US3848959A

US3848959A - Connector for alarm system door cord

Info

Publication number: US3848959A
Application number: US00353701A
Authority: US
Inventors: P Parlato
Original assignee: Alarm Products International Inc
Current assignee: Alarm Products International Inc
Priority date: 1973-04-23
Filing date: 1973-04-23
Publication date: 1974-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-19

Abstract

In a burglar alarm system using an electric circuit cluding leads passing over the objects being protected, and using a flexible cord to make electrical connections between a stationary element, like a door frame, and a movable element, like the door; a terminal connector at the stationary element and another terminal connector at the movable element, with flexible cable extending between the connectors and the connectors joining the cable to the rest of the circuit; the connector includes a narrow channel for each lead in the circuit. A wire from the flexible cable joining the connectors and a wire from the leads into the circuit are both positioned one above the other in the track. There are mating teeth beneath and above the channel; when the terminal connector is assembled, the teeth press together, squeezing the wire from the circuit lead and from the terminal cable together.

Description

United States Patent [191 [1 11 3,848,959 Parlato Nov. 19, 1974 CONNECTOR FOR ALARM SYSTEM DOOR Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay

[75] Inventor: Philip J. Parlato, Kings Park, NY. [73] Assignee: Alarm Products International, Inc.,

Long Island City, NY. 22 Filed: Apr. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 353,701

[52] US. Cl 339/200, 339/208, 339/210 R,

339/244 R, 339/246, 339/270 R. [51] Int. Cl H0lr 13/50 [58] Field of Search 339/200, 206, 210, 244, 339/246, 247, 248, 250, 266, 270, 274, 208, 95; 403/311, 312; 24/125 R, 133 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 832,595 10/1906 1,846,444 2/1932 2,587,239 2/1952 2,894,243 7/1959 3,447,122 5/1969 3,684,846 8/1972 McDaniels 339/19 CORD Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb & Soffen [57] ABSTRACT In a burglar alarm system using an electric circuit eluding leads passing over the objects being protected, and using a flexible cord to make electrical connections between a stationary element, like a door frame, and a movable element, like the door; a terminal connector at the stationary element and another terminal connector at the movable element, with flexible cable extending between the connectors and the connectors joining the cable to the rest of the circuit; the connector includes a narrow channel for each lead in the circuit. A wire from the flexible cable joining the con nectors and a wire from the leads into the circuit are both positioned one above the other in the track. There are mating teeth beneath and above the channel; when the terminal connector is assembled, the teeth press together, squeezing the wire from the circuit lead and from the terminal cable together.

18 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures I CONNECTOR FOR ALARM SYSTEM DOOR CORD This invention relates to burglar alarm installations relying upon a transmitted electric current and particularly to a connector for flexible cable used on doors, or the like objects which are intended to be moved without breaking the circuit leads of the cable. The connector of the invention can also be used in other environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Burglar alarm installations, relying upon a broken electric circuit to trigger the burglar alarm, use elongated electric circuit leads which are connected to the alarm indicating apparatus and which pass across each object to be protected in a manner such that the circuit is broken when the object being protected is tampered with.

With certain protected objects, such as a door or a window, when the alarm system is disconnected, it is intended that the object, such as a door, be opened or moved in use. Hereafter, the protected object will be referred to as a door, it being understood that any other such object may have the invention used with it.

The circuit leads in the alarm circuit pass over the door and they must not be damaged each time the door is properly opened. In accordance with conventional burglar alarm systems, a terminal connector in the circuit is affixed to the door frame and another terminal connector in the circuit is affixed to the door itself. A flexible cable joins these connectors. The connectors join the flexible cable to the circuit leads completing the circuit. The flexible cable between the terminal connectors is usually ofgreater length than the distance between the connectors so that opening and closing of the doors will not stress the circuit leads, the flexible cable or the mounted terminal connectors.

It is conventional to connect the flexible cable and the circuit leads to a terminal connector by means of conventional exposed terminal screws which are quite easily tampered with. It is undesirable in a system designed to detect and hopefully aid in preventing tampering to provide connections using terminal screws which are easily tampered with.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A connector in accordance with the invention does not use terminal screws for attaching the flexible cable and/or the circuit lead. Instead, the connector includes a wire lead receiving and guidance channel for each lead; of the circuit. Each channel is defined by facing spaced apart surfaces supported by the connector. In the preferred arrangement, the channel is quite narrow, as narrow as the width of a circuit lead, so that leads in the channel cannot shift apart sideways when they are squeezed together, as described below.

