Abstract: Electrical connector testing apparatus for detecting obstructions in the connector contact terminal pin receptacle channels caused by defective receptacle blades (18, 19). A carriage (22) for retaining a connector (20) in an upright position is movable between upper and lower horizontal members (40, 41) of a detection frame (36) to position the contact receptacles (16, 17) row by row between corresponding pairs of light emitting diodes and phototransistors (45, 44) fitted respectively in the horizontal members (40, 41). Light beams generated by the diodes (45) pass unobstructed through properly fitted contact receptacles (16) and are interrupted by receptacles (17) having defective, bent blades. The phototransistors (44) detect the unobstructed light beams and transmit signals indicative of properly fitted receptacles (16) to control circuitry (65), which may conveniently comprise a microprocessor, which may then be programmed to initiate appropriate action for the identification of the defective connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector (20) adapted for engagement with a plated-through hole (13) in a printed circuit board (10) is disclosed. This connector includes first and second generally squared-shaped posts (21,22) for receiving electrically conductive elements. Intermediate these first and second posts is a compliant section (23,24,25,26) for producing an interference coupling between the connector and the plated-through hole. Juxtaposed the compliant section and intermediate and located between it and the first post is a broaching section (30) for conditioning the plated-through hole prior to engagement of the compliant section with the plated-through hole.

Abstract: An arrangement for keying plug-in circuit boards and their receptacles so that a user is alerted visually and audibly if an attempt is made to insert a board into an improper receptacle. Contacts on the board are arranged in coded locations along the edges of the board which slide into the guide rails of the receptacles. Contact assemblies are mounted on the guide rails in a similar coded arrangement. The contacts and contact assemblies are positioned in such a manner that at least one board contact will electrically engage a receptacle contact assembly and energize an alarm before the board can be fully inserted into an improper receptacle.

Abstract: A multipin backplane connector (10) featuring a locking mechanism for locking the connector to the pins. The terminal pins (11) are lengthened to extend beyond the connector pin receptacles (20) after the pins (11) are inserted therein and are further modified to provide a pair of opposing vertical notches (15) on the extensions of each. The locking mechanism comprises a rocker member (34) in the form of an obtuse "V", one section (37) having slots (38) dimensioned to fit freely about the pins (11), each slot (15) having opposing teeth (39) for engaging the pin notches (15). A pair of manually operated sleeves (46, 47) clasping opposite sides of the connector housing are moved over the two rocker member sections (37, 40) to raise and lower the slot teeth (39) out of and into engagement with the terminal pin notches (15).

Abstract: Apparatus for testing connectors to detect the presence of contamination films and foreign material on the contact terminals of a connector. The testing apparatus comprises electrode apparatus (2) for use in engaging the contact terminals (701) of a connector (700) and support apparatus (3) intended to receive a connector and hold the connector in a fixed relationship to the electrode apparatus. The testing apparatus further comprises guide apparatus (4) for supporting electrodes (221) of the electrode apparatus and positioning apparatus (5) for enabling the guide apparatus to align the electrodes with the connector contact terminals and for enabling the electrode apparatus to engage the aligned electrodes with the connector contact terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of contamination films and foreign material on the conducting fingers of a circuit board. The apparatus includes a guide block assembly (11) designed to receive and momentarily hold a circuit board (100) and a spring biased hold down bar (25) for securely holding the circuit board in the guide block assembly. The apparatus further includes apparatus (23, 31) for use in positioning a plurality of probe assemblies (33) to simultaneously engage a pair of electrodes (330) with each one of the circuit board conducting fingers (101). A controller (43) enables switch apparatus (42) to selectively connect each pair of electrodes with electrical resistance measuring apparatus (50) to measure the resistance of any contamination film and foreign material appearing on a circuit board conducting finger between the electrodes of each electrode pair.

Abstract: An electrical socket connector construction for receiving the terminals of an electrical integrated circuit pack in which the body of the connector is formed in two steps. A housing (10) is initially molded in rectangular, box-like form, its base (15) initially being in two sections (20, 21) separated by a small gap (19). In a second step, the side walls (11, 12) are forced together to close the base (15) gap and are locked together by a latching mechanism (23, 24, 25, 26) at each end. The top wall (14) is buckled upward in the gap (19) closure along hinge lines (22) to form two peaked members (16, 17) each having a longitudinal slot (27) on the inside of the housing (10). Rows of apertures (18, 28) formed in the top wall and base (14, 15) admit the circuit pack (34) terminals (35, 36) in the top and fit two-bladed contact receptacles (29) in the base. One blade (31) of each row is extended to engage a slot (27) of the top members (16, 17) which, in their peaked stake, hold the blades (30, 31) open.