Abstract: Disclosed is an improved connector assembly including a terminated wire, a crimp-type terminal, and a two-piece housing assembly of interfitting carrier and cover members. The terminal is crimped to the wire in a conventional fashion, presenting a portion of reduced cross section at the crimp engagement with the wire. The terminated wire is loaded into channels formed in a carrier member. The carrier member includes protrusions received in the reduced cross section of the crimp portion. After mounting of the terminals, the carrier is telescopically inserted in a sleeve-like cover member.An excessive crimp height prevents the complete reception of the terminal within the carrier channel, thereby preventing telescopic insertion of the carrier within the cover member. Thus, an excessive crimp height in the crimp portion of the terminal is visually indicated during connector assembly.

Abstract: A terminal contact assembly comprising a dielectric sleeve of flexible material having a midportion provided with a transverse integral partition wherein a keyway slot extends from an open end thereof communicating with a longitudinal slot in a defining wall portion of the sleeve, through a restricted portion of the keyway slot, to a larger closed end portion thereof centrally disposed in the partition. This assembly also comprises an elongated rigid contact of electrically conductive material having a midportion with an hour glass configuration including a narrow neck portion or key which is inserted laterally through the longitudinal slot in the sleeve and enters the open end of the keyway slot. The key is pressingly urged through the restricted portion of the keyway slot, by virtue of adjacent portions of the sleeve and the integral partition flexing momentarily to widen the restricted portion, and snaps into the larger closed end of the keyway slot thereby locking the contact axially within the sleeve.

Abstract: A control device comprising an electrical switch having an actuator disposed for reciprocal movement in a housing and provided with a substantially planar surface whereon a pawl is mounted for rotation in a plane adjacent the planar surface. The pawl includes a plurality of cam surface portions disposed for engagement with projections within the housing to convert reciprocal movement of the actuator into controlled rotary movement of the pawl in a uniform direction and thereby determine the sequence of operating conditions produced by the actuator. At least one pair of resilient arms extend from respective opposing portions of the pawl and into resilient pressure engagement with the substantially planar surface for exerting respective balanced tensile forces on the opposing portions of the pawl and enabling the pawl to resist free rotary movements and permit controlled rotary movements thereof.

Abstract: A contact member for forming an electrical connection with insulated conductors of either a solid core, stranded or tinsel ribbon type is formed from a unitary piece of stamped sheet metal and includes both an insulation displacement portion and an insulation piercing portion. The insulation displacement portion comprises a slotted plate for establishing contact with the conductor by severing and displacing its insulation. The insulation piercing portion includes an arm spaced laterally from the plate and adapted with a barb for piercing through the conductor insulation. The insulation displacement and insulation piercing portion of the contact member cooperate or function alternatively to provide an effective electrical connection with the conductor, regardless of its particular type.

Abstract: A contact member for forming an electrical connection with insulated conductors of either a solid core, stranded or tinsel ribbon type is formed from a unitary piece of stamped sheet metal and includes both an insulation displacement portion and an insulation piercing portion. The insulation displacement portion comprises a slotted plate for establishing contact with the conductor by severing and displacing its insulation. The insulation piercing portion includes an arm spaced laterally from the plate and adapted with a barb for piercing through the conductor insulation. The insulation displacement and insulation piercing portion of the contact member cooperate or function alternatively to provide an effective electrical connection with the conductor, regardless of its particular type.