Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates (204) by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess (20, 22, 24) on the exterior side of the connector elements (12). A conductive contact (66) extends from adjacent the interior side into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls (82) is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.

Abstract: A modular jack connector that includes a conductive outer shield and an inner insulative housing that defines a receiving space into which a complementary connector may be inserted. Contacts are provided in the connector that extend into the receiving space to mate with contacts within the complementary connector and to electrically connect the modular jack connector to a printed circuit board. Disposed between predetermined ones of the contacts within the receiving space are filter elements that are provided to reduce electromagnetic interference effects. The filter elements are adapted to mate with the contacts within the complementary connector. The filter elements may be capacitive filters having a capacitance between approximately 60-100 pF.

Abstract: An electronic card has a printed circuit board interposed between two card shields having edges. Tabs on an edge of one engage recesses on the edge of the other shield. The jointed shields of the card provide high levels of rigidity sufficient to exceed applicable bending and torsional resistance specifications. Adequate rigidity is thereby provided. Also, included is an I/O connector which is shielded over its length and is grounded without a separate ground contact. The tabs include an arcuate member having a medial oblique projection which engages a ledge of the other shield near the recess.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. In each case, the spaced walls are joined by a bridging structure that unites the walls. The plug and receptacle contacts are retained in the respective housings by engagement of opposed lateral edge portions of the contacts with the housings in a manner to enhance heat dissipation by convection by maintaining substantial portions of the contacts spaced from the housing walls and from each other. The bridging structure may include a retention element for engaging respective connector housings to retain the contact in the housings.

Abstract: In one version, a PC card has a printed circuit board assembly (11) that is interposed between card shields (5,6). This PC card is frameless. In another version, a PC card has: card shields (103,104); a printed circuit board assembly (110) interposed between the card shields; and two interposing side frames (105, 105′).

Abstract: A high speed IDC modular jack with conductors grouped into a first group and a second group. The conductors in the first group are longer than the conductors in the second group and are located in a separate plane to reduce cross-talk. First and second conductors extend in a first plane (30) perpendicularly into this base section (12) adjacent its first end (14). The conductor then extends longitudinally through the base section (12) and extends perpendicularly into the angular section (22) in a second (32) and third plane (34) respectively. Third and fourth conductors extend in a fourth plane (36) perpendicularly into the base section (12) adjacent its second end (16) and then extend into the angular section (22) of an insulative member in the second (32) and third (34) plane respectively.

Abstract: A cable connector which includes a concave housing having opposed planar sides and a relation between the planar sides and having a proximate opening and a distal opening and first and second interior axial walls. A cable extends through the proximate opening in the exterior wall of the concave housing toward the distal opening and diverges adjacent the distal opening of the housing into opposed first and second transverse cable extensions. A terminal block is mounted in the distal opening of the housing having first and second projections and each of the projections engage one of the interior axial walls of the housing and one of the transverse cable extensions. Metallic contacts also extend from the terminal block to be electrically connected to the transverse cable extensions.

Abstract: Hold-Down element (1) for holding, in a clamping manner, an electrical and/or electronic component, such as a connector, onto a substrate. The hold-down element (1) comprising a first part (2) for engaging the substrate and a second part (5) for engaging the component to be mounted. The first part (2) having an essentially flat, elongate shape provided with a member (7) which is offset with respect to the raised member (7), so that the first part (2), under the influence of a force exerted thereon during the insertion of the hold-down element (1) in a mounting opening, can diverge in the opposite direction to the raised member (7) and can engage, in a clamping manner, the substrate by means of the divergent portion in the mounting opening. The hold-down element (1) may also be used as the connecting end of a component.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly, comprising: a housing with an interior section, a front and a rear; a plurality of first contacts, and a plurality of second contacts. The first contacts have mating sections extending into the interior section and directed towards the rear of the housing. The second contacts have mating sections extending into the interior section and directed towards the front of the housing. The second contacts occupy three of the eight positions in the housing. In a modular jack arrangement, the second contacts occupy positions 3 and 5, and either position 1 or position 7. Cross-talk between the contacts is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A socket for a printed circuit board wherein the attachment and detachment of a printed circuit board can be easily and reliably performed without damaging the printed circuit board. The socket comprising a pair of guide portions extending from a header portion having an insertion opening which receives a printed circuit board to guide the sides of the printed circuit board in its extraction direction, an eject lever arranged at the guide portion to extract one end of the board from the insertion opening, and an elastic guide arm arranged at the guide portion to guide an end surface of the other of the board. When the eject lever extracts one end of the printed circuit board from the insertion opening, the guide arm rotates the board between the pair of guide portions.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a metal plate which is mounted under the housing with hot riveting. Location pegs are made so that low mounting force is possible. A wafer which is black in color or has another contrasting color makes it possible for a video camera to record the true position of the terminals. The surface of the top side of the housing is suited for vacuum pick up.

