Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling electrical connectors of the dual in-line type wherein contacts are separated from a contact strip and inserted into contact openings in the connector body. The contacts are arranged in the contact strip at a lesser pitch then the pitch of the openings that they are received into on the body. Means and methods are described to separate the contacts from the strip and align them with their respective openings of the body to which they are assembled.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing connectors onto flat conductor cables. An improved installation station including the apparatus includes magazines for supporting a plurality of connector portions and a transport station to sequentially move the connectors from the magazines to the installation station. The installation station includes a surface for retaining cables in a horizontal plane and a press having an avil and ram for coupling connector portions to the cable and to each other. The installation station also includes means to retain connector portions on the ram during the coupling.

Abstract: A dual-in-line connector assembly of the closed-entry, closed-bottom type having an integral structure comprised of a base and a body of closely conforming configuration. The integral assembly defines a number of socket areas arranged in two parallel rows which communicate with a flux rinsing drainage system comprising a plurality of drainage paths of two different configurations which lead to orifices in the assembly exterior located away from the contacts. Drainage paths of the first type include a drainage chute in the socket area floor which lead directly to the exterior via an opening in the bottom of the drainage chute. The second type of drainage path includes a similar drainage chute leading to a large drainage opening that communicates with an extended oval-shaped centered recess which contributes a dual function of effecting a snap-on locking assembly arrangement.

Abstract: An electrical connector for receiving the edge of a printed circuit board or flexible circuit device or the like, has a resiliently displacable wall portion which supports a plurality of electrical contacts. A projection extending outwardly from the wall in the direction of the contacts, engages a printed circuit board as it is inserted into the housing and displaces the wall portion so that the contacts do not engage the surface of the board during insertion. When the board or similar device has been fully inserted, the projections are permitted to enter corresponding recesses on the board so that the wall portion returns to its normal nondisplaced position and the contacts engage cooperating contact surfaces on the board.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing connectors onto flat conductor cables including an improved transport station for transporting connectors from a magazine to an installing station supporting a flat conductor cable. The transport means includes rotatable reorientation means to reorient connector portions at the magazines from vertical orientation to horizontal orientations at an intermediate location. The transport station also includes apparatus to retain connector portions on the reorientation means during transportation and also includes pushers to move the connector portions from the intermediate locations to the installation stations.

Abstract: An electrical connector system comprises a connector receptacle including a body shell member and a plurality of independent segments with each segment supporting opposing rows of contacts. The segments are supported in the body shell in an independently floating arrangement. Each segment includes a system permitting individual independent alignment of the segment to a circuit board. Preferably, the receptacle includes a low insertion force mechanism which permits a circuit board or electronic module to be inserted or retrieved with very little effort by the operator.

Abstract: A crimping tool of the type employed in crimping or compressing an article such as an electrical connector which has a substantially fixed jaw which has a surface against which an article is compressed, a ram having a surface for supporting a die and an article, the ram being mounted for movement toward and away from the jaw, and a die holder which is pivotally mounted to the ram to keep the compressing surface of the jaw and the supporting surface of the ram parallel throughout the movement of the ram in the event that the jaw deflects slightly during operation of the tool.

Abstract: A collapsible wedge for use in electrical connector assemblies which increases the range of conductor sizes that can be used therewith. The wedge contains ribs which, upon the application of a pre-determined force, enables the size of the wedge to shrink uniformly while maintaining its wedge shape. The wedge is used with a shell to form an electrical connection. Electrical conductors are placed inside the shell and the collapsible wedge is driven therebetween. The wedge has stops which consistently located it horizontally in the shell. As the force on the wedge reaches a predetermined value, the wedge collapses in a uniform manner thereby automatically adjusting its size to accommodate the size of the conductor and securely attaching the conductor to the shell.

Abstract: A connector for terminating a coaxial cable is provided which includes a first insulation displacement contact for contacting the shield and a second insulation displacement contact for contacting the central conductor. The contacts are arranged on a support base in an axial sense corresponding to the axis of the cable defined by the central conductor. The process of terminating the coaxial cable comprises stripping the outer insulating jacket and shield from a small end portion of the cable and then inserting that portion into one of the contacts while an unstripped portion is inserted into the other of the contacts. The insulation displacement contacts pierce the insulation to make direct electrical contact to the respective shield or central conductor.

