Abstract: An electrical connector having improved panel mounting means and an improved releasable contact construction. The improved panel mounting means typically comprises first and second pairs of resilient wings provided on opposite sides of the housing. Each pair of wings comprises a resilient stop wing and a deflectable snap-in wing projecting through an aperture provided in the stop wing. The stop wing provides bearing surfaces for resiliently bearing against the entry side of a panel and the snap-in wing has a locking lip with bearing surfaces for resiliently bearing against the opposite side of the panel after being passed through a panel opening by inward deflection of the snap-in wing.

Abstract: A plurality of insulated conductors, for example in the form of a cable, are terminated in respective insulation-piercing portions of contacts which are disposed in separate aligned spaced channels of an electrical connector through the utilizaton of apparatus which is adapted for separation and guidance of the conductors and cooperating apparatus for simultaneously inserting all of the insulated conductors in their respective insulation-piercing contacts. A stationary work station is provided and the conductor cutting mechanism and the conductor insertion mechanism are pivotally mounted for rotation to the work station. A conductor separation and clamping device has the conductors inserted therein before attachment to the termination apparatus providing that conductor identification and positioning may be performed at one location and that the conductors may be transported to a work station in a separated relationship.

Abstract: A dot matrix impact printer includes a retractable platen which positions an elongated sheet of paper in a location where a print head prints a line of data on the paper. In a second mode of operation, the insertion of a form, shorter than the elongated sheet of paper, is detected by photodetecting means. The form is inserted in overlying relation to the elongated sheet, where it is juxtaposed against the retractable platen. The photodetecting means in turn activate a solenoid. Activation of the solenoid displaces relatively small rollers against the inserted form in a manner pressing the form against the elongated sheet of paper. An intermediate length of the sheet is supported by a relatively large roller which undergoes indexed movement. As the sheet undergoes indexed movement during a printing operation, so does the form. At the end of a printing operation, the solenoid automatically retracts the relatively small rollers thereby permitting the withdrawal of the form.

Abstract: A connector casing offering advantages in reducing the number of parts, at simplification of assembly and at reorganization and integration of parts management. According to this invention, there is provided a connector casing made of flexible synthetic resin and molded in one piece in rectangular box-like form. The casing has a top and a bottom hinged together at one rear edge thereof by a pair of hinge planes also integral with the casing. A front wall of the top and bottom have mating arched indentations to provide a cable opening when the casing is closed. Snap lock means are provided on the front walls and along each side of the top and bottom. Each side wall has a connector support near the rear. A rectangular opening is provided at the rear between the hinge planes to accommodate connection to a connector held in the casing. The casing will also accept flat cables and will accommodate metal cord holders about the cord.

Abstract: A two-position contact which can be used within a contact housing for making contact with single or double-faced printed circuit cards. The contact comprises an elongated shank having a flexible loop at one end for making contact with a printed circuit, and an opposite wiring end for joining the contact member to an electrical conductor. The flexible loop has a first contact portion on one side of the longitudinal axis of the contact member and a second contact portion on the other side of the longitudinal axis. The two contact portions are longitudinally spaced from each other. A pair of positioning tabs extend from the shank and a releasable spring catch secures the contact member longitudinally within the cavity. Two longitudinally different contact positions can be obtained by rotating the contact member 180.degree., without changing the longitudinal position of the wiring end of the contact member.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell and method for its manufacture. The cell has a strip of microglass paper impregnated with liquid crystal material sandwiched between two substrates, each of which has conductive material plated thereon. If coincident selection of a point in the cell is desired, the conductive material on the substrates are in the form of parallel strips with the strip on one substrate being perpendicular to the strips on the other substrate and a layer of non-linear resistance material is deposited over the conductive material on one of the substrates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a crimp-type connector for terminating triaxial cable. The connector includes a body of a conductive material which body has an extending thin-walled rear ferrule portion. A means, such as a conductive clamp, is provided for clamping the inner braid of the cable in the ferrule portion with a portion of the inner braid in contact with the walls of the ferrule portion. A crimp ferrule is fitted over the outer braid of the cable and a means, such as an insulating bushing, is provided to physically and electrically isolate the inner braid and body from the outer braid and crimp ferrule. The crimp ferrule and ferrule portion of the body are crimped in a single operation to captivate the outer braid and inner braid respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector unit comprising a molded dielectric insert having a plurality of conductive contact members mounted in longitudinal contact passages spaced around the periphery of the insert; each contact member includes an active contact element located at one end of the contact passage and an insulation-piercing self-connection terminal element that projects into a transverse terminal guide slot at the other end of the contact passage The dielectric insert further includes a corresponding plurality of blind-end conductor retainer apertures, each intersecting one of the terminal guide slots, into which insulated wire conductors are inserted. The terminal elements of the contact members are all simultaneously actuated into connection with the wires, either by mounting the insert in a housing which cams the terminals into the wires, or by rotating two parts of the insert relative to each other.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided for printing on a document or bank passbook which has affixed thereto a magnetic stripe on which information with respect to the print operation is written and/or read by a magnetic head scanning assembly. The printing apparatus includes a document holder for accommodating the document to be printed on, and an automatic line positioning device in the form of a stepper motor to move the holder, and accordingly the document, to the line to be printed on as recorded on the magnetic stripe, at which time the platen is advanced against the document, and the data printed on the line by the print head. The magnetic head scanning assembly at beginning-of-stripe position is retracted from the magnetic stripe on the document, and when actuated, advances the head to contact the magnetic stripe to read data on the stripe.

