Abstract: A grid array 10 of terminals 20 secured with a fusible electrically conductive material 34 usable in conjunction with a source of constant amplitude high frequency alternating current of known frequency is formed by the steps of: selecting a plurality of terminals 20 having a thin magnetic layer 30 defined thereon, transforming the terminal into a Curie point heater, each terminal 20 including a first connecting section 24 having a fusible electrically conductive material 34 disposed thereon; releasably holding each of the terminals 20 precisely positioned within an array 22 corresponding to an array 14 of circuit termini 16 of a circuit bearing article 12 such that each of the first connecting sections 24 of the terminals 20 is substantially in physical engagement with a corresponding circuit terminus 16; interposing an electrical conductor 60 connected to the source of alternating current among and adjacent each terminal 20 positioned within the array 22; subjecting each heater body to said constant current

Abstract: A pair of shorting contacts (116,116) on mated electrical terminal members (110,110). The shorting contacts are edges of angled surfaces (36) on the respective electrical terminal members which are laterally reversed mirror images of each other. The respective edges confront each other in a substantially transverse configuration. Initial engagement between the respective edges is at an initial point contact (125) at a high stress. The edges thereafter wipe against one another and come to engage at a final point contact. The path from the initial point contact to the final point contact constitutes a line between the respective electrical terminal members.

Abstract: A forward housing member for an electrical connector of the type having an array of contacts disposed within a dielectric housing assembly includes a generally planar body section and an array of contact receiving passageways extending therethrough from a forward face to a rearward face thereof, the forward housing passageways having a selected dimension and a selected location. The forward housing member is assembled to a forward face of a discrete rearward housing member such that the passageways are generally aligned with corresponding passageways of the rearward housing member and forward contact sections of the contacts in the corresponding rearward passageways extend in a close fit into the passageways of the forward housing member.

Abstract: A device 10 usable in conjunction with a source of constant amplitude high frequency alternating current of known frequency for providing sufficient thermal energy to melt a fusible electrically conductive material 32 includes an integral member formed from strip 12 of a first metal having a carrier strip section 14 and a plurality of fingers 20 initially integrally coextending therefrom. The carrier strip section 14 further has a thin magnetic layer 18 thereon, transforming the carrier strip into a Curie point heater. The fingers 20 including end portions 22 having layers of solder affixed to opposite sides thereof are adapted to receive bare end portions of conductors 36 inserted into slots 28 thereof. The device 10 and the conductors 36 disposed therein are placed on the board 50 with the respective conductors 36 opposed from respective contact pads 52 and separated by the finger end portions 22.

Abstract: The jumper cable assembly 10 in accordance with the invention includes at least a first layer 12 of insulating film, an array of electrical conductors 20, each having first and second connecting portions 22,24 at opposed ends thereof and a fusible electrically conductive material disposed on the connecting portions 22,24. Each conductor 20 is formed from a first conductive layer 26 having high electrical resistance and high magnetic permeability, and a second conductive layer 28 integrally joined thereto, the second layer having low electrical resistance and minimal magnetic permeability. Each of the conductors 20 defines a heater body.

Abstract: An improved electrical tap connector 20 of the type having a C-shaped body member 22 having laterally opposing arcuate ears 26 extending laterally therealong and converging from a wide end to a narrow end, the body member 22 being adapted to receive a wedge member 40 having opposed converging side surfaces concave therealong defining wire-receiving channels 28 in cooperation with corresponding ones of the arcuate ears 26 opposed therefrom, a drive bolt causing the wedge member 40 to be driven into the wide end of the C-shaped body 22 and held therein, and a stabilizing member 34 at least affixed to one of the C-shaped and the wedge members 22, 40, the stabilizing member 34 being operable during movement of the wedge member 40 into a final connected position in the C-shaped member 22 to locate at least the front end 44 of the wedge member 40 substantially centrally between the arcuate ears 26 of the C-shaped member 22.

