Abstract: An electrical contact having a center leg and a pair of beams connected to the center leg. Each beam has a metal-coated end which may mate and unmate with electrical interfaces in a wiping movement. A plurality of electrical contacts are received in a plurality of spaced-apart retention openings in a contact module in a manner compatible with automatic insertion.

Abstract: A method for turning a concave cut in a workpiece on a screw machine includes the steps of supporting the workpiece for rotation generally about its longitudinal axis and rotating the workpiece generally about an axis corresponding to its longitudinal axis in a first direction. A rotary cutter is turned about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece in a second direction opposite to the first. A tooth on the cutter engages the workpiece for forming a generally concave cut in the workpiece. Apparatus for turning a concave cut in workpiece on a lathe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A terminal alignment system is provided for an electrical connector assembly disclosed as an insulation displacement type connector for terminating a plurality of insulated conductors of a multi-conductor cable. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving passageways for the insertion thereinto of a plurality of terminals in a given insertion direction. Each terminal includes an insulation displacement section at one end for piercing the insulation about one of the conductors, a contact section at an opposite end for mating with a mating terminal, and an intermediate securing section between the ends for securing the terminal in a respective one of the passageways. The insulation displacement section of each terminal includes a notch facing in the insertion direction. The housing includes a rib for interengagement with each notch.

Abstract: A method and structure of an electrical connector is provided for tuning the impedance of the connector according to a given impedance of an electrical circuit in which the connector is interconnected. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a receptacle for receiving a complementary mating connector. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing. The terminals include body portions located in the housing and contact portions located at the receptacle for engaging appropriate terminals of the mating connector when inserted into the receptacle. The areas of the body portions of the terminals are selectively varied to vary the capacitance of the terminals and, therefore, the impedance of the connector to match the given impedance of the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An inexpensive, easily assembled electrical connector provides simultaneous secure connection of both center and outer conductors in a bundle of coaxial wires and includes a conductive housing having a cylindrical bore for each wire of the bundled cable. Each bore has a small diameter constriction adjacent a rear surface of the housing and a dielectric insert is disposed in each cylindrical bore from the constriction forward to a front surface of the housing. A conductive pin is attached to the end of each coaxial wire and is inserted into one of the inserts, carrying the coaxial cable into the rear end of a housing bore until the outer conductor meets the constriction, electrically coupling all of the outer conductors to the conductive housing and precisely positioning each of the center conductors relative to a mating center conductor. A connector assembly has a pair of mating connectors that may be electrically connected.

Abstract: An edge connector is adapted for use with a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads on opposite sides of the board adjacent the edge. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a slot for receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing along the slot. Each terminal includes a pair of side support portions fixed to the housing generally near opposite sides of the slot, a cross brace portion extending between the side support portions, a terminating portion projecting below the cross brace portion and a spring contact portion projecting above the cross brace portion for engaging one of the contact pads on the printed circuit board. The spring contact portion extends from one side of the terminal across the slot for engaging a contact pad on an opposite side of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An edge connector is adapted for use with a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads on opposite sides of the board adjacent the edge. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a slot for receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing along the slot. Each terminal includes a pair of side support portions fixed to the housing outside opposite sides of the slot, a cross brace portion extending between the side support portions, a terminating portion projecting below the cross brace portion and a spring contact arm projecting upwardly from the cross brace portion and including a contact portion for engaging one of the contact pads on the printed circuit board. The terminals are oriented in an alternating array along the slot whereby the contact portions alternatingly engage contact pads on opposite sides of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a central processing unit chip to a computer circuit board comprises a plurality of metal clips forcibly insertedly disposed within a plurality of socket holes formed on a connector body. Each of the metal clips comprises a base which is formed by bending a plate member to form a hollow tubular member on the top of which a pinching member which is also a hollow tubular member is integrally formed. An elongated flat peg extends downward from the bottom of the base to insert into a hole formed on a circuit board. The socket holes comprise a lower holding portion substantially complemental in shape to, but smaller in size than the base of the metal clip in order to forcibly receive therein the base of the metal clip. The socket holes also have an upper portion corresponding to the pinching member of the metal clip to receive therein the pinching member.

