Abstract: A connector for connecting corresponding terminal pads on parallel panel-like surfaces such as printed circuit boards utilizes thin etched metallic conductors to generate the necessary contact pressures. A cooperating rigid support member enables springs formed by the shaped conductors to exert a relatively high contact pressure while allowing a large deflection of the spring conductor.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a male contact having cantilever contact springs diverging rearwardly from a forward yoke portion to a position of maximum divergence and a female contact having cantilever contact springs extending forwardly from a yoke portion. The male and female contacts engage by outward flexure of the contact springs of the female contact and concomitant inward flexure of the contact springs of the male contact.

Abstract: Power distribution system for building wiring comprises a flat three conductor cable which is mounted on a surface, such as a floor, and tap cables extending laterally to outlets, loads, and controls. The tap connections of the branch or tap cables are made with electrical connectors crimped onto conductors in the distribution cable and the brand cable. An improved crimp is disclosed for making these connections.

Abstract: A matrix connector comprises an elastomer body presenting a pair of opposite contact faces at each of which is disposed a multiplicity of spaced contacts, contacts of opposite faces being interconnected by conductors extending through the body and being defined by convex folds in the conductors. Individual rows of contacts and their conductors are formed on flexible printed circuit laminae of which edge portions are turned to define the folds. A stack of laminae alternating with elastomeric strip material define the connector. Manufacture is suitably by compressing such a stack of extrude the elastomer through apertures in the printed circuits and curing the elastomer into a homogeneous mass.

Abstract: Wire insertion and trimming apparatus comprising two wire locating combs opposed on opposite sides of a connector-supporting bed, a wire insertion and trimming ram reciprocable relative to the bed, and a third comb movable from a position remote from the bed to a position adjacent the bed to permit loading the connector onto the bed and wire insertion. Preferably, means are provided to latch the third comb remote from the bed which means are releasable by loading a connector and the two combs are movable after wire insertion in cooperation with the latching means to eject the connector.

Abstract: A solderless plate-like wire connector suitable for insertion of two or more conductors into a single slot is presented. This connector is of the type in which a conductor is inserted into a slot with the edges of the slot penetrating the insulation and establishing electrical contact with the conductor. An arrangement of internal slots defining isolated internal beam systems is utilized. The existence of separate internal and external beam systems each acting primarily on different conductors minimizes the effect of one conductor on the stress exerted on the other conductor in the same slot.

Abstract: An electrical contact for use in a printed circuit board edge connector comprises a pair of channel cross-section arms each providing a pair of contact surfaces for engaging a board mated with the contact, the arms being relatively rigid and thus providing high contact pressures.

Abstract: A short-circuit protection circuit for use in an arrangement in which a load is connected to a source of electrical power by way of switch, operates to open the switch only when a true short circuit condition exists, the circuit discrminating between a true short circuit condition and short duration high current surges caused, for example, by bouncing of the contacts of the switch or transient characteristics of the load.

Abstract: A logic detect circuit chip is mounted on a substrate having a plurality of first conductors on one surface connected to first inputs of respective bit-gates of the logic circuit, and a plurality of further conductors on the same surface connected to the other inputs of respective bit-gates. The further conductors are traversed by at least one bus conductor on the other surface of the substrate. The further conductors are selectively connectible to each bus conductor by conductive slugs at the crossing points. The bus conductor and the first conductors are connectible respectively to a 0 volt reference line and a parallel binary transmission line. By appropriate selection of the slug connections between further conductors and the bus line the detect circuit may be associated with a particular binary number on the transmission line. Two bus lines may be used, connected respectively to 0 volts and a different voltage reference.

