Abstract: A coaxial connector module includes an external, generally cylindrical ground contact having a side opening. An internal, generally centrally located signal contact is disposed within the ground contact. A signal terminal extends from the signal contact transversely outwardly through the side opening in the ground contact. A ground plane embraces the ground contact and has a ground terminal extending transversely outwardly therefrom. A dielectric substrate is overmolded about the ground contact, the signal contact, the signal terminal and the ground plane to hold these components in assembled condition as a module.

Abstract: A housing adapted to a connector position assurance system is incorporated in an electrical connector assembly. A first electrical connector includes a housing having a latch portion and an activating portion. A second electrical connector is mateable with the first connector and includes said housing having a latching member movable into engagement with the latch portion of the first connector when the connectors are mated. A connector position assurance device (CPA) is mounted on the latching member for movement relative thereto between an initial inactive position and a final indicating position to indicate that the connectors are mated. Complementary interengaging stops are provided between the CPA and the latching member to prevent the CPA from moving from its initial position to its final position when the connectors are not mated.

Abstract: A rotary connector assembly has a rotor with a receptacle for an associated electrical connector, stator contacts, first contacts arranged in the receptacle that make an electrical connection to contacts of the associated electrical connector, a housing in which the rotor is rotatably arranged, and rotor contacts arranged on the rotor and electrically connected to the first contacts that make an electrical connection to the stator contacts. The rotor contacts include wound wire on which the stator contacts abut laterary. The rotor contacts are arranged mutually spaced apart radially on a section of the outer circumference of the rotor. Leads to the rotor contacts have a portion arranged running in an axial direction in radial recesses of the rotor.

Abstract: A stamped and formed metal adapter frame is provided for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel. The frame includes a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector. Supporting wall portions project from the receptacle portion. At least one first stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and includes a stop for abutting the panel. At least one second stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and defines a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through the receptacle portion. Integral flexible gasket fingers are formed about the periphery of the receptacle portion. At least one mounting peg is insertable into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board and includes at least two levels of engaging surfaces for engaging at least two printed circuit boards of different thicknesses.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly includes a connector housing having a plug-receiving cavity. A plug connector is provided for terminating an optical fiber and includes a forward mating end for surrounding a core of the fiber. The plug connector includes a rearward engaging portion for selective interengagement with a second plug connector in parallel with the first plug connector. The forward mating end is insertable into the plug-receiving cavity of the connector housing while the rearward engaging portion is exposed exteriorly of the cavity when the mating end is fully inserted into the cavity. Therefore, the plug connector can be used individually with the connector housing or interengaged with the second plug connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved receptacle contact 1 having first and second contact springs 2 and 3 defining a plug-insertion space 4 therebetween. In the stamped blank the first contact spring 2 includes a straight piece integrally connected to an elongated stem piece 8 and the second contact spring 3 is the handle portion of a crank-like piece 5 whose rod-like piece 10 is integrally connected to the elongated stem piece 8 extending parallel to the first contact spring 2.The arrangement permits a significant reduction of contact-to-contact intervals and results in reduction of punching and assembling operations.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector, which may be compatible with two or more types of insertion tools, has a plurality of teeth defining slots therebetween for wire insertion. A ledge is formed a the base of the teeth as one, non-castellated, side thereof and an anvil is provided on the ledge for each slot. The anvil extends into the slot and provides a terminating surface for a chisel type insulation displacement connector.

Abstract: An insulation displacement contact (1) has a generally semi-circular configuration. A longitudinal slot (2) and a lateral slot (22) extending from the base of the longitudinal slot define a pair of tines (24). The free ends of the tines (AA,BB) are parallel to one another to assist location in an insulation displacement connector housing (12).

Abstract: An electrical cable management system is disclosed for dressing electrical cables, such as the cables of wiring harnesses, on appropriate support structures, such as within electrical connector cabinets. A cable support member has a hanger for hanging the support member on a support structure. At least one cable tie member embraces a cable and ties the cable to the cable support member.

Abstract: A circuit card connector that utilizes flexible circuitry includes an elongated base, a pair of cradle spring members supported on the base, and a pair of contact springs movably supported on the cradle spring members. The cradle spring members include a plurality of reset arms that extend upwardly therefrom into contact with the undersides of the flexible circuitry. The flexible circuitry includes an apertured ground plane layer spaced apart from and located beneath the signal face layer. The apertures in the ground plane layer increase its flexibility especially at the interconnection interfaces to increase the compliance of the connector.

