cap surrounds a portion of the wall member of the base member when the wall member of the base member is interposed between the side walls of the cap responsive to sufficient force applied to move the cap and the base member into engagement with each other; and a conductive connecting member comprising a plate affixed to the cap and adapted to fit within the groove in the base member, the connecting member supported by the cap at an interior surface of the end wall of the cap and housed within the side walls, the plate having at least one slot, each slot configured to be aligned with each of the channels of the ribs, whereby the connecting member is adapted to afford effective conductive contact with the plurality of wires disposed in the channels of the ribs.