Patent ID: 7661365

Claim:
A connector block for retaining at least one shock tube in signal transfer relationship with a detonator having a percussion-actuation end, the connector block comprising: a housing with a bore extending longitudinally through the housing for receiving the detonator, and a shock tube retention means cooperating with an end of the housing proximal to the shock tube retention means to form, between the proximal end of the housing and the shock tube retention means, a slot extending transversely with respect to the longitudinally extending bore in the housing, the bore having an end proximal to the slot from which the percussion-actuation end of the detonator protrudes into the slot, when the detonator is positioned within the connector block, the shock tube retention means being wider than the housing at the end of the housing proximal to the shock tube retention means and including first and second protrusions that are proximal to first and second open ends, respectively, of the slot, the first and second protrusions causing the slot to be narrower at its first and second open ends than at a portion of the slot intermediate the first and second protrusions, the first and second protrusions overhanging the housing at the first and second open ends of the slot, wherein the first and second protrusions engage the at least one shock tube, when the at least one shock tube is extending through the slot and the first and second open ends of the slot, so as to cause the at least one shock tube to bend, without kinking, in a curvilinear and concave manner towards, and transverse to, the detonator, to thereby contact the percussion-actuation end of the detonator and be in signal transfer relationship with the detonator, when the detonator is positioned within the bore.