Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic card comprising a printed circuit board interposed between card shields having edges. Tabs on an edge of one shield engage recesses on the edge of the other shield. The jointed shields of the card provide high levels of rigidity, sufficient to exceed applicable bending and torsional resistance specification. Adequate rigidity is thereby provided. Also included is an I/O connector grounded without a separate ground contact and shielded over its length. The tabs include an arcuate member having a medial oblique projection which engages a ledge of the other shield near the recess. A frame bar is interposed between the shields. Also included is an "oil can" resistant shield in which a deep-draw recess is peripherally surrounded by a groove.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular jack assembly which includes an outer insulative housing having top and bottom walls and opposed lateral walls while defining an interior section. This housing also has front and rear open ends. This assembly also includes an insulative insert having a top section, an upper side and rear section having a base side and a recess. This jack is positioned so that the upper side of its top section is adjacent to top side of the insulative housing such that its terminal end extends into the interior section of the insulative housing and the rear section at least partially covers the rear open end of the insulative housing. This assembly also includes an electronic component mounted in the rear section of the insulative insert. A conductor is mounted in the electrical insert.

Abstract: An electrical connector link adapted to movably couple with at least one other link to form a chain that is adapted to releasably receive and transport an electrical connector from a first station to a second station is provided. The link comprises a base portion having a relative first end and a second end. The base portion is adapted to moveably couple with a second link. A first wall is integrally connected with, and extends upwardly from, the base portion proximate the first end. The first wall has an outside surface, inside surface, and top surface. The first wall is adapted to communicate with a first electrical connector and retain the connector between the first wall and a second link. A latching arm is integrally connected with, and protrudes from, the outside surface of the first wall. The latching arm is adapted to movably engage a third link. A second wall is integrally connected with, and extends upwardly from, the base portion proximate the second end.

Abstract: An electrical connector which includes an insulative body which has a leg portion and a top portion which extends generally perpendicularly from the leg second portion. A conductive contact which includes a retention section and a resilient section is also included in the electrical connector. The contact is fixed to the top section and the resilient section extends along the leg section. The connector may be interposed between a electrical device and a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for a card-like data processing medium has an ejection mechanism for discharging the card-like data processing medium from the connector apparatus and a lock button to lock a push rod of the ejection mechanism in place to prevent inadvertent ejection of the card-like data processing medium. The ejection mechanism includes a slidable plate that is movably mounted on a frame of the connector apparatus and that engages the card-like data processing medium. A pivotal lever for transmitting movement of a push rod into movement of the slidable plate is rotatably mounted on the frame. In an alternate embodiment, the pivotal lever is replaced by a plurality of gears that transmit movement of the push rod into movement of the slidable plate. The lock button is moveable relative to the side rail and engages the push rod to lock the push rod in place.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting an electrical component having a plurality of conductive elements extending therefrom to a substrate. The connector comprises a first base and a second base. The first base has at least one aperture therein and a hinge assembly. The second base comprises a plurality of contacts that correspond to the conductive elements in the electrical component and a hinge assembly. The hinge assemblies of the first and second bases allow movement of the first base relative to the second base. A method of securing the electrical component to the substrate including the steps of: inserting the component into a cassette; mounting the housing to the substrate; connecting a portion of the conductive elements of the electrical component with a portion of the contacts; and connecting the remainder of the conductive elements of the electrical component with the remainder of the contacts. A contact having a retention portion, a tail portion and a pair of beams.

Abstract: A coaxial connector that is mountable to a substrate is disclosed. The coaxial connector includes an electrically conductive inner contact for conducting a signal through the connector, an electrically conductive outer shell disposed generally coaxially around the inner contact, and an insulator disposed between the inner contact and the outer shell for insulating the inner contact electrically from the outer shell. The connector also includes an integral electronic component, such as a transformer, disposed within the outer shell. The electronic component has a first terminal in electrical contact with the inner contact, a second terminal in electrical contact with the outer shell, and a third terminal, isolated from the first and second terminals, adapted for electrical contact to the substrate.

Abstract: A modular jack comprising an insulative housing having a substantially open front side and a rear side and first and second longitudinal walls. The second longitudinal wall is positioned over said first longitudinal wall in spaced parallel wall. A pair of lateral walls interposed in spaced parallel relation between said first and second longitudinal walls to form at least one transverse plug receiving cavity extending from the substantially open front side of said jack to the rear side. A light emitting diode (LED) module is fixed to one of said lateral sides of the housing to allow for easy visibility and reduced interference with signals to the jack. The LED module is also easily removable to allow field replacement.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for being mounted on a board and for connecting a loop antenna to a circuit on the board. The antenna connector has a connector block and first and second terminals. The connector block is constructed from a non-conductive material and has opposing top and bottom faces, first and second opposing side faces, and a center portion extending between the top face and bottom face. The center portion defines first and second bays isolated from each other, where the first and second bays are exposed at the top and bottom faces. The first and second bays are further exposed, respectively, at the first side face and the second side face. The first and second terminals are mounted in the first and second bays of the connector block. Each terminal is constructed from a conductive material and has an open jaw positioned at the top face of the connector block, and a contacting portion opposite the open jaw and positioned at the bottom face of the connector block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic strip for use in the manufacture of unshrouded insulative housings for electrical connectors. The strip is comprised of an elongated body having a first and a second end and adjacent the first end there is a cavity for receiving a polymeric molding compound. This cavity allows the strip to be attached end to end a second subsequently formed axially aligned plastic strip to allow for the continuous manufacture of such strips. The strip also includes a plurality of axially spaced apertures for receiving pins or other conductive elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector in which the conductive and dielectric elements are arranged in a composite I-beam shaped geometry in which the conductive element is perpendicularly interposed between two parallel dielectric and ground plane elements. Low cross talk and controlled impedance are found to result from the use of this geometry.

