Abstract: A shielded housing that provides a shield to a circuit board connector of the SFP-style includes a conductive body that encompasses the connector. The housing has an opening that defines an entrance of the housing through which an opposing mating connector may be inserted. The housing also includes a pair of engagement tabs that are bent inwardly of the housing at an angle thereto and these tabs engage openings formed in a shell of a plug connector that mates with the SFP-style connector. The tabs rest in the openings and may be released by way of latching mechanism that is part of the plug connector. This mechanism includes a handle and two arms that extend lengthwise. The arms end in cam portions that contact and lift the engagement ends out of the plug connector shell openings to unlatch the plug connector from the SFP-style connector.

Abstract: A high speed connector includes a plurality of wafer-style components in which two columns of conductive terminals are supported in an insulative support body, the body including an internal cavity disposed between the two columns of conductive terminals. The terminals are arranged in horizontal pairs, and the internal cavity defines an air channel between each horizontal pair of terminals arranged in the two columns of terminals. The terminals are further aligned with each other in each row so that horizontal faces of the terminals in the two rows face each other to thereby promote broadside coupling between horizontal pairs of terminals.

Abstract: An EMI gasket takes the form of a metal shroud that completely encircles a metal shielding cage. The shroud has an opening that is surrounded by a plurality of sides and each side has first and second flanges, which respectively contact the inner surface of the device faceplate and the exterior surfaces of the shielding cage. A pair of spring arms are provided in order to apply a biasing force against the shroud, thereby forcing it into contact with the faceplate. The spring arms each include a torsion loop, and each loop engages the shielding cage and fixes the rear position of the spring arms.

Abstract: An adapter module is provided with a bail latch mechanism that serves to engage and disengage the frame into which the adapter module fits. The bail latch is movable between two positions and it engages a cam member formed as part of the module that cams two opposing free ends of the bail latch inwardly into the module to thereby release it from the adapter frame. The adapter frame includes a wear sleeve that cams the bail latch free ends inwardly during some insertions of the module. C-shaped press fit pins are made with the adapter frame for better engagement with the circuit board.

Abstract: A high speed connector includes a plurality of wafer-style components in which two columns of conductive terminals are supported in an insulative support body, the body including an internal cavity disposed between the two columns of conductive terminals. The terminals are arranged in horizontal pairs, and the internal cavity defines an air channel between each horizontal pair of terminals arranged in the two columns of terminals. The pairs of terminals are further aligned with each other so that horizontal faces of the terminals in each pair face each other to thereby promote broadside coupling between horizontal pairs of terminals. The components further include vertical castellations between adjacent terminals in order to provide electrical isolation to adjacent pairs of terminals.

Abstract: A fine-pitch terminal and connector reduces the size of a connector in a direction in which a large number of terminals are arranged in parallel. A terminal is applied to a connector, to which a cable having a conductor covered with an insulator is attached, the terminal being connected to the conductor of the cable by soldering. The terminal has a soldering region which is provided in a part of the terminal and to which the conductor of the cable is soldered, and the soldering region has a depression for receiving a fillet.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a connector housing having first and second generally parallel, spaced apart first and second faces and at least one generally cylindrical receptacle for removably receiving an optical fiber terminus therein. An optical fiber terminus is located within the receptacle and includes an elongated body with a passage along a central axis for receiving a portion of an optical fiber cable therethrough. The body further includes an indexing section, and a ferrule secured to the body and having an end portion of said optical fiber cable therein. A collar is positioned on the elongated body and has an engagement section for engaging the indexing section. The collar is movable along the axis between first and second operative positions. In the first operative position relative rotational movement between the collar and the body is prevented and in the second operative position the collar may rotate relative to the body.

Abstract: A shielded housing that provides a shield to a circuit board connector of the SFP-style includes a conductive body that encompasses the connector. The housing has an opening that defines an entrance of the housing through which an opposing mating connector may be inserted. The housing also includes a pair of engagement tabs that are bent inwardly of the housing at an angle thereto and these tabs engage openings formed in a shell of a plug connector that mates with the SFP-style connector. The tabs rest in the openings and may be released by way of latching mechanism that is part of the plug connector. This mechanism includes a handle and two arms that extend lengthwise. The arms end in cam portions that contact and lift the engagement ends out of the plug connector shell openings to unlatch the plug connector from the SFP-style connector. A biasing member is also provided that returns the delatching actuating mechanism to its initial position once the connectors have been released.

Abstract: A plug connector is disclosed that has a body portion and a circuit card extending forwardly of a mating face of the connector. The circuit card is protected in place by a pair of protective flanges that extend forwardly from the body portion and which flank the circuit card to protect it from stubbing and to provide a first means for aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector. One or more projections formed on the exterior of the plug connector provide second means for aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector.

Abstract: A processor mounted to a circuit board is provided with regulated voltage through lower-inductance circuit board traces by mounting a voltage regulator module for the processor, on the side of the circuit opposite to the processor. Current from the voltage regulator is provided to the processor by way of one or more conductors between the regulator and processor that extend through the circuit board from one side to the other. Inductance attributable to lead length is reduced by locating the voltage regulator close to its load. Circuit board space on the processor side of the circuit board is increased by moving the voltage regulator to the opposite side.

