WO2007119068A2

WO2007119068A2 - Improvements in and relating to connectors

Info

Publication number: WO2007119068A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001417
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernardino De Bernardis
Original assignee: Bernardino De Bernardis
Priority date: 2006-04-18
Filing date: 2007-04-18
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Also published as: GB0607602D0; WO2007119068A3

Abstract

A connector, for example for coupling a wire to an electrical circuit board is provided. The connector comprises a first coupling element and a second coupling element offset from the first in an axial direction. The first and second coupling elements are arranged to in use receive a body, e.g. a wire there-between and to impart a shearing force on the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial, direction, to hold the body in place with the connector. The first and second coupling elements are biased relative to one another, so the body is held in place by the force imparted by the coupling elements.

Description

Improvements in and Relating to Connectors

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to connectors and connector assemblies, in particular but not exclusively to electrical connectors. The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing connectors and connector assemblies, in particular but not exclusively to methods of manufacturing electrical connectors and connector assemblies.

Background to the Invention .• ^•

There are a wide range of connectors used to join e.g. electrical wires to one another, or to join an electrical wire to a circuit board or a wiring fixture. Terminal blocks are one such connector. A terminal block comprises a block of conducting material with a recess formed therein to receive a wire. A clamping screw is used to compress a wire received in the recess against an interior surface of the recess. If used correctly, a terminal block provides a strong mechanical connection as well as a good electrical connection, however manufacturing a terminal block is relatively time consuming. Manufacturing a terminal block involves machining the block of conducting material to form the recess, cutting a threaded portion for the screw, and normally also inserting the screw into the threaded portion. If a terminal block to be used for multiple connections is required then the manufacturing steps above are performed for each connection, further increasing manufacturing time . It is an aim of example embodiments of the present invention to address at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, whether identified herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a connector comprising a first coupling element and a second coupling element offset from the first, wherein the first and second coupling elements are arranged to in use receive a body there-between and to impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body in place with the connector.

Suitably, the first and second coupling elements are offset from one another in an axial direction. Suitably, the connector comprises resilient biasing means arranged to bias the first and second coupling elements in a transverse direction. Suitably, the axial direction and the transverse direction are substantially perpendicular. Suitably, the resilient biasing means is arranged to bias the first and second" coupling elements toward a rest position in which the first and second coupling elements overlap.

Suitably, the first and second coupling elements comprise a sheet material. Suitably,, the first coupling element comprises a portion of sheet material having an opening defined therethrough. Suitably, the second coupling element comprises a portion of sheet material having an opening defined therethrough. Suitably, the connector comprises a stop means arranged to limit the movement of the first and second coupling elements relative to one another in the transverse direction. Suitably, the stop means is arranged to cooperate with resilient biasing means to hold the first and second coupling elements in a rest position in which the first and second coupling elements overlap.

Suitably, the first coupling element is in use a stationary element, and the second coupling element is movable relative to the first coupling element. Suitably, the first and second coupling elements are arranged in the axial direction so that in. use the body to be held in place relative to the connector is first offered up to the first coupling element. Suitably, the first and second coupling elements are arranged in the axial direction with the first coupling element external to the connector and with the second coupling element internal to the connector.

Suitably, the first coupling element extends from a base portion of the connector. Suitably, the stop means extends from the first coupling element. Suitably, the resilient biasing means is arranged between the first and second coupling elements. Suitably, the resilient biasing means extends from the second coupling element. Suitably, the stop means is formed integrally with the first coupling element. Suitably, the resilient biasing means is formed integrally with the second coupling element. Suitably, the resilient biasing means is formed integrally with the first and second coupling elements. Suitably, the stop means extends axially from the first coupling means to overlap the second coupling means in the axial direction. Suitably, the stop means extends within the connector. Suitably, the stop means comprises a concave portion. Suitably, the concave portion is arranged so that the body to be held in place relative to the connector is pressed into the concave portion as the first and second coupling elements move relative to one another.

