Abstract: A mounting device (40) for mounting electrical connectors (10) in a cut-out (32) in a panel (30) without using separate fastening members is disclosed. The mounting device (40) includes a rigid plate (70) attached to each of two opposite sides (22) of the connector (10) and a resilient wing attached to each side (22) in spaced relation to the plate (70) for receiving the panel (30) therein. Bosses (54) on the wings (42) enter windows (34) in the panel (30) to secure the electrical connector (10) in the panel (30).

Abstract: A wire spreading unit (6) for a harness making machine which is longitudinally moveable from a position proximate to a wire feed mechanism, where it picks up individual wires for the harness, to a position remote from the wire feed mechanism where it is aligned with a pitch setting station (8) which sets the pitch between individual gripper members (38) in the wire gripping mechanism (6). The pitch setting station (8) has a plurality of settings which are obtainable, through the use of machine balls (166) which sets stop rods (152) to various settings. When the desired setting is obtained, the rods (102) are moved against the stop rods (152) into an abutting relation, to set the wire grippers (38), and the wires which they carry, into their respective spacings.

Abstract: A connector guide (30) includes an apertured body (31) adapted to receive a guide pin (26) to position, align, and/or polarize mating connectors (14, 22). The guide embodiments include projections (32, 34, 36, 56) adapted to lock guide means to connector mating structures such as a printed circuit board (12) or a cover (23).

Abstract: There is disclosed, a kit of parts for a hand tool (2) for forming electrical tabs (T1,T2) projecting from cable end portions (FC1, FC2) to a plurality of different configurations. The kit of parts comprises a plurality of different tab forming dies (14,16,18), a base assembly (8) having thereon two spaced tab forming anvils (10,12) for co-operation respective ones of the dies (14,16,18), an upper tooling mount assembly (6) having a spline (60) for receiving a selected one of the dies (14,16,18), and an actuating mechanism (4). The tooling mount assembly (6) is mounted to the base assembly (8) so as to be moveable theretowards through a working stroke to cause the selected die (14,16,18), on the spline (60) to co-operate with the appropriate anvil (10,12) to form the tabs (T1 or T2) of a cable end portion (FC1,FC2) laid on a cable receiving surface (92,104) of the appropriate anvil (10,12) to a particular configuration determined by the choice of the die (14,16,18) and anvil (10,12).

Abstract: An active device mount 1 comprises a base 2 having a forward face with a connecting means 3 for attaching an optical fiber connector. The connector has an alignment ferrule and an optical fiber extending therethrough. The mount 1 has a rearward face with securing means 4 for an active device. The connecting means 3 comprises a front socket 17 extending therefrom the active device mount base 2 and has a longitudinal axis and axial bore 18. The connecting means 3 further comprises at least two resilient catch pieces 20 of cantilever form extending from the base 2 parallel to and on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis of the front socket 17. The resilient catch pieces 20 terminate in protrusions 22 and lip structures 23. The securing means 4 of the active device mount base 2 comprises a resilient, four sided, rhombic-shaped structure extending from the base 2 and encompassing the can 8 of the active device.

Abstract: A connector housing (12) for terminating a multi-conductor cable (108) is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the connector housing (12) comprises a cable receiving face (20), an opposed, parallel mating face (22), and perpendicularly opposed endwalls (24,26), with two rows of conductor terminating contacts (e.g., 32) on the cable receiving face (20) extending between said endwalls (24,26). Each endwall (24,26) has a connector tower (28,30) with outwardly protruding detents (e.g., 36,38). A termination cover (14) is disclosed which has a fluted bottom portion (60) and a smooth top surface (62). The crossmember (58) is flanked on each side by downwardly extending U-shaped guide slots (e.g., 66). A strain relief member (16) is also disclosed which has a crossmember (74) flanked on each side by downwardly extending endwalls (76,78) which are divided at the bottom to form two pairs of latch arms (80,81 and 82,83) which contain outwardly protruding detents (e.g., 84,86).

