FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for making electrical
connection with an electrically insulated wire or cable and, in particular, to an
electrical connector with one or more insulation displacement contacts that can be
used in electrical power outlet sockets, electrical power switches, electrical junction
boxes, power transformers, ballasts for fluorescent lights and other electrical devices.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Electrical power outlet sockets are a common form of electrical device which are
used extensively in domestic and commercial buildings for providing outlets from which
electrical appliances can be supplied with mains electrical power. An electrical power
outlet socket may typically be installed in a lower region of a wall, and have socket
receptacles for three plug pins corresponding to an active, a neutral and an earthing
connection. Electrically insulated connecting wires are installed within the building
wall to connect the respective contacts of the socket receptacles to the mains electrical
power source at, for example, the electrical switching or fuse box of the building,
and to other electrical power outlet sockets in the same region of the building. In
order to provide a secure electrical connection between the connecting wires in the
wall and the electrical contacts of the power outlet socket, screw contacts have normally
been utilised. A screw contact requires that insulation from an end of the connecting
wire be removed, and the exposed conductor portion of the wire, consisting of a bundle
of thin wire strands, be twisted and inserted in a contact opening and then engaged
into secure electrical contact by screwing a contact screw into the contact opening
to physically and electrically engage the exposed conductor portion. Although this
is not a particularly difficult operation, it will nonetheless be very labour intensive
and inconvenient if many electrical power outlets are to be installed. It also requires
the use of pliers, a stripper and a screwdriver to carry out the cut, strip, twist,
insert and screw operations. Also, stripped insulation, which is normally made of
PVC, will litter the vicinity of these operations unless they are removed. It would
be desirable, therefore, to reduce the number and complexity of operations required
to make electrical connections to each electrical power outlet socket.
[0003] Australian Patent No.
784,652 discloses an electrical connector which addresses some of these problems by being
able to effect relative movement between the conductors and its insulation displacement
contacts, the relative movement being so restrained as to make the electrical connections
therebetween in a substantially sequential manner. That electrical connector also
requires that, for electrical connection to a doubly insulated cable, the outer insulative
sheath of the cable be first stripped or removed from a portion of the cable and the
thus revealed inner insulated wires be received in wire channels of one part of the
connector. That electrical connector also has its insulation displacement contacts
configured laterally with respect to the directions of the insulated wires received
in the channels, so that the insulated wires are cut cross-wise at an angle that,
whilst cutting through the insulation, may also cut through and sever the nearby wire
strands, thus reducing the level of electrical connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector that
achieves a faster, easier, safer, cleaner and/or more effective form of electrical
connection with insulated conductors in the form of a cable (which has a double layer
of insulation) or an electrically insulated connecting wire (which has a single layer
of insulation), than in the aforementioned prior art.
[0005] According to the invention there is provided an electrical connector having one or
more insulation displacement contacts adapted to make electrical connection with respective
insulated conductors in the form of a cable or an electrically insulated connecting
wire, the connector comprising:
- (a) a passageway for receiving the or each insulated conductor,
- (b) one or more cutting edges of respective insulation displacement contacts for cutting
into a respective insulated conductor to make electrical connection to the or each
conductor when received in the passageway, the or each cutting edge being aligned
longitudinally with the passageway, and
- (c) a movable press located adjacent to the passageway and movable between a first
position where it allows access of the or each insulated conductor into the passageway
and a second position where it presses against the or each insulated conductor and
forces the insulated conductor against the respective cutting edge whereby the or
each cutting edge cuts into the respective insulated conductor and makes electrical
connection to the or each conductor longitudinally with reference to the direction
of the or each conductor in the passageway.
[0006] In a preferred form, the electrical connector has a plurality of cutting edges which
are aligned longitudinally with the passageway, whereby the cutting edges make separate
electrical connections to respective conductors substantially simultaneously.
[0007] Preferably, the insulated conductors that are received in the passageway are in the
form of a cable and comprise connecting wires separately covered with electrical insulation,
and the so insulated connecting wires are enclosed by an outer electrically insulative
sheath to form the cable that is received in the passageway.
