Abstract: A cable clamp assembly which is adapted for use with a range of cable diameters. The assembly includes a tubular base section, a first finger extending axially from the tubular base section and having a cable engagement projection and a second finger extending axially from the tubular base section and having a cable engagement projection. The assembly also provides flex relief and strain relief at any adjacent crimp to wire or solder to wire interconnections.

Abstract: A terminal frame at least partially locatable within an insulative housing of an electrical connector and having: a plurality of contacts and bridges extending between adjacent contacts. An electrical connector formed from a plurality of modules, each module having: an insulative housing; a plurality of first contacts at least partially surrounded by said insulative housing; bridges extending between adjacent first contacts; a plurality of second contacts; and a substrate having conductive traces thereon extending between at least some of the first and second contacts. A method of making an electrical connector, including the steps of: providing a plurality of modules and arranging the modules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular jack assembly comprising an outer insulative housing having top and bottom walls and opposed lateral walls which define an interior section of the housing having front and rear open ends, and an insulated insert having a first section superimposed over the rear open end of the insulated housing and a second section extending generally perpendicular from the first section into the interior section of the housing. There are engagement points on both the top wall and the opposed lateral walls of the outer insulated housing. Latches may be positioned on the insulated insert on either their first section or their second section depending on the specific configuration of the insulated insert. If latches are positioned on the first section, the opposed lateral walls will be engaged. If latches are positioned on the top section, the top wall will be engaged. A common housing may, therefore, be used for a number of different types of insulated inserts.

Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic card comprising a printed circuit board interposed between card shields having edges. Tabs on an edge of one shield engage recesses on the edge of the other shield. The jointed shields of the card provide high levels of rigidity, sufficient to exceed applicable bending and torsional resistance specification. Adequate rigidity is thereby provided. Also included is an I/O connector grounded without a separate ground contact and shielded over its length. The tabs include an arcuate member having a medial oblique projection which engages a ledge of the other shield near the recess. A frame bar is interposed between the shields. Also included is an "oil can" resistant shield in which a deep-draw recess is peripherally surrounded by a groove.

Abstract: An electrical connector link adapted to movably couple with at least one other link to form a chain that is adapted to releasably receive and transport an electrical connector from a first station to a second station is provided. The link comprises a base portion having a relative first end and a second end. The base portion is adapted to moveably couple with a second link. A first wall is integrally connected with, and extends upwardly from, the base portion proximate the first end. The first wall has an outside surface, inside surface, and top surface. The first wall is adapted to communicate with a first electrical connector and retain the connector between the first wall and a second link. A latching arm is integrally connected with, and protrudes from, the outside surface of the first wall. The latching arm is adapted to movably engage a third link. A second wall is integrally connected with, and extends upwardly from, the base portion proximate the second end.

Abstract: An electrical connector which includes an insulative body which has a leg portion and a top portion which extends generally perpendicularly from the leg second portion. A conductive contact which includes a retention section and a resilient section is also included in the electrical connector. The contact is fixed to the top section and the resilient section extends along the leg section. The connector may be interposed between a electrical device and a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting an electrical component having a plurality of conductive elements extending therefrom to a substrate. The connector comprises a first base and a second base. The first base has at least one aperture therein and a hinge assembly. The second base comprises a plurality of contacts that correspond to the conductive elements in the electrical component and a hinge assembly. The hinge assemblies of the first and second bases allow movement of the first base relative to the second base. A method of securing the electrical component to the substrate including the steps of: inserting the component into a cassette; mounting the housing to the substrate; connecting a portion of the conductive elements of the electrical component with a portion of the contacts; and connecting the remainder of the conductive elements of the electrical component with the remainder of the contacts. A contact having a retention portion, a tail portion and a pair of beams.

Abstract: A modular jack comprising an insulative housing having a substantially open front side and a rear side and first and second longitudinal walls. The second longitudinal wall is positioned over said first longitudinal wall in spaced parallel wall. A pair of lateral walls interposed in spaced parallel relation between said first and second longitudinal walls to form at least one transverse plug receiving cavity extending from the substantially open front side of said jack to the rear side. A light emitting diode (LED) module is fixed to one of said lateral sides of the housing to allow for easy visibility and reduced interference with signals to the jack. The LED module is also easily removable to allow field replacement.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector in which the conductive and dielectric elements are arranged in a composite I-beam shaped geometry in which the conductive element is perpendicularly interposed between two parallel dielectric and ground plane elements. Low cross talk and controlled impedance are found to result from the use of this geometry.

