US2392438A

US2392438A - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: US2392438A
Application number: US333017A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles E Wade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-05-02
Filing date: 1940-05-02
Publication date: 1946-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1963-01-08

Description

C. E. WADE `ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR lFiled May 2 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO Y Jan. 8,. 1946. c. E. WADE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed May 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 'f2/'dale E11/daz...

Patented Jan. 8, 1946 ELECTRICAL qoNNnc'roa Charles E. Wade, Sturgis, Mich. Application May 2, 1940, Serial No. 333,017

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to electrical con.. nectors, and in particular is directed to Aimproved means for forming a readily made connection between one or pairs of terminals, each terminal being permanently attached to the end of an associated Wire.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide electrical connectors of the above indicated type. which, in certain aspects, are improvements upon the structures described and claimed in applicants copending application Serial No. 289,017, illed August 8, 1939, now Patent No. 2,360,917, Ygranted October 24, 1944; to provide such structures which can be economically manufactured and assembled, and which are extremely reliable and emcient in operation, and enable the connection between two wires to be readily made; to provide such structures comprising a housing memberadapted to receive a contact, the contact being particularly charac# terized as defining a pair of receptacles each adapted to receive a blade-like terminal; to provide such constructions whereineach contact is formed of two separate contact elements arranged in back-to-back relation and interlockingly held within the housing; to provide such constructions embodying improved means-for guiding an associated terminal into the space between the spaced leg portions of the contact; to provide such constructions wherein each contact is formed of a unitary sheet of metal formed to define receptacles views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal center section,

y taken along the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical transverse section, taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the contact elements constituting the electrical contact in the embodiment of Figs. l, 2, and 3;

y Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a blade-like termnal adapted to cooperate with the connector of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the arrangement of Figs; 1 through 4;

Fig. l is a view in longitudinal center section of a further modification of the invention;

Fig. 8` is a view in vertical transverse section, taken along the line 8-8 oi' Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one contact element employed in the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8;

Fig. 10 is a view in longitudinal center section of a further modification of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a view in vertical transverse section,

taken along the line l I-l I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of thecontact em- Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of one of the contact elements employed in the embodiment of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 14A is a view in transverse section, taken along the line 14A-14A of Fig. 13.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 4, the present connector comprises a housing 20, molded or otherwise formed of insulating material, and a contact member 22, constituted by two similarly formed

elements

24 and 26, which are received within the body of the housing 20 in back-to-back relation.

The housing 20 is provided with a bore extending entirely therethrough, and the respectively opposite ends of this bore are counterbored so as to dene enlarged bore portions 28 and 30, and an intermediate restricted bore portion 32. The bore portions 28 and 32 are joined by an annular shoulder 34, and the bore portions 30 and 32 are joined by an annular shoulder 36.

The contact element 24 is illustrated as formed of a single piece of suitable conducting material having spring-like characteristics. The element 24 has a relatively wide central body portion 40, provided with laterally spaced longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 42, and has relatively narrower end portions 44 and 46, which are reversely v bent, and the marginal end portions 48 and 50 'plicates the contact element 24.

2 which are disposed tp cooperate with an opening or recess |58 formed' in the body oi an associated spade-type terminal 60, so as to hold the terminal in place, as described below. It will be appreciated -that'the contact element 26 preferably du are arranged 4in back-to-back relation to yeach other and are thereafter inserted together into the body of the housing 2li, from either end thereof. .During the entry yof the

contact elements

24 and 26, the leading rounded end portions, such -as ,(c) (Fig. 2), engage one of the shoulders 34 and 38 (in this case, shoulder 34) and continued entering movement causes the reversely turned.

leg 45 of the element 24 and the corresponding leg 62 of the contact element 26 to be cammed or sprung inwardly towards each other by an amount suicient to enable the abutment portions ll and 6d to nass through the restricted bore portion 32. When the contact reaches a centered position within the housing 20, the abutment portions E@ and te reach the shoulder 36, thereby enabling the leg portions e6 'and 62 to spring outwardly, vlcnrinsring theabutments 56 and Esto the positions shown in Fig. 2, in which they are solidlydnterlocked behind the shoulder 'SSI At the same time'. the abutments 48 and 66 occupy a position in substantial abutting engage` ment with, and in solid interlocking, relation behind. the shoulder t6. In the thus assembled condition of the contact and the housing, the stress in the reversely turned end portions a and b forces the backs of the contact elements 2d and 2t towards each other, bringing the tongues 55 on the contact element 2d and the corresponding tongues-S8 on the contact 2d into abutting engagement with each other. so that the

contact elements

24 and 26 are securely held in place within the housing,

even though no terminals. such as Sli, are introduced' into the space between the contact elements 24 and 2S.

