Devices for making electrical connections

Claim 1

A device for making an electrical connection, which comprises: an index strip, which includes a dielectric part having a floor and two narrowly separated parallel rows of spaced corresponding alternating height teeth extending from the floor, the spaces between the corresponding teeth pairs defining fanning slots for receiving insulated conductors, the dielectric part also having a separator linking each corresponding pair of teeth of the rows and extending below the floor to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; and the walls of the teeth defining each of the slots in the index strip being tapered inwardly toward the associated one of the wells to embed the opposing innermost edge portions of the walls of the teeth defining each slot into the insulation of the smallest insulated conductor expected to be received in the slot; and a connecting block assembly adapted to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: mating dielectric parts, each of the parts having a row of spaced alternating height teeth extending from a top of a body portion of each of the parts with a partition formed on a lateral surface of one of the parts and designed to be received in grooves formed in an opposing lateral surface of the other part when the parts are mated, the spaces between the corresponding teeth pairs defining fanning slots for receiving conductors, each of the parts also having a leg extending from the body portion thereof in a direction opposite the teeth, the legs and body portion of the mating parts when assembled defining a cavity for receiving at least portions of the index strip to facilitate mounting of the connecting block assembly on the index strip; the mating dielectric parts having facilities formed thereon such that when the dielectric parts are mated together to form a connecting block assembly, connector-receiving facilities are provided between the partitions thereof; an electrically conductive connector designed to be received between partitions of the one part prior to assembly with the other mating part, each of the connectors having first and second insulation-penetrating ends, the first end adapted to become engaged electrically and to maintain electrical engagement with associated ones of the conductors posiTioned in the connecting block assembly and the second ends depending from the connecting block assembly; the connector assembled with the mating dielectric parts being secured within the connecting block assembly against unintended lateral and longitudinal movement; each of the mating dielectric parts of the connecting block assembly being formed to seat in engagement with an associated row of the teeth of the index strip for aligning the teeth thereof with ones of the teeth of the index strip to facilitate mounting of the connecting block assembly on the index strip with the connectors in the connecting block assembly aligned with corresponding ones of the conductors in the index strip and for seating properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip; and the mounting of the connecting block assembly on the index strip being such that the depending portions of the connectors are caused to become engaged electrically with the conductors supported in the dielectric part of the index strip.

Claim 2

A device for making an electrical connection, which comprises: an index strip, which includes a dielectric part having a floor and two narrowly separated parallel rows of spaced corresponding alternating height teeth extending from the floor, the spaces between the corresponding teeth pairs defining fanning slots for receiving insulated conductors, the dielectric part also having a separator linking each corresponding pair of teeth of the rows and extending below the floor to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; and the walls of the teeth defining each of the slots in the index strip being tapered inwardly toward the associated one of the wells to embed the opposing innermost edge portions of the walls of the teeth defining each slot into the insulation of the smallest insulated conductor expected to be received in the slot; and a connecting block assembly adapted to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: mating dielectric parts, each of the parts having a row of spaced alternating height teeth extending from a top of a body portion of each of the parts with a partition formed on a lateral surface of one of the parts and designed to be received in grooves formed in an opposing lateral surface of the other part when the parts are mated, the spaces between the corresponding teeth pairs defining fanning slots for receiving conductors, each of the parts also having a leg extending from the body portion thereof in a direction opposite the teeth, the legs and body portion of the mating parts when assembled defining a cavity for receiving at least portions of the index strip to facilitate mounting of the connecting block assembly on the index strip; the mating dielectric parts having facilities formed thereon such that when the dielectric parts are mated together to form a connecting block assembly, connector-receiving facilities are provided between the partitions thereof; an electrically conductive connector designed to be received between partitions of the one part prior to assembly with the other mating part, each of the connectors having first and second insulation-penetrating ends, the first end adapted to become engaged electrically and to maintain electrical engagement with associated ones of the conductors posiTioned in the connecting block assembly and the second ends depending from the connecting block assembly; the connector assembled with the mating dielectric parts being secured within the connecting block assembly against unintended lateral and longitudinal movement; each of the mating dielectric parts of the connecting block assembly being formed to seat in engagement with an associated row of the teeth of the index strip for aligning the teeth thereof with ones of the teeth of the index strip to facilitate mounting of the connecting block assembly on the index strip with the connectors in the connecting block assembly aligned with corresponding ones of the conductors in the index strip and for seating properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip; and the mounting of the connecting block assembly on the index strip being such that the depending portions of the connectors are caused to become engaged electrically with the conductors supported in the dielectric part of the index strip.

