Abstract: An enhanced Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface provides for the communication of standard USB signalling and non-standard USB signalling, which may be alternate voltage signals. The chassis within data processing devices operable for receiving such an enhanced USB connector into an enclosed enhanced USB receptacle provide a keying configuration so that the standard USB connector portion is not matable with the non-standard USB portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) includes a housing (12) having at least one conductor-receiving aperture (16) and an associated terminal-receiving passageway (32) intersecting each conductor-receiving aperture (16), and a terminal (40) disposed in each terminalreceiving passageway (32). Each terminal (40) includes a body (42) having a first connecting section (44) extending from one end thereof and a pair of upstanding arms (46) defining an insulation displacement contact at an opposite end. Each terminal (40) is partially inserted into the terminal-receiving passageway (32) in a first position and upon positioning the first connecting sections (44) in corresponding through-holes (62) of a circuit board (60), the terminals (40) can be secured to the board (60). The ends of insulated conductors (70) then can be inserted into respective conductor-receiving apertures (16) and terminated to respective terminals (40) therein by moving the housing (12) toward the board (60) to a second position against the board (60).

Abstract: A system is provided for polarizing electrical connectors of generally parallelepipedal shape and of the type having a male housing part adapted to be inserted in a skirt of a female housing part, one of these parts having along one wall at least one longitudinal tongue and the other of these parts having at least one corresponding groove which receives the tongue when the male housing part is fitted into the skirt of the female housing part. The free end of the tongue terminates in a bevel, the free edge of the skirt terminates in a corresponding bevel and the bevels on the tongue and on the free edge of the skirt are oriented so that, if the male housing part is not offered up in the correct position for insertion into the skirt, the bevels bear one against the other and tend to close up the opening of the skirt.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed, designed for use with a telephone headset. The connector utilizes angled contacts for low insertion force, resulting in easier mating and longer life. The connector is provided with a latch that allows the connector to be uncoupled with a force roughly eight times the insertion force. Both halves of the connector have beveled edges on the upper surfaces only, allowing the connector to be aligned by tactile feel rather than visual inspection or by trial and error. Fine wires can be terminated on the connector contacts because the wires are accurately centered over insulation piercing points on the electrical contacts, and expansion of the wires in all directions is restricted as the piercing points penetrate the wire.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector for electrically connecting and mechanically interlocking with a mating connector, including a connector housing having an outer support member. The outer support member is positioned substantially in the middle of the connector housing. The plug connector also includes a snap-on surface and a snap-fit device which is pre-molded to the connector housing. The snap-fit device includes a U-shaped bending bar which has a first limb and a second limb. The first limb is secured to the outer support member with a first connecting end and the second limb includes an unattached end and an orifice. The orifice is positioned substantially at the unattached end for engaging with a snap-on surface of the mating connector when the electrical plug connector is inserted into an opening of the mating connector. The plug connector is intended for use in electronic control instruments in motor vehicles.

Abstract: An electric connector including an insulating case defining a number of axial cavities, and a number of electric terminal housed respectively inside the cavities and each comprising a contact body cooperating with a respective complementary terminal and presenting a box structure defined by four lateral walls, two of which mate with each other along an edge of the box structure. The contact body presents at least one tab extending integrally from one of the aforementioned two walls and bent onto the other, for both enhancing the structural resistance of the box structure and ensuring correct insertion of the terminal inside the respective cavity which presents locating ribs for the purpose.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect system comprising a first electrical connector including a first plurality of electrically conductive contacts and a first insulator shroud surrounding the first plurality of contacts, the first shroud comprising a first side wall having upwardly and downwardly sloping portions and a second side wall having upwardly and downwardly sloping portions; and a second electrical connector including a second plurality of electrically conductive contacts and a second insulative shroud surrounding the second plurality of contacts, the second shroud comprising a third side wall having upwardly and downwardly sloping portions and a fourth side wall having upwardly and downwardly sloping portions, the first side wall being complementary with respect to the third wall, the second wall being complementary with respect to the fourth wall, and the sloping portions being configured such that, upon mating of the first and second electrical connectors, upper surfaces of the sloping portions of the firs

Abstract: An electrical coaxial jack connector adapted for electrical interconnection with a mating plug-type coaxial connector. The coaxial jack connector has an integral molded plastic body from which external connecting wires project to form a unitary cable connector. The jack-connector body is subdivided into three body sections, namely, a contact-housing section, a grip section, and a wire strain-relief section. A contact mounting board divides the contact-housing section from the grip section. A coaxial male-pin contact and a peripheral leaf-spring contact project from a front surface of the mounting board into an access cavity defined by a cylindrical wall which forms the contact-housing body section. This cylindrical wall is formed with an internal recess or groove which is located adjacent to and in alignment with the leaf-spring contact.

