Abstract: An ignition cable terminal assembly for connecting an ignition cable to a spark plug terminal which is located in a deep well in an internal combustion engine has a handled stiffener for manipulating the ignition cable terminal assembly into engagement with the spark plug terminal. The stiffener comprises first and second members of relatively rigid thermoplastic material. The first member is a columnar arrangement of a lower collar portion which holds an elastomeric boot of the ignition cable terminal assembly, an intermediate channel portion for loading the elastomeric boot into the lower collar portion, and an upper handle portion for manipulating the stiffener. The second member is a closure member for the channel portion which including a clip for gripping the portion of the ignition cable which is disposed in the channel and a stop for holding the elastomeric boot down in the lower collar portion of the first member.

Abstract: A high current electrical socket connector has a resilient metal contact strip which is rolled into a split tube and fitted inside a barrel terminal. The contact strip has a plurality of vanes which are shaped to resiliently support and retain the contact strip in the barrel terminal while providing low pressure, large contact areas for engaging the cylindrical contact surface of a mating electrical plug connector.

Abstract: Multiconvoluted boot seal for universal joints and other mechanisms in which convolution side walls have radial ribs formed therein to strengthen the walls to reduce wrinkling and resultant cracking at high joint angles. The ribs on one side wall are external at high joint angles and mesh with rib spaces formed by internal ribs on an adjacent side wall. This meshing reduces relative turning movement between the side walls so that abrasion and boot seal wear is reduced.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a universal joint of the tripot type comprises a drive block and bearing rollers which are retained by two cage pieces which are mounted on the respective opposite driving sides of the drive block so that the bearing rollers on each driving side are retained by a single cage piece. The cage pieces are retained on the drive block by fastening the cage pieces to each other or to the drive block.

Abstract: An automotive power plant has an electrically controlled transmission 12 which is connected to control modules by a wiring harness. The end of the wiring harness is attached to the transmission by an electrical connector which has a spring like thermoplastic cover which is secured to the insulator body of the electrical connector by a bayonet slot arrangement and which has an integral cable strap for securing an end of a convoluted conduit forming part of the wiring harness.

Abstract: A thermal probe has a premolded single unitary plastic outer shell forming an open end adapted to receive a connector unit and having an inboard end defining a probe portion. The plastic outer shell has deformable walls forming a bore. A pair of terminals and wire leads connected to a thermistor have a plastic mounting member premolded thereon; the plastic mounting member is slideably press fit in the bore to position the thermistor within the bore and to axially locate the thermistor in spaced relationship to the inboard end of the outer shell. Side segments on the terminals extend outwardly of the plastic member and are embedded in the deformable walls of the bore to interlock the thermistor in place within the outer shell.

Abstract: A flat electromagnetic relay comprises a lead frame having six stamped insert molded circuit leads, an armature frame pivotally supporting a balanced beam armature which carries two contact bars, a coil assembly and an electromagnetic frame having two diagonally arranged pole wings which are inside the armature frame adjacent opposite side ends of the armature. The armature is torsionally biased into a first operative position where the contact bar at one end shunts two circuit leads. When the coil is energized, the armature is pivoted to a second operative position where the contact bar at the other end shunts two other circuit leads.

Abstract: A lamp socket includes a housing in the form of an elastomeric grommet that passes through a round hole of a panel to mount the lamp socket to the panel. The grommet has a head at one end that has an outer diameter that exceeds the diameter of the hole and engages the back side of the panel when the head is inserted through the hole. The outer portion of the head consists of a plurality of thick oblique ribs that fold inwardly to reduce the outer diameter of the head responsive to twisting movement of the head in the hole so that a relatively low engage force passes the head through the hole. The grommet further includes a conical shoulder which sealingly engages the front side of the panel and clamps the lamp socket in place.

Abstract: Male and female electrical connectors are locked together by a resilient cantilevered lock arm of the male insulator body engaging a latching member of the female insulator body. The lock arm has a T-shaped member at its free end which provides a thumb pad for depressing the lock arm and disconnecting the electrical connectors.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution center includes stacked circuit arrays of varying current carrying capacity located between an upper housing and a lower housing, each having terminal access holes therein for receiving terminals formed on pre-stamped metal circuit elements. The terminals are selectively connected to either electrical or electronic devices carried on top of the upper housing or to wiring connectors connected to the outer surface of the lower housing. The pre-stamped metal circuit elements are removably mounted in recesses in a plurality of stacked electrical insulation boards supported within the lower housing and centered therein by guide stems formed integrally of the lower housing. Each of the electrical insulation boards includes raised surfaces thereon congruent with the recesses on an adjacent electrical insulation board for holding the metal circuit elements in place therein while insulating each of the metal circuit elements from adjacent metal circuit elements.

