Abstract: An improved apparatus 10 for plating interior surfaces of electrical terminals is disclosed which comprises a mandrel having first and second portions 11, 119, the first portion 11 being dielectric and the second portion 119 being conductive. The first portion 11 is mounted for rotation on a stationary conductive shaft 52 as strip fed terminals are continuously fed to, wrapped against and exited from the first portion. The second portion is mounted in a stationary position on the shaft 52. The first portion 11 includes a plurality of nozzles 49 a like plurality of anode members 80, each associated with a respective nozzle, and reciprocally movable between a plating position within a terminal 172 and a retracted position outside a terminal 172.

Abstract: An improved filter assembly (10) for filtering RFI/EMI in printed circuit boards is disclosed, together with methods of manufacture thereof. A filter sleeve (16) is carried by an outer leg (11) of the filter assembly and is substantially parallel to the respective legs (11, 12, 13) thereof, thereby providing a compact structure for improved circuit miniaturization. The filter assemblies are encapsulated with a suitable insulating material (17). The respective filter assemblies (10) are made in a continuous strip, suitably stamped, and broken off as desired by the user. In a further embodiment, the respective filter assemblies are made from a continuous wire, suitably bent and formed, and cut off as desired.

Abstract: An anode assembly 30 for selectively plating contact areas 102 on the interior surface of cathodically charged socket terminals 96 is disclosed, which comprises a conductive body member 32 having an anode means or member 54 extending forwardly from a body section 38, a dielectric body member 58 adapted to be secured to a forward portion 34 of said conductive body member 32 and having a passageway 62 therethrough for receiving the anode means 54; sheath means 64 extending forwardly from the dielectric body member and along the anode means 54 and extending angularly around at least one selected circumferential portion thereof, and lateral edge surfaces 68 of the sheath means 64 defining at least one slot 70 extending axially along the anode means 54 such that at least one axially extending portion 55 of the anode means 54 is exposed along the slot 70, the sheath means 64 having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of a terminal 96 to be plated; and means for securing said dielectric body member 58 to said

Abstract: A continuous strip (200) of electrical component assemblies (22) is disclosed, together with method of manufacturing thereof. The components are made by stamping a metal strip to form an intermediate article having a plurality of first and second members (28, 38) integrally extending therefrom and joined thereto at spaced locations therealong. Each first member (28) has at least one second member (38) associated with and adjacent to it. The second members (38) include locating means (42) for enabling at least third members (56) to be assembled to the first members (28) in a precisely located relationship. The first members (28) may also include further locating means (37) for fourth members (46) to be included in the assembly. The strip thus provides its own fixturing means for precisely locating the various members of electronic component assemblies.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (20) has a plurality of compliant pin terminals (28) inserted into a "header" or insulated connector housing member (22) by a force exerted directly on an end portion (32) of each compliant pin terminal (28). Each compliant pin terminal (28) carries a contact portion (40), which is laterally offset with respect to the compliant pin terminal (28), so as not to interfere with the direct engagement of the compliant pin terminal (28) by a tool (46). The tool (46), which is driven by a suitable ram or press, is guided within a cavity (48) in the housing member (22).

Abstract: An environmentally sealed electrical connector is comprised of plug and receptacle housing members, each member having a rigid portion and a flexible portion secured to one end thereof, and at least one electrical terminal receiving passageway extending through the rigid and flexible portions. The flexible portions of the passageways are dimensioned to accommodate and sealingly engage a variety of wire sizes terminated to electrical terminals which are received and disposed in the passageways of the assembled member. The plug member may be further comprised of a second flexible section secured at the other end of the rigid section, the second flexible section providing a resilient sealing member for environmentally sealing the interface when the receptable and receptacle members are mated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a filtered cable harness connector assembly 10 including a multiterminal connector 12 having at least one row of terminals 18 therein terminated to conductors 28 of a cable 26, at least one filter subassembly 30 secured to the conductors 28 rearward of the multiterminal connector 12 and means covering the connector 12 and subassembly 30. The cable conductors are arranged in at least one planar array 29 and extend rearwardly from the connector 12 in a given lateral spacing. One filter subassembly 30 is associated with each at least one array of conductors. The subassembly 30 has plurality of contact members 32, a purality of filter members 58, means 50 housing the contact members 32 and filter members 58, and bus means 46.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector assembly 20 comprising a pin terminal member 24 having a forward portion 26 including contact means therearound defining a frustoconical contact surface, a complimentary socket terminal member 72 including contact means and housing means that assures assembly of respective said pin and socket terminal members 24, 72 as they are moved axially together and electrical engagement of respective contact surfaces 30, 78 thereof upon full mating of said terminal members 24, 72. The surface of the pin terminal member 24 has an array of facets 28 disposed in selected areas therealong, the outer surface portions defining a plurality of contact areas 30. The socket member 72 includes a forward portion having a frustoconical contact surface defining a cavity 76 adapted to receive the forward section 26 of the pin terminal member 24.

