US3866294A

US3866294A - Insertion tool for insulation piercing contact

Info

Publication number: US3866294A
Application number: US407779A
Authority: US
Inventors: William Stephen Mccaughey
Original assignee: Bunker Ramo Corp
Current assignee: Amphenol Corp
Priority date: 1972-10-19
Filing date: 1973-10-19
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18
Also published as: DE2352111B2; DE2352111A1; JPS5117474B2; JPS4964429A

Abstract

A tool for controlled, uniform insertion of insulated conductors into insulation piercing contacts in an electrical connector unit includes an insertion blade for pressing the conductor into a channel having the insulation piercing contacts disposed transversely of the direction of insertion, a guide for guiding the conductor into a strain relief portion of the unit and for positively positioning the tool with respect to the unit, and a wire cutting apparatus operated to cut the insulated conductors at a predetermined distance from the insulation piercing contacts in response to proper and complete insertion.

Description

[ 1 Feb. 18, 1975 INSERTION TOOL FOR INSULATION PlERClNG CONTACT Primary Examiner-Th0mas H. Eager [75] Inventor: William Stephen McCaughey, East Petersburg, Pa.

M F e Cl h 0 L F m .m m n F r 0 n a g A e at mm mm AA [73] Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corporation, Oak

Brook, Ill.

[57] ABSTRACT A tool for controlled, uniform insertion of insulated [22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1973 [21] Appl.No.:407,779

conductors into insulation piercing contacts in an electrical connector unit includes an insertion blade [30] Forelgn Apphcatlon Pnorlty Data for pressing the conductor into a channel having cl om. .nwm O t W mm e ee S 0 m mn Vg 0t Mn U am M u m 0 p insulation piercing contacts the direction of insertion, a guide ductor into a strain relief portion of the unit and for positively positioning the tool with r and a wire cutting apparatus operate lated conductors at a predetermined distance insulation piercing contacts in response to proper an complete insertion.

W H S O m M 0 MI v ww w 4 2 s T m U n, 3 n 03 N "00% m W m4 R H "r. 3 m W 0 02 m W QW 2 n n a "H. D. a "H J n u am 2 7 NW W mmS b 9 0 .1 W d a s um O UIF 2100 555 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.l68,750 2/1965 Gattik er, 7 141 R f Clams 5 Drawmg F'gures PATENTED FEB 1 81975 SHEEI 1 OF 2 INSERTION TOOL FOR INSULATION PIERCING CONTACT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to tools for controlled, uniform insertion of insulated conductors into insulation piercing contacts of an electrical connector unit, and more particularly to such tools wherein complete and proper insertion of insulated conductors and cutting of conductors at a predetermined distance from the insulation piercing contacts are provided.

2. Description of the Prior Art An old, and heretofore widely used, technique for connecting conductors to a termination, such as an electrical connector, has been to strip the insulation from the end of the conductor, and to then solder the conductor to the particular terminal. While this technique is entirely satisfactory for a workman to make occasional or well-separated connections, a great deal of skill is necessary to make such connections on a mass scale, particularly where miniaturized connectors are concerned in that there is also the possibility of bridging adjacent contacts of the connector.

Another technique for connecting conductors to electrical connectors involves stripping the insulation from the end of the conductor and clamping the same to a connector by means of a screw or the like. It is readily apparent that this technique is also timeconsuming and inappropriate for closely spaced connections.

A further technique involves the utilization of insulation piercing terminals on an electrical connector. In general, insulation piercing terminals are usually constructed with a pair of closely spaced coplanar tines having cutting edges which penetrate the conductor insulation as the conductor is forced therebetween. This technique eliminates both stripping and soldering and provides a very satisfactory mechanical and electrical connection of a conductor and a connector terminal.

A wide variety of tools have been utilized for forcing a conductor between the tines of insulation piercing terminals. With sufficiently spaced terminals, it was heretofore not unusual for a workman to grasp a conductor between the thumb and index finger of each hand, align the insulation piercing terminal between each set of fingers and then press the conductor between the tines of the terminal. It is also common to utilize one or two pair of pliers, particularly needle-nose pliers, for this purpose.

