Abstract: An electrical connector contact has a body for receiving a conductor and for receiving a male pin contact. A spring is configured for engaging the pin contact and includes a plurality of spring fingers positioned for forming a bore with the spring fingers bent radially inwardly and configured for securing a pin in engagement with the body. A sleeve is configured for engaging the body to overlie the spring. Indentations are formed in the body at discrete positions around the body and extend radially inwardly into the pin section. The spring includes tongues extending radially inwardly and configured for extending into the indentations for securing the spring with the body.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting an element to a surface includes a mounting element having a base and a threaded shaft extending from the base along an axis. The base is configured for mounting to a surface. An incremental nut rotates on the threaded shaft and moves up and down on the shaft. A fitting is coupled with the incremental nut and the fitting is further configured for coupling with an element to mount the element to a surface at a selected height above the surface. Apertures are formed in the incremental nut and fitting and the apertures of the incremental nut aperture and fitting are aligned at a plurality of rotational positions of the incremental nut along the threaded shaft for adjusting the height of the nut and fitting. In one embodiment the threaded shaft includes an aperture that is aligned with the incremental nut apertures for locking the nut at a selected height.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes mating pin and socket connectors each designed for improving the mechanical locking capabilities of the electrical connector system. A first connector includes a pin contact having a head portion with grooves formed thereon, and a second connector includes a cavity dimensioned for receiving the pin contact. A pair of channels are formed along an interior wall of the contact-receiving cavity, with a coiled spring seated within each of the channels. When the connectors are mated, one or both of the coiled springs engages one of the grooves of the head portion of the pin contact to latch the first and second connectors together in a locked configuration. The connector system may further include a removable collar that allows the pin to advance further into the contact-receiving cavity to urge the coiled springs into secondary grooves for facilitating decoupling of the connectors.

Abstract: A one piece integral electrical terminal has a mount portion and a wire receiving portion. The wire receiving portion has a continuous annular interior wall having a contact portion with an integral oxide breaker especially suited to breaking through the oxide layer on aluminum wire. The wire receiving portion also has a sealing portion with at least one integral seal ring. An electrical cable is made by crimping the electrical terminal to an aluminum wire using a modified hexagonal crimp.

Abstract: A coaxial connector includes a body element that has an inner bore configured for receiving a cable having inner and outer conductors. A center conductor element is configured for engaging an inner conductor of the cable. A tubular ground slide extends over the center conductor element and has a front end and rear end with the rear end of the slide engaging the body element for being axially movable on the f the body element. A spring is configured to engage an outer surface of the body element and abut the rear end of the ground slide for biasing the ground slide with respect to the body element. A conductive sleeve has a rear end configured for press fitting onto the body. The sleeve is further configured for capturing the spring and ground slide with the body element and has a plurality of spring fingers at a front end thereof that contact the front end of the movable ground slide for providing electrical connection with the body element.

Abstract: An arc-resistant electrical terminal includes a mount portion and a wire receiving portion formed of an electrically conductive material. The wire receiving portion is configured to be crimped onto a wire. The mount portion includes a solid tongue having opposing face surfaces. An aperture is formed between the opposing face surfaces for connecting the terminal to a connection point. A layer of insulation material is formed on at least a portion of the tongue for preventing arcing at a connection point. A raised boss is formed to surround the aperture on at least one of the opposing face surfaces of the tongue, the raised boss providing an electrically conductive surface of the terminal free from the layer of insulation material for connection to a connection point.

Abstract: A connector includes separate portions that rotatably couple together and form a connector. The portions include elements for defining cavities and or slots therebetween that accept one or more shear elements, such as shear pins for the purposes of coupling the separate portions together in forming a unitary connector. The connector might be used between a cable and another connector or could form part of the connector on a cable. The shear element is configured for engaging the various portions and spanning across the interface for joining the portions together. The shear element is configured for breaking when a sufficient torque force is applied between the connector portions.

Abstract: An arc-resistant electrical terminal includes a mount portion and a wire receiving portion formed of an electrically conductive material. The wire receiving portion is configured to be crimped onto a wire. The mount portion includes a solid tongue having opposing face surfaces. An aperture is formed between the opposing face surfaces for connecting the terminal to a connection point. A layer of insulation material is formed on at least a portion of the tongue for preventing arcing at a connection point. A raised boss is formed to surround the aperture on at least one of the opposing face surfaces of the tongue, the raised boss providing an electrically conductive surface of the terminal free from the layer of insulation material for connection to a connection point.

Abstract: A one piece integral electrical terminal has a mount portion and a wire receiving portion. The wire receiving portion has a continuous annular interior wall having a contact portion with an integral oxide breaker especially suited to breaking through the oxide layer on aluminum wire. The wire receiving portion also has a sealing portion with at least one integral seal ring. An electrical cable is made by crimping the electrical terminal to an aluminum wire using a modified hexagonal crimp.

Abstract: A one piece integral electrical terminal has a mount portion and a wire receiving portion. The wire receiving portion has a continuous annular interior wall having a contact portion with an integral oxide breaker especially suited to breaking through the oxide layer on aluminum wire. The wire receiving portion also has a sealing portion with at least one integral seal ring. An electrical cable is made by crimping the electrical terminal to an aluminum wire using a modified hexagonal crimp.

