Patent ID: 7394022

Claim:
An electrical connector, comprising: a crimpable tubular body including a first receiving portion for receiving a first wire conductor via a first opening at a first longitudinal end of the tubular body, the tubular body having a cylindrical outer profile with a constant transverse cross-sectional outer diameter, the tubular body providing a permanent electrical connection to the first wire conductor only upon at least a portion of the tubular body being crimped; wherein the first receiving portion has a tapered portion with a transverse cross-sectional area that diminishes inward of the first longitudinal end and includes inward projections disposed along an extent of the tapered portion for engaging the first wire conductor, the tapered shape and inward projections providing a sufficient frictional force to resist removal of the first wire conductor from the first receiving portion prior to crimping, without providing a permanent electrical connection between the tubular body and the first wire conductor.