US3854114A

US3854114A - Notched plate clasp apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3854114A
Application number: US00279612A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Kloth; G Vigeant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-08-10
Filing date: 1972-08-10
Publication date: 1974-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-10
Also published as: ATA674873A; IT991400B; JPS4945388A; SE395082B; ES417724A1; CA977848A; AT336110B; AR195437A1; DE2339041A1; BR7306099D0; ZA734965B; NL7310873A; BE803223R; IL42806A0; FR2195857B2; GB1406368A; IL42806A; CH556608A; FR2195857A2; AU5841573A

Abstract

A clasp apparatus for a length of strand material includes a notched metal plate supported in a housing. The notched portion in the plate has opposed slicing edges spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the strand material to be forcibly inserted into the notched portion. The plate is outwardly bulged in the area of the notched portion for stiffening the plate and preventing buckling thereof during forcible insertion of said strand material into said notched portion. The plate further includes a pair of integral stiffener flanges on either side of the notched portion which further prevent buckling of the plate during insertion of the strand material into the slotted portion. The recessed portion of the housing receives the plate therein. A sidewall defining the recessed portion of the housing supportably engages against the stiffener flanges and a portion of the plate adjacent to the outwardly bulged portion thereof, further preventing buckling of the plate. The plate is thus constrained to deflect stiffly resiliently without buckling upon insertion of the strand material in the notched portion of the plate.

Description

United States Patent [191 Kloth et al.

[ Dec. 10, 1974 1 NOTCHED PLATE CLASP APPARATUS [76] Inventors: James Albert Kloth, 813 37th Ave.,

' St. Petersburg, Fla. 33064; George Henry Vigeant, deceased, late of 3932 Yardley Ave., North, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33713 by Mrs. George Henry Vigeant, heir 22 Filed: Aug. 10, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 279,612

[52] US. Cl 339/97 R [51] Int. Cl H0lr 9/08 [58] Field of Search 339/95, 97-99 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,594,712 7/1971 Enright et a1, 339/97 R 3,683,319 8/1972 Vigeant et al 339/97 R 3,703,700 11/1972 l-lasselbohm 339/97 R Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gerald K. Kita ABSTRACT A clasp apparatus for a length of strand material includes a notched metal plate supported in a housing. The notched portion in the plate has opposed slicing edges spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the strand material to be forcibly inserted into the notched portion. The plate is outwardly bulged in the area of the notched portion for stiffening the plate and preventing buckling thereof during forcible insertion of said strand material into said notched portion. The plate further includes a pair of integral stiffener flanges on either side of the notched portion which further prevent buckling of the plate during insertion of the strand material into the slotted portion. The recessed portion of the housing receives the plate therein. A sidewall defining the recessed portion of the housing supportably engages against the stiffener' flanges and a portion of the plate adjacent to the outwardly bulged portion thereof, further preventing buckling of the plate. The plate is thus constrained to deflect stiffly resiliently without buckling upon insertion of the strand material in the notched portion of the plate.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures NOTCHED PLATE CLASP APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to gripping and clasping apparatus, and, more specifically, to apparatus having a plurality of flanges which cooperate in resilient cantilever action to partially penetrate into, andresiliently grip and clasp, a length of strand material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to one preferred embodiment, a notched plate clasp includes a first pair of uprights connected together by a web portion. The web portion is provided with an elongated notch extending generally parallel to the uprights. The web portion is deformed into a projecting dimple which defines two generally diagonally projecting flanges on either side of the notch.

A second pair of uprights is connected to the first pair of uprights by bight portion, and are connected to each other by web portion having an elongated notch therein. In similar fashion, the web portion is dimpled to provide a diagonally extending flange on either side of the notch.

