Patent ID: 8821176

Claim:
A low profile electrical connector for connecting to an electro-stimulation element comprising: a housing comprising a guide channel that guides an electrically conductive element from a perimeter of the housing to an interior of the housing, the width of the guide channel decreasing as the guide channel extends towards the interior of the housing, the guide channel including a first portion of interior walls that taper inward and a second portion of interior walls having angled regions, the angled regions having a greater inward taper than the first portion of the interior walls; a receptacle positioned within the interior of the housing and configured to receive the electrically conductive element from the guide channel, the receptacle formed by a first leg and a second leg, the receptacle including a receptacle opening, a receiving pocket, and a neck region therebetween, the first leg and second legs movable to a first closed position when the electrically conductive element is positioned in an area between the receptacle opening and the neck region, a first open position in which the neck region is widened when the electrically conductive element is positioned within the neck region, and a second closed position in which the neck region is narrowed with respect to the first open position when the electrically conductive element is positioned within the receiving pocket and thereby retained within the receptacle, the receptacle opening spaced from the perimeter of the housing, the taper of the interior walls of the guide channel forming a guide towards the receptacle opening, and the angled regions further guide the electrically conductive element towards the receptacle opening prior to passing through the receptacle opening.