In each channel is adjacently positioned a section of the circuit lead and a section of a lead of the flexible door cable. A first channel closing means or surface is arranged parallel to the channel and closes off one open side thereof. A second channel closing means or surface is arranged parallel to the channel and closes offthe other open side thereof. Means move the closing means together and squeeze the leads in the channel therebetween.

In the preferred embodiment, at least one and preferably both closing means comprises a set of a row of teeth. The rows of teeth in one channel are matingly contoured such that they are parallel along their entire length. As the two sets of teeth are squeezed together, since the two wires cannot shift sideways because they are in a guide channel, the wires from the cable lead section and the circuit lead section intermingle. The irregular contour of the teeth causes the wires to stretch and elongate as the teeth come together.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector is comprised of two housing sections, one holding a first closing means or set of teeth and at least part of the channel and the other housing section holding the second closing means or set of teeth. The two housing sections and their respective closing means are drawn together by appropriate fastening means.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the connector is comprised of molded, rigid, plastic material, which is molded in two separate housing sections. Behind each set of teeth in each of the connector housing sections is positioned a rigid metal plate. The terminal connector housing sections may be drawn together by drawing their rigid metal plates together by a screw or the like fastening means. The metal plates also serve to evenly distribute the pressure along each row of plastic teeth.

The above description has been in terms of a single circuit lead. The usual burglar alarm circuit arrangement includes two leads. The present invention is adaptable for use with a connector for any number of circuit leads. There may be as many as four or more circuit leads. The connector is provided with a separate channel and a separate set of closing means, e.g., teeth. for each of the circuit leads and corresponding wires of the flexible cable.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an effective connector for wires.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a connector for use in a burglar alarm system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved connector for a door, or the like, type cord in a burglar alarm system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an installation incorporating the connector of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the, interior ofa connector designed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view into the interior of a section of the connector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded vertical cross-sectional view through a connector in accordance with the invention before the sections of the connector housing are brought together; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the type in FIG. 4 with the sections of the housing brought together and the wires being joined by the connectorin accordance.

with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is used in connection with a convencient length to stretch and elongate as needed for rea sons described below, a second connector 24 and a continuing circuit lead cable 26. Cable 26 terminates in first contact plate 32 affixed to door 11. A second cooperating contact plate 34 is affixed to door frame 36. From contact plate 34, the circuit continues at 38 to the end of the circuit, which may include additional doors, windows, or the like entrances and exits, which are protected by system in a manner well known in the art.

While system 10 is activated, if its circuit is broken due to separation of any of the contacts in the system, which would occur upon opening of or tampering with any of the items protected in the system, the alarm 12 operates in the known manner.

To keep the system neat in appearance and to prevent tearing of or damage to

cables

14, 26, 38, they are fastened stationary to the walls, moldings, doors or door frames in the usual manner. However, because door 11 swings open and closed, the movement of the door will stretch and perhaps flex the cablesjoining the door 11 and its frame 36. To account for the movement of cables and the flexing and stretching of the cables which results from opening and closing the door, terminal connector in the circuit is secured to door frame 36 and terminal connector 24 in the circuit is secured to door 11. An elongated flexible cable 22 joins connectors 20 and 24. The pivoting of door 11 bends cable 22, which can accept such bending, and stretches the cable, which is bent and sufficiently elongated to readily accept such stretching. The connectors also serve to hold cable 22 close to the door as the door is opened or closed.

In FIGS. 2-5, typical connector 20 is described, it

' being understood that connector 24 would be of identical construction.

Connector 20 is comprised of channeled connector housing section 42 and nonchanneled connector housing section 44. Channeled connector housing section 42 is comprised of a rigid plastic material shell 46, which is hollow within and is open on its facing surface 47. The shape of the interior of shell 46 is defined by back surface wall 52,

side surface walls

54, 56 and end

surface walls

58, 62. The exterior sides of

walls

54, 56,

- 58 and 68 are shaped to permit housing section 42 to be inserted in housing section 44, as described below.

Projecting from back wall 52 and located substantially centrally within the opening in shell 46 is central, channel defining, rigid, plastic material abutment 64.

Passing through abutment 64 is mounting opening 65, which receives a screw or other fastening means (not shown) for fastening housing 42 and eventually the entire connector 20 to wall surface 36.