In connector units in which the conductor is to rest within a channel having insulation piercing contacts extending into the channel, workmen have utilized various forms of blunt instruments, such as a screwdriver or the like, for pressing a conductor into the channel. This technique, however, leaves much to be desired in that the applied pressure is inconsistent from one connection to another so that one conductor may be completely seated, while another conductor may be incompletely seated resulting in poor electrical and/or mechanical connection. Also, excessive pressure may crush the insulation, break the connector, or even damage the connector unit, while inadvertently misdirected forces can also cause unnecessary distortion and damage to the conductor and to the connector unit. In addition, conductor insertion by this technique is relatively time-consuming and somewhat inefficient so that the advantages offered by insulation piercing contacts over soldered or clamped contacts cannot be completely achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tool for controlled, uniform insertion of insulated conductors into insulation piercing contacts of an electrical connector unit.

More specifically, the principal object of the invention is to provide a conductor insertion tool having an insertion blade which provides controlled, uniform insertion of insulated conductors to a predetermined depth within a channel of an electrical connector having insulation piercing contacts providing stable and firm electrical and mechanical connection to the conductor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool having a guide for positive location of the tool and a conductor. with respect to a conductor receiving channel having insulation piercing contacts therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conductor insertion too] which carries an insulated conductor and positively aligns the same for insertion into a connector channel having at least one pairof insulation piercing contacts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insertion tool having wire cutting means which is operable in response to insertion of the conductor to a predetermined depth to cut the conductor at a predetermined distance from a pair of insulation piercing contacts. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a support for an insertion tool which may be readily adapted for utilization of the tool as a hand tool or as a part of a machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, on which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view of one contact of an electrical connector unit and of a tool, constructed according to the present invention, for inserting an insulated electrical conductor into mechanical and electrical connection with the contact;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 1, shown adapted for use as a hand tool;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially in section and drawn to a larger scale, of the tool illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT conductor by means of a tool constructed in accordance with the present invention. The connector unit comprises a molded insulating body 12 having a surface 14 divided into a plurality of side-by-side contact receiving passages by a plurality of walls 16 (only one being shown). Each of the walls 16 includes, on each side thereof, a downwardly and inwardly directed overhanging portion .18 for locating and holding a contact therein and for guiding an insulated conductor into the contact.

A contact 20 generally illustrates the type of contact which advantageously may be serviced by a tool constructed in accordance with the present invention. The contact 20 is disposed in a passage between a pair of the walls 16 and beneath the overhanging portions 18 and is seen as comprising a pair of parallel spaced

walls

22 and 24 interconnected by means of a bottom 25 which rests on the surface 14. The wall 22 has a pair of inwardly directed portions 26 and struck therefrom, and the wall 24 has a similar and oppositely directed pair of

portions

28 and 32 struck therefrom. The

portions

26 and 28 form one pair of insulation piercing contacts, while the portions 30 and 32 form another pair of insulation piercing contacts. The

portions

26, 28, 30 and 32 have respective inwardly and downwardly directed

top edges

34, 36, 38 and which serve to cut the insulation of an insulated conductor as will be hereinafterdescribed.

The transverse spacing between the insulation piercing contacts is less than the diameter of a conductor to be received therebetween. Therefore, as an insulated conductor is forced downwardly for engagement with the bottom 25, the downwardly and inwardly directed

edges

34, 36, 38 and 40 sever the insulation and force it out of interference between the

portions

26, 28, 30, 32 and the conductor to provide a firm electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. The conductor is therefore electrically connected to an extension 21 of the contact 20 for connection to an external circuit. The extension 21 may, of course, take the form of a plug, socket, or the like.

The connector unit 10 is provided with a strain relief mechanism 42 which comprises an end surface 44, a plurality of conductor holding bores 46 (only one being completely illustrated), and a pair of resilient spaced portions48 and 50 defining a conductor insertion passage to the bore 46. The portions 48 and 50 include respective inwardly'and downwardly directed

surfaces

52 and 54 to aid in guiding the conductor into the passage 56 and the bore 46. The insulated conductor is pressed between the portions 48 and 50 whose resiliency permits passage of the insulated conductor and gripping of the same within the bore 46.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an insertion tool 70 positioned for inserting an insulated conductor 60 within the contact 20.

As indicated in phantom, the conductor 60 includes a conductor 62 which is completely enclosed by insulation 64. The conductor 60 is carried into position for insertion by means of an insertion tool 70, shown in FIG. 1 disposed above and in alignment with the contact 20.