Abstract: A method for measuring a common mode current (Icm) in an outer conductor of a shielded electrical connector comprising also at least one inner conductor which includes the steps of interconnecting the one inner conductor and the outer conductor at a junction point to a power source and supplying a current (Icm) to the junction point draining substantially all common mode current (Icm) from the outer conductor at the opposite side of the connector by means of a low impedance drain; and sensing the drained common mode current (Icm) with a current sensing device.

Abstract: A connector for use with a circuit substrate having a plurality of elongated conductors. A solder ball is fused to the end of the conductors for connection of the connector to a circuit substrate. Method for attaching the solder ball to the end of the conductors using a solder paste with or without a preformed solder ball. The conductors are fitted into passages of an interface member. A tail end of each conductor terminates in a well in a surface of the interface member that facilitates the attachment of solder ball to the end of the conductors. The passages in the interface member hold the conductor tail ends in place while providing a clearance around the conductor to accommodate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A latch member (52) for coupling a connector (48) and header (44) together to provide an electrical connector assembly. The latch member (52) comprises an elongated member (60) having a first end (62) and a second end (64). A fastening segment (68), which can securely engage an outer wall of a header to assist in securing the latch member in an operating position, is intergrally coupled near the second end. At least one latch element, adapted to securely engage and immobilize the connector element in cooperation with the header, is integrally coupled near the first end. The latch member also functions as an electrical shield for the header and the mating connector.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly in which the conductive and dielectric elements are arranged in a composite with a conductive I-beam shaped geometry in which the conductive element is perpendicularly interposed between two parallel dielectric and ground plane elements. Low cross talk and controlled impedance are found to result from the use of this geometry.

Abstract: A connector for mounting to a circuit substrate comprising a housing and a connector pair supported by the housing. The connector pair includes a header connector having an electrically conductive connector housing, an opening in which an insulator element having a pin opening is disposed, a signal pin extending through the pin opening in the insulator element and through the connector housing and separated from the connector housing by the insulator element, and a raised cylindrical ground surface surrounding the insulator element the signal pin; and a socket connector, having a signal receptacle contact, a ground receptacle contact, and a dielectric separating element separating the signal contact and the ground contact from one another, so that, in mated condition, the signal contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the signal pin, and the ground contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the raised cylindrical ground surface.

Abstract: A console including an electrical connector adapted to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a base member mounted on the PCB, an insert member mounted on the base member, a jack member engaging said insert member and a component member positioned on the base member remotely from said insert member and said jack member.

Abstract: Connectors are formed from insulative, terminal-carrying frames that are open on at least one major surface. The open major surfaces allows rapid insertion of contact terminals and attachment of wires to contact surfaces within the frame. The frame includes wire receiving openings and cavities for positioning wires within the frame. Electrical continuity between the wires and the terminals may be achieved directly or by a circuit substrate that has circuit traces for electrically connecting an attached wire to a connector terminal. High speed cable connectors can be made in an industrially effective manner by such structures.

Abstract: A linear attenuation equalizer and a method for designing such an equalizer using the cable attenuation curve to determine the D.C. attenuation and the lower or first corner frequency. The D.C. attenuation and the lower corner frequency are used to fix the design. A curve fit technique is used to determine the cable attenuation parameter which fixes the D.C. attenuation of the equalizer. The lower corner frequency is set at between about 10% and less than about 50% of the data rate, and preferably at approximately 20% of the data rate.

Abstract: Modular connectors employ terminal carriers for gang mounting of terminals onto circuit substrates. The carriers may be shielded for providing shielding through the connector. Substrate mounting systems include press fit, floating surface mount, solder ball and intrusive reflow arrangements.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a PC card, including a spring positioned in recesses in the lateral longitudinal elements of the frame. After the PC card unmates with the connector portion of the assembly, the spring imparts additional forward longitudinal force to the PC card while passing the recesses. This allows the PC card to be ejected an additional distance from the connector, where it can be easily gripped and withdrawn by the user. A method of ejecting a PC card from a computer in which the PC card is first moved out of engagement with the connector to an initial location. Then, the PC card is moved by an automatically activated resilient device to a location further away from the connector.