In operation, a length of strand material is inserted into both notches. During such insertion, the strand engages against the flanges on either side of the notches with the result that the flanges are resiliently deformed in cantilever action to widen the notches and allow in- I sertion of the strand material therein. The resulting residual resilient cantilever action of the flanges tends to compress the flanges into gripping and clasping relationship on the strand material. The flanges associated with one notch cooperate with the flanges associated with the other notch to partially compress a longitudinal portion of the strand material spanning between the notches. Thus, such residual compression action provides relief for stresses encountered by the strand material during insertion thereof. As an additional feature, the flanges are provided with slicing edges which slice into and partially penetrate the strand material during insertion thereof thereby insuring retention of the strand material.

In one preferred embodiment, the uprights are fixedly mounted to a base and themselves operate as cantilever beamswhich are resiliently deformed in cantilever fashion upon insertion of the strand material, and which provide residual resilient cantilever action for additionally gripping and clasping the inserted strand material.

In another preferred embodiment, the fixedly mounted uprights are each provided with a stiffening flange which substantially reduces or eliminates cantilever action of the uprights, as desired, with the result that the total residual cantilever gripping and clasping action is accomplished substantially by the flanges having the slicing edges thereon.

In still another preferred embodiment, an electrical terminal is stamped and formed from a notched planar plate and supported in a housing. A notched portion in the terminal includes opposed slicing edges spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a length of strand material to be forcibly inserted into the notched portion. To stiffen the terminal, it is outwardly bulged in the area of the notched portion to prevent buckling thereof during forcible insertion of the strand material into the notched portion. Further to prevent buckling, a pair of stiffener flanges are provided integrally on either side of the notched portion. The flanges are generally bent out of the plane of the plate to further stiffen the plate against buckling. The housing supporting the terminal includes a recessed portion receiving the terminal. Sidewalls which define the recessed portion of the housing engageably support a portion of the terminal adjacent to the outwardly bulged portion, further preventing buckling of the terminal upon insertion of the strand material into the slotted portion thereof. Other sidewalls of the housing engageably support the stiffener flanges to prevent buckling of the terminal. The outwardly bulged portion includes a pair of cantilever flanges on which are provided the slicing edges. Upon insertion of the strand material in the notched portion, the cantilever flanges resiliently deflect in cantilever fashion away from each other but resiliently bias the slicing edges into gripping relationship on opposite sides of a conductor wire, the slicing edges partially penetrating into the strand material during insertion thereof in the notched portion of the terminal. For example, if the strand material is an insulation covered conductor wire, the slicing edges will sliceably penetrate through the insulation and compressibly engage the conductor wire on opposite sides thereof, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the terminal to the conductive conductor wire. The housing is further provided with a gripping portion adjacent to the notched portion of the terminal for mechanically anchoring the strand to the housing and prevent its pullout from the terminal.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a notched plate clasp apparatus for gripping and clasping strand material upon insertion thereof in the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clasp apparatus with at least one pair of resiliently deformable cantilever flanges which resiliently clasp and grip a length of strand material therebetween.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a clasp apparatus with at least one pair of resiliently deformable cantilever flanges which resiliently clasp and grip a strand material therebetween, and wherein the flanges are provided with slicing edges which slice and penetrate partially into the strand material upon insertion thereof in the clasp apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clasp apparatus with resiliently deformable cantilever flanges respectively mounted on uprights which are resiliently deformable in cantilever, action for applying compression on a strand material gripped and clasped between the flanges.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a clasp apparatus having resiliently deformable flanges which resiliently clasp and grip a length of strand material therebetween, and wherein the flanges are mounted on uprights provided with stiffener flanges for either substantially reducing or effectively eliminating cantilever deflection of the uprights.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a clasp apparatus with resiliently deformable flanges which grip a strand material in the form of an electrical conductor, together with slicing edges on the flanges which slice and penetrate through an insulation layer of the electrical conductor, thereby enabling the flanges to mechanically and electrically engage the conductor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a conductor wire electrical connector having a notched plate metal terminal supported in the housing, the plate being outwardly bulged in the area of a notched portion on the housing for stiffening the terminal and preventing buckling thereof during forcibly entry of the conductor wire into the notched portion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a notched plate electrical terminal supported in a housing, with a notched portion in the terminal having opposed slicing edges spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a conductor wire to be forcibly inserted into the notched portion for conductive engagement with said slicing edges, the terminal being outwardly bulged in the area of the notched portion for stiffening the terminal and preventing buckling thereof during insertion of the conductor, and the plate including a pair of integral stiffener flanges on either side of the notched portion further preventing buckling of the terminal during insertion of the conductor wire into the slotted portion thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the combination of an electrical terminal having a notched plate portion which is outwardly bulged for stiffening the terminal and which includes a pair of integral stiffener flanges further stiffening the terminal, with the terminal being recessably mounted in a housing, the housing supportedly engaging against the stiffener flanges and a portion of the terminal adjacent to the outwardly bulged portion thereof to prevent buckling of the terminal upon insertion of an electrical conductor wire forcibly into a notched portion of the terminal.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon perusal of the detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the notched plate clasp apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective with parts in section and in exploded configuration to illustrate the details of another preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, with parts in section and with parts exploded to illustrate the details thereof; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective with parts in section illustrating the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6 in assembled configuration together with an electrical conductor wire electrically and mechanically connected thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED Y EMBODIMENTS With more particular reference to FIG. 1 ofthe'drawings, there is shown generally at l, a slotted plate clasp apparatus including a pair of

