GB2049307A

GB2049307A - Improvements in or relating to an electrical connector

Info

Publication number: GB2049307A
Application number: GB7935720A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ALMA ETS Ltd
Current assignee: ALMA ETS Ltd
Priority date: 1979-05-08
Filing date: 1979-10-15
Publication date: 1980-12-17
Also published as: GB2049307B

Abstract

A connector to receive the free end of a wire comprises a plate having a hole 2 surrounded by six further holes 3 which are each connected to the hole 2 by a slit. The portion surrounding the hole 2 is formed upwardly and a wire can be firmly received in the hole 2. The connector is described as forming the base of a screwless connector comprising two upwardly standing arms 37, 43, the arm 43 supporting resilient fingers 47 which can trap a wire between their free ends 50, 51 and the arm portion 37. The screwless connector may be received in a housing 10 entrapping resistor leads 33 in slots 42. Capacitor leads (not shown) may be inserted into each hole 2 of the housing/connector assembly. Wires trapped between ends 50, 51 and portion 37 in the housing/connector assembly are releasable on insertion of a tool in an aperture (27, Figure 5, shown) to depress fingers 47. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to an electrical connector This invention relates to an electrical connector and more particularly to an electrical connector which can readily be connected to an electric wire.

When an electric wire is to be connected to an item of electrical apparatus, it is necessary for a connection to be made between the wire and the apparatus.

Many different types of connection have been proposed previously, but such connections either require the use of relatively complex items and/or require the use of soldering or the use of screws or nuts that are tightened to clamp an electrical wire in position and make electrical contact with the wire.

The present invention seeks to provide an electrical connector which can readily and rapidly be connected to a wire without the use of screws, nuts, soldering or the like.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a simple connector that can be utilised in many different applications. However, it is envisaged that a connector in accordance with the present invention may be of particular use in connection with a screwless connector assembly which, in effect, connects two electrical wires together, and such screwless connectors may be utilised in connection with capacitors.

According ta the broadest aspect of this invention there is provided an electrical connector adapted to be connected to a wire, said connector comprising a plate formed of conductive metal which has resilient properties, there being a first hole formed in said plate adapted to receive said wire, a plurality of further holes formed in said plate, said further holes surrounding said first hole said further holes each being connected to said first hole by means of a slit formed in the plate.

Preferably the portion of the plate surrounding the first hole is formed upwardly from the plate so that this portion of the plate is of substantially conical or tapering form, said first hole being at the apex of this conically or tapering formed portion of the plate.

In a most preferred embodiment of the invention the further holes being equi-spaced about the periphery of a circle, said circle having, as its centre, the centre of said first hole. Preferably six further holes are provided.

It is to be appreciated that in utilising a connector as defined above a wire having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the first hole is inserted into the first hole from below, the portions of the plate defined by said slits diverging away from the first hole, the portions of the plate thereafter gripping the wire that is inserted through the hole both to retain the wire firmly in position and to provide electrical contact between the wire and the plate.

It is to be appreciated that the plate may form part of a larger electrical connector assembly or may be welded screwed riveted or otherwise secured to a part of an assembly that is to be brought into electrical contact with a wire.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of forming an electrical connector, said method comprising the steps of forming a first hole in the plate of conductive metal having resilient properties, forming further holes in said plate which are spaced around said first hole, and forming slits which connect the first hole to each of said further holes.

Preferably the method further comprises the step of forming the plate with a substantially tapering or conical region in the area of said first hole so that said first hole is at the apex of said tapering or conical region.

A connector as described above may be used as part of a screwless connector.

Thus, according to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a connector suitable for connecting two wires, said connector comprising a spring clip having a base portion, first and second spaced apart arm portions connected to the base portion, the second arm portion supporting at least one resilient finger which extends towards the said first arm portion and is adapted to clamp a wire inserted between the free end of the resilient finger and the first arm portion, a portion of the connector comprising a planar portion formed of a metal having resilient properties, said planar portion having a first hole formed therein adapted to receive a wire, there being a plurality of further holes formed in said planar portion, said further holes surrounding said first hole, said further holes each being connected to said first hole by means of a slit formed in the planar portion.

