Multigauge insulation displacement connector and contacts therefor

Description

[0001] This invention concerns a multigauge insulation displacement connector and contacts therefor, and particularly concerns such a connector and contacts adapted for use with multistranded conductors.

[0002] Insulation displacement connectors do not require the stripping of insulation from a section of an insulated conductor preparatory to insertion of the conductor into the connector. Rather, they rely upon displacement of the insulation of the conductor by the sides of a slot in a contact or terminal member into which the conductor is introduced.

[0003] Many different forms of insulation displacement connectors have been successfully marketed in recent years. A need still exists for such a con- nectorwhich not only is usable with multistranded conductors, but also is usable with a range of conductor sizes or gauges. The difficulties which arise in the application of insulation displacement technology to connectors for use with multistranded conductors are known and are discussed in U.S. Patent No. 4,317,608. Generally, these difficulties result from undesirable rearrangement of the conductor strands upon their insertion into the connector contact member. As a consequence of such rearrangement, a reliable electrical connection between the conductor and contact member cannot be assured, particularly if the connector is to be used with varying conductor sizes.

[0004] It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved contact member for an electrical connector having the capability of establishing a reliable electrical connection with a stranded wire.

[0005] A further object is to provide a contact member which is equally suitable for use with both small and large gauge wires.

[0006] The present invention proceeds from the type of contact memberfor an electrical connector known in the prior art e.g. from US-A-4 333 700 or DE-B-1 263 130, having an insulation displacement slot therein defining opposed edge surfaces for providing electrical connection to an insulated conductor, the slot having a mouth leading to a relatively narrow section, there being at least one tooth projecting into the slot for piercing the insulation of a conductor introduced therein and is characterised in that the slot defines a pair of limb portions each having a free end at the mouth having an outwardly extending housing engaging means for engaging the connector housing, the limb portions being deformable away from each other upon introduction of a conductor therebetween whereby the portion of each limb inwardly of its free end is outwardly bowed upon continued insertion of the conductor.

[0007] The limb portions may taper to a relatively narrow width at their free ends thereby enabling the limb portions to deform away from each other along substantially their entire length upon introduction of a conductor therebetween.

[0008] The contact member adjacent the narrow section of the slot may be formed with a protrusion projecting outwardly from a major surface of the contact member adjacent the narrow section of the slot thereby increasing the width of the narrow section of the slot in the region of the protrusion. The protrusion then serves to separate the insulation displaced by the slot.

[0009] An insulation displacement connector according to the present invention can be employed with an electrically insulating connector housing having one or more recesses therein for receiving a contact or terminal member constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. The said recesses will be open at least at one end corresponding to the mouth end of the contact member, and preferably will be formed for directing and guiding a conductor wire inserted therein into the mouth of the associated contact member and will include strain relief formations such as resilient displaceable strain relief fingers which are displaced by a conductor wire inserted into the connector and then resile to hinder or prevent withdrawal of the conductor. The recess of the connector housing can advantageously be open at both ends, for example in the case of a connector employing reversely bent contact members as above described wherein the bight portion is slotted to provide access for a spade terminal to engage in the slot of the contact member.

[0010] In order that the invention might be clearly understood, a number of embodiments thereof will hereinafter be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a sheet metal stamping used for manufacturing contact members according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in enlarged perspective view a contact member formed from the sheet metal stamping of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 shows stages in the insertion of a small gauge multistranded conductor into the contact member of Fig. 2;

FIG. 4 shows corresponding stages in the insertion of a relatively large gauge multistranded conductor into the same contact member of Fig. 2;

FIG. 5 shows, in perspective view, a four circuit connector in accordance with the invention which employs a contact member according to the preceding figures; and

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view on taken generally along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

[0011] With reference to the accompanying drawings and first to Fig. 1, there is shown a blank, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, formed by stamping suitable metal of selected thickness in sheet or strip form. The blank 10 includes a plurality of plate-like elongated contact blanks 11, each connected at one end to a carrier strip 12. Each blank 11 comprises an insulation displacement slot formation 13 at both ends thereof, defining edge surfaces 13' which are of suitable sharpness to severthe insulation of a conductor. Intermediate the said ends is an elongate slot 14 of predetermined shape, which will be described in greater detail hereafter. Each blank 11 is generally symmetrical, both longitudinally and transversely and is designed to be folded end-to- end into a generally U-shape as shown in Fig. 2.