Abutment 64 has a side surface 66 positioned quite close to but spaced away from housing side surface 54 to thereby define a narrow channel 68 between

surfaces

54 and 66. Abutment 64 has a side surface 70,

corresponding to side'surface 66. Side surface 70 is positioned quite close to but spaced away from housing side surface 56 to define a narrow channel 74.

Surfaces

54, 66 and 56, 70 all project from back wall 52 toward shell open side 47.

Channels

68 and 74 are quite narrow in order to keep the below described lead wires, which are positioned in the channels, above each other and in order to prevent these wires from sliding sideways with respect to each other and perhaps undesirably decreasing the electric contact between the wires.

The sides of

channels

68, 74 that face toward back wall52 and the sides that face toward shell open side 47 are open.

Molded onto back wall 52 of housing shell 46 and projecting toward shell open side 47 and closing off one open side of channel 68 by projecting part way through channel 68 and extending the length of the channel is first set of rigid molded plastic teeth 80 which are arranged in a row. A plurality of teeth 80 are shown, although any number of such teeth may be used. Channel 74 contains a second set of teeth 82 which have the same design, placement and characteristics as teeth 80.

In addition, a rigid metal plate 84 is locked into housing section shell 46 behind abutment 64 and

teeth

80, 82 to further rigidify the plastic teeth and evenly distribute pressure among all of the teeth in each set.

Housing section 44 cooperates with housing section V 42. Section 44 is comprised of a molded, rigid plastic shell 89. Interior walls including back wall 92, side walls 94, 96 and end

walls

98 and 102 are dimensioned such that housing section 42 nests and fits into the hollow opening of housing section 44 when the connector 20 is assembled.

Housing wall 98 includes a notch 99 for permitting through passage of lead 14 and housing wall 102 includes a notch 103 for permitting through passage of lead 22.

Molded to back wall 92 of housing section shell 89 is rigid molded plastic, tooth support plate 104. Projecting forwardly from plate 104 is third set of teeth 106 and corresponding fourth set of teeth 108. Plate 104 and sets of teeth 106. 108 are so positioned that teeth 106 extend into channel 68 and teeth 108 extend into channel 74 when

housing sections

42, 44 are brought together. Teeth 106 close off the other open side of channel 68 and teeth 108 close off the other open side of channel 74. Furthermore, set of teeth 106 is contoured to mate with and is parallel along the length of set of teeth and set of teeth 108 is contoured to mate with and is parallel along the length of set of teeth 82 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 when

housing sections

42, 44 are brought together.

Metal plate 110 is locked into housing section shell 89. Plate 110 corresponds to plate 84 and supports and rigidifies plate 104 and teeth sets 106, 108 thereby evenly distributing pressure among the teeth when the housing sections arebrought together.

As shown in FIG. 2, main cable 14 is comprised of two

separate leads

112, 114, which enter housing section 42 through

respective notches

116, 118 in shell 46. Lead 112 is stripped clean of insulation at its lead end section 120 and lead 114 is stripped clean of insulation at its lead end section 122 to facilitate connection of

cables

14 and 22. Cable 22, which enters shell 46 through notch 119 is similarly comprised of two separate cable leads 124, 126. Lead 124 is stripped of insulation at its lead end section 128 and lead 126 is stripped of insulation at its lead end section 130 to facilitate connection of

cables

14 and 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, end section 120 of lead 112 is laid over end section 128 of lead 124 within channel 68. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, end section 122 of lead 114 is laid over end section 130 of lead 126 within channel 74. Then, as shown in FIG. 5,

housing sections

42, 44 are squeezed together, causing the parallel sets of interlocking teeth to press inwardly against the wire leads within the channels, which squeezes the wires of the leads together, intermingles the wires, and stretches the wires, thereby making secure contact between the wires.

There is an opening 134 through 110 and tooth support plate 104. There is aligned opening 136 through guide abutment 64 and a tapped threaded opening 138 in plate 84. Bolt 140 passes through

openings

134, 136 and is tightened into threaded opening 138, thereby drawing and securing together

housing sections

42, 44 to the condition illustrated in FIG. 5.

There are additional aligned openings 142 through end wall 62 of housing 46 and openings 144 in back wall 92 of housing section 44. Additional fastening means may be passed through these openings to further secure

housing sections

42, 44 together and preclude tampering with the housing.

