Abstract: A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers is disclosed. The connector includes a terminating member having a passage therein dimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers. An adapter associated with a mating end of the terminating member and communicating with the passage is provided wherein the adapter has a hermaphroditic face exposed at the mating end of the terminating member. The connector also includes means associated with the adapter for securing the one optical fiber in a preselected position relative to the mating end of the terminating member. In a more specific sense, the connector is adapted for use in an assembly including a second identical connector for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cables in which the various elements may be formed in a manner making them interchangeable with other like elements in order to form a modular hermaphroditic connector.

Abstract: A separable in-line fiber optic connector adapted for coupling a pair of optical fibers or a single optical fiber and a light source or detector. The fiber connector includes a terminal plug member having a through hole extending axially therethrough for receiving an optical fiber. The plug member is axially split so as to comprise first and second separate longitudinal portions defining the through hole which are transversely matable for clamping the optical fiber therebetween. The plug portions are interengageable in a manner preventing any relative axial displacement therebetween. A housing member receives the terminal plug member and confines the split portions to a mating position in which they firmly clamp the optical fiber. The separate longitudinal plug portions are transversely ribbed along at least an axial section of the through hole for engaging the optical fiber to prevent axial displacement thereof.

Abstract: A novel communication system and means for interconnecting communication trunk lines to multiple communication terminals is disclosed. The interconnection apparatus includes multi-circuit connectors coupled to the trunk lines and connector members coupled to information transmission cables routed from the various terminal stations within the communication network. Means are provided for interconnecting the multi-circuit connectors or trunk lines to the connector members so that any one of the communication channels may be associated with any one of the stations simply by mating one of a plurality of relocatable connectors to any of the various connector members. The components of the interconnection apparatus are characterized by a modular construction and adaptable to factory assembly to thereby provide versatility and reliability beyond that obtained with prior art systems.

Abstract: An improved modular interface connector and connector assembly incorporating such connectors for interconnecting telephones and telephone signal equipment, and particularly for electrically connecting multi-conductor cables to a plurality of conductors electrically coupled to telephone signal equipment. The modular connector assemblies of the invention include improved mounting structures which permit each connector to be slidably mounted on a removable support member within an enclosure. The connectors can be mounted on the support member in at least two alternate orientations and retained in any one of a plurality of positions between spaced shoulders of the support member.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical and optical fibre connectors. In the past, the terminal ends of electrical conductors or optical fibres retained in a connector have not reliably maintained a desired separation of the ends of optical fibres or a secure conducting connection formed between electrical conductors. According to the present invention, there is provided an improved optical fibre or electrical connector, comprising a termination member suitable for terminating an electrical conductor or an optical fibre, the termination member being slidably mounted through an aperture in a connector body-member, and a biasing element resiliently biasing the termination member against sliding movement in a first direction relative to the connector body-member.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed which includes first and second mating connector members, and a coupling ring carried by one of the connector members for moving the other connector member axially into mating relation therewith. A visual and tactile indicating assembly is operatively associated with the connector members and the coupling ring and includes a radially inwardly self-biased split indicating ring carried by the coupling ring. The indicating ring is movable radially relative to the coupling ring from a retracted position to an outwardly projecting indicating position in response to a predetermined positioning of the other connector member in relation to the one connector member and the coupling ring. The ring provides an omni-directional visual and tactile indication of the relative positioning of the mating connector members. The connector assembly also includes an audible indicating mechanism which provides a self-locking feature for the connector assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus is shown for use in loading contacts in contact receiving bores of a resilient insert body. The insert body is provided with internal shoulders and bores forming restrictive passages for holding the contacts and for holding wires attached to the contacts. The apparatus includes an adapter associated with a breech loading assembly for accepting and holding the insert body. An assembly including a bullet within a barrel is pushed into the insert body to gently enlarge the shoulders and the bores. The bullet is then retracted to a stop position, leaving the barrel in place in the bore. The breech lock is then opened and contacts are loaded by hand, or other means, into the bore to the stop position. The barrel is then retracted from the bore permitting the internal shoulders of the resilient insert body to expand and grip the contacts. Thereafter, the resilient insert body, with its contacts and appropriate leads in place, is removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: A novel mass termination assembly for flat cable is disclosed for use with cable having very closely spaced conductors. The assembly includes connector means to terminate selected conductors, isolation means to inactivate certain other selected conductors at the locus of the termination and bridging means to electrically couple the inactivated conductors to the connector means. The assembly allows the use of insulation-piercing termination devices without the danger of shorting between the closely spaced adjacent conductors.

