Abstract: A three-piece socket contact characterized by a solid machined contact body (10), a tubular spring member (20) having at least one radially inwardly extending detent that engages a groove (11) in the contact body (10) to secure the spring member (20) to the contact body (10), and a protective sleeve (30) telescopically mounted over the tubular spring member (20).

Abstract: An electrical connector insert that permits front or rear release of the contact within the connector and rear removal of a contact. The invention relates to connectors and more particularly to an electrical connector insert within the connector that retains electrical contacts (50) having an annular groove therein (51) and a plurality of resiliently and radially expandable tubular contact retention towers (15) each having an internal annular shoulders (18) therein that engage the annular groove (51) in a respective contact (50). Surfaces (16 and 17) on opposite sides of said shoulder (18) taper radially outwardly away from said shoulder, and are adapted to receive an appropriate tool from the rear or the front of the tower (15) to radially expand the tower (15) whereby a contact (50) is released from either the front or rear of the tower (15) for removal from the tower.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining an electrical signal which is a function of the 0.sub.2 content of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Two resistors (1 and 3) are exposed to the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Both resistors (1 and 3) have a resistance which varies as a function of the temperature of the exhaust gas to which it is exposed. However, the resistance of one of the resistors (1) also varies as a function of the oxygen content in the exhaust gas. Therefore, by applying a voltage to the resistors an electrical signal can be obtained which is a function of the O.sub.2 content of the exhaust gas, with the temperature effect of the exhaust gas on the network output being minimized or eliminated. The resistors (1 and 3) that form the sensing elements (10) are connected in series to other resistors to form a first and second resistor network which is connected together in parallel circuit relationship.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor having a removably mounted shield (10) to protect the solid electrolyte tube (30) that extends from the sensor housing (20). In one embodiment of the invention the protective shield (10) includes a radially extending lip (12) that is snapped into an undercut (21) in the sensor housing (20).

Abstract: A dielectric insert for retaining a plurality of electrical contacts in an electrical connector. The insert (10) includes passages (15) having therein opposing radially deflectable contact retaining fingers (11) integral with the insert (10). The free ends (12) of the retention fingers (11) face each other, thereby defining a cavity for captivating the enlarged portion (25) of a contact. The radially deflectable fingers (11) allow a contact to be inserted and removed from either end of an electrical connector (1).