uprights

2 and 4 connected together by a web portion 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the web portion 6 is provided therein with an elongated notch 8 extending generally parallel with the

uprights

2 and 4 and terminating in a generally circular terminal end portion 10. The other end of the notch 8 communicates with generally L-shaped notches I2 and 14 provided in the end 16 of the web 6 and located at one end of the notch portion 8. Together, the

adjacent portions

12 and 14 define an enlarged recessed opening immediately adjacent to one end of the notch portion 8. Additionally, the

recessed portions

12 and 14 define

elongated flanges

18 and 20, shown in FIG. 1, which extend between the

recessed portions

12 and 14 and the circular end portion 10 of the notch portion 8. Ad ditionally, the flanges l8 and 20 have substantially parallel sidewalls which define the sides of the notch portion 8. Additionally, the web portion 6 is provided with a bulged protuberance or dimple 22 extending laterally between the

uprights

2 and 4 and extending in partial encircling relationship around the sides of the elongated notch portion 8 and the circular end portion 10 of the notch portion. As shown in FIGS. l-3, the bulge portion 22 positions the flanges l8 and 20 out of alignment with respect to each other. More particularly. the flanges l8 and 20 extend generally toward each other but project in mutually oppositely extending diagonal directions. Thus, the notch portion 8 defined between the

flanges

18 and 20 is located offset from an imaginary plane visualized as extending between the

uprights

2 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the flanges l8 and 20 are provided respectively thereof with longitudinally ex tending sharpened cutting or slicing

edges

23 and 24 in opposed spaced relationship adjacent to the notch portion 8.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a second pair of

elongated uprights

26 and 28 are located adjacent respectively to the

uprights

2 and 4. The second pair of uprights are similar in configuration to the

uprights

2 and 4 and are connected thereto by

bight portions

30 and 32. More particularly, the bight portion 30 connects one end portion of the upright 2 to a corresponding end portion of the upright 26. The bight portion 32 connects one end of the upright 4 to a corresponding end of the upright 28. A web portion 34 extends between the

uprights

26 and 28 and'is similar in configuration to the web 6. A dimpled portion of the web 34 is provided with a notch portion 36 similar in configuration to the notch portion 8. Two diagonally projecting

flanes

38 and 40, of a configuration corresponding to the

flanges

18 and 20, are provided with longitudinally extending opposed cutting or slicing

edges

42 and 44. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

uprights

2, 4, 26 and 28 are fixedly secured, together with their web portions 6 and 34, to a base shown schematically at 46. For example, the base 46 may advantageously be a part of a housing for the notched plate clasp. As shown, each upright is fixedly mounted at only one end thereof.