Suitably, the first and second coupling means are formed integrally with one another. Suitably, the first and second coupling elements are coupled by a crimped coupling, by an adhesive, by a lugs, - by a mortise and tenon joint, by a friction coupling or any other suitable coupling or combination of couplings.

Suitably, the first and/or second coupling element comprises a leverage projection. Suitably, the leverage projection or projections are arranged to be actuatable by a user to facilitate movement of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element in the transverse direction. Suitably, the leverage projection or projections are arranged to be actuatable by a user to facilitate movement of the first coupling element relative to the s^'econd coupling element in the transverse direction, against the bias provided by the biasing means.

Suitably, the connector further comprises one or more legs to facilitate mechanical and/or electrical coupling of the connector to a printed circuit board or other surface. Suitably, the one or more legs extend from a base portion of the connector. Suitably, the or each leg comprises a pointed portion at its free end. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided connector arrangement comprising two connectors of the first aspect of the invention arranged back-to-back with one another.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a connector arrangement comprising a connector of the first aspect or a connector arrangement of the second aspect arranged side by side with a connector of the first aspect or a connector arrangement of the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a connector arrangement comprising. a connector or a connector arrangement of the first, second or third aspect of the invention further comprising an extension including either: (a) a connector or a connector arrangement of the first, second or third aspect; or (b) a coupling element for use in a connector or a connector arrangement of the first, second or third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a connector, the method comprising: (a) cutting out a first coupling element and a second coupling element; (b) arranging the second coupling element offset from the first in an axial direction such that in use the first and second coupling elements may receive a body there-between and impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body place with the connector.

Suitably, the cutting step (a) comprises cutting the first and second coupling elements from a sheet material. Suitably, the cutting step (a) comprises cutting the first and second coupling elements from a single material sheet. Suitably, the cutting step (a) is performed by pressing, or by rolling.

Suitably, the step (b) comprises the step of joining the first coupling element to the second coupling element.

Suitably, the step (a) comprises forming resilient biasing means arranged to in use bias the first and second coupling elements toward one another in a transverse direction. Suitably, the resilient biasing means^' is formed by bending one or both of the coupling elements.

Suitably, the step (a) comprises cutting out a coupling edge for the first coupling element. Suitably, the step (a) comprises cutting out a coupling edge for the second coupling element.

Suitably, the step (a) comprises cutting a stop means arranged to in use limit the movement of the first and second coupling portions relative to one another in the transverse direction. Suitably, the stop means is formed by bending one and/or both of the coupling eleme^'nts.

Suitably, in step (b) the first and second coupling elements are coupled to one another by crimping, by adhesive, by use of lugs, by use of a mortise and tenon joint, by use of a friction coupling or by use of any other suitable coupling or combination of couplings.

Suitably, the step (a) comprises cutting a leverage projection in the first or second coupling element. Suitably, the leverage projection is bent out from the first or second coupling element.

Suitably, the step (a) further comprises cutting one or more legs. Suitably, the legs cut in step (a) are bent to extend from a base portion of the connector.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a connector arrangement comprising cutting out back-to-back first coupling elements; (b) cutting out back-to-back second coupling elements; and (c) arranging the back-to-back coupling elements with one ' another to form a back-to-back connector- in which each first connector element is offset from a corresponding second connector element first in an axial direction such that in use each connector comprises first and second coupling elements arranged to receive a body there-between and impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body place with the connector.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a connector arrangement comprising cutting out side by side first coupling elements; (b) cutting out side by side second coupling elements; and (c) arranging the side by side coupling elements with one another to form a side by side connector in which each first connector element is offset from a corresponding second connector element first in an axial direction such that in use each connector comprises first and second coupling elements arranged to receive a body there-between and impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body place with the connector. According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a connector arrangement comprising cutting out a connector further comprising an extension including either: (a) a connector or a connector arrangement of the first, second or third aspect; or (b) a coupling element for use in a connector or a connector arrangement of the first, second or third aspect.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