Abstract: An electronic socket adapter includes an insulative carrier and an array of a plurality of surface mount contacts carried on the base. The pins may be floatably mounted on the carrier. A plurality of relatively large openings are formed in the carrier between adjacent contacts in the array. The openings provide improved heat flow in the region of the surface mount portions of the contacts and also provide for visualization of the surface mount portions of the contacts during and after soldering.

Abstract: An electrical connector which includes an insulative body which has a leg portion and a top portion which extends generally perpendicularly from the leg second portion. A conductive contact which includes a retention section and a resilient section is also included in the electrical connector. The contact is fixed to the top section and the resilient section extends along the leg section. The connector may be interposed between a electrical device and a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector system with an electrical connector having signal contacts exhibiting unwanted cross-talk; and a circuit substrate engaging the connector. The substrate has a plurality of layers and at least first, second and third traces, each corresponding to a respective signal contact. The first trace includes: a first portion on at least one of the layers and adjacent a portion of the second trace in order to produce a first compensating cross-talk; a second portion on at least another of the plurality of layers and adjacent a portion of the third trace in order to produce a second compensating cross-talk. The substrate could also comprise a board having a first layer, a second layer, a plurality of inner layers between said first and second layers, and a ground plane on at least a lower surface of said board.

Abstract: A connector for use with a circuit substrate having a plurality of elongated conductors. A solder ball is fused to the end of the conductors for connection of the connector to a circuit substrate. Method for attaching the solder ball to the end of the conductors using a solder paste with or without a preformed solder ball. The conductors are fitted into passages of an interface member. A tail end of each conductor terminates in a well in a surface of the interface member that facilitates the attachment of solder ball to the end of the conductors. The passages in the interface member hold the conductor tail ends in place while providing a clearance around the conductor to accommodate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a connector body with a passage extending from an interface portion toward a mounting portion; a conductive terminal having a base section secured in the passage and a tab adjacent the mounting interface; and an opening through the terminal at a location within the body to provide a thermal break for retarding the flow of liquid solder along said terminal. A method of making an electrical connector, comprising the steps of: inserting a contact in a passage of a connector body to a generally fixed position, a void existing between the contact and a wall defining the passage and adjacent a mounting interface; and reflowing a fusible element to attach to the contact and to fill the void. A method of retaining a contact within a body of an electrical connector, comprising the steps of: inserting a contact into an aperture in a connector body; limiting entry of the contact into the aperture; and reflowing a fusible element to attach to the contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector illustrated as a plug and receptacle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector includes a base member having a plurality of bores. A first plurality of contact elements is positioned in certain of the bores. The tail portion of each contact element extends a distance beyond the base member. A second plurality of contact elements is positioned in others of the bores. Insertion of the tail portion of the second plurality of contact elements into a circuit board is sufficient to hold the tail portions of the first plurality of contact elements against the circuit board. It is preferred for the tail portions of the second plurality of contacts to be capable of axial movement when a compression force is applied. In another embodiment, the connector includes a frame and a layer of contact elements, wherein each of the contact elements includes a forward end and a tail portion. The ends of the tail portions are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the frame.

Abstract: A connecting tool for guiding a flexfoil into a connector element. The tool includes a guiding part that directs the flexfoil into the opening in the connector element. The tool also includes a crimping part that urges the clamps of the connector element against the flexfoil. The guiding part and the crimping part of the tool are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a double row modular gang jack for board edge application. A plurality of vertical walls are interposed between first and second longitudinal horizontal walls, and another plurality of vertical walls are interposed between the second and third horizontal longitudinal wall. Parallel rows of plug receiving recesses are consequently formed between the first and second and the second and third longitudinal horizontal walls. One of the longitudinal walls extends transversely beyond the edges of the other two to enable the plugs inserted in one row of the plug receiving recesses to be superimposed over the plugs inserted in the other row of plug receiving recesses.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an electrical connector on a PCI bracket comprising a base containing a plurality of apertures and at least one spring loaded eject pin, a contact support plate having a plurality of slots used to position contact tails on the connectors, a vertical clamp used to hold the connectors in place and a spring loaded plunger positioned in the base such that the PCI bracket is accurately positioned with respect to the connectors.