[0012] Folding of a blank 11 defines a double-ended insulation displacement contact 15 with the insulation displacement slot formations 13 in alignment with one another. At the bend or bight of the U-shape, the elongate slot 14 defines a bifurcated contact formation suitable to engage a space terminal or the like.

[0013] Looking at Fig. 2, the insulation displacement slot 13 of the contact 15 is seen tα include a relatively wide mouth 17 with the slot being narrowed inwardly in a stepped and tapering fashion through three stages, designated generally by the reference numberals 18, 19 and 20, respectively. A pair of teeth 21 of sharp triangular shape and juxtaposed on opposite sides of the slot 13 project from the regions defined between stepped portions 19 and 20 with the apieces pointed generally inwardly of the slot 13 towards the open mouth 17. Opposed edges 22 of the teeth 21 taper inwardly towards each other in a direction away from the mouth 17. Stepped portions 20 define a generally parallel section 23 of relatively long length which terminates in an enlarged hole 24. About midway along the length of the parallel section 23, each side of the insulation displacement slot 13 has a slight protrusion 25 projecting from one surface of the blank 11, formed therein as, for example, by coining of the blank 11.

[0014] The insulation displacement slot 13 thus defined lies between two limbs 26 which taper so as to be to a degree resiliently flexible. Free ends 27 of the limbs 26 adjacent the open mouth 17 of the slot 13 are sufficiently narrow such that the limbs 26 are bendable along their entire length.

[0015] The elongate slot 14 formed in the blank 11 results in bifurcation of the bight of the contact member 15 to define two opposed limbs 30 which form therebetween a female contact receptacle 31 adapted for receiving a male contact member (shown in Fig. 6). The slot 14 is further adapted with lugs 32 projecting into the female contact receptacle 31.

[0016] Figure 3 shows various steps in the insertion of a relatively small gauge, multistranded, insulated conductor 33a into the insulation displacement slot 13 of three contact members as just described, designated 15a, 15b and 15c. The contact members 15a, 15b, and 15c are each identical in their construction and accordingly, like reference numerals will be used, hereinafter to describe the operation of their various features.

[0017] The conductor 33a comprises multiple strands of conductive wire 34a coated with a layer of insulation 35a. Each contact member 15a, 15b and 15c is schematically shown engaged in an accommodating recess 36 in an illustrative connector housing 37. Contact 15a is shown with the conductor 33a being guided by wall formations 38 in the housing 37 towards the mouth 17 of the insulation displacement slot 13. Contact 15b is shown with the conductor 33a just engaged with the insulation piercing teeth 21 of slot 13 and with the teeth 31 just beginning to penetrate and to pare off a section of the conductor insulation 35a. Contact 15c is shown with the conductor strands 34a lodged well down into the generally parallel section 23 of the insulation displacement slot 13 in the region of the coined protrusions 25, where the protrusions 25 slightly widen and strengthen the slot 13.

[0018] A further advantage of the protrusions 25 is that they cooperate to separate the insulation 35a longitudinally of the wire 33a inasmuch as they protrude from the blank 10 in oppositely directed pairs (Fig. 2). This separation of the insulation 35a allows for greater exposure of the conductor strands 34a to the contact slot 13. A plug of insulation 40c remains above and below the conductor strands 34a in the slot 13 of the contact member 15c and remnants 41c of pared off insulation remain on the teeth 21. The teeth 21 thus serve, when the conductor core gauge is small relative to the insulation thickness, to positively pare away part of the insulation and thereby reduce the insulation displacement task of the parallel section 23 of the slot 13.