Conveniently said planar portion comprises the base of the spring clip, and advantageously the planar portion is formed to have a substantially tapering or conical shape, said first hole being located at the apex of the tapering of conically formed portion. Conveniently said further holes are equi-spaced about the periphery of a circle, said circle having, as its centre, the centre of said first hole and six further holes are provided.

A spring clip comprising a connector as defined above may be formed from two separate components, the first component comprising said base the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the second component comprising a spring assembly comprising a portion to be adapted to said second arm portion and at least one said resilient spring finger. Alternatively the spring clip may be formed integrally from a single strip of metal.

Preferably said first arm portion is provided with an inwardly directed tag or finger to prevent said resilient finger or fingers from being over-bent.

Advantageously at least one slot is formed in said spring clip, said slot being provided in one of said arm portions, said slot being adapted to receive a wire constituting a lead of a resistor.

Advantageously the said second arm portion has a greater overall width than the combined width of said resilient finger or fingers.

Preferably the free end of the resilient finger or fingers has a greater width than the remaining portion thereof.

A spring clip as described above may be utilised in conjunction with a housing formed of plastics or other insulating material, and such a housing may be adapted to accommodate two separate spring clips as described above. Such a housing may comprise means defining two chambers to accommodate the two spring clips, and means defining an aperture to permit the entry of wire into said chamber in the region of the chamber in the zone of the free end of the resilient finger adjacent the first upstanding arm portion and means for retaining the clip in the chamber.

Preferably the means for retaining a clip in the chamber comprises means protruding from at least one side wall of the chamber and a corresponding recess formed on said clip adapted to engage said protruding means.

Conveniently a portion of the means defining each said chamber is provided with a respective slot which, when the respective spring clip is located within the respective chamber is aligned with a respective aperture formed in the spring clip, said apertures in the clip being adapted to receive the terminal leads of a resistor.

Preferably the means defining said two chambers are provided with a radially outwardly extending circular flange.

Preferably the flange terminates in a downwardly depending peripheral skirt.

Preferably each chamber of said housing is provided with inwardly directed ribs adapted to engage side edge portions of the said second arm portion of the respective spring clip to prevent toppling of the clip.

Advantageously each chamber of the housing is provided with an inwardly directed rib against which the free end portions of each resilient finger engages when the finger is about to be over-bent.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a screwless connector assembly, said screwless connector assembly comprising a housing defining two chambers, a spring clip located within each said chamber, a portion of each spring clip adjacent one wall of the respective chamber being provided with an aperture therein, the adjacent wall portion of each chamber being provided with a corresponding slot in alignment with the aperture, the arrangement being such that the terminal leads of a resistor may be located in the two apertures in the two spring clips.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a connector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 1 showing a wire being inserted into the connector; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a screwless connector assembly utilising a connector as illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of Figure 3 when assembled; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a plastics material housing adapted to receive two connector assemblies as shown in Figures 3 and 4;; Figure 6 is an underneath perspective view of a completed connector comprising two connector assemblies as illustrated in Figure 3 and 4 and a housing as illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative form of connector assembly, which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view partly cut away of a housing for receiving two connector assemblies as illustrated in Figure 7; Figure 9 is an underneath perspective view of a completed connector comprising two connector assemblies as shown in Figure 7 and a housing as shown in Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a cross sectional view through part of the complete connector assembly as shown in Figure 9 taken on line X-X of Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings a connector in accordance with the present invention, in its simplest form, comprises a plate 1 formed of thin sheet metal having resilient or spring properties, such as phospor bronze, more particularly phospor bronze sold under the designation PB 104, having a thickness of approximately 0.305 millimetres (0.012 inches). A central hole 2 is formed in the sheet 1, the central hole initially having a diameter of 0.381 millimetres (0.015 inches) and six further holes 3 are also formed in the plate 1 each hole 3 having a diameter of 0.762 millimetres (0.030 inches), the centres of the holes being located on the circumference of a circle having a diameter of 4.31 millimetres (0.170 inches).Each of the six outer holes 3 is connected to the central hole 2 by means of a slit 4, each slit extending from the periphery of the respective hole 3 radially inwardly towards the periphery of the hole 2. As can be appreciated more clearly from Figure 2, which is exaggerated for purposes of explanation, after the flat plate has been provided with the above described slits and holes the region of the plate that immediately surrounds the hole 2 is formed upwardly out of the plane of the plate 1 so that this portion of the plate has a substantially curved tapering or conical form 5. The radius of curvature of the upwardly directed portions of the plate is 2.03 millimetres (0.080 inches) and the overall height of the projecting conical portion 5 above the plane of the plate 1 is approximately 1,397 millimetres (0.055 inches). When the plate has been formed in this way the diameter of the hole 2 is 0.635 millimetres (0.025 inches).

