Abstract: An in-line connector adapted for use in a disk drive apparatus and a method for attaching the connector to a flexible circuit. The connector advantageously includes pins having shoulder portions which are adapted to receive and support the flexible circuit. The method includes the step of squeegee soldering the flexible circuit to electrically adhere the flexible circuit to the in-line connector apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for terminating a flat flexible circuit which has at least one pin-receiving hole therein. The connector includes a dielectric housing. At least one conductive terminal is mounted on the housing and includes a projecting pin portion exposed on the housing. A circuit carrier is provided for receiving the flat flexible circuit. The carrier is mountable on the housing in a position for aligning the pin-receiving hole in the circuit with the pin portion of the terminal.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector for computers adapted for connecting electric currents to cooling fans of CPUs or computer peripheral equipment. The electrical connector includes a front housing and a rear housing joined together integrally and a plurality of contacts each comprised of a front portion and a rear portion fitted respectively to the ends of a connection portion, the contact being placed inside the front and rear housings. The contacts are firmly held within the housing due to the configuration of the inner walls of the front and rear housings. The assembly process is simplified and costs reduced. The overall reduced size of the electrical connector occupies makes efficient use of the limited space of the computer.

Abstract: An in-line connector adapted for use in a disk drive apparatus and a method for attaching the connector to a flexible circuit. The connector advantageously includes pins having shoulder portions which are adapted to receive and support the flexible circuit. The method includes the step of squeegee soldering the flexible circuit to electrically adhere the flexible circuit to the in-line connector apparatus.

Abstract: In a process for fitting a round cable provided with a number of single wires with a multi-way, preferably flat, plug into which the single wires are placed, the single wires have their free ends stripped of insulation and are fitted with contacts. In such a process, assembly can be carried out in a cost-effective manner and the risk of damage to the small contacts is greatly reduced. Provision is made for the single wires to be placed alongside each other in a wire holder of the plug, for the ends projecting beyond the wire holder to be cut to the same projecting length and stripped of insulation to the same length and for a contact carrier to be provided with the corresponding number of adjacent contacts and connected to the end of the wire holder receiving the single wire ends, and for the opposing regions of stripped single wire ends and connection elements of the contacts to be interconnected to make electrical contact.

Abstract: An electrical connection system with terminals connecting multiple flex circuits for use as a power distribution system in automotive vehicles is disclosed.

Abstract: A flat, fine pitch cable assembly includes an improved cable profile to assist in the alignment with an insulation displacement connector. The improved profile has enlarged ridges which encompass multiple conductors thereby providing a surface which is more pronounced and therefore more suitable for alignment with an insulation displacement connector and the contacts supported thereby.

Abstract: A flat, surface mounted, flexible, multi-purpose wire has a plurality of flat elongated conductors spaced apart in a generally parallel relationship. Each of the flat conductors comprises a plurality of copper layers. An adhesive material separates the flat conductors and an insulation layer surrounds the flat conductors and the adhesive material, with the adhesive material bonding to the insulation layer. A cross-sectional height of the flat conductors and insulation layer is such that the multi-purpose wire will blend in with the surface when painted or after wallpaper is applied.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a slot for receiving a flat electrical cable. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a housing wall defining one side of the slot. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing, with contact portions of the terminals spaced along the housing wall and projecting into the slot. A sheet metal support is mounted on the housing and has a support wall defining an opposite side of the slot. The sheet metal support is folded back onto itself to provide a double thickness for the support wall.

Abstract: Exposed forward ends of conductors of the electric wire and the flat cable are connected to each other. The conductors of the electric wire set to a length adapted for being overlaid on the conductors of the flat cable are held in overlaid relation with the conductors of the flat cable between insulating partitioning walls formed on the upper surface of a holder for isolating each adjacent pair of the conductors of the electric wire. The overlaid portions of the conductors are thus connected in the above-mentioned overlaid relation, and are insert-molded including the connected portions, thereby connecting the electric wire and the flat cable directly.

Abstract: A conducting fabric is applied as a wrapper (10) over insulated conductors (5) of a cable assembly (1), and conducting shells (12) clamp the wrapper (10) to provide an electrical shield (9), and at least one conducting fastener (17) is mounted in the shells (12) for coupling to a fastener coupling portion of a mating electrical connector.