It will thus befseen that the generally bladelike contact elements 2s and 2Q ydefine between them a pair of end receptacles or recesses to s receive associated blade-like terminals 60. In

introducing` a terminal Si! into the space between the 'contact elements 24sand 26, it will be understood that these elements are spread apart, which action decreases the spacing between each reversely turned leg portion. such as 46, and the adjacent intermediate body portion, thereby increasing the stress in the reversely turned end portions andncausing the contact elem'tsNto nrmly grip the terminal between them. The wedging action imposed on the contact elements by the reversely turned end portions'is particuwith each other, the shoulders 52 and 54 on element 2l, and the corresponding shoulders 10 on element-28, more or less freely abut the side walls oi the intermediate bore portion 32. With this relation, when a terminal 6 0 is inserted between ing' them apart, the shoulders 52; 54 and 1B are forced into solid abutting engagement with the just-mentioned wall portions and are sprung .to

5 some extent.

When in use, accordingly, the contact elements 24 and28 have a solid but resilient bearing engagement with substantially the entire surface area of each associated terminal 6|), thus allord- .ing a very godd electrical contact. In service. also, the tongues 58 and 68 project into the previously mentioned openings 58. in the associated terminal di),A thus tanning a detent connection i v rangement of Figs. 1 through 4, this is accom;l

plished by forming the reversely turned leg portions, such as dd and 46, somewhat narrower than 25 the main body portions of the contact, and by forming the side walls of the housing in such relation that such side walls occupy a substantial part of the corner areas thus produced.- More specically, and as more clearly appears in Fig'. 3,

a0 the opening in the housing 20 is hexagonal in form, so that the side wail portions, such as 30a,

ss thatthe intermediate body portion of each contact is dimensioned to'have substantially the same width as the associated terminal d, so that each such terminal 60 is of greater width than the leg portions, such as 4d and d3, and is also d@ of greater width than all portions of the bore vexcept those portions which are in alignment with the space between the

contact elements

24 and 26. In applying a terminal 60 to the connector, accordingly, the endof theterminal can be introduced into the corresponding bore 28 or 30, only in such a position as bringsthe end of the terminal into alignment with the space between the contactelements, whereby the termif nal is positively guided in o such space.

vThe structure described th reference to Figs. 1 through 4 obviously provides means for connecting two wires together. It will, however, be appreciatedl that the present connector'may be made to anord a connection between any desired manner shown in Fig. 6, in which the housing all is formed to provide two bores 82, each whereof receives a. contact 84. It will be understood that and arrangement as the bore described with reference to Figs. 1 through 4, and it will be further understood that the contacts 84 may be formed as described with reference to the contact 22. y

In the modiiied embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the housing 20' is formed to dene the enlarged end bore portions 86 and an intermediate smaller bore portion 88, which bore portions are joined by annular shoulders 89, corresponding to the previously described

shoulders

34 and 36. The housing 20' receives la contact constituted by a pair of spaced contact elements 90 and 92 arranged in back-to-back relation to each other, and adapted to receive betweenl 'them corresponding blade-like terminumber of pairs of wires, in, for example, the

the individual bores 82 may have theisame formnals 80', corresponding to the previously described terminal 80. The contact element 80 is provided with intermediate body portions 94 and 88, a central rib 88, and reversely turned les portions and |02. The contact 90 is also provided with tongues |04 struck inwardly from the back thereof ior cooperation with the opening in the associated terminal. The contact ele-v ment 30 is similarly formed and it will be understood that the assembly of the elements 80 and 82 in the body o! the housing ispreferably effected in the previously described manner; When assembled within the housing, the abutments formed at the ends of the reversely turned leg portions engage over the shoulders 88 in the previously described manner, and the stresses in the leg portions hold the tongues, such as |04 and |08, in abutting relation to each other. In this case, the central lateral edge portions oi the central ribs 88 and |08 perform the same function as the previously described shoulders, such as 52 and 54. Accordingly, when the contact is initially received within the housing 20', the ribs 98 and |08 more or less freely abut the inner surface of diametrically opposite, longitudlnally extending ribs I0, formed in the housing 20".

