Abstract: An electrical connector (1) has a metal shell (2), a main housing (6), a pair of LEDs (5) received in the main housing, a subassembly (7) assembled to the main housing, a stacked Universal Serial Bus (USB) 4, and a plastic part (8) assembled to the subassembly. The shell has a pair of side walls (21), a top wall (22), a front wall (23) and a shielding plate (231) extending rearwardly from the front wall. The main housing has a partitioner (64) dividing an interior space thereof into a first and second receiving cavities (61, 62). The partitioner defines a channel (641) receiving the shielding plate of the shell.

Abstract: Methods for mounting electrical components on a substrate and securely retaining the components are described. The methods include altering solder paste compositions, interposed between component retentive pins and retentive through holes, during a reflow process. Electronic assemblies including circuit boards and electrical components mounted thereto are also described. In one of the electronic assembly embodiments, materials originally associated with a mounted electrical component migrate into solder paste coupling the electrical component to the circuit board.

Abstract: A presently-preferred electrical connector comprises an electrically insulative base member having a first surface, a substantially planar second surface, and a plurality of stud members projecting from the second surface. The base member has a plurality of through holes formed therein. The through holes each extend from the first surface to a respective stud member. At least a portion of each of the stud members is coated with an electrically conductive material. The electrical connector also comprises an electrically-insulative plate member mounted on the base member, and a conducting member. The conducting member comprises a lead portion at least partially disposed within the plate member, and a contact portion at least partially disposed within the stud member.

Abstract: A stacked connector comprises a first receptacle in a first portion of the connector. A second receptacle is stacked on the first receptacle in the first portion of the connector. A group of first contacts is arranged in the first receptacle. A group of second contacts is arranged in the second receptacle. A second portion of the connector is arranged adjacent to the first and second receptacles and includes a recess extending across the first and second receptacles for receiving an insert containing at least one filtering circuit element. The groups of first and second contacts have extensions extending into the second portion of the connector, the extensions of the first and second contacts are arranged along one wall of the recess for connection to the insert. A group of third contacts is provided separate from the groups of first and second contacts.

Abstract: A presently-preferred electrical connector comprises an electrically-conductive terminal pin, and an electrically-insulative connector body comprising a first and a second substantially planar surface and a stud member. The stud member projects from the second substantially planar surface and is adapted to be mounted on a circuit substrate. The connector body has a through hole formed therein. The through hole extends from the first substantially planar surface to the stud member and is adapted to receive the terminal pin. At least a portion of the stud member is coated with an electrically conductive material adapted to establish electrical contact between the terminal pin and an electrical connection point on the circuit substrate.

Abstract: A double deck receptacle connector. The connector has a housing with an upper row of openings for receiving corresponding plugs and a lower row of openings for receiving corresponding plugs; a plurality of upper contacts in each of the upper row of openings; and a plurality of lower contacts in each of the lower row of openings. The upper contacts engage the first circuit substrate and the lower contacts engage the second circuit substrate. The connector could also mount to a leading edge of a circuit substrate. In this arrangement, the housing mounts over the leading edge of the circuit substrate. The area of the housing located between the upper row and lower row openings that receive inserts lacks a cavity and a conductive shield.

Abstract: A modular jack for housing magnetic components includes a housing which has a plurality of ports each of which can receive an electrical connector. Extending into each of the ports are a plurality of contacts for connecting to contacts of an electrical connector. The ports may be arranged in a stacked configuration in which case the modular jack is a double deck jack. Attached to the housing may be one or more magnetic housing. Each magnetic housing can house at least one magnetic component, which can be a transformer. Preferably, there is a magnetic housing for every two ports, and the magnetic housing houses a magnetic component for each port. Shields an be installed into the housing between the magnetic components in order to provide isolation of the components. A printed wire board can be attached to the magnetic housing, and a contact carrier having a plurality of contacts can be attached to the printed wire board.

Abstract: A modular jack for housing magnetic components includes a housing which has a plurality of ports each of which can receive an electrical connector. Extending into each of the ports are a plurality of contacts for connecting to contacts of an electrical connector. The ports may be arranged in a stacked configuration in which case the modular jack is a double deck jack. Attached to the housing may be one or more magnetic housing. Each magnetic housing can house at least one magnetic component, which can be a transformer. Preferably, there is a magnetic housing for every two ports, and the magnetic housing houses a magnetic component for each port. Shields an be installed into the housing between the magnetic components in order to provide isolation of the components. A printed wire board can be attached to the magnetic housing, and a contact carrier having a plurality of contacts can be attached to the printed wire board.

Abstract: A presently-preferred electrical connector comprises an electrically-conductive terminal pin, and an electrically-insulative connector body comprising a first and a second substantially planar surface and a stud member. The stud member projects from the second substantially planar surface and is adapted to be mounted on a circuit substrate. The connector body has a through hole formed therein. The through hole extends from the first substantially planar surface to the stud member and is adapted to receive the terminal pin. At least a portion of the stud member is coated with an electrically conductive material adapted to establish electrical contact between the terminal pin and an electrical connection point on the circuit substrate.