Abstract: In a process for fitting a round cable provided with a number of single wires with a multi-way, preferably flat, plug into which the single wires are placed, the single wires have their free ends stripped of insulation and are fitted with contacts. In such a process, assembly can be carried out in a cost-effective manner and the risk of damage to the small contacts is greatly reduced. Provision is made for the single wires to be placed alongside each other in a wire holder of the plug, for the ends projecting beyond the wire holder to be cut to the same projecting length and stripped of insulation to the same length and for a contact carrier to be provided with the corresponding number of adjacent contacts and connected to the end of the wire holder receiving the single wire ends, and for the opposing regions of stripped single wire ends and connection elements of the contacts to be interconnected to make electrical contact.

Abstract: With a low-voltage power cable (1), which has an insulator (2) and, on both broad sides of the insulator (2), wire-cloth bands (3 through 6) serving as current phases, which are attached to the broad sides of a rectangular cross-section (11, 12) of the insulator (2), it is planned according to the invention that the insulator (2) forms a rail which is multiply flanged and slender in its main axis, and the wire-cloth bands (3 through 6) are arranged in profile chambers (7 through 10) which are formed by the rectangular cross section (11, 12) and the profile flanges (14 through 16).

Abstract: A connector (10) for interconnecting a daughter card to a mother board using a flexible circuit element (64) joining the connector contacts (54) to the daughter card traces (76), while pin sections (56) of the contacts depend from the connector for insertion into mother board through-holes. A plate (82) of dielectric material is placed atop the terminations of the flexible circuit element to the contacts, with plate apertures (86) receiving the upper contact sections (66) and solder terminations thereinto, with potting compound (98) then placed in the apertures embedding and sealing the terminations, whereafter the plate provides enhanced strain relief.

Abstract: An electrical connection element is formed by stamping a plate having a thickness. A contact surface is formed at an edge surface of an end portion of the electrical connection element. The end edge portion is bent toward both lateral sides of the plate to form the contact surface. The lateral edge portions are offset towards opposite sides of the plate, so that the width between the opposite lateral edges is about twice the thickness of the plate. This edge surface is flat and smooth. Therefore, if the round conductor of a ribbon tape contacts any portion of the contact surface, a good electrical contact is obtained. Thus, the electrical connection element for contacting the side surface of the round conductor of the ribbon wire can be produced from a thin plate material.

Abstract: A flat cable which has a connection termination with interlayer peeling films interposed between conductors and insulating films at predetermined intervals along a length of the flat cable. When connecting the flat cable, by cutting the termination with the interlayer films, the insulating film ends and interlayer film ends positioned at the cut portion are folded back to form a folded back portion. This folded back portion is made to catch on to the protective insulator of the connection device, so as to prevent poor contact etc. by ensuring that no intolerable force acts on the connection portion of the conductors even if a tensile force is applied to the connection portion. Further, in the connection termination, connection terminals are inserted between the interlayer peeling films and connectors to connect to the conductors.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for insulation displacing termination of ribbon cable having insulated conductors in predetermined close centerline spacing. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a mating face, an opposed cable-receiving face and a plurality of terminal-receiving passages extending between the faces for receiving a plurality of terminals. Each terminal includes a mating portion toward the mating face and slotted U-shaped insulation displacement portion toward the cable-receiving face. The insulation displacement portions of the terminals are arranged staggered in at least two rows. A dielectric cover forces the conductors into the U-shaped insulation displacement portions and embraces the cable between the cover and the cable-receiving face of the housing. The cover includes a surface for engaging the cable and recesses in the surface for receiving the U-shaped insulation displacement portions of the terminals.

Abstract: A strain relief structure is provided for connecting a flat flexible cable to a circuit board. The flat flexible cable includes an array of parallel conductors, flexible insulation disposed around the conductors and a web of insulation disposed between adjacent conductors. The strain relief structure includes a body having at least one cable receiving aperture extending therethrough. A deflectable strain relief extends into the cable receiving aperture for engaging the web of insulation between at least a pair of conductors. Transverse walls, independent of the strain relief structure, extend into the cable receiving aperture for biasing at least one of the conductors out of the plane of the flat flexible cable.

