Abstract: A connector includes a plurality of contacts, a housing made of a predetermined material and a reinforcement member. The housing holds the contacts. The housing includes a bottom portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the connector. The reinforcement member is, at least in part, embedded in the bottom portion of the housing via insert-molding. The reinforcement member has a rib portion extending in the longitudinal direction. The rib portion has a reversed U- or V-shape cross-section and is filled with the predetermined material of the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a cable such as a ribbon cable used in an electronic instrument. The electrical connector plugged into a connector of a printed circuit-board of, for instance, a notebook computer has substantially an inverted U-shaped handle with its pair of leg elements being engaged with socket elements formed in the sides of the connector. The leg elements are bent at about the mid points so as to reduce the height of the handle, thus allowing the handle to be fit within narrow interior space of the notebook computer.

Abstract: A flexible circuit can be cut and spliced to replace a device connected to a removable portion of the circuit. The cut and splice procedure is facilitated by three components, including a service segment integrated into the flexible circuit, a slider assembly that attaches to the flexible circuit within the service segment and a contact assembly that connects to the slider assembly. The service segment is configured with a number of contact pads protected by a detachable insulation layer, which is removed prior to attaching the slider assembly. The flexible circuit can be cut anywhere within a cut zone portion of the service segment in order to detach the removable portion. The slider assembly snaps onto the service segment and provides a convenient straightedge guide within the cut zone. The slider assembly also provides rigid support to the severed end of the remaining flexible circuit, forming a splice plug in conjunction with the contact pads.