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: The invention is directed to an electrical connector (10) including a housing (12) with a mating face (16), a rear face (18) opposite to the mating face (16), a side (20), and an end (26), the end (26) having a holding feature (30) thereon. The housing (12) is mountable onto a surface of a substrate with either the rear face (18) or the [mating face] side (20) being placed against the surface. A hold down (40) is securable to the housing feature (30). The hold down (40) has a substrate securing portion (42) and housing securing portion (46). The housing securing portion (46) is securable to the holding feature (30) in at least two orientations to secure the housing (12) to the substrate when it is mounted in either orientation.

Abstract: Connector (10) including a connector subassembly (20) with a pair of covers (16) secured thereover extending from a mating face (24) to a cable exit to define a strain relief section (36) extending along a portion of cable (12). A pair of latch members (60) is secured in the connector, each in a respective channel (22) defined in the covers along opposite sides of subassembly (20). Actuating sections (68) protrude rearwardly along strain relief section (36) and are deflectable theretoward during actuation to release latching sections (64) from a mating connector for unmating. Protuberances (72) of the actuating sections 68 are received into recesses (40) of the strain relief section (36), for transmitting rearwardly directed unmating force from the latch members (60) to the strain relief section of the covers (16).

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: Assembly (10) for terminating to cable (12) including a pair of covers (40,90) defining a cable exit (20). Channels of the covers at the cable exit have cable-clamping surfaces dimensioned to compress the cable outer jacket upon full assembly The covers include interlocking sections at the cable exit defined by latching arms (62,92) and latch-receiving recesses (72,94). Upon full assembly the latching arms latch in the recesses, and the now-compressed cable presses the latching arms to enhance maintenance of the latched condition.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) terminating a multi-wire cable (56) and adapted for mating contact with another such connector of identical construction. The connector comprises a plurality of hermaphroditic contact members (12) retained within a housing (14,16). The housing includes channels (52) for holding the wires (54) of the cable and the contact members further have insulation displacing contact portions (36) adapted to engage respective ones of the wires. The housing is formed of two parts with a latching mechanism (58,60, 62,64).

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) including at least one audio jack (36,38,40) stacked in a housing (24) with an electrical connector (80). The connector assembly is arranged for surface mounting to a circuit board (12) which is orthogonal to a metal panel (14) having openings (16,18,20,22) which provide access to the audio jacks and to the connector of the connector assembly. A ground clip (62) captured between the audio jacks and the connector assembly housing engages ground terminals (50) of the audio jacks and includes a projecting spring arm (66) which engages the metal panel, thereby providing electrical grounding.