[0019] The limbs 26 of contact 15c is slightly opened as the conductor strands 34a are forced into the slot 13. This brings the free ends 27 of the said limbs 26 into abutting engagement with the housing 37. Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 but shows the insertion of a considerably larger gauge conductor 33b into contacts 15d, 15e and 15f. For purposes of clarity, contacts 15d, 15e and 15f have been shown with reference numerals corresponding to like elements of the contact 15 illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0020] Notable in Fig. 4 as compared to Fig. 3 is the earlier deformation of the conductor cross-section as the conductor 33b is forced into the mouth 17 of the contact 15e, and the increased deformation of the limbs 26 which bow as the larger conductor 33b is inserted. The additional strains involved are to a great extent accommodated within the contact member 15f itself, rather than being transferred to the connector housing 37. This has the desirable effect of minimizing the risk of housing distortion.

[0021] Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown therein a four circuit connector 50 for use with a contact member 15 as above described. The connector 50 comprises a one piece housing 51 of glass filled nylon, for example, having a plurality of open ended recesses or channels 52 therein for receiving the contacts 15. Access is provided at the top and bottom ends of the housing 51 to the insulation displacement slot 13 and the female receptor 31, respectively, of each contact 15.

[0022] As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the housing 51 and the recess 52 therein have upper and lower portions 53 and 54, respectively, which provide accommodation for the (upper) insulation displacement portion 13 of the contact member 15 and the (lower) female receptor 31, respectively. The upper portion 53 has formed therein opposed pairs of grooves 55 into which the edges of the two insulation displacement portions 13 of the contact member 15 engage when the contact member 15 is received in the housing recess 52. The upper portion 53 also has a pair of ribs 56 of triangular cross-section disposed one on either side of the pairs of grooves 55, the ribs 56 being tapered at their upper ends, as best seen in Fig. 5, to provide guidance to a conductor 33 introduced into the recess 52. Not only do the ribs 56 provide the guidance aforementioned, but also they serve to strengthen the housing and to retain a conductor 33 once it has been engaged with the connector.

[0023] As best seen in Fig. 6, the lower part 54 of the housing recess 52 is of simpler form and comprises a major portion 57 which accommodates the contact receptacle 31 of the contact member 15 and slotted portions 58 extending at right angles off of the major portion 57. The slotted portions 58 serve to guide and retain a tab terminal 59 inserted into contact with the contact receptacle 31 of the contact member 15. Although not shown, slotted portions 58 may be configured such that tab terminal 59 is offset laterally with respect to the contact receptacle 31, allowing an aperture 60 of the tab terminal 59 to be engaged by the lugs 32 of the female receptor 31, thereby effecting a locking function.

[0024] The housing 51 further comprises entry ports 160 which are provided with a variety of strain relief formations 61 enabling a conductor 33 received in the connector 50 to be bent substantially through 90 degrees so as to extend from the connector 50 generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the terminals 15, as illustrated in Fig. 6. A pair of opposed, resilient strain relief fingers 62 depend from the housing walls within the entry port 160 and are such as to be resiliently deformable out of the path of a conductor 33 introduced into the connector 50 by contact- with the conductor 33. Once the conductor 33 has been fully positioned, the strain relief fingers 62 resume their original disposition and prevent withdrawal of the conductor 33. Also provided is a member 63 of generally triangular cross-section which performs a function similar to that of the ribs 56, and opposed members 64 which serve as conductor guiding and retaining means particularly when, as aforementioned, the conductor is bent through 90 degrees to exit from the connector 50.