Brief Introduction to the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure IA shows a front perspective view of a connector according to a first example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure IB shows a front perspective view of a connector according to a second example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 1C shows a side sectional view of the connector of Figure IB, featuring detail of the connection between first and second coupling elements; Figure ID shows a front perspective view of a connector according to a variant on the first example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A shows a front perspective view of a connector according to a third example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2B shows a side view of first and second coupling elements for use in a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second coupling elements formed as back-to-back elements;

Figure 2C shows a side view of a connector assembly according to a example embodiment of the invention holding a wire;

Figure 3A shows a side view of a connector assembly according to another example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3B shows a front perspective view of a first coupling element similar to a portion of the connector assembly of Figure 3A;

Figure 3C shows a side view of an alternative first connector element for use with the connector assembly of Figure 3A;

Figures 4A-4D show front perspective views of connectors according to other example embodiments of the present invention, including legs; Figure 4E shows a side^' view of a second coupling element for use in a connector according to an example embodiment of the present invention, including a leg;

Figure 5A shows front perspective view of a first coupling element for a connector according to another example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5B shows a side view of the first coupling element of Figure 5A joined to a second coupling element to form a qpnnector according to another example embodiment of the invention,-

Figures 6A, 6B and SC show examples of further embodiments of the present invention with alternative stop means;

Figure 7A shows a plurality of first coupling elements and a plurality of second coupling elements for a connector arrangement according to example embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 7B, 7C and 7D show a plurality of first coupling elements and a plurality of second coupling elements formed into a connector arrangements according to example embodiments of the present invention,-

Figures 8A and 8B show alternative arrangements of first coupling elements cut and bent from a piece of sheet material for connectors/connector arrangements according to example embodiments of the invention; and

Figures 9A-9J show alternative first and second coupling elements and biasing means which may be used in other connectors according to example embodiments of the present invention.

Description of Example Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a connector 10 according to a first example embodiment of the present invention. The connector 10 comprises a first coupling element 11 and a second coupling element 12 offset from the first in an axial direction "y" as shown in the Figure. •^■■'^' The connector 10 is formed from a sheet of metallic material and is intended to hold a body such as a wire in place therewith. In use, the first and second coupling elements 11,12 receive a wire there-between and impart a shearing force on the wire to hold the wire in place .

Formed integrally with the coupling elements 11,12 is resilient biasing means 14. The resilient biasing means 14 biases the first and second coupling elements 11,12 in a transverse direction "z" as shown in the Figure. The first coupling element 11 is biased in the direction of the negative z axis as shown in the Figure, and the second coupling element 12 is biased in the direction of the positive z axis as shown in the Figure.

The first coupling element comprises a coupling edge. Suitably, the second coupling element comprises a coupling edge .

The connector 10 has openings defined there-through. Suitably, the second coupling element comprises a portion of sheet material having an opening defined there-through. Suitably, the coupling edge of the first and/or second coupling element comprises an edge portion of the opening in the portion of sheet material .

The connector 10 further comprises a stop means 16 arranged to limit the movement of the first and second coupling elements 11,12 relative to one another in the transverse direction. The stop means 14 cooperates with resilient biasing means 14 to hold the first and second coupling elements 11,12 in the rest position shown in Figure 1. The stop means 16 extends from the first coupling element 11 and is formed integrally with the first coupling element 11. The stop means 16 extends axially from the first coupling element 11 to overlap the second coupling element 12 in the axial direction. In Figure 1 the stop means 16 extends within the connector 10, allowing the connector 10 to be of compact construction.

The second coupling element 12 comprises a leverage projection 121. The leverage projection 121 facilitates movement of the coupling elements 11,12 relative to one another in the transverse direction. The leverage projection 121 is actuatable by a user, either by direct contact or through a mechanism or insulating barrier to facilitate movement of the the coupling elements 11,12 relative to one another, against the bias provided by biasing means 14.

