Abstract: A miniature card docking connector which includes an interface connector and a frame section which are mounted on a printed circuit board. The frame is formed to partially enclose the interface connector and a miniature card. The frame includes a resilient latch mechanism for securing the miniature card in place within the frame, and a plurality of pilot retainers with latches disposed thereon for initially locating the frame on the printed circuit board. The latch mechanism may be formed as part of the frame or as a seperate piece. Integral, threaded nut portions are also provided in the frame to facilitate more permanent connection of the frame to the printed circuit board by means such as bolts.

Abstract: A printed circuit board to housing interconnect system capable of withstanding "hot" connects and disconnects of conductors carrying currents of up to 15 amperes or more while maintaining RF performance. The interconnect system may be used to couple power lines or RF signal lines from a printed circuit board to a high power system. The interconnect system allows a printed circuit board to be installed or removed from a system without having to power down the system in order to perform installation or removal.

Abstract: A low-cost snap together coaxial cable connector for indoor use. The connector includes a central post made of an electrically conductive material, with the remaining parts made from a low cost non-conductive material such as plastic. Since the conductor is intended for internal use only, there are no o-rings required. The connector meets or exceeds Society of Cable and Television Engineers (SCTE) standards. The connector can be assembled by a relatively unskilled worker and is compatible with existing assembly tools.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid removable carrier tray for transporting and storing pin sockets. The tray includes one or more arrays of holes of consistent or varying diameter disposed in an upper surface and formed to receive pin sockets. Pin sockets are recessed below the upper surface of the carrier tray when placed in the holes. A flexible adhesive film is disposed over the upper surface of the carrier tray to prevent the pin sockets from falling out of the carrier tray during transport. The pin sockets are installed by removing the adhesive film and press fitting the leads of an integrated circuit ("IC") chip into the pin sockets in the holes. The holes in the array may be arranged in a customized pattern in order to accommodate a particular IC chip, or may be arranged in a generic pattern to accept a variety of IC chips. The carrier tray also includes standoffs with alignment guides and troughs that facilitate stacking and storage.

Abstract: A snap together cable connector for polyethylene jacketed cable, such as used in cable television systems in Europe, is comprised of a sleeve which snap fits into a first end of a collar. The collar further includes a post which is shorter in length than convention coaxial cable connectors, thus the European 8 mm cable and its associated stiff polyethylene jacket are more easily insertable. Also included as part of the collar is a back insulator for insulation of the coaxial connectors center conductor. The connector further includes a nut which fits over a second end of the collar. The nut includes a stem and an insulator. A terminal is fit within the insulator, the terminal making contact with the center conductor of the coaxial cable when the connector is assembled. O-rings are provided between the collar and sleeve connection, and between the collar and nut connection. The sleeve includes an internal annular ridge to aid in environmental sealing and to minimize RF signal loss.

Abstract: A reusable socket adapted for use in making an electrical connection between an integrated circuit of a ball grid array (BGA) type package and a circuit board or test fixture. In one embodiment, the socket includes a return member for reshaping the socket. In a further embodiment, a socket assembly includes a plurality of spaced sockets. In an alternative embodiment, a socket assembly further includes a base member. In another embodiment, a socket is formed from a temperature dependent smart memory material. In a further embodiment, a socket assembly includes a plurality of sockets formed from a shape memory material. In an alternative embodiment, a zero insertion force (ZIF) or a low insertion force (LIF) socket assembly for a BGA package includes a plurality of sockets and a lever adapted for frictionally engaging respective BGA contact balls.

Abstract: A squib connector for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. The squib connector includes a connector position assurance mechanism (CPA) to ensure that the connector is properly connected to the squib receptacle and a connector lock assurance mechanism (CLA) to ensure that the connector is locked into the receptacle. The connector includes a pair of terminals each having contact beams which provide at least four points of contact with the terminals of the squib. Primary and secondary terminal latches ensure that the terminals are firmly retained within the connector. Wire strain relief is provided by placing an intentional bend in the wires and rounding the end of the connector where the wires enter.

Abstract: A three-position rotary door lock switch assembly for automobiles is provided. The switch assembly includes a rotor with reversely curved rotor contact beams having a dual radiussed contact zone with upturned edges which provide good contact and minimize gouging or grooving of the associated stator contacts. The switch assembly also includes a housing assembly sealed to keep out environmental contaminants and moisture. Additional sealing is provided at the area where the wires enter the assembly between the housings and the rotor.

Abstract: A thread protector system includes one or more thread protectors, each thread protector including an axially compressible tube with a tapered central passageway and a tapered exterior surface.