[0025] The connector 50 described is particularly, though not exclusively, useful in consumer and automotive applications where it lends itself to automatic assembly of wiring harnesses and can reliably mate with standard terminals tabs. As an example of the gauge range which might be accommodated, a connector according to the invention might be designed for use with multistranded conductors ranging from 0.5 mm (16 strands each of 0.2 mm diameter) to 1.5 mm (30 strands each of 0.25 mm diameter) core area with insulation thicknesses of the order of 0.6 mm to 0.7 mm providing an overall conductor diameter range of 2.2 mm to 3.2 mm. Although the illustrative embodiment is of a four circuit connector, any number of circuits may be terminated in accordance with the principles of the invention, within the ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A contact member for an electrical connector having an insulation displacement slot (13) therein defining opposed edge surfaces (13') for providing electrical connection to an insulated conductor (33a or 33b), the slot having a mouth (17) leading to a relatively narrow section (23), at least one tooth (21) projecting into the slot (13) for piercing the insulation (35a or 35b) of a conductor (33a or 33b) introduced therein characterised in that the slot defines a pair of limb portions each having a free end at the mouth having an outwardly extending housing engaging means for engaging the connector housing, the limb portions being deformable away from each other upon introduction of a conductor therebetween whereby the portion of each limb inwardly of its free end is outwardly bowed upon continued insertion of the conductor.

2. The contact member of claim 1 wherein the limb portions taper to a relatively narrow width at their free ends thereby enabling the limb portions to deform away from each other along substantially their entire length upon introduction of a conductor therebetween.

3. The contact member of claim 1 or 2 wherein the tooth (21) is positioned intermediately between the mouth (17) and the narrow section (23) of the slot (13).

4. The contact member of claim 1, 2 or 3 having two teeth (21) projecting into the slot and wherein the teeth-are positioned in juxtaposed relationship on opposite sides of the slot.

5. The contact member of any preceding claim wherein the contact member adjacent the narrow section of the slot is formed with a protrusion (-25) projecting outwardly from a major surface of the contact member thereby increasing the width of the narrow section (23) of the slot in the region of the protrusion.

6. The contact member of claim 5 having a second protrusion (25) and wherein the protrusions are positioned in juxtaposed relationship on opposite sides of the slot.

7. The contact member as claimed in any preceding claim in which the contact member has spaced apart first and second ones of said insulation displacement slots (13) such that contact is made with a conductor inserted into the contact member at two slightly spaced apart points therealong..

8. The contact member as claimed in claim 7 of generally U-shape.

9. The contact member as claimed in claim 8 formed by bending a metal blank (10) having said first and second insulation displacement slots (13) at opposite ends thereof such that the two ends with their respective slots adjoin one another in the final U-shape.

10. The contact member as claimed in claim 8 or 9 in which an elongate slot (14) is provided generally in line with the two slotted ends of the contact member in the region of the bight or U-bend of the contact member such that the bight or U-bend of the contact member is effectively divided or bifurcated to receive a space or other compatible terminal member (59).

11. The contact member of claim 10 in which inwardly extending contact lugs are provided in said elongate slot with contact surfaces for engaging the spade or other compatible terminal member.

12. An insulation displacement connector comprising an electrically insulating connector housing (50) having one or more recesses (52) therein and each receiving a contact member as claimed in any preceding claim, each such recess being open at its end corresponding to the mouth end of the contact member.

13. An insulation displacement connector as claimed in claim 12 in which the open end of the or each recess corresponding to the mouth end of the connector member is formed for directing and guiding a conductor inserted therein into the mouth of the associated contact member.

14. An insulation displacement connector as claimed in claim 13 in which the or each recess includes strain relief formations (62) which are displaced by a conductor (33) inserted into the connector and then resile to hinder or prevent withdrawal of the conductor.

15. An insulation displacement connector as claimed in claim 13 or 14 in which the or each recess receives a contact member as claimed in claim 7, 8, 9 or 10 and the open end of the or each recess is formed with opposed pairs of grooves (55) into which the edges of the two insulation displacement parts of the contact member engage and a pair of ribs (56) of triangular cross-section disposed one on either side of the pairs of grooves the ribs being tapered at their upper ends to provide guidance for a conductor introduced into the recess.

16. An insulation displacement connector as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15 in which the or each recess is open at both ends and receives a contact member as claimed in claim 10 the open end of the recess at its end opposite its open end corresponding to the mouth end of the contact member providing access for a spade or other compatible terminal member (59) to engage the bifurcated part of the contact member.

