Patent ID: 7063557

Claim:
An electrical connector for connecting to an electrical contact an insulated conductor having a bare conductor, and a layer of insulation arranged concentrically about the bare conductor, comprising: (a) a connector body ( 1 ) containing at least one open-topped chamber ( 3 ); (b) a stationary electrical contact ( 10 ) mounted in said chamber, said contact including upwardly directed insulation severing means ( 8 ); and (c) operating means ( 11 ) for introducing the insulated conductor laterally into said chamber in insulation piercing relation with said insulation severing means, thereby to effect electrical engagement between said conductor and said contact, said operating means including an operating member having leading ( 17 ) and trailing ( 12 ) end portions, and a flexible section ( 15 ) intermediate said leading and trailing end portions, said leading portion adapted for progressive downward insertion into said chamber on one side of said stationary contact, said trailing portion containing an opening ( 13 ) for receiving the insulated conductor, said chamber including curved guide means ( 16 ) operable to deflect said leading end portion for continued travel in an upward direction on the opposite side of said stationary contact toward a final position relative to said connector body in which said trailing end portion causes the insulation layer of the conductor to be pierced by said insulation severing means.