Abstract: A common ground terminal is adapted for use with wedgebase lamp bulbs of either the single filament of dual filament type in a single filament lamp socket. The common ground terminal has a pair of opposed, upper and lower spring contact arms which biasingly engage opposite sides of a wedgebase when it is inserted into the space between the spring contact arms. The lower spring contact arm has a second spring tab which accommodates the presence of a second contact wire when the dual filament type of wedgebase lamp bulb is used.

Abstract: A wiring harness clip comprises an elongated body having a channel intermediate end portions which are attached to a wiring harness by a wrapping or tape. A slide which is slideably mounted in the channel so that a self-expanding head of the slide which is insertable into a hole in a panel for attaching the wiring harness clip to the panel adjusts to the location of the hole.

Abstract: A star coupler comprises a flexible optical ribbon curved so that input and output fibers attach to the same side of the coupler. A connector mates a linear array of fibers to each end of the ribbon. The side walls of the ribbon are rounded to match the contour of the outboard fibers of each array. The ribbon thickness is about 91% of the fiber diameter to minimize insertion loss.

Abstract: A connection system which includes fiber optic data links comprises a connector plug at the end of fiber optic cables and a mating header connector which house electro/optical devices and which is mounted on a printed circuit board. The header connector makes optical connections between the fiber optic cables of the plug connector and the electro/optical devices and electrical connections between the electro-optical devices and the circuitry of the printed circuit board. The header connector also includes a row of terminals for making purely electrical connections for electric cables which are terminated in the connector plug.

Abstract: A bulkhead connector assembly for supporting a bus bar as it passes through a bulkhead including a rectangular portion having a substantially rectangular cross section and including a rectangular passageway extending therethrough and a circular portion having a substantially circular cross section and including a circular passageway extending therethrough and in communication with the rectangular passageway of the rectangular portion. A mounting flange which is integral with the rectangular and circular portions is disposed intermediate of the rectangular and circular portions for mounting the assembly to a bulkhead. The circular passageway of the circular portion has a plurality of shoulders within the circular passageway with the shoulders defining a rectangular passage within the circular passageway which substantially corresponds to the rectangular passageway of the rectangular portion for mounting and supporting a bus bar as it passes through a bulkhead.

Abstract: An automotive power plant has an electrically controlled transmission 12 which is connected to control modules by a wiring harness. The end of the wiring harness is attached to the transmission by an electrical connector which has a spring like thermoplastic cover which is secured to the insulator body of the electrical connector by a bayonet slot arrangement and which has an integral cable strap for securing an end of a convoluted conduit forming part of the wiring harness.

Abstract: A diagnostic connector tap comprises a insulation displacement terminal which is disposed in an insulator housing which has an integrally hinged cap. The diagnostic connector tap is permanently attached to an insulated electrical cable for electrical testing of the insulated electrical cable simply by placing the cable in positioning slots of the terminal and closing the cap until it is locked in the closed position which automatically establishes an electrical connection between the terminal and the conductive core of the insulated electrical cable. The insulated electrical cable is then tested by inserting a test probe through a probe aperture which provides access to the terminal inside the closed insulator housing. The electrical connection between the terminal and the conductive core of the insulated electrical cable is preferably sealed by a sealant gel which is contained in the closed housing.

Abstract: A venting mechanism for a drive axle assembly is mounted on a side wall of a housing for a differential. The venting mechanism includes a deflector vane which is pivotally mounted on a vent tube inside the housing. The deflector vane allows air to be vented from the housing through the vent tube without lubricant being able to escape.

Abstract: A connection system which includes fiber optic data links comprises a connector plug at the end of fiber optic cables and a mating header connector which house electro/optical devices and which is mounted on a printed circuit board. The header connector makes optical connections between the fiber optic cables of the plug connector and the electro/optical devices and electrical connections between the electro-optical devices and the circuitry of the printed circuit board. The header connector also includes a row of terminals for making purely electrical connections for electric cables which are terminated in the connector plug.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a thermoplastic connector body, a plurality of electrical terminals which are attached to a plurality of insulated conductor wires, an elastomeric seal, a thermoplastic backshell, a connector position assurance device and a thermoplastic cap. The elastomeric seal provides both conductor wire and interface seals. The backshell includes movable clam shells which gather the conductor wires in a bundle in the closed position. The connector position assurance device cooperates with one of the clam shells and a release lever to insure that the electrical connector is properly latched to a mating connector.