Abstract: An electrical connector is positioned in a biased manner relative to a receptacle upon mating. The mated electrical connector is positioned along a first positioning axis of the receptacle in predetermined electrical contact with a target circuit. The connector includes a housing that mates with the receptacle along a mating axis and is placed at a predetermined position along an orthogonal first positioning axis. The housing also defines a first-positioning-axis datum which engages the receptacle. Furthermore, the connector includes an electrically conductive contact structure mounted on the housing, and a biasing mechanism operatively coupled with the housing. The biasing mechanism acts to maintain the first-positioning-axis datum in abutment with the receptacle upon mating of the housing with the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high density, miniature and low insertion force electrical connector assembly having a large number of contacts preferably in a plurality of rows. The electrical connector (10) comprises male and female contacts, 32) disposed alternatively in one or more rows of contact receiving cavities (21a-21c) in an insulating housing (20). The connector assembly comprises a pair of connectors having hermaphroditic insulating housings to secure a plurality of male contacts and female contacts disposed alternatively.

Abstract: An electrical connector component assembly (10) provides for shielding as between components of the connector. An electrically conductive outer housing (12) includes a plurality of discrete bounded compartments (30). A plurality of electrically insulative terminal support elements (14, 16) are supported individually in the bounded compartments. Plural electrical contacts are supported in at least one of the support elements. The electrical contacts supported in the one support element are electrically shielded from the components of the other support element by the bounded compartments. The electrical connector component assembly (10) may be interconnected to an identical connector in hermaphroditic fashion such that mating contact surfaces (74) engage one another locking the contact to the like contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable orientation, surface mountable hermaphroditic connector assembly comprising two hermaphroditic electrical connectors 1. Each hermaphroditic electrical connector 1 comprises an insulative housing 100, a plurality of electrical contacts 200, and a pair of variable orientation board mounts 300. The electrical contacts 200 are mounted in the insulative housing 100 so as to be surface mountable to a printed circuit board 3 regardless of whether the hermaphroditic electrical connector 1 is surface mounted vertically or horizontally. Two board mounts 300 are located in corresponding lateral cavities 125 in the insulative housing 100. Each board mount 300 is adapted to be selectively oriented in either a first position corresponding to a vertically mounted electrical connector 1 or a second position corresponding to a horizontally mounted electrical connector 1.

Abstract: An hermaphroditic electrical connector (10) is provided for interconnecting printed circuit boards (69) which includes a housing (11) of dielectric material and two pressure tables (28, 35) which are biased outwardly by springs (30, 34) in directions perpendicular to each other. Each pressure table (28, 35) includes a flat surface (48, 51) over which is a resilient pad (47, 50). A flexible circuit (46) has contact arrays (56, 59) over the flat surfaces (48, 51) and pads (47, 50) with conductors (57) in the intermediate portion that extends through the housing (11). A grounding clip (61) may be provided with the forward pressure table to give 360 degree shielding.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic electrical connector, preferably for use in high amperage applications, is disclosed. The connector comprises two substantially identically configured terminal elements adapted to be coupled together. Each of the terminal elements includes a conductive body, an elongated spring member and an open cup adapted to receive a portion of the elongated spring member and the conductive body of the other of the terminal elements when the terminal elements are coupled together.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has terminals which have first resilient legs and second rigid legs. The second rigid legs cooperate with the housing to secure the terminals therein. The entire length of the first resilient leg is utilized as a resilient beam. The first and second legs also provide two parallel paths over which signals can travel. The configuration of the terminals minimize the height of the assembly and provides a reliable electrical connection over which high speed signals can travel.

Abstract: A connector having an electrically insulative housing with at least one terminal receiving cavity extending longitudinally through the housing between the forward and rearward ends thereof. The forward end of the housing is structured to releasably mate with a similarly shaped housing of a second connector that is inverted relative to the first. The rearward end of the housing is structured so that each terminal receiving cavity longitudinally receives a terminal, the terminal having an attached electrical cable extending beyond the rearward end of the housing. A biasing spring in the form of a cantilever, biases the terminal transversely between the floor of the terminal receiving cavity and the terminal. A latch edge of the biasing spring interferingly engages the terminal so as to affix the terminal within the terminal receiving cavity.