Abstract: Multiple small conductive and flexible hollow rings, each of which is made from a pliable material, provide a flexible connection medium for use between a substrate and a microelectronic device package. Each ring is formed to have at least one protuberance on the a ring's exterior surface. The protuberance has an apex or point, which when placed against a surface, will scrub or scrape the surface as the ring is compressed by a force acting on the ring radially. By scrubbing a contact surface with the apex, surface contaminants and layered material that might interfere with electrical signals can be removed.

Abstract: A small, low-profile plug connector for use with electronic devices provides a latching member with a pair of hooks that engage mating holes in a guide frame, and which can be easily delatched from the guide frame or opposing connector or housing. The hooks lock the plug connector into engagement with the frame or housing, but are readily released by way of a simple ramp and lobe mechanism in the plug connector. The ramp and lobe mechanism converts horizontal movement of a pull tab-like actuator into vertical movement of a latching member such that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the guide frame or housing.

Abstract: A pedestal connector that incorporates one or more grouped element channel link transmission lines is seen to have a dielectric body and two opposing contact ends that are intended to contact opposing contacts or traces. The dielectric body has an S-shaped configuration such that the transmission lines supported thereon make at least one change in direction, thereby permitting the use of such connector to interconnect elements lying in two different planes. The transmission lines include slots that extend within the frame and which define opposing, conductive surfaces formed on the dielectric body which are separated by an intervening air gap.

Abstract: Multiple small conductive and flexible hollow rings, each of which is made from a pliable material, provide a flexible connection medium for use between a substrate and a microelectronic device package. Each ring is soldered to both the substrate and the device. A portion of the sidewall of each ring is not soldered thus insuring that at least part of the ring stays flexible. The rings accommodate elevation differences on a substrate and electronic device package. They also provide a vibration resistant and flexible joint.

Abstract: An adapter module used to convert optical signals to electrical signals or electrical signals to optical signals utilizing a “C” shaped retaining clip to secure the adapter module housing together. The retaining clips are used in place of screws, rivets or snap fits and provide an easy and simple way to assembled adapter modules. The retaining clips require no additional structure thereby minimizing the overall size of the adapter module.

Abstract: A small size connector has an insulative housing and two edge card-receiving slots disposed in a stacked arrangement with in the connector housing. Each slot receives an edge card of an electronic module therein. The slots support conductive terminals that extend from a plurality of individual terminal assemblies. The terminal assemblies include clip members that engage an opposing shoulder formed on the interior of the connector housing. The front face of the connector is provided with various engagement openings that receive engagement members of light pipe assemblies and shielding assemblies, so that when assembled, the connector, shield, terminal assemblies and light pipes all act as a single, integrated component.

Abstract: Multiple small conductive and flexible hollow rings, each of which is made from a pliable material, provide a flexible connection medium for use between a substrate and a microelectronic device package. Each ring is soldered to both the substrate and the device. A portion of the sidewall of each ring is not soldered thus insuring that at least part of the ring stays flexible. The rings accommodate elevation differences on a substrate and electronic device package. They also provide a vibration resistant and flexible joint.

Abstract: A shroud that forms a guide channel for a receptacle connector is disclosed and it has the shape of an inverted U-shape, with a press tab for engaging a mating connector. The shroud has notches and tabs formed on it that serve to orient the mating connector for entry into the shroud. A placement member is described that holds the connector and the shroud together as a single unit for robotic placement of the shroud and connector in preselected positions on the circuit board.

Abstract: Connectors to which cables are attached are provided. Included is a cable having a conductor covered with an insulator, the connector comprising a housing and a terminal held in the housing and connected to the conductor. Cable holders are arranged in the housing and hold a distal end portion of the cable. A shell is fitted in the housing to cover these members. The cable holders hold the cable in the housing, the housing including: fitting holes for fitting the cable holders, the shell including: through holes provided in a position opposed to the fitting holes, the cable holders having a double-legged or double-tined portion consisting of a pair of legs or tines for grasping the cables, such as by pinching or nipping, and a board portion or backbone for connecting the legs or tines together. The cable holders straddle and pinch the cable while the board portion is positioned in the through holes when fitted in the fitting holes via the through holes, thereby reducing size.

Abstract: A surface mount connector for high speed data transfer application has an insulative housing with a circuit card-receiving slot disposed along a front face thereof. A plurality of conductive terminals are supported by the housing so that contact portions of the terminals extend into the card slot. The terminals are supported on opposite faces of the connector housing, specifically the top and bottom faces thereof, and each of the terminals includes a tail portion, a contact portion and a retention portion that engages the connector housing so that the contact portions are cantilevered in their extent within the housing. The housing includes a hollow recess formed on its bottom that opens to the front of the connector housing. This recess serves as a keyway that may receive a male portion of an opposing mating connector to ensure the mating connector is oriented properly before engagement.