An apparatus is disclosed for establishing a reliable electrical connection with a diode. Contact with the diode is made by a conductor element which is generally cylindrical but also has a flared, conical portion. A biasing disc is provided which has a hole in the center and slits extending from the hole to form resilient leaf projections. The conductor element is assembled extending through the hole in the biasing disc, with the leaf projections deflected by the flared portion so as to resiliently press the conductor element against the diode.

An electrical coupling device, for example an electric plug, for effecting electrical connection between an electrically-conducting member of the coupling device and the electrically-conducting material of an insulated electrical conductor, comprises a base member, a cradle provided on the base member and having an internal space for the reception of said conductor, which space is defined between a pair of spaced-apart confronting surfaces of the cradle between which, in use of the coupling device, the conductor is held, and a metallic, conductor-piercing means, forming at least a part of said electrically-conducting member, which projects into said space between said confronting surfaces, whereby when the conductor is introduced into said space, the conductor-piercing means penetrates the electrically-insulating material of the conductor and makes contact with the electrically-conducting material of the conductor while the conductor is held between said confronting surfaces. The cradle, which may be formed integrally with the conductor-piercing means, may be arranged to displace insulating material from the conductor during insertion of the conductor into the cradle so that, in the inserted position of the conductor, said confronting surfaces bear substantially directly on the conducting material of the insulated conductor.

An electrical connector for electrically connecting cables together. More particularly, the connector includes a body member being U-shaped to provide a central opening and having cable receiving grooves on each side of the opening. Further included is a cap member having a section which slides into the central opening and laterally extending arms which overlap the body member and have grooves facing and cooperating with the grooves in the body member to confine cables therebetween. The body and cap members can be assembled, disassembled, and reused.

A cable connector assembly for sealably connecting the conductive sheath of an insulated cable. The connector assembly comprises a conductive member having insulation piercing contacts. The conductive member includes a spring element which is formed to provide a predetermined force by the contact on the cable. The assembly further includes a sealing enclosure for accommodating the conductive member and sealing the connection.

An electrical connector and method of making an electrical connection for reliably supporting conductors with a high retention force. The connector has two conductor-engaging members joined through a pin making an interference fit with and bonding itself to at least one member. The pin contains grooves and lands on its surface which are permanently altered as the pin is pressed or fired into the conductor engaging member to provide a strong, high retention force cold welded connection.