[0008] Alternatively, the insulated conductors that are received in the passageway are in
the form of one or more electrically insulated connecting wires which are separated
by stripping away the outer sheath of a cable in which the or each connecting wire
was previously located, and the cutting edges cut through the electrical insulation
covering the wires only.
[0009] In a particularly preferred form of the electrical connector of the invention, the
movable press is pivotally movable between the first and second positions, although
in other embodiments the press may be moved by pushing, sliding, punching or other
application of force.
[0010] The movable press preferably includes a curved pressing surface that, when in the
first position, is spaced apart from the or each insulated conductor in the passageway,
and when in the second position presses against the or each insulated conductor.
[0011] The pressing surface preferably has a plurality of elongated slots aligned longitudinally
with respective cutting edges so that each slot receives therethrough its respective
cutting edge as the insulated conductors are being forced against the cutting edges.
SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS
[0012] In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical
effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a first end view of an electrical connector according to a first preferred
embodiment of the invention,
Figure 2 is a partly sectional side view of the electrical connector of Figure 1 through
which is received insulated conductors in the form of a flat cable, with the movable
press of the electrical connector being in the first position,
Figure 3 is a partly sectional side view of the electrical connector and insulated
conductors of Figure 2, with the movable press of the electrical connector being in
the second position,
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the flat cable shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which
the cutting edges of the electrical connector shown in Figure 1 have cut through the
cable and made separate electrical connections to the conductors therein,
Figure 5 is an isolated side view of the wire strands comprising one of the conductors
of the cable shown in Figure 4, in which the cable outer sheath and the electrical
insulation covering the conductor have been removed to show internal features, showing
a cutting edge having cut through the conductor longitudinally,
Figure 6 is an end view of the conductor and cutting edge of Figure 5,
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to a second preferred
embodiment of the invention through which is received insulated conductors in the
form of separated bundles of electrically insulated wire strands produced by stripping
away the outer sheath of a round cable, with the movable press of the electrical connector
being in the second position,
Figure 8 is a partly sectional end view of the electrical connector and insulated
conductors of Figure 7,
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a junction box comprising three self-contained electrical
connectors according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention,
Figure 10 is a top view of the junction box of Figure 9,
Figure 11 is a sectional side view through A-A of the junction box of Figure 9,
Figure 12 is a top view of the junction box of Figures 9 and 10 in which the electrical
connectors have been removed to show a first internal arrangement of electrical contacts
and their conductive interconnections,
Figure 13 is a top view of a junction box similar to that of Figures 9 and 10, but
in which the electrical connectors have been removed to show a second internal arrangement
of electrical contacts and their conductive interconnections,
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a junction box comprising three self-contained
electrical connectors according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention,
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the junction box of Figure 14 in which the electrical
connectors have been removed to show the first internal arrangement of electrical
contacts,
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the junction box of Figure 14 through which is
received a plurality of flat cables, with the movable press of each electrical connector
being in the first position,
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the junction box and flat cables of Figure 16 in
which the electrical connectors have been removed to show the ends of three flat cables
received therein,
Figure 18 is a perspective view of the junction box and flat cables of Figure 16 in
which the electrical connectors have been removed to show one continuous flat cable
and the end of one flat cable received therein,
Figure 19 is a perspective top view of a high profile, surface power socket comprising
a removable electrical connector according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the
invention, the electrical connector being located internally and hidden from view,
Figure 20 is a perspective bottom view of the power socket of Figure 19 in which the
electrical connector has been removed to show an internal arrangement for receiving
a continuous flat cable and for allowing engagement of the electrical connector,
Figure 21 is an isolated perspective view of the removable electrical connector of
the power socket of Figure 19,
Figure 22 is an isolated perspective view of an internal part of the power socket
of Figure 19 for engaging the electrical connector of Figure 21,
Figure 23 is a partly cut-away perspective view of the power socket of Figure 19 showing