Abstract: A high contact force pin-receiving electrical terminal includes a channel-shaped base joined to a forward pin engaging structure with a generally box-shaped pin receiving region. The pin engaging structure has a pair of spaced apart beams extending forwardly of the base to generally define opposed sides of the box-shaped region with opposed pin contacting surfaces for slidably engaging an inserted pin terminal. A resilient beam support member extends between and mechanically interconnects the forward, free ends of the beams to generally define a third side of the box-shaped region. A shroud extends forwardly of the base about at least portions of the beams to protect the beams during handling.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber connector utilizes a cylindrical tube press-fit in a longitudinal opening of the connector housing for retaining a cable in the connector housing. The cylindrical tube has engagement projections formed on its outer circumference and guiding surfaces and detent projections formed on its inner circumference. The detent projections are adapted to cut into the outer sheath of the optical fiber when the optical fiber and the tube are inserted into the longitudinal opening of the connector housing for holding the optical fiber within the housing. The longitudinal opening traverses lateral opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the connector housing at such location that the projections of the cylindrical tube engage the lateral holes when the cylindrical tube is inserted into the longitudinal opening, locking the tube in the connector housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a shutter arrangement which moves in the direction of plug insertion. The shutter has tabs which slide in grooves in the housing and grooves which pass over conductors in a plug receiving chamber. The shutter is moved to the back of the chamber when a plug is inserted and is biased by a spring to return to close the chamber when the plug is removed. The spring is formed of a pair of interconnected Z-shaped portion. On movement of the shutter in the direction of plug insertion, a free end of each portion moves in the shutter movement direction whereas an intermediate portion of each Z-shaped portion moves in a transverse direction.

Abstract: An alignment system is disclosed in a connector ferrule for a fiber optic cable which includes at least one optical fiber. A ferrule body receives the cable and includes a fiber passage for receiving the optical fiber. A pin passage in the ferrule body is spaced from the fiber passage for receiving an alignment pin projecting from the ferrule body to align the body with an appropriate complementary connecting device. An alignment bushing is disposed in the pin passage for directly receiving the alignment pin. The outside dimensions of the bushing are smaller than the inside dimensions of the pin passage to define a space therebetween. A filler adhesive is applied in the space between the outside of the alignment bushing and the inside of the pin passage. Therefore, the bushing can be precisely aligned in the pin passage from exteriorly of the passage, and the filler adhesive can fix the bushing in that precise alignment interiorly of the passage.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a connector ferrule for a fiber optic ribbon cable which includes a plurality of generally parallel optical fibers in a line. A ferrule body is provided with a fiber passage which is elongated in cross-section to receive the line of optical fibers. A jacket is removed from an end portion of the fiber optic ribbon cable to expose the line of optical fibers. The ferrule body is placed in a fixture. The cable is placed in the ferrule body with the exposed line of optical fibers located in the fiber passage, and with distal ends of the exposed fibers projecting outwardly of the ferrule body. The exposed distal ends of the fibers are located on the fixture to precisely align the fibers relative to each other in the fiber passage. A filler adhesive is applied in the fiber passage about the exposed fibers to fix the fibers in the fiber passage while the fibers are held by the fixture in their precise alignment.

Abstract: A flexible circuitry connector includes an improved contact spring assembly that is compared with a plurality of discrete spring elements arranged longitudinally along the connector. Flexible circuitry is supported by the spring elements and held against a circuit card by each such spring element in a manner such that the spring elements apply a series of discrete contact forces for the length of the spring assembly, thereby eliminating any problems due to circuit card thickness variations and warpage as well as other compliance issues.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly is provided for terminating at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable. The assembly includes an outer housing having a forward mating end, a rear end and a mounting post for mounting the connector assembly on a printed circuit board. An inner housing insert is mounted within the rear end of the outer housing. The insert includes at least two interengageable parts. One of the insert parts includes a latch for securing the inner housing insert in the outer housing. A ferrule terminates the optical fiber and is captured between the two interengageable insert parts and projects into the forward mating end of the outer housing.

Abstract: A circuit card connector that utilizes flexible circuitry includes one or more isolator portions attached to its base that serve to substantially isolate the base of the connector from the circuit board to which the connector is mounted. The isolator portions include feet that extend out from the connector and which partially support the flexible circuitry. These isolator portions are made from thermally insulative material and serve to prevent heat transfer to the connector base from occurring during soldering of the flexible circuitry conductive portions to the circuit board.