Abstract: A method and structure of an electrical connector is provided for tuning the impedance of the connector according to a given impedance of an electrical circuit in which the connector is interconnected. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a receptacle for receiving a complementary electrical component. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing. The terminals include body portions located in the housing and contact portions for engaging respective contacts on the electrical component. The body portions include mechanically nonfunctional sections of a given area which effect a given capacitance. The mechanically non-functional sections are selectively trimmable to selectively vary the area thereof and thereby vary the capacitance of the terminals and, therefore, the impedance of the connector to match the given impedance of the electrical circuit. The connector includes a plurality of signal terminals and a plurality of ground terminals.

Abstract: A terminal is provided which includes includes an a non-movable L-shaped base and a swan neck contact coupled to one end of the base. The terminal also includes a split dimple formed on a base of the terminal to provide a front-to-back alignment of the terminal inside terminal-receiving cavities formed in a socket housing. The split dimple also provides the terminal with a strong retention to the plastic body of the connector housing. The terminals are particularly useful in a SIMM socket. Adjacent terminals on opposite sides of the edge card are electrically isolated or independent from each other. By incorporating electrically independent contacts into a SIMM socket, the present invention permits twice as many I/O leads in the same amount of space compared to a conventional SIMM socket and doubles the number of pads per module.

Abstract: In a solderless connector having an insulation displacement terminal which is a plate member accommodated in a connector housing, the plate member includes a wire insulation displacement part with a slot, and has engaging protrusions before and after the wire insulation displacement part. The connector housing has engaging grooves formed in its bottom. The engaging protrusions are engaged with the engaging grooves, to prevent the longitudinal deformation of the wire insulation displacement part.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) for use with a module includes an insulative elongated housing (12) and a module-receiving recess (14) which extends longitudinally within and between opposite ends (16) of the housing (12). A plurality of cavities (40) are transversely positioned along the recess (14) and open out on both sides thereof. A contact (60) is received within each cavity (40) and includes a base portion (62) in a horizontal direction. A generally S-shaped spring beams (64) extends upward from one end of the base portion (62), and a generally L-shaped spring beam (72) extends upward from the other side of the base portion (62). A retention section (76) extends upward between two spring beams (64, 72) and includes a pair of posts (78) separated along a slot (80). A notch (82) is positioned at the top of the retention section (76) in alignment with the slot (80).

Abstract: A press-fit contact is disclosed for insertion into a plated-through hole in a printed circuit board. The press-fit contact is rotationally symmetric (manufactured on a lathe). In order to secure a uniform contact pressure for the whole contact region, the press-in portion of the contact is formed in the shape of a convex barrel and includes an axially extending cylindrical cavity. The barrel-shaped walls are provided with longitudinal slots extending parallel to the axis of the contact. The slots do not extend up to the lower end of the contact defining resilient beams having their ends joined by a rim formed at the tip of the contact.

Abstract: A spacer mounting structure for a connector comprises a housing and a spacer. The housing has a terminal accommodating chamber accommodating a male terminal element. The housing is provided with a flexible engaging arm within the terminal accommodating chamber, which is engaged with the male terminal element. The housing has an acceptant space which allows or permits the flexible engaging arm to be bent. The housing has a fitting hood section fitted with respect to a male connector. A first guide section extends from the fitting hood section to the acceptant space in an inserting direction. The spacer includes a spacer section inserted into the acceptant space, and a second guide section slidably engaged with the first guide section and extending in the inserting direction.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed having a plurality of contact elements to be pressed-in into contact holes in a printed circuit board. The contact elements are arranged in a housing of insulating material. In order to press-in all contact elements of the connector simultaneously into the respective contact holes of the circuit board such a large force has to be applied to the housing that the housing may be damaged. The contact elements are elongated to extend up to the top surface of the housing such that the insertion force can be applied directly to the contact elements.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing (20) having a mating face (22) and an opposed rear face (24), the housing being formed with a plurality of contact receiving passageways (26) extending between the mating face and the rear face. Each of the passageways contains a contact (40) which includes a generally linear central body portion (42), a terminal portion (46) at a first end of the central body portion which includes a slotted insulation displacing plate (48) adapted to mechanically and electrically engage an individual cable wire, a generally linear pin receiving beam portion (50) at the second end of the central body portion (42) which is offset from the line (52) defined by the linear central body portion, and retention means (44) on the central body portion for engaging the housing (20) to retain the contact in its passageway (26).