Abstract: Electric connecting device for electrically controlled, so called pilot valves (21-25) connected to a corresponding number of valves (1-5) in a modular valve array. Each pilot valve has equally placed contact pins (26,27,28), which are connected to a common, flexible connecting cable (29) with a plurality of conductors (29) over an electric connecting module (30). Each connecting module (30) is constituted by a coupling plate (32) provided with on the one hand contact sockets (33,34,35) for connection to said contact pins (26,27,28) of the respective pilot valve, and on the other hand a multipolar contact means (37), which is connectable to a corresponding cable contact means (38), which is connected to conductors of the common connecting cable (29). The coupling plate (32) is provided with an array of preferably controllable electrical connections (36) for the desired connection between said multipolar cable contact means (37) and said contact sockets (33,34,35).

Abstract: A single connector is respectively mounted at the tip ends of each of a plurality of branch wire groups to be branched and which are pulled out from optional positions of one wire harness. A connector receiver, composed of a lower case an upper case is mounted in a further wire harness composed of a flexible printed circuit with the branch circuit being secured at a necessary position. The lower case supports the wire harness and the further upper case is mounted detachably in the lower case and is provided with a connector inserting portion, with the single connector being detachably inserted therein. Accordingly, the wire harness can be made lighter in weight and can save space, and the circuit in the branch connector can be easily changed.

Abstract: A structure and method for mounting a flexible electrical circuit to rigid substrate to effect electrical connection between contacts on one side of the flexible electrical circuit with electrical pads on one side of the substrate is provided. The connection allows for strain relief due to mechanical stress, as well as compensating for thermally induced stress. The structure includes a clamping member disposed to clamp and position the flexible circuit with its one side in face to face relationship with the surface of the substrate. A supporting structure is carried by the substrate and has a mounting member mounting the clamping member to maintain the flexible circuit and the substrate in face to face contacting relationship. The mounting structure also includes a spring mechanism yieldingly responsive to thermal expansion stress which mechanism urges the flexible circuit into contact with the substrate.

Abstract: A connector for connecting large numbers of contact points on a flat ribbon cable to corresponding contact points on a second flat ribbon ribbon cable is described. The connector is a rigid clamping device which encompasses the cables where they join and through the use of springs and force spreaders the connections at the cable interface are completed. The connections of the cables are disposed within a chamber within the connector and rigidly clamped to prevent movement or separation of the connections.

Abstract: A non-shearing connector for a flexible circuit comprising a top retaining isc segment having an exterior threaded section suitably contoured to be compatible with the hollow section of an exterior threaded connector body segment. A pressure plate having integral captive stub means suitably designed to cooperate with slot means positioned on the underside of the retaining disc segment. A center stub protrudes from an insulated bottom segment of the connector body, and in conjunction with the captive stub form clamping means for a stripline, when the device is assembled.

Abstract: A surface mount electrical connector assembly is provided for electrically connecting a plurality of terminals of an electrical connector to circuit traces on a printed circuit board. The terminals are mounted on a dielectric housing of the connector and have contact ends exposed exteriorly on one side of the housing. A flexible circuit sheet is mounted on the side of the housing, with conductive circuit paths being electrically terminated to the contact ends of the terminals. The flexible circuit sheet has an edge for surface engaging the printed circuit board, with contact pads at the edge for electrical termination to the circuit traces on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A surface mountable insulation displacement type connector for electrically coupling an end portion of a connector ribbon to a spaced series of surface mounted electrically conductive contact pads on a printed circuit board has an elongated base portion through which the central body sections of a longitudinally spaced series of metal contactor pins transversely and slidably extend. The pin body sections have bifurcated, barbed top end portions disposed above a top side of the connector base portion, and transversely enlarged bottom end portions disposed below the bottom side of the base portion. The base portion is secured to the circuit board by soldering the bottom pin end portions to the baord contact pads, with the slidable mounting of the pin body sections automatically compensating for board surface height variations in the region of the surface contact pads.

Abstract: A cable tap system is disclosed for selectively connecting a plurality of tap terminals to a plurality of conductors in either a continuous multi-conductor electrical cable or in two ends of two such cables butt up to one another. A closable cable clamp assembly clamps onto the continuous cable or cable ends. A terminal holder is positionable against one side of the cable clamp assembly and mounts a plurality of tap terminals for interconnection to the conductors of the cable. A backing member is positionable against an opposite side of the cable clamp assembly. A plurality of rotatable fasteners are operatively associated between the terminal holder and the backing member for sandwiching the cable clamp assembly therebetween and maintaining the tap terminals interconnected with the conductors of the cable. A tool is provided for simultaneously rotating the fasteners to close the terminal holder and the backing member in a uniform action.

