Patent ID: 8444431

Claim:
An electrical connector assembly for mechanically and electrically connecting first and second cables each including an elongate electrical conductor covered by an insulation layer, the electrical connector assembly comprising: a housing configured to receive each of the first and second cables; an electrically conductive bus member disposed in the housing; an electrically conductive first blade member disposed in the housing and having an inner end, an outer end and an insulation piercing feature on the outer end, wherein the inner end is coupled to the bus member and the insulation piercing feature includes at least one tooth configured to pierce through the insulation cover of the first cable and electrically engage the conductor of the first cable; and an electrically conductive second blade member disposed in the housing and having an inner end, an outer end and an insulation piercing feature on the outer end, wherein the inner end is coupled to the bus member and the insulation piercing feature includes at least one tooth configured to pierce through the insulation cover of the second cable and electrically engage the conductor of the second cable; wherein the bus member provides electrical continuity between the first and second blade members and thereby the conductors of the first and second cables when the conductors are engaged by the insulation piercing feature of the first and second blade members.