Claim 3

A device for making electrical connections between electrical conductors, which includes: an index strip made of a dielectric material, including: a surface for supporting ones of the conductors, two spaced rows of spaced alternating height teeth projecting from the support surface, the teeth in one row being aligned with the teeth in the other row to define conductor fanning slots between adjacent teeth in each row, the teeth having tapered end portions with adjacent end portions of adjacent teeth forming a flared entrance to the associated fanning slot, ones of the conductor-fanning slots receiving selected ones of the conductors, further, the surfaces of the teeth defining the fanning slots being tapered inwardly of the index strip with the innermost width thereof dimensioned to secure the smallest gauge conductor expected to be received in the conductor fanning slot; and a separator connecting corresponding teeth in the rows and extending below the supporting surface to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; each of the teeth having a boss extending laterally therefrom; and a connecting block assembly adapted to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: a first part having spaced rows of spaced alternating height teeth extending from the first part in opposite directions, one row of the teeth having a conductor fanning slot formed between each adjacent pair of teeth, the first part further having a plurality of alternating height ribs formed integrally with the first part and extending laterally of the teeth, the shallower ribs being aligned with the fanning slots and the higher ribs being aligned with the teeth; a second part adapted to be mated with the first part and having spaced rows of spaced alternating height teeth extending from the first part in opposite directions, one row of the teeth having a conductor fanning slot formed between adjacent pair of teeth, the teeth in the one row aligned with corresponding ones of the teeth in the one row of the first part when the parts are mated to form a fanning slot between adjacent paired ones of the teeth for receiving ones of the conductors, the second part having alternate slots and ribs spaced therealong, the ribs projecting therefrom laterally of the teeth, and aligned with the shallower ribs in the first part, the slots receiving the higher ribs of the first part when the parts are mated and to space apart the teeth of the first part from the corresponding teeth of the second part, the alternating height teeth in the other rows of the first and second parts adapted to mate with the alternating height teeth of the index strip to align the connecting block assembly with the index strip and to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip; the connecting block assembly having a cavity complementary to at least portions of the mounting strip to facilitate mounting of the connecting block assembly on the mounting strip, furTher each of the parts having a plurality of holes formed therein which face into the cavity for receiving associated ones of the bosses to lock the connecting block assembly to the mounting block, the first part also having means formed thereon for concentrating bonding energy and facilitating the bonding together ultrasonically of the first and second parts; an elongated connector made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material being symmetrical with respect to longitudinal and transverse axes through the center thereof and having first and second insulation-piercing V-shaped ends, each of the V-shaped ends formed by two opposed beams cantilevered from a central body portion of the connector, with end portions of each of the beams being tapered in the plane of the connector and having a double bevel in the plane of the thickness of the connector, each of the first ends aligned with and extending between at least a portion of the aligned associated fanning slots, the second end extending below the connecting block assembly for insertion into the wells of the mounting block, the metallic connector having openings formed therein for receiving the shallower ribs of the first part and the ribs of the second part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated to lock the connector within the mated first and second parts, further the central body portion being in abutting engagement with adjacent ones of the higher ribs of the first part to further prevent unintended lateral movement of the connector; the second ends of the connectors being moved into the wells of the mounting block when the connector block assembly is connected to the mounting block to make electrical contact with the conductors held in the fanning slots thereof; and the first ends of the connectors establishing electrical contact with associated ones of the conductors moved into the fanning slots of the connecting block assembly.

