Abstract: Lamp assembly (10) including an array of lamps (44) connectable to electrical power sources by contacts (40,42), and aligned with lenses (14) of a display panel (12) upon mounting of the lamp assembly to the panel, to illuminate the lenses. Contacts (40,42) terminate the lamp leads (46,48), and common contact (42) commons all the lamps. Housing (30) enables dressing the lamp leads for termination by contacts (40,42) and accommodates resistors (50) on certain lamp leads (46).

Abstract: An electrical connector 2, suitable for use as a plug for a Universal Serial Bus cable assembly, includes a plurality of terminals 4 that are partially insert molded in a nonconductive housing 36. A distal end 6 of each terminal 4 is recessed from the front end 38 of the housing 36. The terminals 4 are insert molded while still on a carrier and a weakened section 14 is formed at the distal end 6. After the housing 36 is molded, a tensile force is applied to fracture each terminal 4 at the weakened section 14 so that the distal end 6 of each terminal is recessed where it cannot inadvertently contact shields 54, 64 on the plug 2 or a mating receptacle 62. The rear of the housing is overmolded, and the insert molded housing 36 includes sections completely surrounding the terminals 4 so that the overmolded material cannot flow onto a housing mating surface 42 or onto a terminal mating section 10.

Abstract: A connector (24) is disclosed for electrically interconnecting a component (14) to circuitry within a cabinet (10), where the component is arranged to slide in and out of a bay (12) in the cabinet (10). The connector (24) is attached to the component (14) and includes an insulated housing (40) having a plurality of electrical contacts (60) arranged therein. The contacts (60) are adapted for mating along a first mating axis (23) of the connector with respective ones of other electrical contacts (100) in a mating connector (26) attached to the cabinet (10). The contacts (60) of the connector (24) are further adapted for mating along a second mating axis (74), that forms a right angle to the first mating axis (23), with respective ones of individual contacts (158) attached to individual wires (156) that are secured to the cabinet (10).

Abstract: An arrangement (10) of electrical connectors (12,112) and a circuit board (50) upon which they are mounted includes a strip (30) of ground contacts (34) disposed between selected ones of the connectors (12,112) and adjacent side surfaces (20) thereof. Each strip (30) of ground contacts includes a plurality of connecting sections electrically connected to ground circuits in the circuit board (50). The ground contacts (34) are adapted for becoming engaged by a ground shield (76) exposed on an outer surface of a complementary mating connector (60) mated with the selected board connector and be biased thereagainst to establish an assured ground connection therewith at a plurality of locations therealong.

Abstract: A modular connector assembly (10) includes at least first and second modules (12, 54) securable together to form the longer connector. Each module (52) includes a housing (14, 54) having a flange (32,72) extending outwardly from an endwall (24, 64) thereof that are adjacent one another when the modules (12, 54) are placed in an end to end relationship for forming the longer connector. The first flange (32) includes a base (34) having a first opening (36) extending vertically therethrough in communication with the mounting face (18) of first housing (14). The second flange (72) includes a base (74) spaced a selected distance above the mounting face (56) of the second housing 54 and a second opening (76) extending vertically therethrough in communication with the mounting face (58) of the second housing (54).

Abstract: An electrical connector (20) having a cover (70) pivotally secured thereto includes a housing (22) having a base (42), opposed side walls (26), and end walls (32), together defining a terminal receiving cavity (68) and a plurality of terminals (90) disposed in at least two rows therein. The cover (70) includes a hinge receiving slot (76) extending along a common one of its elongate sides (72) and inwardly from each end thereof. The cover (70) is secured to the housing (22) by a pair of hinges (78) with a base (80) of each hinge retained within in a respective one of the cover slots (76) and the leading end (84) of a leg (82) of each hinge (78) pivotally mounted proximate a middle position of a respective one of the housing end walls (32) adjacent an entrance to the cavity (68).

Abstract: An electrical connector generally comprising a housing, a terminal member and a clamping member. The housing has a first open end, a generally closed second end including a conductor passage, and an internal cavity extending between the ends. The terminal member has a first end which includes an IDC mating contact, a second end which includes a planar electrical contact, and a middle portion extending therebetween. The terminal member is positioned in the housing with the first end adjacent the first housing open end and the middle portion extending through the housing cavity. The second end is positioned within the clamping means conductor receiving area. A conductor is connected to the second end of the terminal member by passing it through the conductor passage into the conductor receiving area and actuating the clamping member which moves the planar electrical contact into contact with the conductor.

