Abstract: A protector (14) for preventing the front forks (12) of a bicycle (10) from resting on the ground (20) when the front wheel has been removed is disclosed. The protector (14) includes a bracket (26) for being attached to one fork (12), a shoe (30) for engaging the ground (20) and a link (28) attaching the shoe (30) to the bracket (26).

Abstract: A high density mold (8), for molding performs having a high density of very small openings, having: a core pin sub-assembly (10) made from a number of plates (16) having core pins (18) extending outwardly from an edge of each plate; and, a stripper assembly (40) that is composed of a stripper sub-assembly (14), formed by bonding thin sheets (34) with apertures (36) corresponding to the core pins (18), and a support sub-assembly (12), formed by a number of plates (24) with spacers to define spaces (26) for the core pins (18), the stripper sub-assembly (40) slides along the core pins (18) to strip the molded preforms from the core pin sub-assembly (10).

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for electrically connecting a leaded chip carrier (24) to a substrate is disclosed. The socket (10) includes a frame-shape base (12) with contacts (14) around the periphery of a central opening. Each contact (14) has a pair of outwardly extending, spaced apart arms (64,72) with one arm (72) having a recess (82) on an inside surface (80). The socket (10) also includes a cover (16) with locking members (18) around the periphery of a central opening. The locking members (18) include cantilever beams (90,92) which enter the space (74) between the contact arms (64,72) to press a lead (28) from the carrier (24) against one arm (64).

Abstract: A thermal device (10) for maintaining the temperature of the contents of a bottle has been disclosed. The device (10) includes a wrapper (12) having a pouch (18) for receiving an insulative member (14) and a strap (30) attached to spaced-apart locations along a bottom edge (20) to form a stop across one end of cylindrical shape of the wrapper (12) when rolled up. The wrapper (12) further includes mating gripping material (24,26) on both surfaces to hold the wrapper (12) in a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for interconnecting circuits on an integrated circuit chip to circuits on a substrate is disclosed. The socket (10) includes a base section (12), an upper section (16) and a metallized plastic membrane (14) having circuit traces (72) thereon. Contact pins (52) in the upper section (16) electrically connect circuits on the chip to inner ends (82) of the traces (72) and outer ends (84) of the traces (72) engage circuits on a substrate.

Abstract: A connector (10) for electrically connecting a circuit between electronic devices has been disclosed. The connector (10) includes a platform (14, 64, 94, 114) with cantilevered spring arms (22, 62, 92, 112) extending obliquely outwardly therefrom. The spring arms (22, 62, 92, 112) include raised contact surfaces (26, 72, 102, 122) and in one embodiment, the geometry of the arms (22) provide compound wipe during deflection.

Abstract: Seals (20, 102) for an electrical connector (130) comprising a receptacle (10) and a pin header (122) has been disclosed. The first seal (20) includes grooves (50) in a body portion (30) which cooperate with ribs (b 52) on an end cap (22) to provide proper assembly orientation. A rim portion (106) on a second seal (102) includes an outwardly facing mating surface (114) for compression sealing and an inwardly facing surface (116) for peripheral sealing.

Abstract: A retention device (50) for retaining a terminal (40) in a hole in a plastic housing is disclosed. The device (50) comprises two sets of outwardly projecting nibs (52) on a cylindrical section (44) of the terminal (40). Each nib (52) includes a flat edge surface (54) normal to the axis of the terminal (40).

Abstract: A turning insertion type electrical connector system is disclosed. The system includes a receptacle side connector (20) which mates to a plug side connector (40) by a turning motion. The receptacle side connector (20) includes recesses (23) which are arc-shaped in cross section and which receive arc-shaped protrusions (43) when the connectors (20,40) are mated. Further a projection (24) on one connector (20) has multiple protrusions (24') which lock into holes (44') on a projection part (44) on the second connector (40).

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for leadless electronic devices has been disclosed. The socket (10) includes a film-circuit member (16) having circuits (66) on a dielectric base (64) with inner ends (68) for electrically engaging conductive pads on the electronic device and outer ends (74) for being electrically attached to circuits on a substrate. The film-circuit member (16) rests on a support plate (18) positioned in a cavity (42) in a lower housing (20) and is overlaid by an upper housing (12) having an opening (24) for receiving an electronic device.

