Abstract: A grounding connector for interconnecting a ground wire with a pipe in a one-piece stamped and formed member (10) which includes an outer section having diverging walls (14,16) extending from a base section (12) to form a V-shaped channel (18), upper sections (20,22) of the walls (termed outer walls) being crimpable toward each other and locked in a vertical orientation when applied to the pipe (70) and wire (68). An inner section (30) extends integrally from the top (24) of one outer wall (20) and is latchable to the top (24) of the other outer wall (22), and includes a pair of inner walls (36,40) joined by a central arcuate portion (38) crossing the top of the U-shaped channel (18).

Abstract: A connector assembly (16) for a memory card (10) includes a frame (24) and a contact-carrying carriage member (30) pivotally mounted to the frame. Guide rails (26, 28) are formed integrally with the frame and extend away from the frame. A first of the guide rails (26) is, together with t he frame, securely mounted to support structure, while the other guide rail (28) is free to flex relative to the frame. Insertion of the card causes the carriage member to be pivoted, against the biasing action of a spring 984), so that the contact members (60) engage respective contact pads (14) on the card. The guide rails are spring loaded toward each other to generate a friction force against the opposed edges (20, 22) of the card which is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the spring (84) on the carriage member, thereby retaining the card in the connector assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a panel providing a polarization feature to a connector proximate thereto. The panel has a face plate with opposed major surfaces. A complementary connector receiving aperture extends between the major surfaces. The aperture has a wider first region and a narrower second region. The narrower second region defines a portion of the panel adjacent thereto as a polarization feature that is adapted to be engaged by a portion of the complementary connector when the complementary connector is not properly oriented for passing through the aperture. In this manner, a complementary connector having a mating face profile corresponding to the profile of the connector receiving aperture can pass through the aperture in one orientation but not in other orientations.

Abstract: A coaxial connector (100) having a coupling nut (12) freely rotatable therearound has a rear stop defined by the forward end (152) of a retention sleeve (150) placed along the central section (128) of the outer conductive shell (120). The retention sleeve rearward end (160) defines a forward stop for a crimping ferrule (196) placed over the reduced diameter rearward shell section (134) and trapping an end of a shielding braid (184) therebetween to be crimped. The retention sleeve includes a rearward section (156) having an inner diameter incrementally less than the outer diameter of the central section (128) of the outer conductive shell so that the retention sleeve (150) is force fittable thereonto and self-retains thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus 1 for interconnecting integrated circuit devices 2, extending in a row 16, column 17 and stack 19 with circuit boards 3 assembled to corresponding circuit devices 2, and jumper circuit boards 4 assembled to said circuit boards 3 with arrays of contacts 6, 7, and 15 interconnecting to the boards with the assembly forming a three-dimensional interconnection of devices.

Abstract: A micro-strip type connector is disclosed having a one-piece receptacle ground bus. The connector includes two parallel rows of signal contacts, one row on each side of the ground bus, the signal contacts and the bus bar having solder tails that extend through plated through holes in a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, and are soldered in place there. The one-piece receptacle ground bus includes a flat vertically disposed root section, a plurality of first contact beams in a row and extending from the top edge of the root section and a plurality of members extending from the bottom edge which are bent around through 180 degrees to be parallel with the root section and extending upwardly to form another row of second contact beams, the two rows of beams converging. A plurality of solder tails extend from the bottom edge of the root section.

Abstract: An electrical socket (40) for burn-in/tests of PQFP devices (38) is disclosed. The socket (40) includes a base (42) on which a flexible etched circuit member (46) is placed and pressure members (44) pivotally attached to the base (42) with fingers (82) biased against contact pads (112) on conductive traces (98). The device (38) is located on the base (42) with leads (14) pressed against the contact pads (112) by the fingers (82) for electrical engagement therebetween.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hardwareless panel retention system in which an electrically conductive panel has opposed major surfaces with a mating connector aperture extending therebetween. The panel has opposed edges formed into a pair of channels. A connector having a housing with contacts secured therein is secured to the panel. A shield secured to the connector housing has a flange along opposed edges for receipt in respective opposed channels of the panel to secure the connector to the panel.

Abstract: A high density connector (10) includes a plastic housing (12) with covers (30, 38) hinged to a frame (14) and foldable thereagainst to compress a plurality of circuits (60, 67) fitted between the covers to engage and compress elastomeric members (46, 54) and be interconnected thereby through fasteners (76-82), clamping the assembly of circuits and housing together. Embodiments include having frame and cover hinged at the sides by hinges (36, 44) or at the ends by hinges (108, 116) and including integrally molded cover frame and hinges versions include interconnecting two or more boards from the same or opposite directions relative to the connector housing.

Abstract: An electricl connector (1) for mounting on a circuit board includes a housing (2) having a pair of spaced, rudimentary bottom walls (30) each having a bottom surface (31) for engaging against the circuit board. Each bottom wall (30) has formed therein, a through bore (39) opening into the bottom face (31) and also opening upwardly. A hollow board lock supported in each of the bores (39) has locking legs (37) projecting below the bottom face of the respective bottom wall (30) for insertion in a hole (H2) in a circuit board. The housing (2) has therein a header (8) carrying electrical terminals (64,66,68,70) having terminal legs (76) projecting rearwardly from the header (8) and terminating in soldering tails (78) depending below the housing for insertion in further holes (H1) in the circuit board when the bottom faces (31) of the bottom walls (30) are engaged with the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (2) is disclosed including a connector (4) having at least one shield member (12 or 14) secured thereto. The shield member (12 or 14) includes an outrigger (102) extending therefrom which has at least one barb (110 or 112). A dielectric cover member (8 or 10) is receivable over the shield member. The dielectric cover member (8 or 10) has a channel (168) defining a channel wall (236). At least a portion of the outrigger (102) is received in the channel (168) with the barb (110 or 112) engaging the channel wall (236) to secure the cover (8 or 10) to the shield member (12 or 14).