Abstract: This invention relates to fiber optic connectors. Connectors are known in which the optical fiber end to be connected is held in a guiding sleeve which can be shifted in a transverse direction by means of a bolt in one wall of the connector. However, alignment of the ends of the optical fibers being connected to those of a mating connector requires manual mechanical adjustment. Another fault of the prior art is that the ends of the optical fibers are unprotected when the two mating connector parts are disconnected. The present invention provides means by which an automatic adjustment of the alignment of the ends of the optical fibers is made possible, and other means by which the ends of the optical fibers are protected when the two mating connectors are separated. An optical fiber holder resiliently mounted within a connector housing permits limited displacement of the optical fibers contained within the holder, in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the connection of insulated electric wires, and it pertains more precisely to a terminal and a connection block for electrically connecting two insulated wires without prestripping them. Prior art connecting devices that operate without prestripping are usually in the form of a flat spring, cut in a U shape, the branches of which define a slot. In such devices, the insulated wire to be connected is introduced at the end of the slot adjacent the free ends of the branches. This type of device has a disadvantage since the perforation of the insulation is made where the deformation of the branches is the easiest. The self-stripping connecting device of the present invention is constituted by a flat spring including a portion forming a U, the branches of which are elastically biased one against the other, and an opening to allow the introduction of the insulated wire at the end of the slot adjacent the base of the U.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed particularlity for use between a printed circuit board and another electrical component. A body member of dielectric material is provided having first and second exterior surfaces and a plurality of spaced-apart, contact-receiving apertures extending therethrough between the surfaces. Each aperture has a narrow cavity region, a shoulder cavity region, and a wide cavity region extending seriatim from the first to the second exterior surfaces. A plurality of electrical contacts are disposed in respective ones of the apertures, each contact including a terminal portion press-fit within the narrow cavity region, a shoulder cavity region, and an active contact portion extending into the wide cavity region for connection to another electrically conductive element.

Abstract: An electrical connector and termination tool are disclosed for making crimped, insulation-piercing terminations with insulation covered conductors. The connector includes a dielectric insert, a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the insert and an access passage for insertion of a termination tool to effect the crimp-pierce termination in situ. The termination tool has a bifurcated termination head including separate insertion and crimping members which are used sequentially to first press the conductor into the terminal portion of the contact and then to crimp the contact over the conductor to complete the termination.

Abstract: An electrical terminal or contact element for use in an electrical connector, having a resilient tab for retaining the element in the connector housing. The tab is attached to a central portion of the element and extends diagonally through the center of the element at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the element. A free end of the tab extends beyond the element for engaging a shoulder of the housing after the element is inserted through a passageway in the housing. The free end of the tab may be deflected inwardly by means of a pin-like tool to disengage the tab from the shoulder and allow removal of the element from the housing. A stop surface in the central portion of the element prevents deflection of the tab beyond its elastic limit, thereby preventing damage to the terminal element.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for mounting an electrical connector to an associated apertured panel board, the electrical connector having a pair of outwardly extending flanges at opposite ends thereof, and the assembly including a pair of connector clips for releasably securing the connector to the panel. Each clip comprises a body member having first and second spaced-apart engagement surfaces disposed in facing relationship to define a mounting slot therebetween, the body member being received through the aperture in the panel so that the engagement surfaces extend along the inner and outer surfaces of the panel to grip the panel therebetween. The body member has a mounting surface spaced from the first engagement surface to receive and hold one of the flanges on the electrical connector, and has spaced-apart abutment shoulders to limit movement of the connector in a predetermined direction. Retaining fingers are carried by the abutment shoulders for snap-in retention of the flange.