Abstract: An electrical connector 63 includes at least one length of wire 54 having an insulating means 55 with at least one portion 58 of the wire 54 extending free from the insulating means 55 and a housing 62 adapted to hold the free end 58 and a length of the insulating means relative to a first contact point 102 on an electrical article 100 to be interconnected with connector 63 to wire 54. Wire 54 includes one portion 56 inelastically deformed to provide a second contact point 60 adapted to engage said first contact point 102. Housing 62 includes portions adapted to position the second contact point 60 in bearing relationsip with the first contact point 102 with the spring beam 56 being deflected to provide a normal force engagement between the first and second 102, 60 contact points sufficient to assure a stable, low resistance interface.

Abstract: A flat cable strain relief fitting accommodates various thicknesses of cable by providing a first fitting half which includes stair-step type slots which support a bar at various heights above the major surface of the first fitting half. The bar thus is adjustable in height to contact different thicknesses of cable and force the cable into clamping contact with a second half of the strain relief fitting.

Abstract: A high density ribbon cable connector includes bipartite strain relief halves adapted to trap between them a high density ribbon cable. The strain relief halves and ribbon are snap latchable into position within a fixture housing with the cable extending through an elongate slot in the fixture housing, and adjacent to a fixture face having conductor aligning grooves emanating from and fanning out in opposite directions from the elongate slot. The grooves form a template for the positioning of the conductors for accurate alignment prior to termination. The fixture housing also includes terminal clearance slots aligned with each groove, where two rows of clearance slots are provided on each side of the slot. The fixture housing is snap latchable into a terminal housing, where conductor receiving slots of electrical terminals are inserted into the terminal clearance slots, and electrically terminate the conductors to the electrical terminals.

Abstract: A connector, a termination of a conductor to a ground bus in a connector, and a method for effecting the termination is disclosed. The ground bus includes a series of openings in one edge thereof, each having a pair of parallel walls that are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the conductor to be terminated. Each opening includes a constriction which positions and holds the conductor so that it is spaced from the walls of the opening during the soldering operation.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for providing an electrical conduction path between two contact locations rotatable one with respect to the other. A flat ribbon cable having a plurality of electrical conductors and being wound in the manner of a coiled spring, is connected to the contact locations by way of connection lines serially connected to the ends of the flat ribbon cable. To protect the flat ribbon cable from mechanical damage at each of its ends, an end portion of each of the electrical conductors is serially connected to an end portion of one of a plurality of connection conductors of the connection line at a connection location, and a connection assembly is formed about the end portions of the serially connected conductors.

Abstract: A molded circuit component for connecting to lead wires includes body and a protective cover. The body includes a partition wall area having a plurality of housing grooves, partition walls, body notches, positioning projections and fastening pin reception apertures. The protective cover includes a plurality of cover notches, recesses and fastening pins to correspond respectively with the body notches, positioning projections and fastening pin reception apertures. Metal lines having connection terminals on their ends are embedded in the housing grooves. Lead wires are positioned in the grooves so that the conductors of the lead wires are placed on, and attached to, the connection terminals. The protective cover is then attached to the body.

Abstract: Cable tap assembly for selectively connecting tap conductors to cable wire conductors comprises a housing having a cable wire locator for locating the cable wires in predetermined coplanar positions. A plurality of bus conductors are provided in the housing and extend parallel to the cable wires with each bus conductor being dedicated to, and associated with, a single cable wire. The bus conductors have receptacle sites which are accessible from the exterior of the housing so that terminals can be mated with the bus conductors. Connecting devices extend from the bus conductors to the cable wires. The assembly has a major surface having defined zones, each of which receives an electrical connector that has male terminals which are mated with specific cable wires when the connector is coupled to the major surface.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for facilitating connection between interchangeable input/output cables and a high-density arrangement of traces on a circuit board inside a mainframe computer. The assembly comprises a collection of individual connector/terminal assemblies and individual flexible conductive elements, such assemblies and elements being specially formed and relationally positioned so as to optimize serviceability, high frequency performance, systematic routing capability and densifying capability.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) for receiving a ribbon cable (20) has been disclosed. The connector (10) includes a plurality of contacts (14) in a housing (11) and a cover (12) which is movable towards the contacts (14) to cam open wire retaining sections (15) thereon. The housing further includes projections (11a) which prevent the ribbon cable (20) from being bent over and pushing the cover (12) down to inadvertently release the wires (21) of the cable from the wire retaining sections (15).