The connector 10 further comprises a tab 102 to facilitate mechanical and electrical coupling of the connector to a printed circuit board or other surface. The tab 102 extends rearwardly in the axial direction from the connector 10, and is cut and bent out from the biasing means 14.

Other arrangements of one or more tabs, legs etc. may be used to facilitate mechanical and electrical coupling of connectors according to example embodiments of the present invention to a printed circuit board or other surface. Some example other arrangements of this sort will be described in more detail below.

In the connector 10 of Figure 1 the first and second coupling elements 11,12 are formed integrally with one another. To manufacture the connector 10 from a single piece of sheet material the features of the first and second coupling elements 11,12 are cut out of the piece of sheet material, e.g. by pressing, or by rolling. The first and second coupling elements 11,12 are . then arranged with the second coupling element 12 offset from the first coupling element 12 in the axial direction. The first and second coupling elements 11,12 are arranged relative to one another by bending the piece of sheet material .

Bending of the piece of sheet material forms the resilient biasing means 14.

The stop means 16 and leverage projection 121 are also cut from the piece of sheet material, and is be bent into place either before or after the first and second coupling elements 11,12 are arranged off set from one another.

Figure IB shows a front perspective view of a connector 20 according to a second example embodiment of the present invention. The first and second coupling elements 21,22 are joined at a crimped joint 23. Figure 1C shows a cross-section through the joint between first and second coupling elements 21,22, where the crimped joint is made more secure by bending a portion of the first coupling 5 element 21 through an opening in second coupling element 22. If additional security is required in the joint between the first and second coupling elements 21,22 an adhesive or the like may also be used.

10 Figure ID shows a front perspective view of a connector 1

'..■ according to a variant on the first example embodiment of the present invention. In this variant the second coupling element 12 is biased by biasing means 14, and the second coupling element 12 comprises a portion of sheet

15 material formed integrally with the biasing means 14 and having an edge which engages with the stop means 16 in the rest position. In this embodiment the second coupling 12 element does not comprise a hole there-through.

20 Figure IE shows a front perspective view of a connector 2 according to another variant on the first example embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to that of Figure ID, but the opening formed in the first coupling means 11 is an open ended opening, in

25 the form of a cut-out recess. The open end of the recess facilitates insertion of an item to be held by the connector 2.

Figure 2A shows a front perspective view of a connector 30 30 according to a third example embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises first and second coupling elements 21,22 simply joined at a crimped joint 23. Figure 2B shows a side view of a connector assembly 100 according to a example embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly 100 comprising two connectors arranged back-to-back with one another. In the connector assembly 100, integrally formed back-to-back first coupling elements 111 are to be joined to back-to- back integrally formed second coupling elements 112 at a crimped join 103 in the central spine of the connector assembly 100. The join 103 may comprise lugs 103a to strengthen the coupling between the first coupling elements 111 and the second coupling elements 112.

Figure 2C shows a side view of the connector assembly 100 of Figure 2B holding a wire W in place therewith. The operation of the coupling elements, and here the stop means 16 to hold a wire will now be described in more detail. ^'

The stop means 16 comprises a concave portion 18 arranged so that a wire held in place with the connector 100 is pressed toward the concave portion 18 by the action of the first and second coupling elements 111,112. In particularly example embodiments such as that shown in Figure 2, the stop means 16 comprises a contact surface 19 so that the wire W contacts the connector 100 at three points - the first coupling element 111, the second coupling element 12 and the contact surface 19. The three points of contact provide good mechanical and electrical coupling between the wire W and the connector 100. In other particularly preferred embodiments the bias provided by the biasing means 14 is strong enough to in use deform a wire held by the connector into the concave portion 18. This further increases the quality of the mechanical and electrical coupling between the wire and the connector.

The first coupling element 111 is intended to remain stationary on a support surface (not shown) when the connector 100 is in use, with the second coupling element 112 movable relative to the first coupling element 111.