Claim 4

A device for making electrical connections between electrical conductors, which includes: an index strip made of a dielectric material, including: a surface for supporting ones of the conductors, two spaced rows of spaced alternating height teeth projecting from the support surface, the teeth in one row being aligned with the teeth in the other row to define conductor fanning slots between adjacent teeth in each row, the teeth having tapered end portions with adjacent end portions of adjacent teeth forming a flared entrance to the associated fanning slot, ones of the conductor-fanning slots receiving selected ones of the conductors, further, the surfaces of the teeth defining the fanning slots being tapered inwardly of the index strip with the innermost width thereof dimensioned to secure the smallest gauge conductor expected to be received in the conductor fanning slot; and a separator connecting corresponding teeth in the rows and extending below the supporting surface to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; each of the teeth having a boss extending laterally therefrom; and a connecting block assembly adapted to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: a first part having spaced rows of spaced alternating height teeth extending from the first part in opposite directions, one row of the teeth having a conductor fanning slot formed between each adjacent pair of teeth, the first part further having a plurality of alternating height ribs formed integrally with the first part and extending laterally of the teeth, the shallower ribs being aligned with the fanning slots and the higher ribs being aligned with the teeth; a second part adapted to be mated with the first part and having spaced rows of spaced alternating height teeth extending from the first part in opposite directions, one row of the teeth having a conductor fanning slot formed between adjacent pair of teeth, the teeth in the one row aligned with corresponding ones of the teeth in the one row of the first part when the parts are mated to form a fanning slot between adjacent paired ones of the teeth for receiving ones of the conductors, the second part having alternate slots and ribs spaced therealong, the ribs projecting therefrom laterally of the teeth, and aligned with the shallower ribs in the first part, the slots receiving the higher ribs of the first part when the parts are mated and to space apart the teeth of the first part from the corresponding teeth of the second part, the alternating height teeth in the other rows of the first and second parts adapted to mate with the alternating height teeth of the index strip to align the connecting block assembly with the index strip and to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip; the connecting block assembly having a cavity complementary to at least portions of the mounting strip to facilitate mounting of the connecting block assembly on the mounting strip, furTher each of the parts having a plurality of holes formed therein which face into the cavity for receiving associated ones of the bosses to lock the connecting block assembly to the mounting block, the first part also having means formed thereon for concentrating bonding energy and facilitating the bonding together ultrasonically of the first and second parts; an elongated connector made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material being symmetrical with respect to longitudinal and transverse axes through the center thereof and having first and second insulation-piercing V-shaped ends, each of the V-shaped ends formed by two opposed beams cantilevered from a central body portion of the connector, with end portions of each of the beams being tapered in the plane of the connector and having a double bevel in the plane of the thickness of the connector, each of the first ends aligned with and extending between at least a portion of the aligned associated fanning slots, the second end extending below the connecting block assembly for insertion into the wells of the mounting block, the metallic connector having openings formed therein for receiving the shallower ribs of the first part and the ribs of the second part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated to lock the connector within the mated first and second parts, further the central body portion being in abutting engagement with adjacent ones of the higher ribs of the first part to further prevent unintended lateral movement of the connector; the second ends of the connectors being moved into the wells of the mounting block when the connector block assembly is connected to the mounting block to make electrical contact with the conductors held in the fanning slots thereof; and the first ends of the connectors establishing electrical contact with associated ones of the conductors moved into the fanning slots of the connecting block assembly.