The insertion tool 70 comprises an insertion blade 72 which includes a lower edge or surface 74 for engaging the conductor and pressing the same into the contact 20. The lower edge 74 is dimensioned to have a width greater than the diameter of the conductor 62 and greater than the narrow portion of the channel of the contact 20 defined by the spacing between the

insulation piercing contacts

34, 36 and 38, 40. The lower edge 74 of the insertion tool is milled, or otherwise formed, to include a pair of

tapered projections

76 and 78 which are spaced for insertion, for example, between respective pairs of the

insulation piercing contacts

26, 28; 30, 32. Of course, an additional projection could be provided spaced to the left of the projection 76 for pressing the conductor between the strain relief mechanism 42 and the pair of

insulation piercing contacts

26, 28.

The insertion tool 70 is further milled, or otherwise formed, to provide a narrow edge portion 80 of the lower edge 74 for forcing the conductor 60 through the passage 56 and into the bore 46 of the strain relief mechanism 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a conductor 60, for insertion into mechanical and electrical contact with the contact 20, is carried by the insertion tool 70 along the lower edge 74. As the tool is lowered to press the conductor into the channel, the

projections

76 and 78 ensure that the conductor has a force applied thereto on each side of the pair of insulation piercing contact portions 30 and 32. During insertion, the lower edge 74 strikes the

side walls

22 and 24, or at least the upper edges of at least one pair of insulation piercing contacts, for example, the edges 38 and 40 of the portions 30 and 32, to limit insertion tool penetration into the channel. The

projections

76 and 78, however, which extend below the lower surface proper (FIG. 3) of the lower edge 74, extend further into the channel, to insure proper bottoming of the insulated conductor against the bottom 25 of the contact 20. As mentioned above, as the insulated conductor 60 is pressed into the channel, the insulation 64 is pierced so that electrical contact is made between the conductor 62 and the contact 20.

As the conductor 60 is pressed into the contact 20, a force is placed on the conductor by the edge portion 80 adjacent the projection 76'to aid in forming an electrical connection at the

insulation piercing contacts

26, 28. In addition, the edge portion 80 serves to force the conductor between the resilient portions 48, 50 of the stress relief mechanism 42 to seat and grip the conductor within the bore 46.

In order to properly align the conductor 60 with the strain relief mechanism 42 and the contact 20, the insertion blade 72 is provided with a guide 82 having a pair of

tines

84 and 86 forming a tapering groove for receiving the conductor therein. The guide 82 includes a surface 90 for sliding engagement with the surface 44 of the strain relief mechanism 42. This feature properly locates the conductor and

projections

76 and 78 with respect to the contact 20.

The tool 70 is further provided with additional means for carrying and guiding the conductor 60. This additional means is in the form of a cutting mechanism which will be further detailed hereinbelow. Aside from the cutting feature, the cutting mechanism functions to grip and transport the conductor 60 to the proper position with respect to the contact 20. The cutting mechanism includes a plate-like member 92 having a downwardly extending projection 94 for insertion into and bottoming against the bottom 25 of the contact 20. For carrying the conductor 60, the member 92 includes a generally oval aperture 96 for receiving the conductor 60 therethrough. As will be detailed below, the member 92 is urged downwardly as viewed in FIG. 1 so that the oval aperture 96 is open to receive the conductor 60 between the edge thereof and the lower edge of the insertion tool 70.

With the aforedescribed structure, the conductor 60 can be guided through and placed into engagement with the lower surface 74 of the tool 70 within the tapered-type slot 88 ofthe guide 82 and gripped within the aperture 96 of the member 92.

As the conductor is pressed into position within the contact 20, andthe downwardly extending projection 94 of the member 92 engages the bottom of the contact 20, the member 92 is moved upwardly in response to increasing insertion pressure, so that the edge of the aperture 96 at the adjacent end edge of the lower edge 74 functions to sever the conductor.

In FIG. 1, and as will be appreciated from the additional drawings, the member 92 is movable up and down within a housing 98 secured to the tool blade 72 by means of a rivet, screw, bolt or the like 100. In FIG. 2, the aforementioned securement is more readily appreciated and is seen to include an additional fastener 102.

As can be seen in FIGS. 25, the slidable member 92 comprises a slot 104 for entry of the wire into the oval aperture 96. The aperture 96 is partially defined by a beveled edge 106 which creates a sharp cutting edge 126 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The slidable member 92 includes an upper portion 108 which is disposed within the housing 98, and which carries an outwardly extending pin 110 which extends through an elongate slot 112 in the housing 98. The pin 110 acts as a stop at the lower end of the slot 112 to limit the forward extension of the slidable member 92.