Abstract: An electrical connector 10 for mating two blade-shaped members, such as dual voltage bus bars 84, 92 is disclosed. The connector 10 is comprised of first and second terminal elements 12, 40 having body sections 14, 42 secured together with insulating means 38 therebetween. Each first and second terminal element 12, 40 has a first array 24, 52 of spaced cantilevered spring contact arms 26, 54 respectively extending outwardly from a respective leading edge, 20, 48 and a second array 32, 58 of spaced cantilevered spring contact arms 34, 60 extending outwardly from a respective trailing edge, 22, 50.

Abstract: A gripper head (18) for use, for example, with a pick and place robot (2) comprises a body (26) comprising a pair of housings (28) each containing a pneumatic piston and cylinder unit (62) and being connected together by means of a slide plate (30). The piston and cylinder units (62) are arranged in opposed relationship on opposite sides of a central vertical axis (Z) of the body (26). The slide plate (30) defines in cooperation with a top cover (32) a slideway (48) receiving slides (82) from which depend side plates (76) connected to gripper jaws (98). The slides (82) are positively connected by a link (92) which is pivotable about a pin (88) coincident with the central axis (Z). Pins (96) on the link (92) engage in transverse slots (86) in the slides (82) to ensure that the jaws (98) are moved by piston rods (66) of the piston and cylinder units (62), always simultaneously and by the same distance, between an open position to receive an electrical connector (C') and a closed position to grip it.

Abstract: Provided is a device for interconnecting high voltage electrical components employing a terminal assembly housing, a poke-in terminal, an elongated receptacle featuring a mounting means, anti-surface tracking elements, an axially extending cavity in communication with the terminal, and a compressible snap cap assembly which compresses about, grips and secures the wire.

Abstract: A planar filter assembly 12 is comprised of a generally planar inductive member 14 having upper and lower surfaces 16, 18 and a plurality of terminal receiving apertures 22 extending therethrough and a plurality of pairs of capacitors 44, 46, one capacitor pair being at respective ends of each aperture 22; whereby each the pair of capacitors 44, 46 and said inductive member therebetween forms a pi-network filter for an electrical terminal member 48 inserted into aperture 22. The capacitors 44, 46 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces 16, 18 of the inductive member by disposing a series of layers of materials on the surfaces. The first layer 24 comprises an electrically-conductive material disposed on first selected locations of upper and lower surfaces 16, 18, the first conductive coating being spaced from apertures 22 and including the ground electrode portions 25 for the capacitors 44, 46.

Abstract: A bus bar assembly comprises a frame in which circuit modules are slidable on rails towards and away from a power bus bar. Each module has a receptacle for receiving the bus bar when the module has been slid to a home position in the frame. Each receptacle is secured to a guide fork for guiding the receptacle into mating relationship with the bus bar, the guide fork being fixed to a slide block mounted on the module for sliding movement transversely of the rails to take up play between the module and the rails.