In operation, a length of strand material 48 is inserted into the spaced

notch portions

8 and 36 with the

flanges

18, 20, 38 and 40 resiliently gripping and clasping the strand material 48. More particularly, the

strand material may comprise an electrical conductor 50 provided with an electrical insulating outer sheath 52. Thus initially, the strand material 48 is positioned readily within the recessed

portions

12 and 14 which align the strand material 48 prior to insertion thereof into the

notch portions

8 and 36. As the strand material is inserted into the

notch portions

8 and 36, the slicing edges 23, 24, 42 and 44 will slice through insulation sheath 52 and engage against and partially penetrate the electrical conductor 50. If the clasp 1 is manufactured from an electrical conducting material, the clasp will be mechanically and electrically secured to the conductor 50.

With reference to FIG. 3, a further feature of the invention will be explained in detail. More specifically, insertion of the strand material 48 will engage the flange 18 causing it to pivot or deflect in resilient cantilever action generally about the upright 2. Similarly, the flange will be resiliently pivoted or deflected generally about the upright 4. In similar fashion, the flange 38 will pivot resiliently about the upright 26, and the flange 40 will be resiliently pivoted about the upright 28. Since the cantilever action of each of the flanges is resilient, a residual cantilever action will result, which will tend to pivot the flanges mutually toward one another in their respective directions as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3. Such residual cantilever action insures the strand material 48 to be resiliently gripped and clasped between the pair of

flanges

18 and 20 and also between the pair of

flanges

38 and 40. Additionally, a portion 54 of the strand material which spans between the spaced

notches

8 and 36 will be placed partially in longitudinal compression, resulting from the resilient stored energy of the flanges, 18, 20, 38 and 40 initially created upon inserting the strand and resiliently deforming the flanges to produce the described pivotal deflection. Thus, the resilient deforma tions of the flanges, and the corresponding stresses created by insertion of the strand, become partially re lieved upon compression of the strand portion as described.

A further advantage of the present invention resides in the anchoring effect of the

flanges

18, 20, 38 and 40. More specifically, when the strand is placed in longitudinal tension, the flanges resiliently deform in the direction of the applied tension and thereby resiliently resist the tension. The flanges also anchor the strand in gripped relationship preventing pull-out thereof when longitudinal tension is applied thereto.

Since the

uprights

2 and 26 are each fixedly secured at one end thereof, they may act together as a single cantilever beam resiliently deformable in cantilever action in a direction laterally of said notches. However, to substantially reduce or, alternatively, effectively eliminate such cantilever action a stiffening flange 56 is provided longitudinally along the upright 2, and a corresponding stiffening flange 58 is provided longitudinally on the upright 26. In similar fashion, a stiffening flange 60 is provided longitudinally on the upright 4 and a corresponding stiffening flange 62 is provided longitudinally on the upright 28. Thus, by properly selecting the stiffening flanges with a desired degree of stiffness, one can either substantially reduce or effectively eliminate a tendency for cantilever deflection action in the uprights.

With reference to FIG. 4, another preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, wherein the structural features which correspond to those in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are given primed numeral designations. Accordingly, an upright 2 is connected at one end thereof to a corresponding end of an elongated upright 26 by a bight portion 30. An upright 4 is connected at one end thereof to an elongated upright 28' by a bight portion 32. Each of the uprights is fixedly secured to a base shown schematically at 46. A web portion extending between the uprights 2' and 4' is provided with diagonally projecting flanges 18' and 20 immediately adjacent to an elongated notch 8 which is similar in configuration to the notch 8 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, the notch of the FIG. 4 embodiment is without the circular end portion 1. of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Additionally, the notch 8' is immediately adjacent to tapered

arcuate sidewalls

64 and 66 which function as replacements for the

recess portions

12 and 14 of the FIG. 1 embodiment. Flanges are provided on a web portion extending between the uprights 26' and 28' which correspond to the

flanges

38 and 40 of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

Upon insertion of a length of strand material 48, the flanges l8 and 20' operate in similar fashion to the corresponding

