Abstract: An electrical connector is provided with at least two pairs of signal-carrying contacts, which provides a low cost, compact, and rugged construction for minimizing crosstalk. While two initial contacts (A, B, FIG. 2) of the two pairs (102, 104) lie adjacent to each other, so there is unwanted capacitive and inductive coupling between them, secondary contacts (C, D) of the two pairs do not lie adjacent to the initial contacts and therefore are not as closely coupled to the initial contacts. Each secondary contact is capacitively coupled to an initial contact of the other pair by a lateral extension (110, 122) formed in one of the contacts which overlies the other contact in a local region (120) of limited length. The capacitive coupling resulting from the lateral extensions substantially cancels crosstalk that otherwise would exist.

Abstract: An electrical conductor terminating arrangement such as an electrical connector includes a contact-making element which makes good contact with an electrical conductor in response to axial pressure displacement over the contact-making element of a displaceable element to exert a radial force on the contact-making element and to co-operate therewith for providing ongoing pressure engagement between the contact-making element and the electrical conductor without the need for the continuance of axial pressure on the displaceable element after a predetermined axial displacement of the displaceable element.

Abstract: An electrical shielding arrangement is provided wherein an edge connector (5) interconnects first and second circuit boards (1, 16). One of the boards (1) on which the edge connector lies includes a metal ground plane (2) and a plated through hole (3) which extends through the board and which makes effective contact with the metal ground plane. The plated through hole receives a metal fixing pin (4) of compliant metal which extends from the connector body (30) and is press fit into the hole (3). The forward end of the pin is positioned to engage a conductive layer (20s) at the leading edge of the second board, which is connected to the ground plane (19) of the second board. Thus, the pin (3) interconnects the ground planes (2, 19) of the two boards.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a body accommodating one group of staggered rows of spring contacts for engagement with cone-shaped contacts arranged in correspondingly staggered rows on a printed circuit board. The spring contacts of one row have intermediate flattened parts which slidingly engage with peaks of the corresponding dome-shaped contacts thereby requiring low insertion force while curved parts of spring contacts of the other row are riding up the convex profile of the corresponding dome-shaped contacts requiring high insertion force. Two similar groups of staggered rows of spring contacts may be provided for accommodating boards having staggered rows of raised contacts on both sides of the board.

Abstract: A connector of the plug and socket type comprises a housing (3) having a chamber (4) into which extend, one or more conductive pins (5). A second housing (8) is adapted to be received in the chamber (4). When the housing (8) is fully inserted in the chamber (4) the pins (5) pass through a first aperture (24) and a second aperture (25). Between these apertures, the pins are deformed by a projection (18) and retained thereby. The projection (18) forms part of a contact element (15) which is provided with tines (17) engaging the conductors of an inserted cable (12).

Abstract: An electrical connecting arrangement is provided between an electrical edge connector and a printed circuit board in which contact pads provided near the edge of the printed circuit board have a convex profile at least in the direction of insertion of the board into an opening in the edge connector. At full board insertion, each spring contact (3, FIG. 1A) of the connector engages a board contact pad (5) at a location (64) on the pad that lies beyond the center (66) of the pad.

Abstract: An RF screened plug-in connector comprises a plug (14, FIG. 2A) and a socket connector device (44) that includes a socket (15) and a circuit board (16). The plug is on the end of a screened cable (3), the screen of which is internally connected to a conductive surface (9) of the plug. The socket has a body (18) which is open to provide access to conductive tracks (17) on the circuit board (16). The body has an internal conductive surface portion (21a) which is pressed into intimate contact with a conductive surface portion (9a) on the plug, by virtue of the reaction between resilient contact fingers (12) on the plug pressing on the tracks (17) on the board. The socket body (18) is held in contact with the board (16) by latches (20, FIG. 2C) which also have conductive surfaces and which contact a conductive layer (42) on the underside of the board.

Abstract: A plug and socker connector for a printed circuit board has the socket part open at the bottom so that it can be attached to the board by latches engaging in openings in the board, leaving conductive tracks on the board exposed within the socket part. A plug has external resilient contacts so that when the plug is inserted in the socket, the contacts press against the conductive tracks of the board. Other fastening means for holding the socket against the board are disclosed, and the socket can be double so that a plug can be inserted on either side of the board.

Abstract: A connector for a printed circuit board (9) comprises a housing (1) containing contacts (5,6,7). The housing is fixed to the board by the engagement of splined pins (4) at either end, in corresponding holes 11 in the board. As the connector is pressed down onto the board, the contacts engage contact surfaces (10) on the latter and are pushed back into the housing. A layer (8) of frictional material, through which the contacts pass retains them in their adjusted position during subsequent handling and soldering. The contacts can have lower ends of different profiles of which three are shown.