Claim 5

A device for making an electrical connection, which comprises: an index strip made from a dielectric material which includes: a longitudinally extending body portion having a surface for supporting ones of a plurality of first conductors; the supporting surface having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein; spaced longitudinally extending rows of teeth projecting from and spaced along the supporting surface on opposite sides of the slot; the spaces between the teeth defining conductor-fanning slots for receiving ones of the first conductors; and separators connecting aligned corresponding teeth of the rows of teeth to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; and a connecting block assembly adapted to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: a first dielectric part, including: a central body portion, a top most portion thereof being formed with a plurality of slots; the central body portion having a leg portion depending therefrom; guide fins formed with the central body portion and the leg portion and extending laterally therefrom; a plurality of partitions formed integrally with and extending laterally from the central body portion, each of the partitions extending from a topmost portion of the central body portion between adjacent ones of the slots to a lowermost portion of the central body portion; and septa formed on the central body portion intermediate each of the partitions, each of the septa extending laterally from the central body portion a distance substantially less than the partitions; the central body portion having serrations formed along an edge thereof opposite the portion along which the slots are formed each of the peaks of the serrations being aligned with one, of the slots in the central body portion of the first part, the serrations having a configuration identical to the teeth in one row of the index strip; a second dielectric part adapted to be mated with the first part, which includes: a central body Portion having a plurality of slots opening to a top most portion thereof; the slots in the central body portion of the second part being aligned with the slots in the central body portion of the first part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated to receive ones of a plurality of second conductors; the central body portion also having a plurality of grooves formed therein extending from a topmost portion thereof to a lower most portion, the grooves adapted to receive the partitions of the first part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together; a plurality of septa alternating with the grooves across the central body portion, the septa in the second dielectric part being of substantially the same height as the septa in the first dielectric part; the septa of the second part being aligned with and projecting toward the septa of the first part when the parts are caused to be mated together; the partitions and the central body portions of the first and second parts forming electrically isolated cells; the central body portion of the second part having serrations formed along an edge opposite the portion along which the slots are cut, each of the peaks of the serrations being aligned with one of the slots in the central body portion of the second part, the serrations having a configuration identical to the teeth in the other row on the index strip; a plurality of connectors made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material and having first and second insulation-penetrating ends; the connectors having openings formed therein for receiving the aligned septa of the parts when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together to prevent unintended lateral and longitudinal movement of the connectors; the first ends of the connectors extending between the aligned slots of the first and second parts and the second ends extending below the leg portions of the parts when the parts are caused to be mated together; the first and second parts when mated together forming a cavity complementary to portions of the index strip to facilitate the mounting of the connecting block assembly with the index strip at selected locations therealong; the serrations of the mated first and second parts mating with the teeth in the rows of the index strip to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip; and the connectors being received in the slot formed on the index strip in associated ones of the wells when the connecting block assembly is mounted to the index strip with the second ends of the connectors engaging electrically the first conductors to connect electrically the first and second conductors.

Claim 6

A device for making an electrical connection, which comprises: an index strip made from a dielectric material which includes: a longitudinally extending body portion having a surface for supporting ones of a plurality of first conductors; the supporting surface having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein; spaced longitudinally extending rows of teeth projecting from and spaced along the supporting surface on opposite sides of the slot; the spaces between the teeth defining conductor-fanning slots for receiving ones of the first conductors; and separators connecting aligned corresponding teeth of the rows of teeth to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; and a connecting block assembly adapted to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: a first dielectric part, including: a central body portion, a top most portion thereof being formed with a plurality of slots; the central body portion having a leg portion depending therefrom; guide fins formed with the central body portion and the leg portion and extending laterally therefrom; a plurality of partitions formed integrally with and extending laterally from the central body portion, each of the partitions extending from a topmost portion of the central body portion between adjacent ones of the slots to a lowermost portion of the central body portion; and septa formed on the central body portion intermediate each of the partitions, each of the septa extending laterally from the central body portion a distance substantially less than the partitions; the central body portion having serrations formed along an edge thereof opposite the portion along which the slots are formed each of the peaks of the serrations being aligned with one, of the slots in the central body portion of the first part, the serrations having a configuration identical to the teeth in one row of the index strip; a second dielectric part adapted to be mated with the first part, which includes: a central body Portion having a plurality of slots opening to a top most portion thereof; the slots in the central body portion of the second part being aligned with the slots in the central body portion of the first part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated to receive ones of a plurality of second conductors; the central body portion also having a plurality of grooves formed therein extending from a topmost portion thereof to a lower most portion, the grooves adapted to receive the partitions of the first part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together; a plurality of septa alternating with the grooves across the central body portion, the septa in the second dielectric part being of substantially the same height as the septa in the first dielectric part; the septa of the second part being aligned with and projecting toward the septa of the first part when the parts are caused to be mated together; the partitions and the central body portions of the first and second parts forming electrically isolated cells; the central body portion of the second part having serrations formed along an edge opposite the portion along which the slots are cut, each of the peaks of the serrations being aligned with one of the slots in the central body portion of the second part, the serrations having a configuration identical to the teeth in the other row on the index strip; a plurality of connectors made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material and having first and second insulation-penetrating ends; the connectors having openings formed therein for receiving the aligned septa of the parts when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together to prevent unintended lateral and longitudinal movement of the connectors; the first ends of the connectors extending between the aligned slots of the first and second parts and the second ends extending below the leg portions of the parts when the parts are caused to be mated together; the first and second parts when mated together forming a cavity complementary to portions of the index strip to facilitate the mounting of the connecting block assembly with the index strip at selected locations therealong; the serrations of the mated first and second parts mating with the teeth in the rows of the index strip to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip; and the connectors being received in the slot formed on the index strip in associated ones of the wells when the connecting block assembly is mounted to the index strip with the second ends of the connectors engaging electrically the first conductors to connect electrically the first and second conductors.

