Abstract: A printed wiring circuit board construction comprising a flexible tape (10) having printed wiring (13) affixed to a surface thereof, which tape (10) is stretched over an open rectangular frame (11). The tape (10) is folded downward over the side-walls (16) of the frame (11) and then up within the frame and there secured by spring clamps (18, 26, 27) fitted over the edges of the side-walls (16) of the frame. Electrical components (19) are mounted on the tape (10) within the frame (11) for maximum protection. Featured is an integral connector arrangement at one end of the structure by which back-plane terminal pins (30) may be admitted into a slot (21) in a frame side-wall (15') in order to make contact with the printed wiring terminations (29) on a tape portion extending within the slot (21).

Abstract: A connector (10) for directly connecting a coaxial cable (32) to the terminal pins (11, 12) of an interconnection system backplane (14). A two-part assembly comprises an outer conductive housing (15) having a narrow hollow stem (16) and an inner insulative plug (17) having a central aperture opening on an inner cavity (22) and at least one other aperture (18) opening on a slot (26) formed in the surface of the plug (17). A contact (23) fitted within the cavity (22) is adapted to receive at one end a backplane terminal pin (12) and at the other end to receive the stripped central conductor (33) of the coaxial cable (3) which conductor (33) is passed through the hollow stem (16). The shielding (35) of the cable (32) is drawn over the stem (16) for electrical contact and the outer housing (15) has stamped in its surface an arcuate detent (28) to present a contacting surface in the slot (26) for a terminal pin (11) when the connector (10) is assembled with the pins (11, 12).

Abstract: A worm (10) and worm gear (12) mechanism in which the gear (12), in addition to its gear teeth (20), also has a helical thread (22) formed thereon. The helical thread (11) of the worm (10) conventionally meshes with the gear teeth (20) of the worm gear (12), rotation of the worm (10) causing a corresponding rotation of the gear (12). The gear (12) is fitted in a threaded hole (21) so that, as it is rotated by the worm (10), it is also caused to move along its longitudinal axis within the hole (21).

Abstract: Test apparatus for testing the circuits carried by an electrical circuit board (11) through receptacles (10) for mounting electrical components such as dual inline circuit packs (DIPs) (20). The two rows of contacts (16) for receiving the terminals (19) of a DIP of a receptacle (10) are modified to extend over the top of the housing of the receptacle and downward along its sides (13, 14) to present electrical contact surfaces (21). A test plug (22) is provided which has two rows of test terminals (23) extending from an upper surface. The test terminals (23) extend through the body of the plug (22) to terminate in curved contact surfaces (25) corresponding to the contact surfaces (21) on the sides (13, 14) of the receptacle housing. A pair of skirts (26, 27) extend from the sides of the body of the plug (22) outwardly of the terminal contact surfaces (25).

Abstract: An arrangement for the solderless mounting of a leadless integrated circuit chip carrier (13) on a printed wiring board (10). A contact interface element (20) presents an array of electrically conductive annular springs (27) which electrically connect the contact pads (14) of the chip carrier (13) and the contact pads (15) of the printed wiring board (10) is interposed between the carrier (13) and the board (10). The interface element (20) is fitted about a locating block (32) affixed to the board (10), the block (32) having a central aperture (33) dimensioned to freely admit a central pin (36) extending from the underside of the chip carrier (13). The latter component is held in place by a retaining ring (39) frictionally fitted to the pin (36) and operating against a collar (37) through which the pin (36) also passes, which collar (37) is press-fitted into the locating block (32).

Abstract: An extracting tool (14 ) for extracting a keying block (12) having keying pins (13) extending outwardly therefrom from the terminal pins (11) of a backplane (10) of an interconnection system. A keying pin seizing mechanism is retained on a mounting card (27) dimensioned to fit between the rails 17 and 18 of a guide frame normally holding a circuit board. The seizing mechanism comprises a pair of adjacent vise blocks (15, 16) having aligned holes (19) to correspond to the locations of the keying pins (13). When the card (27) is fully inserted in the guide frame, the keying pins (13) of the keying block (12) pass through the aligned holes (19) of both vise blocks (15, 16). The latter blocks have opposing parallel faces (20, 21) lying at an angle to the axes of the keying pins (13).

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for multiple sections of structural flooring and the like having contiguous corners (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d). The corner end of each section is grooved to present a sector (13) of a cylinder which when combined present a cylindrical bore at the junction of the section corners (10). At least the upper surface of each corner (10) has formed therein a dovetailed recess (15) which widens away from the corner junction point. A flat locking key washer member (17, 22) having dovetailed tabs (20) is fitted into the recesses (15, 15') maintains the contiguous corners (10) in place and a bolt (21) passing through a central aperture (18) of member (17) and to the cylindrical bore presented at the corners (10) may be employed to secure the assembly to a supporting structure (11).