A wire to be held in place with the connector 100 is initially aligned with and offered up to the first coupling element 111; the second coupling element 112»,; is moved against the bias of the biasing means 14 relative to the first coupling element 111. ^' It is easy for a user to insert the wire into the connector 100 irrespective of whether the second coupling element 112 has been moved or is yet to be moved when the user aligns the wire with the first coupling, element 111, since the first coupling element 111 is held in place on the support surface.

The back-to-back connector 100 is of particular utility, as it enables a mechanical and electrical connection between two wires in a simple and secure way.

Figure 3A shows a side view a connector assembly of first coupling elements formed as back-to-back elements including an additional first coupling element 321 as an extension from the first coupling elements 311. Such embodiments may have particular application in one-to-many connections . In Figure 3A two connectors arranged back- to-back with one another with an extension portion 301 there-between. Figure 3B shows how the additional coupling element 321 may be formed integrally with the first coupling elements 311. Figure 3C shows two second coupling elements formed back-to-back for use in the connector assembly of Figure 3A as an alternative to discrete second coupling elements 12. These Figures are examples of possible extensions to the connector or connector assemblies of the present invention, and the skilled person will appreciate from the teaching herein that other possibilities exist.

Figures 4A-4D show connectors 40-43 according to embodiments of the invention comprising two legs 402 to facilitate mechanical and electrical coupling of the connector to a printed circuit board or other surface. The legs 402 extend downwardly or rearwardly from the connector, and are formed integrally with the first coupling element 41. Figure 4E shows a side view of a second coupling element 44 for use in a connector according to an example embodiment of the present invention, including a leg 402 that is formed- as a folded extension of the second coupling element. The leg 402 is formed with dimensions which permit direct coupling to a standard electrical socket, using an extension comprising a folded over portion formed with a degree of separation therebetween to give a desired outer dimension from material which is thinner than that required for a standard electrical socket .

Other arrangements of one or more legs, tabs etc. may be used to facilitate mechanical and electrical coupling of connectors according to example embodiments of the present invention to a printed circuit board or other surface.

Figure 5A shows a front perspective view of a first coupling element 21 for a connector 50 according to a example embodiment of the present invention. The connector 50 is shown in Figure 5B . Figure 5B shows a side view of the first coupling element 521 joined to a second coupling element 522 to form the connector 50. The first and second coupling elements 521,522 are joined at a mortise and tenon type joint 523.

Figure 6A shows a connector 190 in which the relative position of the first coupling element 191 and the second coupling element 192 are reversed in the axial direction. The stop means 196 extends from the first coupling element 191 external to the connector 190. 'The stop means 196 comprises a concave portaon 198 and a contact surface 199 which each cooperates with the coupling elements 191,192 to hold the wire W in place with the connector 190.

Figure 6B shows a connector 180 in which the stop means 186 extends from the second coupling element 182 external to^' the connector 180. The stop means 186 comprises a concave portion 188 and a contact surface 189 which cooperate with the coupling elements 181,182 to hold the a wire or the like in place with the connector 180.

Figure 6C shows a connector 3 in which stop means 186 extends from the second coupling element 182 external to the connector 3, and in which stop means 186A extends from the first coupling element 181 internal to the connector

3. The stop means 186 and 186A comprises a concave portion 188 and a contact surface 189 which cooperate with the stop means of the other coupling element 181,182 to hold the a wire or the like in place with the connector 3. The back-to-back connector assemblies according to example embodiments of the present invention are of particular use for forming an electrical and a mechanical connection between two wires. Although symmetrical assemblies have been shown, other non-symmetrical arrangements are also envisaged, along with other assemblies with legs, mounting projections etc as described in relation to the connectors herein-described .

Figure 7A shows a plurality of first coupling elements 71 for a connector arrangement according to example embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the first coupling elements 71 are formed in side by side arrangement, after being cut and bent from a piece of sheet material S. Also shown in Figure 7 is a plurality of second coupling elements formed side by side from a single piece of sheet material .