There has just been described a novel connector for two or more leads in an electric burglar alarm system. While the invention has been specifically described in connection with two wire leads, it is apparent that the invention is adaptable for use with cables having any number of leads. The required additional channels for the additional leads would be formed in the connector, for example, by providing additional channels longitudinally extending through the abutment 64. One of the open ends of each of such channels in housing section shell 46 would include molded teeth, like

teeth

80, 82. correspondingly, housing section shell 89 would be provided with a corresponding number of additional sets of teeth in addition to sets of

teeth

106, 108.

Although the present invention has been described in eonnection with a preferred embodiment thereof, many variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A connector joining two sections of an electric lead, comprising:

a housing divided into a female channel section and a male channel closing section;

said housing female channel section including a channel having a width defined between first and second side surfaces that are carried by said female channel section; said channel width approximating the width of one of said electric lead sections, thereby causing the lead sections that are joined in said channel to lie one above the other; said channel having a depth greater than the height of the said two electric lead sections laid over one another; said channel depth being defined by a first channel closing surface that is at the bottom of said channel and is carried by said female channel section;

said male channel closing section carrying a second channel closing surface that projects toward and is opposed to said first channel closing surface and that projects between said channel first and second side surfaces;

forcing means for forcing said first and second channel closing surfaces to move together, thereby to squeeze electric lead sections in said channel together.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said first and second side surfaces and said first and second channel closing surfaces are fixedly attached to their respective said housing sections and said forcing means comprises means for forcing said housing sections together.

3. A connector joining two sections of a first electric lead and for joining two sections of a second electric lead; said connector being comprised of:

the connector of claim 1,

said housing female channel section including a second channel having a width defined between third and fourth side surfaces that are carried by said female channel section; said second channel width approximating the width of one electric lead section, thereby to cause the lead sections that are to be joined in said second channel to lie one above the other; said second channel having a depth greater than the height of two electric lead sections laid over one another; said second channel depth being defined by a third channel closing surface that is at the bottom of said second channel and is carried by said female channel section;

said male channel closing section carrying a fourth channel closing surface that projects toward and is opposed to said third channel closing surface and that projects between said channel third and fourth 1 side surfaces;

said forcing means forcing said third and fourth channel closing surfaces to move together, thereby to squeeze lead sections in said second channel together.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein said third and fourth side surfaces and said third and fourth closing surfaces are fixedly attached to their respective said housing sections.

5. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; a circuit lead in said system; said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead section;

the connector of claim 1 joining said circuit lead section end sections;

both said circuit lead section end sections extending v into said channel and being overlaid upon each other.

' 6. The connector of claim 1, wherein said first channel closing surface comprises a first set of teeth arranged in a row along said channel.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein said second channel closing surface comprises a second set of teeth arranged in a row along said channel and facing toward said first set of teeth;

said first and second sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said first and second channel closing surfaces parallel one another over their lengths and such that when said sets of teeth are moved together, the lead sections in said channel are bent to the mating contour.

8. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; a circuit lead in said system; said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead sections;

the connector of claim 7 joining said circuit lead section end sections;

both said circuit lead section end sections extending into said channel and being overlaid upon each other.

9. The connector of claim 7, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastics material;

a first rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind said first set of teeth and extending the length of said row of said first set of teeth;

a second rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind said second set of teeth and extending the length of said row of said second set of teeth;

each said metal plate serving to distribute pressure evenly along each respective said set of teeth.

10. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; circuit leads in said systems; each said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section of each said lead having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead section of that said lead;

the connector of claim 3 joining the respective said circuit lead section end sections of each respective said circuit lead;

both said circuit lead section end sections of one said lead extending into said first channel and being overlaid upon each other in said first channel;

both said circuit lead section end sections of another said lead extending into said second channel and being overlaid upon each other in said second channel.

11. The connector of claim 3, wherein each of said first and said third channel closing surfaces comprises a respective first set and third set of teeth arrangedin a respective row of teeth along the respective said channel.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein each of said second and said fourth channel closing surfaces respectively comprises a second set and a fourth set of teeth arranged in a respective row along the respective said channel, which said sets of teeth face, respectively, toward said first and third sets of teeth;

said first and second sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said first and second channel closing surfaces parallel one another over their lengths and said third and fourth sets of teeth also being matingly contoured such that said third and fourth channel closing surfaces parallel one another over their lengths and such that when said first and third sets of teeth are moved together with said second and fourth sets of teeth, respectively, the lead sections in said channels are bent to the said mating contours of the said channels they are within. 13. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; circuit leads in said system; each said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section of each said lead having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead section of that said lead;

the connector of claim 12 joining the respective said circuit lead section end sections of each respective said circuit lead;

14. The connector of claim 12, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastics material;

a first rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind both said first and said third sets of teeth and extending the length of the rows of those said sets of teeth;

a second rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind both said second and fourth sets of teeth and extending the length of the rows of those said sets of teeth;

each said metal plate serving to distribute the pressure evenly along each of its respective said sets of teeth.

