Abstract: A device for positioning a cable end and an associated connector during inductive heat soldering of the connector to the cable includes a housing having a pair of terminals connectable to a source of radio frequency (RF) current. A connector positioning section positions the connector so that a heating portion of the connector is disposed in a heating region. An electrical conductor assembly is operable to electrically connect the pair of terminals when the pair of terminals are connected to the RF current source. The conductor assembly includes a first electrically conductive contact bar immovably connected to one of the terminals. A second electrically conductive contact bar is slidable between a first position wherein the first contact bar is electrically disconnected from the other of the terminals, and a second position wherein the first contact bar is electrically connected to the other of the pair of terminals.

Abstract: The invention minimizes openings or cracks near the position at which a solder tail of a lead frame extends through a wall of a case molded about the lead frame and through which wall the solder tail extends, so as to prevent leakage through the wall near the solder tail. To accomplish this, a double-bend is formed in the solder tail before encapsulation of the lead frame. The double-bend comprises a first downward right-angle bend just outside the case wall, and an adjacent distally-spaced opposite bend such that the distal end portion of the solder tail extends substantially parallel to the plane of the lead frame. Subsequently, an anvil is positioned to support the portion of the lead tail between the case wall and the first downward bend in the solder tail, while a forming tool forces the distal end portion of the soldering tail downward to the desired final position.

Abstract: A tool for crimping a terminal to an end of an electrical conductor has a movable fulcrum which reduces hand force required to operate the crimping tool. The tool includes main body having a handle end and a first jaw disposed remote from the handle end. A second jaw is pivotally connected to the main body between the handle end and the first jaw. The a second jaw cooperates with the first jaw to perform the crimping as the second jaw is pivoted toward the first jaw. A movable handle is operably connected to the second jaw to pivot the second jaw toward the first jaw. A driver link has a first end pivotally connected to the main body, and a second end of the driver link has a slidable connection with the movable handle. The slidable connection includes a pivot pin which is slidable in a slot defined in the movable handle.

Abstract: A dual readout SIMM socket includes a dielectric housing having a module receiving slot, terminal slots transverse and open to the module receiving slot, and terminals positioned in the terminal slots. An electrically conductive ground plane extends along a length of the housing. The ground plane has leads for establishing electrical contact with circuits on a substrate. A plurality of signal and ground terminals are arranged in a selected sequence in the terminal slots. Each of the signal and ground terminals has a trace engaging contact point extending into the module receiving slot for establishing electrical contact with respective signal and ground traces on a SIMM panel received therein. Each of the ground terminals has a contact member for establishing electrical contact with the ground plane. Each of the signal terminals has a lead for establishing electrical contact with other circuits on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical socket (1) comprises, a lever (21) pivotally attached to a base housing (4), a cam (25) rotatable by pivoting the lever (21), the cam (25) having a lobe (26) for urging a cover (7) slidable along the housing (4) to urge electrical leads (3) of an electronic package (2) into engagement with electrical contact elements (6) in the housing (4), and the lever (21) being constructed as a bail for opening the socket (1) to permit low insertion force insertion of the electrical leads (3).

Abstract: An electrical socket includes a base having a generally central reception area which can receive an electronic device having leads extending to a peripheral region of the reception area. Multiple pressure members are fixed with respect to the base in a manner permitting movement between open and closed positions. Each of the pressure members has a pressure applying portion which is disposed in the peripheral region when the pressure member is in the closed position and is disposed outwardly of the peripheral region when the pressure member is in the open position. A circuit carrying member having conductive traces extends to within the peripheral region. Springs engage the pressure members when in the closed position and bias the pressure applying portions toward the traces, whereby the electrical leads can extend under the pressure applying portions and be urged by biasing forces against the traces.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding electronic components from a tube magazine to a pick up station comprises first and second column assemblies which support the tube magazines in a horizontal attitude. One tube is supported in a feeding position and the components are fed therefrom by a flexible tape. After the one tube has been emptied, it is dropped onto an endless belt conveyer which carries the empty tube axially from the apparatus. Automatic tube supports are disclosed for supporting an inventory of filled tubes and for delivering a filled tube to the feeding position after an empty tube has been ejected. The apparatus is relatively narrow so that a plurality of identical apparatus can be placed side by side against each other on a production line.

Abstract: A detector on a wire lead machine includes a pair of contacts biased into a normally closed position. The wire is fed between the contacts, keeping the contacts open, and the insulation on the wire prevents electrical conductivity between the contacts. If the wire runs out, the contacts close to shut off the machine. Additionally, a splice on the wire establishes an electrical path between the contacts and, again, the machine is shut off. The detector includes a detection circuit which generates a control signal. In the event a splice is passing through the contacts, the detection circuit generates a control signal having a relatively short time duration (as for example, 100 microseconds) and holds the signal for a sufficient time period (as for example, 500 milliseconds). This allows a suitable control means (which may include a microprocessor) to shut off the machine because of either wire runout or a splice on the wire, thereby preventing serious damage to the machine and maintaining productivity.