The tool 70, as particularly illustrated in FlG. 2, includes means for supporting the insertion blade 72, this means being in the form of a rearwardly extending portion 114, which in the example illustrated carries a bandle 116 for manual operation. It will be appreciated, however, that the tool 70 may be adapted for connection singly, or in multiple with other such tools, for machine operation at the extended portion 114.

The support member 114 includes a recess 118 which houses a compression spring 120 having an upper end which bears against the upper end of the recess 118 and a lower end which bears against an inwardly extending end 124 of the pin 110. The spring 120 urges the slidable cutting member 92 in the forward direction so that such member is returned to its forwardmost extent after a complete insertion and cutting operation.

As previously mentioned, the beveled surface 106 forms a sharp edge 126, at least at the outermost portion of the aperture 96. As the conductor is inserted into the channel between the walls 22 and.24 of the contact 20, the extension 94 of the slidable member 92 engages the bottom 25 of the connector to force the slidable member 92 upwardly as viewed in the drawings. The insertion blade 72 includes a sharp edge 128 which is cooperable with the sharp edge 126 to sever the conductor at a predetermined distance from the nearest protrusion, here the protrusion 78. This provides for a sufficient length of conductor for connection, while at the same time, limiting, and thus saving, the amount of conductor employed in making connections. In addition, the conductor is automatically cut upon proper insertion and it is not necessary to properly align the end ofa conductor for minimum conductor useage, or to later cut a longer conductor to an appropriate length.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5, dimensioning or sizing of the

protrusions

76 and 78 so that the same may enter the narrowmost portions of the channel, has been advantageously accomplished by providing a plurality of angularly disposed surfaces 130 (only one being referenced) formed at approximately 45 with respect to the plane of the slidable member 92, and a pair of angularly disposed surfaces 132 (only one being referenced), for each projection, at approximately 32 with respect to a center plane through the

projections

76 and 78.

These angular surfaces provide spaces, in the form of notches, for decreasing the cross sectional dimensions of the insertion blade so that the projections extend downwardly into the narrower portions of the channel.

Although the invention has been described by reference to a particular illustrative embodiment thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is,

therefore, intended that the patent warranted hereon cover all such changes and modifications as. may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.

We claim:

1. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a contact member of a connector unit, the contact member having one end shaped to receive the free end of a conductor, being elongated and comprising at least one terminal flange with an insulation piercing notch disposed laterally across the contact spaced apart from the end portion and including an upper enlarged portion with upwardly diverging sides and a lower portion with narrow sides, said tool comprising:

conductor engaging means for pressing the conductor into the contact member and notch including tool support means for receiving a conductor insertion force, and an insertion blade carried on said tool support means having a width less than the width of the upper portion of the channel for insertion therein, said insertion blade including an edge portion for engaging the conductor and projections extending from said edge portion in the direction of insertion and spaced for insertion between the sides of the insulation piercing notch, said projections shaped for entry into the lower portion of the contact member.

2. The insertion tool set forth in claim 1, for a connector unit having a pair of spaced resilient strain relief members for gripping the conductor spaced from one end of the contact member, wherein said insertion blade includes a conductor engaging portion having a width less than the width of said edge portion for forcing the conductor between the resilient strain relief members.

3. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 1, comprising movablemeans slidably carried on said insertion blade including cutting means on said movable means for receiving the conductor and forward extending means for engaging the bottom of the contact member and sliding the movable means to cut the conductor.

4. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 1, comprising a cutting member and a first cutting edge on said cutting member shaped to substantially embrace the conductor, a second cutting edge adjacent said edge portion of said insertion blade, and mounting means mounting said cutting member for movement relative said blade to sever the conductor with said first and second cutting edges.

5. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 4, comprising biasing means urging'said first and second cutting edges apart.

6. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 1, comprising a handle carried on said tool support means for manual operation of said tool.

7. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 1, comprising a tool guide extending beyond said insertion blade and including a guide edge for slidingly engaging the connector unit to guide and align said insertion blade with respect to the notch.

8. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 7, including conductor guide means on said tool guide for receiving and maintaining the conductor relatively straight with respect to the connector unit.

9. The insertion tool set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said projections includes a generally flat conductor engaging surface and a side surfaces angularly disposed with respect to said flat surface.

10. The insertion tool set forth in claim 9, wherein said side surfaces are angularly disposed at acute angles with respect to said flat surface.

11. The insertion tool set forth in claim 10, comprising a pair of convergently directed surfaces on each side of said insertion blade for each of said projections intersecting respective ones of said side surfaces to form notches about said projections.

12. The insertion tool set forth in claim 10, wherein said side surfaces are disposed at approximately 32 with respect to said flat surface.

