Abstract: A crimping machine is disclosed for making a crimp connection of an electrical connector with an electrical conductor. A fixed tool receives the connector with crimpable prongs in a position for receiving the electrical conductor therebetween. A movable tool crimps the prongs against the conductor by a reciprocating stroke and a strain gage senses the force transmitted between the tools. A control device responds to a predetermined value of force for terminating the crimping stroke and measuring means measures the length of the crimping stroke. Indicating means indicates when the length of the stroke of the movable tool deviates from a predetermined stroke length as an indication of a defective crimp connection.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector includes a male component with a blade contact and a female component has a socket with a flat profile. The socket has a rectangular cross-section with narrow and broad sides which are segmented by longitudinal slots into a group of parallel arms which form a cage with contact arms buckled toward the interior of the cage. During coupling action, the crests of the buckles of the contact arms come into contact sequentially with the blade edge of the male component.

Abstract: A lockable electrical connector with a receptacle and a flat plug is disclosed. The receptacle comprises a duct-shaped plug receiver with arched-over walls terminating in a free edge segments. A tongue unitary with a bottom wall is bent back into the receiver and the flat plug is received between the free edge segments and the tongue. The tongue has a tang coacting with an opening in the flat plug to secure it against removal from the receptacle. A release cam on the free end of the tongue coacts with a cam on the casing to bend the tongue for removal of the tang from the opening to allow removal of the flat plug from the receptacle.