Claim 27

A device for interconnecting a plurality of groups of conductors, which includes: an index strip made from a dielectric material, comprising: a body portion having a flat top floor; two parellel rows of corresponding alternating height teeth, the teeth in each row being spaced apart to form fanning slots therebetween for receiving ones of a first group of conductors; a separator connecting each tooth in one row with the corresponding tooth in the other row; each separator extending from a level below the top floor to the tops of the associated ones of the teeth; the adjacent ones of the separators and the associated teeth forming a well; and the walls of the teeth forming the fanning slots being tapered inwardly toward the associated well to form an inwardly tapered slot to secure ones of the first conductors; a connecting block assembly designed to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: mating body parts made from a dielectric material having a flat top floor; two rows of corresponding alternating height teeth extending vertically from the floor, the lateral spacing of the teeth being equal to the lateral spacing of the corresponding teeth in the two rows in the index strip to form fanning slots therebetween, the fanning slots of the mating parts being aligned with the fanning slots of the index strip when the connecting block assembly is mounted on the index strip; each of the mating body parts having a row of alternating depth depressions formed thereon along an edge opposite the edge along which the teeth are formed, the depressions of greater depth being aligned with the teeth of greater height on the body part; one of the mating parts being formed with a plurality of spaced partitions extending from associated ones of the teeth to the lower portion of the mating body parts; the other one of the mating parts having a plurality of grooves formed therein and aligned with the partitions so that when the parts are mated, the partitions are received in the grooves; each of the mating parts having a plurality of spaced septa, the septa in the one part alternating with the partitions, the septa in the other part alternating with the grooves; the septa in the parts aligned with and projecting toward one another; a leg portion formed with each of the mating body parts, the legs spaced apart a distance so that when the parts are mated the teeth of the index strip may be received between the legs; the mating parts including guide members, inwardly directed from the leg portions, the guide members engaging the fanning slots of the index strip when the connecting block assembly is mounted on the index strip; and connectors made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material and having first and second double beveled tapered insulation-piercing ends, further, each connector having spaced openings formed therein and between the first and second ends; the connectors adapted to be mounted in the one of the mating parts between adjacent ones of the partitions prior to mating of the parts with the septa in the one part extending into the openings; the septa of the other part also extending into the openings of the connectors when the parts are mated to prevent unintended lateral and longitudinal movement; the first ends of the connectors being disposed below the tops of the teeth of the connecting block assembly when the parts are mated and the second ends protruding below the legs oF the connecting block assembly; the protruding second ends adapted to be received in the wells of the index strip when the connecting block assembly is mated with the index strip so that the second ends pierce the insulation of conductors received in the fanning slots of the index strip and make electrical contact therewith; the first ends adapted to establish electrical contact with ones of a second group of conductors which are moved into the fanning slots of the connecting block assembly thereupon connecting electrically ones of the first group of conductors with ones of the second group of conductors; and the teeth of the index strip being received in the alternating depth depressions of the mating body parts to align the connecting block assembly with the index strip and to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip.