The above described connector is specifically designed to accept a single core wire which has a diameter of 0.787 millimetres (0.031 inches) diameter (so called 0.5 mm2wire). If a wire 6 of this size is then introduced into the hole 2 by passing the free end of the wire 6 upwardly through the conical portion 5 in the direction of the arrow 7 shown in Figure 2, the free end of the wire will pass between the fingers defined between the slits 4, forcing the said fingers slightly apart. This can easily be accomplished. The fingers will then grip the wire and if an attempt is subsequently made to withdraw the wire, by pulling the wire in the direction of the arrow 8, it will be found that the wire is firmly trapped by the connector.The fingers defined between the slits 4 each have, by virtue of the bent configuration of the fingers, an angular portion or corner which bites into the wire serving to provide a good grip on the wire ensuring that the wire cannot be pulled from the connector and also providing good electrical contact between the wire 6 and the plate 1.

A connector comprising a plate as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 may comprise part of larger connector assembly or, alternatively, may be welded or soldered to some part of an apparatus that is to be connected to a wire.

It is therefore to be appreciated that connectors in accordance with the present invention may be utilised for example as input terminals on electrical appliances, three such connectors being provided adapted to receive wires that, in turn will be connected respectively to the live, neutral and earth conductors of a mains electricity supply system.

Similarly such connectors may be utilised in a three pin plug, the individual wires of the cable or lead that is to be connected to the three pin plug merely being inserted into the central holes of the plates constituting the connectors, the plates being welded or otherwise secured to the pins of three pin plug. It will of course be appreciated that connectors in accordance with the invention may be utilised in a telephone assembly, connectors being associated with the microphone, and receiving appropriate wires, further connectors being provided in the body of the telephone again being positioned and connected for receiving appropriate wires. However, connectors in accordance with the invention may be utilised in virtually any application where it is necessary to connect a wire to a terminal.Connectors in accordance with the invention may be designed to accommodate wires of virtually any appropriate size, other than extremely thin wires since any wire to be used with the connector must have sufficient inherent strength initially to force the fingers that are defined between the slits 4 apart.

It is envisaged that a connector in accordance with the present invention may be of particular use in connection with so-called screwless connectors such as are presently utilised in the manufacture of capacitors.

Capacitors are electrical components that are widely utilised, a typical capacitor being provided in a cylindrical metal can which contains the capacitive element. Two wires or leads protrude from the capacitive element and is has been the previous practice to close the can with a lid, the wires being soldered to pins formed in the lid. Electrical connectors can then be connected to the pins to enable wires to be electrically connected to the pins. A typical prior connector has comprises a metallic connector assembly contained within a plastics material housing. Thus a typical assembly mounted on a capacitor is somewhat complex.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate a screwless connector for a capacitor which connector comprises two metallic assemblies 9 and a plastics material housing 10.

Each metallic assembly 9 comprises a base plate 10 that is manufactured in the form of a connector as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Thus this connector comprises a central hole 2, six further holes 3, and connecting slits 4 the portion of the plate surrounding the hole 2 being upwardly formed.

Upstanding from one edge of the base 10 is a first arm 11, there being two recesses 12 formed in opposed side edges of the arm 11 adjacent the base for a purpose that will be described hereinafter. The arm 11 is also provided with an inwardly directed pressed or cut out tag or finger 13, the purpose which will again be described hereinafter.

Upstanding from the opposite side edge of the base 10 is a second upstanding arm 14, therebeing two recesses 15 provided in opposed side edges of the arm 14 adjacent the base, the recesses 15 corresponding with the above described recesses 12. Two parallel inwardly directed guide means 16 are pressed out of the arm 14, and a central circular inwardly formed protrusion 17 is provided which is located immediately beneath the two guide means 16. The guide means 16 are adapted to receive a tongue 18 of a second spring component, the tongue having an aperture 19 adapted to engage the protrusion 17. The tongue 18 is adapted to slide between the guide means 16, and when the aperture 19 engages the protrusion 18 the tongue is held firmly in position.The tongue supports two downwardly inclined resilient fingers 20 which are parellel, and when the two components described above are assembled, as illustrated in Figure 4, the two resilient fingers 20 are directed towards the first upstanding arm portion 11. The inwardly directed tag or finger 13 is provided to prevent the resilient fingers 20 from over bending. Two apertures 21 are provided in the upstanding arm portion 14, these apertures being narrower towards the base 10 of the assembly than towards the resilient fingers 20. The purpose of these apertures will be described hereinafter.