Abstract: Shielding for a socket of an electronics package comprises, a frame (24) with sidewalls (26,30), solder tails (34) along the sidewalls (26,30), resilient cantilever beams (32) for electrically engaging skirts (56) of a heat sink (18), and a retainer (20) having bars (62) covering openings in the heat sink (18) and plates covering cut outs (28) of the shielding device (12).

Abstract: A crimp height adjustment mechanism is disclosed for use in a crimping machine having an anvil and a ram carrying a crimping die. The ram is secured against rotation and guided for reciprocal movement along a ram axis for moving the crimping die toward and away from the anvil. A drive member is connected for reciprocating the ram. The adjustment mechanism includes a first member fixed with respect to the anvil and having a first threaded portion of a first thread pitch extending along an adjustment axis parallel to the ram axis. A second member has a second threaded portion coaxial to the first threaded portion. The second threaded portion has a second thread pitch which differs from the first thread pitch. The second member is secured against rotation and coupled to move the ram linearly along the ram axis. A third member has both a third threaded portion which is threadedly engaged with the first threaded portion, and a fourth threaded portion which is threadedly engaged with the second threaded portion.

Abstract: A chip carrier socket 2 comprises, a chip carrier receiving member, multiple electrical terminals 4 extending over component mounting pads 64 of a substrate 10, and surface mount contacts 62 of the terminals 4 being aligned so as to engage the conductive mounting pads 64 that are in alignment with conductive leads 6 of a chip carrier 8, whereby the same mounting pads 64 can be used for surface mount attachment to the leads 6, and can be used for surface mount attachment to the terminals 4 of the chip carrier socket 2. The terminals include recesses 66 on edges adjacent to the surface mount contacts to prevent these edges from being wetted by solder. Certain ones of the terminals include posts 38 to uniquely orient the socket 2 with respect to the substrate 10.

Abstract: A face plate for blind mounting a switch or other device to either a bracket or a wall including an anchor carried by the face plate operable upon rotation in one direction to pull the face plate against the edges of the hole defined in the wall or bracket, whereby to clamp such face plate to the wall or bracket, and operable upon rotation in an opposite direction to release the clamping of the face plate and permit removal of the face plate and device from the wall.

Abstract: A machine for cutting pin headers of a desired length from a standard length of pin header stock is disclosed. A vertically disposed track is provided for receiving the standard lengths of pin header stock. The stock is allowed to fall by gravity to a cutting station where a single cutting blade cuts individual pin headers from the end of the stock. The cut pin headers are deposited into a bin for convenient unloading. Leftover, or residual pieces of stock are directed into another bin for discarding or salvage.

Abstract: A manually operated tool for terminating electrical conductors to insulation displacement contacts in a connector. The tool includes a connector holder and a pair of hingeable jigs for holding and positioning the conductors adjacent the connector terminals for shearing to length and inserting. Shearing and insertion assemblies are secured to two arms which are pivoted toward the connector until the assemblies engage and terminate the conductors. A pair of handles and a pair of toggle links are pivotally attached to the two arms for effecting a mechanical advantage during the shearing and insertion process.

Abstract: Conductor feeding apparatus for selectively feeding conductors selected from a group or from feeding all of the conductors in the group comprises first and second clamping assemblies which are moveable towards and away from each other between remote and proximate positions. Each clamping assembly has a clamp for each one of the conductors. When it is desired to feed selected conductors, the selected conductors are clamped in the first clamping assembly and the non-selected conductors are clamped in the second clamping assembly. The second clamping assembly is moved towards the first clamping assembly so that the ends of the selected conductors project beyond the second clamping assembly. The projecting ends are gripped in a conductor puller and pulled along the feed paths.

Abstract: The present invention is a hand operated tool for flattening a portion of a ribbon cable preparatory to installing a cable tap. The tool includes a set of rollers which are closeable upon the cable. The rollers are then rotated, first in one direction and then the other while varying the pressure on the rollers to effect removal of kinks and to generally flatten a portion of the cable.

Abstract: A programmable insertion tool is provided for inserting the contact pins of a pin header connector into plated through holes in a printed circuit board. The tool utilizes push pins of differing lengths to position selected contact pins to selected different depths thereby providing a make first, break last capability for these contact pins when connecting or disconnecting to a mating connector half.

Abstract: A cable making machine for making and electrically testing a cable assembly is disclosed. The machine includes a test circuit for effecting the electrical tests and a unique probe means for electrically connecting the test circuit to the contacts of the connectors being terminated to the cable. The probe means includes a plurality of relatively thin elongated metal probe members having a substantially rectangular cross section that slide in slots formed in an insulated block. Spring members bias the metal probe members toward the connector contacts. A cam, actuated by the ram of the machine causes the insulated block to move the metal robe members away from the connector contacts during the actual termination operation.