Claim 28

A device for interconnecting a plurality of groups of conductors, which includes: an index strip made from a dielectric material, comprising: a body portion having a flat top floor; two parellel rows of corresponding alternating height teeth, the teeth in each row being spaced apart to form fanning slots therebetween for receiving ones of a first group of conductors; a separator connecting each tooth in one row with the corresponding tooth in the other row; each separator extending from a level below the top floor to the tops of the associated ones of the teeth; the adjacent ones of the separators and the associated teeth forming a well; and the walls of the teeth forming the fanning slots being tapered inwardly toward the associated well to form an inwardly tapered slot to secure ones of the first conductors; a connecting block assembly designed to be mounted on the index strip, which includes: mating body parts made from a dielectric material having a flat top floor; two rows of corresponding alternating height teeth extending vertically from the floor, the lateral spacing of the teeth being equal to the lateral spacing of the corresponding teeth in the two rows in the index strip to form fanning slots therebetween, the fanning slots of the mating parts being aligned with the fanning slots of the index strip when the connecting block assembly is mounted on the index strip; each of the mating body parts having a row of alternating depth depressions formed thereon along an edge opposite the edge along which the teeth are formed, the depressions of greater depth being aligned with the teeth of greater height on the body part; one of the mating parts being formed with a plurality of spaced partitions extending from associated ones of the teeth to the lower portion of the mating body parts; the other one of the mating parts having a plurality of grooves formed therein and aligned with the partitions so that when the parts are mated, the partitions are received in the grooves; each of the mating parts having a plurality of spaced septa, the septa in the one part alternating with the partitions, the septa in the other part alternating with the grooves; the septa in the parts aligned with and projecting toward one another; a leg portion formed with each of the mating body parts, the legs spaced apart a distance so that when the parts are mated the teeth of the index strip may be received between the legs; the mating parts including guide members, inwardly directed from the leg portions, the guide members engaging the fanning slots of the index strip when the connecting block assembly is mounted on the index strip; and connectors made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material and having first and second double beveled tapered insulation-piercing ends, further, each connector having spaced openings formed therein and between the first and second ends; the connectors adapted to be mounted in the one of the mating parts between adjacent ones of the partitions prior to mating of the parts with the septa in the one part extending into the openings; the septa of the other part also extending into the openings of the connectors when the parts are mated to prevent unintended lateral and longitudinal movement; the first ends of the connectors being disposed below the tops of the teeth of the connecting block assembly when the parts are mated and the second ends protruding below the legs oF the connecting block assembly; the protruding second ends adapted to be received in the wells of the index strip when the connecting block assembly is mated with the index strip so that the second ends pierce the insulation of conductors received in the fanning slots of the index strip and make electrical contact therewith; the first ends adapted to establish electrical contact with ones of a second group of conductors which are moved into the fanning slots of the connecting block assembly thereupon connecting electrically ones of the first group of conductors with ones of the second group of conductors; and the teeth of the index strip being received in the alternating depth depressions of the mating body parts to align the connecting block assembly with the index strip and to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip.

Claim 29

A system for interconnecting electrically first conductors with associated second conductors, which comprises: a connecting block assembly for supporting the first conductors, which includes: a first part made from a dielectric material, including: a central body portion having alternating depth depressions formed along a lower edge portion thereof; alternating height teeth extending from an upper edge thereof with conductor-receiving slots formed between adjacent ones of the teeth, the higher teeth being aligned with the greater depth depressions; a partition projecting from an inwardly facing surface of the first part and associated with each of the teeth, each partition extending from an upper portion of each of the teeth to a lower edge of the first part; a downwardly depending portion formed integrally with the central body portion; inwardly directed guide members formed integrally with the downwardly depending portion and extending laterally thereof; and a septum formed integrally with and extending laterally from the central body portion between adjacent ones of the teeth; a second part made from a dielectric material and adapted to be mated with the first part, which includes: a central body portion having alternating depth depressions formed along a lower edge thereof; alternating height teeth extending from an upper edge thereof with conductor-receiving slots formed between adjacent ones of the teeth, the teeth of the second part adapted to be aligned with the teeth of the first part and the conductor-receiving slots of the first part aligned with the teeth of the second part when the first and second parts are mated together, further, the aligned conductor-receiving slots being designed to receive associated ones of the first conductors, the higher teeth being aligned with the greater depth depressions; the central body portion having grooves formed therein for receiving associated ones of the partitions when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together, the adjacent ones of the partitions and the central body portions of the parts forming a chamber; a downwardly depending portion formed integrally with the central body portion; inwardly directed guide members formed integrally of the downwardly depending portion and adapted to be aligned with the inwardly directed guide members of the first part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together; a septa formed integrally with and extending laterally from the central body portion of the second part between each adjacent pair of grooves, the septa of the first and second parts adapted to be aligned with each other when the first and second parts are caused to be mated to each other; connectors made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material, the connectors each having first and second insulation-piercing ends, the connectors having openings formed therein for receiving the aligned septa when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together, the first end of each connector extending beyond the top of the body portion of the first and second parts and the second ends of the connectors extending below the downwardly depending portions of the first and second parts when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together; and an index strip made from an insulative material, including: a base block including a ledge; two spaced parallel rows of spaced alternating height teeth extending upwardly from the ledge, the spaces between the corresponding teeth paris defining fanning slots for receiving and holding associated ones of the second conductors; separators linking each corresponding pair of teeth of the rows and extending below the ledge to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; the walls of the teeth defining the fanning slots being tapered inwardly to form inwardly tapered fanning slots having the width thereof adjacent the wells less than the external width thereof for securing the second conductors; the downwardly extending portions of the connectors being moved into associated ones of the wells when the connector block assembly is caused to be mated with the index strip to cause the second ends to pierce the insulation of the associated ones of the second conductors held in the fanning slots of the index strip; an electrical connection being made between ones of the second conductors and associated ones of the first conductors which are moved into associated ones of the conductor-receiving slots of the connecting block assembly and into electrical engagement with the insulation-piercing ends of associated ones of the connectors; and the teeth of the index strip being received in the alternating depth depressions of the mating body parts to align the connecting block assembly with the index strip and to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip.

