Abstract: A header for interconnecting electrical components comprises at least one column of conductors interposed between ground planes, wherein the column of conductors comprises at least a first, second and third conductor. The first conductor is a ground line, the second and third conductors are signal lines, and the first conductor is electrically connected to one of the ground planes, wherein the second conductor is positioned in the column in interposed relation between said first and third conductor.

Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for use on a substantially planar surface. The connector comprises two arrays of electrical contacts coupled to the planar surface. One array is disposed directly above the other. Each contact in the lower array is mounted directly to the planar surface, with the mounting points arranged in a substantially straight line along the surface. The upper array of contacts is coupled to the planar surface by way of one or more mounting tabs fixed to the surface. The tabs elevate the upper array in relation to the planar surface and the first array. The mounting tabs are fixed to the planar surface along the same substantially straight line on which the first array is mounted. Thus, the mounting points for both arrays of contacts are disposed along the planar surface in a substantially co-liner relationship. The connector further comprises a housing that is fixed to the planar surface and engages the contacts.

Abstract: In an electrical connector having a strip line arrangement of a plurality of signal contacts flanked by ground planes, the improvement comprising the signal contacts having an elongated cross-section defined by minor surfaces and major surfaces, with the major surfaces extending transversely between the ground planes. An electrical connector for reducing cross-talk and controlling impedance, comprising: an insulative housing; a ground plane; and a plurality of contacts. Each contact has having an elongated cross-section and a mating portion for engaging a contact of a mating connector. The elongated cross-section, at least in the mating portion, extends transverse to the ground plane. An electrical connector for reducing cross-talk and controlling impedance, comprising: an insulative housing; a ground plane; and a plurality of contacts. Each contact has an elongated cross-section and a mating portion for engaging a contact of a mating connector.

Abstract: A connector that acts as a power and signal link between a computer processor and a power source provides a short, compact signal path with the use of high conductivity contacts and flexible cable. A modularity connection scheme is used in which the connector comprises several assemblies. An exemplary connector comprises a first contact assembly, a second contact assembly, and a housing. The internal components of the connector consist of the first contact assembly and the second contact assembly. The first contact assembly is preferably a power contact assembly and comprises a pair of flexible contacts having contact areas. The second assembly is preferably an auxiliary contact assembly and comprises a flexible contact having contact area. The first assembly and the second assembly are inserted into the housing, and are thereby trapped by the housing surfaces to form the connector.

Abstract: An assembly which a concave member and a first substrate having a transverse opening which is superimposed over the concave member to form an internal chamber. A second substrate having a transverse opening is also superimposed over said first substrate, and an electrical connector means is mounted on the second substrate. A flex circuit is interposed in spaced generally parallel relation between the first substrate and the concave member. An extension of the flex circuit extends through the transverse openings of the first and second substrate to engage the electrical connector means.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an electrical contact; and a housing. The housing comprises a first member and a second member. The first member comprises a contact receiving channel. The second member is over-molded onto the first member. The electrical contact is located in the channel and retained on the housing by a capture of the contact between the first and second members. The first member and the contact extend past a first end of the capture of the contact between the first and second members.

Abstract: Assembly provided with at least one shielded connector (2, 12, 17, 50) and a board (1), each shielded connector being connected to a predetermined side of said board (1) and being provided with at least one signal contact member (3) fitted in a hole (7) of the board (1), the connector having a shielded housing (61) to shield each signal contact member (3), wherein the board (1), except in areas where connectors (2, 12, 17, 50) are fitted to the board (1), is provided with a first continuous electrically conductive layer (9) on one side and a second continuous electrically conductive layer (10) on the opposite side, each of the shielded connector housings being electrically connected to one of said layers (9, 10), in order to prevent electromagnetic radiation generated by any of said signal contact members (3) from propagating to the outside world.

Abstract: A contact for use in an electrical connector that interconnects a first circuit substrate and a second circuit substrate. The contact can have an intermediate portion; a mounting portion extending from the intermediate portion for securing the contact to the first circuit substrate; and a mating portion extending from the intermediate portion and adapted to provide a non-linear wiping action to the second circuit substrate upon deflection of the mating portion by the second circuit substrate. The contact may be formed from a sheet of material and comprises: a mounting portion for mounting the connector to a first circuit substrate; and a mating portion for engaging a second circuit substrate. The mating portion has an edge that engages the second circuit substrate.

Abstract: A connector having a hermaphroditic contact is disclosed. Such hermaphroditic contact extends longitudinally and is formed as a unitary body from a conductive material. The contact has a base residing in a plane and extending longitudinally and traversely in the plane, a blade arm extending longitudinally from the base and generally in the plane of the base, and a spring arm extending longitudinally from the base alongside the blade arm. The spring arm is springingly displaceable toward at least a first side of the plane of the base. To electrically couple first and second generally identical ones of the contact, the bases of the first and second contacts are aligned to be co-planar, and the blade arm of the each contact is aligned to face toward the spring arm of the other contact. The first and second contacts are then moved together such that the blade arm of each contact encounters the spring arm of the other contact.