Abstract: A filtered connector includes a housing member having a plurality of electrical terminal members disposed in respective terminal receiving passageways, a like plurality of electrical components disposed in component receiving passageways, a ground means including a plate-like portioned disposed adjacent a forward face of the housing member, a rear plate disposed adjacent the rearward face of the housing member, and resilient conductive means to bias the electrical components and complete an electrical path from the terminal members to a respective component to ground. The components are of the type having a pair of spaced external electrodes. The component receiving passageways are essentially parallel to and spaced from respective associated terminal receiving passageways. The ground and rear plates define forward and rearward stop surfaces respectively for the component receiving passageways.

Abstract: A grid array 10 of terminals 20 secured with a fusible electrically conductive material 34 usable in conjunction with a source of constant amplitude high frequency alternating current of known frequency is formed by the steps of: selecting a plurality of terminals 20 having a thin magnetic layer 30 defined thereon, transforming the terminal into a Curie point heater, each terminal 20 including a first connecting section 24 having a fusible electrically conductive material 34 disposed thereon; releasably holding each of the terminals 20 precisely positioned within an array 22 corresponding to an array 14 of circuit termini 16 of a circuit bearing article 12 such that each of the first connecting sections 24 of the terminals 20 is substantially in physical engagement with a corresponding circuit terminus 16; interposing an electrical conductor 60 connected to the source of alternating current among and adjacent each terminal 20 positioned within the array 22; subjecting each heater body to said constant current

Abstract: A universal adapter including a generic fixed housing (10) capable of receiving diverse back panel assemblies (20-1, 20-2 . . . 20-n) each having a set of coupling elements (22-1, 22-2 . . . 22-n) which may differ according to industry standards. The adapter facilitates optical coupling of, for example, a Fiber Distributed-Data Interface (FDDI) style connector or an ESCON.TM. style connector with either an SC.TM. style connector, an ST.TM. style connector, an FC style connector, or any other type of optical connector.

Abstract: A one-piece fiber optic receptacle (10) with integrally-molded containment cells (18,19) for frictionally retaining one or more active optical devices (20) within the receptacle (10) during alignment.

Abstract: A device 10 usable in conjunction with a source of constant amplitude high frequency alternating current of known frequency for providing sufficient thermal energy to melt a fusible electrically conductive material 24 includes an integral member formed from strip 12 of a first metal having a carrier strip section 14 and a plurality of fingers 20 initially integrally coextending therefrom. The carrier strip section 14 further has a thin magnetic layer 18 thereon, transforming the carrier strip into a Curie point heater. The fingers 20 including end portions 22 having layers of solder affixed to opposite sides thereof are adapted to be inserted into apertures 36 defined through a first electrical article 30 from a first surface 32 to a remote surface 34 thereof and adjacent contact pads 40 thereon. The first and second electrical articles 30,46 are placed together with the respective contact pads 40,48 opposed from each other and separated by the finger end portions 22.

Abstract: A grid array 10 of terminals 20 secured with a fusible electrically conductive material 34 usable in conjunction with a source of constant amplitude high frequency alternating current of known frequency is formed by the steps of: selecting a plurality of terminals 20 having a thin magnetic layer 30 defined thereon, transforming the terminal into a Curie point heater, each terminal 20 including a first connecting section 24 having a fusible electrically conductive material 34 disposed thereon; releasably holding each of the terminals 20 precisely positioned within an array 22 corresponding to an array 14 of circuit termini 16 of a circuit bearing article 12 such that each of the first connecting sections 24 of the terminals 20 is substantially in physical engagement with a corresponding circuit terminus 16; interposing an electrical conductor 60 connected to the source of alternating current among and adjacent each terminal 20 positioned within the array 22; subjecting each heater body to said constant current

