Resilient contact for electrical conductors

US6280233A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG and PH · DE

Inventors

• Werner Beege · Großkrotzenburg, DE
• Werner Radde · Babenhausen, DE
• Manfred Domrath · Weener, DE
• Reinhard Ruhm · Pfungstadt, DE
• Klaus Steinmetz · Flörsheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 5, 2000
• Grant date: Aug 28, 2001
• Expiry date: Sep 5, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01R4/4821
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a housing formed of electrical insulating material containing a chamber in which is mounted a resilient clamping member that biases a conductor into electrical engagement with an electrical contact also contained within the chamber. The bare end of the conductor is inserted into the chamber via a first housing opening, and the clamping member is operated to a released condition relative to the conductor by a release tool that is inserted into the chamber via a second housing opening. The clamping member includes a clamping leg having a laterally offset terminal portion that carries a clamping edge adapted to dig into the conductor and thereby retain the same within the chamber. The clamping member also includes a support leg that is operable by the release tool to displace the clamping leg to disengage the clamping edge from the conductor, thereby to release the same for withdrawal from the chamber.