Figures 7B, 7C and 7D shows a plurality of first coupling elements and a plurality of second coupling elements formed into connector arrangements according to example embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments of Figure 7B and Figure 7C the first coupling elements 71A^~ and 7IB are formed so that after being cut and bent from a piece of sheet material they are arranged above one another, rather than side by side. A second coupling element 72A and 72B is respectively provided for each of the first coupling elements 71A and 71B. In this embodiment the second coupling elements 72A,B are provided with openings defined there-through, to facilitate insertion of a wire or other item to be held into the connector. The connector shown in Figure 7C is a tripe stacked connector arrangement with coupling elements 71A-C and 72A-C, and with a tab 77 used to keep the connector arrangement in shape .

Figures 8A and 8B show alternative arrangements of first coupling elements 81 cut and bent from a piece of sheet material S for connectors/connector arrangements according to example embodiments of the invention.

Figures 9A-9J show alternative first and second coupling elements and biasing means which will be understood may be used in other connectors according to example embodiments of the present invention.

The cutting and bending processes, and where appropriate joining processes required to form the connectors and connector assemblies described herein may be performed very quickly using pressing or rolling machinery. This allows the connectors and connector assemblies described to be manufactured in large numbers from readily available starting materials and at low cost.

The use of coupling elements as described provides a relatively secure connector. In particular, if an axial force acts to withdraw a body held with the connector, deformation of the coupling elements will tend to increase the shearing force on the body. The use of coupling elements comprising openings also inhibits withdrawal of a body held by the connector if the body is subjected to loads which are not in the axial direction.

Use of the stop means of certain example embodiments increases the contact area between the connector and the body held by the connector. This increases the quality of the mechanical connection and also reduce resistance of an electrical connection provided between the body and the connector .

Use of the biasing means of certain example embodiments ensures that a consistent force is applied to a body held by the connector. The coupling force is not dependent on careful operation by a user. Furthermore, the connector will not loosen over time if subjected to mechanical vibrations.

The skilled person will appreciate from the description herein that the connector may be arranged within an electrically insulating casing, or may be provided with an electrically insulating portion to reduce the risk of electric shock for a user. Another example embodiment of the present invention is for the connector to be mechanically and electrically connected to the pin of a plug. A plug pin including a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured in, or retrofitted to any suitable plug - e.g. a standard domestic electrical plug. Use of the connecter in this way facilitates re-wiring of the plug, and reduces the cost associated with manufacture of the plug by eliminating the relatively costly screw based connectors currently employed.

Although the example embodiments described herein are electrical connectors, the skilled person will appreciate from the teaching of this document that connectors according other embodiments of the invention may be used for other connecting applications. For example, connectors according to other embodiments of the invention may be conveniently used to hold threads, strings, ropes, tubing, pipes, etc. The dimensions of the connector may be chosen corresponding to the dimensions of the body or bodies that the connector is intended to hold.

Although a few example embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A connector comprising a first coupling element and a second coupling element offset from the first, wherein the first and second coupling elements are arranged to in use receive a body there-between and to impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body in place with the connector.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling elements are offset from one another in an axial direction.

3. The connector of claim 2, comprising resilient biasing means arranged to bias the first and second coupling elements in a transverse direction, the transverse direction being substantially perpendicular to the axial direction.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the resilient biasing means is arranged to bias the first and second coupling elements toward a rest position in which the first and second coupling elements overlap.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling elements comprise a sheet material .

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the first coupling element and/or the second coupling element comprises a portion of sheet material having an opening defined therethrough.

7. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the connector comprises a stop means arranged to limit the movement of the first and second coupling elements relative to one another in the transverse direction.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the stop means is arranged to cooperate with the resilient biasing means to hold the first and second coupling elements in a rest position in which the first and second coupling elements overlap.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element is in use a stationary element, and the second coupling element is movable relative to the first coupling element .