Turning now to Figure 5 and Figure 6 a housing 10 is provided which is adapted to receive two metallic assemblies 9 as described above. The housing comprises two generally cuboid housing portions 22, 23 which are mirror-images of each other. Each of the portions 22,23 defines a chamber 24 which is dimensioned to receive a metallic connector assembly 9 as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. In the upper surface 25 of each of the portions 22, 23 are formed two inter-engaging circular apertures 26 and a rectangular aperture 27. Each of the apertures 26,27 communicates with the chamber 24. At least one inwardly directed rib 28 is provided on a side wall, parallel with the upper surface, which protrudes inwardly into the chamber 24, the rib 28 being engageable with the recesses 12, 15 as will be described hereinafter. The uppermost part of the chamber 24 is shaped and dimensioned, as can be seen in Figure 5, snugly to receive the electrical connector assembly 9. Each chamber 24 has an open lower mouth, but a portion of the periphery of the mouth is provided with an upwardly extending tapering notch 29, shown most clearly in Figure 6. A radially outwardly extending flange 30 is formed integrally with the portions 22 and 23, this flange having a peripheral downwardly extending skirt 31, the skirt being substantially circular.

In assemling the above described components to form the completed connector illustrated in Figure 6, a metallic connector assembly 9 is loosely inserted into each of the chambers 24, merely by locating the connector 9 in the appropriate position and pushing the connector. A resistor 32 is located in position with the leads 33 of the resistor being bent to pass inwardly through one notch 29 in each assembly 9.

The leads of the resistor are caused to engage with the respective slot 21 of each metallic connector assembly 9 which is aligned with the respective notches 29. The metallic assemblies are then pressed further into the housing, the inwardly directed ribs 28 in the housing being deformed, and the ribs then being received in the recesses 12 and 15 of the connector assemblies, firmly to retain the connector assemblies within the housing. In forcing the connector assemblies into the housing the leads of the resistor engage with the base of the respective slots 29 and thus the leads of the resistor are forced into the tapering portions of the respective slots 21, and thus the resistor is in firm mechanical and electrical contact with both the metallic connector assemblies 9.

When the components have been thus assembled the housing 10 together with the electrical connector assemblies 9 may be utilised in the construction of a capacitor. The electrical capacitive element of a capacitor has, as mentioned before, two wires protruding therefrom and each wire may be inserted into the hole 2 formed in the base 10 of each respective assembly 9.

The can containing the capacitive element may then be secured to the peripheral skirt 31 of the housing 10. Thus the capacitor is closed by the housing 10 and the capacitive element contained within the can is in electrical contact with the connector assemblies 11. The capacitive element is, of course, shunted by the resistor 32.

When further items pf electrical equipment are to be connected to the capacitor wires may be inserted into the apertures 26 formed in the housing portions 22,23. As a wire is inserted through one of the apertures 26 the free end of the wire will touch the uppermost part of the respective resilient finger 20 which is aligned with the corresponding aperture 26 and the free end of the wire will slide down the finger until the free end of the wire reaches the junction between the free end of the finger 20 and the upstanding arm portion 11, permitting the wire to pass between the free end of the finger 20 and the upstanding arm portion 11, the wire thus being firmly retained in position and being in good electrical contact with the connector assembly 9.If the wire is to be released for any reason, a tool such that the screwdriver, may be inserted through the rectangular aperture 27, the screwdriver then touching the resilient fingers 20, moving the fingers 20 away from the upstanding arm portion 11, thus releasing the wire. As has been mentioned above, the inwardly directed tag or finger 13 is provided to prevent the fingers 20 from being bent too far and may be considered to prevent over-bending of the fingers 20.

It will be noted that in the above described embodiment of the invention the metallic connector assembly is formed as a two piece construction.