Ansprüche

1. Kontaktstück für einen elektrischen Verbinder mit einem isolationsversetzendem Schlitz (13) in diesem, der einander gegenüberliegende Kantenflächen (13') zur Herstellung einer elektrischen Verbindung mit einem isolierten Leiter (33a; 33b) begrenzt, wobei der Schlitz eine zu einem verhältnismäßig engen Abschnitt (23) führende Mündung (17) aufweist und zumindest ein Zahn (21) in den Schlitz (13) zum Durchbohren der Isolierung (35a; 35b) eines in diesen eingeführten Leiters (33a; 33b) vorragt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schlitz ein Paar von Schenkelteilen mit je einem freien Ende an der Mündung bildet, das einen sich nach außen erstreckenden Gehäuseeingriffsteil für einen Eingriff mit dem Verbindergehäuse aufweist, und daß die Schenkelteile bei Einführung eines Verbinders zwischen ihnen in voneinander fortweisender Richtung verformbar sind, wobei der von seinem freien Ende einwärtsgelegene Bereich jedes Schenkels beim fortgesetzten Einsetzen des Leiters nach außen gebogen wird.

2. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich die Schenkelteile zu einer verhältnismäßig schmalen Breite an ihren freien Enden verjüngen, wodurch die Schenkelteile in der Lage sind, sich voneinander fort über im wesentlichen ihre gesamte Länge beim Einsetzen eines Leiters zwischen ihnen zu verformen.

3. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Zahn (21) zwischenliegend zwischen der Mündung (17) und dem engen Abschnitt (23) des Schlitzes (13) angeordnet ist.

4. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zwei Zähne (21) in den Schlitz vorragen und daß die Zähne nebeneinanderliegend auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Schlitzes angeordnet sind.

5. Kontaktstück nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Kontaktstück an dem engen Abschnitt des Schlitzes mit einem Vorsprung (25) versehen ist, der von der Hauptfläche des Kontaktstücks nach außen vorspringt und dadurch die Breite des engen Abschnitts (23) des Schlitzes im Bereich des Vorsprungs erhöht.

6. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es mit einem zweiten Vorsprung (25) versehen ist und daß die Vorsprünge nebeneinanderliegend auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Schlitzes angeordnet sind.

7. Kontaktstück nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Kontaktstück einen ersten und zweiten der genannten isolationsversetzenden Schlitze (13) aufweist, die mit Abstand voneinander angeordnet sind, derart, daß ein Kontakt mit einem in das Kontaktstück eingesetzten Leiter an zwei geringfügig entlang diesem beabstandeten Punkten hergestellt wird.

8. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es eine U-förmige Grundgestalt aufweist.

9. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es durch Biegen eines Metallstückes (10) gebildet ist, das den ersten und den zweiten isolationsversetzenden Schlitz (13) an seinen entgegengesetzten Enden aufweist, derart, daß die beiden Enden mit ihren jeweiligen Schlitzen in der endgültigen U-Form aneinandergrenzen.

10. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein langgestreckter Schlitz (14) allgemein in Linie mit den beiden geschlitzten Enden des Kontaktstücks im Bereich der Krümmung bzw. U-Biegung des Kontaktstücks vorgesehen ist, derart, daß die Krümmung bzw. U-Biegung des Kontaktstücks zur Aufnahme eines gabelförmigen Kabelschuhs oder sonstigen einsatzfähigen Anschlußteils (59) wirksam geteilt oder gabelförmig ausgebildet ist.

11. Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß nach innen gerichtete Kontaktnasen in dem langgestreckten Schlitz mit Kontaktflächen für einen Eingriff mit dem gabelförmigen Kabelschuh oder -sonstigen einsatzfähigen Anschlußteil vorgesehen sind.

12. Isolationsversetzender Verbinder, gekennzeichnet durch ein elektrisch isolierendes Verbindergehäuse (50) mit einer oder mehreren jeweils ein Kontaktstück nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche aufnehmenden Ausnehmungen (52) in diesem, wobei jede derartige Ausnehmung an ihrem dem Mündungsende des Kontaktstücks entsprechenden Ende offen ist.