Abstract: A boot assembly (40) for an antenna (30) includes an elongate sleeve (42) and an end cap (60), the sleeve (42) having an opening defining an annular recess (44) dimensioned to receive the end cap (60) and be secured thereto in an adhesive joint. One of either the inner surface (46) of the annular recess (44) or the outer surface (62) of the end cap (60) has axially extending ridges (48) and the other of the inner and outer surfaces (46, 62) has corresponding axially extending recesses (64) dimensioned to receive the ridges (48) therein. The inner and outer surfaces (46, 62) provide a large adhered surface area and multiple shear planes that distribute stress upon impact and minimizing propagation of cracks in the adhesive joint thereby maintaining the integrity of the sleeve (42) and end cap (60).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) for flexible film circuitry (70) includes an insulative housing (14) having a film-receiving cavity (40) extending into a circuitry-receiving face (16) thereof, and further including flanges (30) at opposed ends of the cavity (40); and a locking bar (50) extending between the flanges (30) and affixed to the housing (14) to one side (41) of cavity (40) in a manner permitting movement toward and away from an opposed side (42) of the cavity (40). The locking bar (50) includes at least one projection (54) to be received through a corresponding hole (78) of the flexible film circuitry (70) upon full insertion of the circuitry into the cavity and actuation of the locking bar (50) to a locking position. The locking bar (50) includes ears (56) adjacent the flanges (30) that cooperate with the flanges (30) to define unactuated and actuated positions of the locking bar (50).

Abstract: A card-ejection mechanism and a card connector has a low profile for use with a memory card which can be manufactured by stamping from a thin metal sheet with subsequent forming. The card connector 10 includes a connector housing 20 and a card-ejection mechanism 30. The card-ejection mechanism comprises a fixed frame 40 and movable ejection parts 50. The frame 40 has two opposed guiding rails 42, 44 of a U-shaped cross section and an integral flat connecting plate 46 joining together guiding rails 42, 44. Approximately in the center of plate 46, a nearly square opening 46a is located. An ejecting blade 60 and an arm bar 70 are placed on opposite surfaces of this plate 46, and one end of the arm bar is joined by a pivoting rivet connection to the ejecting blade through the opening 46a; the other end of the arm bar 70 is linked to a push bar 80 attached to a side surface of the guiding rail 42. The mechanism is operated by pushing the push bar to partly eject the memory card therefrom.

Abstract: An injection mold machine (10) is disclosed including a mold (40) having closely spaced mold cavities (56, 58). A heated sprue bushing (62) is disposed between the mold cavities so that the runners (142, 144) are relatively short. The sprue bushing has an elongated portion (78) that is narrow and fits between the mold cavities (56, 58). Two rather slender cartridge heaters (126) are disposed in holes (112, 114) formed in the elongated portion on opposite sides of the sprue opening (102) through which the molten material is injected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a small-size press-fit connecting pin which can be press-fitted and connected in the through-hole of a circuit board by means of a low insertion force, and an electronic device using this press-fit connecting pin. The press-fit connecting pin (10) has a shaft portion with a diameter of approximately 0.4 mm, and has a first section (42) and second section (43) (along the length of the shaft portion) whose length is less than the thickness of the circuit board (100) in which the through-hole (101) is formed. Projecting strips (45, 46) which run in the direction of length are formed on the outer surfaces of the respective sections (42 and 43). The projecting strips (45 and 46) formed on the first section (42) and second section (43) are formed in mutually different angular positions.

Abstract: The electrical connector (24) of the present invention includes a coupling (26, 26') for attaching the connector (24) to an equipment cabinet (10) that will permit a certain amount of movement of the connector along the mating axis (64) after mating with a mating connector (32). The coupling (26, 26') includes U-shaped channels (68) attached to the cabinet that receive rollers (88) attached to the connector. The rollers have a V-shaped groove (98) that receives a circular portion (112) of a spring (108) for holding the connector (24) in position during mating but will expand allowing the mated connector pair (24, 32) to move along the mating axis (64) after mating.