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) includes a plurality of signal contacts (22) and a grounding structure (16) mounted in a plastic housing (12) having flat exterior surface portions (19). One or more filter elements (32) contain signal electrodes (34) associated with and electrically connected to respective signal contacts (22) at staggered signal connection sections (35), with ground electrode (38) connected to grounding structure (16) at section (39). Each filter element is in tape form with dielectric material (36) laminated between broad area electrodes (34,38) with the tape attached to the housing exterior surface (14) for the electrodes (34,38) of the filter to be connected between the signal contact and ground structure to effectively insert the filter in the signal path to ground. Each signal electrode (34) may be carried on a separate tape filter, or one tape filter (80) may define at least two signal electrodes (82,84).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) includes at least one signal contact (22) and one grounding structure (16) mounted in a dielectric housing (12) having flat exterior surface portions (19). A filter (32) is associated with each signal contact, if desired, and is in tape form with dielectric material (36) laminated between broad area electrodes (34,38) with the tape attached to the housing exterior surface (14); the dielectric material is selected to have a dielectric constant and thickness to provide a desired capacitance between signal and ground electrodes (34,38). The method includes electrically joining the signal and ground electrodes to the signal contact (22) and grounding structure (16) while pressing the tape filter along and against the exterior housing surfaces (19) between the connections, for the electrodes (34,38) of the filter to be connected between the signal contact and ground structure to effectively insert the filter in the signal path to ground.

Abstract: A fiber optic plug assembly (10) including resistance-fit cover-halves (12A and 12B) which are combinative to house both simplex plugs (20) and duplex plugs (not shown) to permit duplex data transmission to take place using simplex parts.The plug assembly (10) including the plugs (20) thereof may be quickly and easily connected and disconnected as desired.

Abstract: A filtered connector 20 includes a housing means 22 having a plurality of terminal members 42 disposed therein with terminal portions 46 extending outwardly thereof, filter means 48 and grounding means 38. Filter means 48 includes a planar inductive substrate 50, a plurality of terminal receiving passageways 58 extending therethrough and configured to receive corresponding ones of the terminal member portions 46. An array of capacitors 60 is disposed on substrate 50, such that each capacitor 60 is associated with a corresponding terminal receiving passageway 58. In the preferred embodiment, each capacitor 60 includes a first or signal electrode 62, a layer of dielectric material 66 having a selected thickness disposed on the first signal electrode over at least most of the exposed surface thereof; and a second or a ground electrode 68 disposed on layer 66, the ground electrode 68 being electrically isolated from the signal electrode and in capacitive relationship therewith.

Abstract: A device (24) for protecting against electrical over stress (EOS) of electrical components includes first contacts (50, 56) that interconnect to signal contacts (18) of a connector (12) and second contacts (68) that connect to the ground circuit (20) of a connector with a rigid plastic housing (26) holding the device contacts so that ends (55, 65) have a precise spacing gap (71), the gap being filled with a material matrix (72) of insulating and conductive materials having characteristics in conjunction with the gap to define transit voltage suppression by grounding the signal contacts of a connector. The device is made bendable to fit onto connectors and conform to the connector geometry.

Abstract: A wedge connector of the type having a C-shaped member defining wire-receiving channels and a wedge member arranged to be forced between the wires thereby securing the wires electrically and mechanically together. Raised, pointed projections are provided in the inner surface of each channel, these projections biting into the wires to increase the required pull-out force. A slot is provided in the wedge and in the fully engaged position of the connector pieces the slot is exposed adjacent an end of the C-member. This allows insertion of a flat screwdriver which can be backed against the end of the C-member to pry the wedge loose.

Abstract: A self-aligning optical receptacle cover (10) suitable for use with various types of optical receptacles (20). The cover (10) seals the receptacle (20) against dust and debris, and alignment pylons (16, 18) extending from receptacle cover (10) cooperate with active optical devices (30, 40) to maintain precise alignment thereof within the receptacle during manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) for connecting a laser diode (14) and an optical fiber (12). The assembly (10) includes an optical connector subassembly (26) having an input for collecting optical energy emitted by the laser diode (14) and an output for transmitting a beam of the collected optical energy to the optical fiber (12), and attenuation means (24) between the input and the output for reducing the power of the beam of collected optical energy at the output to be transmitted to the optical fiber (12). A connector assembly of the present invention is effective in transmitting energy from a light source to an optical fiber with the same accuracy of alignment as a coupling of an optical fiber to an optical fiber; and, at the same time, is effective in controlling the power of the transmitted energy to protect against accidental injury due to inadvertent viewing of the light source when the optical fiber is disconnected from the assembly and to control the power of the optical energy entering the optical fiber.