Abstract: A mounting system for a connector or header mounted on a circuit board which accommodates misalignment caused by accumulated manufacturing tolerances or dimensional changes caused by temperature changes includes a support member having a continuous base portion that is at least longitudinally coextensive with the connectors or headers to be mounted on the printed circuit board. The base includes an array of through openings that are in general registration with the tail portions of the various pins or receptacles of the connectors. Lug structures extend upwardly from the base to retain the header or connector in place on the base. The through bores in the base are preferably tapered and have sufficient clearance to allow the tail portions to flex laterally in response to lateral insertion forces caused by misalignment between the mating headers and connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling electrical connector components, including headers, connectors, and terminals, to circuit bearing substrates functions to align the terminal pins of a connector or header into a preferred position and install an annular solder preform onto each terminal pin. The pin alignment apparatus includes movable jaw plates the define a variable size aperture for encompassing each of a plurality of terminal pins, including terminal pins that are bent or skewed relative to an intended position. A carrier plate overlies the jaw plates and includes a plurality of cavities for receiving solder preforms to be installed over each of the terminal pins. The jaw plates are positioned over the terminal pins and moved to a closed position to align all the terminal pins, including any bent or skewed terminal pins, to an intended alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling electrical connector components, including headers, connectors, and terminals, to circuit bearing substrates functions to align the terminal pins of a connector or header into a preferred position and install an annular solder preform onto each terminal pin. The pin alignment apparatus includes movable jaw plates that define a variable size aperture for encompassing each of a plurality of terminal pins, including terminal pins that are bent or skewed relative to an intended position. A carrier plate overlies the jaw plates and includes a plurality of cavities for receiving solder preforms to be installed over each of the terminal pins. The jaw plates are positioned over the terminal pins and moved to a closed position to align all the terminal pins, including any bent or skewed terminal pins, to an intended alignment.

Abstract: A contact for a connector is characterized by a barrel portion having a layer of a reflowable solderable material disposed on the inner and outer surfaces thereof. The barrel is expansible from a first to a second dimension upon the insertion of a camming member thereinto. The contact is disposed in a connector that is used in conjunction with a pin header and a board with plated through holes therein. The barrels, when inserted into the through holes from one surface of the board, are expanded by the receipt of pins or wires inserted into the barrels from a header disposed on the other side of the board. The connections between the barrels and the through holes may be mass terminated. The board assembly so formed is able to be conveniently stacked.

Abstract: A pin mounted support system for printed circuit cards and connectors includes a base portion having one or more bores for mounting upon the pins of the header and a guide surface portion that delimits the installed position of the printed circuit card or connector. Where the support is intended for use with a printed circuit board, the support includes a groove or track for accepting and supporting a lateral edge of the printed circuit board. Where the support is intended for use with a connector terminated cable, a keytab is provided with one or more bores for mating with the pins of the header to delimit the proper position of the connector. The connector is positioned between the keytabs and installed in its mated position. The supports are typically fabricated from a molded plastic and are easily removable from their support pins to allow convenient reconfiguring of the header.