In the present instance. in order to positively guide the terminal, such as 80', into the .space between the contact elements, the reversely turned legs |00 and |02, and ||2 and ||4 are slotted, as clearly appears in Fig. 9, the width of each slot being proportioned to relatively freely accommodate vthe corresponding housing rib ||0. The ribs and slots thus do not interfere with the free assembly of the contact within the housing, but, when the parts are in the assembled position (Fig. 8), the ribs 0 provide abutments which act to guide the terminal 80' into the space between the contact elements. Preferably, and as shown in Fig. '7, the outer ends ||8 of the ribs ||0 are rounded, so that these 'rounded ends act as guide surfaces to cam the terminals into proper alignment with the contact elements.

In all other respects except those'just noted, the construction, arrangement and operation of the embodiment of Figs. "I, 8, and 9 preferably correspond to the embodiment of Figs. l through-4.

In the embodiment of Figs. 10, l1 and l2, the contact |20, which 'is received within a housing |22, is formed from a single unitary piece of stock, as distinguished from the two similar contact elements previously described. In this instance, the housing |22 is provided with a bore |24 of uniform silze throughout its lengths except for an abutment |28 formed in one side thereof, which abutment, with the adjacent bore portions, denes the spaced outwardly presenting shoulders |28.

The contact |20 has an intermediate body portion |30, the respectively opposite end portions |32 and |34 whereof are outwardly flared. The contact |20 also comprises the laterally spaced body portions |38 and |38, which are connected to the body portion but in offset relation thereto by ribs |40 and |42. The kre spectivelyopposite ends of the portions |38 and |38 are joined by reversely turned portions |44 and |52, the marginal edges whereof are outwardly bent to define abutments |48 and |54.

The spaced portions |38 and |38 and the corresponding end portion |32 denne between them a receptacle to receive and yieldingly hold an associated blade-like terminal A corresponding receptacle is formed in the other end of lthe contact by the spaced portions |38 and |38 and end portion |34.

The contact |20 may be assembled ln the housing |22 from either end thereof. Assuming the contact is introduced from the lefthand end of the housing, as viewed in Fig. 10, the entering movement brings the reversely turned end |44 into engagement with the shoulder |28, so that further entering movement cams the portion |44 and the portion |34 towards each other. the abutment |48 to pass behind and in interlocking lengagement with the righthand shoulder |28, and also brings the abutment |54V into engagement with or immediately adjacent to the other shoulder |28. Assuming the entering movement is effected from the righthand end, as viewed in Fig. 10, the initial entering movement brings the portion |52 into engagement with the righthand shoulder |28 so that continued entering movement springs the rportions |52 and |32 towards each other. The final entering movement bringsthe abutment |54 behind the lefthand shoulder |28 and also brings the abutment |48 into engagement with or immediately adja- .l cent to the righthand shoulder |28.

It will be appreciated that the proportioning of the parts is preferably such that when the contact is positioned within the housing, the portions |32 and |52 are sprung towards each other and the portions |44 and |34 are sprung towards each other, so that the stresses in these parts serve to hold the abutments |48 and |54 in interlocking engagement with the corresponding shoulders. The relation is also such that the portions |32, 38 and |38 on the one hand, and the portions |38, |38 and |34 on the other hand. are sprung together so as to have a normal spacing less than the thickness of the associated terminals 80".4 Accordingly, when the terminals 80 are introduced into the housing, they spring the corresponding parts away from each other, thus additionally stressing these parts, and causing the contact to wedgethe terminals firmly therebetween. This wedging engagement is found sufficient to hold the terminals in place, although it will be understood that each desired detenfJ means corresponds to the previously described tongues 58, etc., and can be utilized to assist in holding the terminals in place relative to the contact.

