Abstract: The present invention is an electrical clip-like connector that has a low profile and is capable of connecting the conductors of an electrical cable, for example, with the leads of an integrated circuit package or the like. Due to the low profile configuration of the invention, it may be used in situ in confined environments, and it also may be used for coupling relatively high speed signals without or with minimum antenna effect. Other features of the invention include a locating mechanism that facilitates applying the clip connector to an integrated circuit assuring proper alignment of the contacts and leads and a preferred contact/support arrangement to help assure good electrical connection with the integrated circuit leads and tolerance for size and location errors while avoiding overstress damage to the contacts.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a contacting means for electrically connecting with a member inserted to engagement therewith and a support means for supporting the contacting means in position for such engagement. The support means includes at least one cantilever arm having an effective length that varies during deformation thereof in response to a member inserted to engagement with the contacting means. Moreover, the contact is positioned in a cell-like containment portion of a relatively fixed housing having a wall against which the cantilever-like portion may be supported at various locations along the length thereof. The combination may be employed as an electrical breadboard to facilitate making electrical connections.

Abstract: A breadboard assembly to facilitate connecting electrical circuits comprises a breadboard member including a housing, plural electrical contacts in the housing, openings, in at least one surface of the housing for permitting access for connection to respective contacts by a member inserted therein, and a tray for adjustably holding at least one member in operative position therein.

Abstract: An electrical connection device provides an on-line extension of a multi-conductor electrical cable assembly permitting electrical entry of the cable circuits while they are operational, facilitates interconnection of plural multi-conductor electrical cable assemblies, enables hands-off probing of respective circuits of such assemblies, allows facile field modification of electrical equipment utilizing such assemblies, and the like.

Abstract: A molded cable termination assembly for terminating a woven cable, which has a fabric-like woven insulation about the conductors thereof, includes in one embodiment a pair of clamping pads tightly clamped against the woven cable during injection molding of a housing base directly to the cable to prevent wicking of the molding material along the cable exteriorly of the mold. In another embodiment, a lip seal arrangement securely grips the woven cable in response to the pressure exerted during the injection molding process to prevent such undesirable wicking. The latter embodiment also is effective to provide strain relief holding of the cable in the molded housing base and, therefore, enables molding a cable termination direction to non-bondable, non-wettable or like cables.

Abstract: A grounding bus is provided directly within a multiple conductor electrical connector, such as a cable termination, to offer a common ground connection for selected ground conductors of a multiconductor cable attached thereto. The signal carrying conductors are connected to respective contacts of the connector, as usual, to facilitate connection to external circuitry, and a molded strain relief that dissipates applied strain without affecting the connections of the respective conductors and contacts is provided.

Abstract: A socket for dual in line package integrated circuits has a high retention force for a correspondingly low insertion force. Each of a plurality of contacts in a dielectric housing bends relatively easily as a lead of such package is inserted and as such insertion is completed the contact assumes a residual position for good electrical and mechanical connection to the lead. Friction between the lead and contact effects movement of the latter to change the geometry thereof as the former is withdrawn, whereby the contact binding force against lead increases to increase the force required for completion of such withdrawal.

Abstract: A multiconductor electrical cable termination for flat ribbon cable has plural electrical contacts pierced through the cable insulation to engagement with respective conductors. The junctions of contacts and conductors are encapsulated in a base that forms an integral structure with the contacts and cable maintaining the junctions substantially free of oxygen and moisture. Plural openings in the base provide access to terminal portions of the contacts for test probing thereof, or the like, while the contacting portions of the contacts are connected to another termination, connector or the like.

Abstract: A multiple switch device is connectable on-line between a multiple conductor electrical cable termination assembly or the like and a receptacle or the like to which the assembly would otherwise be connected. The multiple switch device includes a plurality of slide switches that are selectively actuable to slide directly on contacts integrally molded in a common body part of the device to open or to close respective circuits. A plastic bridge molded in the common body part between respective pairs of contacts over which a common slide switch glides provides a generally continuous planar surface to facilitate such motion without unnecessary wear to the contacts or the slide switch.