13. Isolationsversetzender Verbinder nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das dem Mündungsende des Kontaktstücks entsprechende offene Ende der oder jeder Ausnehmung für ein Leiten und Führen eines in dieses eingesetzten Leiters in die Mündung des zugehörigen Kontaktstücks ausgebildet ist.

14. Isolationsversetzender Verbinder nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die oder jede Ausnehmung Spannungsentlastungsformteile (62) aufweist, die von einem in den Verbinder eingesetzten Leiter (33) verlagert werden und dann zur Verhinderung eines Zurückziehens des Leiters zurückfedern.

15. Isolationsversetzender Verbinder nach Anspruch 13 oder 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die oder jede Ausnehmung ein Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 7, 8, 9 oder 10 aufnimmt und das offene Ende der oder jeder Ausnehmung mit einander gegenüberliegenden Paaren von Nuten (55) ausgebildet ist, in die die Ränder der beiden isolationsversetzenden Teile des Kontaktstücks eingreifen, und ein Paar von Rippen (56) mit dreieckigem Querschnitt auf beiden Seiten der Paare von Nuten angeordnet ist, wobei sich die Rippen an ihren oberen Enden verjüngen, um eine Führung für einen in die Ausnehmung eingesetzten Leiter zu bilden.

16. Isolationsversetzender Verbinder nach Anspruch 13,14 oder 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die oder jede Ausnehmung an beiden Enden offen ist und ein Kontaktstück nach Anspruch 10 aufnimmt und daß das offene Ende der Ausnehmung an ihrem Ende, das ihrem dem Mündungsende des Kontaktstücks entsprechenden offenen Ende gegenüberliegt, einen Zugang für einen Kabelschuh oder ein sonstiges einsatzfähiges Anschlußteil (59) für einen Eingriff mit dem gabelförmigen Teil des Kontaktstücks bildet.

Revendications

1. Elément de contact pour connecteur électrique, du genre comportant une encoche (13) de déplacement de l'isolant, les bords de cette encoche définissant des surfaces opposées (13') destinées à assurer la connexion électrique avec un conducteur isolé (33a ou 33b), ladite encoche ayant une embouchure (17) qui aboutit intérieurement à une partie relativement étroite (23), au moins une dent (21) qui fait saillie dans l'encoche (13) afin de percer l'isolant (35a ou 35b) d'un conducteur (33a ou 33b) lorsqu'on insère ce conducteur dans l'encoche, cet élément de contact étant caractérisé par le fait que l'encoche (13) définit deux parties de branches ayant chacune une extrémité libre à ladite embouchure, cette extrémité comportant un moyen, orienté vers l'extérieur, destiné à porter contre le boîtier du connecteur, les branches précitées étant déformables de façon qu'elles s'écartent lorsqu'on insère un conducteur entre elles, de telle sorte que la partie de chaque branche qui se trouve à l'intérieur de son extrémité libre s'incurve vers l'extérieur à mesure que l'on poursuit l'insertion du conducteur.

2. Elément de contact selon la Revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que les parties des branches qui constituent ladite embouchure se rétrécissent jusqu'à une largeur relativement réduite à leur extrémité libre, ce qui permet à ces parties de se déformer en s'écartant l'une de l'autre sur pratiquement toute leur longueur lorsqu'on insère un conducteur entre elles.

3. Elément de contact selon l'une ou l'autre des Revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé par le fait que la dent (21) précitée est disposée à mi-distance entre l'embouchure (17) et la partie relativement étroite (23) de l'encoche (13).

4. Elément de contact selon l'une quelconque des Revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé par le fait qu'il présente deux dents (21) qui font saillie vers l'intérieur de l'encoche et que ces dents sont juxtaposées entre elles de part et d'autre de l'encoche.

5. Elément de contact selon l'une quelconque des Revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé par lefait que la partie du contact qui est adjacente à la partie relativement étroite (23) de l'encoche présente une saillie (25) qui émerge à l'extérieur d'une surface principale de l'élément de contact afin d'augmenter la largeur de la partie étroite (23) de l'encoche dans la zone de cette saillie (25).