In the embodiment of Figs. 13 and 14, the housing |80 is formed to have the enlarged bore portions |62 and |84, which are joined by aI smaller bore portion |88, in such relation as to define the spaced outwardly presenting shoulders |88 and |10. The housing |80 receives a contact constituted by the similarly formed contact elements |12 and |14, which are arranged therein in back-toback relation. The contact element |12 comprises a generally planar body portion |18, having portions |18 pressed outwardly from the back thereof for the purpose described with reference to the tongues 56, etc. The,contact element |12 is provided with bent end portions |80, and is also provided with intermediate offset portions |82, the marginal ends |84 whereof constitute abutments for cooperation with the shoulders |88 and |10. The contact element |14 is similarly formed, and it will be appreciated that these elements may be assembled within the housing |80 by arranging them in backto back relation and inserting them into the housing The final entering movement enables l from either end thereof. Assuming the contact.

The ramps |92 are thus eiective to cause the ends |80 and |90 to ride up over the shoulder |68. At the conclusion of the entering movement, the leading fingers |82 of the'contact element |12 and the corresponding fingers of the contact element |14 pass behind the shoulders |10, in straddling relation to the ramps |94. At this time, also, the trailing fingers |82 of the contact element 12 and the corresponding fingers of the contact element |14 freely abut, or are immediately adjacent tothe shoulders |68, and these latter fingers also straddle the ramps |92. In the final position of the parts, also, the outwardly turned end portions |80 and |90 of the contact bear against the side walls of the associated bore portions. It will be understood that the proportioning of the parts is such that the free spacing between each end |80 and the corresponding end |90,`as well as the free spacing between each finger |82, and a corresponding finger on the other contact element, exceeds the spacing between the associated walls of the housing. Accordingly, the end portions |80 and |90 and the various shoulder engaging lingers are sprung somewhat, and hold the detent portions |18 in solid abutting engagement with each other. The contact is thus rmly held in place within the housing even though no terminals are introduced therebetween. In introducing a terminal, such as 60"', into the housing from either end thereof, the tapered bore surfaces, such as |96, cam the leading end of the terminal into the space between the contact elements |12 and |14.y The terminal also forces the contact elements apart, further stressing the end portions |80 and |90 and the several shoulder engaging fingers, so that the terminal is rmly wedged in place between the contact elements. In this instance, the ends |80 and |90 serve to cause the end portions of the contact elements to firmly grip the terminal and the associated shoulder engaging fingers |82 perform the same function for the leading end portion of the terminal. The contact elements |12 and |14 thus firmly engage substantially the entire surface of the terminal, thus affording an efficient electrical contact.

Although only several specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various and further modications in. the form, number and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housing having a bore extending therethrough, said bore being formed to provide a pair of longitudinally spaced outwardly presenting shoulders, a contact in said bore comprising a pair of blade-like elements arranged in l back-to-back relation so that a blade-like terminal can be inserted between said elements adjacent either'end of said housing, each said element having the opposite end portions thereof reversely turned to denne abutments to engage rsaid shoulders to hold said contact in place within said housing, each said reversely turned portion being somewhat narrower in width than the adjacent body portion of the corresponding element, and said housing having guide portions at least partially lling the area afforded by said narrowing of said reversely turned portions, so as to guide a said vblade-lille terminal into the vspace between said elements.

2. In an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housing having a bore extending therethrough, said bore being formed to provide a pair of longitudinally spacedoutwardly presenting shoulders, a contact in said bore comprising a pair of blade-like elements arranged in. back-to-back relation so that a blade-like terminal can be inserted between said elements adjacent either end of said housing, each said element having the opposite end portions thereof reversely turned 'to define abutments to engage said shoulders to hold said contact in place within said housing, each said reversely turned portion being slotted and said housing having a rib extending into each said slot and serving to guide said blade-like terminal into the space between said elements.

3. In an electrical connector, the combination of a housing having a bore extending therethrough, and having means formed to define longitudinally spaced, outwardly presenting shoulders, a contact received within said bore, said contact comprising two blade-like elements arranged in back-to-back relation .so that a bladelike Iterminal can be inserted between said elements adjacent either end of said housing, and

each said element having abutments struck from the body thereof and adapted to engage over said shoulders so as to hold said contact elements in place within said bore.