Abstract: A power port terminal formed by stamping from a blank of conductive material comprises a contact receiving socket portion (12) and an integral mounting portion (14). The socket includes a web with a plurality of beams (20) thereon. The inner surface of the beams on the bends thereof define a substantially continuous cylindrical contact surface at a predetermined point along the reference axis of the terminal. The contact surface has a predetermined constricted dimension (36) measured in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis, this dimension being the most constricted dimension along the reference axis of the terminal. The terminal is thereby able to accommodate a pin of any desired axial length. The trailing mounting legs (46) thereon, that in the preferred instance, extend generally perpendicular to the reference axis of the terminal. Latch tabs (38) may be provided on one or more of the beams.

Abstract: A receptacle and printed circuit board combination for receiving a telecommunications plug and achieving electrical connection between the plug and the printed circuit board is provided. The combination occupies a minimum required amount of space and requires a minimum amount of material. The combination comprises an insulating housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, and a printed circuit board, wherein the housing and circuit board form a plug receiving opening. The printed circuit board has a cut-out portion for receiving the receptacle. Preferably, the receptacle further comprises two latches extending from a bottom surface of the housing for mounting the receptacle on the circuit board, wherein the cutout portion of the circuit board receives the peg. In certain preferred embodiments, the housing further comprises two ledges, each extending from a sidewall of the housing.

Abstract: An improved method for molding an elongated insulative housing having an extended height insulative housing which reduces the tendency of the housing to warp or bow during molding is disclosed. The improved combined steps of this invention comprise injecting a molding compound in a mold cavity having opposed, inwardly directed, tapered fingers providing a transverse flow restriction in the mold cavity, allowing the molding compound to cure and then removing the housing from the mold cavity.

Abstract: An electrical shield is disclosed for shielding a conductor. The shield includes a top wall having an opening formed therein for the conductor. A first wall, integrally formed with the top wall includes first and second panels. One edge of the first panel is attached to the top wall and one edge of the second panel is attached to the first panel. A lead is integrally formed with the first panel. A second wall is also integrally formed with the top wall, so that a cavity is defined by the top wall, the first and second panels and the second wall. In a preferred embodiment, the shield further includes third, fourth and fifth walls, integrally formed with the top wall. The third wall includes third and fourth panels, wherein one edge of the third panel is attached to the top wall and wherein one edge of the fourth panel is attached to the third panel.

Abstract: A receptacle adapted to be mounted on a printed wiring board (PWB). The receptacle includes an insulative member comprising a first section extending from a base to an upper side and a second section extending perpendicularly from said vertical section to a terminal edge and said second section having a plurality of longitudinal slots. A plurality of conductive contact means extends first parallel to the second section of the insulative contact in the longitudinal slots and then parallel to the first section of the insulative member. A conductive shield has a first side superimposed in spaced relation over the second section of the insulative member and a second side positioned in spaced relation beneath the second section of the insulative member. A rear side of the shield extend downwardly from the first side. Opposed spaced lateral sides connect the first and second sides of the shield to form a plug receiving cavity between the first side and the second side of the insulative member.

Abstract: A connector is formed of printed circuit board (PCB) modules (10). The PCB modules are provided at a mounting interface with surface engaging terminals (22) for interconnecting traces (16) on the PCBs (12) with traces on the mounting substrate. The terminals may comprise compressible or deformable elements formed of conductive elastomeric rods or solder balls fitted into recesses (36) in the board edges. A shield terminal (28) functions as a hold down that is alternately convertible from a through-hole mounting position to a surface mounting position by bending the terminal.

Abstract: A cable clamp assembly which is adapted for use with a range of cable diameters. The assembly includes a tubular base section, a first finger extending axially from the tubular base section and having a cable engagement projection and a second finger extending axially from the tubular base section and having a cable engagement projection. The assembly also provides flex relief and strain relief at any adjacent crimp to wire or solder to wire interconnections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for manufacturing and for providing electrical connectors having maximum shielding from electronic interference. Maximum shielding is inexpensively achieved by manufacturing a shield structure from a single piece of material in a manner yielding individual channels for shielding a contact terminal from the receptacle area to the tail area. Contact terminals are integrated into the shield structure via insertion molding to form a column connector module. A plurality of column connector modules are then inserted into an appropriately formed front housing. As described by the method of this invention, shielding from electronic interference occurs not only between adjacent terminals within a column structure, but also, between terminals contained in adjacent column connector modules.

Abstract: A terminal frame at least partially locatable within an insulative housing of an electrical connector and having: a plurality of contacts and bridges extending between adjacent contacts. An electrical connector formed from a plurality of modules, each module having: an insulative housing; a plurality of first contacts at least partially surrounded by said insulative housing; bridges extending between adjacent first contacts; a plurality of second contacts; and a substrate having conductive traces thereon extending between at least some of the first and second contacts. A method of making an electrical connector, including the steps of: providing a plurality of modules and arranging the modules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular jack assembly comprising an outer insulative housing having top and bottom walls and opposed lateral walls which define an interior section of the housing having front and rear open ends, and an insulated insert having a first section superimposed over the rear open end of the insulated housing and a second section extending generally perpendicular from the first section into the interior section of the housing. There are engagement points on both the top wall and the opposed lateral walls of the outer insulated housing. Latches may be positioned on the insulated insert on either their first section or their second section depending on the specific configuration of the insulated insert. If latches are positioned on the first section, the opposed lateral walls will be engaged. If latches are positioned on the top section, the top wall will be engaged. A common housing may, therefore, be used for a number of different types of insulated inserts.

Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.