Abstract: An electrical connector is provided that includes a plurality of contacts having cable engaging ends that are configured to engage respective conductors in corresponding cables. The electrical connector includes a housing that holds the contacts parallel to one another and spaced apart at a predetermined pitch. A cover is mounted on the housing proximate the contacts and is movable between initial and final positions with respect to the housing. The cover has a cavity therein that is configured to receive and align the cables at the predetermined pitch with respect to one another. The cover includes a series of passages there through that align with the cable engaging ends of the contacts such that, when the cover is moved to the final position, the cable engaging ends of the contacts extend through the passages into the cavity to pierce the corresponding cables and engage corresponding conductors. Optionally, the cover may include a solid top wall without passages therethrough.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided that includes a plurality of contacts having cable engaging ends that are configured to engage respective conductors in corresponding cables. The electrical connector includes a housing that holds the contacts parallel to one another and spaced apart at a predetermined pitch. A cover is mounted on the housing proximate the contacts and is movable between initial and final positions with respect to the housing. The cover has a cavity therein that is configured to receive and align the cables at the predetermined pitch with respect to one another. The cover includes a series of passages there through that align with the cable engaging ends of the contacts such that, when the cover is moved to the final position, the cable engaging ends of the contacts extend through the passages into the cavity to pierce the corresponding cables and engage corresponding conductors. Optionally, the cover may include a solid top wall without passages therethrough.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes a housing having a base portion and partition walls extending from the base portion. The partition walls are spaced apart to define a cavity therebetween. The terminal block assembly further includes a terminal connector removably secured in the cavity between the partition walls. The terminal is configured to accept at least one of a bare wire and a contact attached to a wire. At least one of the partition walls includes a latch arm deflectable outward away from the cavity. The latch arm snappably retains the terminal connector within the cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector (16) is arranged to releasably receive a pair of conductors (22, 24) and electrically interconnecting the conductors to the terminals (30) of an acoustical speaker (14). The connector includes an insulating housing (36) and a single button (38) in sliding engagement with the housing (36). The button is slidable between a first position (42) where the conductors are held within the connector and electrically interconnected to the speaker terminals (30) and a second position (46) where the conductors (22, 24) can be inserted into the connector or removed therefrom. A pair of contact members (52, 54) are disposed in a cavity (48, 50) within the housing (36). Each contact member includes a tail (28) extending therefrom through an opening (176) in the housing and is electrically interconnected to one of the terminals via a lead (32).

Abstract: An acoustic or vibration sensor particularly useful in detecting nano-vibrations includes a body 40 having a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration. A base 44 is positioned within the body 40 and has at least one protrusion 68 extending from the base 44 intermediate end portions 48 of the C-shaped cross-section. A film 14 extends about the base 44 and over the protrusion 68 to form a space between a portion of the base 44 and the film 14. The film 14 is engaged with the end portions 48 of the C-shaped cross-section and urged at least partially into the space to place a desired tension on the film.

Abstract: A connector (24) is disclosed for electrically interconnecting a component (14) to circuitry within a cabinet (10), where the component is arranged to slide in and out of a bay (12) in the cabinet (10). The connector (24) is attached to the component (14) and includes an insulated housing (40) having a plurality of electrical contacts (60) arranged therein. The contacts (60) are adapted for mating along a first mating axis (23) of the connector with respective ones of other electrical contacts (100) in a mating connector (26) attached to the cabinet (10). The contacts (60) of the connector (24) are further adapted for mating along a second mating axis (74), that forms a right angle to the first mating axis (23), with respective ones of individual contacts (158) attached to individual wires (156) that are secured to the cabinet (10).

Abstract: The electrical connector (24) of the present invention includes a coupling (26, 26') for attaching the connector (24) to an equipment cabinet (10) that will permit a certain amount of movement of the connector along the mating axis (64) after mating with a mating connector (32). The coupling (26, 26') includes U-shaped channels (68) attached to the cabinet that receive rollers (88) attached to the connector. The rollers have a V-shaped groove (98) that receives a circular portion (112) of a spring (108) for holding the connector (24) in position during mating but will expand allowing the mated connector pair (24, 32) to move along the mating axis (64) after mating.

Abstract: An air pressure actuated stop assembly (50) is disposed in at least one of first and second rotatably engaging housings of a coupling assembly (10), the housings (14) being affixed to ends of respective associated hoses 70) to complete an air passageway (24) therebetween when coupled. Each housing (14) has a portion with an exterior surface adjacent an interior surface of a complementary portion of the other housing (14) and rotatably slidable therealong during coupling and uncoupling of the assembly (10). The stop assembly (50) includes a spring biased pin (52) that moves when actuated by air pressure in the air brake hose (70) to a position to obstruct the path traveled by the portion of the opposite housing (14) in a direction uncoupling the two housings (14) thereby preventing rotational uncoupling of the housings (14) when the air brake system is pressurized. The pin (52) is automatically retracted when the air pressure is released thus permitting the housings (14) to be uncoupled.

Abstract: An electrical connector (20) for mounting to a printed circuit board (24) includes a boardlock (22) secured thereto by an interference fit. The boardlock (22) has a first portion (58) including means for securing the boardlock (22) to the connector housing (26) and a second portion (68). The second portion (68) comprises spring means (72,74) extending from the first portion (58) to an end (80) beyond the mounting face (30) for reception in a boardlock receiving aperture (56) in the printed circuit board (24). The spring means (72,74) have a slot (70) therebetween and barb means (84) thereon with the barb means (84) positioned along the spring means (72,74) between the first portion (58) and the end (80) to engage wall means (92) of the boardlock receiving aperture (56).