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling elements are arranged in the axial direction so that in use the body to be held in place relative to the connector is first offered up to the first coupling element .

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling elements are arranged in the axial direction with the first coupling element external to the connector and with the second coupling element internal to the connector .

12. The connector of claim 7, wherein the stop means extends from the first coupling element.

13. The connector of claim 3, wherein the resilient biasing means extends from the second coupling element.

14. The connector of claim 3, wherein the resilient biasing means is formed integrally with the first and second coupling elements.

15. The connector of claim 7, wherein the stop means extends axially from the first coupling means to overlap the second coupling means in the axial direction.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the stop means extends within the connector.

17. The connector of claim 7, wherein the stop means comprises a concave portion.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the concave portion is arranged so that the body to be held in place relative to the connector is pressed into the concave portion as the first and second coupling elements move relative to one another .

19. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second coupling element comprises a leverage projection.

20. The connector of claim 19, wherein the leverage projection is arranged to be actuatable by a user to facilitate movement of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element in a transverse direction.

21. The connector of claim 20, wherein the leverage projection is arranged to be actuatable by a user to facilitate movement of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element in a transverse direction, against bias provided by a biasing means .

22. The connector of claim 1, further comprising one or more legs to facilitate mechanical and/or electrical coupling of the connector to a printed circuit board or other surface .

23. A connector arrangement comprising two connectors of any one of claims 1-22 arranged back-to-back with one another.

24. A connector arrangement comprising a connector of the any one of claims 1-22 or a connector arrangement of claim 23, arranged side by side with a connector of any one of claims 1-22 or a connector arrangement of claim 23.

25. A connector arrangement comprising a connector or a connector arrangement of any one of claims 1-24, further comprising an extension including either: (a) a connector or a connector arrangement of any one of claims 1-24; or (b) a coupling element for use in a connector or a connector arrangement of any one of claims 1-24.

26. A method of manufacturing a connector, the method comprising: (a) cutting out a first coupling element and a second coupling element; (b) arranging the second coupling element offset from the first in an axial direction such that in use the first and second coupling elements may receive a body there-between and impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body place with the connector.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the cutting step (a) comprises cutting the first and second coupling elements from a sheet material .

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the cutting step (a) comprises cutting the first and second coupling elements from a single material sheet.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the step (b) comprises the step of joining the . first coupling element to the second coupling element.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the step .(a) comprises forming resilient biasing means arranged to- in use bias the first and second coupling elements toward one another in a transverse direction.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the resilient biasing means is formed by bending one or both of the coupling elements.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the step (a) comprises cutting out a coupling edge for the first coupling element and/or comprises cutting out a coupling edge for the second coupling element.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein the step (a) comprises cutting a stop means arranged to in use limit the movement of the first and second coupling portions relative to one another in the transverse direction.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the stop means is formed by bending one and/or both of the coupling elements .

35. The method of claim 26, wherein the step (a) comprises cutting a leverage projection in the first or second coupling element .

36. The method of claim 35, wherein in step (a) the leverage projection is bent out from the first or second coupling element.

37. The method of claim 26, wherein the step (a) further comprises cutting one or more legs and bending at least one leg td extend from a base portion of the connector.

38. A method of manufacturing a connector arrangement comprising cutting out back-to-back first coupling elements; (b) cutting out back-to-back second coupling elements; and (c) arranging the back-to-back coupling elements with one another to form a back-to-back connector in which each first connector element is offset from^' a corresponding second connector element first in an axial direction such that in use each connector comprises first and second coupling elements arranged to receive a body there-between and impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body place with the connector.

39. A method of manufacturing a connector arrangement comprising cutting out side by side first coupling elements; (b) cutting out side by side second coupling elements; and (c) arranging the side by side coupling elements with one another to form a side by side connector in which each first connector element is offset from a corresponding second connector element first in an axial direction such that in use each connector comprises first and second coupling elements arranged to receive a body there-between and impart a shearing force on the body to hold the body place with the connector.