flanges

18 and 20 of the FIG. I embodiment. Additionally, the stiffening

flanges

56, 58, and

62 of the FIG. 1 embodiment are eliminated from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 with the result that the connected uprights 2' and 26 together act as a single cantilever beam. Additionally, the connected uprights 24' and 28' act as a single cantilever beam. Thus, upon insertion of the strand material 48 the flanges l8 and 20 will operate in similar fashion to the flanges l8 and 20. In addition, such insertion will engage the uprights causing them to resiliently pivot or deflect in cantilever action about their connection points to the base 46. Such action pivots the uprights laterally apart. A residual cantilever action results from the resilient pivoting action which tends to pivot the uprights toward one another in the direction of the arrows illustrated in FIG. 4. Such residual cantilever action further provides compression forces on the inserted strand material 48.

Thus, what has been provided is a notched plate clasp apparatus for gripping and clasping strand material. The clasp apparatus is provided with two pair of resiliently deformable cantilever flanges which grip and clasp the strand material therebetween. The flanges are provided with slicing edges which slice and penetrate partially into the strand material upon insertion thereof in the apparatus. The flanges are provided on uprights which themselves operate as resilient cantilever beams. Alternatively, the uprights may be provided with stiffening flanges to eliminate or reduce cantilever action as desired.

Other embodiment and modifications of the present invention are to be covered in the scope of the appended claims. For example, the clasp of the present invention may be advantageously stamped and formed from a fingle flat piece of malleable metal such as brass. Initially, the central portion of the flat piece is punched out in the form of the notches 8, l0, l2 and 14. Then the dimpled portions like the dimpled portion 22 is formed by stamping. The stiffening flanges 56, 58, 60 and 62 are then bent into position. Lastly, the metal piece is folded back over itself along the

bight portions

30 and 32 to form the uprights in parallel adjacent relationship. Since each flange and a corresponding dimple are formed immediately adjacent to a bight portion, considerable stresses are formed which might tend to shear the bight portion. However, since the metal piece is relatively malleable, plastic deformation will occur at the bight portion to relieve the encountered stresses and prevent shearing on an otherwise weakened area. The present invention is utilized to grip, clasp and slice a wide range of strand diameters, the degree of resilient deformations of the flanges and uprights being a direct result of the particular diameter of strand forcibly inserted in the notches of the invention. Thus the deformations will vary to accept strands of different diameters.

Another preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The preferred embodiment includes a notched plate metal terminal shown generally at 64. The terminal is fabricated from a planar plate of conductive metal and includes a pair of

elongated cantilever uprights

66 and 68 integral with a base portion 70. The uprights and base portion lie generally in the plane of the planar plate. The uprights have integral therewith corresponding generally

rectangular stiffener flanges

72 and 74. The stiffener flanges are longitudinally integral with the

corresponding uprights

66 and 68 and are bent generally out of the plane of the planar plate. The uprights are connected by an integral web 76. The web is further provided with a notched portion 78 extending generally longitudinally of the uprights and having a generally V-shaped configuration between the free ends of the cantilever uprights 66 and 68, and having a generally elongated medial portion 80 and terminating in a generally enlarged circular end portion 82. The notched portion defines a pair of

opposed flange portions

84 and 86, which are similar to the

flange portions

18 and 20 of the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. The flange portions are provided with corresponding opposed elongated slicing edges 88 and 90 longitudinally disposed with respect to said uprights and similar to the slicing edges 23 and 24 ofthe preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. In operation similar to that of the prior embodiments, the terminal 64 is adapted for the forcible insertion of a length of strand material between the slicing edges 88 and 90. To prevent buckling of the terminal during insertion, the web 76 is stiffened by at least a portion thereof being outwardly bowed as shown at 92 in the area of the web encircling the notched portion 78. The stiffener flanges 72 and 74 also prevent buckling of the terminal during insertion of the length of strand material. In addition, the outwardly bowed configuration orients the

flange portions

84 and 86 generally diagonally projecting toward each other and out of the plane of the planar plate material. This orients the slicing edges 88 and 90 in opposed relationship defining opposed sides of the medial portion 80 of the notched portion 78.

