Abstract: An IC tester socket comprises a spring for keeping the socket body and the spacer frame in their state of being spaced apart from each other with a predetermined interval; and contacting pins each having a spring portion shaped in a pair of arcuate forms, in order to ensure the contact between the lead terminals of an IC requiring testing and the contacting pins to be realized positively and stably and to make it possible for the socket to stand its use for a prolonged period of time. The arm of each contacting pin which is brought into contact with the side face to its mating lead terminal of the IC is adapted to contact the side face of the lead terminal, and is so shaped as to be able to lock the IC package at the position of contact of this arm.

Abstract: A serial terminal block includes a housing of an insulating material, including at least one lateral closing wall having at least one free zone at an internal side thereof. Printed strip conductors are provided on the free zone for the surface mounting of electrical/electronic elements. The printed strip conductors are photomechanically printed. The electrical/electronic elements are glued and soldered to the strip conductors in a soldering bath. The free zone is flat. The insulating material housing consists of a material which is resistant to temperatures of up to 200.degree. C., such as epoxy resin or a ceramic material.

Abstract: A reference conductor for improving signal integrity in connectors and connector systems. More particularly the reference conductor includes a conductive plate positioned between adjacent rows of signal conductors in a connector and which is electrically connected to reference circuits on substrates associated with the connector to provide a low inductance signal return path.

Abstract: A connector for discharge electrodes of luminous gas tubes includes an insulative barrel receiving a power cable at one end for attachment to a fixed end of a resilient contact member. The opposite end of the barrel is open and threaded, to receive the crimped and headed tip of a gas tube having electrode conductors projecting therefrom. A lock element is applied to the crimped portion of the gas tube end and is axially captured thereon so that following insertion of the tube tip and lock element into the barrel open end, a cap surrounding the gas tube engages the threads of the barrel to radially and axially retain the tube tip within the barrel interior with its electrode conductors firmly biased against a displaceable end of the resilient contact member.

Abstract: A connector (12) or a pair of connectors (10,12) having a removable post (105) for reception in a channel (51) in an electrical connector (12) wherein the channel (51) has a wider first region (54) and a narrower second region (56), with the narrower second region (56) opening both onto the wider first region (54) and an exterior surface (57) of the connector (12). The post (105) has an elongate body section (106) that is an enlarged retaining portion adapted to be slidingly received in the wider first region (54) of channel (51). Elongate body section (107) has a first portion (108) and an extended portion (110). First portion (108) is typically narrower than extended portion (110), is adjacent to and extends from the enlarged body section (106) and is adapted to extend through the narrower region (56) of channel (51) to interconnect the enlarged body section (106) with extended portion (110).

Abstract: A card connector, having a card insertion slit in a connector body and a resilient contacting piece for engaging a card inserted in the slit, uses just a single cam block having a card supporting surface for supporting and moving a card inserted into the card insertion slit. A plain cam surface on the single cam block opens and closes the contacting piece for allowing the card to be easily inserted and for moving a contact surface of the contacting piece against the card for rubbing the card to improve the electrical contact when the card is subsequently moved. The single cam block is diagonally movably supported on the connector body for movement along a diagonal movement path.

Abstract: A coupling engagement mechanism for an electric connector comprises engagement fixtures and an insulating housing element which includes engagement fixture receiving portions for accommodating the engagement fixtures. Each of the engagement fixtures is unitarily formed of a springy metal plate. An engagement portion which engages an abutting portion of a mating connector is formed at one end of a body of each engagement fixture. A manipulation portion is formed at the other end of the body. Elastic pieces whose upper ends are continuous to the body and which extend downwards are formed on both right and left sides of the body. Each of the elastic pieces is formed with, at least, a first coming-off-preventive bend and a second coming-off-preventive bend at a predetermined interval in a direction of the extension. Each engagement fixture receiving portion of the insulating housing element is formed with a first protuberance and a second protuberance at an interval in the extending direction.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing (3) having an electrical contact assembly (7) as part of a connecting section (2) for electrical connection with a complementary electrical connector. Latch members (4, 4') are mounted in the housing (3) and extend along respective sides of the connecting section (2) and include latch sections (4c, 4'c) and engaging sections (4a, 4'a). Planar arms (4b, 4'b) of the latch members (4, 4') are fixedly mounted in grooves (11, 11') of the housing (3) enabling the latch members to move from a latch position to a release position and operating means (5) is mounted in the housing (3) for movement from a first position to a second position by a force being applied thereto and including means (5b, 5c) engagable with the engaging sections (4a, 4'a) of the latch members (4, 4') for simultaneously moving the latch members from the latch position to the release position.

Abstract: A one-piece, multi-function, grounding strip is assembled within an electrical receptacle, and includes a screw terminal which is highly resistant to removal of a grounding screw from the strip. The grounding terminal portion of the strip is much reduced in thickness as compared to conventional grounding terminals, and includes a pair of spaced-apart tineman-type single screw threads formed on grounding plates. A support element is sandwiched between the plates to form a combination which is highly resistant to forces tending to strip the grounding screw from the plates.

Abstract: A plastic article is molded to have integral members deflectable and latchable within recesses as desired to program or encode the article. Plug and receptacle connector housings are molded with a plurality of deflectable members proximate their mating faces along housing side walls which become adjacent each other upon connector mating, the deflectable members associated in pairs. The deflectable members are joined to the respective housing side walls by integral hinges at rearward ends thereof and by frangible web portions proximate forward ends thereof. Recesses are formed in the housing side walls so that the deflectable members are deflectable thereinto if desired, enabling customizing of the connector housings to provide a system of keying particular plug housings with particular receptacle housings.

Abstract: To easily change an ordinary waterproof connector to a ventilation waterproof connector provided with a ventilation tube for introducing an atmospheric pressure into the connector housing to reduce pressure difference between inside and outside of the connector, a single ventilation tube is mechanically fixed to a connector terminal in the same way as when plural connector wires are electrically fixed to the same connector terminals, without changing the housing structure or preparing additional parts.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a receptacle connector having a first insulating housing containing a plurality of first contacts and a first shielding shell disposed so as to enclose contact portions of the first contacts; a plug connector including a second insulating housing containing a plurality of second contacts and a second shielding shell disposed so as to enclose contact portions of the second contacts; and mounting means for mounting the first shielding shell on an object and defining with the first shielding shell a circumferential channel into which a front end of the second shielding shell is to be fitted.

Abstract: An electrical terminal having an insulating sleeve thereon. More particularly, the terminal includes a copper ferrule located on the wire barrel of the terminal and an insulating sleeve over the ferrule. The sleeve is secured to the terminal by an end thereof being clinched between a bell-mouth end of the ferrule and the wire barrel.

Abstract: A connector having two mutually engagable parts wherein a first part comprises a molded plastic housing having a pair of springy toothed prongs or clips between which a male contact extends and is supported against a finger of the body of the housing which projects between the clips. The other part comprises an elongate molded plastic housing having channel section which is arranged to hold a female contact between external walls. Notches complementary with toothed parts of the clips are provided such that the two parts of the connector mutually engage in interlocking relationship when mated. The finger serves as a closure for the channel section when the parts are mated.