Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the condition of computer peripherals is provided.

Abstract: Energizing a solenoid causes mechanical means to close a pair of jaws and crimp a cable in a U-shaped cable clamp mounted to a multi-contact connector positioned for termination in an electrically powered termination tool. A movable carriage carries termination means and controls activation of switch means for energizing the solenoid during a portion of its travel. The mechanical means comprise either a link block and toggle levers or bell cranks and push bars. Hold-down means are provided for temporarily holding the cable in the clamp prior to closure.

Abstract: A programmable control unit for disk memory and controller comprising a microprocessor (MPU), random access memory (RAM) used as a buffer to cache disk resident data used by a data processing system (DPS), and a configurable data path (CDP) which couples the DPS to the disk controller. The (MPU) is programmed to provide the DPS rapid access to disk resident data by so controlling the CDP as to maintain a memory cache of disk resident data in the RAM. Data is cached under either directed control via an application level task or operator console directive, or under dynamic control through which a predetermined number of successive blocks of data are read from the disk and stored in the RAM each time any one block is addressed, and once the RAM is full, by discarding from the RAM a block of data which the immediate history has shown is least useful.

Abstract: A hand tool for assembling electrical cables to an electrical connector which has a cable clamp for clamping a cable in position for termination with conductive contact means on the connector. The tool includes a pair of roller members mounted on a base for rotation about generally parallel, spaced axes of rotation. The roller members have opposed notches in the peripheries thereof, defining jaws for movement toward and away from the connector to engage the cable clamp for crimping a cable to provide strain relief therefor. A hand lever is fixed at one end thereof to one roller member and extends outwardly therefrom in a plane generally perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the roller members. A link directly interconnects the roller members for conjoint rotation thereof in opposite directions toward and away from the cable clamp means in response to movement of the hand lever.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body having a U-shaped alignment cavity configured for snugly receiving a coaxial cable and an elongate contact extending into the cavity from a point disposed along the base thereof, the contact being adapted for piercing an intact portion of a coaxial cable received within the alignment cavity for making electrical connection with the central conductor of the cable. A pair of additional contact members extend into the alignment cavity and are adapted for piercing intact portions of the coaxial cable for making electrical connection with the conductive braid encircling the central conductor. Movement of the central conductor away from the elongate contact is inhibited by a cable piercing head of the contact and can be further precluded by a plunger which abuts the central conductor directly opposite the elongate contact.

Abstract: A keyed high voltage connector of this invention is adapted to prevent connection to a standard connector having a standard shaped shell and which retains a standard contact mounting insert with a standard length contact supporting portion defined by end walls spaced a standard length by contact supporting walls. Typically, the standard connector may be of a low voltage type whereas the keyed connector carries high voltages which must not be directly connected or accidentally arced over to a seemingly mateable low voltage connector. Alternatively, the standard connector may carry a high voltage and the keyed connector a low voltage. The keyed connector of this invention uses the standard shaped shell and has a contact mounting insert with a contact supporting portion retained within the shell.

Abstract: A landing display system for indicating to the pilot of an aircraft the relationship between his aircraft and a landing runway includes an aircraft symbol providing attitude information with respect to a reference horizon, a velocity vector indicative of the projected flight path of the aircraft, a descent profile vector indicative of the projected descent path of the aircraft, and a runway symbol in perspective to the aircraft. By reference to these displays the pilot can ascertain not only the present position of his aircraft with respect to the runway, but also the consequences of various corrective maneuvers accomplished with the aircraft.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector is disclosed, along with a means and method of centering or properly positioning optical fibers with respect to the connectors, for optically coupling a pair of fiber optic cables or a single fiber optic cable and a light source or detector, wherein the cable includes an outer coating and an inner fiber core which may or may not be concentric with the outer coating. A terminal member is provided which includes a body having a through hole extending axially therethrough, the through hole having a first portion extending through a forward mating end of the terminal member and through a boss portion protruding outwardly from the body portion of the terminal member. The first portion is sized to snugly receive a length of the fiber core stripped of the outer coating to properly position the core with respect to the mating end of the terminal member.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body having a U-shaped alignment cavity configured for snugly receiving a coaxial cable and an elongate contact member extending into the cavity from a point disposed along the base thereof, the contact member being adapted for piercing an intact portion of a coaxial cable received within the alignment cavity for making electrical connection with the central conductor of the cable. A pair of additional contact members extend into the alignment cavity and are adapted for piercing intact portions of the coaxial cable for making electrical connection with the conductive braid encircling the central conductor.

Abstract: A pair of ECG cable sets are adhesively secured to disposable body electrodes, and also plug into a junction box which in turn is connected to an ECG machine. Each cable set is formed by printed circuit techniques. A pair of flat support sheets of insulating material are glued together. Signal leads formed of conductive ink are printed on the interior surface of one of the support sheets, and shielding layers also formed of conductive ink are printed on both exterior surfaces of the support sheets, thus forming a flat, flexible sandwich structure which resists entanglement. Entanglement is further minimized because the individual branch leads of each cable set merge into a common truck. The cable sets terminate in the printed circuit connectors which plug directly into the junction box, and the latter has clamping mechanisms to secure the connectors in place. A flexible housing surrounds the junction box terminal board, and permits the clamping mechanisms to be operated by squeezing the housing.