Abstract: There is described,a tool (2) for cooperation with wire insertion fingers (37), for terminating electrical wires (W) to wire receiving contacts (8) which project from two opposite sides of an electrical connector (4). The tool (2) comprises a wire comb holder (46) in which are pivotally mounted two parallel wire combs (48). The wire combs (48) having a wire receiving angular position in which wire slots (96) of the combs (48) open way from the comb holder (46), in which position wires (W) are laced into the wire slots (96), and a wire terminating position in which the wire slots (96) of the two combs (48) open towards each other. A connector holder (52) pivoted to one end of the comb holder (46) and containing a connector (4) is moved to a closed position, in the terminating position of the wire combs (48), to insert the contacts (8) of the connector (4) between the teeth of the combs ( 48).

Abstract: An electrical connector (30) includes a body (34) of elastomeric material having cavities (38) containing a conductive gel (42) operable upon deformation of the body of said connector to interconnect conductive pads (14, 22) between components such as a printed circuit board (12) and a chip carrier (18). An alternative embodiment uses a connector body (34') comprised of a sheet (48) of a low thermal coefficient of expansion material with separate inserts (50) of a higher thermal coefficient of expansion fitted in sheet perforations (49).

Abstract: A face plate adaptor (10) includes spring driven doors (60) to seal apertures (42) and integral projections (46, 48) which latch connector halves (90, 100) to the plate. The adapter (10) precludes dust from collecting thereon and therein and provides an adequate bend radius for cable (90) extending within a wall box (16) to which the face plate is attached.

Abstract: Connector loading apparatus which can be used with a cable-making machine comprises a support surface having a transfer mechanism thereon which comprises a transfer slide assembly that is reciprocable between a magazine containing a stack of connectors and a loading station. The slide assembly comprises a body portion and a connector holder which is pivoted to the body portion on an axis which extends transversely of the path of reciprocation. The support surface is discontinuous in the vicinity of the loading station so that the connector holder pivots through an angle of 90 degrees at the loading station under the influence of gravity and the connector is thereby reoriented and properly positioned for loading into the module or other connector receiving portion of the cable-making machine.

Abstract: Terminals having rectangular post sections of very small dimension are secured in housing passageways of an electrical connector, which passageways are molded using core pins larger in dimension than said very small dimensioned terminal post sections, so that the oversized core pins are robust and endure repeated molding cycles. End sections of the core pins have the very small dimension of the terminal post sections and the passageways have constricted end sections which precisely locate the terminal post section along the connector mating face. An increased terminal width at the insertion face creates an interference fit within the passageway for retention. The core pin has a strength rib along most of one side and the forward rib end is tapered to the reduced-dimension pin end section which results in a tapered passageway transition surface to eliminate terminal stubbing during insertion.

Abstract: A stackable connector (20) formed by positioning connector housings (22,24) back-to-back and securing them together with terminating covers (26,28). Opposing terminating covers (26,28) have leg means (86,88,90,92) that complement leg means on the other terminating cover to substantially fill apertures (52). Either a short segment of cable or conductors of a cable are terminated on corresponding ones of contacts in the two housings (22,24). The terminating covers (26,28) are secured to housings (22,24) in a pretermination position in which corners (98,100) of leg means (86,88,90,92) engage side walls (126) of apertures (52) in a first interference fit. As termination of the conductors is completed, leg means (86,88,90,92) of terminating cover (86) enter apertures (104,106,108,110) on terminating cover (28) and engage a protrusion (112,114,116,118) in a second interference fit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coaxial contact for termination to a coaxial cable. The coaxial contact has an electrically conductive shell defining an open forward end (116). A center contact (56) for termination to a center conductor (208) of the cable is disposed concentrically within and isolated from shell (104) by a dielectric insert (26) and ferrule (28). A sleeve (300) is positioned over the cable jacket during assembly and after the center contact, dielectric insert and ferrule are positioned, the sleeve is employed to lay the braid strands over the ferrule. The sleeve may be left over the braid and crimped between the shell and braid.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of determining the crimp height of an electrical terminal being crimped to a wire during the production crimping cycle. The method includes collecting a plurality of force and position data element pairs which are measured and sampled during the actual crimping operation. These data element pairs, representing the work curve of the operation and are analyzed to find the position of the ram when the crimping die set just disengages the terminal being crimped. The position of the ram at this point is then translated into the crimp height of the crimped connection. The analysis of the data element pairs includes a filter to remove inconsistent or extraneous data element pairs which could adversely affect the result by indicating an erroneous crimp height.