As more particularly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the terminal is adapted for mounting with a housing of insulation material which is generally shown at 94. The housing includes a pair of spaced

sidewalls

96 and 98 provided with corresponding

vertical notches

100 and 102. The

notches

100 and 102 are in alignment and receive therein the base 70 of the terminal. As shown the base 70 is provided with

lances

104 and 106 which are adapted to wedgingly engage in corresponding notches and 102 to permanently retain the terminal in receipt by the

sidewalls

96 and 98. As shown in FIG. 6, the

sidewalls

96 and 98 are provided with L-shaped

sections

108 and 110. When the terminal 64 is received in the

sidewalls

96 and 98, the

sidewall sections

108 and 110 will engagingly support the

flange portions

72 and 74 which are partially received into the L-shaped

sections

108 and 110. In addition, the

uprights

66 and 68 will also be partially recessed within the

sidewall portions

96 and 94, enabling the sidewall portions to engagingly support at least portions of the

uprights

66 and 68. The partially supported

flange portions

72 and 74 and the partially supported

uprights

66 and 68 are thereby supportingly engaged by corresponding portions of the

sidewalls

96 and 98 to prevent buckling or deflection of the cantilever uprights 66 and 68 out of the plane of the planar plate when a length of strand material is inserted into the notched portion 78. Deflection or buckling of the uprights out of the plane of the planar plate would result in slightly offset gripping of the opposite sides of the strand material. It is more desirable to prevent such deflection or buckling so the strand will be gripped by the slicing edges directly opposite each other than in slightly offset relationship. As more particularly shown in FIG. 7, a length of strand material shown generally at 112 may include an electrical conductor 114 covered thereover with a layer of insulation 116. The slicing edges 88 and 90 are appropriately spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the internal conductor 114 such that insertion of the conductor between the slicing edges will cause the slicing edges to partially penetrate the strand material l 12. More paticularly, the slicing edges will penetrate entirely through the insulation layer 116 into electrical and mechanical gripping engagement on opposed sides of the internal conductor 114, thereby electrically connecting the conductor to the terminal 64. The presence of the strand material 112 in the terminal resiliently biases the

flange portions

84 and 86 in cantilever fashion outwardly of the plane of the planar plate, with the result that the resilient spring action is stored in the flanges which operates to bias resiliently the flanges and the slicing edges 88 and 90 thereon into gripping engagement on opposed sides of the conductor 114. In addition, the cantilever uprights 66 and 68 are stiffly and resiliently biased outwardly of each other and therefore generally in the plane of the planar plate, with the result that resilient spring energy is stored therein which operates to resiliently bias the uprights toward each other to further increase the gripping contact on opposed sides of the conductor 114. As further shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the housing 94 is provided with an endwall 118 having a notch 120 therein generally in alignment with the notch portions 78 of the terminal 64. The notch portion 120 includes a projecting ridge 122. The strand material may be forcibly inserted within the notch 120, with the ridge portion 122 gripping opposed sides of the strand material 112, thereby mechanically anchoring the strand to the housing 94. Such mechanical anchoring provides a mechanical strain relief resisting pull-out of the strand material from both the housing and the terminal 64. If however tension on the strand material 112 is experienced generally in the direction of the arrow 124, the strain relief is not needed, since such tension in the direction of the arrow 124 will tend to bias the

flanges

84 and 86 and the slicing edges 88 and 90 toward each other in even tighter gripping relationship on opposed sides of the conductor 114, thereby resisting pull-out of the strand material from the terminal 64.

