Abstract: An automatic protection cap assembly for plug and receptacle connectors including a laterally fixed apertured plate and a laterally slidably apertured plate in each connector. The plates of the receptacle connector are axially movable. Opening and closing cams having inclined ramp surfaces are fixed on laterally opposite sides of the housing of the receptacle. A latch mounted on the slide plate of the receptacle is insertable into a latch recess in the plug housing, and the latch and latch recess cooperate for moving the slide plate to its closed position by axially moving the plate assembly of the receptacle upon demating of the assembly.

Abstract: An easily assembled and disassembled rectangular connector assembly wherein contacts (30) are retained in a connector housing (10) by a plurality of segments (20) that are releasably mounted to the connector housing (10). The segments (20) are releasably mounted to the housing (10) by a plurality of resiliently deflectable fingers (13) having a flange (14) thereon that engages a shoulder (24) on each of the segments (20). A window (25) provides access to the flanges (14) so that the flanges (14) may be deflected and disengaged from the shoulder (24) on the segment (20).

Abstract: A one-piece molded unitary plastic member (10) having a planar portion (15) with a plurality of apertures (16) that is integrally hinged (17) to a base (11) having a plurality of passages (14) for receiving contacts (50). When contacts (50) are placed in the passages (14) in the base (11) with the terminal portion (52) of each contact (50) extending through a respective aperture (16) in the planar portion (15), and the planar portion (15) is moved to a position perpendicular to the base (11), the terminal portions (52) of all the contacts (50) are bent in one operation at a 90 degree angle.

Abstract: A modular connector assembly (50) combination characterized by a printed circuit board (60) having a plurality of apertures (66) extending between the surfaces thereof and with a circuit being printed on one of the panel surfaces; an interconnection device (70) mounted to the printed circuit board, the interconnection device being of dielectric material and associating a plurality of passages (76) extending therethrough with the apertures; and a contact (10) mounted within some of the passages of the interconnection device, the contact being of the type comprising a holder (20) of solderable material, a plurality of axial wires of conductive material secured medially of their ends (32, 34) in the holder and a sleeve (40) of non-solderable material extending forwardly of the holder, wavesoldering about an end portion of the holder extending through the aperture (66) mounting the contact and the interconnection device to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) and method of making wherein the connector does not require a separate contact but comprises end strands (52) of a multistranded electrical conductor (wire 50). The strands (52) are formed into a loop (56) having overlapping portions (57) and the overlapping portions are secured together by a weld. The forward portion of the strands (52) are straightened into axial alignment and the ends (53) of each strand cut and provided with angled end surfaces (54). The conductor (wire) so prepared is inserted into a molded housing (20) having two mating halves (30, 40), at least one of which is provided with a channel (33) including a loop cavity (62) and a projection (60). The loop (56) of the conductor is mounted over the projection and the two connector halves secured together to complete the connector assembly.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector assembly (10) is disclosed. The assembly is especially adapted for engagement with a printed circuit board (76) having electrical circuits formed on both sides thereof. The assembly includes a body (12) of molded dielectric material having four spaced rows of passages (24) extending therethrough from a front face (26) to a rear face (28) of the body. The assembly also includes brush wire electrical contacts (14) each received in its respective passage. Each of the contacts has a cylindrical body portion (62) and an elongated tail (64) attached to one end of its body portion. The ends (72) of the termination portions extend beyond the rear face and form two spaced straight line rows adapted to receive the printed circuit board therebetween. The ends (63) of the body portions opposite their respective termination portions comprise four spaced apart, straight line rows of body portion ends.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided which both untwists and shears a forward end of twisted conductive strands of a multi-stranded wire (40). A pair of strand receiving members (20, 30) having acutely angled front surfaces (24, 34) are slidably disposed and in spaced relationship by a support (12). To untwist the strands the twisted strands are inserted into and passed through a wire passage (26) and into guide bores (27) of the first strand receiving member (20). To shear the strands, the strands are then passed from the first strand receiving member (20) and into guide bores (37) of the second strand receiving member (30). Strand receiver (30) is then displaced with respect to strand receiver (20) with the strands extending between the front surfaces being sheared apart and provided with an acutely angled end defining an elliptical surface. The strand shearing is preferably across the minor axis of the ellipse.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector assembly (10) is disclosed. The assembly is especially adapted for engagement with a printed circuit board (76) having electrical circuits formed on both sides thereof. The assembly includes a body (12) of molded dielectric material having four spaced rows of passages (24) extending therethrough from a front face (26) to a rear face (28) of the body. The assembly also includes brush wire electrical contacts (14) each received in its respective passage. Each of the contacts has a cylindrical body portion (62) and an elongated tail (64) attached to one end of its body portion. The ends (72) of the termination portions extend beyond the rear face and form two spaced straight line rows adapted to receive the printed circuit board therebetween. The ends (63) of the body portions opposite their respective termination portions comprise four spaced apart, straight line rows of body portion ends.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) and method of making wherein the connector does not require a separate contact but comprises end strands (52) of a multistranded electrical conductor (wire 50). The strands (52) are formed into a loop (56) having overlapping portions (57) and the overlapping portions are secured together by a weld. The forward portion of the strands (52) are straightened into axial alignment and the ends (53) of each strand cut and provided with angled end surfaces (54). The conductor (wire) so prepared is inserted into a molded housing (20) having two mating halves (30, 40), at least one of which is provided with a channel (33) including a loop cavity (62) and a projection (60). The loop (56) of the conductor is mounted over the projection and the two connector halves secured together to complete the connector assembly.