Abstract: An electric terminal particularly designed to establish circuit connection with a piezoelectric ceramic disc employed in a smoke detector alarm horn. The electric terminal comprises a pair of joined and spaced sidewalls disposed in a generally parallel relationship with respect to each other, a contact-beam support wall joining the pair of sidewalls, and a resilient, cantilevered contact beam having a first curved section fixed to the support wall and having a generally straight section formed with a pointed electrical contact adapted to engage the piezoelectric ceramic disc or other electrical load.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) wherein the contacts (32, 34) have tail portions (40, 46) extending into respective holes (18) of a printed circuit board (16). The tail portions are gently curved, which provides a centering of the distal ends (48, 56) of the tail portions over the respective circuit board holes and also results in a low insertion force. Retention is provided by friction of the tail portions against the walls of the holes. The gentle curve of the tail portions keeps them close to the walls of the respective holes so that when a surface mount solder process is utilized, each tail portion provides a wicking action to concentrate the small amount of solder which is available in the region where the tail portion is close to the wall, resulting in a strong mechanical and electrical solder joint without requiring the hole to filled with solder.

Abstract: An electrical contact (10) includes a central retention portion (16) adapted for insertion in a printed circuit board hole (38). The retention portion (16) includes first and second beam members (22, 24) and first and second collar sections (18, 20) which are rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam members. The length of the beam members is at least as great as the thickness of the printed circuit board (40). The unstressed diameter of the substantially cylindrical retention portion is greater than the diameter of the circuit board hole (38). The retention portion (16) is formed with gaps (42, 44) so that it can be compressed for insertion into the hole (38). Since the spacing between the collar sections (18, 20) is at least as great as the thickness of the circuit board (40), the collar sections are on opposite sides of the circuit board outside the hole when the retention portion is inserted in the hole.

Abstract: An electrical connector (20) has a dielectric housing (22) with at least one channel (46) therein. A contact (26) having a mating end (74), a mounting end (84) and a body section (94) extending therebetween is disposed in the channel. The body section (94) between the mating end and the mounting end defines an axis. The body section also defines opposed first and second major surfaces (96,98). A first protrusion (104) extends from one of the major surfaces proximate the mating end (74) of the contact and a second protrusion (106 or 108) extends from one of the major surfaces at a location spaced from the mating end (74) farther than the first protrusion (104). In this manner the contact (26) is caused to resiliently bend forming an "S" bend which provides a slight interference fit at spaced locations along the length of the contact to retain the contact in the channel.

Abstract: A molded plastic circuit element such as connector (50) includes a housing (52) molded of plastic to be nonresilient and have a plurality of cavities (68) into which are inserted compliant spring portions (44) of compliant pin contacts (42), for self-retention therein by strong interference fit. The side walls of the cavities (68) are plated to a substantial thickness (70) of copper or the like equivalent to about one ounce. An assured electrical connection is formed by the compliant pin (42) with the plating material (70) without solder, the plating material remaining assuredly integral to define a gastight connection over long-term in-service use. The contacts (42) of the array can enable mating with a corresponding connector (18) while circuit paths (74) extend from the plated cavities (68) to another array of pads (90) to connect to a circuit element (20) and interconnect it with connector (18).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 10 includes a housing 12 having a plurality of terminal members 40 disposed within configured terminal-receiving passageways 82 thereof. Each terminal member 40 includes first and second contact portions 42, 62 and a body portion 46 having retaining means 52 for holding the terminal member 40 within the housing passageway 82 and a plurality of push means horizontally and vertically staggered about the longitudinal axis of the terminal member 40 and adapted to cooperate with corresponding push ledges 86, 88, 90 within the passageway 82. The push means includes a latch 54 extending outwardly from a first side 49 of the body portion 46 and first and second pairs of formed tabs 56, 58 extending from opposed second and third sides 50, 51 of the body portion 46 at first, second and third axially selected locations respectively.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) includes a housing (16) containing spring contacts (32) having a spring geometry to accommodate stub-free insertion and extraction of leads (70) and provide a tolerance accommodating spring action relative to contact post portions (40) inserted into the apertures (14) of a printed circuit board (12) or the like.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in an electrical connector system which includes a connector block of insulating material having a plurality of pin receiving openings for positioning a plurality of terminal pins therein by an interference fit. At least some of the openings each are generally rectangularly shaped and include inwardly directed pin engaging projections located in diagonally opposite quadrants of the rectangular opening. The invention contemplates that the connector block may have a series of the openings in a closely spaced row. The diagonally opposite quadrants in which the projections are disposed are at the same respective locations in each opening along the row.

