Abstract: A computing device includes a Mini DisplayPort or other standardized plug and port connection that is fully internalized within the full device housing. The port can be affixed or coupled to a printed circuit board, with a display cable having a mating plug that is plugged into the port. To prevent the inadvertent uncoupling of the plug from the port, one or more clips, clamps, fixtures, or other cable retention components can hold the cable and/or plug in place at or near where the plug inserts into the Mini DisplayPort or other standardized communication port. Added stability to the cable can also be provided at or near such location.

Abstract: A computing device includes a Mini DisplayPort or other standardized plug and port connection that is fully internalized within the full device housing. The port can be affixed or coupled to a printed circuit board, with a display cable having a mating plug that is plugged into the port. To prevent the inadvertent uncoupling of the plug from the port, one or more clips, clamps, fixtures, or other cable retention components can hold the cable and/or plug in place at or near where the plug inserts into the Mini DisplayPort or other standardized communication port. Added stability to the cable can also be provided at or near such location.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided with a latching system for latching the connector to a mating connector and includes a dielectric housing having a forward mating end. A pair of latch arms are disposed at opposite sides of the housing and each latch arm includes a front latch end for latchingly engaging an appropriate latch on the mating connector. Each latch arm includes a rear engagement end and an intermediate pivot portion between the front and rear ends pivotally mounting the latch arm to the housing. Each latch arm further includes a biasing portion engageable with the housing to pivotally bias the latch arm about the pivot portion toward a latched position. A single actuating bracket is pivotally mounted on the housing and is engageable with the rear engagement ends of both latch arms for pivoting the latch arms against the biasing portions thereof toward an unlatched position.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mating with a complementary connecting device in a mating direction. A non-conductive housing mounts a plurality of conductive terminals. The housing has a channel extending generally parallel to the mating direction with an opening to the channel at a forward mating end of the housing. A flexible latch arm is located in the channel and has a free end with a latch plate for latchingly engaging an appropriate latch of the complementary connecting device inserted into the opening of the channel. The latch arm and latch plate are located substantially entirely within the bounds of the channel. The latch plate is in a plane generally parallel to the mating direction and has side edges confined by opposite side walls of the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector having a body mounting a plurality of terminals, with a locking shoulder on the body. A second connector includes a body mounting a plurality of terminals engageable with the terminals of the first connector. The second connector is mateable with the first connector in a given mating direction. A flexible latch arm is mounted on the body of the second connector and includes a latch hook engageable with the locking shoulder of the first connector when the two connectors are mated in the given mating direction. The locking shoulder is located in an open-sided cavity in the body of the first connector to allow the latch hook to be lifted away from the locking shoulder in response to tilting the first connector relative to the second connector transversely of the given mating direction.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector having a dielectric housing and a receptacle extending in a given mating direction. A second connector is mateable with the first connector in the given mating direction and includes a dielectric housing having an alignment rib positionable in said receptacle when the connectors are mated. The receptacle includes at least one flexible wall allowing the connectors to be unmated and the alignment rib to move out of the receptacle at an angle to the given mating direction.

Abstract: A system is provided for varying the capacitive coupling between adjacent terminals in an electrical connector. A connector housing includes at least a pair of adjacent terminal-receiving passages. At least a pair of terminals are insertable into the passages. Each terminal includes a contact end and a terminating end. A pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced arms extend in a given direction between the contact and terminating ends. One end of one of the arms is joined to the contact end, and one end of the other of the arms is joined to the terminating end. An irregularly shaped portion joins the ends of opposite end of the arms. Therefore, the pair of terminals can be inserted into the passages as mirror images of each other to maximize capacitive coupling between the terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for terminating an electrical cable and for mating with a complementary mating connector. A dielectric housing includes a front mating end, a rear terminating end and at least one mounting slot therein. A one-piece latch and strain relief device includes a central mounting portion, a forward latching portion and a rearward strain relief portion. The central mounting portion includes a mounting tab insertable into the mounting slot in the housing. The forward latching portion is adapted for latching engagement with the mating connector. The rearward strain relief portion is adapted for engaging the electrical cable. The one piece latch and strain relief device is electrically connected to the upper and lower shielding shells.

