Abstract: An H-shaped compressible connector having a main body and two pairs of opposed legs extending in opposite directions from the main body. Each pair of opposed legs is provided with one leg which is curved inwardly with respect to the second leg. During the crimping process, this curved leg would move below the interior surface of the second leg in each pair, thereby providing a completely closed connector for various conductor sizes.

Abstract: A crimping system for crimping electrical connectors to cables. The system can automatically sense the size of a connector and can automatically determine a minimum acceptable distance of work travel in relation to the size of a connector. The system can crimp articles and control the movement of an indentor by use of a computer. The system can sense predetermined crimping information and at least partially record crimping information. The system can determine the occurrence of a bad crimp. The system can monitor predetermined characteristics of the crimping system. The system can sense free travel movement of an indentor and determine appropriate work travel movement of the indentor relative to sensed free travel movement. The system can sense free travel movement of an indentor and compare sensed free travel movement to a stored memory of potential free travel movements and connector sizes. The system can have a computer controller for, at least partially controlling a hydraulic drive system.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping electrical connectors to cables. The apparatus generally has a ram, an anvil, an electrical ram position sensor, and a computer for at least partially controlling movement of the ram relative to the anvil. The computer can use the position sensor for monitoring the position or location of the ram. The apparatus can have a hydraulic system for moving the ram relative to the anvil and a hydraulic system deactivation valve with a plunger, an extension, means for biasing, and a computer controlled limiter for limiting movement of the plunger and/or extension. The apparatus can also have a pressure sensor for sensing pressure in the hydraulic drive system including two electrical switches and two plungers suitably connected to the hydraulic drive system and adapted to be moveable by hydraulic system pressure at different hydraulic system pressures such that the different hydraulic system pressures can be communicated to the computer by the plungers activating the electrical switches.

Abstract: A compressible electrical connector having slots or channels for the inclusion of two or more conductors therein. One or more surfaces of the connector are provided with an extruded groove having a tying device press-fitted therein. After the conductors are inserted into the various slots or channels of the connector, the tying device would be tied or twisted around each end of the conductor bundles prior to implementing the crimping process.

Abstract: A card edge connector having spring contacts that are partially movable by insertion of a circuit board into the connector. The contacts include two contacts that electrically contact each other when a circuit board is not connected to the connector. The two contacts are moved by insertion of a circuit board into the connector which results in disconnection of the electrical contact between the two contacts. This allows a signal contact to be contacted and grounded by a ground contact while the connector is not in use and, nonetheless allows independent ground and signal functions of the two contacts when a circuit board is connected to the connector.

Abstract: A card edge connector that has a base, spring contacts connected to the base, and a cover movably mounted on the base. The cover is adapted to move at least some of the spring contacts from a retracted position to a contact position upon insertion of a first type of card into the connector and, adapted not to move spring contacts upon insertion of a second type of card into the connector. The cover is adapted to be moved by the first type of card, but not by the second type of card. Lateral support is provided to the cover by the base to prevent the cover from being substantially pushed laterally outward by the spring contacts. Clips on the cover are provided to prevent the first type of card from being removed from the connector without moving the cover.

Abstract: An electrical connector for providing a snap-lock connection and automatic disconnection from a second connector. The electrical connector has a housing, a plurality of contacts, a snap-lock latch and a movable outer hood. The snap-lock latch can automatically mechanically connect and retain the housing to a second connector. The movable outer hood can be pulled by a user after connection which disconnects the latch and results in the disconnection of the electrical connector from the second connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing birdcaging of a conductor having multiple strands when these conductors are installed in a connector utilizing high speed installations, such as by an explosively-operated tool. The inside surface of the connector is coated with a mixture of 30% silica sand and 70% of PENETROX.RTM. A13 to reduce contact resistance. A wedge is then inserted into the connector between the conductors utilizing the explosively driven tool.

