Abstract: A telephone hook switch uses an elastomeric member as the contact making member. A hook switch has a pivotally mounted actuating member having two levers extending in opposite directions, one on each side of the pivot axis. One lever is moved by the positioning, and removal, of a handset, the actuating member being biased to a particular pivotal direction. The other lever presses on a deformable projection in the elastomeric member. Depression of the projection causes an electrically conducting layer to move into contact with contact areas of a switch position on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A plug-in form of connector having two connecting members, one inserted into the other, has pairs of opposed contacts. Each pair of contacts is connected electrically by a pivoted contact lever, which pivots about an axis normal to its length as one connecting member is inserted into the other. This increases contact normal forces from a minimum at initial insertion. A reduction in insertion force is obtained without a reduction in contact normal forces on full insertion.

Abstract: A telephone handset having a receiver housing at one end has a flux coil positioned at the front corner at the junction between the peripheral wall and the front wall of the housing. The flux coil is connected in series or in parallel with the receiver. The flux coil, by this arrangement, is positioned very close to the front face of the receiver housing, giving very good coupling between flux coil and a hearing aid. Normally unused space is occupied by the flux coil and permits use of any convenient receiver.

Abstract: A multiple contact connector has an elongate actuating member which is reciprocally mounted in a housing holding the contacts, the contacts in one or more linear arrays. On longitudinal reciprocation of the actuating membert it is also caused to reciprocate up and down in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction. In so doing it pushes on the contacts, deflecting them sideways. The connector is then assembled or inserted, after which the actuating member is moved to release the contacts. A substantially zero insertion force is obtained.

Abstract: An optical fiber splice comprises two coated fibers, generally of fused silicon, fusion spliced end-to-end. The coating is removed from the ends of the fibers for a short distance prior to fusion. After fusion the uncoated ends and a short length of coated fiber, each side of the fusion joint, are encased in a synthetic resin. Conveniently, the resin is molded about the fibers and is cured by radiation, such as UV light, bright visual light and ion bombardment. The resin may contain reinforcement material.

Abstract: An overload protector for a telephone set or other telecommunications terminal comprises an electrical component having DC continuity and DC resistance mounted by leads on a circuit board, the leads soldered to the conductor pattern. On application of an overload, the component heats up to a level at which sufficient heat travels along the leads to melt the solder. Usually both leads become unsoldered. One or both leads part from the conductor pattern under the effect of gravity; under the effect of a compression spring on one or both leads and held in compression between component and circuit board; or a combination of both. A convenient component is a carbon block resistor, in the Tip or Ring line. A heat insulating member can be positioned around the component. The insulating member can be a sleeve loosely fitting over the resistor and retaining heat in the resistor, or a coating or layer directly on the component.

Abstract: A connector, for use for connection of local conductors to a distribution cable, in telephone systems, has an elongate body in which are a plurality of recesses. Insulation displacing terminals are positioned in the recesses, the lower part of each terminal connecting to a cable conductor. Connector members are pushed into the recesses by a trapped screw in each connector member. Local conductors are inserted into transverse passages or bores and as a connector member is pushed down, the top ends of the terminals pass up into the connector member and make contact with the conducitve cores of the conductors.

Abstract: A miniature electro-mechanical transducer uses a body of elastomeric material composed of alternate layers of flexible dielectric material and flexible conductive material. The ends of the layers form opposite surfaces. An actuating member moves against one surface and the other surface contacts two spaced electrodes. The arrangement is such that a progressively increasing number of layers of conductive material are brought into an electrically parallel circuit between the electrodes.

Abstract: Programming of a communications terminal is carried out by insertable programming members carrying a plurality of actuators. Each actuator has at least one and usually two actuating members which engage with a circuit to modify the electrical characteristics of the circuit. The actuating members themselves may contact conductor paths, connecting them selectively to a ground conductor, or interconnecting two conductor paths. The actuating members may actuate indirectly through an intermediate member. Actuating members can be at predetermined different positions along an actuator. Typically one programming member is associated with a push-button, the programming member, for example having two columns of four actuators. On depressing the push-button, the particular coding is rapidly scanned by the electronic circuitry and the particular service associated with that code is provided.

Abstract: A circuit pattern on a circuit board, as used in telecommunications systems and other electrical apparatus, often has contact positions for switches, such as pushbutton switches, and for other purposes. The normal copper circuit pattern is covered at the contact positions to give improved contact conditions. Carbon ink has been proposed by obtaining the necessary high level of alignment of carbon ink with the copper pattern at contact positions is difficult as such contact positions have very close members. The invention proposes contact positions having closely spaced inter-digital contact members, in which the circuit pattern extends to and stops at the peripheral region of a contact position, the contact members being of carbon ink and overlapping conductors of the circuit pattern at the peripheral region.

Abstract: Solder pads for surface mounting of devices on a circuit board are given predetermined shapes. By shaping of a solder pad, or contact pad, a device will be held in, or moved to, a desired position on melting of the solder at the pad. Improved alignment and positioning is obtained. Broadly, a contact or solder pad comprises a rectangular portion and a segmental portion, the device end resting on the rectangular portion and the segmental portion being outside of the contact position.

Abstract: A circuit pattern on a circuit board usually has a number of contact areas to which components are soldered. Some of the contact areas have holes extending through the board for insertion of leads of leaded components, the leads then being flow soldered to the contact areas. It often occurs that additional leaded components are to be mounted on the board after a first flow soldering step. However, holes through which the leads are to pass can be closed by solder. These holes are therefore masked mechanically, by a masking member which contacts the board at these holes, or by tape, or other such method. The present invention uses a conventional solder resist layer, usually applied prior to flow soldering, extending the solder resist layer over a part of the contact area to the periphery of the hole, the hole having an unplated bore or wall. The resist layer extends for at least part of the hole periphery.

Abstract: An integral transmitter and modular jack assembly for a telephone set has a hollow housing for the transmitter and the modular jack molded as one member connected by a web. In one form the axes of the housing transmitter and acoustic chamber at the front end of the transmitter are coaxial and normal to the surface of the handset. In another form, the axes of the housing and transmitter are coaxial, but are normal to the surface of the handset, with the axis of the acoustic chamber normal to the axis of the transmitter. Preferably a circuit pattern of lead frame form, has the spring contact members of the jack formed integral with the connecting leads to the transmitter and the connecting leads to the handset receiver.