Electrical connector for flat flexible cable

Abstract

A connector assembly for electrically connecting the conductors of a flat flexible multi-conductor cable to another circuit member. The connector assembly includes a housing having the plurality of side by side, elongated open-ended terminal receiving cavities and a plurality of stamped U-shaped terminals received in the cavities. Each terminal has first and second arms extending up from the base of the body with a contact portion formed near the free end of one of the arms for making electrical contact with the cable conductor when the cable is received in the housing slot in the area between the two arms. The first arm includes a hooked-shaped engaging portion having the contact surface formed thereon that is disposed substantially vertical to and in projecting relation from the plane of the first arm at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. The second arm has a lateral flange portion extending substantially the whole length of the second arm and projecting at a right angle with respect to the plane of the second arm. Each terminal receiving cavity includes a terminal support portion defining a L-shaped slot immediately adjacent to and transverse to the cable receiving slot. A flange portion is adapted to be received on one side of the terminals supporting portion and the hooked-shaped engaging portion has it contact surface biased against the other side of the contact supporting portion. The cable conductor is adapted to be received in the slot so that it is disposed between the contact surface and the contact supporting portion.