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: A shield for an electrical connector for being mounted in a panel cutout (62), wherein spring fingers (46,102,202,302) of the shield are engaged with surfaces defining the panel cutout (62) and are deflected thereby toward sides of the connector. Free ends (48,104,204,304) of the spring fingers are so formed that upon spring arm deflection the free ends enter into electrical engagement with other portions (54,108,210,310) of the shield to enhance the shielding effectiveness.