Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a forward connecting section for connection with a complementary electrical connector in a mating direction. A pair of latch members extend in the mating direction along respective sides of the connecting section and each member includes a fixed end mounted in the housing and a free end engageable with an appropriate latch on the complementary electrical connector. The latch members are pivotally movable about the fixed ends from latch positions in latching engagement with the latch on the complementary electrical connector to release positions disconnected from the complementary connector. An actuator is pivotally mounted on the housing for pivotal movement from an inoperative position to an actuating position about an axis extending generally transverse to the mating direction. The actuator includes a cam engageable with the latch members for simultaneously moving the latch members from their latch positions to their release positions.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for connecting an antenna to a printed circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a terminal-receiving cavity and is mountable on a surface of the printed circuit board. A terminal is received in the cavity and includes a contact portion and a terminating portion. The contact portion is disposed within the cavity and is structured for engaging a complementary contact portion of the antenna. The terminating portion projects from the cavity through the housing for termination to an appropriate circuit trace on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A molded electrical interconnection system includes a three-dimensional molded dielectric substrate including at least one open socket. Stamped and formed electrical circuitry is embedded in the molded substrate and includes a contact blade projecting into the socket. An interface module is positioned in the socket to define a receptacle for receiving a male terminal of a complementary connecting device.

Abstract: A terminal-receiving socket assembly (10) is mounted on the bottom of a printed circuit board (12). The socket assembly includes a housing (22) having a terminal-receiving passage (28) in registry with a hole (14) in the board. A conductive contact (32) is mounted on the housing (22) for connection to a circuit (16) on the board and includes a pair of opposing contact arms (36) on opposite sides of the terminal-receiving passage (28) and engageable with a terminal (20) inserted thereinto. The terminal is inserted from the top of the board into the passage (28) and causes the contact arms (36) to flex downwardly (B) and outwardly, allowing for easy insertion of the terminal. However, withdrawal of the terminal (20) causes the flexible contact arms (36) to bias toward each other against the terminal to increase the withdrawal forces of the terminal.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, with a plurality of terminals mounted in the housing. A metal shell is disposed about at least a portion of the housing. The shell has a given thickness and opposed ends forming a joint. The opposed ends are overlapped at the joint. Each overlapped end has a reduced thickness less than the given thickness of the metal shell. Preferably, the combined thickness of the overlapped ends is substantially equal to the given thickness of the metal shell.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a pair of hermaphroditic connectors having opposed mating faces which are juxtaposed generally along a plane when the connectors are mated. The connectors are adapted for mating in either opposite direction generally parallel to the plane of the mating faces. Each connector includes a housing having a plurality of spaced-apart ribs defining respective grooves between adjacent ribs. The ribs of each connector are interleaved with the ribs of the other connector when the two connectors are mated. The housing of each connector includes complementary interengaging latches to lock the connectors against unmating in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the mating faces. A plurality of terminals are mounted on each housing and have contact portions of at least some of the terminals between the ribs for engaging the contact portions of the terminals on the housing of the other connector.

Abstract: A tap connector is provided for interconnection to an electrical cable having a plurality of conductor wires. A base defines a longitudinal axis along which the electrical cable is disposed. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the base and are spaced laterally of the axis for terminating the conductor wires. A cover is pivotally mounted on the base and includes a spreader structure for engaging and spreading the conductor wires automatically in response to mounting the cover on the base.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for terminating a coaxial cable having at least an inner conductor and an outer conductive shield. The connect-or includes a coaxial cable carrier for receiving the coaxial cable and including a ground terminal, the carrier being in engagement with the conductive shield of the cable. A terminal module includes an insulator mounting a signal terminal. The module is assembled on the carrier to form a subassembly with the signal terminal generally parallel to the ground terminal. A conductive shielding shell receives the subassembly with the conductive shell being in engagement with the coaxial cable carrier. A cover is mounted on the shell for holding the conductor of the cable in engagement with the signal terminal of the terminal module.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly includes a first switch contact stamped and formed of sheet metal material and including a base. An integral spring contact arm is folded into cantilevered position back over the base. The spring contact arm has a distal end with a first contact surface facing away from the base. A second switch contact has a second contact surface facing the base of the first switch contact in position of opposing engagement with the first contact surface. Therefore, movement of the spring contact arm of the first switch contact toward the base thereof causes the first contact surface to move away from the second contact surface of the second switch contact.

