Stackable flat cable connector and contact therefor

Abstract

A stackable connector assembly adapted to receive a flat cable having a plurality of aligned conductors and to be plugged into an array or grid of conductor pins and to interconnect the cable conductors and pin conductors, comprises a top body mounting two rows of contacts on its lower face wherein the conductor-engaging portions of the contacts are offset by rows and a bottom body having openings therein configured to receive a portion of the contacts upon assembly of the connector. The upper face of the bottom body is configured to position the flat cable so that when the top and bottom bodies are assembled the tubular bodies of the contacts in each row will spread and pass between adjacent conductors in the cable, and an offset contact receiving portion having a slot into which the conductor bared of insulation comes to rest will conductively engage them in alternating succession. Interconnection is achieved by passage of the conductor pins in the grid through the tubular bodies of the contacts. Extension of the pins beyond the upper face of the top body allows stacking by plugging additional connectors onto the extended pin array, thereby interconnecting additional flat cable conductors to pin conductors.