Alexander U Uchuck

US Patent:

44213743, Dec 20, 1983

Filed:

Sep 5, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/184565

Inventors:

Lino M. Montilla - Baltimore MD
Alexander Uchuck - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

Western Electric Company, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

H01R 1120

US Classification:

339 97P

Abstract:

A trifurcated terminal (10) which is mounted in an aperture (52) in a plastic terminal block (51) is made from flat metallic material and includes a base having a center beam and two lateral beams (18-18) extending therefrom. Portions of the beams define conductor-receiving slots (31-31) having entries (23-23) which establish electrical engagement with insulated conductors (11-11). The center beam includes a locking element (71) which protrudes from one side thereof and which is received in a recess (72) that communicates with the aperture in the plastic block to support the center beam against substantial deflection during insertion of the conductors in either slot. This arrangement permits the beams to be proportioned to engage and retain the conductors without damaging them while having widths which do not cumulatively exceed the width of priorly used terminals in order to preserve the density of a plurality of terminals in a predetermined geometrical arrangement in the terminal block.