Molex Corporation

Thomas & Betts International LLC

Richard A Young

Robert W DeRoss

A tap connector is provided for interconnection to an electrical cable having a plurality of conductor wires. A base defines a longitudinal axis along which the electrical cable is disposed. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the base and are spaced laterally of the axis for terminating the conductor wires. A cover is pivotally mounted on the base and includes a spreader structure for engaging and spreading the conductor wires automatically in response to mounting the cover on the base.

Electrical tap connector with spreader means

An improved surface-mount electrical wire connector includes a connector housing and electrical contacts. The housing supports the electrical contacts and includes an upper surface with openings to receive the stripped ends of electrical wire. The upper surface includes an enhanced bearing surface established between a pair of openings by selectively chamfering the perimeter of the openings. This enhanced surface accommodates a suction-cup head on conventional pick-and-place assembly equipment. The electrical contacts include an upper section for receiving and retaining a wire and a lower section, extending through a lower surface of the housing, for solderably affixing the connector to a printed circuit board. The lower section of the contacts preferably include two, parallel, spaced apart members which provide four exposed surfaces to receive and retain solder.

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St. Petersburg, FL, United States of America

Richard A Young