Abstract: Z-axis pin connectors for interconnecting stacked printed circuit boards are formed from resilient material and have contact sections larger than cooperating through-plated holes formed in the boards. The pin connectors are drawn through the through-plated holes in the stacked circuit board, causing the contact section of the pin connector to frictionally engage the through-plated holes on at least two boards.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body and an array of posts extending out of one side of the connector body for mounting to a circuit board. At least one retention feature is provided, and this retention feature includes a bent portion of at least one of the posts. The bent portion includes a first portion extending from the centerline of the post to an apex, and a second portion extending from the apex to the tip such that the apex is laterally offset from the centerline to a greater extent than is the tip. At least the first and second portions are formed of post stock having four faces that intersect at radiused edges, wherein each of the radiused edges defines a radius of curvature no less than about 0.005 inches.

Abstract: A high density electrical connector for terminating to conductors of a ribbon cable has an insulative housing defining a cable receiving face, a mating face and at least one row of terminal receiving passages extending therebetween with terminals secured therein. The terminal receiving passages open into opposing channels near the cable receiving face. Each terminal includes a mating portion, an intermediate section and an insulation displacement plate. The intermediate section is defined by a pair of sheared edges extending toward the insulation displacement plate from the mating section. The intermediate section includes a notched region defining a first shoulder and an insert sheared edge. The intermediate section further includes a lateral offset formed such that the mating portion is perpendicular to the insulation displacement plate. The first shoulder, a portion of the intermediate section and the insulation displacement plate are received in a channel near the cable receiving face.

Abstract: An active connector (110,160) including a first dielectric body (112,162) having an L shape and having two arrays of pin contacts having pin portions extending outwardly from mounting surfaces which intersect at a right angle for the connector to be disposed in the corner of circuit elements (12,20) also at right angles, with the pins connected to circuits of the circuit elements. The first dielectric body (112,162) includes conductive paths extending to aligned arrays of pads along the two edge surfaces (122,124) remote from the inside corner, the edge surfaces being coplanar defining a plane traversing the L shape.

Abstract: Z-axis pin connectors for interconnecting stacked printed circuit boards are formed from resilient material and have contact sections larger than cooperating through-plated holes formed in the boards. The pin connectors are drawn through the through-plated holes in the stacked circuit board, causing the contact section of the pin connector to frictionally engage the through-plated holes on at least two boards. Formation of pin connectors from a resilient thermoplastic material coated with a conductive layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A contact pin and bushing assembly has the contact pin and a pin support, which limits the degree of insertion of the contact pin into an aperture in a circuit board, formed as separate items which are clamped together by the back end of the pin being pressed into a bore in the support. The pin support is provided at the base of the contact bushing.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and an array of terminal members having posts extending from the housing and adapted for insertion into through-holes of a circuit board. At least one board retention means is formed on at least one of the posts and is axially located a selected distance from the lower surface of the housing to be within a corresponding through-hole after insertion. The retention means is a swage defining wall engaging surfaces for engaging sidewalls of a respective through-holes during mounting of the connector to board. The swage is formed such that the far side of the post remains coplanar with the axially adjacent surfaces and a swage embossment extends laterally outwardly from at least the second side, the embossment being formed by the work end of a tool striking the third side at an angle.

Abstract: A high density connector for electrically connecting a high density cable to a matable electrical connector has a housing with a plurality of terminals provided therein. The terminals have sharp outer edges which enable the terminals to cooperate with a portion of the connector to provide the securing force required to retain the terminal in position. The positioning of the terminals in the housing is accurately controlled through the use of an alignment tool which is manufactured from a material which does not expand or contract when exposed to various environmental conditions. Therefore, the precise positioning of the terminals is guaranteed and is repeatable for many connectors.

