The Bendix Corporation

William P Whallon, Jr

James R Hall

Richard W Normann

Paul D Niles

An electrical conductor (10) having at forward end portion (F) of the conductor an integral electrical contact portion consisting of a plurality of fine, axially aligned wire strands (21), each wire having an acutely angled end surface (22) for mating with another electrical contact, said contact wires being an integral part of and continuous with the wires of said conductor in a rear portion (R). Preferably, the wires in the forward portion of the conductor are held radially together by a sleeve or holder which is inserted over the forward end, around the wires and crimped in place, separating the rear portion (R) of the conductor, which generally has insulation (30) around the conductor for a portion of its length from the forward contact portion.

Method of making an electrical conductor having an integral electrical

Electrical conductor having an integral electrical contact

An electrical connector assembly (800) in which two mateable housings (200, 500) each have electrical contacts (100, 400) mounted therein. Each contact has a forward mating portion with a plurality of axially aligned wires (120, 420), each wire having an acutely angled forward end surface (122, 422). The axially aligned wires of each contact are surrounded by a shroud or sleeve (130, 430) which extends around the wires and forwardly of the end surfaces to protect them and allow the contact to be inserted into the housing from the rear through a rear-mounted grommet (300, 600). The sleeve (130) on the one contact has a larger diameter forward end than the sleeve (430) on the other mating contact to allow the sleeves to interfit together in telescoped relationship when the housings and contacts are mated. The housing (200) having the contact with the larger diameter sleeve (130) has a contact retention system which includes a forward stop (214) to captivate the contact by engaging the forward end of the sleeve. The forward end of the housing (200) includes tapered end surfaces (216) for guiding the smaller sleeve (430) into the larger sleeve (130) in proper alignment for mating of the contact wires in electrical circuit relationship.

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Unadilla, NY, United States of America

William P Whallon, Jr