Abstract: A connector or connector assembly includes a signal array having at least one shielded conductor having opposite ends and including an inner conductive element and an outer conductive element and a compressible interface element positioned proximate at least one of the opposite ends of the signal array. The interface element includes a layer of insulating material having a plurality of conductive elements extending through the insulating material layer. When compressed between the signal array and a signal-bearing component, the compressible interface element maintains the geometric arrangement of the axial conductive element and the outer conductive element to the signal-bearing component.

Abstract: A fiber-optic cable with low buffer insertion force, significant kink resistance, and improved thermal performance incorporating a dual layer buffer of a low density material beneath a continuous seamless high modulus material without compromising low smoke, toxicity, and flammability.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a signal array with conductors including inner and outer conductive elements. Ferrule elements are coupled with ends of respective conductors and include inner contacts and outer bodies electrically coupled with the inner and outer conductive elements of the conductors. A body has a front surface and a contact face surface that is raised above the front surface and ends of the conductors terminate in the body so the inner contacts are presented at the body contact face surface, in a generally co-planar arrangement. A compressible interface element has a plurality of conductive elements embedded in a compressible, electrically insulative medium and is positionable to engage the contact face surface to be compressed between the contact face surface and a signal bearing component to pass signals while maintaining the geometric arrangement of the inner and outer conductive elements of the conductors.

Abstract: An integral bonding attachment includes an insulated section of a conductive wire with an exposed, uninsulated section. A sleeve covers the insulated and uninsulated sections of the conductive wire, and the sleeve includes a flattened section encasing at least a portion of the uninsulated wire section to form a generally integral structure with the core of the conductive wire. At least one generally tubular section is positioned at an end of the flattened section to engage the insulated section of the conductive wire. An aperture may pass simultaneously through the inner core and flattened sleeve section for attaching the integral bonding attachment to a structure.

Abstract: A method for interconnecting two circuit boards includes positioning corresponding shielded land areas on circuit boards, the land areas including conductive core areas and conductive outer areas around the core areas. A block-like signal array is positioned between the first and second circuit boards, the signal array includes shielded conductors with axial and outer conductive elements. A first compressible interface element including a layer of insulating material having a plurality of conductive elements extending through the insulating material layer is postioned intermediate the shielded land area and the signal array. A second compressible interface element is positioned intermediate the shielded land areas on the other circuit board and the other end of the signal array. The two circuit boards are fastened together to compress the respective compressible interface elements between the signal array and the circuit boards for electrically coupling the circuit boards.

Abstract: An integral bonding attachment includes an insulated section of a conductive wire with an exposed, uninsulated section. A sleeve covers the insulated and uninsulated sections of the conductive wire, and the sleeve includes a flattened section encasing at least a portion of the uninsulated wire section to form a generally integral structure with the core of the conductive wire. At least one generally tubular section is positioned at an end of the flattened section to engage the insulated section of the conductive wire. An aperture may pass simultaneously through the inner core and flattened sleeve section for attaching the integral bonding attachment to a structure.

Abstract: A connector or connector assembly having a signal array having at least one shielded conductor having opposite ends and including an axial conductive element and an outer conductive element surrounding the axial conductive element and a compressible interface element positioned at least one of the opposite ends of the signal array, the interface element including a layer of insulating material having a plurality of conductive elements extending through the insulating material layer. When compressed between the signal array and a signal bearing component, the compressible interface element maintains the geometric arrangement of the axial conductive element and the outer conductive element to the signal bearing component. A connector assembly may include a circuit board including land areas arranged in a shielded configuration, and corresponding to the shielded land areas on the component and a second compressible interface element.

Abstract: A connector or connector assembly having a signal array having at least one shielded conductor having opposite ends and including an axial conductive element and an outer conductive element surrounding the axial conductive element and a compressible interface element positioned at least one of the opposite ends of the signal array, the interface element including a layer of insulating material having a plurality of conductive elements extending through the insulating material layer. When compressed between the signal array and a signal bearing component, the compressible interface element maintains the geometric arrangement of the axial conductive element and the outer conductive element to the signal bearing component. A connector assembly may include a circuit board including land areas arranged in a shielded configuration, and corresponding to the shielded land areas on the component and a second compressible interface element.

Abstract: A connector or connector assembly having a signal array having at least one shielded conductor having opposite ends and including an axial conductive element and an outer conductive element surrounding the axial conductive element and a compressible interface element positioned at least one of the opposite ends of the signal array, the interface element including a layer of insulating material having a plurality of conductive elements extending through the insulating material layer. When compressed between the signal array and a signal bearing component, the compressible interface element maintains the geometric arrangement of the axial conductive element and the outer conductive element to the signal bearing component. A connector assembly may include a circuit board including land areas arranged in a shielded configuration, and corresponding to the shielded land areas on the component and a second compressible interface element.

Abstract: A cable structure for signal transmission comprises a connector housing and a plurality of housing contacts positioned within a defined contact plane in the connector housing. The housing contacts are configured for engaging external contacts of a device when the cable structure is coupled to a device. At least one signal conductor terminates in the connector housing, and is electrically coupled to one of the housing contacts generally in said contact plane. At least one ground conductor terminates in the connector housing, in a second plane spaced from the contact plane. A shorting bar has a first portion positioned generally in said contact plane and electrically coupled to a housing contact. A second portion of the shorting bar is positioned generally in said second plane and is electrically coupled to the ground conductor.

Abstract: A method of making a data cable includes coupling an electrical conductor of an end of a cable to an electrical contact that is positioned within a portion of a connector housing. A protective clamp is positioned over a section of the cable rearwardly of the electrical contact. Another portion of the connector housing is formed over the cable section and the clamp, to thereby secure the cable with the connector housing. The protective clamp is positioned between the formed portion of the connector housing and the cable section and provides mechanical protection for the cable section to reduce damage thereto.