Abstract: A connector for a coaxial cable and process for employing same. The connector includes first and second insulation displacement contacts which are arranged insulated from one another along a contact axis. Prongs are provided for stabilizing electrical connection between a first of the contact and a shield. The first contact also includes a system for aligning the prongs with the shield which is operative for a range of cable sizes.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector contact and process for electrically contacting a conductor by displacement of an insulating layer. The contact comprises a member including a slot having a desired width. The slot is defined by opposing legs of the member and a non-linear deformable web connecting the legs. By deforming the web it is possible to change the desired width of the slot to thereby adapt the contact to various conductor sizes. An electrical connector preferably adapted for terminating a coaxial cable on a printed circuit board employs such contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for installing electrical connectors onto flat conductor cables wherein the connectors are fed to the machine from a magazine, transferred from the magazine to a press, captured by the press and then pressed onto and through the cable over an anvil which holds the connector to form a secure connection with the cable. The resulting profile of the connector is such that it extends through the conductor of the cable and is held thereon by a flange on one side of the cable, an eyelet-type crimp on the opposite side of the cable and a lance means. The transfer means includes a connector holder which carries the connector from the magazine to a guide pin on the press. The guide pin captures the connector and retains it as the holder is returned to the magazine. The holder has two regions thereon and automatically switches their orientations as it approaches the press area.

Abstract: A wire transfer mechanism for transporting a length of wire conductor from a feed location to a terminating location and then depositing the length of wire at a collection location is disclosed. The mechanism includes at least one transfer arm mounted for pivotable motion back and forth; a releasable gripper mechanism positioned at the end of each transfer arm for gripping a length of wire to inhibit relative motion in a direction normal to the axis of the wire, and an actuator mechanism for releasing the gripper mechanism while the transfer arms move from a wire terminating position to a wire pickup position at a finite velocity and for decelerating the transfer arms, so that the momentum of a wire gripped in the gripper mechanism will carry it away from the transfer arms in a direction normal to the axis of the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for assembling connectors to a flat or ribbon-type cable. The apparatus employs rams supporting respective cover members and connector bodies arranged at opposing sides of a cable. The rams are driven toward each other to assemble the connector body to the cover member with the cable sandwiched therebetween. An extraction member is utilized to support the assembled connector as the rams are withdrawn.

Abstract: An interfitting conductive collar and latch probe assembly for securely connecting a conductor, such as a wire or cable, to the post of a power source, such as a battery terminal. The assembly relies upon spring force and detent arrangements to permit installation and removal quickly, by hand, without need of a tool.

Abstract: An electrical connector and method of making an electrical connection for reliably supporting conductors with a high retention force. The connector has two conductor-engaging members joined through a pin making an interference fit with and bonding itself to at least one member. The pin contains grooves and lands on its surface which are permanently altered as the pin is pressed or fired into the conductor engaging member to provide a strong, high retention force cold welded connection.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding a single electrical wire or a plurality of electrical wires including a feed roller means and a pressure roller means. A length of wire placed between the feed roller means and the pressure roller means is driven by the feed roller means while the pressure roller means is biased toward the material keeping the material in driving contact with the feed roller means. The pressure roller means includes means for adjusting its position automatically as the material varies in size. In the case where a plurality of lengths of wire is fed by the feed roll means, each length of wire has its own pressure roller means which independently adjusts itself to the varying size of the material being fed thereby.

Abstract: A method of fitting an electrical connector housing to an electrical contact comprises feeding a chain of connector housings linked end to end in the direction of their length towards a fitting station and, at said fitting station, effecting relative lengthwise movement between the leading housing of the chain and a contact in such a direction as to cause the leading housing to be fitted on to the contact.

Abstract: A service module or fitting for tapping power from a flat conductor cable wiring system for direct use by the consumer is provided with a strain relief feature designed to prevent or reduce force which might be exerted on the cable connections within the module due to outside stresses placed on the wiring system and the protective grounding shield thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus that withdraws a predetermined length of electrical wire from a supply, cuts the predetermined length and places an electrical connector on at least one end of the length of wire is disclosed. The apparatus includes a movably mounted guide that positions wire from a supply of wire to a work location; a cutter for cutting a predetermined length of wire as the wire is supported by a gripper device; a movable carriage that holds a connector and brings the connector into position for attachment to the wire, and at the same time the movable guide is displaced away from the path of the movable carriage to permit the carriage to bring the connector into position for attachment to a wire as it is supported by the gripper device; and a releasing mechanism for separating a cut and predetermined length of wire from the gripping device.