Abstract: An air pressure actuated stop assembly (50) is disposed in at least one of first and second rotatably engaging housings of a coupling assembly (10), the housings (14) being affixed to ends of respective associated hoses 70) to complete an air passageway (24) therebetween when coupled. Each housing (14) has a portion with an exterior surface adjacent an interior surface of a complementary portion of the other housing (14) and rotatably slidable therealong during coupling and uncoupling of the assembly (10). The stop assembly (50) includes a spring biased pin (52) that moves when actuated by air pressure in the air brake hose (70) to a position to obstruct the path traveled by the portion of the opposite housing (14) in a direction uncoupling the two housings (14) thereby preventing rotational uncoupling of the housings (14) when the air brake system is pressurized. The pin (52) is automatically retracted when the air pressure is released thus permitting the housings (14) to be uncoupled.

Abstract: A memory card connector with an ejection mechanism 10 comprises an operating rod 15 sliding lengthwise along a side surface of a frame 11 and a cam bar 16 linked to the operating rod 15 intended for the ejection of the card. A spring 17 is attached to an overhang at an inner end of the operating rod 15 and to a mounting member 19 on the frame 11. Because of such an arrangement, the operating rod 15 is forced forward; and at the same time, due to the fact that the mounting member 19 is closer to the center of the connector than an overhang 34 of the operating rod 15, the operating rod is forced to the side surface of the frame 11.

Abstract: A seating tool 10 for installing connectors on a circuit board comprises a base plate 12, an alignment plate 40 and fasteners 60 to fasten them together at respective fastening locations. The alignment plate 40 has at least two connector alignment surfaces 42, 44 at different locations thereon and a set of at least two fastening locations 46, 48 associated with a respective alignment surface for securing the alignment plate 40 to the base plate 12 in at least two orientations relative to the base plate 12 to accommodate board-mounting of differing connectors having different dimensions of the posts from the front faces of the connectors.

Abstract: A latching system for latching first and second connectors (120,20) together along a mating axis includes a pair of latch arms (126) spaced a selected distance apart along a common side (124) of a first housing (122) and extending to free ends (127) proximate the mating face (133) thereof, and a pair of embossments (50) spaced along a common side (24) of a second housing (22) includes beams (52) extending outwardly therefrom a second selected distance beyond a mating face (46) to free ends (53). Upon mating the connectors (120, 20), the free ends (53) of the embossments (50) stabilize axial alignment and orientation of the connectors (120, 20) relative to each other during final stages of mating. The embossments (50) pass freely beside the latch arms (126) during initial stages of mating until the connectors (120, 20) are axially aligned whereupon the latch arms (126) latch during final stages of mating.

Abstract: Connector (20) includes switches (32,132) each having a movable switching terminal (34,134) with a spring arm (40,140) engaged by a stationary terminal (54,154) at a switch point when the connector is unmated. Upon connector mating, switching terminal (34,134) is deflected by the mating connector (90) out of engagement with the stationary terminal thereby disrupting a circuit therebetween. The stationary terminal (54,154) engages the switching terminal (34,134) by means of a spring arm (60,160) biased against the switching terminal when the connectors are unmated, resulting in a wiping action when the switching terminal is being deflected away therefrom or resiling thereagainst, during connector mating and unmating respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector (20) includes a dielectric housing (22) having a mating face (24) and a pair of contacts (44,54) disposed therein. Each contact (44,54) has a contact section (46,56) exposed at the mating face (24). The first contact section (46) is associated with a forwardly extending shroud (26) spaced from and circumscribing the first contact section (46). The second contact section (56) is associated with a forwardly extending silo (28) closely surrounding the second contact section (56). The second contact section (56) is complementary to the first contact section (46) and the silo (28) is complementary to the shroud (26), whereby the connector mating face (24) is hermaphroditic.

Abstract: A cable bend controller (50) comprising a relatively rigid member includes a body section (52) having first and second cable-engaging sections (56,60) at opposing ends thereof. The first and second cable-engaging sections (56) are securable to a cable at a first and second spaced apart locations. The said body section (52) is curved about a preselected radius such that said first cable-engaging section (56) is oriented at a substantial angle to said second cable-engaging section, (60) the body section thereby defining an externally arcuate concave cable-engaging surface (54). Upon fastening the first and second cable-engaging sections (56,60) to the cable (42), cable (42) is required to assume a bend to lie along said externally arcuate concave cable-engaging surface (54).