Abstract: A contact terminal has a termination section at one end thereof including a spaced pair of axially-extending slots within each of which a respective one of a pair of conductor wires is held in interference fit for weld termination such as by laser welding. The terminal can be a ground terminal for the pair of ground conductors of a tri-lead cable.

Abstract: An electrical connector has rows of contact locations which are signal locations and ground locations where ground locations in one row are programmable independently of ground locations in any other row. A housing member has secured thereto corresponding to each row of contact locations a terminal assembly having signal and ground terminals corresponding to the signal and ground locations in that row. Each terminal assembly has individual terminals on one side of a carrier corresponding to each contact location and a ground plane on the other side of the carrier. A method of making such an assembly is provided. Terminals at ground locations are welded to tab sections of the ground plane located only at ground locations, with such terminals becoming ground terminals. Terminals at signal locations are terminated to signal conductors of transmission cables, while ground conductors of the cables are terminated to the ground plane.

Abstract: An improved connector for terminating tri-lead cable includes a housing carrying a signal terminal and a ground terminal each capable of making engagement with a respective conductor of one or a pair of tri-lead cables. The connector also includes a pair of hermaphroditic covers each of which receives therein a respective tri-lead cable with the conductors thereof profiled to positions enabling termination by the terminals. The covers secure the termination sections of the terminals therewithin and are movable along with the terminals with respect to the housing to effect unlocking of the signal terminal from a mating pin terminal of a printed circuit board, so that the connector assembly is removable from the board, the ground terminal being removably engageable with a mating ground rail of the board.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing member in which signal and ground terminal members are secured with contact sections of the terminal members in alignment with respective openings at a front end of the housing member into which a pin terminal and a ground rail of a panelboard extend for electrical connection with the contact sections of the signal and ground terminal members. Termination sections of the signal and ground terminal members are terminated to the signal and ground conductors of a cable. A securing section is part of the signal terminal member or ground terminal member in which a section of the cable is secured as a cable strain relief. A profiled dielectric cover member encapsulates the termination sections terminated to the signal and ground conductors and the securing section secured to the cable section and a section of the cable as an added cable strain relief thereby forming an electrical terminal assembly that is latchably secured in the housing member.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing member in which signal and ground terminal members are secured with contact sections of the terminal members in alignment with respective openings at a front end of the housing member into which a pin terminal and a ground rail of a panelboard extend for electrical connection with the contact sections of the signal and ground terminal members. Termination sections of the signal and ground terminal members extend outwardly from a rear end of the housing member for terminating the signal and ground conductors of a cable thereto. A securing section is part of the signal terminal member or ground terminal member for securing a section of the cable therein as a cable strain relief. Dielectric cover members are latchably secured together onto the housing member and covering the termination sections terminated to the signal and ground conductors and the securing section secured to the cable section and engaging the cable as an added cable strain relief.

Abstract: A method and connector are disclosed for making a zero insertion force connection between mating members while providing a contact wiping action. The connector has a housing, a plurality of terminals mounted in the housing, a cam mounted for longitudinal movement in the housing and a cam follower mounted between the cam and each row of terminals. Movement of the cam from a first to a second position causes the terminals to open to receive the mating member, return movement to the first position allows the terminals to engage the mating member, movement to a third position causes a first wiping action by the terminals and return to the first position causes a reverse wiping action.

Abstract: An improved contact is disclosed for use in zero insertion force connectors. The subject contact is a compound spring formed from a single piece of metal stock, a portion of which is skived to achieve dual thickness stock. The contact is formed as a compound beam such that the loading thereof provides differential deflection of the contact so that a wiping action is performed at a point of engagement with a circuit board.