Abstract: A coaxial switching connector especially applicable for use in cell phones is provided with a phone connector and a cradle connector where the cradle connector is mounted in a support structure via a conically shaped coil spring that allows both radial and axial displacement of the connector for absorption of tolerances and mechanical solicitation between the cell phone and its cradle.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises terminals having first, second and third terminal section for connection to a first PCB, battery pack, and second PCB respectively. Each terminal is integrally stamped and formed from sheet metal and the first terminal section is for soldering to the first circuit board whilst the other two terminal sections have spring portions for resiliently abutting respective contact protrusions adjacent the battery pack and second circuit board. Direct electrical connection from the battery pack to both circuit boards provides a compact and reliable power supply to both boards in a cost effective arrangement.

Abstract: A sensor connector comprises a conductive outer housing within which is mounted a certain length of shielded able connected to receptacle terminals that receive pins of a sensor. A shield element extends across the inside of the outer housing to provide a shield means between the sensor and the cable leads which, in one embodiment, is stamped and formed, and in another embodiment is a printed circuit board with a ground plane on one side and surface mounted capacitors on the other side interconnected to the terminals for filtering the signal.

Abstract: A strain relief ferrule for attachment to a jacketed cable attaching the cable to a connector housing in a manner that transmits any load applied to the cable into the connector housing. The strain relief ferrule has a deformable body that is crimpable to the cable for attachment therewith. The ferrule is also attachable to said connector housing and characterized in that the deformable body carries at least one tab thereupon that after crimping of the strain relief ferrule, the tab is engageable by a retention member of the housing for attachment thereto.

Abstract: A casing for a shielded connector for a multicore cable having a drain wire, the casing comprising an upper and a lower part, where the drain wire is received in a channel in a first wall region of the lower part and upon assembly is firmly held therein by interacting elevations and depressions on the bottom of the channel and on a complimentary rib of a first wall region of the upper part.

Abstract: A braid termination structure having an outer ring with an inner profile for fitting over the shielding braid for electrical and mechanical engagement therewith and being affixed to a shielding shell of an electrical connector wherein the braid is positively captured in an outer ring and is fixed thereto by welding.

Abstract: An electrical terminal having a contact-making region for making contact with a complementary contact pin and having a connecting region for connection to an electrical conductor is described, the contact-making region including an inner contact-making spring and an outer, external spring, the contact-making spring merging into a connecting region and having at least two mutually opposite contact spring arms which are supported by the external spring, the terminal further including a web which runs transversely with respect to the insertion direction is cut out on two longitudinal sides at least on a side of the external spring opposite the contact spring arms, this web being bent inwards in such a manner that it presses from the outside onto the contact spring arm.

Abstract: A coaxial splicing connector has an inner contact section and an outer conductor stamped and formed from sheet metal and having crimping arms that engage hinged stuffer members for stuffing the coaxial connector inner conductors into contact slots. Insulation piercing blades extend inward from the outer conductor and pierce through the coaxial cable outer conductor for electrical contact therewith during the crimping operation. Rapid splicing connection between coaxial connectors is thus achieved.

Abstract: A shielded cable connector comprises a terminal section and a cable section. The cable section comprises support shells mountable over shielding of the cable, and clamping half-shells that have ends engageable in grooves of the support members. The clamping half-shells are pivotable together to clamp a shielding braid that is reversely folded over a cylindrical portion of the support members. A retention ring is passed over the clamping half-shells to securely lock them to the terminal section. Assembly of the shield clamping portions is thus enabled after the terminals are mounted in the connector for a more cost-effective assembly procedure.

Abstract: An airbag connector and cable assembly comprises a connector having a cable receiving cavity and a cable outlet extending perpendicularly to the cavity. A flat cable terminated to the connector is folded along a fold in the cable outlet region of the connector. The cable is then looped over the fold to provide a flexible loop. The loop enables absorption of tolerance in the positioning of the cable at the outlet with respect to the fold, without causing undue force on the conductors that are bent through the fold. The latter insures a high reliability and is cost effective.

Abstract: Electrical terminal having an insulation displacement contact for electrically engaging multiple conductors received therein. The IDC includes a first contact region in-line with, a second contact region such that multiple conductors may be received in a staked manner with the first conductor receiving region is located in-line with a second conductor receiving region and separated therefrom by a fulcrum.

