Abstract: Apparatus and method for crimping electrical terminals in strip form wherein a head operates in a down stroke to move a crimping die toward an anvil to crimp a terminal to a conductor, to shear off the terminal and to move a cam against a cam roller on a carriage block to move the carriage block away from the crimping die and anvil, against the force of a compression spring, a feed blade pivotally supported on the block being then moved rearwardly along a terminal strip carrier portion. In the upstroke of the head, the carriage block moves into engagement with a stop screw, the feed blade being engaged in an aperture in the terminal strip carrier portion to move a terminal to a crimping position. Drag means are provided to prevent reverse movement of the terminal strip and guide means are provided including an elongated element engageable with terminal projections.

Abstract: The following specification describes a pin contact formed from a stamping with the insertion end of the contact having bevelled end edge surfaces for enabling opposing pin contact external surface ends to engage for providing a closed juncture at the insertion end of the pin contact.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting multi-conductor cables is provided consisting of an assembly having at least three panels, one of which is a base plate and at least two of which have first connector elements mounted in them. The plates are joined to form an enclosure, preferably of a delta shape, for a first multi-conductor cable. Each of the first connector elements has a selected group of first cable conductors connected to it. There are a plurality of second connector elements which are adapted to mate with the first connector elements with each of the second connector elements being connected to a selected group of conductors of one or more second cables. Apparatus is provided which is operative when the connector elements are mated for preventing the elements from being spuriously separated, but for permitting the elements to be separated if desired.

Abstract: The following specification describes the crimping of a hood on each of a series of stamped contacts attached to a web by means of a collet tool having a slot for receiving closely spaced adjacent contacts. The web is wound on a reel carried on a fixture shaft with a nylon plate on the shaft facing a nylon plate on the fixture to properly tension the web.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical socket and to a socket contact which is adapted for use therewith. The contact has two pairs of symmetrically positioned contacts, with the contacts of each pair being angled in an opposite direction. Thus, a male element may be inserted in the socket from either end without causing any change in the electrical characteristics of the socket. Further, the arrangement of the socket contacts permits the maintaining of good electrical contact with a male conductor element under adverse conditions of shock and vibration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a locking electrical connector which is particularly adapted for lanyard release. The connector has a first contact with an annular inner projection. This contact is adapted for expansion to enlarge the diameter of the inner projection when a mating second contact or jack is being inserted or removed from the contact. A locking collar is mounted for movement between a first position over the first contact, preventing the expansion thereof, and a second position in which the collar does not inhibit the expansion of the contact. The locking collar is normally biased to the first position. The second contact or jack has an annular outer groove and is dimensioned to be seated in the first contact with the annular projection of the first contact in the annular groove of the second contact when the contacts are fully mated.

Abstract: An environmental electrical connector is provided in which the receptacle and plug members are individually formed as one-piece housings of resilient insulating material, having contact cavities formed with frontwardly disposed contact-retaining shoulders and rearwardly disposed resilient risers providing sealing engagement against lead-in conductors, with a sleeve at the mating end of the receptacle having an elastically expandable circumferential lip, and a complementary surface on the plug being provided for sealing engagement with the receptacle lip, as the front seal. A molded shape inside the sleeve and a matching cutaway portion on the plug prevent mating otherwise than in properly polarized relation, and matching longitudinal grooves on the outside of the connector members serve as visual alignment aids.

Abstract: In a rotating drum type of digital clock, the minute drum is fixed to the drum shaft. A drive disc is carried on the shaft, freely rotatable thereon, adjacent to the minute drum. Sandwiched between them is a detent ring which is keyed to the drive disc, but which has limited axial freedom with respect to both the disc and the drum, being pressed toward the web of the drum by a spring. Convex detent bosses extending axially from the ring can engage with any of a plurality of recesses in the web of the minute drum. The drive disc is advanced each minute by the normal actuating mechanism, and drives the minute drum through the detent ring. A setting knob is engageable with the shaft, permitting rotation of the latter, and hence of the minute drum, for setting purposes. In setting, the bosses are forced out of the recesses, the ring retracting axially, so that the drum can be rotated with respect to the ring.

Abstract: The following specification is directed to an electrical connector assembly including a cam surface on one connector body having recessed contacts and a cam follower on the other connector body having recessed contacts for guiding the connector bodies and contacts into proper engagement. Guide means are also provided on the connector bodies for facilely guiding the insertion of a socket contact into one of the bodies and a boot having improved guiding means is used for sealing and gripping the conductors connected to the contacts.