the electrical connector of Figure 21 engaging the internal part of Figure 22,
Figure 24 is a perspective view showing a first step in the engagement of the electrical
connector of Figure 21 with the internal part of Figure 22 in the power socket of
Figure 19,
Figure 25 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 24 but showing a second
step in the engagement of the electrical connector of Figure 21 with the internal
part of Figure 22 in the power socket of Figure 19,
Figure 26 is a top view of the first step shown in Figure 24,
Figure 27 is a top view of the second step shown in Figure 25,
Figure 28 is an isolated perspective view of a push button used in the internal portion
of Figure 22 in the power socket of Figure 19,
Figure 29 is a perspective bottom view showing a continuous flat cable received by
the internal arrangement shown in Figure 20 of the power socket of Figure 19,
Figure 30 is a perspective bottom view showing the electrical connector of Figure
21 being engaged with the cable engaged in the power socket of Figure 19,
Figure 31 is a partly sectional side view of the power socket of Figure 19 showing
engagement of the electrical connector of Figure 21 with the continuous flat cable
received by the internal arrangement shown in Figure 20 of the power socket of Figure
19,
Figure 32 is a perspective view of a low profile, wall mounted power socket comprising
two electrical connectors according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention,
Figure 33 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 32 but showing hidden internal
detail of one of the electrical connectors in the power socket of Figure 32, and
Figure 34 is a perspective view showing the engagement of two continuous flat cables
with respective electrical connectors in the power socket of Figure 32.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0013] The electrical connector 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is of the kind having insulation
displacement contacts that are adapted to make electrical contact with respective
insulated conductors. Such insulated conductors may, for example, comprise cables
formed of three linearly extending bundles of electrically insulated copper wire strands,
each bundle covered by a respective electrical insulation covering having a functionally
coded colour to form an insulated connecting wire, and the three insulated connecting
wires enclosed by an outer electrically insulative sheath. Such cables may be flat
cables, in which the three insulated wires are arranged in a straight line when the
cable is viewed cross-sectionally, or round cables, in which the three insulated wires
are arranged triangularly around a central point when the cable is viewed cross-sectionally.
Alternatively, such insulated conductors may comprise separated insulated wires produced
by stripping away the outer sheath of a round cable in which the insulated wires were
previously located.
[0014] The connector 10 has a housing 12, to opposed side walls of which is mounted a roller
or movable press 14. There is a passageway 16 between the press 14 and a floor 18
of the housing 12 for receiving three insulated conductors 20, 22, 24 (as shown in
Figure 4) in the form of a flat cable 26. Extending upwardly through the floor 18
are three cutting edges 28, 30, 32 of copper blades which serve as insulation displacement
contacts or terminals for active, earth and neutral conductors, respectively. The
cutting edges are aligned longitudinally with the passageway 16. The press 14 is,
in this embodiment, pivotally movable about a pivot point 33 between a first position
(as shown in Figure 2) where it allows access of the cable 26 into the passageway
16 (in the direction shown by arrow A) and a second position (as shown in Figure 3)
where it presses against the cable 26 and forces it against the cutting edges 28,
30, 32. The application of this force is through a curved pressing surface 34 of the
press 14 which has three elongated slots 36, 38, 40 aligned longitudinally with the
three cutting edges 28, 30, 32 so that each slot receives therethrough its respective
cutting edge as the cable is being forced by the pressing surface 34 against the cutting
edges. By application of this force, the three cutting edges 28, 30, 32 cut into the
cable 26 and make separate electrical connections to the three conductors 20, 22,
24 of the cable 26 substantially simultaneously and longitudinally with reference
to the direction of the conductors in the passageway 16. The slots 36, 38, 40 ensure
that the cutting edges completely penetrate the insulated conductors by cutting through
the insulation and piercing between the copper wire strands, thereby achieving optimum
contact and conductivity for effective electrical connections.
[0015] The press 14 has an aperture 35 which can receive the tip of a screwdriver 36 or
other tool for applying the necessary force to enable movement between the first and
second positions. The tool 36 can be used to push the press 14 into the first position
to open the passageway 16, and can be used to pull the press 14 into the second position
to close the passageway 16.
[0016] The curved pressing surface 34 varies along its length in its distance from the pivot
point 33 of the press 14, such that at location 38 along the surface, an initial light
contact force is applied on the cable 26 and that force progressively increases as
the press 14 is pivoted towards its second position and the length of the pressing
surface 34 in contact with the cable 26 is further from the pivot point and closer
to the cutting edges 28, 30, 32.