Abstract: An overconnector assembly 10 converts a pair of simplex optical fiber connectors 1, each having a defined exterior profile, into a unitary structure that operates as a duplex connector. The overconnector assembly 10 comprises a bipartite structure of complementary parts 76, 77. Each part has a double compartment interior 78, 79. The interior of each compartment 78, 79 has a precisely shaped profile conforming to the shape of the defined exterior profile of each of the pairs of simplex optical fiber connectors 1.

Abstract: A high density electrical connector for terminating to conductors of a ribbon cable has an insulative housing defining a cable receiving face, a mating face and at least one row of terminal receiving passages extending therebetween with terminals secured therein. The terminal receiving passages open into opposing channels near the cable receiving face. Each terminal includes a mating portion, an intermediate section and an insulation displacement plate. The intermediate section is defined by a pair of sheared edges extending toward the insulation displacement plate from the mating section. The intermediate section includes a notched region defining a first shoulder and an insert sheared edge. The intermediate section further includes a lateral offset formed such that the mating portion is perpendicular to the insulation displacement plate. The first shoulder, a portion of the intermediate section and the insulation displacement plate are received in a channel near the cable receiving face.

Abstract: A multiple conductor cable connector (1) comprising a termination cover (4) and a housing (2). The termination cover (4) includes arms (19) at opposite ends thereof projecting substantially perpendicular to a cable engaging face (18). The housing (2) includes a cable receiving face (5) and towers (8) projecting from opposite ends of the housing (2) substantially perpendicular to the cable receiving face (5). Each tower (8) has a bulk section (9) with a latching surface (12) cooperable with latching means of the corresponding arm (19) for defining a pre-termination position and for securing the termination cover (4) to the housing (2) in the pre-termination position. Each tower (8) further includes an engaging ramp (16) and each arm (19) has an engaging ramp (26). The engaging ramps (16, 26) are biased against each other to further define the pre-termination position.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic data connector is disclosed herein having latching members integrally connected to a connector body via a molded web of material thereby forming a hinge for the latching members. The forward end of the latching members include latching mechanisms thereon for mated interconnection with a like connector. A locking mechanism is insertable over the latching mechanisms to lock the latching members in place. The locking mechanism includes side walls which flank side edges of the latching members and an upper wall which extends over the latching members. The locking mechanism further includes bars extending integrally from the side walls of the locking member, and are positioned intermediate the latching members and the connector housing. The locking mechanism is movable between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: An electrical connector (50) includes a molded plastic housing (52) including circuit paths (74,78,82) plated or coated on its surface and extending from rows of cavities (68) to another region to define one or more rows of contact pads (90,92,93,94) to be bonded and electrically joined to pads (36) of a daughter board (20) through a conductive material. The connector (50) is mountable to a daughter card (20) by mechanical fastening to establish electrical connections therewith without solder, by using conductive tape or conductive elastomeric material. A compliant spring end portion (44) of a contact (42) is inserted in each cavity (68) so that a pin contact section thereof extends outwardly from a mating face to mate with a socket contact of a connector (18) mounted on a mother board (12), and is electrically connected to contact pads (90,92,93,94) without solder.