Connector

Abstract

An improved connector for coupling the individual conductors of a multi-conductor flat cable to a termination point which may be a socket for receiving the pins of a further connector or the like comprising a base member having a plurality of apertures extending from a first to a second surface, the number of apertures being equal to the number of individual conductors found in the flat cable. Placed in each of these apertures is a contact having a first end which can pierce through the insulation of the multi-conductor cable and make contact with an individual conductor placed in association therewith and which end is placed adjacent the first surface of the base member of the connector. The contact terminates in a contact tail portion which extends towards the second surface of the base member in a socket for receipt therein and contact with the pin of a further connector, or the like. By providing a generally rectangular aperture within the base member to receive the electrical contacts and by making the aperture larger at the first surface a shelf is provided to prevent the contact from moving downwardly through the base member and out of the aperture adjacent the second surface of the base member. Placed atop and coupled to the first surface of the base member is a keeper means which has a plurality of apertures of a different configuration than those of the apertures in the base member and when so coupled to the base member are aligned with the apertures of the base member so as to contain the contacts within the base member preventing their withdrawal in the direction of the first surface and which provides support for the contacts at their insulation piercing ends. A cover member, provided with selectively operable latch members, is attached to the base member such that a channel is provided to permit the passage of flat cable therethrough without contacting the contact means and which can be moved to a second position to cause engagement between the individual conductors of a flat cable and their associated contacts. Finally, with an additional set of latch members, a strain relief means is provided whereby the flat cable can be, to a degree, isolated from the shocks provided by attempted movement of the cable along its longitudinal direction and which causes a clamping of the flat cable between such strain relief member and the outer surface of the cover.