13. The insertion tool set forth in claim 12, comprising a pair of convergerdly directed surfaces on each side of said insertion blade at approximately 45 with respect to said edge portion and intersecting said side surfaces to form notches about said projections.

14. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a conductor confining channel of a connector unit, the channel having one end channel shaped to receive the freeend of a conductor, the connector unit including a contact-member comprising at least one terminal flange with an insulation piercing notch disposed laterally across the channel spaced apart from the end portion and including an upper enlarged portion with upwardly diverging sides and a lower portion with narrow sides, said tool comprising:

conductor engaging means for pressing the conductor into the channel and notch including an insertion blade including a lower edge portion having a width greater that the width of the lower portion of the notch and less than the width of the channel enlarged portion for limiting entry into the channel, and at least one extension projecting beyond said edge and having a width less than the width of the lower portion of the notch for entry into the lower portion of the notch;

conductor cutting means disposed a predetermined distance from said extension for receiving the free end of the conductor and including means for engaging the unit upon mounting of the conductor to operate said cutting means to cut the conductor to form a new free conductor end; and

means supporting said conductor engaging means and said cutting means for moving said lower edge and extension into the channel.

15. A tool according to claim 14, wherein said cutting means comprises a first cutting edge on said insertion blade and a second'cutting edge on said unit engaging means slideable with respect to'and cooperable with said first cutting means to cut the conductor.

16. A tool according to claim 14, comprising a handle secured to said supporting means for manual insertion of the conductor.

17. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a conductor confining channel of a connector unit, the channel having one end channel shaped to receive the free end ofa conductor, the connector unit including a contact member comprising at least one terminal flange with an insulation piercing notch disposed laterally across the channel spaced apart from the end portion and including an upper enlarged portion with upwardly diverging sides and a lower portion with narrow sides, said tool comprising:

conductor engaging means for pressing the conductor into the channel and notch including tool support means for receiving a conductor insertion force, and an insertion blade carried on said tool support means having a width less than the width of the upper portion of the channel for insertion therein, said insertion blade including an edge portion for engaging the conductor and projections extending from said edge portion in the direction of insertion and spaced for insertion between the sides of the insulation piercing notch, said projections shaped for entry into the lower portion of the channel, and means for holding and carrying the conductor for aligning the conductor with the channel.

18. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a conductor confining portion of a connector unit, the portion extending longitudinally and having one end shaped to receive the free end of a conductor, the connector unit including a contact member comprising a pair of terminal flanges with longitudinally spaced apart insulation piercing notches disposed laterally across the portion and spaced apart from said one end, each of said notches including an upper enlarged portion with upwardly diverging sides and a lower portion with narrow sides, said tool comprising conductor engaging means for pressing the conductor into the conductor confining portion and lower portion of the notches including tool support means for applying a conductor insertion force, and an insertion blade carried on said tool support means, said insertion blade including an edge portion and a pair of projections extending from said edge portion in the direction of insertion and spaced for insertion into said insulation piercing notches, each of said projections including a generally flat conductor engaging surface and side surfaces angularly disposed with respect to said flat surface.

l9. The tool set forth in claim 18 including means for holding and carrying the conductor for aligning the conductor with the channel.

20. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a contact member of a connector unit, the contact member having one end shaped to receive mounting means mounting said cutting member for movement relative said blade to sever the conductor with said first and second cutting edges in response to the engagement of said portion with said connector unit and movement of said first and second cutting edges toward each other, and said portion includes a projection for extending into the elongate contact member to aid in aligning the insertion tool as the tool carries the conductor toward the contact 21. An insertion tool according to claim 20, comprising means defining a transverse slot in said cutting member, said transverse slot extending from the exterior of said cutting member to said second cutting edge as a passageway for receiving a conductor.

22. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 20, comprising biasing means urging said insertion blade and said cutting member apart.

23. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 22, comprising a second projection extending from said cutting member, and wherein said biasing means comprises a spring which bears against said projection and a portion of said insertion blade UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,866,294 Dated T TY 1975 Inventor(s) William Stephen McConQhe v It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patentand that said Letters Patent. are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet Cancel "130] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 19, 1972 Japan ----47104019" Signed and sealed this 22nd day of April 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

, C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissionerof Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks FORM P0405) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 ".5 GOVEQNMENY PRINTING UFFICEZ 4'.

