Abstract: An electrical contact includes a base portion extending from a first end of the contact to a second end of the contact, a first set of outer walls extending upward from the base portion, the first set of outer walls being disposed on a first side. The electrical contact also includes a second set of outer walls extending upward from the base portion, the second set of outer walls being disposed on a second side opposite the first set of outer walls and the first side. The electrical contact also includes a piercing member disposed between the first set of outer walls and the second set of outer walls, the piercing member extending upward in a direction substantially parallel to at least one wall within the first set of outer walls and the second set of outer walls, the piercing member configured to pierce an insulated wire.

Abstract: An insulation displacement contact system includes a first insulation displacement contact, a second insulation displacement contact, and a cover having a first portion over the first insulation displacement contact and a second portion over the second insulation displacement contact. The cover includes a retention gap between the first portion and the second portion to engage the cover with a first pair of prongs of the first insulation displacement contact. The first portion of the cover includes a first ledge and a second ledge configured to engage the cover with a second pair of prongs of the first insulation displacement contact.

Abstract: A contact for a wire-to-wire electrical connector includes a first contact portion defining a first wire receiving opening to receive a first wire and a second wire receiving opening to receive a second wire. The contact further includes a splice contact portion abutting the first contact portion and defining a third wire receiving opening to receive a third wire. The first contact portion also includes a first plurality of contact tines to electrically connect the first wire and the second wire and the splice contact portion includes a second plurality of contact tines to electrically connect the third wire to the first wire and the second wire.

Abstract: An insulation displacement contact system includes a first insulation displacement contact, a second insulation displacement contact, and a cover having a first portion over the first insulation displacement contact and a second portion over the second insulation displacement contact. The cover includes a retention gap between the first portion and the second portion to engage the cover with a first pair of prongs of the first insulation displacement contact. The first portion of the cover includes a first ledge and a second ledge configured to engage the cover with a second pair of prongs of the first insulation displacement contact.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a base having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The base is configured to electrically connect with a first electrical component. The electrical contact also includes a first section extending from the first edge and a second section extending from the second edge and including a contact portion to electrically connect with a second electrical component. The second section further includes a pre-load shelf configured to engage with the first section to electrically connect the first electrical component to the second electrical component.

Abstract: A contact for a wire-to-wire electrical connector includes a first contact portion defining a first wire receiving opening to receive a first wire and a second wire receiving opening to receive a second wire. The contact further includes a splice contact portion abutting the first contact portion and defining a third wire receiving opening to receive a third wire. The first contact portion also includes a first plurality of contact tines to electrically connect the first wire and the second wire and the splice contact portion includes a second plurality of contact tines to electrically connect the third wire to the first wire and the second wire.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting insulated wires to electrical components. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a wire guide designed to assist with the alignment of wires prior to termination of the wires to electrical components is disclosed. In an embodiment, the wire guide includes a body portion and a latching portion. The body portion includes at least one wire opening and is configured to mechanically secure one or more insulated wires in a desirable position. The latching portion is configured to secure the wire guide to a corresponding device such as an insulation displacement contact connector. A wire guide allows for insulated wires to be quickly and reliably positioned and secured relative to one another in order to safely and efficiently electrically and mechanically connect each insulated wire to a corresponding electrical component.

Abstract: A system including an electrical header connector assembly is provided. The electrical header connector assembly includes an insulated body with a mating body portion and a strain relief portion, a first self-shorting contact and a second self-shorting contact. Each self-shorting contact includes a contact tail with a wire receiving recess and a contact blade extending opposite and substantially parallel to the contact tail. Each self-shorting contact further includes a shorting beam extending opposite the contact tail. The shorting beam includes a curved portion extending away from the contact blade and a bent tip portion extending toward the contact blade. The shorting beam of the first self-shorting contact is configured to touch the shorting beam of the second self-shorting contact when the electrical header is in a neutral position.

Abstract: A system includes a housing and a contact portion. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion interlocking with the second portion so as to enclose a first volume and form a first wire opening within a first end of the housing and a second wire opening within a second end of the housing. The contact portion is disposed within the first volume and includes a first wire receiving portion, a first flexing beam extending from a first surface of the first wire receiving portion towards a second surface of the first wire receiving portion, a second wire receiving portion, a second flexing beam extending from a first surface of the second wire receiving portion towards a second surface of the second wire receiving portion, and a common wire stop disposed between the first wire receiving portion and the second wire receiving portion.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a first wire to a second wire. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, an insulated housing, and a male contact prong (i.e., a shunt) is disclosed. In an embodiment, the first and second electrical contacts conductively connect with a first and second wire, respectively, via an insulation displacement connector. Furthermore, the male contact prong conductively connects (i.e., shunts) the first and second electrical contacts together. A wire-to-wire contact with shunt allows for two wires to be quickly and efficiently connected and disconnected.

