GB2112216A

GB2112216A - Electrical connectors for use telecommunications equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2112216A
Application number: GB08137900A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Curtis; Alan Green
Original assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Current assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
Priority date: 1981-12-16
Filing date: 1981-12-16
Publication date: 1983-07-13
Also published as: AU9083682A; PT75964A; PT75964B; MTP921B; GB2112216B; AU558891B2

Abstract

An electrical connector incorporates provision for making electrical connections by means (2, 3) of insulation displacement together with connections made by gun- wrapping or similar methods i.e. hand soldering. e.g. at region (18). The connector comprises a single piece of electrically conductive material formed substantially into a figure eight, and incorporates means (5, 6) for gripping the insulation of those conductors which are connected by the insulation displacement method. The invention can be employed on line, and intermediate, distribution frames, and on shelf wiring in modern telephone exchanges. In use, this connector reduces operator time, semi-permanent connections are made readily catered for, and continuity faults in commons are eliminated. In practice a multiplicity of such connectors are placed side-by- side in spaced parallel relationship, appropriate rows of conductors being provided as required. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical connectors for use in telecommunications equipment The present invention relates to electrical connectors for use in telecommunications equipment.

The invention finds particular utility in multiconnectors employed in telephone equipment racks particularly those employed for terminating electrical interconnections between shelves on the racks or between racks themselves. The practice employed in these environments involves the use of gun-wrapping methods for effecting the connections. This method has the disadvantage that it can prove quite time consuming if many connections need to be made, since each wire requires to be cut and stripped of its insulation before application to the appropriate connection tag. In certain situations semipermanent connections are required and in these situations, the gun-wrapping method is not eminently suitable.A further disadvantage when using gun-wrapping methods for connections at points in commons is that the possibility of faults in the continuity of the common at those points is increased since two wrapping connections require to be made at each connection point in the common.

An aim of this invention is to provide an electrical connector which overcomes the beforementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector of unitary construction comprising insulation displacement means for penetrating the insulation of an electrically insulated conductor enabling an electrical connection to be made between the connector and the conductor, conductor arresting means for gripping the insulation of the insulated conductor and conductor terminating means for terminating additional electrical connections, whereby at least one insulated conductor electrical connection and at least one additional electrical connection can be accommodated by the connector.

According to an aspect of this invention the connector is formed from a single piece of electrically conductive material formed substantially into a figure eight and in which the insulation displacement means and the conductor arresting means are in alignment.

The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of an exemplary embodiment which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective of the connector in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 shows a development of the connector before it is formed into the shape shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the connector in accordance with this invention.

It should be noted that the figures in the drawings are not drawn on the same scale.

This invention is concerned with an electrical connector which incorporates provision for making electrical connections by means of insulation displacement together with electrical connections made by gun-wrapping or equivalent methods. The connector also incorporates means for arresting the insulation of those conductors which are connected by the insulation displacement method.

It should be understood that while a single connector only is shown, in practice a multiplicity of such connectors are placed side-by-side in spaced parallel relationship, appropriate rows of conductors being provided as required.

Referring to the drawings, the connector is of unitary construction and is manufactured from a suitable metal. Fig. 2 shows a development of the connector and it will be seen that a single piece of metal is employed which is formed substantially into a figure eight (see Fig. 3). The slots 2 and 3 in the formed connector are in alignment and lie adjacent to each other (see Fig. 3) and are, insulation displacement means which are designed to pierce and penetrate the insulation of a conductor (not shown) which is pressed downwardly into the slots 2 and 3, the chamfered edges 6 and 7, together with 8 and 9 serving to guide the conductor into the slots 2 and 3 respectively.As the conductor is pressed downwardly into the slots, the side walls 10 and 11 together with the side walls 12 and 13 pierce and penetrate the insulation so that they are in contact with the conductor.

In the present design two conductors could be accommodated in the slots 2 and 3, the connector/conductor connection of the second conductor (positioned above the first) being satisfactorily achieved by the incorporation of a horizontal slot 22 in the side wall 11 of the slot 2.