[0017] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, each cutting edge 28 cuts longitudinally through the
middle or near middle of each bundle of electrically insulated wire strands 40, forcing
or piercing its way between strands and thus substantially maintaining the number
of strands for optimal electrical connection, rather than severing them and depleting
the number of strands, as would be the case if the cutting edges were arranged laterally
with respect to the direction of the conductors.
[0018] Each cutting edge 28 also cuts into its respective insulated conductor, and thus
makes separate electrical connections to the three conductors of the cable 26, substantially
simultaneously, rather than sequentially, as the force that is applied is substantially
simultaneous on all conductors of the cable.
[0019] The electrical connector 50 shown in Figures 7 and 8 is similar in structure, operation
and function to the connector 10, except that it is configured to make separate electrical
connections to insulated conductors comprising separated insulated connecting wires
52, 54, 56 produced by stripping away the outer sheath of a round cable 58. For this
purpose, extending upwardly from the floor of the housing 60 are two walls 62, 64
which, together with the opposed side walls 66, 68, define therebetween three regions
of a passageway 69 through which respective ends of the three insulated wires 52,
54, 56 are received. Extending upwardly through the floor of each such region of the
passageway are respective cutting edges 72 which are aligned longitudinally with the
passageway 69.
[0020] The electrical connector 50 has three curved pressing surfaces separated by two gaps
70 therebetween, the gaps being aligned longitudinally with the two walls 62, 64,
and each curved pressing surface has an elongated slot 71 aligned longitudinally with
a respective cutting edge 72. Each slot receives therethrough its respective cutting
edge as the cable is being forced by the pressing surfaces against the cutting edges.
Each cutting edge cuts longitudinally through the middle or near middle of each bundle
of electrically insulated wire strands, and makes separate electrical connections
to the three conductors substantially simultaneously, in the same manner as is achieved
by the cutting edges of the electrical connector 10.
[0021] The junction box 80 shown in Figures 9 to 12 has a T-shaped housing 82 for three
self-contained electrical connectors located in respective lobes 84, 86, 88 of the
housing 82. Two of the lobes 84, 86 are aligned longitudinally and the other lobe
88 is aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinally aligned lobes.
[0022] The electrical connectors are identical to each other in structure, operation and
function. Each connector of the junction box 80 is similar to the connector 10, and
has a pivotally movable press 90, a passageway 92 between the press 90 and a floor
94 of the respective lobe of the housing 82, and three cutting edges 96, 98, 100 extending
upwardly through the floor 94 and aligned longitudinally with the passageway 92. Each
lobe has a side opening 102 for receiving into the passageway 92 an end of a flat
cable when the press 90 is in the first position. Pivoting the press 90 to the second
position results in making separate electrical connections to the three conductors
of the flat cable substantially simultaneously and longitudinally with reference to
the direction of the conductors in the passageway 92.
[0023] As shown in Figure 12, the three cutting edges of each electrical connector are conductively
interconnected so that there is electrical continuity between all of the active terminals
(denoted as A), between all of the earth terminals (denoted as E), and between all
of the neutral terminals (denoted as N).
[0024] As shown in Figure 13, one of the lobes of the housing 82 of the junction box 80
may be configured to locate an electrical connector (such as a wall mounted light
switch assembly) that differs from the other electrical connectors in its application
by making separate electrical connections to two active conductors 104 of a cable
or of respective insulated conductors comprising separated insulated wires.
[0025] The junction box 110 shown in Figures 14 to 18 is similar in structure, operation
and function to the junction box 80, except that it includes a pair of corner mounting
flanges 112, 114 having holes 116 for receiving threaded fasteners therethrough, and
is configured to either receive into each passageway the respective ends of three
flat cables 118, 120, 122 (as shown in Figure 17) or receive into the two passageways
that are aligned longitudinally a continuous flat cable 124 and into the other passageway
the end of a flat cable 126 (as shown in Figure 18). This change in configuration
is achieved by having a removable separator plate 128 that normally forms a wall of
the housing between the electrical connectors located in lobes 84, 86. When required,
the separator plate 128 is slidably removed from its engaging tracks in the housing
to provide a continuous passageway for receiving the continuous flat cable 124 which
may supply mains power.