-4. In an electrical connec'tor, the combination of an insulating housing having a bore extending therethrough, said body having in said bore a pair of longitudinally spaced shoulders, facing respectively outwardly towards the opposite ends of the housing, and a'pair of similarly formed blade-like electrical contact elements adapted to receive and releasably hold a blade-like terminal inserted therebetween through either end of said housing, each of said elements comprising substantially at central body portions and end portions which are turned laterally away from'the space between said elements, said elements received in said housing with the said central portions thereof disposed in substantially parallel relation and said laterally turned ends deiining abutments to engage said outwardly presenting shoulders, and said elements being arranged in back to back relation so that said ends bear against said housing to urge said central portions toward each other.

5. In an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housing having an opening exof the opening and facing outwardly, at least one aseaise of said pieces lhaving parts at the outer ends of said portions which are laterally turned in the same direction, Isaid direction being away from the space between said pieces, said parts being in interlocking engagement with said abutment means on said housing to hold said one of said pieces in place in said housing and said one of said pieces cooperating with the other of said pieces rto maintain said other of said pieces in place in said housing.

6. In an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housing having an opening exy tending therethrough, a contact in said opening, said contact comprising a pair of separate and freely abutting pieces, arranged in back to back relation, each of said pieces having spaced terminal engaging portions, corresponding said portions on said pieces being adapted to receive and releasably hold a blade-like terminal therebetween, said housing and contact having cooperating interlocking means which act to hold said contact in place in said housing, said interlocking means including yieldable means which enable snap entry of the contact into said housing when said pieces are arranged in back to back relation and simultaneously inserted into said housing.

7. In an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housing having an opening extending therethrough, a contact in said opening, said contact comprising'a pair of separate and freely abutting pieces, arranged in back to back relation, each of said pieces having spaced terminal engaging portions, corresponding said portions on said pieces being adapted to receive and releasably hold a blade-like terminal therebetween, and abutment means on said housing, at least one of said pieces being in interlocking engagement with said abutment means on said housing to hold said one ofsaid pieces in place in saidhousing and said one of said pieces cooperating with Vthe other of said pieces to maintain said other of said pieces in place in said housing, said pieces including yieldable means which permit snap entry thereof into said housing when said pieces are arranged in back to back rlation and simultaneously inserted into said housing.

8. In' an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housing having an opening extending therethrough, acontact in said opening, said contact comprising a pair of separate and freely abutting pieces, arranged in back to back relation, each of said pieces having spaced 'terminal engaging portions, corresponding said portions on said pieces being adapted to receive and releasably hold a blade-like terminal therebetween, and abutment means on said housing comprising a pair of shoulders spaced lengthwise of the opening and facing outwardly, at least one of said pieces having parts at the outer ends of said portions which are laterally turned in the same direction, said direction being away from the space between said pieces, said parts being in interlocking engagement with said abutment means on said housing to hold said one of said pieces in place in said housing and said one of said pieces cooperating with the other of said pieces to maintain said other of said pieces in place in said housing, said pieces engaging each other prior to the insertion of the terminal therebetween, and by said engagement being effective to maintain at least one of said pieces in said interlocking engagement with said abutment means, whereby to maintain said contact in proper position in said housing.

9. In an electrical connector. the combination of an insulating housing having an opening extending therethrough, a contact in said opening. said contact comprising a pair of separate and freely abutting pieces arranged in back to back relation, each of said pieces having spaced terminal engaging portions, corresponding said portions on said pieces being adapted to receive and releasably hold a blade-like terminal therebetween, abutment means on said housing comprising a pair of shoulders spaced lengthwise of the opening and facing outwardly, each of said pieces having parts at the outer ends of said portions which are outwardly turned in the same direction, said direction being away from the space between said pieces, said parts being in interlocking engagement with said abutment means to maintain said each' of said pieces in place in said housing, said pieces engaging each other prior to the insertion of the terminal therebetween to maintain said pieces in interlocking engagement with said abutment means, whereby to maintainsaid `contact in proper position in said housing.

10. In a connector, the combination of an outer body having an opening extending therethrough,

said body having means deiining at least a pair of shoulders spaced lengthwise of the openingl and facing outwardly thereof, and contact means held within the opening, said contact means including a conductive element having a pair of ment within said opening, and means associated with said element for holding said terminals in engagement with said surfaces.