However, it is envisaged that the preferred embodiment of the invention will comprise a metallic connector assembly that is one piece construction.

Such an embodiment is illustrated in Figures 7 to 10.

Referring to Figure 7 a preferred form of electrical connector assembly comprises two metallic assembly units 34, one of which is shown in Figure 7. The connector unit 34 is formed as a one-piece construction from a strip of phospor bronze having a thickness of 0.288 millimetres (0.012 inches) the material being phospor bronze sold underthe designation PB 104. A portion of the phospor bronze strip is initially stamped and cut to have the appropriate shape and is then formed to have the configuration illustrated in Figure 7. The completed device comprises a base 35 which constitutes a connector as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.Thus the base 35 is provided with a central hole 2, further surrounding holes 3 and slits 4, all as described above, the region of the base 35 surrounding the hole 2 again being deformed to form a conical portion 5 as described with reference to Figure 2. Recesses 36 are formed in the side edges of the base 35 since it has been found that such recesses facilitate the operation of the connector. Upstanding from one side edge of the base 35 is a first arm portion 37. Recesses 38 are defined in the side edges of the arm portion 37 adjacent the base, and above the recesses 38 protruding cam faces 39 are defined. Two apertures 40 are formed in the arm portion 37 adjacent the base and substantially coaligned with the recesses 38 the apertures 40 each having a relatively wide upper portion 41 and a relatively narrow lower portion 42.This narrower portion is dimensioned firmly to engage the wire lead of a resistor, as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

Upstanding from the opposed side edge of the base 35 is a second arm portion 43, this arm portion again having regions defining recesses 44 in the side edges adjacent the base, there being means defining cam surfaces 45 above these recesses. At the upper end of the arm portion 43 there is an inwardly directed step 46 so that the upper region of the arm portion is of lesser width than the lower portion, and the upper portion of the arm 43 supports two resilient fingers 47, 48 which extend downwardly towards the finger 37. The overall width of the resilient fingers 47, 48 over the greater proportion of their length is slightly less than the width of the remainder of the strip forming the metallic assembly being described. Each resilient finger 47, 48 is provided with an elongate substantially "U" sectioned depression therein 49 to increase the strength of the resilient fingers. For the connector provided in the base 35 to operate satisfactorily the material utilised for the manufacture of the connector assembly must be relatively thin, and such thin material does not have sufficient resilient strength for satisfactory operation of the resilient fingers 47, 48. It is for this reason that the strengthening depressions 49 are provided. At their free end portions 50, 51 adjacent the upstanding arm portion 37, the resilient fingers 47, ware stepped outwardly and again have a width corresponding substantially to the overall width of the strip utilised in forming the connector assembly.

Figure 8 illustrates a plastics material housing 52 for use with connector assemblies as described above. Plastics material housing 52 comprises two generally cuboid housing portions 53, 54 each of which defines a chamber 55 which is dimensioned to receive a metallic connector assembly 34 as illustrated in Figure 7. The two chambers 55 are mirror images of each other. In the upper surface 56 of each of the portions 53,54 are formed two inter-engaging circular apertures 57 and a rectangular aperture 58.

Each of the apertures 57,58 communicates with the respective chamber 55. The housing portion 54 comprises a rear wall 59, two side walls 60, 61 and a front wall 62 which, in Figure 8, is substantially cut away. On one side wall, 61, there is provided two inwardly directed ribs 63, 64, the rib 63 being located adjacent and only slightly spaced from the wall 59, and the rib 64 being located substantially centrally on the wall 61, that is to say mid-way between the walls 59 and 62. Two protrusions are also provided on the wall 61, a first protrusion 65 being located immediately adjacent the wall 59 and a second protrusion 66 being located immediately adjacent the wall 62, these protrusion being located towards the open mouth of the chamber 55.Corresponding ribs and protrusions are provided on the wall 60, but only the rib 64' that corresponds with the rib 64 is visible in Figure 8. The ribs and protrusions are engageable with the metallic assembly 34 as will be described hereinafter. The upper portion of each chamber is shaped snugly to receive a connector assembly 34. As mentioned above each chamber 55 has an open lower mouth, but a portion of the periphery of the mouth of each chamber is provided with an upwardly extended notch 67. Also it is to be noted that a central protruding planar 68 is provided which protrudes beyond the open mouth of each of the chambers, this member 68 comprising an extension of the wall 61. A radially outwardly extending flange 30 is provided which is formed integrally with the housing portions 53, 54.