Abstract: A cable connector is comprised of at least a first piece including a ferrule having serrations for mechanically connecting with different parts of a coaxial cable, a mandrel and a closing collar. A second piece of the connector is comprised of an entry body including a pin terminal, a support insulator and an actuator. Additionally, the connector provides a visual determination of the complete mating of one piece of the connector to the other.

Abstract: A miniature telephone jack rack system is disclosed. When located within the rack, adjacent miniature telephone jacks are offset vertically so as to permit a standard plug to be inserted into each miniature jack without physically interfering with the insertion of plugs into either of the adjacent miniature jacks. Interference between adjacent plugs is avoided while minimum spacing between adjacent plugs is maintained.

Abstract: A squib connector for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. The squib connector includes a connector position assurance mechanism (CPA) to ensure that the connector is properly connected to the squib receptacle and a connector lock assurance mechanism (CLA) to ensure that the connector is locked into the receptacle. The connector includes a pair of terminals each having contact beams which provide at least four points of contact with the terminals of the squib. Primary and secondary terminal latches ensure that the terminals are firmly retained within the connector. Wire strain relief is provided by placing an intentional bend in the wires and rounding the end of the connector where the wires enter.

Abstract: An auto seizing connector is provided having complimentary male and female portions. The female portion includes a movable closing collar having a converging passage that surrounds a first terminal associated with the female portion. A fitting retained within a cavity of the female portion proximate the closing collar is pressed against the closing collar as the distal end of the male portion is inserted into the cavity, causing the closing collar to move with respect to the first terminal, thereby causing the first terminal to seize or securely engage a second terminal associated with the male portion when the connector portions are fully mated.

Abstract: An electrical device is provided having a conductive coating or layer chemically grafted to a support substrate to produce a durable, conductive surface permanently attached to the underlying substrate material. The grafted layer can be embodied in an electrical contact, and can also be embodied as electrical traces and contact areas of circuit boards and electrical and electronic devices and components. In another embodiment, the grafted layer can be provided in an RFI/EMI shield or ground plane.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect is provided for connecting an integrated circuit or other electrical or electronic component to a circuit board or for interconnecting two or more circuit boards. The interconnect comprises a substrate having one or more resilient elements of a non-conductive material and having opposite contact surfaces. A flexible conductive coating is provided on the contact surfaces of the resilient elements and extends between the contact surfaces to provide electrical connection therebetween. In one embodiment each element is integrally formed with a resilient substrate and has electrically conductive contact surfaces which are outward of the respective substrate surfaces and are electrically connected through a conductive surface which extends through vias or openings formed in the substrate. In another embodiment, each element is individually formed and is disposed within a corresponding cavity of a separate substrate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an electrical contact having solid homogenous conductive particles on the contact surface. The particles are of greater hardness than that of the contact material to deform the contact material and cause breakage or fracture of the oxide or other contaminating layer, or to penetrate the contaminating layer. The particles are applied to the contact surface by a technique which results in the particles being intimately bonded to the contact surface, usually as a layer of particles. A preferable technique for such particle application is hypervelocity oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF) or plasma spraying, by which the particles are embedded on the contact surfaces to provide a substantially permanent interparticle bond between the applied particles and the contact material.

Abstract: An SC connector includes a back body having a locking member and a front body having a locking member and a buffer back post. The front body is disposed in the back body and the back body locking member and front body locking member engage to provide a one-piece ferrule buffer back post connector assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a cross connect panel in which the cross connect field has mounted thereover a cover member which covers the field of cross connect pins and wires attached thereto, the cover member being pivotably mounted and movable to an open position to expose the cross connect terminal pin field and serve as a jumper tray for retaining the cross connect jumpers while providing full access to the exposed set of terminal pins within the cross connect field. The cover member may be readily detached if desired for removal from the panel. The panel also includes one or more cable guide rings which are adjustably mounted to the panel to accommodate different intended installation requirements, and a moveable tray which can include a circuit directory.

Abstract: A circuit card interface system of minimized vertical clearance, capable of interfacing one or more circuit cards to a relatively small space on a mother board. The interface system includes an interfacing connector assembly and at least one stacking connector assembly, each adapted to receive a circuit card. The conductors of the interfacing connector assembly are coupled to a substrate such as a mother board. The interfacing connector assembly can be used alone or with one or more electrically interconnected stacking connector assemblies. Rapid electrical attachment of each stacking connector assembly is accomplished by mating a cooperating portion of the stacking connector assembly with a portion of the underlying interfacing connector assembly. A separable header connector assembly 204 is attachable to a metal frame 202 comprising rails for receiving the circuit card. The separable header is attached via a metal latch with an opening 224 that engages a plastic boss 222.