Abstract: A hollow sealing member open at one end for receiving an electrical connector has at its opposite end, a wall formed with a plurality of recesses closed by a frangible base. The shape of the recesses permits a relatively wide flat tab to be passed through the wall without reducing the sealing effect of the wall around the conductor to which the flat tab is crimped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a pair of wires in which the length of the fed wires may be varied relative to each other and also in which accurate positioning of the wires at the receiving station is accomplished. At the start of a cycle of operation the leading end portions of a pair of supply wires are engaged by wire clamp means immediately adjacent a wire support. The wire clamp means is then moved to an extended position to feed the leading end portions away from the wire support, and as the wire clamp means is being moved to its extended position a bight is formed in one of the wires to vary its length relative to the other wire. A trailing portion of the pair of wires is now cut and the insulation is stripped from the trailing end portions of the cut wires as well as the new leading end portions of the pair of supply wires.

Abstract: A terminal capable of being secured to a flat wire to make electrical contact with the conductor in the wire. The terminal is secured to the wire by pressing the wire between adjacent parts of the terminal so that electrically conductive barbs on the terminal pierce the insulation on the wire to contact the conductor.A pair of terminals capable of being secured to a flat wire having two spaced conductors so that each terminal in the pair makes electrical contact with one of the conductors in the wire. The terminals are coupled to each other by a weakened portion. While coupled, the terminals define a generally U-shaped member so that the wire can be confined between the legs of the U while it is being secured to each of the terminals. The terminals are secured to the wire by pressing it between adjacent parts of each terminal so that electrically conductive barbs on each terminal pierce the insulation on the wire to contact their respective conductors.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting wires into terminals in an electrical connector having the terminals arranged in two parallel rows comprises a support plate having spaced apart side-by-side wire jig means thereon and having a connector jig means pivotally mounted between the wire jig means. Each wire jig means locates a plurality of wires in side-by-side parallel relationship with the wires spaced apart by distances which correspond to the spacing of the terminals in the connector. Each wire jig means has associated therewith inserting means so that wires in the jig means are inserted into terminals in one of the rows when the connector jig is swung against the wire jig.

Abstract: A matrix connector comprises an elastomer body presenting a pair of opposite contact surfaces at each of which is disposed a multiplicity of spaced contacts, the contacts of the opposite faces being interconnected by conductors extending through the body, the contacts are defined by folds of the conductors extending through the elastomeric mass, convex portions of the folds being exposed at the opposite faces. Suitably such a connector is made forming the conductive strips on opposite faces of a flexible printed circuit, and interconnected at overlapping portions through holes in the flexible lamina. The lamina is folded in concertina form with adjacent limbs spaced by strips of partially cured elastomer. The assembly is then compressed and cured.

Abstract: In an electrical component support assembly the lead wires (which are of different gauges) of electrical components, e.g. resistors, are each griped by the walls of two slots of identical slotted plate terminals. The slots nearest the components have a minimum width greater than that of the slots farther from the components so that the smaller gauge lead wires are securely gripped by the slot walls of the farther slots but the larger lead wires are not sheared through by the walls of the slots nearer the components to an extent to impair the support of the components.

Abstract: A tool adapted to receive the free end of a self-locking bundle tie formed of stainless steel or the like which has a loop disposed about a bundle of articles such as electrical wires or cables. The tool is provided with a handle which is manually reciprocated to operate the tool. In operation the tool will initially tighten the loop about the bundle of articles by applying tension to the free end of the bundle tie. After the desired tension is achieved within the loop, continued operation of the tool will cause the tension applied to the free end of the bundle tie to be relaxed, the free end of the bundle tie to be subsequently cut adjacent the loop. The tool is a compact hand tool designed to cut stainless steel bundle ties with a minimum of force.

Abstract: The invention concerns connectors having an elongate spring body of elastomer or formed as a tubular spring about which a single layer wire coil is wound. The coil turns are separated by cutting the coil longitudinally of the body to define discrete conductive paths of C-shape extending round part of the circumferential profile of the body. Exposed surface portions of the wires present contact points in a row along the body. Each C-shaped turn may present a pair of diametrically opposite contacts. The coil may be wound about a former disposed beside the spring body so that on cutting the turn portions at the former leads to the individual C-shaped turn portions extend freely from the spring body.