15. A connector joining two sections of an electric lead, comprising:

a housing divided into two channel closing sections;

a channel defined in at least one said housing section; said channel having a width defined between first and second side surfaces that are carried on said one housing section; said channel width approximating the width of one of said electric lead sections, thereby causing the lead sections that are joined in said channel to lie one above the other; said channel having a depth defined at its bottom by a first set of teeth carried on said one housing section and arranged in a row along said bottom of said channel; said channel height being defined at its top by a second set of teeth carried on the other side housing section and arranged in a row along said top of said channel;

, said first and second sets of teeth projecting toward and being opposed to each other; said first and second sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said first and second sets of teeth are parallel over their lengths;

means for forcing said sets of teeth to move together, thereby to squeeze lead sections in said channel to gether.

l6. The connector of claim 15, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastic material;

a first rigid metal plate carried by said one housing section behind said first set of teeth and extending the length of said row of said first set of teeth;

a second rigid metal plate carried by the other said housing section behind said second set of teeth and extending each said metalplate serving to distribute pressure evenly along its respective said set of teeth.

17. The connector of claim 15 further comprising:

a second channel defined in said one housing section;

said second channel having a width defined between third and fourth side surfaces that are carried on said at least one said housing section; said second channel width approximating the width of one electric lead section, thereby to cause the lead sections that are to be joined in said second channel to lie one above the other; said second channel having a depth defined at its bottom by a third set of teeth carried on said at least one housing section and arranged in a row along said bottom of said second channel; said second channel height being defined at its top by a fourth set of teeth carried on the other said housing section and arranged in a row along said top of said second channel;

said third and fourth sets of teeth projecting toward and being opposed to each other; said third and fourth sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said third and fourth sets of teeth are parallel over their lengths;

means for forcing said third and said fourth sets of teeth to move together, thereby to squeeze lead sections in said second channel together. 18. The connector of claim 17, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastics material;

teeth.

Claims

1. A connector joining two sections of an electric lead, comprising: a housing divided into a female channel section and a male channel closing section; said housing female channel section including a channel having a width defined between first and second side surfaces that are carried by said female channel section; said channel width approximating the width of one of said electric lead sections, thereby causing the lead sections that are joined in said channel to lie one above the other; said channel having a depth greater than the height of the said two electric lead sections laid over one another; said channel depth being defined by a first channel closing surface that is at the bottom of said channel and is carried by said female channel section; said male channel closing section carrying a second channel closing surface that projects toward and is opposed to said first channel closing surface and that projects between said channel first and second side surfaces; forcing means for forcing said first and second channel closing surfaces to move together, thereby to squeeze electric lead sections in said channel together.

3. A connector joining two sections of a first electric lead and for joining two sections of a second electric lead; said connector being comprised of: the connector of claim 1, said housing female channel section including a second channel having a width defined between third and fourth side surfaces that are carried by said female channel section; said second channel width approximating the width of one electric lead section, thereby to cause the lead sections that are to be joined in said second channel to lie one above the other; said second channel having a depth greater than the height of two electric lead sections laid over one another; said second channel depth being defined by a third channel closing surface that is at the bottom of said second channel and is carried by said female channel section; said male channel closing section carrying a fourth channel closing surface that projects toward and is opposed to said third channel closing surface and that projects between said channel third and fourth side surfaces; said forcing means forcing said third and fourth channel closing surfaces to move together, thereby to squeeze lead sections in said second channel together.

5. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; a circuit lead in said system; said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead section; the connector of claim 1 joining said circuit lead section end sections; both said circuit lead section end sections extending into said channel and being overlaid upon each other.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein said first channel closing surface comprises a first set of teeth arranged in a row along said channel.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein said second channel closing surface comprises a second set of teeth arranged in a row along said channel and facing toward said first set of teeth; said first and second sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said first and second channel closing surfaces parallel one another over their lengths and such that when said sets of teeth are moved together, the lead sections in said channel are bent to the mating contour.

8. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; a circuit lead in said system; said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead sections; the connector of claim 7 joining said circuit lead section end sections; both said circuit lead section end sections extending into said channel and being overlaid upon each other.