11. In a connector, the combination of an outer body having an opening extending therethrough, said body having means defining at least a pair of shoulders spaced lengthwise of the opening and facing outwardly thereof, and contact means within the opening, said contact means including a conductive elemenihaving a pair of generally` planar surfaces spaced lengthwise of the opening for engagement respectively bybladelike terminals projected into the opening through the corresponding ends thereof, said element having parts at the outer ends of said portions which are turned laterally in the same direction, said direction being away from the said terminal enlgaging surfaces, said parts being continuously engagedfbehind the corresponding said shoulders and cooperating. therewith in retaining said element within said opening, at least certain of said parts being yieldable so as to permit a snap entry of said element into said opening, during which movement said certain of said parts snap behind in interlocking engagement with the corresponding said shoulder, and means associated a with said element for holding said terminals in engagement with said surfaces.

12. In a connector, the combination of an outer body having an opening extending therethrough, said body having means defining atleast a pair of shoulders spaced lengthwise of the opening and facing outwardly thereof, and contact means Within the opening, said contact means including,r a conductive element having a pair of gen- 'ersuypnnsrsurraeeesnaeediengtnwueonne element within said opening. said clement having` means including said parte for retaining said portions in spaced relation to that part of the wall of said opening which lies between said shoulderssoastoenablesaidportionstobesprung toward said wall partl by the insertionv of said terminals into engagement with auch portions, and means associated with said element ior'hold- 5 ing said terminals in engagement with said surfaces.

l 13. The structure of claim 10. wherein said contact means comprises a pair of conductive elements, vone whereof has the structure set forth in claim 10 and the other whereof has terminal en'- gaging portions spaced lengthwise thereof which with the said portions of the one element denne receptacles to receive said terminals, said elements being structurally separate and in freely abutting relation, said one element being in part at least retained vin interlocking engagement with said shoulders by its engagement with said other element. t

14. The structure of claim 11,' wherein said contact means comprises a pair ol!v conductive elements, one whereof has the structure set forth in claim 11 and the other whereof has terminal engaging portions spaced lengthwise thereof which withthe said portions of the one element denne receptacles to receive said terminals, said :,soasss ma shoulders by its engagement with sala. einerl elemnt.

16. In an electrical connector, the combination of an insulating housing havingy a bore extending therethrough, a contact in said bore. said contact comprising a pair ofseparate and freely abuttingv pieces, arranged in back-to-back relation, each of said pieces having spaced terminal engaging p0rtions, corresponding said portions on said pieces i adapted to receive and releasably hold a.

' b debiike terminal therebetween, and abutment means on said housing. atleast one of said pieces being-in interlocking engagement with said abute ment means on said housing to hold said one of 15 said pieces in place in'saidhousing and said one of said pieces cooperating with the other of saidv pieces to maintain said other of saidv pieces vplace in said housing.

17. In an electrical connector. the 'combinag 2 tion of an insulating housing having. bore extending therethrough, a contact lin said bore, said contact comprising a pair of separate and freely abutting pieces. arranged in backvto-back relation, each. of `saidjpieces havingy spaced terminal engaging portions, corresponding said portions on said pieces being adaptedto receive and releasably hold a blade-like terminal therebetween, said housing and contact having cooperating interlocking means which act 3g to hold said contact in place in said housing.

said interlocking means including yieldable means which enable snap entry of the contact J into said housing.

18. In an electrical connector, the combinagg tion of an insulating housing having a bore ex# tending therethrough, a contact in said bore, said contact comprising a pair of separate and freely abutting pieces. arranged in back-to-back relation. each of said pieces having spaced terminal elements being structurally separate and in freely 4o engaging portions, corresponding said portions abutting relation, said one element being in part at least retained in interlocking engagement with said .shoulders by its engagement with said other on said pieces being adapted to receive and releasably hold a blade-like terminal therebetween. and abutment means on said housing. at least one of said pieces being in interlocking en- 15. The structure of claim,12. lwherein said gagementqwith said abutmentv means on said contact means comprises a pairof conductive elements, one whereof has the structure set forth in claim 12 and the other whereof has terminal engaging portions spaced lengthwise thereof housing to hold said one of said pieces in place in said housing and said one of said pieces cooperating with the other of said pieces to'maintain said other of said pieces in place '1n said which with the said portions of the one element housing. said pieces including yieldable means define receptacles to treceive said terminals, said elements being structurally separate and in freely abutting relation, said one element being in part at least retained in interlocking engagement with which permit snap entry thereof into said housomis E. WADE.