Solenoid

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Accordingly, one aspect of this invention is to provide an improved solenoid for use with fluid operated valves, such as irrigation valves, which may be quickly and easily connected to the controller and common lines and which is resistant to moisture contamination.
A solenoid according to this invention comprises a housing having a compartment enclosed by a circumferential side wall.
Access means extend through the housing side wall and communicate with the compartment for allowing at least two electrical conductors to be pushed into the compartment.
Each of the conductors has a bare wire end received in the compartment.
In addition, at least two electrical connectors are carried in the compartment.
Each connector comprises a base leg and a resilient leg biased towards the base leg to define an entrance therebetween.
The resilient leg is deflectable away from the base leg as an electrical conductor is pushed inwardly into the entrance of the connector to capture the wire end of the conductor between the base leg and the resilient leg.
The access means and connector entrances are aligned with one another to allow the conductors to be pushed in a straight line through the openings and into the connectors to couple the conductors to the connectors, whereby electrical connection of the conductors to the solenoid may be achieved simply by pushing the bare wire ends of the conductors through the access openings and into the compartment.