Abstract: A coaxial connector for a coaxial cable of the type having an inner conductor encircled by an annular insulating layer, an outer conductor, and an insulating jacket has a metal body with a rear opening for receiving the cable. A rear clamp nut threadingly engageable with the rear opening moves axially within the opening upon rotation to provide an axial force. A clamping ring and a stationary ring securely hold the outer conductor therebetween upon application of the axial force to the clamping ring. A cylindrical rigid member which has compressive material covering its inner surface, outer surface and one end surface and which is coaxial with the cable is disposed between the rear clamp nut and the clamp ring. As a result, when the rear clamp nut is rotated relative to the body, the cylindrical end surface cuts through the compressible material which is compressed by the axial force provided by the rear clamp nut to provide a seal between the rear opening and the cable.

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: An electrical connector assembly, a protective enclosure therefor and a running cable bridging adapter system which may use one or both of such components are disclosed. The connector assembly includes a pair of connectors electrically coupled back to back and mechanically secured in such relation by a protective support medium, such as epoxy, with at least one bolt receiving aperture extending through the support medium to facilitate compact stacking and mounting of plural connector assemblies in several alternative arrangements within the protective enclosure. The protective enclosure also includes a mounting plate having predetermined arrays of mounting points formed as pre-stressed punch-outs for enabling securance of the member and its supported connector assemblies to various electrical junction boxes or the like each having its own distinctive array of plural mounting points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of automatically assembling and mounting contacts in plug-type connectors with the plug-type connector consisting of a housing and a strip made of insulating material, which strip can be joined with the housing and which supports the contacts. In addition, the present invention relates to connectors produced according to the method.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly of the type which optically couples one or more pairs of fiber optic cables together by aligning and closely spacing the terminal ends of each cable pair includes a connector having a cable terminating tubular pin which receives one of the cables and which also has an outer circumferential flange. The pin is received within a channel of the connector body which channel has a forwardly facing annular shoulder portion. A cylindrical retainer coaxially disposed about the pin has a rear surface engaging the channel shoulder and forwardly depending fingers engaging the pin flange. The rearward end of the retainer also includes an integral spring mechanism which urges the pin in the forward direction so that its forward end continuously engages a spacer within a mating connector which causes the terminal ends of the coupled cables to be closely and controllably spaced for efficient light transfer between the fiber optic cables.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrically aligning and terminating an optical fiber within the terminal end of a fiber optic connector includes the use of a resilient jig having a bore dimensioned for receiving the optical fiber. The jig is aligned relative to the connector so that the jig bore is concentric to the outer dimension of the connector terminal end. The resilient jig is uniformly compressed in a chuck to cause the jig bore to contract about an optical fiber threaded through the connector and the jig bore. As a result, the optical fiber is firmly held in concentric alignment to the outer dimension of the connector terminal end for subsequent curing of adhesive material within the connector for terminating the optical fiber to the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of electrical contact elements disposed therein for terminating one end of an insulated conductor and a shroud securable to the connector housing to cover the electrical contact elements. Improved strain relief for the terminated conductor is provided by base clamp means securable to the housing and engageable with the conductor, and fastener clamp means engageable with the conductor and securable to the base clamp means. The base clamp means includes first detent means adjustably matable with second detent means disposed on the fastener clamp means to enable adjustable locking engagement between the base and fastener clamp means to grip the insulated conductor therebetween, the base and fastener clamp means being easily engaged or disengaged without the use of tools and adjustable relative to each other to accept conductors of different sizes.