Abstract: Apparatus (16) for cleaning or lubricating inaccessible pin arrays of an electrical interconnection backplane (10). A connector block (18) with contacts removed is mounted on the end of a dummy circuit board (17). The connector block (18) is slotted across the contact chambers (20), the slot (21) having an absorbent element (24) fitted therein. The element (24), which may be of a polyurethane foam, is saturated with a cleaning or lubricating agent. To clean or lubricate the pins (11), the dummy board (17) is fitted between the guide frames until the backplane pins (11) pierce the absorbent element (24), the latter being "selfhealing" when the appartus is withdrawn.

Abstract: An electrical terminal pin (10) adapted for engagement with a plated-through hole in a printed wiring board backplane. The pin includes at least one end (12) for receiving electrically conductive elements and an S-shaped compliant portion (16) adapted and dimensioned to minimize deformation of the plated-through hole. The compliant portion (16) includes a transition section (17) in which the S-shaped cross section evolves from the square cross section of the end (12) of the pin (10). Because of the varying dimensions in the transition section (17), a smaller plated-through hole, which requires more "conditioning" than a larger hole, will be first encountered by a relatively stiffer part of the pin (10). As a result, the tolerance required in the production of plated-through holes may be increased.

Abstract: Optical fiber switch apparatus for selectively coupling the end (16) of a first fiber (17) to the ends of a plurality of second fibers (10) circularly arranged within a housing (12) also enclosing the free end (16) of the first fiber (17). The latter (17) extends through a spherical bearing (20) seatable in a socket (24) formed in the housing end (23), the bearing having a disc (19) fitted about it at right angles to the axis of the first fiber (17). The pole-pieces of a plurality of electromagnets (26) arranged under the periphery of the disc (19) selectively tilt the disc (19) upon selective energization to swing the free end (16) of the first fiber (17) into juxtaposition with the end of a selected second fiber (10'). A hold electromagnet (36) is energized to urge the bearing (20) into its socket (24) and thereby the ends of the two fibers (17, 10') into abutment.

Abstract: Optical fiber switch apparatus for selectively coupling the end (16) of a first fiber (17) to the ends of a plurality of second fibers (10) circularly arranged within a housing (12) also enclosing the free end (16) of the first fiber (17). The latter (17) extends through a spherical bearing (20) seatable in socket (24) formed in the housing (12) end, the bearing having a disc (19) fitted about it at right angles to the axis of the first fiber (17). Arranged around the periphery of the housing (12) is a plurality of piezoelectric bimorph beams (27) having ends slightly below and outside the periphery of the disc (19). When one of the beams (27') is energized, its free end is deflected inward and under the edge of the disc (19). At this time a piezoelectric bimorph plate (33) is energized to deflect its center toward bearing (19) to tilt the disc (19) about a fulcrum presented by the end of the deflected beam against spring clips (22) acting on the housing (12) end.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for an integrated circuit leadless chip carrier (13) for providing compliance to prevent solder joint failures due to stress and differential thermal expansion. A supporting substrate board (10, 20, 30) has bonded to one surface a flexible sheet (11) carrying printed wiring (12) to which the carrier (13) is electrically connected by means of solder pedestals (19). At each of the latter connections the board (10, 20, 30) presents recesses (15, 22, 31a, 33a) over which the sheet (11) is freely suspended to provide free sheet portions (18) which absorb the stress and differential expansion to protect the solder connections.

Abstract: Electrical connector testing apparatus for detecting obstructions in the connector contact terminal pin receptacle channels caused by defective receptacle blades (18, 19). A carriage (22) for retaining a connector (20) in an upright position is movable between upper and lower horizontal members (40, 41) of a detection frame (36) to position the contact receptacles (16, 17) row by row between corresponding pairs of light emitting diodes and phototransistors (45, 44) fitted respectively in the horizontal members (40, 41). Light beams generated by the diodes (45) pass unobstructed through properly fitted contact receptacles (16) and are interrupted by receptacles (17) having defective, bent blades. The phototransistors (44) detect the unobstructed light beams and transmit signals indicative of properly fitted receptacles (16) to control circuitry (65), which may conveniently comprise a microprocessor, which may then be programmed to initiate appropriate action for the identification of the defective connector.

Abstract: A tool (10) for fitting a "flag" type conductor terminating receptacle (11) on a spade lug terminal (12) of an electrical component (16). The tool (10) comprises a circular rod (21), one end of which is formed to present a tab (23) cut along a chord of the rod (21) cross section, the tab (23) having an inner surface (24) tangent to a bore (22) formed in the rod transverse to its longitudinal axis. The tab (23) thus formed extends beyond the main portion of the rod and defines a slot (25) permitting access to the bore (22) from the rod end. The receptacle (11) to be fitted is held by the tool (10) by inserting the roll of the crimped conductor into the rod bore (22) the end tab (23) supporting the rear face (27) of the receptacle (11).