Claims

1. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a contact member of a connector unit, the contact member having one end shaped to receive the free end of a conductor, being elongated and comprising at least one terminal flange with an insulation piercing notch disposed laterally across the contact spaced apart from the end portion and including an upper enlarged portion with upwardly diverging sides and a lower portion with narrow sides, said tool comprising: conductor engaging means for pressing the conductor into the contact member and notch including tool support means for receiving a conductor insertion force, and an insertion blade carried on said tool support means having a width less than the width of the upper portion of the channel for insertion therein, said insertion blade including an edge portion for engaging the conductor and projections extending from said edge portion in the direction of insertion and spaced for insertion between the sides of the insulation piercing notch, said projections shaped for entry into the lower portIon of the contact member.

3. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 1, comprising movable means slidably carried on said insertion blade including cutting means on said movable means for receiving the conductor and forward extending means for engaging the bottom of the contact member and sliding the movable means to cut the conductor.

5. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 4, comprising biasing means urging said first and second cutting edges apart.

12. The insertion tool set forth in claim 10, wherein said side surfaces are disposed at approximately 32* with respect to said flat surface.

13. The insertion tool set forth in claim 12, comprising a pair of convergerdly directed surfaces on each side of said insertion blade at approximately 45* with respect to said edge portion and intersecting said side surfaces to form notches about said projections.

14. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a conductor confining channel of a connector unit, the channel having one end channel shaped to receive the free end of a conductor, the connector unit including a contact member comprising at least one terminal flange with an insulation piercing notch disposed laterally across the channel spaced apart from the end portion and including an upper enlarged portion with upwardly diverging sides and a lower portion with narrow sides, said tool comprising: conductor engaging means for pressing the conductor into the channel and notch including an insertion blade including a lower edge portion having a width greater that the width of the lower portion of the notch and less than the width of the channel enlarged portion for limiting entry into the channel, and at least one extension projecting beyond said edge and having a width less than the width of the lower portion of the notch for entry into the lower portion of the notch; conductor cutting means disposed a predetermined distance from said extension for receiving the free end of the conductor and including meAns for engaging the unit upon mounting of the conductor to operate said cutting means to cut the conductor to form a new free conductor end; and means supporting said conductor engaging means and said cutting means for moving said lower edge and extension into the channel.

15. A tool according to claim 14, wherein said cutting means comprises a first cutting edge on said insertion blade and a second cutting edge on said unit engaging means slideable with respect to and cooperable with said first cutting means to cut the conductor.

17. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a conductor confining channel of a connector unit, the channel having one end channel shaped to receive the free end of a conductor, the connector unit including a contact member comprising at least one terminal flange with an insulation piercing notch disposed laterally across the channel spaced apart from the end portion and including an upper enlarged portion with upwardly diverging sides and a lower portion with narrow sides, said tool comprising: conductor engaging means for pressing the conductor into the channel and notch including tool support means for receiving a conductor insertion force, and an insertion blade carried on said tool support means having a width less than the width of the upper portion of the channel for insertion therein, said insertion blade including an edge portion for engaging the conductor and projections extending from said edge portion in the direction of insertion and spaced for insertion between the sides of the insulation piercing notch, said projections shaped for entry into the lower portion of the channel, and means for holding and carrying the conductor for aligning the conductor with the channel.

19. The tool set forth in claim 18 including means for holding and carrying the conductor for aligning the conductor with the channel.

20. A tool for mounting an insulation covered electrical conductor in a contact member of a connector unit, the contact member having one end shaped to receive the free end of a conductor, the contact member being elongate and comprising at least one terminal flange with an insulation piercing notch disposed laterally across the contact and spaced apart from the end portion, said tool comprising: an insertion blade for engaging and pressing the conductor into the contact member, said insertion blade including a first cutting edge; cutting means cooperable with said insertion blade including a cutting member having a second cutting edge shaped to substantially embrace the conductor and a portion for engaging said connector unit; and mounting means mounting Said cutting member for movement relative said blade to sever the conductor with said first and second cutting edges in response to the engagement of said portion with said connector unit and movement of said first and second cutting edges toward each other, and said portion includes a projection for extending into the elongate contact member to aid in aligning the insertion tool as the tool carries the conductor toward the contact.

21. An insertion tool according to claim 20, comprising means defining a transverse slot in said cutting member, said transverse slot extending from the exterior of said cutting member to said second cutting edge as a passageway for receiving a conductor.

23. The insertion tool as set forth in claim 22, comprising a second projection extending from said cutting member, and wherein said biasing means comprises a spring which bears against said projection and a portion of said insertion blade.