Abstract: A charging connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board and includes a dielectric housing. A triple-function terminal is mounted on the housing and includes a charger portion exposed on the exterior of the housing, a fixing portion for securing the connector to the circuit board, and a reflector portion having a reflective surface visible from exteriorly of the housing for detection by a fabricating device. Another terminal is a dual-function terminal and includes a charger portion as well as an enlarged fixing portion. A pair of additional metal reflector members also are mounted on the housing to provide triangular coordinates with the reflector portion of the triple-function terminal.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, with the housing parts being movable relative to each other. At least one terminal is mounted between the two housing parts. The terminal includes a termination end secured in the first housing part, and a contact arm secured in the second housing part. A first flexible section is disposed between the ends of the terminal to allow for relative movement of the housing parts in a first given direction. A second flexible section is disposed between the first flexible section and the contact arm to allow for relative movement of the housing parts in a second given direction generally transverse to the first given direction. The second flexible section is juxtaposed generally parallel to the contact arm.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board and for receiving a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a slot for receiving the flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with contact portions spaced along the slot. A metal fixing member is mounted on the housing for securing the connector to an appropriate mounting pad on the printed circuit board. A metal actuator is mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat electrical circuit into the slot and a second position biasing the flat electrical circuit against the contact portions of the terminals. Complementary interengaging latches are provided between the metal fixing member and the metal actuator to define one or more of the positions of the actuator.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for receiving a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes an elongated housing defining a slot for receiving the flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with resilient contact portions spaced along the slot. An elongated support member is mounted on the housing for providing reinforcing support therefor. The support member is positioned for backing the resilient contact portions of the terminals to perform a dual function of providing reinforcing support behind the resilient contact portions.

Abstract: A floating panel mount system is disclosed for mounting an electrical connector to a panel. The system includes a panel having an aperture arrangement therethrough. A connector housing has a mating portion adapted to pass through the aperture arrangement from one side of the panel for mating with a complementary connecting device on the opposite side of the panel and adapted to provide substantial clearance in the aperture arrangement permitting floating motion relative to the panel. A locking portion of the connector housing is adapted to pass through the aperture arrangement from the one side of the panel and adapted to provide substantial clearance in the aperture arrangement. A flange portion of the connector housing is adapted to engage the one side of the panel laterally of the aperture arrangement. A retaining cap lockingly interengages with the locking portion and is engageable with the opposite side o the panel to prevent the mating portion from pulling back out of the aperture arrangement.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a slot for receiving a flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with contact portions spaced along the slot. The contact portions are fixed against movement relative to the housing. A metal actuator is mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat electrical circuit into the slot and a second position wherein a flexible plate portion of the actuator biases the circuit against the fixed contact portions of the terminals.

Abstract: A male connector (1) is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors (6) of a flat flexible circuit (4) to the conductors (24) of a complementary mating connecting device (2). The connector includes a male body member (10) about which the flexible circuit (4) is wrapped. Locating projections (13) are provided at one side (10a) of the body member (10) for engaging and holding a distal end (7) of the flexible circuit. A strain relief structure (19,20) is provided at the opposite side (10b) of the body member defining a tortuous path through which the flexible circuit (4) is passed to lock the circuit on the connector.

Abstract: An electrical device is provided for facilitating the connection of the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. A flat flexible circuit includes a flap integral therewith and bent out of the flat plane thereof. A relatively inflexible backing structure is fixed in a supporting position behind the flap for providing relatively rigid support for the flap when mated with the complementary mating connecting device.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an electrical connector which includes a dielectric housing having a plurality of side-by-side channels separated by partition walls at one side of the housing. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with lead portions of the terminals located in the channels. The method includes the steps of seating the lead portions of the terminals into the channels, and forming first or minor portions from the partition walls onto the lead portions to retain the lead portions in the channels. Second or major portions of the partition walls then are formed onto the first or minor portions which are in contact with the lead portions to securely lock the lead portions in the channels. The seating step and the first forming step may be carried out simultaneously.

Abstract: A strain relief system is provided for holding an electrical cable to a printed circuit board. The system includes a flat flexible cable including a plurality of parallel conductors with insulation around the conductors and a web of insulation between adjacent conductors. The web has an opening therethrough. A cable retention clip is provided for holding the cable to the board. The clip includes a base engaged in the cable opening, and a boardlock leg projecting from the base into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A one-piece electrical terminal (10) includes a strip (44) of conductive metal material having a contact portion (14) and a terminating portion (16). The contact portion (14) is fabricated of a relatively soft metal drawn into a shaped contact (18). The terminating portion (16) is integral with the contact portion (14) and is fabricated of a relatively hard tempered metal formed into a spring arm (16) supporting the contact (18).