Abstract: A keying arrangement for electrical connectors is disclosed for preventing the inadvertent mating of a plug to the wrong receptacle. The opposing walls (28,30;18,20) of the mating plug (14) and receptacle (12) have openings (52,53;36,37) formed therein that contain opposing keys (40,51;54,56,58). One key has a projection (44) and the other key (54,56,58) has a groove (62,70). The groove is in alignment with the projection where the plug and receptacle are designated to mate. The keys are used in pairs, one key at each end of the connector to prevent partial mating and the resulting potential damage. The keys are in diagonally opposite positions to prevent inadvertent partial mating along an edge of the connector. The keys are removable and replaceable so that keying configurations can be changed in the field.

Abstract: A keying system is provided for a plurality of electrical connectors having different numbers of terminals. The connectors include at least four sets of mating connectors, such as a male and female connector in each set. Each set of connector is adapted for mounting at least one pair of interengaging terminals, with the numbers of pairs of terminals in any given set of connectors being different from that of any other set of connectors, and with the number of mating terminals in the at least four sets of mating connectors increasing in a predetermined progression. The connectors in each respective set thereof have complementary interengaging mating portions. The respective mating portions of the sets of connectors are constructed such that either connector in any given set thereof cannot mate with a connector of any other set thereof.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting wires to each other is disclosed. The connector comprises a male connector element and a female connector element having a fitting hood section into which the male connector element is fitted. The male connector element has a rectangular fitting surface which is directed or oriented toward the female connector element at fitting. The fitting surface has corners at which cut-out portions withdrawn inwardly are formed, respectively.

Abstract: A connector assembly consists of a first connector (20) having a thickness substantially equal to that of an IC card (10) and placed in a recess (11) of the IC card which incorporates an electrical circuit and a second connector (30) to be plugged into the first connector. The first connector includes a shield case (21); a first dielectric housing (23) placed in the shield case; a pair of first foolproof structures (23C, 23D) provided on opposite sides of the first dielectric housing. The first foolproof structures are made from a combination of divisions each defined by horizontal and vertical dividing lines and extending forwardly from a front face (23B) of the first dielectric housing. The second connector includes a second dielectric housing with a terminal support (32) extending forwardly therefrom; a pair of second foolproof structures (32A, 32B) provided on opposite sides of the terminal support.

Abstract: The cylindrical plug of a low-voltage, high current capacity connector assembly has an axially positioned sleeve wiping contact and a transversely positioned U-shaped channel member to provide two pairs of planar wiping contact surfaces parallel to the plug axis and substantially perpendicular to the plug housing surface. The socket component, which will accept standard low-voltage, low current car appliance plugs, includes an internally mounted, closed face pin contact and a barrel contact having depending ears positioned to engage the protruding sides of the plug U-shaped channel member. The socket also has an internal boss and housing lip to prevent electrical activation of a standard automotive cigarette lighter plug, and the plug component of the connector assembly has the sleeve contact recessed to prevent contact following insertion into a conventional cigarette lighter socket.

Abstract: A universal plug is provided for electrical connection with a receptacle having a configuration selected from a plurality of different configurations such that a conventional electric plug that mates properly with a receptacle having a first of the configurations is prevented from mating properly with a receptacle having a second of the configurations. The universal plug is formed with a first plug component and a second plug component, the first and second components being separable from each other so that each can be manipulated independently of the other for electrical connection to the receptacle. The universal plug will thus mate properly with a receptacle of the first configuration and will also mate properly with a receptacle of the second configuration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a panel providing a polarization feature to a connector proximate thereto. The panel has a face plate with opposed major surfaces. A complementary connector receiving aperture extends between the major surfaces. The aperture has a wider first region and a narrower second region. The narrower second region defines a portion of the panel adjacent thereto as a polarization feature that is adapted to be engaged by a portion of the complementary connector when the complementary connector is not properly oriented for passing through the aperture. In this manner, a complementary connector having a mating face profile corresponding to the profile of the connector receiving aperture can pass through the aperture in one orientation but not in other orientations.