Abstract: A tool (10) for fitting a conductor terminating receptacle (11) on a spade lug terminal (12) of an electrical component (16). The tool (10) comprises a circular rod (21) one end of which is formed to present a tab (23) cut along a chord of the cross-section of the rod (21) having an inner surface (24) tangent to a hole (22) formed into the rod (21) from its end coaxial with its longitudinal axis. The rolled conductor contact section (19) of a receptacle is inserted in the end hole (22), the conductor (20) extending outside of the hole (22) through a slot (25) in the side of the rod (21) along the depth of the hole (22). The receptacle (11) is clasped between the extended tab (23) which bears on the rear face (28) of the receptacle (11) and a pair of short lugs (26, 27) extending from the end of the rod (21) on either side of the slot (25), which lugs either fit into the folded over sides (17, 18) of the receptacle or bear against their ends.

Abstract: Apparatus for ensuring the proper interconnection of an electrical component (11) and the terminal pins (15) of a backplane (10). A keying member (14) having a pair of dowels (26, 27) at a predetermined spacing uniquely selected from a plurality of possible spacings (a.sub.1 -a.sub.4 ; b.sub.1 -b.sub.4) is associated with an array of pins (15) to which connection is to be made. The component (11) presents a vertical plate, the leading edge of which is notched (40, 42) to correspond to the dowel spacing so that, as the component is fitted to the pin array, the dowels (26, 27) freely enter the notches (40, 42). A connector block (34) and a stiffener member (38) on opposite sides of the plate are fluted (43, 44) to correspond to the plurality of possible spacings and to present possible cylindrical holes thereat, completed cylindrical holes being presented only where the plate is correspondingly notched. Polarization is achieved by avoiding a symmetrical spacing of the dowels along the keying member.

Abstract: A ringing detector circuit for use by the deaf which may be connected between the tip and ring conductors (11, 12) of a subscriber set to cause an incandescent lamp (40) to flash to half brightness when ringing voltage is applied to the line. Closing a manual switch (22) allows the lamp (40) to burn at half brightness when the phone is not ringing and to flash to full brightness when the phone is ringing.

Abstract: A customer installable adapter assembly (10) which mounts between a wall jack outlet (14) and a wall mounted telephone set (12) to provide a jack (27) terminated extension cord (26) access to the wall jack outlet (14). The adapter assembly (10), which is provided with its own mounting studs (23, 24) for retaining the telephone set (12), is itself retained by the mounting studs (15, 16) of the wall jack (14). The adapter assembly (10) features a locking mechanism to prevent its inadvertent removal when the telephone set is removed, comprising a hinged lid (34) covering one of the wall jack studs (16) and the keyhole aperture (31) of the adapter assembly through which the latter is maintained on the stud (16). The lid (34) has extending from its inner face a lug (59) which, when the lid (34) is closed, fits into the open area of the keyhole aperture (31) to abut against the flanged head of the mounting stud (16).

Abstract: A tool for extending and thereby restoring the compression of a fuse block spring (46). The tool comprises a rod (10) fixedly mounted at one end to extend from an end of one arm (14) of a pistol grip and at the other end is slotted to admit the spring tang as the rod (10) is inserted within the spring coils. When the rod (10) is stopped, either by a portion (48) of the spring or the fuse socket base, a finger (32) at the end of a sleeve assembly (18, 29) slidably fitted over the rod (10) is rotated to capture an initial coil of the spring. The sleeve assembly (18, 29) at its other end is pivotally connected to an end of a second arm (22) of the pistol grip, which second arm (22) is also pivotally connected to the first arm (14). The second arm (22) is closable on the first arm (14) to retract the sleeve assembly (18, 29) along the rod ( 10) to extend the spring (46) to the required length.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) for terminating pairs of conductors (27, 28) on individual single electrical, insulation piercing contacts (14). The connector (10) is formed as two housing halves (11, 12) fitted to a central spacer member (13) to which both are locked. The contacts (14) are mounted in the housing halves (11, 12) and each presents at one end a conventional terminal pin receptacle comprising a pair of opposing blades (15, 16). Toward its other end each contact (14) is formed to present a pair of inverted "U" shaped members (18, 19) which are slotted to accomplish the conductor insulation piercing function. The members (18, 19), although equally spaced on the contacts (14), are staggered in their positions on the contacts (14) with respect to both adjacent contacts within a housing half (11, 12) and adjacent contacts between the housing halves (11, 12).