Abstract: A system including an electrical header connector assembly is provided. The electrical header connector assembly includes an insulated body with a mating body portion and a strain relief portion, a first self-shorting contact and a second self-shorting contact. Each self-shorting contact includes a contact tail with a wire receiving recess and a contact blade extending opposite and substantially parallel to the contact tail. Each self-shorting contact further includes a shorting beam extending opposite the contact tail. The shorting beam includes a curved portion extending away from the contact blade and a bent tip portion extending toward the contact blade. The shorting beam of the first self-shorting contact is configured to touch the shorting beam of the second self-shorting contact when the electrical header is in a neutral position.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting insulated wires to electrical components. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a wire guide designed to assist with the alignment of wires prior to termination of the wires to electrical components is disclosed. In an embodiment, the wire guide includes a body portion and a latching portion. The body portion includes at least one wire opening and is configured to mechanically secure one or more insulated wires in a desirable position. The latching portion is configured to secure the wire guide to a corresponding device such as an insulation displacement contact connector. A wire guide allows for insulated wires to be quickly and reliably positioned and secured relative to one another in order to safely and efficiently electrically and mechanically connect each insulated wire to a corresponding electrical component.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting various electrical components. More specifically, an apparatus that includes an electrical contact and an insulated housing. In an embodiment, the electrical contact includes a first insulation displacement contact, a second insulation displacement contact, and a motion-force portion. The motion-force portion is configured to allow the electrical contact to be actuated around a central axis and relative to the insulated housing. The first and second insulation displacement contacts allow for the electrical contact to create an electrical and mechanical connection between respective wires when the electrical contact is rotated. A rotary insulation displacement contact (IDC) junction connector allows for two wires to be reliably and safely connected in environments where space is limited.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for an apparatus for connecting a first printed circuit board to a second printed circuit board. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a first receptacle assembly, a second receptacle assembly, and a contact bridge is disclosed. In an embodiment, the contact bridge conductively connects with the first receptacle assembly and the second receptacle assembly. In an embodiment, the contact bridge is disposed between sets of contact beams of the first and second receptacle assemblies.

Abstract: A system includes a housing and a contact portion. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion interlocking with the second portion so as to enclose a first volume and form a first wire opening within a first end of the housing and a second wire opening within a second end of the housing. The contact portion is disposed within the first volume and includes a first wire receiving portion, a first flexing beam extending from a first surface of the first wire receiving portion towards a second surface of the first wire receiving portion, a second wire receiving portion, a second flexing beam extending from a first surface of the second wire receiving portion towards a second surface of the second wire receiving portion, and a common wire stop disposed between the first wire receiving portion and the second wire receiving portion.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting various electrical components. More specifically, an apparatus that includes an electrical contact and an insulated housing. In an embodiment, the electrical contact includes a first insulation displacement contact, a second insulation displacement contact, and a motion-force portion. The motion-force portion is configured to allow the electrical contact to be actuated around a central axis and relative to the insulated housing. The first and second insulation displacement contacts allow for the electrical contact to create an electrical and mechanical connection between respective wires when the electrical contact is rotated. A rotary insulation displacement contact (IDC) junction connector allows for two wires to be reliably and safely connected in environments where space is limited.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrical contact comprising a first aperture and a first insulation displacement opening. Centers of the first aperture and the first insulation displacement opening are aligned. The apparatus also includes an insulated housing comprising a first wire opening, a second wire opening, and a first electrical contact inlet extending through the first and second wire openings. The first electrical contact is at least partially inserted into the first electrical contact inlet such that at least a portion of the first aperture is aligned with the first wire opening.

Abstract: A system includes a housing and a contact portion. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion interlocking with the second portion so as to enclose a first volume and form a first wire opening within a first end of the housing and a second wire opening within a second end of the housing. The contact portion is disposed within the first volume and includes a first wire receiving portion, a first flexing beam extending from a first surface of the first wire receiving portion towards a second surface of the first wire receiving portion, a second wire receiving portion, a second flexing beam extending from a first surface of the second wire receiving portion towards a second surface of the second wire receiving portion, and a common wire stop disposed between the first wire receiving portion and the second wire receiving portion.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a first wire to a second wire. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, an insulated housing, and a male contact prong (i.e., a shunt) is disclosed. In an embodiment, the first and second electrical contacts conductively connect with a first and second wire, respectively, via an insulation displacement connector. Furthermore, the male contact prong conductively connects (i.e., shunts) the first and second electrical contacts together. A wire-to-wire contact with shunt allows for two wires to be quickly and efficiently connected and disconnected.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use with wires is disclosed that includes an electrical contact and an insulated housing. The electrical contact includes a wire contact portion and a connector contact portion. The wire contact portion connects the electrical connector to a wire. The connector contact portion includes a male contact prong and a female contact socket. The electrical contact may be positioned within an insulated housing that is designed to connect both the male contact prong and the female contact socket when mated with another electrical device.