Abstract: First and second connector members extend in one direction, for example, horizontally, and include pairs of left and right hand non-conducting tenons projecting transversely from each member in another direction, e.g., vertically. Each pair of tenons forms a channel for receiving a tenon of the other member when the connection is made. Each left hand tenon carries a conductor strip which includes a resilient contact surface within the channel formed by the tenon pair, and each right hand tenon carries a right hand conductor strip including a resilient contact surface outside the channel formed by the tenon pair. Each left hand resilient contact surface is adapted to mate with a right hand resilient contact surface when the members are engaged, thereby effectuating two electrical connections between the engaged pair of tenons. Each conductor strip extends, e.g.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector for use in pairs to join a plurality of electrical conductors includes a block housing of integral construction containing one or more stacked rows of a plurality of adjacent isolated passageways. A horizontal shelf extends forwardly from each such row and includes an inner shelf surface having a front nose projecting forward of the housing side walls. Each passageway is adapted to receive a conductor terminal having a planar tongue with adjacent lateral tangs and an integral, abutting spring arm. During insertion of each terminal into any one passageway, the tangs engage within lateral passageway slots and the spring arm is juxtapositioned the shelf inner surface with a lug on the terminal blade deflecting and becoming entrapped by a lock finger in the housing.

Abstract: A flexible, hollow electrical connector includes an end barrel portion which receives a second, identical connector, an intermediate portion positionable through a bore in a circuit board and a third contact portion. The contact portion comprises a pair of longitudinal fingers disposed in confronting relationship, each finger having a curved configuration in which the greatest transverse projection is at least as great as the inside diameter of the end barrel portion. Some embodiments may eliminate the intermediate portion and insert the barrel portion in the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes two assemblies which are adapted to mate. Each assembly has a number of contacts mounted thereon. The respective contacts (which may be pins and resilient tongues, or hermaphroditic contacts) include separate bearing surfaces and electrical contacting portions. The bearing surfaces of the contacts are subject to the abrasive action when the connector assemblies are being coupled or uncoupled, while the electrical contacting portions are protected from abrasion and contact one another only when the two assemblies are substantially coupled together.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes two assemblies which are adapted to mate. Each assembly has a number of contacts mounted thereon. The respective contacts (which may be pins and resilient tongues, or hermaphroditic contacts) include separate bearing surfaces and electrical contacting portions. The bearing surfaces of the contacts are subject to the abrasive action when the connector assemblies are being coupled or uncoupled, while the electrical contacting portions are protected from abrasion and contact one another only when the two assemblies are substantially coupled together.

Abstract: Connector device having rod-like male and female contact sections of the same shapes to contact each other while they are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Contact section guide walls opposing each other are formed in the connector body. Rod-like contact sections are provided between the opposing guide walls. The proximal end of each contact section is fixed to the connector body and the distal end thereof is free to be elastically deformed. A contact projection is formed on the distal end of the rod-like contact section. An inclined portion is formed between the contact projection and a fixing section at the proximal end of the contact section.

Abstract: Fully shielded electrical connector for shielded cable comprises a terminal housing, upper and lower ground shields and upper and lower insulative cover parts. Lower shield has a pair of wings extending forward from respective sidewalls thereof through the housing. Each wing has a flange lying against the respective housing sidewall and a resilient tongue which extends beyond the sidewall for engaging the flange on the wing in a complementary connector. Parts are designed for ease of assembly without special tools. Lower ground shield has flanges flanking cable receiving opening in rear wall which fit flushly in cable receiving opening in rear wall of lower cover inserter member has cable receiving aperture therethrough which opens in dovetail slot which engages dovetail flanges on rear wall of lower housing to prevent overstressing openings in lower shield and housing when cable with contact ferrule is inserted therein.

Abstract: An electrical connector in which preselected terminals are shunted. Contact portions of the terminals are aligned with a shunt bar and are resiliently deformable from positions engaging the shunt bar in an unmated condition of the connector to positions spaced from the shunt bar in a mated condition of the connector by mating engagement with a complimentary connector. The shunt bar comprises a bridge portion from which contact lugs depend spaced asymmetrically along the bridge. Two shunt bars are located in tandem in back-to-back relation in a connector housing so that alternate contact tongues are aligned with respective contact lugs on respective shunt bars.