Coupler for modular wiring systems.

摘要

A modular tricoupler (30) is provided for interconnecting lengths of inside wiring in series within walls, for example, of customer premises. The tricoupler also includes provisions for receiving a modular plug (31) which terminates a cord that is connected to customer station equipment. The tricoupler includes a housing (80) having first and second generally opposed plug-receiving cavities (82, 83) and a third cavity (87). A plurality of metallic wire-like contact elements (90) are disposed in the housing of the tricoupler and maintained spaced apart by partitions (96). One end portion of each contact element extends into the second cavity and the other end portion into the third cavity. Blade-like terminals (60) of a modular plug which is inserted into the first cavity engage loop portions (131) of the contact elements. The loop portion of each is designed and is supported so that the entire loop shifts when engaged by the terminal. This arrangement allows sufficient deflection of the loop portions to develop suitable contact pressure with terminals of plugs inserted into the cavities without causing a permanent deformation of the wire-like contact elements.