Abstract: An electrical contact terminal which includes a terminal portion (1); an insertion portion (2); and a press-fit portion (4) provided between the terminal portion and the insertion portion and having a pair of abutment portions (5, 6) and a bridge portion (7) between the abutment portions to form an S-shaped cross section, the bridge portion having a pair of expanded portions (11, 12) connected to the abutment portions with a pair of tie portions (8, 10) and interconnected with a central tie portion (9), with the tie portions each being defined by a recess (13, 15) and a concave surface (14, 16) and the central tie portion being defined by the recesses, the tie portions having substantially the same cross sections having equal yielding deformations, the abutment portions, the expanded portions, and the central tie portion being made symmetrical about a center O of the bridge portion, a distance L between the abutment portions and a distance L' between the expanded portions when the press-fit portion is not pre

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical terminal pins for use in interconnecting electrical leads, plated through holes in printed circuit boards and/or connector contacts and, in particular, to electrical terminal pin tips on insertion ends of the pins.

Abstract: An electrical contact to be inserted into an aperture in an electrical board, the contact has an elongated body with a pair of alignment surfaces each having the configuration of a segment of a cylinder whose diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the aperture of the board into which the contact is to be inserted and whose axis is co-axial with said body axis. The alignment surfaces are circumferentially spaced apart. The alignment surfaces are used to engage the wall of said aperture to position and maintain the axis of the contact co-axial with the axis of said aperture. The contact also has retention means adjacent said alignment surfaces to engage the wall of the aperture to generate retaining forces.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed having electrical terminals mounted within an insulating housing where the electrical terminals comprise surface mount contacts, pin receiving contact arms, and retention legs. The retention legs comprise cutting sections which cut uniform width sections through an irregular shaped stamped printed circuit board through hole. The retention legs also include projections extending from the side edges of the retention legs and include ramped portions which have an overall width greater than the width between the stamped side edges. A stamped through section is defined in the retention legs which defines two spring members which are compliant and expandable to accommodate for heat expansion of the printed circuit board through holes.

Abstract: Press fit pins for use with printed circuit board substrates must maintain pressure with through holes of wide displacement range and a pin with symmetrical mounting portions, each with an arm to engage the inner periphery of the opposite portion elastically, increases range of permissible fabrication deviation.

Abstract: A multi-pin grid array socket connector (20) features a contact (40) including spring arms (58) which flex to reduce binding caused by out of place pins (16) of a pin grid array (12) inserted and withdrawn therefrom facilitating high pin count arrays to be mated with low overall mating forces.

Abstract: An electrical connection to a coil winding of a coil winding assembly that is comprised of a coil spool that carries the coil winding. The coil spool has an integral terminal supporting portion that is provided with an axially extending slot. A terminal, that can be formed of steel wire, has a rippled or undulated portion that is disposed within the slot. The rippled portion engages surfaces of said slot to prevent movement of the terminal out of the slot. An end portion of the coil is wrapped around a connector portion of the terminal and soldered thereto.

Abstract: A generally elongated electrical terminal pin is adapted to be inserted into a plated-through hole in a circuit board. The pin is a stamped and formed metal member and includes a mating portion adapted to contact an electrically conductive element and a compliant portion adapted to make electrical contact with conductive plating material defining an interior surface of the plated-through hole. The compliant portion, in a lateral direction, is formed by a generally W-shaped curved cross-section sized such that the outer legs of the W-shape contact the interior surface of the plated-through hole. In the exemplary embodiment, the compliant portion has a substantially uniform thickness, and the outer legs of the W-shape are substantially shorter than the central portion of the W-shape.

Abstract: A retainer for insert-retaining a plurality of pin terminals includes a ferrite member having an aligned arrangement of through holes formed at insertion positions of the pin terminals and a resin member covering one surface of the ferrite member. The resin member also has an aligned arrangement of holes for receiving the pin terminals. The ferrite member functions as a filter element to reduce noise. Thin portions are formed along the inner circumferential surfaces of resin member defining the holes. The thin portions are deformed or fractured by the insertion of the pin terminals, and then each deformed or fractured portion is sandwiched between the inserted pin terminal and the inner circumferential surface to thereby elastically engage the pin terminal, resulting in the retainer being secured to the pin terminals in a manner which prevents the terminals from shifting in position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to circuit board contact elements and compliant sections thereof which are mounted in plated-through holes in printed circuit boards, generally in conjunction with a plastic header or other electrical connectors.