Abstract: A cable structure for data signal transmission comprises a connector housing having a front end and a rear end and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the housing proximate the front end. The contacts are configured for engaging electrical contacts of a device when the cable structure is coupled to the device. At least one cable, including an electrical conductor, terminates in the connector housing, and is electrically coupled to a housing contact. The connector housing is physically coupled to a section of the cable rearwardly of the contacts for securing the cable with the connector housing. A protective clamp overlies the section of the cable coupled to the connector housing and is positioned between the connector housing and the cable section and provides mechanical protection for the cable section to reduce damage thereto.

Abstract: A high speed data transmission cable includes a plurality of primary cables, wherein each primary cable includes a pair of generally parallel, insulated conductors, and has opposing short sides and opposing long sides. A shield layer surrounds each primary cable along its length to individually electrically isolate the primary cables from each other. The plurality of primary cables are positioned around a cable center axis with finite numbers of primary cables arranged side-by-side with each other to define distinct orbitals around the center axis. The primary cables of the orbitals have a respective long side generally facing radially inwardly toward the center axis. The primary cables of the orbitals are wrapped generally helically around the center axis along the length of the cable without each primary cable conductor pair being significantly individually twisted about each other along the cable length.

Abstract: A cable structure for data signal transmission comprises a connector housing having a front end and a rear end and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the housing proximate the front end. The contacts are configured for engaging electrical contacts of a device when the cable structure is coupled to the device. At least one cable, including an electrical conductor, terminates in the connector housing, and is electrically coupled to a housing contact. The connector housing is physically coupled to a section of the cable rearwardly of the contacts for securing the cable with the connector housing. A protective clamp overlies the section of the cable coupled to the connector housing and is positioned between the connector housing and the cable section and provides mechanical protection for the cable section to reduce damage thereto.

Abstract: A high speed data transmission cable having a pair of primary cables positioned adjacent to each other along their lengths, with each primary cable including a pair of generally parallel conductors which are coupled together by an insulation structure. The insulation structure has a cross-section including shaped end portions wherein each end portion is defined by a reference point. The conductors are positioned proximate the reference points of the circular end portions. The shaped end portions are coupled together by a center portion to form the insulation structure having dimensions reflective of the dimensions of the end portions. A shield layer surrounds each primary cable along its length to isolate the primary cables from each other. The primary cables and corresponding shield layers are twisted together around a center axis and form a double helical structure.

Abstract: A cable structure for signal transmission comprises a connector housing and a plurality of housing contacts positioned within a defined contact plane in the connector housing. The housing contacts are configured for engaging external contacts of a device when the cable structure is coupled to a device. At least one signal conductor terminates in the connector housing, and is electrically coupled to one of the housing contacts generally in said contact plane. At least one ground conductor terminates in the connector housing, in a second plane spaced from the contact plane. A shorting bar has a first portion positioned generally in said contact plane and electrically coupled to a housing contact. A second portion of the shorting bar is positioned generally in said second plane and is electrically coupled to the ground conductor.

Abstract: An interface apparatus having a plurality of self-aligning coaxial connectors for substantially simultaneous interconnection with a plurality of connectors on a unit under test includes a base member, a first interface and a second interface. The first and second interfaces are spaced apart to receive the unit under test. At least one of the first and second interfaces is slidably movable on the base member for movement into engagement with the unit under test that is positioned between the interfaces. At least one of the first and second interfaces has a plurality of self-aligning coaxial connectors that are positioned to interconnect with the plurality of connectors on the unit under test. An urging means is provided for moving the interfaces so that the self-aligning coaxial connectors are moved into mating engagement with the plurality of connectors on the unit under test that is positioned between the interfaces.

Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnection with a mating connector includes a body, a locking nut, and a restraining element. The restraining element rotatably secures the locking nut on the body of the connector assembly. The restraining element can have an annular configuration and be elastically deformable. When this configuration is utilized, the body typically includes a ramp with a groove in juxtaposition thereto. The ramp facilitates both deformation and placement of the restraining element in the groove of the body. Alternatively, the restraining element can have a substantially rigid, tubular configuration and include a flange sized and shaped to engage a portion of the locking nut. This later configuration of the restraining element is designed to be interferingly positioned on the body of the assembly. Also disclosed is a tubular tool element configured to be capable of exerting a substantially equal force upon the restraining element during manufacture of the disclosed connector assembly.

Abstract: A quick connect and quick disconnect connector assembly for connecting with a mating connector comprises a body and an engagement means. A retaining means is provided for securing the engagement means to the body. The engagement means includes an inner gripping member that is telescopically received in an outer actuation member. The inner gripping member has an outer wall surface that is formed with a first ramp portion and the outer actuation member has an inner wall surface that is formed with a second ramp portion, the first ramp portion being complementary to the second ramp portion. The first ramp portion of the outer wall surface of the inner gripping member is configured to interferingly engage and cooperate with the second ramp portion of the inner wall surface of the outer actuator member. The first ramp portion of the inner gripping member is formed with resilient fingers that are movable between a relaxed state and an inwardly urged state.

Abstract: A cable structure for signal transmission comprises a connector housing and a plurality of housing contacts positioned within a defined contact plane in the connector housing. The housing contacts are configured for engaging external contacts of a device when the cable structure is coupled to a device. At least one signal conductor terminates in the connector housing, and is electrically coupled to one of the housing contacts generally in said contact plane. At least one ground conductor terminates in the connector housing, in a second plane spaced from the contact plane. A shorting bar has a first portion positioned generally in said contact plane and electrically coupled to a housing contact. A second portion of the shorting bar is positioned generally in said second plane and is electrically coupled to the ground conductor.