Abstract: A fastener apparatus for mechanically connecting and holding the main housing of an electrical device, such as an electrical connector, to a substrate, such as a PCB, in a manner that allows for a relatively low insertion force and a corresponding relatively high retention force. The fasteners are adapted for attachment to both an electrical connector and to a substrate, thereby forming a mechanical connection between the two. Preferably, one or more fasteners are attached to the housing of the electrical connector and then the electrical connector having fasteners extending therefrom is connected to board openings formed in the PCB. The fastener apparatus is constructed having one or more arms connected to a bottom end of the fastener, the arms sweep outward and upward from the bottom end toward the top end. Preferably, the arms have a cantilevered design that allows the arms to deflect inward during insertion of the fastener into the board openings, thereby providing for a relatively low insertion force.

Abstract: A latch member (52) for coupling a connector (48) and header (44) together to provide an electrical connector assembly. The latch member (52) comprises an elongated member (60) having a first end (62) and a second end (64). A fastening segment (68), which can securely engage an outer wall of a header to assist in securing the latch member in an operating position, is intergrally coupled near the second end. At least one latch element, adapted to securely engage and immobilize the connector element in cooperation with the header, is integrally coupled near the first end. The latch member also functions as an electrical shield for the header and the mating connector.

Abstract: A method for measuring a common mode current (Icm) in an outer conductor of a shielded electrical connector comprising also at least one inner conductor which includes the steps of interconnecting the one inner conductor and the outer conductor at a junction point to a power source and supplying a current (Icm) to the junction point draining substantially all common mode current (Icm) from the outer conductor at the opposite side of the connector by means of a low impedance drain; and sensing the drained common mode current (Icm) with a current sensing device.

Abstract: A connector for use with a circuit substrate having a plurality of elongated conductors. A solder ball is fused to the end of the conductors for connection of the connector to a circuit substrate. Method for attaching the solder ball to the end of the conductors using a solder paste with or without a preformed solder ball. The conductors are fitted into passages of an interface member. A tail end of each conductor terminates in a well in a surface of the interface member that facilitates the attachment of solder ball to the end of the conductors. The passages in the interface member hold the conductor tail ends in place while providing a clearance around the conductor to accommodate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly in which the conductive and dielectric elements are arranged in a composite with a conductive I-beam shaped geometry in which the conductive element is perpendicularly interposed between two parallel dielectric and ground plane elements. Low cross talk and controlled impedance are found to result from the use of this geometry.

Abstract: A shielded connector for electrically interconnecting electrical components or printed circuit boards, or electrically connecting electrical components to printed circuit boards is shown to include a terminal layer having a plurality of contact terminals. First and second insulating layers are positioned on either side of the terminal layer. A plurality of shield walls are oriented to pass through the first and second insulating layers and to pass between the contact terminals. A side shield is positioned along side the shield walls and electrically connected along one edge to the side shield. The column assembly is mounted in a housing. In a preferred embodiment, a second side shield is positioned on the side of the shield walls opposite the electrically connected edge. In such an embodiment, it is also preferred to combine two columns in a manner that sandwiches an insulating layer. The layered structure is preferably constructed to constitute a right angle connector when mounted in a housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one-piece hold-down for interconnecting an electrical connector and a printed circuit board, the hold-down having a trunk, a head portion, and a tail portion. The one-piece hold-down is suitable for holding an electrical connector having either a dielectric or a metallic housing to the printed circuit board. After the hold-down is fitted into a locating hole formed on the electrical connector, the head portion of the hold-down is deformed by means of an assembly apparatus so as to latch the electrical connector housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector and method for mechanically supporting the main body of a connector module to a daughterboard Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in a manner that also allows attachment of a zero-footprint board stiffener thereby eliminating the need to take up valuable real estate on the PCB. The stiffener rail, by attaching to the cover, has the desired feature of not requiring typical board stiffener mounting holes located on the PCB, as is he case with a typical edge mounted connector. This feature conserves space on the PCB and eliminates trace routing problems caused by these typical stiffener mounting holes. In addition to the board stiffener not requiring mounting holes on the PCB, this improvement simultaneously aligns the connector modules to each other creating a one piece "mono-block" like effect while at the same time acting to stiffen the PCB thereby reducing any PCB bowing.

Abstract: A connector for mounting to a circuit substrate comprising a housing and a connector pair supported by the housing. The connector pair includes a header connector having an electrically conductive connector housing, an opening in which an insulator element having a pin opening is disposed, a signal pin extending through the pin opening in the insulator element and through the connector housing and separated from the connector housing by the insulator element, and a raised cylindrical ground surface surrounding the insulator element the signal pin; and a socket connector, having a signal receptacle contact, a ground receptacle contact, and a dielectric separating element separating the signal contact and the ground contact from one another, so that, in mated condition, the signal contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the signal pin, and the ground contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the raised cylindrical ground surface.