6. Elément de contact selon la Revendication 5, caractérisé par le fait qu'il présente une seconde saillie (25), ces saillies étant juxtaposées de part et d'autre de l'encoche.

7. Elément de contact selon l'une quelconque des Revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé parie fait que cet élément présente des première et seconde encoches (13) de déplacement de l'isolant, ces encoches étant espacées entre elles de façon que le contact s'établisse avec un conducteur inséré dans l'élément de contact en deux points légèrement décalés entre eux le long du conducteur.

8. Elément de contact selon la Revendication 7, caractérisé par le fait qu'il présente une forme sensiblement en U. -

9. Elément de contact selon la Revendication 8, caractérisé par le fait que l'on obtient cet élément en pliant une ébauche en métal (10) dans laquelle lesdites première et seconde encoches (13) de déplacement de l'isolant sont formées aux extrémités opposées de l'ébauche de façon que ces deux extrémités et leurs encoches respectives soient placées en regard l'une de l'autre lorsqu'on a plié l'ébauche pour lui conférer sa forme définitive en U.

10. Elément de contact selon l'une ou l'autre des Revendications 8 ou 9, caractérisé par le fait qu'il est prévu une autre encoche de forme allongée (14), située sensiblement dans l'axe des deux extrémités à encoche de l'élément de contact et dans la zone centrale de la boucle ou du coude en U de l'élément de contact, afin de diviser ou bifurquer efficacement la boucle ou le coude en U de l'élément de contact et lui permettre de recevoir une cosse ou autre élément de borne compatible (59).

11. Elément de contact selon la Revendication 10, caractérisé par le fait que des pattes de contact, orientées vers l'intérieur, sont prévues dans cette encoche centrale (14), ces pattes ayant des surfaces de contact destinées à porter contre la cosse ou autre élément de borne compatible.

12. Connecteur à déplacement d'isolant comprenant un boîtier (50) électriquement isolant, pourvu de plusieurs cavités (52) destinées chacune à recevoir un élément de contact selon l'une quelconque des Revendications 1 à 11, chaque cavité étant ouverte à son extrémité correspondant à l'embouchure de l'élément de contact.

13. Connecteur à déplacement d'isolant selon la Revendication 12, caractérisé par le -fait que l'extrémité ouverte de la cavité, ou de chaque cavité (52) qui correspond à l'extrémité côté embouchure de l'élément de contact, a une forme qui lui permet d'orienter et de guider un conducteur inséré dans cette extrémité jusqu'à l'intérieur de l'embouchure de l'élément de contact y associé.

14. Connecteur à déplacement d'isolant selon la Revendication 13, caractérisé par le fait que la ou chacune des cavités (52) présente des ergots (62) de détente de tension qui sont déplacés par un conducteur (33) que l'on insère dans le connecteur et qui ensuite reprennent élastiquement leur position normale pour s'opposer au conducteur ou interdire son retrait.

15. Connecteur à déplacement d'isolant selon l'une ou l'autre des Revendications 13 ou 14, caractérisé par le fait que la ou chacune des cavités précitées reçoit un élément de contact selon l'une quelconque des Revendications 7 à 10, et que l'extrémité ouverte de la ou de chacune des cavités présente des paires opposées de gorges (55) dans lesquelles s'engagent les bords des deux parties de l'élément de contact qui assurent le déplacement de l'isolant, ainsi qu'une paire de nervures (56) à section transversale triangulaire, disposées de part et d'autre des paires de gorges précitées, ces nervures ayant une extrémité supérieure conique afin de contribuer au guidage du conducteur inséré dans la cavité.

16. Connecteur à déplacement d'isolant selon l'une quelconque des Revendications 13 à 15, caractérisé par le fait que l'une ou chacune des cavités (52) est ouverte aux deux extrémités et reçoit un élément de contact selon la Revendication 10, l'extrémité ouverte de la cavité, à son extrémité opposée à son extrémité ouverte, correspondant à l'embouchure de l'élément de contact de façon à constituer un accès pour une cosse ou autre élément compatible de borne de connexion, afin de s'engager dans la partie bifurquée de l'élément de contact.

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