Abstract: There is disclosed an alignment and blind mate assist shroud 22,22' having a body section securable to a shrouded header 20,20' and an extension section adapted to extend beyond the shrouded header 20,20'. The body section has means cooperable with the shrouded header for securing the shroud 22,22' to the shrouded header 20,20'. The extension section has guide means 112,114 which taper inwardly toward the walls 30,32,34,36 for guiding a complementary connector into the shrouded header 20,20'. An alternate embodiment shroud 22'" has protrusions 300, 302, 304 cooperable with detents 306, 308, 312, 314 in a mating connector to provide additional retention of the mating connector.

Abstract: An edge connector (1) having metal latching devices (5) to latch and unlatch a circuit board (4) is disclosed. More particularly the latching devices (5) include a latching section (53) for latching the board (4) and an unlatching section (54) for releasing the board (4).

Abstract: A wire transfer device for a harness making machine includes feed tracks (24) which carry a plurality of shuttle members (30). The shuttle members (30) are pushed down the tracks (24), and incrementally push the next shuttle member (30) further down. The shuttles (30) carry the wire for the harness further down the track (24) to further wire processing stations. When the wire shuttles (30) reach the elevator member 28, the shuttle member (30) is lowered to the level of the lower track (22), where it is pushed in the opposite direction via the air cylinder (34). The shuttle members (30) are thus continuously moving in a closed loop to move wires from a pick up position to a further processing station.

Abstract: An electrical connector (25) includes a stamped receptacle contact (15) crimped to a wire (17) and fitted into a plastic housing (30) having an interior lance (39) operable to lock the contact within the housing to receive a tab terminal contact inserted within the receptacle contact. A locking part (40) of a thin, flat plastic configuration is inserted within the housing (15) from the front (31), latched therein in a first position allowing contact insertion from the rear (32) of said housing and in a second position wedging the interior lance against displacement to provide a double locking of said contact; projections (43, 44) on the part (40) cooperating with projections (49, 52) on the interior of the housing in latching of said part relative to said housing in the first and second positions.

Abstract: A shielding assembly (2) for an electrical connector (4) comprises drawn metal shell (6) for receiving a connector (4), the drawn shell (6) having an upper wall (46) and a lower wall (48). The shell (6) is open at its rear end to receive the connector (4). The rear edge of each of the upper and lower walls (46,48) is formed with a pair of spaced openings (50), each opening being bridged by a bearing member (118). The shielding assembly (2) further comprises an upper back shell (12) and a lower back shell (14). From a forward end of each back shell (12,14) there project two pairs of tabs (68), a hook (72) projecting forwardly between the tabs (68) of each pair. For pivotally connecting each back shell (12,14) to the drawn shell (6) each hook (72) inserted through the rear open end of the drawn shell (6) so as to extend about the inner surface (126,128) of the bearing member with the tabs (68) engaging outer surface (122) of the bearing member (118).

Abstract: A plurality of housings are attached by a carrier strip which does not produce loose piece material which can damage the work station to which the housings are to be delivered. The carrier strip has carrier projections which extend from each respective housing, the carrier projections have enlarged portions provided at the free ends thereof. A recess is provided on the housing, the recess has first and second openings which cooperate with the enlarged portions of the carrier projections, such that when the enlarged portions are positioned in the first opening, the housings will be spaced from each other in a carrier strip arrangement, and when the enlarged portions are positioned in the second opening, and the carrier projections are severed from their respective housings, the carrier projections will be entirely disposed within the recesses of the housing, thereby preventing loose material from the carrier projections from interfering with the work station in which the housing is to be used.

Abstract: A molded plastic circuit element such as connector (50) includes a housing (52) molded of plastic to be nonresilient and have a plurality of cavities (68) into which are inserted compliant spring portions (44) of compliant pin contacts (42), for self-retention therein by strong interference fit. The side walls of the cavities (68) are plated to a substantial thickness (70) of copper or the like equivalent to about one ounce. An assured electrical connection is formed by the compliant pin (42) with the plating material (70) without solder, the plating material remaining assuredly integral to define a gastight connection over long-term in-service use. The contacts (42) of the array can enable mating with a corresponding connector (18) while circuit paths (74) extend from the plated cavities (68) to another array of pads (90) to connect to a circuit element (20) and interconnect it with connector (18).

Abstract: A high density connector for electrically connecting a high density cable to a matable electrical connector has a housing with a plurality of terminals provided therein. The terminals have sharp outer edges which enable the terminals to cooperate with a portion of the connector to provide the securing force required to retain the terminals in position. The positioning of the terminals in the housing is accurately controlled through the use of an alignment tool which is manufactured from a material which does not expand or contract when exposed to various environmental conditions. Therefore, the precise positioning of the terminals is guaranteed and is repeatable for many connectors.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for interconnecting circuits on an integrated circuit chip to circuits on a substrate is disclosed. The socket (10) includes a base section (12), an upper section (16) and a metallized plastic membrane (14) having circuit traces (72) thereon. Contact pins (52) in the upper section (16) electrically connect circuits on the chip to inner ends (82) of the traces (72) and outer ends (84) of the traces (72) engage circuits on a substrate.