Abstract: A columnar key is formed integrally with a socket body of an insulating material attached to the back of a cylindrical metal member of a socket and extends in the cylindrical member axially thereof. The socket body had contact support plates extending axially therefromm in the cylindrical member so that they extend over and under the columnar key, respectively. The cylindrical member has a plug guide portion for guiding a cylindrical metal shield cover of the mating plug to the position where the front end face of the plug body abuts against the front end face of the columnar key while holding the center axis of the shield cover of the plug in alignment with the center axis of the cylindrical member of the socket after the cylindrical metal shield cover of the plug is inserted into the cylindrical member of the socket.

Abstract: An integrated circuit card including one or more integrated circuit elements interacts with a lever extending into a card-receiving receptacle in electronic apparatus for verifying correct insertion and opening a sliding shutter in the card. The integrated circuit elements are enclosed in a case having an opening for exposing a contact pattern that connects the integrated circuit elements to the electronic apparatus. The shutter is biased toward a closed position in which a forward surface covers the contact area. An inclined chamfer on a forward section of the case interacts with the lever to limit insertion to only one orientation of the case. By providing a tab on the rear of the shutter that extends from the case on the same side as the chamfer, the lever initially verifies correct insertion and subsequently engages the tab to drive the shutter to an open position exposing the contact pattern to the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector includes a housing extending in an axial direction between a rear conductor entry end and a forward mating end. A plurality of terminal receiving recesses extend between the ends of the housing. A plurality of electrical terminals are slideably insertable into the recesses from the conductor entry end. A terminal lock is supported for movement on the housing between a terminal load position in which the terminal lock does not obstruct the recesses and a lock position in which the terminal lock engages terminals in the recesses. The improvement in accordance with which the terminal lock includes a forward portion disposed adjacent the forward end of the housing and permitting mating of the mating end of the housing only when the terminal lock is in the lock position.An electrical connection assembly includes in combination first and second electrical connectors releasably mateable with one another.

Abstract: In a multi-pole plug connector assembly including pin and socket housings having contact carrying inserts connected therewith, the fastening screws used to connect the inserts with the respective housings have three different head configurations to serve as coding elements for indicating proper orientation of the housings for plugging connection therebetween. One of the three different head configurations can be combined only with itself while the remaining two head configurations can be combined only with each other. A large number of coding possibilities can be obtained for a plurality of adjacent connector assemblies without increasing the space requirement of the assembly and without decreasing the number of poles or pins being connected.

Abstract: A keying apparatus is provided including a key support structure having a plurality of protrusions which mate with a corresponding plurality of recesses formed in an edge surface of a printed wiring assembly. The key support structure includes a mechanism for permanently latching the key support structure at a predetermined location on a mounting rail adjacent a backplane interconnect. The printed wiring assembly is conveniently removable from the key support structure. This keying apparatus assures that when a printed wiring assembly is removed from the key support structure at a predetermined location on the rail, only the proper printed wiring assembly may be reinserted at that location.

Abstract: A flexible power distribution system comprises a modular electrical connector assembly (10) has complete plug-in connections between a power supply and a "mother" board (12) or backplane which carries a plurality of "daughter" PC boards (13). The system includes a male contact member (30) in a receptacle (15) adapted to be received within a female contact member (45) in a plug (14), when the plug (14) is slidably inserted into the receptacle (15). Respective guard means are provided to prevent one's finger from being inserted into either the plug (14) or receptacle (15), respectively, to contact the female and male contact members therein; and the respective guard means mesh therebetween when plug (14) is inserted into receptacle (15).

Abstract: An electrical component housing assembly having a main housing body (2) containing a matrix (12) of receptacle cavities (34) being adapted to accommodate mating single receptacles (4) or mating double receptacles (6). The electrical receptacles include polarizing tabs (170, 270) which are received in polarizing slots (40) of the receptacle cavities (34) upon the condition that the receptacles are properly oriented with respect to the receptacle cavities. Locking tabs (172, 272) located on the receptacle (4, 6) respectively engage with the recessed channels (42) and walls (43) to secure the receptacles within the cavities (34). A locking bar (8) interacts with a locking member (37) that engages cutout portion (168, 268) of a receptacle (4, 6) to further secure the receptacles within the cavities.