Abstract: An integral electrical contact (10, 110, 210) and a method for making the electrical contact is disclosed. The contact includes an elongated electrical conducting base portion (19, 119, 219) which has an axial passage (29, 129, 229) extending therethrough and also includes several axially aligned electrical wires (20, 120, 220) integrally formed with the base portion. The wires are axially aligned with the passage of the base portion and extend beyond a first end (18, 118, 218) of the base portion. Each of the wires which extends beyond the first end of the base portion includes an end portion (24, 124, 224) that terminates in an acutely angled surface. The electrical contact is made by coining an electrically conductive flat sheet of material (12) to form a plurality of elongated raised design portions (14, 16, 114, 116, 214, 216) which are axially aligned and extend inwardly from one end surface (13) of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical contact wherein the contact includes a plurality of axially aligned wires (200) extending from a forward end (110) of a holder which has a rear portion (130) for receiving an electrical conductor (300). The holder (100) is manufactured by stamping it as a flat metallic piece with enlarged forward and rear portions then forming the forward portion (110) in a die to form a socket like portion for the plurality of fine, axially aligned wires and forming the rear portion (130) to receive the conductor (300).

Abstract: An electrical contact (10) for an electrical connector including a sleeve (20) and a plurality of axially-aligned fine wires (30), with each wire having an acutely angled end portion (32) at one end thereof and with the plurality of wires secured together at the other end to form a bundle (40). Preferably, the wires are secured together by a weld (50) formed by a capacitor (210) discharging across a gap (300) to the wires, although other securing methods could be used. The bundle (40) of wires then may be inserted into the sleeve of the contact (10) with the angled ends (32) forward in the sleeve (20) and the weld (50) rearward in the sleeve. Said sleeve then is crimped inwardly (25) forward of, or including, the welded portion, to hold the bundle (40) in place within the sleeve.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (800) in which two mateable housings (200, 500) each have electrical contacts (100, 400) mounted therein. Each contact has a forward mating portion with a plurality of axially aligned wires (120, 420), each wire having an acutely angled forward end surface (122, 422). The axially aligned wires of each contact are surrounded by a shroud or sleeve (130, 430) which extends around the wires and forwardly of the end surfaces to protect them and allow the contact to be inserted into the housing from the rear through a rear-mounted grommet (300, 600). The sleeve (130) on the one contact has a larger diameter forward end than the sleeve (430) on the other mating contact to allow the sleeves to interfit together in telescoped relationship when the housings and contacts are mated. The housing (200) having the contact with the larger diameter sleeve (130) has a contact retention system which includes a forward stop (214) to captivate the contact by engaging the forward end of the sleeve.