Abstract: A zero insertion force connector for receiving a printed circuit board and electrically contacting circuits thereon utilizes a twopiece assembly, the pieces of which include surfaces which define a cavity which rotatably mounts a contact operating cam shaft. A plurality of contacts are mounted in one of the pieces and are normally biased toward a contacting position, and respective cams carried by the cam shaft move the contacts away from the contacting position to positions which are free of interference with a circuit board. Each of the contacts includes a portion for engaging the circuit board within a longitudinal slot formed in the other of the pieces, the longitudinal slot being open along one side and at each end to permit the circuit board to be plugged in through the open longitudinal side or to be slid in from each end without interference.

Abstract: A patchcord type electrical connector assembly includes an array of electrical contacts which have insulation piercing contact portions which are shielded and insulated by housing portions which have conductor receiving slots aligned with the respective insulation piercing contact portions. Each of the conductor receiving slots includes at least one recessed area for receiving and holding a conductor as a part of a strain relief mechanism.

Abstract: A pile fabric knitting apparatus has controllable means, several representative embodiments of which are disclosed, separate from fiber supply means and responsive to dynamic control means, i.e., transducer, control tape, etc., functioning during operation of the apparatus, for regulating the quantity of pile fibers transferred to the knitted fabric by the reciprocating knitting needles from respective fiber zones provided by pile fiber feeding means to which the fibers are delivered by the supply means. Such controllable means may operate in addition to or alternatively to fiber supply control at the supply means.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a plurality of conductive contacts with each contact having an enlarged shoulder between a body portion and a terminal portion in combination with a contact supporting and isolation means including a pair of dielectric body members, positioned on opposite sides of the contact shoulders with risers extending from the body members into contact positioning relationship with the contact shoulders, and a single isolation disc confined between the dielectric members with a plurality of holes therethrough closely surrounding the risers to provide an effective seal around and between the individual contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for crimping electrical terminals in strip form wherein a head operates in a down stroke to move a crimping die toward an anvil to crimp a terminal to a conductor, to shear off the terminal and to move a cam against a cam roller on a carriage block to move the carriage block away from the crimping die and anvil, against the force of a compression spring, a feed blade pivotally supported on the block being then moved rearwardly along a terminal strip carrier portion. In the upstroke of the head, the carriage block moves into engagement with a stop screw, the feed blade being engaged in an aperture in the terminal strip carrier portion to move a terminal to a crimping position. Drag means are provided to prevent reverse movement of the terminal strip and guide means are provided including an elongated element engageable with terminal projections.

Abstract: An interconnection module for a termination system, in particular for key telephone termination systems, includes a front panel, a back panel spaced from and secured to the front panel, an array of patch-cord type connector contacts supported in vertical and horizontal rows by and extending through the front panel, and a plurality of separable electrical connectors having one mating part thereof mounted on and extending through the back panel. A vertical row of contacts on the front panel is associated with an electrical connector mounted on the back panel and the individual contacts of such an association are interconnected in the space between the front and back panels by a flexible printed circuit arrangement which is constituted by one or more multi-layer printed circuits.

Abstract: The following specification describes apparatus for successively applying magnetic patches on a tape to successive passbooks. Each passbook is moved in sequence to engage a switch and is then stopped. The switch operates a solenoid, which engages a roller with the passbook and disengages the stop. Thereafter, a metered pulse is applied to the motor of a rotary drive to move the passbook and tape through the same distance and one patch is separated from the tape and applied to the passbook by the solenoid engaged roller. As the tape moves under control of the metered pulse, a succeeding patch on the tape is sensed by a photocell to maintain the motor and rotary drive operated. The drive continues to advance the tape and when the succeeding patch is no longer sensed by the photocell, it provides a signal to deenergize the motor and stop the tape. The succeeding patch is thus accurately positioned for application to the next passbook operating the switch.

Abstract: The following specification describes a pin contact formed from a stamping with the insertion end of the contact having bevelled end edge surfaces for enabling opposing pin contact external surface ends to engage for providing a closed juncture at the insertion end of the pin contact.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a plurality of insulated conductors in respective insulation piercing portions of contacts of an electrical device employs an electrically operable programmer for selectively controlling movement of a carriage along the electrical device, for example an electrical connector, and for controlling the insertion of conductors on each side of the device. The carriage is mounted for movement along the connector and is selectively programmed to stop at rest insertion positions at which insertion tools are operated to insert and terminate the conductors. The conductors are moved in the general direction of the insulation piercing portions of the contacts, manually and under tension, and are received by guide means which accurately align and position the conductors adjacent the respective contact portions. Each insertion tool includes two blades which are movable together toward the electrical connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a plurality of insulated conductors in respective insulation-piercing contacts of an electrical connector employs a programmer for controlling the movement of a carriage along the electrical connector and for controlling the insertion of a predetermined number of conductors on each side of the connector. The carriage is mounted for movement along the connector and is programmed for rest insertion positions whereat insertion tools are operated to insert and terminate the conductors. The programming and indexing mechanism includes a ratchet operated by the insertion mechanism to cock, via a torsion spring, a programming drum or cylinder which limits movement of the carriage to define positions along the connector. At these positions, the insertion mechanism is operated to insert a plurality of conductors, for example five conductors, on each side of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A hood assembly for an electrical connector includes a pair of complementary releasably engageable hollow housing shells. Each of the shells is a unitary molded one-piece structure which includes slots for receiving flanges of an electrical connector for mounting the connector in the hood assembly. Each of the shells also includes a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting rail or rib immediately adjacent the strain relief mechanism of the connector, or a strain relief adapter mounted on the connector, to press against the individual conductors and provide additional strain relief. The shells are provided with complementary recesses which are cooperable to form openings for passing bundles of conductors or individual conductors therethrough, the edges of the openings also functioning to clamp the conductors when the shells are connected together.