Abstract: A pin mounted support system for printed circuit cards and connectors includes a base portion having one or more bores for mounting upon the pins of the header and a guide surface portion that delimits the installed position of the printed circuit card or connector. Where the support is intended for use with a printed circuit board, the support includes a groove or track for accepting and supporting a lateral edge of the printed circuit board. Where the support is intended for use with a connector terminated cable, a keytab is provided with one or more bores for mating with the pins of the header to delimit the proper position of the connector. The connector is positioned between the keytabs and installed in its mated position. The supports are typically fabricated from a molded plastic and are easily removable from their support pins to allow convenient reconfiguring of the header.

Abstract: A programmable keying system (51) for electrical connectors includes keys (56) which are supported within key-receiving passageways (61) in a connector (10) to cooperate with opposing keys in a complementary connector to ensure that the connector (10) will mate only with a connector with which it is intended to mate. The keys (56) are supported in the passageways (61) in a partially inserted, programmable first position in which they are loosely retained in the passageways (61) by first retention means, but are capable of being rotated to a selected orientation. After being oriented, the keys (56) are pushed fully into the passageways (61) to a locked second position in which they are locked in the passageways (61) in the selected orientation by second retention means. The keying system (51) permits connectors (10) to be shipped to a customer with the keys assembled thereto but with the keys unprogrammed such that they can be programmed in the field at a later time.

Abstract: A modular electrical connector assembly consisting of a plurality of components which can be assembled in a number of different configurations is disclosed. Each connector consists of an outer body (100, 200) and an inner body (300, 400). The inner and outer bodies are separately and independently keyed and each mates with a corresponding inner or outer body in only one configuration. The inner body is keyed by providing distinct cross-sections for intermating posts (310) and cavities (410). The outer bodies (100, 200) are latched together by a plurality of collects (202) on one connector (200) which are held in engagement with a cylindrical ridge (130) on the other connector by a spring loaded shiftable sleeve (150). Keys (142) on one connector are received in keyslots (212), between adjacent collets (202) on the other connector. Conductors (30) in distinct and corresponding ordered arrays can be interconnected and the circuit patterns need not be changed in order to provide for connector modulatity.

Abstract: A multi-pole plug connector is formed as a strip which includes a plurality of plug parts or socket parts having different respective numbers of poles; a plurality of corresponding socket parts or plug parts respectively insertable into the strip; coding elements arranged in the plug parts and the socket parts; first cooperating contours provided on the plug parts and the socket parts, and including a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses arranged in a pattern with a predetermined pattern spacing, except in corner regions of the strip, so that the projections are normally engageable in the recesses when the plug parts are plugged into the socket parts; the corner edges of the plug parts and of the socket parts forming abutment edges of the parts, and including projection-free regions provided in the corner edges which deviate from the patterned contours so as to be purposely mismatched and nonfittingly collidable with the latter, the contours being provided with additional recesses in correspon

Abstract: A connector assembly includes modules which intermate to interconnect electrical circuits between mother and daughter printed circuit boards. The modules are provided with resilient projections which latch on relative rotation of the modules, enabling the handling of resultant modular assemblies. High current carrying terminals of the modules have contact posts of different spacings and lengths from a contact point to assure equal resistivity to avoid hot spots for high current. A polarizing key locking feature is provided by a snap ring including a slot to permit engagement and disengagement by a simple tool such as a screwdriver.

Abstract: A key member (50) for an electrical connector (10,100) is removably securable in the housing (12,110) thereof without fasteners and has a rearward retention section (56) comprised of preferably four radially inwardly deflectable quadrants (70) which ride over retention projections (42,130) within connector passageways (28,114). The retention projections (42,130) seat in a recess (82,86) of the key member retention section (56) to secure the key member (50) in the passageway (28,114) against axial movement or misalignment while another polygonal shaped passageway section (36,122) secures a polygonal shaped section (52) of the key member (50) against rotation. The retention projections (42,130) are preferably annular or semiannular to seat in an annular recess (82,86).

Abstract: A keying system 9 for connector assemblies 1,8 comprises, individual keying means 30,31,32,33 of one of the connector assemblies 8 directly opposing individual keying means 10,11,12,13 of the connector assembly 1, either one of the other of said directly opposing individual keying means 30,10; 31,11; 32,12; 33,13 is removed, and a vacancy remaining from a removed individual keying means is occupied with the nonremoved individual keying means upon orientation of the connector assemblies 1,8 in corresponding predeterminate positions with respect to each other.

Abstract: The coder device prevents plugs being assembled to a counter-plug device having a different coding. The coder device is formed by tongue-like projections on a plug and by corresponding chamber-like recesses on the counter-plug device. The projections are provided with a theoretical breakage point and can be broken off. The broken off projections can be inserted into the associated recess of the housing of the counter-plug device. By breaking off projections in different combinations, it is possible to individualize the original universal coder device.

Abstract: A multi-pole plug connector has a strip composed of a plurality of plug and socket parts, a plurality of corresponding socket and plug parts insertable into the strip; insertion recesses are provided on the plug parts and socket parts for insertion of coding elements, and contours are provided on the plug parts and socket parts in correspondence with a pattern having a predetermined pattern spacing and including a plurality of projections and recesses, while corner edges of the contours deviate from the patterned contours so as to purposely be mismatched and non-fittingly collidable with the latter.

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.