Abstract: A die and method for forming indentations in a grounding rod. The die is a U-shaped die for use in a hydraulic compression tool. The die has an inner face forming a general recess and has a plurality of series of individual tooth-like projections. The die is used to form a plurality of series of individual tooth-like indentations on an exterior surface of the grounding rod such that a connector can be compressed onto the rod with portions of the connector being deformed into the indentations to fixedly connect the connector to the rod.

Abstract: A cam roller brake for a crimping tool for electrical connectors having a cam actuated toggle mechanism for operating crimping jaws in which the roller brake regulates movement of the cam in precise crimping cycles.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool for crimping electrical connectors having a die head subassembly in which the moveable power ram is constrained to axial movement along its power cylinder axis and prevented from rotating about the cylinder axis or canting as it moves outwardly of the cylinder during a connector crimping operation.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mechanically and electrically connecting a mother printed circuit board and a removable daughter printed circuit board of the card edge connection type. The connector has a housing with a slot for receiving an edge of the daughter board and two rows of contact chambers for receiving and holding individual contacts therein. The connector also comprises a plurality of a first type of contact having a contact area formed from a bulging bight having a coined contact surface, the curve of the bight and the curve of the crown producing a compound radii.

Abstract: A card edge connector of the type used to connect a daughter printed circuit board with a mother printed circuit board. The connector has a housing, a plurality of signal contacts, and an electromagnetic grounding shield to prevent electromagnetic impulses from generating or degrading signals in the signal contacts.

Abstract: Several configurations of compression ground connectors to allow for one, two, three or more taps from a single ground connector to an installation requiring grounding. The installation is completed using a single crimping stroke.

Abstract: An electrical connector of the card edge connector type having a housing, two types of contacts and a contact separator. At least two contacts are located in the same contact chamber in the housing with the separator keeping the contacts separate. In an alternate embodiment, the connector has two housings. Each housing has a contact therein and one housing is mounted inside the other housing. The connector can also comprise a signal transmitting section and a power transmitting section formed from modular units that are connected together at their ends.

Abstract: An electrical connector for providing a snap-lock connection and automatic disconnection from a second connector. The electrical connector has a housing, a plurality of contacts, a snap-lock latch and a movable outer hood. The snap-lock latch can automatically mechanically connect and retain the housing to a second connector. The movable outer hood can be pulled by a user after connection which disconnects the latch and results in the disconnection of the electrical connector from the second connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector characterized by a receptacle containing a plurality of female contacts having redundant contact portions and wiping capabilities with respect to male pins adapted to be inserted into the receptacle. Depending contact portions on the female contacts allow th receptacle to be separably electrically connected to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A power booster bushing for obturating powder gases in a cartridge case employed by power actuated tools used for connecting power cables. The power booster bushing supports an explosive power cell and is slidably positioned in the cartridge case bore and has a series of ribs defined by grooves engaging the cartridge case bore. The interface between the cartridge case bore and the bushing is sealed during detonation of the power cell by means of the circumferential ribs. The bushing undergoes an "accordion effect" during detonation characterized by axial compression of the bushing and resulting in the prevention of powder gas escape through the open breech end of the cartridge case.

Abstract: A bi-level connector for making mechanical and electrical contact between a mother printed circuit board and a daughter printed circuit board. The connector comprises lower level contacts with a varied spring rate when a daughter printed circuit board is inserted. The method of manufacturing the connector comprises forming a strip of two types of contacts, upper contacts and lower contacts, on a single carry strip in alternating fashion such that both the upper and lower contacts can be simultaneously inserted into a connector housing in a single insertion process.

Abstract: An electrical connector for establishing electrical connection between spaced printed circuit boards, for example, comprising a spiral-wound elongated spring member formed of a one-piece blank and being longitudinally resilient for establishing firm surface contact between circuit boards and radially resilient to provide firm contact in a surrounding receptable when either end of the connector is compressed. A signal connector is fitted into a carrier block and surrounded by ground connectors to protect the signal from interference. The connector design is small in overall length to minimize connector-length related disturbances to the signal.