9. The connector of claim 7, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastics material; a first rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind said first set of teeth and extending the length of said row of said first set of teeth; a second rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind said second set of teeth and extending the length of said row of said second set of teeth; each said metal plate serving to distribute pressure evenly along each respective said set of teeth.

10. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; circuit leads in said systems; each said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section of each said lead having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead section of that said lead; the connector of claim 3 joining the respective said circuit lead section end sections of each respective said circuit lead; both said circuit lead section end sections of one said lead extending into said first channel and being overlaid upon each other in said first channel; both said circuit lead section end sections of another said lead extending into said second channel and being overlaid upon each other in said second channel.

11. The connector of claim 3, wherein each of said first and said third channel closing surfaces comprises a respective first set and third set of teeth arranged in a respective row of teeth along the respective said channel.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein each of said second and said fourth channel closing surfaces respectively comprises a second set and a fourth set of teeth arranged in a respective row along the respective said channel, which said sets of teeth face, respectively, toward said first and third sets of teeth; said first and second sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said first and second channel closing surfaces parallel one another over their lengths and said third and fourth sets of teeth also being matingly contoured such that said third and fourth channel closing surfaces parallel one another over their lengths and such that when said first and third sets oF teeth are moved together with said second and fourth sets of teeth, respectively, the lead sections in said channels are bent to the said mating contours of the said channels they are within.

13. In combination, an electric alarm system for producing an alarm; circuit leads in said system; each said circuit lead being in two separate sections, with each said lead section of each said lead having an end section to be joined with said end section of the other said lead section of that said lead; the connector of claim 12 joining the respective said circuit lead section end sections of each respective said circuit lead; both said circuit lead section end sections of one said lead extending into said first channel and being overlaid upon each other in said first channel; both said circuit lead section end sections of another said lead extending into said second channel and being overlaid upon each other in said second channel.

14. The connector of claim 12, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastics material; a first rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind both said first and said third sets of teeth and extending the length of the rows of those said sets of teeth; a second rigid metal plate carried by said housing behind both said second and fourth sets of teeth and extending the length of the rows of those said sets of teeth; each said metal plate serving to distribute the pressure evenly along each of its respective said sets of teeth.

15. A connector joining two sections of an electric lead, comprising: a housing divided into two channel closing sections; a channel defined in at least one said housing section; said channel having a width defined between first and second side surfaces that are carried on said one housing section; said channel width approximating the width of one of said electric lead sections, thereby causing the lead sections that are joined in said channel to lie one above the other; said channel having a depth defined at its bottom by a first set of teeth carried on said one housing section and arranged in a row along said bottom of said channel; said channel height being defined at its top by a second set of teeth carried on the other side housing section and arranged in a row along said top of said channel; said first and second sets of teeth projecting toward and being opposed to each other; said first and second sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said first and second sets of teeth are parallel over their lengths; means for forcing said sets of teeth to move together, thereby to squeeze lead sections in said channel together.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastic material; a first rigid metal plate carried by said one housing section behind said first set of teeth and extending the length of said row of said first set of teeth; a second rigid metal plate carried by the other said housing section behind said second set of teeth and extending each said metal plate serving to distribute pressure evenly along its respective said set of teeth.

17. The connector of claim 15 further comprising: a second channel defined in said one housing section; said second channel having a width defined between third and fourth side surfaces that are carried on said at least one said housing section; said second channel width approximating the width of one electric lead section, thereby to cause the lead sections that are to be joined in said second channel to lie one above the other; said second channel having a depth defined at its bottom by a third set of teeth carried on said at least one housing section and arranged in a row along said bottom of said second channel; said second channel height being defined at its top by a fourth set of teeth carried on the other said housing section and arranged in a row along said top of said second channel; said third and fourth sets of teeth projecting toward and beinG opposed to each other; said third and fourth sets of teeth being matingly contoured such that said third and fourth sets of teeth are parallel over their lengths; means for forcing said third and said fourth sets of teeth to move together, thereby to squeeze lead sections in said second channel together.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein said housing is comprised of a rigid plastics material; a first rigid metal plate carried by said one housing section behind both of said first and said third sets of teeth and extending the length of the rows of those said sets of teeth; a second rigid metal plate carried by the other said housing section behind both of said second and fourth sets of teeth and extending the length of the rows of those said sets of teeth; each said metal plate serving to distribute the pressure evenly along each of its respective said sets of teeth.