Claim 30

A system for interconnecting electrically first conductors with associated second conductors, which comprises: a connecting block assembly for supporting the first conductors, which includes: a first part made from a dielectric material, including: a central body portion having alternating depth depressions formed along a lower edge portion thereof; alternating height teeth extending from an upper edge thereof with conductor-receiving slots formed between adjacent ones of the teeth, the higher teeth being aligned with the greater depth depressions; a partition projecting from an inwardly facing surface of the first part and associated with each of the teeth, each partition extending from an upper portion of each of the teeth to a lower edge of the first part; a downwardly depending portion formed integrally with the central body portion; inwardly directed guide members formed integrally with the downwardly depending portion and extending laterally thereof; and a septum formed integrally with and extending laterally from the central body portion between adjacent ones of the teeth; a second part made from a dielectric material and adapted to be mated with the first part, which includes: a central body portion having alternating depth depressions formed along a lower edge thereof; alternating height teeth extending from an upper edge thereof with conductor-receiving slots formed between adjacent ones of the teeth, the teeth of the second part adapted to be aligned with the teeth of the first part and the conductor-receiving slots of the first part aligned with the teeth of the second part when the first and second parts are mated together, further, the aligned conductor-receiving slots being designed to receive associated ones of the first conductors, the higher teeth being aligned with the greater depth depressions; the central body portion having grooves formed therein for receiving associated ones of the partitions when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together, the adjacent ones of the partitions and the central body portions of the parts forming a chamber; a downwardly depending portion formed integrally with the central body portion; inwardly directed guide members formed integrally of the downwardly depending portion and adapted to be aligned with the inwardly directed guide members of the first part when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together; a septa formed integrally with and extending laterally from the central body portion of the second part between each adjacent pair of grooves, the septa of the first and second parts adapted to be aligned with each other when the first and second parts are caused to be mated to each other; connectors made from a flat strip of electrically conductive material, the connectors each having first and second insulation-piercing ends, the connectors having openings formed therein for receiving the aligned septa when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together, the first end of each connector extending beyond the top of the body portion of the first and second parts and the second ends of the connectors extending below the downwardly depending portions of the first and second parts when the first and second parts are caused to be mated together; and an index strip made from an insulative material, including: a base block including a ledge; two spaced parallel rows of spaced alternating height teeth extending upwardly from the ledge, the spaces between the corresponding teeth paris defining fanning slots for receiving and holding associated ones of the second conductors; separators linking each corresponding pair of teeth of the rows and extending below the ledge to define wells between adjacent ones of the separators; the walls of the teeth defining the fanning slots being tapered inwardly to form inwardly tapered fanning slots having the width thereof adjacent the wells less than the external width thereof for securing the second conductors; the downwardly extending portions of the connectors being moved into associated ones of the wells when the connector block assembly is caused to be mated with the index strip to cause the second ends to pierce the insulation of the associated ones of the second conductors held in the fanning slots of the index strip; an electrical connection being made between ones of the second conductors and associated ones of the first conductors which are moved into associated ones of the conductor-receiving slots of the connecting block assembly and into electrical engagement with the insulation-piercing ends of associated ones of the connectors; and the teeth of the index strip being received in the alternating depth depressions of the mating body parts to align the connecting block assembly with the index strip and to seat properly the connecting block assembly on the index strip.