Abstract: A multi-conductor electrical connector for mounting on a printed circuit board which includes two rows of staggered insertion holes. The connector includes a housing having an elongate cavity. A contact strip is formed with a continuous carrier and laterally extending contacts gang-mountable in the elongate cavity of the housing. Each contact includes a conductor receptacle positionable in the cavity, and a pair of laterally spaced terminal tails projecting through the housing from the cavity. The terminal tails are independently severable whereby a terminal tail of any contact can be inserted into a hole in either row of staggered insertion holes in the printed circuit board. The contact receptacle is formed by an anvil portion and a spring finger portion. The terminal tails are stamped and formed out of the anvil portion and the spring finger portion of the contact.

Abstract: A system of printed circuit boards is interconnected by using connectors having electrically conductive assemblies that include both pins and sockets. The pins of the assemblies of one connector pass through apertures in the printed circuit boards and engage the sockets of assemblies of another connector on the other side of the printed circuit board. In this manner any number of printed circuit boards may be interconnected to form continuous electrical circuits from one printed circuit board to the next and also provide a mechanical means of holding the system of printed circuit boards together.

Abstract: An electrical contact unit is provided for a first main member, which has a mainly planar first mounting surface, and for a second main member, which has a mainly planar second mounting surface and is mountable on the first main member. The first mounting surface and the second mounting surface lie against each other when the second main member is mounted on the first main member. The first main member comprises a male contact member, which has an outer surface and carries electrically conductive male contacts, and a maneuvering pin, which extends out from the outer surface. By means of guide elements, the male contact member is mounted in the first main member for motion generally perpendicular to the first mounting surface between an outer position and an inner position.

Abstract: A shuttle assembly useful in an electrical connector includes a terminal portion, a cam portion and a ribbon cable sandwiched between the two portions. Electrical connections join terminals confined in the terminal portion to the ribbon cable.

Abstract: A method and connector device for connecting insulated wire cable to another device is provided. The connector device includes a housing having an array of bifurcated connector disposed in a preselected pattern. The cable wires are completely stripped of the insulation at locations corresponding to the pattern of the connectors. The wires are then pushed into the connectors transversely to slidingly and frictionally engage the wires. The wires are pushed into this engagement by a cover which coacts with the housing to insulate the wires and their connectors.

Abstract: A low permittivity connector for providing a plurality of contacts disposed substantially parallel at predetermined spacings relative to each other. Ribbon-type conductors are disposed on a low-permittivity dielectric sheet and exposed on at least one side of the sheet. Wires are contacting respective ribbon-type conductors, disposed in a longitudinal direction relative to the conductors, and projecting as pins from an edge at one end of the low-permittivity dielectric sheet. A housing holds the low-permittivity dielectric sheet, the ribbon-type conductors, and the wires by way of joining sheets and having openings in the area of the ribbon-type conductors at a second end of the low-permittivity sheet for allowing insertion of pins projected from a like connector. A flat cable comprises a plurality of wires formed of a hard cord covered by a conductive layer, plurality of ribbon-type contacts contacting respective wires and a sheet which supports the ribbon-type contacts.

Abstract: A housing for a termination of a terminal or pair of terminals onto an end of flat power cable has a pair of wide terminal-receiving cavities to receive the terminated cable end from rearwardly thereof, for contact sections of the terminal or terminals to extend forwardly from or be exposed along the forward housing mating face. A rearward cover member is then securable to the rearward end of the housing such as by latching thereto, to secure the terminals within the cavities and define a cable exit spaced rearwardly of the terminations of the terminal or terminals. The rearward cover member can be bifurcated having upper and lower struts joined at one lateral end thereof to be inserted over the flat cable from one side, and a latch arm extends forwardly from the joined end and a pair of adjacent latch arms extend forwardly from the unjoined ends of the struts, for latching to the housing, and the adjacent latch arms after latching act as a single latch arm.