Abstract: A mounting device (40) for mounting electrical connectors (10) in a cut-out (32) in a panel (30) without using separate fastening members is disclosed. The mounting device (40) includes a rigid plate (70) attached to each of two opposite sides (22) of the connector (10) and a resilient wing attached to each side (22) in spaced relation to the plate (70) for receiving the panel (30) therein. Bosses (54) on the wings (42) enter windows (34) in the panel (30) to secure the electrical connector (10) in the panel (30).

Abstract: An electrical connector (100') having a plurality of contacts (10) positioned in a dielectric housing (20') for terminating respective electrical wires (1) and a plurality of wire retaining grooves (70, 80) on the housing (20') for receiving and retaining respective electrical wires (1), each groove (70, 80) being provided with projections (72a, 72b, 82a, 82b) on respective sidewalls (74, 84) wherein the projections (72a, 72b, 82a, 82b) are positioned at different depths relative to each other.

Abstract: A gripping assembly (30) for use with a robotic arm (12) in withdrawing articles (16) from a molding machine (14) is disclosed. The gripping assembly (30) includes an L-shaped block (24) slidingly attached to a gripping mechanism (10) and biased therefrom by coil springs (26) positioned therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical edge contact member for use in an integrated circuit chip burn-in connector is formed as a laminate of at least one layer of a first material having good spring properties and at least one layer of a second material which does not form a solid solution with the surface material of the integrated circuit chip lead. Along the edge of the contact member where it contacts the chip lead the layers of the first material are recessed with respect to the layers of the second material, so that only the second material contacts the integrated circuit chip lead.

Abstract: Apparatus (30,42) for a molding press (10) which permits rapid mold module (50,52) change-out has been disclosed. The apparatus includes a sliding frame plate (30) which carries the B-side master frame (48) and plate receiving members (42) for receiving the plates (30). One member (42-b) is mounted on the movable platen (38) and another member (42-a) is located to one side and in alignment with the other so that the frame plate (30) may be shifted in and out of the press (10).

Abstract: A dielectric housing (11) of an electrical connector (10) comprises a contact-receiving passageway (13) in which an electrical contact (25') is secured by a resilient housing lance (14). A locking member (20, 25) is movable along the passageway (13) and has a projection (21) that is positioned in a space (15) between the passageway wall (13a) and the housing lance (14) to prevent the housing lance from moving outwardly. A window (30, 31, 32, 33) is in the housing (11) and exposes a part (20b, 25b) of the locking member (20, 25) when the projection (21) is positioned in the space (15) thereby indicating the securing of the contact in the contact-receiving passageway.

Abstract: An ejector (24) for use in a socket (10) having two parallel slots (12, 14) for receiving modules therein. The ejector (24) includes a cam (28) having lobes (38,40) at each end and a handle (26) for rotating the cam (28) and thereby lifting one or another lobe (38,40) to raise an end of a module out of one or another slot (12,14).

Abstract: A connector (80) for electrically interconnecting a semi-conductor device (92) to a substrate (86) is disclosed. The connector (80) includes a housing (50) having parallel channels (64) for receiving the devices (92) and contact elements (10) with cantilevered spring arms (18) for electrically engaging the devices (92) and a base (12) having an edge (26) for electrically engaging a circuit (84) on the substrate (86).

Abstract: A circuit panel subassembly suitable for use in an eletromechanical apparatus includes a plurality of wires formed within an electrically conductive grid imbedded within a reaction injection molded panel which forms a part of the housing of the electromechanical apparatus. Wires are deployed in a pattern by using a wire organizing frame and the electrically conductive grid and the frame are subsequently imbedded in a reaction injection molded panel. Terminals attached to the ends of the wires remain exposed at spaced apart locations where components are to be mounted. Separate connector housings can be attached to the panel over the exposed terminals and other components or matable connectors can be attached thereto. The entire apparatus can be constructed robotically.

Abstract: An electrical connector (39) provides high density interconnections through contact paths of printed circuit pads (12, 31) via flexible circuit (22) having contact pads (26, 28) driven by a canted coil spring (40) formed of a shape memory alloy selectively responsive to variations in temperature applied to the coil through a medium, heated or cooled and supplied via passage (62) in the connector.