Abstract: A modularized electrical connector includes plural sets of electrical contacts carried by a support means. A first adapter plug having an associated set of electrical contacts is constructed and arranged for disposition in releasable electrical engagement with any selected set of the plural contact sets. A second adapter affixed to the support member is flexibly wired to the movable first adapter and includes an associated set of electrical contacts for electrical connection to a mating connector plug. A mounting member is provided for securing the first adapter in a selected position. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved modular interface connectors and connector assemblies incorporating such connectors are disclosed for interconnecting telephones and telephone signal equipment. The modular connectors of the invention include improved mounting structures which permit each connector to be slidably mounted on a support member in at least two alternate orientations and to be retained at any position between two spaced shoulders of the support member. In addition, the modular connector is preferably an integrally molded plastic unit configured to permit its fabrication in a single-action mold. In one embodiment, the interface connector further includes a removable comb member which separates and aligns the active portions of the connector contact elements and prevents access through the entrance aperture of the connector to the free ends of the contact elements.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed and has complementary receptacle and plug connector members, each member having a hollow shell containing a conventional insulating insert which houses electrical contacts. A rotatable coupling ring is carried by the plug and is engageable with the receptacle for mating the connector members and holding the contacts in electrical engagement. A radially deflectable detent leaf spring is carried on an inner circumferential portion of the coupling ring, and the leaf spring has a radially extending detent protrusion intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with an annular array of ratchet-type detent teeth on an outer circumferential portion of the connector plug. The leaf spring is comprised of a pair of superimposed leaf portions joined together integrally at adjacent ends thereof by an enlarged loop portion. The loop portion is positionable within an axially exposed mounting recess at one end of the coupling ring.

Abstract: A modularized electrical connector is disclosed and has position adjustable contact elements for engaging selective second contact elements of a complementary electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a housing defining an elongated cavity, with a top portion of the housing having an elongated cavity, with a top portion of the housing having an elongated end opening communicating with the cavity. A movable insert member is provided and includes an insert element constructed and arranged for disposition at any preselected one of a predetermined plurality of positions along the length of the housing cavity. Contact elements are supported by the insert member for mating engagement with selected contact elements of a complementary electrical connector according to the position of the insert member within the cavity.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus or machine is disclosed in which electrical contacts of any one of a variety of conformations are fed from a receptacle or reservoir which holds a supply of contacts of selected conformation. The contacts are fed seriatim from the receptacle and are oriented and advanced to a crimping mechanism where each contact is selectively crimped to the end of an electrical cable. The receptacle includes a vibratory container which can be supplied with a plurality of contacts in a random array and the container is vibrated whereas the contacts are fed outwardly from the container along a helical path leading from the bottom of the container to an orienting mechanism. The orienting mechanism includes a downwardly inclined ramp connected to the container to be oscillated therewith so that the contacts move down the ramp one at a time due to vibration and gravity toward an advancing mechanism. The advancing mechanism is selectively actuatable and feeds the contacts seriatim to a crimping mechanism.

Abstract: An electrical connector for attachment to a printed circuit board which allows stacked printed circuit boards to be positioned closer together than previously possible. The connector comprises a housing, one surface of which is mounted against one side of the printed circuit board, and at least one resilient female contact having a terminal end extending through a passageway in the housing and attached to the printed circuit board. An intermediate portion of the female contact is bent such that the portion is substantially parallel to the printed circuit board. The other end of the terminal is folded over to form a wiping surface for contacting a mating male contact extending from an adjacent printed circuit board. The housing includes an opening adjacent the contacting end of the female contact to allow passage of the male contact through the housing and into engagement with the female contact.