Further slots 4 and 5, which also lie opposite each other and in alignment with slots 2 and 3, are slightly wider than the insulation displacement slots 2 and 3 and serve as conductor arresting means. These slots are slightly smaller than the overall diameter of the insulated conductor so that their side walls 14 and 1 5 together with 1 7 and 1 8 grip firmly the insulation of the conductor without damaging it. Thus, the insulation displacement areas of the conductor are not subjected to undue stress. This is of particular advantage if the conductor is passing through the connector e.g. a common, where the insulation of the conductor is firmly gripped both into and out of the connector. Accordingly the use of insulation displacement connections in such commons eliminates the possibility of faults in the continuity of the commons.

The upstanding portion or tag 18 of the connector is a conductor terminating means which is provided to accommodate additional electrical connections using gun-wrapped methods, the notches 19 and 20 serving to ensure security of such connections. This tag is designed to accommodate two gun-wrapped connections.

A further 'T'-shaped tag 21 is provided on the side of the connector opposite the tag 18, and this is for making connection to the equipment circuitry by whichever means is suitable e.g. a spring contact welded to the tag 21.

It should be understood that while the present design of connector caters for the accommodation of two each of insulated conductor electrical connections and gunwrapped electrical connections, by making longer slots 2 and 3 together with 4 and 5 and a longer tag 18, together with appropriate overall design adjustments to maintain the strength of the connector, more than two such connections could be accommodated without departing from the principle of this invention.

Additionally, although the invention involves the use of gun-wrapped methods for the additional electrical connections, these connections could be made by hand soldered, crimped or welded methods.

Claims (filed on 30-11-82) 1. An electrical connector of unitary construction comprising, insulation displacement means for penetrating the insulation of an electrically insulated conductor enabling an electrical connection to be made between the connector and the conductor, conductor arresting means for gripping the insulation of the insulated conductor, and conductor terminating means for terminating additional electrical connections, whereby at least one insulated conductor electrical connection and at least one additional electrical connection can be accommodated by the connector.

2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the connector comprises a single piece of electrically conductive material formed substantially into a figure eight and in which the insulation displacement means and the conductor arresting means are in alignment.

3. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, in which the insulation displacement means are slots adapted to pierce and penetrate the insulation of the insulated conductors to make insulated conductor electrical connections.

4. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, in which the conductor arresting means are further slots which are adapted to grip firmly the insulation of said insulated conductors.

5. An electrical connector as claimed in any one preceding claim, in which said conductor terminating means comprises a tag to which the additional connections are made by gun-wrapping methods.

6. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 5, in which a T-shaped tag is provided for making connection to equipment circuitry.

7. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, in which said T-shaped tag is opposite said tag and incorporates a spring contact welded to it.

8. An electrical connector substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. A further 'T'-shaped tag 21 is provided on the side of the connector opposite the tag 18, and this is for making connection to the equipment circuitry by whichever means is suitable e.g. a spring contact welded to the tag 21. It should be understood that while the present design of connector caters for the accommodation of two each of insulated conductor electrical connections and gunwrapped electrical connections, by making longer slots 2 and 3 together with 4 and 5 and a longer tag 18, together with appropriate overall design adjustments to maintain the strength of the connector, more than two such connections could be accommodated without departing from the principle of this invention. Additionally, although the invention involves the use of gun-wrapped methods for the additional electrical connections, these connections could be made by hand soldered, crimped or welded methods. Claims (filed on 30-11-82)

1. An electrical connector of unitary construction comprising, insulation displacement means for penetrating the insulation of an electrically insulated conductor enabling an electrical connection to be made between the connector and the conductor, conductor arresting means for gripping the insulation of the insulated conductor, and conductor terminating means for terminating additional electrical connections, whereby at least one insulated conductor electrical connection and at least one additional electrical connection can be accommodated by the connector.