Abstract: A piezo electric film has a signal electrode on one side of the film and a primary ground electrode on the other side of the film. The signal and ground electrodes are for connection to external conductors that process the electrical signals of the piezo film. In order to facilitate connection of the ground electrode to an external ground conductor, a secondary ground electrode is provided on the same side of the film as the signal electrode. The secondary ground electrode is capacitively coupled to the primary ground electrode. This arrangement enables connection of signal and ground conductors to the electrodes from one side only, which, for example, enables the piezo film to be mounted on a printed circuit board directly in contact with conductive circuit traces. An industrial application may be for piezo electric transducers, such as used in liquid level sensors.

Abstract: An electrical plug is described, which joins together automatically from a specific position, the electrical plug consisting of two plug halves, the first plug half having at least one first electric contact and a first housing, and the second plug half having at least one second contact, which is complementary to the first contact, and a second housing, the first housing having two part-housings which are movable relative to one another in the plug-in direction, and between which a spring in a prestressed state is arranged in such a way that the part-housings can be moved towards one another counter to the spring force, the first part-housing on the plug-in face side bearing the first contact and having at least one spring arm, the second housing having at least one stop in such a way that the spring arm runs against the said stop when the two plug halves are connected.

Abstract: A terminal assembly tester comprises a contact probe module having electrical contact probes. The contact probes have a contact surface biasable against tips of electrical terminal mounted in cavities of a connector housing. The connector housing comprises integrally moulded resilient locking lances that are separated from housings walls by a slot. Extensions of the contact probes are insertable into the housing slots when contacting the terminal tips. If a terminal is not fully inserted into a cavity, the resilient locking lances are biased into the slot and prevent insertion of the contact probe tip thereinto thereby ensuring that the contact probe does not electrically contact the terminal. The latter thus ensures that even almost completely inserted terminals will not be electrically contacted and thus provides for a reliable testing mechanism.

Abstract: A sealed ZIF connector for mating to a complementary connector with an internal PCB is for use with non-gold-plated terminals for a cost effective design. Such a connector may be for use in an automobile, for connection to a motor management electronics module. The connector is provided with a pivotable camming member having an oval camming surface positioned between contact arms of the terminals. In the pre-mated condition the camming surface spreads the terminal contact arms apart and the connectors can be coupled until the end of the PCB is almost against the camming surface. Upon rotation of the camming mechanism, the cam releases the contacts which bias against the PCB, whereby the cam subsequently abuts the end of the PCB to slightly separate the connectors. Separation of the connectors causes a wiping action between the contacts and the PCB to clean the surfaces from oxidation layers. The latter thus allows use of tin plated contacts for ZIF connectors.

Abstract: An electrical distribution box comprising a box having a first outer portion and a second outer portion that include multiple stamped and formed circuit grids therein characterized in that at least one of the stamped and formed circuit grids are positioned and retained in the first portion and at least one of the stamped and formed circuit grids are retained in the second portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector housing fixable within an opening of a wall comprising an inner housing and an outer housing, characterized in that in response to relative movement between the housings resilient members which have passed through the opening are expanded outward preventing the housing from backing out of the wall, where the outer and inner housings may also include portions that define the receiving region wherein the mating connector halve must be received to be locked thereto that are only properly orientated when the housing is retained to the panel, thereby providing a through-wall housing that is easily inserted and affixed to a wall from one side thereof and preventing mating with the complementary connector half until the first connector half is locked to the panel.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an electrical receptacle terminal 10 enclosed in an insulating housing 8. The terminal 10 is enclosed in a passageway 64 in the housing 8, the passageway 64 having a flexible wall section 80. Camming surfaces 176, 174 on the housing of a mating connector 6 compress the flexible wall section 80 to produce an interference fit between the flexible wall section 80 and the terminal 10. Movement of the terminal 10 within the passageway 64 is thereby avoided when the mating connectors are subjected to vibration. Latch arms 116 (FIG. 4) on the housing are connected by a U-shaped resilient strap 118 at their rear ends to provide a pivot point about which the latch arms 116 are pivotable between a normal position in which they engage a projection 178 on the mating connector 6 in a latching position. Molding of the housing is also facilitated and the latch arms 116 are protected against damage when the housing is being handled. In another embodiment (FIGS.