Abstract: A connector housing for use with a flex board having openings therethrough completely surrounded by the flex board surface. The housing includes a top portion which pivots to open and closed positions relative to a bottom portion. Ribs extend from the bottom portion for flex board alignment and ribs extend from the top portion which interdigitate with the bottom ribs and cause the conductors on the flex board to be electrically coupled to respective contacts of the connector housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector terminates ribbon cable intended for electrical connection to a PCB. The connector presents multiple contacts from the ribbon cable for engagement with mating terminals on the PCB as the connector is first moved into position for mounting on the PCB. Guide pins on the connector are slidably received in associated guide holes in the PCB to assure that each contact is properly positioned to engage its mating terminal. Thereupon, fasteners are tightened for firmly securing the connector to the PCB and, in the process, the contacts are moved relative to their mating terminals in a wiping action while still in engagement with them. Relative movement between the contacts and the terminals ceases when the fasteners are fully tightened. Individual groups of contacts are independently biased into engagement with the terminals with a predetermined minimum of force.

Abstract: A miniaturized surface mountable connector arrangement for connecting printed circuits on a printed circuit board to another circuit member, such as flat flex cable is provided. Each circuit on the circuit board is provided with at least two spaced apart solder-bearing contact pads. A connector housing having a board engaging surface includes a plurality of stamped metal terminals each having a pair of depending solder contact projections at least one of which depends from board engaging surface. The connector is positioned on the circuit board so that the contact projections engage the contact pads. Upon reflow of the solder material a balanced shock resistant mechanical attachment and electrical connection of the connector to the circuit board is provided. No additional mounting structures are required so the arrangement occupies less board surface area. The arrangement is well suited for robotic assembly operations.

Abstract: A right angle connector which can be added to connector pads pre-existing on a mother board easily and inexpensively to accept a daughter board at any time for system enhancement. The right angle connection is also inexpensively manufactured and installed. The connector includes a slotted housing, a slotted elastomeric member, and a flexible circuit with numerous conductors. The flexible circuit is wrapped around the elastomeric member with its two free ends ending in the slot of the elastomeric member and these components are then inserted into the housing. The elastomeric member is a little bit larger than the enclosed volume of the housing when it is mounted by fasteners to the mother board. Thus, as the housing is fastened to the mother board, the elastomeric member is compressed causing it to make a better electrical contact between the electrical contacts of the mother board and the electrical contacts of the daughter board.

Abstract: An electrical connector which provides a positive interconnection between the exposed conductor runs of a flexible printed circuit film and corresponding conductors on a printed circuit board by utilizing an insulated block mounted on the printed circuit board for holding a plurality of spring contacts and providing a holding mechanism adjacent the flexible printed circuit film so that compression between the electrical contacts and the exposed runs is maintained.

Abstract: Active special contact, adapted for insertion into a hybrid contact insert of a connector, the active contact including a housing, first contact elements disposed in the housing, a supporting element for receiving an electro-optic transducer, second contact elements disposed in the supporting element, means for the detachable connection of the housing and the supporting element, and means for releasably connecting the first and second contact elements.

Abstract: A zero insertion force connector assembly is provided for allowing the electrical connection of a flat, flexible cable having conductors therein and a printed circuit board. The assembly includes a plastic housing having spring contacts arranged in parallel configuration. The housing is secured to the printed circuit board by the tail ends of the spring contacts. A cover plate is pivotably and slidably mounted to the housing. An end of the cable may be inserted between the cover and housing when the cover plate is pivoted to an oblique position with respect to the housing. The cover plate is then pivoted towards the contacts and moved rearwardly to lock it in the closed position. The housing and cover plate include mutually engaging components which effect such locking upon sliding the cover plate towards the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector achieves improvements in connecting a patient plate to an electrosurgical generator. The connector is preferably of the lever operated type, and electrical contacts are connected on the lever and connected within a passageway internally in a housing of the connector. A tongue portion of the patient plate is inserted in the passageway. Upon closure of the lever, the contacts on the lever extend into the passageway above the lower contacts to mechanically contact and retain the tongue portion between the contacts and to electrically contact the tongue portion by which to conduct current to the patient plate. A recess is formed in the lower marginal area of the passageway and a retaining structure on the lever member extends into the passageway to deform the tongue portion into the indention.