Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for storing the circuit conditions existing between a plurality of points established by the conductors of a "known" multiconductor harness and for comparing the circuit conditions existing between a plurality of points established by the conductors of a multiconductor harness to be tested with the circuit conditions of the conductors of the said known multiconductor harness.

Abstract: A terminal connector for flat cables. The connector comprises a bendable member for bending along a bending line which divides the bendable member into first and second arm portions separated from one another by the bending line. The first arm portion includes a male die member thereon extending away from the surface thereof, and the second arm portion includes a die opening for receiving the male die member when the bendable member is bent along the bending line to move the first and second arm portions toward one another into a closed connecting position.

Abstract: A remote socket for a DIP component composed of a panel mounting means for mounting in a console panel or the like, a socket in said panel mounting means to accept the DIP component, a first connector coupled to the panel mounting means and adjacent the socket to also receive the DIP component, a second connector at the desired location on a printed circuit board or the like and cable connecting said first and second connectors. Various panel mounting means and means to couple the connector to the panel mounting means are described.

Abstract: An insulator for covering an electric cable has recesses for receiving any portions of a connector which extend beyond a surface of the cable covered by the insulator. If the connector extends between overlapping portions of a pair of cables, the connector and the overlapping portions of the cables can be completely enveloped by sandwiching them between a pair of insulators.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a connector for optically coupling one or more fibers to a like number of fibers. The individual fibers are supported upon members having resilient supports to permit the fibers on one member to be positioned onto the support of the other member and provide support during the complete coupling operation. Various clamps and strain reliefs are provided to minimize the effects of forces upon the cable or individual fibers. The cable may take a flat, circular or other configuration and the fibers may be of glass or plastic and may be coated with reflective sheaths or the like.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed which includes a base having a first and second surface and first and second rows of contacts, each having a conductor engaging portion upstanding from the aforementioned first surface. A cover is connected to the base and is movable between a first position in which clearance is provided between the conductor engaging portions of the contacts and the cover and a second position in which the conductors of a multiconductor cable inserted between the conductor engaging portions of the contacts and the cover are brought into electrical engagement with the conductor engaging portions of the contacts. Cable guide means are positioned between the first and second rows of contacts for guiding the multiconductor cable on its path of travel between the first and second rows of contacts.

Abstract: A method of connecting electric cables includes providing perforations in overlapping portions of the cables and then connecting the cables through the perforations. The cables may be preperforated or they may be perforated at the job site.

Abstract: In connecting flat multiconductor cables, one cable is placed atop another to provide a matrix of zones in which connections may be made of any conductor of one cable to any conductor of the other cable. Selection is made of one zone and it is perforated. An insulating-piercing connector is inserted through the perforation and crimped to provide an electrical connection between the pair of cable conductors in registry with the selected zone. Selection of further zones for perforation and connector insertion is made progressively from those zones which do not have in registry therewith any conductor which was in registry with any previously selected zone. Apparatus for implementing preferred connection zone selection precludes use of connecting zones other than a singular zone for connection of one conductor pair and compels use of a selective few zones individually for connection of respective other conductor pairs, thereby lessening connection error likelihood.

Abstract: An improved tool is disclosed for use in cleaving fiber optic elements preparatory to a splice for joining of two such fiber optic elements. The improved tool comprises support means having a longitudinal axis for supporting the fiber optic element therealong, grooving means for forming a groove in the surface of the fiber optic element, engagement causing means for causing engagement of the grooving means with the fiber optic element, and mounting means for mounting the grooving means to revolve about the longitudinal axis of the support means to circumferentially groove a fiber optic element about its entire circumference. The engagement causing means is movable between a first position in which the grooving means is adapted to engage the fiber optic element and a second position in which the grooving means is adapted to be spaced from the fiber optic element. Also, the engagement causing means is normally biased towards the first position.

Abstract: A self-locking clamp member comprises a bendable member for bending along a bending line which divides the bendable member into first and second arm portions separated from one another by the bending line. The first arm portion includes a bendable tab extending away from the surface of the first arm portion and the second arm portion includes an opening for receiving the bendable tab and closing means associated with the opening for engaging the bendable tab to bend the tab when the tab enters the opening as the bendable member is bent along the bending to move the first and second arm portions towards one another.

Abstract: The improvement to a header which provides a selectively installable, selectively rotatable lever having thereon provisions to eject a connector placed on such header when rotated in a first direction by an operator gripping an extension of such lever, mating a connector to such header when the lever means is rotated in a second direction and positioning restraining means at one or more selective positions with respect to a connector to retain same in mating relationship with said header. The header is provided with suitable recesses to accept tabs on the lever to allow for selective lever rotation and slots to permit the selective installation and removal of the lever with respect to the header.

Abstract: A bending tool for bending a bendable member. The bending tool includes first and second engaging members each having an engaging surface for engaging a portion of the bendable member. A first support member supports the first engaging member and a second support member is provided for supporting the second engaging member. Mounting means mount the second support member for relative movement with respect to the first support member between an open position in which the first and second engaging members are spaced from one another a first distance, and a closed position in which the first and second engaging members are spaced from one another a second distance less than the first distance. Pivotal mounting means are provided for pivotally mounting the second engaging member on the second support member so as to be pivotable with respect to the second support member independent of relative movement of the first and second support members.

Abstract: High speed solid state apparatus is described for learning, testing and monitoring the assembly of multiconductor harnesses. Testing a harness having a very large number of end points within the matter of a few seconds is made possible through the employment of plural high speed scanning means which operate independently of one another and simultaneously scan groups of points to identify both continuity and open circuit conditions.During a learning mode, all short circuit and open circuit conditions of a known good harness are transferred into high speed memory means.Said plurality of scanning means examine all points relative to a preselected point during a scan cycle, repeating scan cycles for every point to be tested.Data representative of the detected interconnections are transferred to memory when all of said plural scanning means have completed the scan for said preselected point.

Abstract: A cable assembly for use in undercarpet wiring systems has a flat multiconductor cable encased in electrical insulation and an electrically conductive shield overlying the cable insulation, extending lengthwise with the cable and having successive extents which are respectively unsecured and secured to the cable. Electrical connection of the shield to the cable ground conductor is made redundantly at each such secured extent of the shield whereby physical continuity of the shield may be interrupted without interrupting electrical continuity of the shield to ground. Folded cable assemblies and methods for folding are set forth which facilitate cable directional change in wiring systems.

Abstract: A connector for a printed circuit board has a base and a cover movably mounted thereon. A depending portion of the base cooperates with a depending portion of the cover to removably mount the connector on the printed circuit board. The connector is adapted to receive an electrical contact having a number of insulation-displacing slots, each of which is offset with respect to at least one adjacent slot.

Abstract: A connector for joining a flexible metallic raceway to an electrical enclosure comprising a nonconductive body portion having enclosure engaging means, raceway insertion limiting means and a protected conductor entrance throat and a conductive plate engageable with said body portion and said enclosure and providing raceway engaging and grounding means.

Abstract: A cable for supplying electrical power in underground mining comprises plural separable sections facilitating cable maintenance. Cable sections are releasably joined by an electrical connector assembly capable of sustaining cable tensile loading and of sufficient flexibility to be taken up and paid out by cable reeling apparatus.

Abstract: A tool for fixing the position of an optical fiber with respect to the connector containing same. The connector containing an optical fiber is fastened to a movable connector support which is moved into position with respect to a collar that causes portions of the connector to retract and expose the fiber adjacent the index of a gauge. The position of the fiber end can be adjusted while viewing the fiber end and the index through a magnifying device properly illuminated.