Abstract: Header pins having improved positional stability and increased terminal retention are disclosed. The header pins have retention features spaced longitudinally apart and rotated around an axis. In one embodiment, two pairs of swaged retention features are created, spaced longitudinally apart, and the planes defining the retention features are displaced approximately ninety degrees (90°) apart. The pairs of retention features are disposed relatively near a central section of the header pin and at a distance from one another that is relatively less than the overall length of the header pin. A notch disposed in the body of the header pin is longitudinally spaced from the two pairs of retention features. Methods of making a header pin and improved methods of assembling a header block are also disclosed.

Abstract: Header pins having improved positional stability and increased terminal retention are disclosed. The header pins have retention features spaced longitudinally apart and rotated around an axis. In one embodiment, two pairs of swaged retention features are created, spaced longitudinally apart, and in one embodiment, the planes defining the retention features are displaced approximately ninety degrees (90°) apart. In some embodiments, pairs of retention features are disposed relatively near a central section of the header pin and at a distance from one another that is relatively less than the overall length of the header pin. Methods of making a header pin are disclosed by providing a header pin having a body, forming a first set of retention features at a first location along the body, and then forming a second set of retention features at a second location along the body, such that the second location is displaced longitudinally from the first location.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector with one or more latch receptacles, and a cover with one or more latches, in which the latch receptacles and latches are polarized so that a latch engages with a latch receptacle when the connector and the cover are aligned in a pre-determined orientation. In certain embodiments, the electrical connector has at least two latch receptacles, one of them being a first width and others being of a second, different width, and there are corresponding latches also of two different widths. In certain embodiments, the latches are in pairs, and for example, at least one pair of latches and receptacles of the same width will be on opposite sides of the cover. The pairs differ in width so that the cover is “polarized” to fit in only one orientation.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a pin header 10 that can be mounted in an opening 4 in an electrically conductive case 2. The pin header 10 includes a molded pin header housing 12 that can be used in unfiltered as well as filtered and shielded versions. The filtered and shielded versions include a ground shield 20 or 50 that includes segmented cantilever tangs 26 or 56 extending along peripheral edges of the shield member 20 or 50. These tangs 26 or 58 mechanically grip the electrically conductive case 2 to establish ground continuity. One version of the ground shield 20 can be mounted on a printed circuit board to which filter capacitors 40 are soldered.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a pin header 10 that can be mounted in an opening 4 in an electrically conductive case 2. The pin header 10 includes a molded pin header housing 12 that can be used in unfiltered as well as filtered and shielded versions. The filtered and shielded versions include a ground shield 20 or 50 that includes segmented cantilever tangs 26 or 56 extending along peripheral edges of the shield member 20 or 50. These tangs 26 or 58 mechanically grip the electrically conductive case 2 to establish ground continuity. One version of the ground shield 20 can be mounted on a printed circuit board to which filter capacitors 40 are soldered.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector 2 which can be positioned in a shroud 70 that can be actuated by a lever 72 to mate with a pin header connector 4. Contact terminals 10 located in cavities 30 in a molded housing 20 are held in place by primary latching members that comprise molded deflectable cantilever latches 50. The latches 50 are part of external housing faces 28. During insertion and removal of the contacts 10, the latches are outwardly deflected. A stop shoulder 54 on the front of each latch 50 is opposed to a fixed shoulder 40 to prevent excess latch deflection and overstressing of the plastic. The latch stop shoulders 54 are formed on inner corners of a frame 60 located on the distal or front end 52 of the cantilever latches 50 which define a portion of the housing mating face.

Abstract: An electrical connector 10 includes a housing 12 with a plurality of terminals 60 disposed in housing cavities 20. A molded deflectable latch 40 extends from the housing 12 into each cavity 20. The latch 40 engages a terminal 60 positioned within the corresponding cavity 20. The latch 40 deflects to permit insertion of the terminal into the corresponding cavity 20. Each cavity 20 is formed by at least one interior wall 30. Each molded latch 40 deflects relative to an adjacent interior wall 30 and has a finger 50 protruding from the latch 40 toward the adjacent interior wall 30. Each interior wall 30 has an outer shoulder 32 projecting toward an adjacent latch 40 and positioned relative to the finger 50 to prevent excessive deflection of the molded latch 40. The finger 50 is positioned relative to the adjacent interior wall 30 to prevent the latch 40 from lateral movement toward the adjacent interior wall 30 as the latch 40 is deflected.

Abstract: A housing assembly 5 for use with electrical/electronic components includes a housing 10, spacer sleeves 20 spaced along a periphery of the housing 10, and at least one electrical component 40 in a cavity 6 of the housing 10. Electrical component 40 includes a pair of electrical contacts 46 molded in a dielectric body 41, and each contact 46 includes a midsection 47 of a generally arcuate shape. The contacts 46 maximize the amount of electrical power to be transmitted therethrough and are electrically isolated from other electrical components in the housing, and the arcuate midsection 47 strengthens the contact to prevent deformation thereof during the injection molding process. Additionally, body 41 comprises annular recesses 42 which receive the housing material therein during an insert molding process, thereby sealingly fixing the component 40 in the housing 10 and minimizing production costs.