In assembling the above described components a metallic connector assembly 34 is inserted into each of the chamber 55. As the connector enters the chamber a resistor 69 is located in position with the leads 70 passing through the notches 67. As the connector is moved inwardly the leads 70 of the resistor 69 can be inserted into the broad portions 41 of each aperture 40 that is aligned with the respective recess 67. As can be seen from Figure 9 the notches 67 are located adjacent the outer edges of the chambers 55 and thus two apertures 40 must be provided to prevent the metallic assemblies being "handed". As the metallic assembly 34 is pushed home so the leads 70 of the resistor 69 are forced downwardly into the narrow portion 42 of the aperture 40, thus making a firm and good electrical contact.Also the metallic element is pushed home into the chamber so the cam surfaces 39 and 45 will engage the protrusions 66 and 65 respectively deforming the protrusions and enabling the metallic assembly to be slid fully home in which position the protrusions 65, 66 are engaged in the recesses 44 and 38 respectively, thus retaining the metallic element 34 in the housing. The relatively broad portion of the second arm 43, that is to say the portion extending from the base up to the shoulder 46, is trapped behind the inwardly directed ribs 63, 63' the latter being the rib corresponding to rib 63 which is formed on wall 60. However, the overall width of the fingers 49 is less than the width between the innermost portions of the ribs 63, and thus the fingers 49 pass freely between the ribs.

When the components have been thus assembled the housing 52 together with the electrical connector assemblies and the resistor may be utilised in the construction of a capacitor. Wires, such as wire 71 coming from a capacitive element, are inserted into the central aperture 2 in the base of each of the metallic assemblies 34 and a metallic can containing the capacitive element may then be secured to the flange 30, so that the capacitor is closed by the housing and the capacitive element contained within the can is in electrical contact with the connector assemblies 34. The member 68 serves as a spacing member to ensure that the capacitive element is always spaced from the open mouths of the chamber 55.When further items of electrical equipment are to be connected to the capacitor wires may be inserted into the apertures 57 formed in the housing portions 53, 54. As a wire is inserted through one of the apertures the free end of the wire touches the uppermost part of one of the fingers 47 and will slide downwardly finger until the free end of the wire reaches a junction between the free end of the finger 47 and the upstanding arm portion 37. The resilient finger will then move away from the upstanding arm portion 37, permitting the wire to pass between the free end of the finger 47 and the upstanding arm portion 37, the wire being in electrical contact with the connector assembly 34 and being retained securely in position.During this bending of the resilient arm 49 the second arm portion 43 is prevented from toppling forward by virtue of en gagementwith the side portions of this arm behind the inwardly directed ribs 63.

If the wire is to be released, for any reason, a tool such as a screw driver may be inserted through the rectangular aperture 58, the screw driver then touching the resilient fingers 47, moving the fingers away from the upstanding arm portion 37, thus releasing the wire. The rib 64 is provided to prevent the fingers 49 from bending too far since as an arm 47 is bent downwardly the wide free end portion 50 of the arm will engage the rib 64, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 10.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments it is to be noted that the broadest aspect of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. It is envisaged that if the material forming the plate 1 is thinner than that specified above, then the number of holes 3 surrounding the centre hole 2 may be reduced, five four, or even three holes being satisfactory in certain circumstances. The diameters of the holes may also be varied, and in particular the diameter of the central hole 2 may be varied in accordance with the diameter of the wire that is to be trapped and connected to the plate 1. However, hole 2 will always have a diameter which is slightly less than the diameter of the wire to be received, but it is to be appreciated that, by designing the connector plate 1 appropriately connectors in accordance with this invention may be utilised to trap wires having widely different diameters.

Claims

1. An electrical connector adapted to be connected to a wire, said connector comprising a plate formed of conductive metal which has resilient properties, there being a first hole formed in said plate adapted to receive said wire, a plurality of further holes formed in said plate, said further holes surrounding said first hole said further holes each being connected to said first hole by means of a slit formed in the plate.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the plate surrounding the first hole is formed upwardlyfrom the plate so that this portion ofthe plate is of substantially conical or tapering form, said first hole being at the apex of this conically or tapering formed portion of the plate.