Although what has been described are preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention, other modifications and embodiments of the present invention are to be covered in the spirit and scope of the appended claims, wherein:

We claim:

1. In an electrical contact stamped and formed from a notched planar plate and constrained by a housing for desired resilient deflection upon forcible insertion of an electrical conductor wire into a notched portion of the planar plate, the improvement comprising; structure for stiffening the plate to prevent undesired buckling thereof and structure to constrain the plate for cantilever deflection without buckling thereof, said plate including a pair of cantilever uprights joined by a web, said notched portion of the plate being defined in said web to extend generally longitudinally of said uprights, said web being bulged outwardly from the plane of said planar plate for stiffening said web and preventing buckling of said contact upon insertion of a conductor wire into said slotted portion, said cantilever flanges having each a longitudinally attached stiffener flange bent generally outwardly from the plane of said planar plate, said cantilever uprights being stiffly and resiliently deformable by deflection away from each other substantially in the plane of said planar plate upon forceful insertion of a conductor wire in said notched portion, said cantilever uprights and said flanges thereon being mounted in said housing with the housing having portions thereof engagingly bearing against portions of the uprights and portions of the flanges to constrain the cantilever uprights against deflection out of the plane of the planar plate.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said notched portion is defined by a pair of adjacent opposed slicing edges formed in said web, said outwardly bulged web orienting said slicing edges in protruding diagonally outward relationship of the plane of said planar plate, said slicing edges partially penetrating into the conductor for electrical contact on opposed sides of the conductor, thereby electrically connecting the contact to the conductor.

3. The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein, said notched portion terminates in a relatively enlarged opening through said web which defines a pair of opposed cantilever flanges integral with said web and on either side of said notched portion, said slicing edges being located on respective cantilever flanges, and said outwardly bulged web orients said cantilever flanges in protruding diagonally outward relationship from the plane of said planar plate, said cantilever flanges capable of resilient deflection away from each other upon insertion of a conductor wire in said notched portion, said slicing edges partially penetrating into said conductor wire and being urged into gripping engagement on opposed sides of said conductor wire by resilient spring energy stored upon said resilient deflection of said cantilever flanges.

4. The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein, said slicing edges are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a conductor wire to be forcibly inserted into said notched portion so that the slicing edges are penetrable into opposite sides of the conductor for electrical and mechanical gripping engagement on opposed sides of the conductor wire.

5. In a conductor wire connector having a notched plate metal terminal supported in a housing, the improvement comprising: a notched portion in said terminal having opposed slicing edges spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a conductor wire to be forcibly inserted into said notched portion for conductive engagement with said slicing edges, said plate having a portion outwardly bulged in the area of said notched portion for stiffening said plate and preventing buckling during forcible insertion of said conductor wire into said notched portion, said plate includes a pair of integral stiffener flanges on either side of said notched portion further preventing buckling of said plate during insertion of said conductor wire into said notched portion, said housing having a recessed portion defined by sidewalls, and said stiffener flanges and a portion of said plate adjacent to said outwardly bulged portion being received in said recessed portion and supportingly engaged against said sidewalls to prevent buckling of said terminal during insertion of said conductor wire into said notched portion.

6. The structure as recited in claim 5, wherein, said plate includes a pair of cantilever flanges integral with said outwardly bulged portion and which flanges are deflectable resiliently in cantilever fashion away from each other upon forceful insertion of a conductor wire therebetween, said slicing edges being located respectively on said cantilever flanges and being urged resil iently toward each other by resilient spring action stored in said resiliently deflected cantilever flanges, the slicing edges partially penetrating and gripping opposite sides of a conductor wire inserted between said cantilever flanges.

7. The structure as recited in claim 6, wherein, said housing includes gripping means adjacent said notched portion of said terminal for anchoring a conductor wire to be forcibly inserted in the notched portion of said

Claims

6. The structure as recited in claim 5, wherein, said plate includes a pair of cantilever flanges integral with said outwardly bulged portion and which flanges are deflectable resiliently in cantilever fashion away from each other upon forceful insertion of a conductor wire therebetween, said slicing edges being located respectively on said cantilever flanges and being urged resiliently toward each other by resilient spring action stored in said resiliently deflected cantilever flanges, the slicing edges partially penetrating and gripping opposite sides of a conductor wire inserted between said cantilever flanges.

7. The structure as recited in claim 6, wherein, said housing includes gripping means adjacent said notched portion of said terminal for anchoring a conductor wire to be forcibly inserted in the notched portion of said terminal.