Abstract: A series of electrical connector assemblies each comprising plugs and corresponding sockets which are of a number of different widths. Narrower plugs of the series are prevented from insertion into wider sockets of the series by the variation of the height of the plugs and sockets and or the cross-sectional dimensions of a key and keyway provided on the plugs and sockets. Further differentiation, between plugs and sockets of the same width, is achieved by variation of the location of the key and keyway on the plug and socket sidewalls and or the cross-sectional dimensions of the keys and keyways.

Abstract: A rejection apparatus adapted for selective installation in a female electrical socket to prevent mating of an incompatible male connector. The apparatus is formed of an elongated body of dielectric material and includes a segmented spherical head portion adjacent one end. The spherical head portion is designed to resiliently compress to allow insertion into a connector sleeve of the female socket. The head portion snaps outwardly into retaining engagement at an inner end or shoulder area in the sleeve. The spherical head portion also includes a shoulder which can engage an associated inner portion of the female socket to limit axial movement of the apparatus. When in position in the sleeve, the opposite end of the apparatus extends outward to function as a rejection element. The end is color coded to give a ready visual indication of the presence of a rejection apparatus in the sleeve.

Abstract: A universal connector for polarized thermocouple leads and the like wherein a single connector replaces previously required multiple connectors and necessary adaptors. The universal connector is capable of receiving both standard-sized and smaller or miniature-sized male connectors, with resultant savings in parts and manipulative labor.

Abstract: A connector for high current use includes a plug half and a receptacle half. The plug half includes a sleeve which receives a blade holder and a contact holder. The sleeve is provided with notches having predetermined angular positions and widths. The blade and contact holders also include notches which are mated with those of the sleeve. A plurality of sleeves having a variety of notch widths and positions can be provided to define a selection of connectors for various electrical circumstances. Blade and contact holders with a variety of sets of key positions and widths are provided to match the sleeves and to have the necessary electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A receptacle connector (10) has a plurality of plug-receiving cavities (24) defined along major sides by either outer major walls (36,38) of the receptacle hood (20) or by lengths of polarizing walls (28) parallel thereto, and along minor sides or ends thereof by minor walls (42) of the hood (20). Individual plug connector modules (100) such as single-row modules (100) receivable into the cavities (24) each include along one major side (124) thereof an elongate polarizing recess (128) to receive a polarizing wall (28). One outer major wall (38) of the hood (20) includes an elongate inward boss (44) shaped to act as a polarizing wall portion (144) from an end module, and the plug connector modules (100) when ganged together (210) will enter the receptacle section defined by the hood (20) only when in a proper polarized orientation.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly with an integral polarizing key, and method of molding the same, includes an electrical cable including at least one conductor, at least one electrical contact, a support body for at least preliminarily supporting the electrical contact, the electrical contact having an insulation displacement connection portion, a contacting portion, and an offset between said portions, and the support body having a land for cooperating with the offset to support the electrical contact during insulation displacement connection connecting of the insulation displacement connection portion to such conductor. Part of the electrical contact and the support body cooperate during the mentioned molding to effect a shut off function blocking flow of molding material of the strain relief into an area of the support body where the contacting portion is located. Molding material fills a cell of the support body during molding of the strain relief body to form a polarizing key.

Abstract: A modular, multi-row, mass terminated electrical connector which mates with an array of pins. The connector includes a housing having top and bottom rows of elongated terminal receiving cavities each with a forward pin receiving opening. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the cavities with each terminal having a forward pin engaging portion and a rear insulation displacement portion. The cavities of the top rows are staggered with respect to the cavities of the bottom row and the adjacent top row cavities are spaced apart from one another. An access slot is formed in the top of each cavity to expose the insulation displacement portion of the terminals. The insulation displacement portion of the terminals received in the bottom row cavities are accessible between adjacent top row cavities so that all of the terminals of both rows can be mass terminated from the top of the connector. The housing is made up of a plurality of modules connected together by means of selectively removable connecting members.