[0026] The high profile, surface power socket 140 shown in Figures 19 to 31 (also known
as a plug top) has a housing 142 formed as two integrally connected portions, a first
generally cylindrical portion 144 for receiving an electrical three pin plug and a
second generally tetragonal portion 146 for mounting the power socket 140 to a wall
or like surface.
[0027] The power socket 140 has a removable electrical connector part 148 which is engaged
to an internal mounting part 150 of the socket 140. The power socket 140 can also
engage three insulated conductors in the form of a continuous flat cable 152 (see
Figures 29, 30 and 31).
[0028] The removable electrical connector part 148 does not include a plurality of cutting
edges, but the cutting edges 154 are provided by the internal mounting part 150 of
the socket 140, so that the parts 148 and 150 together form an electrical connector
according to the present invention. The electrical connector part 148 has a housing
156, to opposed side walls of which is mounted a pivotally movable press 158. There
is a passageway 160 beneath the press 158 and extending between opposed side openings
of the electrical connector part 148 for receiving the continuous flat cable 152.
The press 158 is able to pivot between first and second positions in a manner as described
earlier with reference to other embodiments of the invention.
[0029] The three cutting edges 154 extend upwardly through a floor 155 of the internal mounting
part 150 and, when the electrical connector part 148 is engaged thereto, are aligned
longitudinally with the passageway 160.
[0030] The electrical connector part 148 has four corner feet 164, 166, 168, 170 and a side
lock 172 for engaging the internal mounting part 150.
[0031] The internal mounting part 150 has four guide surfaces 174, 176, 178, 180, on the
same sides of which are gaps for receiving respective corner feet of the connector
part 148. The internal mounting part 150 also has a spring loaded push button 182
and slide tracks 184, 186 on opposite sides of the floor 155. The push button 182
(as shown in Figure 28) has a side catch 187.
[0032] The electrical connector part 148 is engaged to the internal mounting part 150 by
firstly lowering it so that the four corner feet 164, 166, 168, 170 enter the gaps
beside each guide surface 174, 176, 178, 180 (as shown in Figures 24 and 26) and the
side lock 172 pushes down on the side catch 187 of the push button 182 until the connector
part 148 is supported on the floor 155. The electrical connector part 148 is then
slid along the floor in the direction shown by arrows B in Figures 26 and 27 so that
the corner feet are located under the guide surfaces and the side lock 172 no longer
pushes down on the side catch 187, whereby the push button 182 springs back to its
normal position and the side lock 172 is located alongside the side catch 187. In
this engaged position (as shown in Figures 25 and 27) the electrical connector part
148 cannot be slid out from under the guide surfaces because of the obstruction to
such sliding provided by the side lock 172 abutting the side catch 187 of the push
button 182.
[0033] When the electrical connector part 148 needs to be disengaged from the internal mounting
part 150, say, for engaging the continuous flat cable 152 to the power socket 140,
the push button 182 is pressed until the side catch 187 is located entirely below
the side lock 172 and, whilst the push button 182 is held in that position, the electrical
connector part 148 is slid out from under the guide surfaces in the opposite direction
to that for engagement. The push button 182 is then released and the electrical connector
part 148 can be lifted from the floor 155 of the internal mounting part 150.
[0034] As shown in Figure 29, the continuous flat cable 152 is received in slots 162 formed
in opposite ends of the housing portion 146 and crosses the floor 155 of the internal
mounting part 150 above the three cutting edges 154. The electrical connector part
148 is then engaged to the internal mounting part 150 in the manner as described above
(see Figure 30), so that the cable 152 is received through the passageway 160 when
the press 158 is in the first position. Pivoting the press 158 to the second position
results in the three cutting edges 154 making separate electrical connections to the
three conductors of the flat cable 152 substantially simultaneously and longitudinally
with reference to the direction of the conductors in the passageway 160 (see Figure
31).
[0035] The low profile, wall mounted power socket 200 shown in Figures 32 to 34 has a housing
202 to which is fixedly mounted two electrical connectors 204, 206. The structure,
operation and function of the electrical connectors 204, 206 are similar to that of
the electrical connectors described with reference to earlier embodiments. The electrical
connectors 204, 206 are located side by side but with a gap therebetween created by
a connecting web 208 between each connector housing so that each electrical connector
204, 206 can receive the end of a respective flat cable 210, 212. Features of the
electrical connectors 204, 206 that are the same as features of the electrical connector
10 described earlier are identified by the same numerals.
