Claims
- 1. An insulation displacement connector in the form of a fork which comprises(1) a first tine comprising (a) a first beveled tip, and (b) a first section having a first length and a first width, (2) a second tine comprising (a) a second beveled tip, and (b) a second section having a second length and a second width, (3) a base connecting the first and second tines, (4) a slot which (a) separates the first and second tines, and (b) has an open end between the first and second tips and a closed end at the base; and (5) a beveled groove (a) comprising a cutting edge, and (b) extending from the closed end away from the first and second tips and along part of the base.
- 2. An insulation displacement connector according to claim 1 wherein the second width is at least 1.2 times the first width.
- 3. An insulation displacement connector according to claim 2 wherein the second width is at least 1.5 times the first width.
- 4. An assembly for making an electrical connection to an electrical cable which comprises a first elongate electrode and a second elongate electrode, said first and second electrodes surrounded by and separated from one another by a polymer, said assembly comprising(A) an insulation displacement connector (IDC) module which comprises first and second piercing members, each of which comprises an insulation displacement connector in the form of a fork which comprises (1) a first tine comprising (a) a first beveled tip, and (b) a first section having a first length and a first width, (2) a second tine comprising (a) a second beveled tip, and (b) a second section having a second length and a second width, (3) a base connecting the first and second tines, (4) a slot which (a) separates the first and second tines, and (b) has an open end between the first and second tips and a closed end at the base; and (5) a beveled groove (a) comprising a cutting edge, and (b) extending from the closed end away from the first and second tips and along part of the base; and (B) a wire guide module which (1) contains a channel sized to contain the cable, and (2) is capable of mating with the IDC module in a unique mated configuration so that when the cable is inserted into the channel and the IDC module and the wire guide module are mated, the first piercing member pierces the cable and makes electrical contact to the first electrode, and the second piercing member pierces the cable and makes electrical contact to the second electrode.
- 5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the channel comprises (1) a first opening through which the first piercing member can contact the first electrode, and (2) a second opening through which the second piercing member can contact the second electrode.
- 6. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the IDC module and the wire guide module are held in the mated configuration by securing means.
- 7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein, when the IDC module and the wire guide module are mated with the cable inserted into the channel, and the securing means are completely fastened, the cable is pierced through its thickness by both the first and second piercing members.
- 8. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the second width is at least 1.2 times the first width.
- 9. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the first piercing member and the second piercing member are positioned asymmetrically in the IDC module so that, when the IDC module and the wire guide module are mated with the cable inserted into the channel, there is no physical contact between the first and second piercing members.
- 10. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the cable is an elongate heating cable which comprises(A) first and second elongate wire electrodes, (B) a plurality of resistive heating elements connected in parallel between said electrodes, and (C) an insulating jacket which surrounds the electrodes and heating elements.
- 11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the first and second elongate wire electrodes are stranded wires.
- 12. An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable to an electrical power outlet, said electrical cable comprising a first elongate electrode and a second elongate electrode, said first and second electrodes surrounded by and separated from one another by a polymer, said plug comprising(A) a housing which comprises (1) a first housing member, and (2) a second housing member, the first and second housing members being movable relative to each other between a demated configuration and a unique mated configuration which provides an opening for receiving the cable; (B) an insulation displacement connector (IDC) module which comprises first and second piercing members, each of which comprises an insulation displacement connector in the form of a fork which comprises (1) a first tine comprising (a) a first beveled tip, and (b) a first section having a first length and a first width, (2) a second tine comprising (a) a second beveled tip, and (b) a second section having a second length and a second width, (3) a base connecting the first and second tines, (4) a slot which (a) separates the first and second tines, and (b) has an open end between the first and second tips and a closed end at the base; and (5) a beveled groove (a) comprising a cutting edge, and (b) extending from the closed end away from the first and second tips and along part of the base; and (C) a wire guide module which (1) fits within the first housing member, (2) contains a channel sized to contain the cable, said channel aligned with the opening formed when the first and second housing members are mated, and (3) is capable of mating with the IDC module in a unique mated configuration so that when the cable is inserted into the channel and the IDC module and the wire guide module are mated, the first piercing member pierces the cable and makes electrical contact to the first electrode, and the second piercing member pierces the cable and makes electrical contact to the second electrode, and the first piercing member being electrically connectable to a first prong suitable for insertion into one socket of an electrical power outlet and the second piercing member being electrically connectable to a second prong suitable for insertion into a second socket of an electrical power outlet.
- 13. A plug according to claim 12 wherein the second width is at least 1.2 times the first width.
- 14. A plug according to claim 12 which further comprises a lead which is connected to a first prong suitable for insertion into one socket of an electrical power outlet and a second prong suitable for insertion into a second socket of an electrical power outlet.
- 15. A plug according to claim 14 which further comprises a fuse electrically connected to the first prong and the second prong.
- 16. A plug according to claim 12 wherein the cable is an elongate heating cable which comprises(A) first and second elongate wire electrodes, (B) a plurality of resistive heating elements connected in parallel between said electrodes, and (C) an insulating jacket which surrounds the electrodes and heating elements.
- 17. A plug according to claim 16 wherein the cable further comprises a metallic grounding layer in the form of a braid or a tape.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of prior Application Ser. No. 09/173,047, filed Oct. 15, 1998 now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (20)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
36 04 617 |
Aug 1987 |
DE |
WO 9117642 |
Nov 1991 |
WO |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/173047 |
Oct 1998 |
US |
Child |
09/479354 |
|
US |