Abstract: A backer plate (40) secured to leading end portion (20) of flexible film circuit (10), providing rigidity to facilitate manipulation of the circuit during mating with and unmating from a receptacle connector (26). Backer plate (40) may either be molded of insulative material or be conductive to serve as a ground connection. Backer plate (40) has side walls (48) beside the flex film that provide flanges (54) to precisely guide mating with connector (26) along slots (32), and may also provide detents (56) for retention in the connector. Backer plate (40) may also provide bosses (60) to stop forward movement at a precise location aligning the strip circuits with connector contacts (30). Flanges (54) offset from the central plane of the strip/backer plate assembly, line up with slots (32) offset from the central plane of cavity (24) in order to permit insertion only when the assembly is properly oriented, thus serving to polarize the assembly.

Abstract: Matable board-mount connectors (10,110) including add-on shields (40,140) that are adapted to groundingly engage during connector mating. Shields (40,140) have top walls (44,144), side walls (46,146), rear wall portions (52,152), retention sections (48,148) and integral boardlocks (50,150). Mating portion (142) of shield (140) is adapted to surround mating portion (42) of shield (40) and includes resilient sections (170,146) that assuredly engage shield (40) and be deflectable thereby, maintaining spring bias thereagainst in the mated connector condition.

Abstract: Connector assembly (10) secured to cable (12) having a pair of shield members (34,36) around the connector housing (42). Lower shield (34) has a cable crimping portion (90) having a pair of upstanding side arms (94,96) that are to be crimped around the cable to ground the shielding braid (24) thereof. Upper shield (36) includes a crimp support section (104) extending rearwardly along and against the cable so that the side arms (94,96) are crimped over the crimp support section (104), whereby the upper shield is integrated into the crimped connection (102).

Abstract: An infrared communications adapter (10) is provided having a two part housing (22, 24) that snaps together to form a housing assembly (12) having an interior cavity (30). The interior cavity contains a circuit board (32) having communications circuitry and components thereon, including light emitting diodes (42, 44, 46) for indicating operating status of the unit and a photodiode array (34) for receiving and transmitting infrared signals. The adapter (10) includes a light pipe (50) having three light conducting channels (204, 206, 208) that conduct light from the three light emitting diodes (42, 44, 46) to viewing facets (190, 192, 194) on the light pipe that extend through openings in the housing (12). A lens (20) is arranged in a front end of the housing directly in front of the photodiode array (34). An articulated coupling 60 removably couples a stand (14) to the housing assembly (12) and permits aiming of the unit for receiving and transmitting the infrared signals.