[0036] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications
may be made in details of design and construction of the electrical connectors described
above without departing from the scope or ambit of the invention.
[0037] For example, the electrical connector of the present invention may have only one
cutting edge aligned longitudinally with the passageway, and the movable press may
be moved by sliding, punching or other application of force.
[0038] In other alternative forms, the electrical connector may, rather than having the
press being movable relative to the stationary cutting edges in the passageway, instead
have the one or more cutting edges being movable relative to stationary pressing surfaces
of a press, so that it is the movable cutting edges that move between the first and
second positions.
1. An electrical connector having one or more insulation displacement contacts adapted
to make electrical connection with respective insulated conductors in the form of
a cable or an electrically insulated connecting wire, the connector comprising:
(a) a passageway for receiving the or each insulated conductor,
(b) one or more cutting edges of respective insulation displacement contacts for cutting
into a respective insulated conductor to make electrical connection to the or each
conductor when received in the passageway, the or each cutting edge being aligned
longitudinally with the passageway, and
(c) a movable press located adjacent to the passageway and movable between a first
position where it allows access of the or each insulated conductor into the passageway
and a second position where it presses against the or each insulated conductor and
forces the insulated conductor against the respective cutting edge whereby the or
each cutting edge cuts into the respective insulated conductor and makes electrical
connection to the or each conductor longitudinally with reference to the direction
of the or each conductor in the passageway.
2. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of cutting edges
which are aligned longitudinally with the passageway, whereby the cutting edges make
separate electrical connections to respective conductors substantially simultaneously.
3. The electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the movable press
is pivotally movable between the first and second positions.
4. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the movable
press includes a curved pressing surface that, when in the first position, is spaced
apart from the or each insulated conductor in the passageway, and when in the second
position presses against the or each insulated conductor.
5. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and further including
a housing, to opposed side walls of which is pivotally mounted the movable press,
the housing having a floor from which extend upwardly the or each cutting edge.
6. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein there are three
cutting edges which are formed on respective copper blades that serve as the insulation
displacement contacts for active, earth and neutral conductors, respectively.
7. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the or each
cutting edge is so located in longitudinal alignment with the passageway that it cuts
longitudinally through the middle of the respective insulated conductor, thereby piercing
between wire strands of the or each conductor so as to optimise electrical connection
to the or each conductor.
8. The electrical connector according to claim 4 wherein the curved pressing surface
has a plurality of elongated slots aligned longitudinally with a plurality of cutting
edges so that each slot receives therethrough a respective cutting edge as each one
of a plurality of insulated conductors is being forced by the pressing surface against
a respective cutting edge.
9. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the movable
press includes an aperture which is adapted to receive a tool for applying a force
to enable movement of the press between the first and second positions.
10. An electrical junction box comprising a plurality of the electrical connectors according
to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. A power socket comprising an electrical connector of any one of claims 1 to 9.
12. A power socket comprising an electrical connector of any one of claims 1 to 9 and
an internal mounting part of the socket, the cutting edges extending upwardly through
a floor of the internal mounting part so as to co-operate with a movable press provided
by an electrical connector part removably engaged to the internal mounting part, and
the passageway being defined between the floor of the internal mounting part and the
movable press.
13. An electrical connector having one or more insulation displacement contacts adapted
to make electrical connection with respective insulated conductors in the form of
a cable or an electrically insulated connecting wire, the connector comprising:
(a) a passageway for receiving the or each insulated conductor;
(b) a press located adjacent to the passageway, and
(c) one or more movable cutting edges of respective insulation displacement contacts
for cutting into a respective insulated conductor to make electrical connection to
the or each conductor when received in the passageway, the or each cutting edge being
movably aligned longitudinally with the passageway, and being movable between a first
position where the or each cutting edge allows access of the or each insulated conductor
into the passageway and a second position where the or each cutting edge presses against
the respective insulated conductor and forces the insulated conductor against the
press whereby the or each cutting edge cuts into the respective insulated conductor
and makes electrical connection to the or each conductor longitudinally with reference
to the direction of the or each conductor in the passageway.