US Patent 7819690 Electrical connector for piercing a conductive member

A connector (50) is useful for making an electrically conductive connection with at least one conductive member. A disclosed example has one use for making such a connection with a tension member (32) in an elevator load bearing assembly (30). An example connector (50) includes projections (54) having a unique configuration that withstands compressive and bending forces associated with piercing through at least a portion of a conductive member (32). A disclosed example includes a generally concave surface (64) and a generally convex surface (66) along at least a portion of each projection. In a disclosed example, the projections at least partially lie on opposite sides of a centerline (68) of the connector (50).