Abstract: A bussing system 10 for panels 11, such as a printed circuit board employs bus means comprised of at least one ribbon 16 of flexible, relatively thin, substantially flat, conductive material, such as copper. Ribbon 16 is bent as desired to be received within a plurality of taps, including at least one vertical tap 13, mounted on the panel at selected respective locations. The taps may also include at least one horizontal tap 14, in which case ribbon 16 is twisted to right angles thereto to be received in the horizontal tap. One or more standoffs 15 may be employed to maintain mechanical rigidity and to maintain ribbon 16 in a vertical orientation off of panel 11. The amount of copper (or other material) employed is held to a minimum to meet the circular mil area (or "CMA") requirements. Design flexibility is assured for accommodating a variety of configurations, thereby effecting a considerable savings in development, tooling and production costs.

Abstract: Modular electrical connector assemblies and filtered connector inserts therefor. The assembly includes one or more filtered connector inserts releasably mounted within an outer conductive shell. A plurality of filtered contact assemblies are releasably retained within the insert. Each filtered contact assembly includes an electrical contact, a filter electrically coupled to the contact, and a first grounding means electrically coupled to said filter. The filtered contact assemblies are releasably and electrically coupled to the insert when the assemblies are releasably mounted to the insert, and to the outer shell when the insert is mounted within the shell. With the invention, a grounding path is automatically provided from the filter associated with each filtered contact assembly to the outer shell to dissipate filtered interference, while allowing individual removal and replacement of each filtered contact assembly from the insert, and removal and replacement of each insert from the shell.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes modules which intermate to interconnect electrical circuits between mother and daughter printed circuit boards. The modules are provided with resilient projections which latch on relative rotation of the modules, enabling the handling of resultant modular assemblies. High current carrying terminals of the modules have contact posts of different spacings and lengths from a contact point to assure equal resistivity to avoid hot spots for high current. A polarizing key locking feature is provided by a snap ring including a slot to permit engagement and disengagement by a simple tool such as a screwdriver.

Abstract: Electrical circuit component assembly 28 of the present invention is comprised of three electrical circuit component members, 32, 40 and 41, respectively that are assembled such that first member 32 is in series and second and third members 40, 41 are in parallel with a signal, when assembly 28 is electrically connected between respective ends 64, 66 of discontinuous conductor 62 on circuit board 60. Electrical circuit component assembly 28 includes first member 32 having first and second electrically conductive portions 34, 38 at spaced locations along its body 36; second member 40 having first and second conductive areas 42, 46 at spaced locations on body member 44, and third member 41, having first and second conductive areas 43, 47 at spaced location thereon.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a membrane switch comprising a first layer 30 of flexible insulating material and a second layer 50 having relatively inflexible characteristics, each layer 30, 50 having an array of conductors 40, 54 disposed thereon and defining a plurality of switch point areas over a substantial portion of the respective layers. The first sheet is transparent and carries visible symbols on the inner surface thereof formed by a first layer 36 of inks printed thereon and further includes a barrier coating over such symbols to provide contrast therefore. The first array 40 of conductors is printed on the barrier coating. The second array 54 of conductors is printed on the inflexible layer.

Abstract: A selective plating apparatus (20) for zone plating is comprised of a contained supply (22) of plating solution having an elongated avenue of escape or nozzle (32) and anode means (42) mounted along the length of the avenue of escape (32) at a spaced location therefrom such that the plating solution leaving the supply (22) is charged by the anode means (42). The apparatus (20) further includes means (80, 94) for guiding a workpiece (120) having a zone (128) to be selectively plated through the apparatus (20) such that the zone (128) is proximate the avenue of escape (32), the workpiece (120) comprising a cathode means. The apparatus (20) includes means for maintaining a desired rate of plating solution through the avenue of escape (32) whereby the solution wets the selected zone (128) of the workpiece (120) and deposits a layer of plating in the desired zone (128) on the surface of the workpiece as it passes through the apparatus (20).

Abstract: A solderless filtered connector is formed by a first insulative housing which is selectively plated with conductive material and is profiled to receive therein a second insulative housing carrying a plurality of filtered terminals in a spaced array. Ground is established by a multi-apertured grounding member which receives the respective filter sleeves therein and is profiled to make wiping engagement with the plated portion of the first housing. A metal shell secured to the first housing defines a mating face for the connector and completes the ground path. Each terminal has a compliant intermediate portion which is received in the bore of a respective filter sleeve to make solderless engagement therewith.