Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. The electronic power connectors can also be modified to accommodate connections for an external AC power supply. The connector housing incorporating the AC power connection capability can accommodate different forms of AC power supply termination contacts, such as spade-type contacts having a spring-like plug for receiving discrete quick connect socket terminals.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. The electronic power connectors can also be modified to accommodate connections for an external AC power supply. The connector housing incorporating the AC power connection capability can accommodate different forms of AC power supply termination contacts, such as spade-type contacts having a spring-like plug for receiving discrete quick connect socket terminals.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. The electronic power connectors can also be modified to accommodate connections for an external AC power supply. The connector housing incorporating the AC power connection capability can accommodate different forms of AC power supply termination contacts, such as spade-type contacts having a spring-like plug for receiving discrete quick connect socket terminals.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. The electronic power connectors can also be modified to accommodate connections for an external AC power supply. The connector housing incorporating the AC power connection capability can accommodate different forms of AC power supply termination contacts, such as spade-type contacts having a spring-like plug for receiving discrete quick connect socket terminals.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an electrical connector system for electrically connecting an electrical device and a substrate includes a header connector. The header connector has a contact. The contact includes a pin for engaging the electrical device; an intermediate portion electrically coupled to the pin for engaging a contact of a receptacle connector mounted on the substrate so that the header connector can be mounted on the substrate by way of the receptacle connector; and a tail electrically coupled to the intermediate portion for engaging the substrate so that the header connector can be mounted directly on the substrate.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. In each case, the spaced walls are joined by a bridging structure that unites the walls. The plug and receptacle contacts are retained in the respective housings by engagement of opposed lateral edge portions of the contacts with the housings in a manner to enhance heat dissipation by convection by maintaining substantial portions of the contacts spaced from the housing walls and from each other. The bridging structure may include a retention element for engaging respective connector housings to retain the contact in the housings.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. In each case, the spaced walls are joined by a bridging structure that unites the walls. The plug and receptacle contacts are retained in the respective housings by engagement of opposed lateral edge portions of the contacts with the housings in a manner to enhance heat dissipation by convection by maintaining substantial portions of the contacts spaced from the housing walls and from each other. The bridging structure may include a retention element for engaging respective connector housings to retain the contact in the housings.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. In each case, the spaced walls are joined by a bridging structure that unites the walls. The plug and receptacle contacts are retained in the respective housings by engagement of opposed lateral edge portions of the contacts with the housings in a manner to enhance heat dissipation by convection by maintaining substantial portions of the contacts spaced from the housing walls and from each other. The bridging structure may include a retention element for engaging respective connector housings to retain the contact in the housings.

Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for use on a substantially planar surface. The connector comprises two arrays of electrical contacts coupled to the planar surface. One array is disposed directly above the other. Each contact in the lower array is mounted directly to the planar surface, with the mounting points arranged in a substantially straight line along the surface. The upper array of contacts is coupled to the planar surface by way of one or more mounting tabs fixed to the surface. The tabs elevate the upper array in relation to the planar surface and the first array. The mounting tabs are fixed to the planar surface along the same substantially straight line on which the first array is mounted. Thus, the mounting points for both arrays of contacts are disposed along the planar surface in a substantially co-liner relationship. The connector further comprises a housing that is fixed to the planar surface and engages the contacts.

Abstract: An upper and lower contact especially for a double-deck or dual in-line module, each includes a solder tail that is coupled to the main body of the contact by a compliant portion. The compliant portion is thus intermediate the main body and the solder portion of the solder tail. The compliant portion isolates and absorbs stresses induced on the module housing through card insertion such that the solder joint does not receive the stress. Additionally, the provision of a compliant portion absorbs non-linearities created by circuit board warpage on which the module is attached. The compliant portion may take the form of a modified spring, a U-shaped section, a radiused section, or other form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a memory insertion and extraction device for inserting a memory module into and removing a memory module from a circuit board connector. An insertion end of the device comprises two leverage arms with a pressure applicator disposed there between. An extraction end of the device comprises two pivot arms with a leverage applicator disposed there between. The insertion and extraction device is preferably manufactured from or coated with a non-conductive material.

Abstract: An upper and lower contact especially for a double-deck or dual in-line module, each includes a solder tail that is coupled to the main body of the contact by a compliant portion. The compliant portion is thus intermediate the main body and the solder portion of the solder tail. The compliant portion isolates and absorbs stresses induced on the module housing through card insertion such that the solder joint does not receive the stress. Additionally, the provision of a compliant portion absorbs non-linearities created by circuit board warpage on which the module is attached. The compliant portion may take the form of a modified spring, a U-shaped section, a radiused section, or other form.

Abstract: A modular jack includes a removable face plate or front shield that is adapted to removably retain line status LEDs. In the preferred form, the face plate may be used to retrofit standard dual receptacle modular jacks. The face plate holds various types of LEDs that are electrically coupled to the lines of the modular jack for indicating status or activity of the particular line, e.g. when the line is in use transmitting or receiving data. The LEDs may be coupled to the individual lines by standard leads or flexible ribbon cable. Additionally, the face plate is formed of a metal to provide protection against static discharge damage to the circuits. The metal face plate provides an alternative path for the electricity rather than through the LED which might cause damage thereto. In another form, the LEDs may be directly coupled to a flex circuit, without a face plate with the flex coupled to the individual lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to connector hold-downs for mechanically attaching a connector to a circuit board and, specically, to hold-downs that can be secured by solder to plated holes through circuit boards.

Abstract: The disclosed accessory RF shield has unitized conductive and insulating barrier sheets, sized to correspond lengthwise to the axial length of a ribbon cable to be shielded and widthwise between opposite side edges to completely encircle the ribbon cable and present overlapped inner and outer side edge layers adapted to be connected together for forming a field connection.

Abstract: A connector mounting system allows a measure of lateral motion for a connector relative to its printed circuit board to accommodate any thermal expansion of the board. A mounting bracket is connected between the connector and the printed circuit board and includes openings through which guide members extend, the openings having a larger dimension in at least the lateral dimension of the printed circuit board than that of the corresponding dimension of the guide member to allow a measure of lateral clearance and movement of the bracket relative the guide member. Each guide member includes a flange portion that captures the bracket and constrains the bracket and the connector from torque-induced movement where the connectors are not mounted in the direct line of force for either inserting or extracting the connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for relieving stress between an electrical connector component and the plurality of individual wires terminating at the connector component. The apparatus includes two identical interlocking stress relief elements, each of which releasably engages the connector component. The elements gather the wires together into a group or bundle and allow a wire tie to be applied around the elements and the gathered wires.

Abstract: A triple row coax cable connector providing a pluggable interface between a printed circuit board and a pair of coaxial cables. Signal wires connect to a terminal within the connector after their poly(tetrafluoroethylene) jackets are pushed back by a funnel shaped member. Drain wires are soldered to strain relief bars projecting through holes in a metal plate separating the funnel shaped members.

Abstract: A zero insertion force circuit card connector having a fixed base and a movable housing. At least one flexible inside terminal and one outside terminal are fixedly supported by the base in opposed spaced relation to each other. A spring biases the inside terminal from an open position toward the outside terminal to a closed position embracing the edge of a circuit card. An expandable tube located between the housing and the base can be expanded to move the housing against the bias of the spring thereby relieving the tension on the inside terminal.