Abstract: A multiple switch device is connectable on-line between a multiple conductor electrical cable termination assembly or the like and a receptacle or the like to which the assembly would otherwise be connected. The multiple switch device includes a plurality of slide switches that are selectively actuable to open or to close respective circuits between such assembly and such receptacle.

Abstract: A socket-type electrical connector adaptable for use with connector pins having different size and spacing parameters and with different size electrical cables includes a housing in which a replaceable contact sub-assembly and replaceable strain relief element are located. The contact sub-assembly includes an interstitial contact carrier support member on which are positioned a plurality of bow contacts in opposed parallel rows. The strain relief mechanism includes a pair of aligned opposed cavities, one in each of a pair of opposed housing parts, such cavities opening toward one another and the insert element in the form of a T-shape cross-section elongated member is positioned in one of the cavities for establishing a tortuous path for the electrical cable upon entry into the housing, whereby the electrical cable is at least frictionally retained in the housing by the strain relief mechanism.

Abstract: A probe for testing logic signals or the like occurring in electric circuits and for indicating whether such signals are at low, intermediate or high level or that an open circuit exists in the tested circuit includes first and second parallel connected display portions, the former having a first liquid crystal indicator in series with a battery the latter including a second liquid crystal. The first liquid crystal is normally energized when the difference between the battery voltage and the received signal being tested exceeds the threshold level thereof, and the second liquid crystal is normally energized when the voltage of the received signal being tested exceeds the threshold level thereof, such energization indicating whether the tested signal is at high or low level. De-energization of both liquid crystals indicates that the tested signal is at an intermediate level, also known as the deadband region between low and high level signals, or that an open circuit exists in the tested circuit.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-conductor element includes forming a plurality of holes in an elastomeric base using a laser or mechanical technique to perforate the base and filling each of the holes with a slurry of conductive material in an uncured liquid vehicle. The filling step may be accomplished either by the force of a roller press while the slurry is applied or by stretching the base to expand the holes after which the slurry is applied to the latter followed by release of the base after the vehicle has cured, and in either case the ends of the conductive portions in the holes will bulge slightly above the surfaces of the base. An article manufactured using the method has a capacity or conductive density of at least approximately 11,500 conductive portions per square inch of base.

Abstract: A test clip suitable for connection to a plurality of terminals at which appear respective logic signals representing those occurring in logic circuits provides an indication of the logic level of such signals. The circuit for effecting such indication is entirely self-contained requiring no external power source or grounding connection and includes a plurality of respective input lines connectable to such terminals with a respective indicator shunted by a reverse poled diode connected to each input line and one common connection for all the diodes and indicators. Thus, for example, a logic 1 signal occurring on one of the input lines will effect a current flow through a respective indicator to change the state thereof with a return current flow path being provided from the common connection through at least one of the shunting diodes connected to another input line then at logic 0 relatively ground potential.

Abstract: A bow contact has a gradually curved bow portion coupled by a reverse curved transition portion to a substantially linear attaching portion, and in free unstressed condition the latter portion defines an acute angle with a line drawn between the opposed remote ends of the contact, whereby when the contact is deformed to position the attaching portion in flat abutting engagement with a support surface creating a pre-stressed moment in the transition portion a region of zero moment is established in the attaching portion, which remains at zero moment and in flat abutting engagement with the support surface over a wide range of deformations of the bow portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of trapped bow contacts soldered at respective tail portions to termination pads on a printed circuit board and adapted to deform upon engagement with inserted connector pins to provide large surface area electrical connections with such pins without applying any stress to the solder joints at the printed circuit board. The contacts are carried on an interstitial member adapted for location within a housing structure, and such member and contacts may be removed and replaced by a similar different size member and/or contacts for electrical connection with connector pins of a different corresponding size and/or spacing.

Abstract: A connector for supporting a printed circuit board in electrical and mechanical connection to the wrapping posts or pins of a wire wrap panel without interference to wrapped wire connections at the pins includes a housing, electrical contacts arranged in opposed pairs within the housing for movement between cocked position for receiving the pins and locked position for locking engagement biting into the pins, and means for retaining the printed circuit board in the housing. The contacts are moved to locked position by inserting the leading edge of the printed circuit board into engagement therewith, and each contact provides a connection between an electrical circuit on the printed circuit board and a respective pin.