3. A connector according to claim 1, or claim 2 wherein said further holes are equi-spaced about the periphery of a circle, said circle having, as its centre, the centre of said first hole.

4. A connector according to claim 3 wherein six further holes are provided.

5. A method of forming an electrical connector, said method comprising the steps of forming a first hole in the plate of conductive metal having resilient properties, forming further holes in said plate which are spaced around said first hole, and forming slits which connect the first hole to each of said further holes.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the method further comprises the step of forming the plate with a substantially tapering or conical region in the area of said first hole so that said first hole is at the apex of said tapering or conical region.

7. A connector suitable for connecting two wires, said connector comprising a spring clip having a base portion, furst and second spaced apart arm portions connected to the base portion, the second arm portion supporting at least one resilient finger which extends towards the said first arm portion and is adapted to clamp a wire inserted between the free end of the resilient finger and the first arm portion, a portion of the connector comprising a planar portion formed of a metal having resilient properties, said planar portion having a first hole formed therein adapted to receive a wire, there being a plurality of further holes formed in said planar portion, said further holes surrounding said first hole, said further holes each being connected to said first hole by means of a slit formed in the planar portion.

8. A connector according to claim 7 wherein the planar portion comprises the base of the spring clip.

9. A connector according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the planar portion is formed to have a substantially tapering or conical shape, said first hole being located at the apex of the tapering or conically formed portion.

10. A connector according to claim 7,8 or 9 wherein said further holes are equip-spaced about the periphery of a circle, said circle having, as its centre, the centre of said first hole.

11. A connector according to claim 10 wherein six further holes are provided.

12. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein said spring clip is formed from two separate components, the first component comprising said base the first arm portion and the second arm portion, the second component comprising a spring assembly comprising a portion to be adapted to said second arm portion and at least one said resilient spring finger.

13. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the spring clip is formed integrally from a single strip of metal.

14. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 13 wherein said first arm portion is provided with an inwardly directed tag or finger to prevent said resilsient finger or fingers from being over-bent.

15. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 14 wherein at least one slot is formed in said spring clip, said slot being provided in one of said arm portions, said slot being adapted to receive a wire constituting a lead of a resistor.

16. A spring clip according to any one of claims 7 to 15 wherein the said second arm portion has a greater overall width than the combined width of said resilient finger or fingers.

17. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 16 wherein the free end of the resilient finger or fingers has a greater width than the remaining portion thereof.

18. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 17 in combination with a housing formed of insulating material, the housing being adapted to accommodate two separate said spring clips.

19. A connector in combination with a housing according to claim 18 wherein the housing comprises means defining two chambers to accommodate the two spring clips, and means defining an aperture to permit the entry of wire into said chamber in the region of the chamber in the zone of the free end of the resilient finger adjacent the first upstanding arm portion and means for retaining the clip in the chamber.

20. A combination according to claim 19 where the means for retaining a clip in the chamber comprises means protruding from at least one side wall of the chamber and a corresponding recess formed on said clip adapted to engage said protruding means.

21. A combination according to claim 20 wherein the protruding means is in the form of a rib.

22. A combination according to any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein a portion of the means defining each said chamber is provided with a respective slot which, when the respective spring clip is located within the respective chamber is aligned with a respective aperture formed in the spring clip, said apertures in the clip being adapted to receive the terminal leads of a resistor.

23. A combination according to any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the means defining said two chambers are provided with a radially outwardly extending circular flange.

24. A combination according to claim 23 wherein the flange terminates in a downwardly depending peripheral skirt.

25. A combination according to any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein each chamber of said housing is provided with inwardly directed ribs adapted to engage side edge portions of the said second arm portion of the respective spring clip to prevent toppling of the clip.

26. A combination according to any one of claims 19to 25 wherein each chamber of the housing is provided with an inwardly directed rib against which the free end portions of each resilient finger engages when the finger is about to be over-bent.

27. A screwless connector assembly, said screwless connector assembly comprising a housing defining two chambers, a spring clip located within each said chamber, a portion of each spring clip adjacent one wall of the respective chamber being provided with an aperture therein, the adjacent wall portion of each chamber being provided with a corresponding slot in alignment with the aperture, the arrangement being such that the terminal leads of a resistor may be located in the two apertures in the two spring clips.

28. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

31. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.