Abstract: A multi-contact, feed through connector within a junction box connects patient monitoring electrode leads to a bulk cable which is coupled to ECG apparatus. Access to the interior of the junction box is provided for purposes of replacing the electrode leads when and if needed. Strain relief means are provided for isolating the connector from forces transmitted by the patient monitoring leads.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, and particularly concerns electrical connectors with multiple contacts requiring keying of the mating connector parts. With prior art devices, when more than one connector pair is used in a system, different connector parts must be chosen which have a different keying configuration for the key and groove. With another prior art device, which uses a single type connector part, it is necessary to sacrifice one contact position in the connectors. The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art noted above by providing a keying device which permits manufacture and production of a single type of male or female connector part and yet does not require the sacrifice of contact positions within the connector parts to effectuate the keying.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having plug and receptacle members and a bayonet-type coupling mechanism is constructed to provide improved shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI). The shells of the plug and receptacle members abut in metal-to-metal, continuous peripheral contact and the uniquely configured interfacial seal of the assembly is designed to assure the achievement of the metal-to-metal engagement. A peripheral face seal is also provided again to assure metal-to-metal abutment and enhance EMI shielding.

Abstract: A connector for a cable having an inner element. The connector includes a support member having a cable-receiving opening at one end thereof. The support member has a passageway extending therethrough which communicates with the cable-receiving opening. The connector also includes a terminating member disposed within the passageway in the support member. The terminating member has an inner element-receiving opening at one end thereof which communicates with the cable-receiving opening. The connector further includes means for securing the inner element within the inner element-receiving opening in the terminating member. The securing means is adapted to freely admit the inner element into the inner element-receiving opening upon initial insertion of the cable into the cable-receiving opening in the support member.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers is disclosed. The connector includes a terminating member having a passage therein dimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers. An adapter associated with a mating end of the terminating member and communicating with the passage is provided wherein the adapter has a hermaphroditic face exposed at the mating end of the terminating member. The connector also includes means associated with the adapter for securing the one optical fiber in a preselected position relative to the mating end of the terminating member. In a more specific sense, the connector is adapted for use in an assembly including a second identical connector for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cables in which the various elements may be formed in a manner making them interchangeable with other like elements in order to form a modular hermaphroditic connector.

Abstract: A metal plating process and apparatus is disclosed and includes a plurality of pre-plating stations comprising tanks or reservoirs containing various cleaning and rinsing solutions. A pulse plating or gold flash station including a plating tank is provided after the pre-plating stations, and a plurality of post-plating stations or tanks are provided after the pulse-plating station. Rotatable barrels for containing work loads are carried along a path of travel from station to station along the process. Differential speed mechanisms are provided along the process so that the work load containers rotate at a slower rate of rotation while traveling through air than while the containers are disposed within the various tanks or stations along the process.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed for crimping onto a fiber optic cable or the like which has one or more single optical fibers and a strength member surrounding the optical fibers. A connector body is provided for receiving the optical fibers of the cable and has a rear end portion over which the strength member of the cable is positionable. The rear end portion of the connector body is provided with one or more annular crimp receiving, generally V-shaped peripheral grooves. A ferrule member is positionable over the grooved rear end portion of the connector body for crimping the strength member between the ferrule member and the connector body. The ferrule member is crimped to have one or more generally V-shaped crimping ribs which are nested in the grooves of the connector body clamping the strength member therebetween.

Abstract: A hand operated tool for assembling electrical cables to an electrical connector which has a cable clamp for clamping a cable in position for termination with conductive contact means on the connector. A connector is properly located in position for receiving an electrical cable, and a pair of jaw members is mounted on the apparatus for movement in a transverse direction toward and away from the connector to engage and crimp the cable clamp onto the cable and provide strain relief therefor. A single hand lever is mounted for pivotal movement in a front-to-rear direction generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the jaw members. A motion transmitting mechanism is operatively associated between the hand lever and the jaw members for moving the jaw members in response to pivotal movement of the hand lever.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising two dielectric contact mounts, one a plug and the other a receptacle, fitting together to engage a plurality of conductive contact members carried by one contact mount with similar contact members mounted in the other. Each contact member is formed from a single piece of thin, conductive sheet metal, with a contact element at one end and a terminal element at the other; the terminal element is channel-shaped with two terminal flanges each struck from a channel wall and bent across the channel, preferably into interlocking relation with another channel wall. Each terminal flange has a notch with thin converging walls affording a cutting section to cut the insulation on a conductor inserted into the notch, a transition section with tapered walls to spread the insulation, and a terminal section with thick, smooth walls to engage the conductor in wiping electrical contact.