Abstract: A hold-down assembly for retaining a portable electronic unit within an avionics equipment mounting tray includes a shaft, a locking collar, and an actuator knob. The shaft is coupled to pivot with the mounting tray. The locking collar slides along the shaft to engage the portable electronic unit. The actuator knob includes a knob body, a ratchet plate having detent holes within the knob body, a ball bearing, and a compression spring within the knob body. As the actuator knob is rotated to move along the shaft, the knob body and the ball bearing rotate with respect to the ratchet plate, and the ball bearing is forced against a spring bias of the compression spring as the ball bearing travels between adjacent detent holes.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes mating pin and socket connectors each designed for increased contact density to improve performance of high-speed data transfer. The connectors include features for retaining a plurality of pin or socket contacts in a ganged, co-aligned configuration and for shielding groups of contacts from one another to reduce interference and crosstalk. The connectors further include features for providing strain relief to the internal wires and/or cables. The electrical connectors further include an electrically conductive grounding contact to latch various internal components of the electrical connector together for improved mechanical connection and shielding properties.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes mating pin and socket connectors each designed for increased contact density to improve performance of high-speed data transfer. The connectors include features for retaining a plurality of pin or socket contacts in a ganged, co-aligned configuration and for shielding groups of contacts from one another to reduce interference and crosstalk. The connectors further include features for providing strain relief to the internal wires and/or cables. One of the connectors may include a plug insert with cantilevered fingers extending therefrom that contact a conductive surface of the mating connector to provide a mechanical connection and a low-impedance pathway between the mating connectors for grounding and shielding. The connectors are designed to be readily assembled and disassembled for repair or rework without the use of special tools.

Abstract: A board-mount electrical connector includes an electrically conductive rear shell interposed between a contact-retaining front body and an insulator member that holds a plurality of board-mount contacts. The rear shell includes at least one electrically conductive shielding divider that extends through the insulator member and is positioned between two or more of the board-mount contacts. Also disclosed is a rear shell elbow for an electrical connector that is assembled from a pair of slidably interlocking members that form an X-shaped divider within the rear shell when assembled.

Abstract: A fiber-optic cable for applications subject to extreme temperatures and high crushing and bending forces incorporating a loose fluoropolymer buffer material, a aramid/fiberglass strength member, and a fluoropolymer outer jacket compromising low smoke, low toxicity, and low flammability when exposed to flame.

Abstract: An electrically insulating sheath for retaining electrical contacts in an electrical connector, the insulating sheath including an electrically non-conductive housing with a chamber defined therein. The chamber includes a pair of contact-receiving channels extending in an axial direction, each of the contact-receiving channels including a collar pocket for retaining the electrical contacts when inserted in the sheath. A dividing wall separates the contact-receiving channels from one another to reduce interference and crosstalk among the wires of the electrical contacts. The sheath includes a cover connected to the housing, the cover extending over at least a portion of the chamber.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a contact body having a mating portion and a barrel portion configured for receiving an electrical conductor. The barrel portion includes a wall defining a bore having a closed end and open end, and the bore includes a core receiver portion for receiving the core of an electrical conductor and a plug receiver portion adjacent the closed end of the bore. A hole is formed in the barrel portion proximate the closed end of the bore and extending into the plug receiver portion of the bore through the wall. A plug has a body portion configured to be inserted into the bore and to engage the plug receiver portion of the bore. The plug is disposed in the end of the plug receiver portion and is further configured to seal the plug receiving portion of the bore and the hole from the rest of the bore.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive front and rear shell. The front shell includes a cantilever structure extending from a rear face in an axial direction, the cantilever structure having a catch on a free end thereof. The catch mates with a retention slot located on the rear shell to latch together the front and rear shells of the electrical connector. A contact-receiving cavity formed within the front and rear shells houses an insulating sheath carrying electrical contacts. The electrical connector may further include tangs formed as an integral part of the front shell for bearing against a mating end of a mating connector. The electrical connector may include a retention latch for seating the electrical connector within a separate connector housing.

Abstract: A hold-down assembly for retaining a portable electronic unit within an avionics equipment mounting tray includes a shaft, a locking collar, and an actuator knob. The shaft is coupled to pivot with the mounting tray. The locking collar slides along the shaft to engage the portable electronic unit. The actuator knob includes a knob body, a ratchet plate having detent holes within the knob body, a ball bearing, and a compression spring within the knob body. As the actuator knob is rotated to move along the shaft, the knob body and the ball bearing rotate with respect to the ratchet plate, and the ball bearing is forced against a spring bias of the compression spring as the ball bearing travels between adjacent detent holes.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive housing for inhibiting electromagnetic interference. A latch device is mounted to opposite sides of the housing and extends from the housing for positively latching together the electrical connector with a mating connector. The latch device includes a biasing member for driving a latching end of the latch device toward a catch of the mating connector to securely retain the connectors in a mated configuration. The housing further includes a skirt on a mating end, the skirt having a plurality of cantilevered tangs for bearing against a corresponding skirt of the mating connector.