Abstract: An electrical contact to be inserted into an aperture in an electrical board, the contact has an elongated body with a pair of alignment surfaces each having the configuration of a segment of a cylinder whose diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the aperture of the board into which the contact is to be inserted and whose axis is co-axial with said body axis. The alignment surfaces are circumferentially spaced apart. The alignment surfaces are used to engage the wall of said aperture to position and maintain the axis of the contact co-axial with the axis of said aperture. The contact also has retention means adjacent said alignment surfaces to engage the wall of the aperture to generate retaining forces.

Abstract: A receptacle contact (22) adapted to be received in a connector housing (26), or a connector housing (26) having the receptacle contact (22) received therein, wherein the receptacle contact (22) is a three sided contact forming a U-shaped channel (68) for receiving a contact element (46). The contact (22) comprises a pair of tapered fixed beams (64,66) at least portions of which are curved inwardly toward each other with a smooth continuous curvature to a spacing at least less than the diameter or cross section width of a contact element (46) to be received therebetween. The tapered fixed beams (64,66) taper from forward and trailing ends (70,72) toward a midpoint (74). The contact (22) may have a center rib (96) integral with and extending between the bases (86,94) that are integral with the ends (70,72) of the fixed beams (64,66). The rib (96) includes retention means (98,102) for securing the contact in a contact receiving passage (32) of a connector housing (26).

Abstract: A coaxial contact element for use in receptacle connectors of the type used with printed circuit cards and the like. More particularly the contact element includes an inner contact for being electrically mated with a center contact of a post and an outer contact for being electrically mated with outer contacts of the post. A dielectric spacer electrically isolates the inner and outer contacts of the contact element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electric terminal formed from a single metal strip for use in mounting a terminal bearing electrical device on a printed circuit board. The electric terminal is formed from a strip of resilient, electrically conductive metal bent at a first end and a second end to form an elongated generally C-shaped terminal member having a back wall and two front wall sections extending from the distal end of the first end and the second end back toward the center of the back wall. The first end is bent to provide a generally hemispherical distal radius so that the first wall section of the terminal member is aligned substantially parallel to the back wall of the terminal member. The terminal member has opposed, outwardly extending spherical domes formed in a central portion of the back wall and the first front wall at the first end.

Abstract: A compliant portion of the tubular body of a compliant pin is configured with an elliptical cross section. Preferably, the tubular body is seamless but alternatively may have a seam with the edges of the seam connected together. The configuration is particularly useful for micro-miniature pins. In the preferred method embodiment, on one side of a member to which the pin is to be affixed, the leading end of a blank tubular pin is inserted into the mating receptacle of the member and such that the blank pin provides a protrusion or extension on the opposite side of the member. A compliant section with an elliptical cross section if formed in a predetermined part of the protrusion and thereafter the pin is partially retracted into the receptacle so that the compliant section coacts with the receptacle to affix the pin to the member.

Abstract: An improved electrical contact element for use in connector housings. More particularly, the contact element includes a U-shaped retention section having one resilient leg extending obliquely outwardly. Further included is a resilient web in between and connecting the forward termination section and retention section to provide a degree of independent movement of the former relative to the latter.

Abstract: A socket usable, e.g., with an audio connector, comprises a plastics body having chambers running forwardly of the rear of the body and communicating with the front via apertures through which the connector pins pass. Each chamber receives and supports a bifurcated contact in a position to grip and engage a pin passed into the chamber via the aperture. The contacts are flat--blanked from sheet metal and edge portions of the heads are received in slots extending the length of the chambers. An edge of each contact has a tag twisted out of the plane of the contact and received in a deeper portion of one of these slots. Each contact extends rearwardly of the body to facilitate its electrical connection to a lead. Each contact has a tail and the tails of the different contacts may be of different lengths so that the tips of projections thereon lie in a plane. The projections of different contacts may be on the tail leading or trailing edges so they are at different distances from the plane of the rear of the body.

Abstract: A contact element has an improved press in zone which is formed by two leg members extending substantially parallel to one another with an interconnecting web. The improvement is that the web is broken up into portions with adjacent portions having curvatures that extend in opposite directions to increase the strength of the press in zone and provides an optimally uniform, symmetrical pressure distribution between a bore wall and the press in zone of the contact element when the press in zone is plugged into a bore of a printed circuit board.