Abstract: A digital filter adapter in accordance with the invention comprises a first connector for connecting to an interface of an electronic device, an electrical signal filter, and a connector receptacle for connecting to a communication channel or cable. Electronic signals received from an electronic device into the adapter are routed through the electrical signal filter, which is typically implemented on a printed circuit board, and communicated through the connector receptacle to a communication cable. The connector receptacle provides the same interface as the electronic device to which the first connector is designed to be attached. Thus, the adapter can be inserted between the electronic device and a communication cable which, in the absence of the adapter, could be connected directly to the electronic device.

Abstract: A low inductance power connector for reducing inductance in an electrical conductor is provided. An interface connector connects circuit boards together while reducing inductance and increasing current carrying capacitance. The connector for connecting circuit boards comprises a first contact having a first mating portion and a second mating portion, and a second contact having a first mating portion and a second mating portion, wherein the first and second contacts are interleaved.

Abstract: A low inductance power connector for reducing inductance in an electrical conductor is provided. An interface connector connects circuit boards together while reducing inductance and increasing current carrying capacitance. The connector for connecting circuit boards comprises a first contact having a first mating portion and a second mating portion, and a second contact having a first mating portion and a second mating portion, wherein the first and second contacts are interleaved.

Abstract: An electrical connector connects an electric component having a grid array of electrical contacts. The connector comprises a connector base, a plurality of contact pads attached to a surface of the connector base, a plurality of lotus spring contacts attached to a corresponding contact pad in the grid array, and an organic film through which each of the lotus spring contacts protrudes. The organic film provides structural integrity and ease of handling during assembly and subsequent use of the connector. A method of mounting a connector to an electrical component having a grid array of electrical contacts on a surface thereof. The method comprises positioning the electrical component in close proximity to the connector so that each of a plurality of lotus spring contacts on the connector touch a corresponding contact in the grid array of electrical contacts on the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprising: a housing; a plurality of first contacts; and a plurality of second contacts. The housing has an interior section, a front and a rear. The first contacts each have a mating section extending into the interior section and directed towards the rear of the housing. The second contacts each have a mating section extending into the interior section and directed towards the front of the housing. The first and second contacts occupy more than six positions total in the housing. The first contacts have a different number of contacts than the second contacts. Preferably, the second contacts occupy positions 3 and 5 in an eight position connector.

Abstract: A modular connector for receiving a complementary plug to effect an electrical connection therebetween is disclosed. The connector includes a housing that defines a cavity and an opening for receiving the plug. A plurality of electrical terminals are disposed within the cavity, and are adapted to make electrical contact with complementary electrical terminals of the plug upon insertion of the plug into the cavity. A status indicator is detachably coupled to the housing. The status indicator has a status display adapted to indicate a status of the connection. The status indicator includes a lead that display can be electrically connected by a lead that provides an electrical connection between the status display and a status controller that causes the status display to indicate the status of the connection.

Abstract: A modular jack which comprises an insulative housing (10) comprising a base wall (12) and a peripheral lateral wall (20) projecting from and base edge (22) adjacent the base wall (12) in generally normal relation from the base wall (12) to a terminal edge (24) and having a rear wall (26) and front wall (28) with the base wall (12) to form an interior cavity (46) and having an opening (34) between the rear wall (26) and the front wall (28). The jack also comprises a conductor (48) fixed to an outer side of the peripheral lateral wall (20) adjacent the base wall (12) and extending into the interior cavity (46).

Abstract: A surface mount device (SMD) has a plurality of electrodes and a generally planar contact surface for facing and at least partially contacting a substrate such as a conductive shield. At least one electrode is present at the contact surface and electrically contacts the substrate, and in at least one embodiment at least one electrode is absent from the contact surface and does not electrically contact the substrate. The shield may be part of an electrical device which has a lead electrically coupled to the at least one electrode absent from the contact surface.

Abstract: Inserts for use in fabricating modular jack connectors. The inserts include conductors having a rectangular cross section. A first insert includes a plurality of groups of conductive leads that extend across a top wall in first and second common planes toward a front end. A first group of leads form a terminal edge by extending toward the rear end of the first insert in a first common oblique plane. A second group extends angularly toward the front end from the second common plane in a second common oblique plane to form a second terminal edge which extends beyond the first terminal edge. A third group may be provided that extend across portions of the top wall in both the first and second common planes. The first and second oblique planes intersect to form a first contact area. A second insert includes a plurality of groups of conductive leads that extend across a top wall in third and fourth common planes.

Abstract: An electrical connector system having a housing including a plurality of receiving spaces each adapted to receive a complementary electrical connector. The electrical connector system includes a plurality of contacts arranged in groups corresponding to a respective one of the receiving spaces and a common filter element connected to contacts in each of the groups. The connector also includes an outer shield that generally surrounds the housing and grounding contacts to create an electrical connection between the conductive outer shield and the plug element when inserted therein. The filter element a capacitive filter and defines transverse apertures to receive the contacts. The filter includes a first conductive layer surrounding at least one of the apertures to engage a contact and forming a first electrode, a second conductive layer surrounding at least another one of the apertures to engage a contact and forming a second electrode, and a dielectric layer separating the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electrical connector has an insulating housing with an interior cavity for receiving a mating connector and a plurality of openings in communication with the interior cavity. A plurality of contacts, each of. which extends into the interior cavity of the housing from a respective one of the openings, electrically contacts conductors in the mating connector inserted into the interior cavity of the housing. An internal shield extends into the interior cavity from a respective one of the openings and is positioned between the plurality of contacts to create at least two groups of contacts.