Abstract: An IC connector is adapted for connecting an IC card having a terminal array. The connector includes a base member having a plurality of electrically conductive contacts for engaging the terminal array of the IC card. A cover is mounted on the base member for pivotal movement toward and away from one side of the base member. The cover has a receptacle means for securing the IC card thereon. The IC card is received for sliding movement relative to the cover between a preload position and a latched position. A biasing shoulder on the base member slides the IC card from its preload position to its latched position in response to closing of the cover. A latch on the base member engages the IC card in its latched position to lock the cover and IC card in a closed position on the base member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield is provided for at least one electronic component such as an electrical connector. The shield includes an electrically conductive enclosure having walls defining an open end at a mating face of the component. The walls include an end wall extending generally transversely of a second wall and a first wall. A flexible ground arm is integrally formed from both the end and second walls and include a contact portion for engaging a conductive ground portion of a complementary mating electronic component.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield is provided for at least one electronic component. The shield includes an electrically conductive enclosure having walls defining an open end at a mating face of the component. A flexible elongated ground arm is integrally formed from the walls and extends generally parallel to the mating face. The ground arm includes a contact portion for engaging a conductive ground portion of a complementary mating electronic component. A portion of the walls is folded over in an area in registry with the ground arm to minimize electromagnetic leakage about the ground arm.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a metal shield having a cavity and being mountable on a substrate in at least two different orientations. A dielectric housing is mountable within the cavity in the shield in at least two different orientations for each orientation of the shield. A plurality of conductive terminals are mountable on the housing in at least two different orientations for each orientation of the housing. Therefore, the total combinations of different orientations of the metal shield, the dielectric housing and the conductive terminals effectively provide at least eight different configurations of electrical connectors.

Abstract: A low profile electrical connector assembly includes plug and receptacle connectors having mating dielectric housings each mounting a plurality of terminals which include contact portions for interengagement with the contact portions of the terminals of the other connector. The terminals include mounting portions for surface connection to circuit traces on a pair of printed circuit boards. The receptacle terminals are generally U-shaped as defined by a first leg that is joined to the respective mounting portion of the terminal and a free spring contact leg that is engageable with the contact portion of one of the terminals of the other connector and which is preloaded on a shoulder of the receptacle housing. The first leg includes a proximal end fixed to the housing and a distal end movably supported therein to permit a portion of the first leg between the proximal end and the distal end to be flexibly movable into a slot in the housing during mating of the connectors.

Abstract: A low profile electrical connector assembly includes plug and receptacle connectors having mating dielectric housings each mounting a plurality of terminals which include contact portions for interengagement with the contact portions of the terminals of the other connector. The terminals include feet portions for surface connection to circuit traces on a pair of printed circuit boards. The terminals are generally U-shaped as defined by a first leg that is joined to the respective foot portion of the terminal and free spring contact leg that is engageable with the contact portion of one of the terminals of the other connector and preloaded on a shoulder of the respective housing. The first leg is fixed to the housing at a proximal end thereof with a distal end of the first leg being flexibly movable into a slot in the housing.

Abstract: An IC connector receives an IC package which includes a plurality of J-bend type leads arranged in parallel rows along opposite sides of an IC package body. The connector includes a housing having package-receiving recess and a pair of rows of terminal-receiving passages. A plurality of stamped and formed terminals are received in the passages. Each terminal includes a contact section for contacting a respective one of the leads of the IC package, a retention section for fixing the terminal in a respective one of the passages and a tail section exposed exteriorly of the housing. The contact section of each terminal is generally channel-shaped to define a pair of rigidifying side walls extending in planes generally transverse to the side walls of the housing and a central base portion joining the rigidifying the side walls.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for interconnecting a flat flexible circuit to a printed circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing having an elongated mouth for receiving the flat flexible circuit. Terminals are mounted in the housing and are adapted for coupling appropriate conductors of the flat flexible circuit with circuit traces on the printed circuit board. An actuator has an elongated tongue for insertion into the mouth of the housing to maintain the flat flexible circuit in engagement with the terminals. At least one latch/mounting clip is mounted on the housing, and a complementary interengaging latch is provided between a first portion of the clip and the actuator to hold the actuator in its inserted position on the housing. A second portion of the clip is adapted for operative association with the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for electrically connecting first and second connectors. The first connector includes at least one pivotally mounted lever movable between a mating position for the connectors and an eject position for selectively ejecting the second connector from the first connector. The lever includes an eject portion underlying and engageable with the underside of the second connector. The eject portion is elongated and tapered away from the underside of the second connector in a direction away from the pivot point of the lever whereby a greater moment arm is provided upon initial engagement of the eject portion with the underside of the second connector, and the moment arm decreases as the lever pivots toward its eject position.