Abstract: Electrical connector devices are provided for interconnecting external conductors with a connecting member such as a circuit which has upwardly projecting components that are adjacent contact areas on an exposed surface. The connector device comprises an insulator body for supporting a plurality of conductor elements in spaced relation to one another. The insulator body includes a plurality of cantilever hollow projections which have a length that exceeds the height of the components above the contact surfaces. The projections extend from the conductor sites generally parallel to one another and are disposed to mate the contact surfaces while providing spaces therearound to receive and accommodate the components. The insulator body preferably is a unitary molded body which includes the projections. An axially compressible conductive means extends through each of the hollow projections from the respective conductor site to an exposed end at the distal end of the respective projection.

Abstract: A thermal transfer plate for removing heat to a heat sink or cooling fins positioned between an electrical component and a mounting surface. The plate comprises a heat conductive material which is in thermal communication with the electrical component and extends beyond the electrical component to establish thermal communication with a heat sink or cooling fins. In one specific embodiment, the thermal transfer plate has a base portion with upright side walls which form a socket to receive the electrical component. Horizontal cooling fins are located at the top of the sidewalls. The cooling fins can be of any shape which will perform the cooling or heat sink function and can be made with openings which permit air to circulate through the cooling fins. Moreover, due to its efficient heat transfer capabilities, the thermal transfer plate could be thermally connected to a separate heat sink device.

Abstract: A fiber optic terminus assembly for use in a fiber optic connector is disclosed in which a gripper element and a radially deformable ferrule are compressed into gripping engagement with the optical fiber portion of an optical cable. A terminus body and a contact sleeve engage the outer layer of the optical cable and the ferrule and position the fiber at a preselected distance from a lens surface.

Abstract: A novel wadded wire-plunger contact is provided which possesses excellent durability and desired functional characteristics in a large variety of applications such as the testing of IC chips.

Abstract: The shield covers of an overmold shielded electrical connector have pivot detents stamped into their surfaces to provide a point for the shield halves to rotate on the center dielectric with a lever type action. When fully closed, the lever action assures that the cover tabs of the shield members securely contact the connector shell and maintain a positive ground.

Abstract: Electrical connectors including a row of conductive interconnect elements in the form of slugs which extend through openings in a block of insulating material and which are associated resilient wadded elements to connect conductive pads of circuit boards. A wall portion of conductive material is positioned in parallel relation to the row or elements to provide a ground plane and an air dielectric is provide along the length of each element to cooperate with the dielectric of the block and obtain a desired characteristic impedance.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes conductor elements extending through an insulating body in parallel relation to one another and to planar grounds of very low inductance and resistance which are defined by walls of an outer shell and by one or more central ground plates. The relationship of the conductor elements to the planar grounds is such as to obtain a characteristic impedance which is the same for all signal paths and which is uniform along the length of each conductor element.

Abstract: A secondary latch is provided for securing contacts which are located in desired position in passageways of an insulator relative to a mating face. The insulator has at least one opening whereby locking shoulders of the positioned contacts are accessible from the insulator exterior. A latch finger of the latch which is secured to the insulator exterior has a detent end which enters the insulator opening and latches the engaged contacts to the insulator.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed including two complementary insulating members which form a block of substantial thickness, with openings therethrough, elongated conductive slugs in the openings and resilient wadded conductor buttons retained at and contacting each end of each slug and each having a resiliently compressive portion protruding from the block for axial compressive electrically conductive connection to an adjacent component such a circuit board, for connecting components which are to be spaced apart by a substantial dimension.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating insertion and maximizing resiliency, reliability and conductivity of button contacts in button board type circuit interconnectors.

Abstract: A connector for a multiple-pin electrical member includes an insulating body with opposed end faces, a side face and a plurality of holes extending between the ends for receiving pins from the member. Grooves in one face connect with the holes, and a longitudinal slot divides the grooves into two sections. Conductive material exists in each groove section and on the one face for connection to a ground. In constructing the connector conductive copper and solder plating is layered on the insulating body, and is selectively removed by mechanical action, wherein the slot is ground by a diamond clad wheel and the faces are ground with grinding pads.

Abstract: A micro-miniature electrical contact comprises a first contact portion having spaced cantilever contact leaves with distal ends adapted to mutually engage, together with outwardly bowed control longitudinal portions. When received in a mating socket the leaves are resiliently urged inwardly to effect desired receptacle engagement and electrical connection.In a preferred embodiment, the contact is formed by deep drawing a seamless, integral, generally cylindrical member in which a contact portion with leaves integrally joined at their distal ends is integrally formed with a receptacle portion adapted to engage an electrical conductor. Because of their construction, the provided contacts are adapted for repeated use without loss of resiliency.

Abstract: A female electrical contact is provided having spaced jaws adapted to receive a mating contact such as a male pin. The spaced jaws are formed so that release forces of different magnitude are necessary to withdraw such male contact from the spaced jaws at the opposed contact ends.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electric connectors for propagation of a relatively large number of signals between electrical circuits and at very high velocities. The number of signals which can be propagated is quite large in relation to the size of the connectors of the invention and at the same time, the signals can be transmitted at very high velocity and with minimal interference between the signals propagated or from external signal sources. The connectors are also advantageous in that the electrical characteristics of the propagation paths are uniform and they can be readily matched to the characteristics of the circuits which are interconnected so as to minimize standing wave phenomena. The invention also facilitates connection to a plurality of circuit board circuits while providing substantially complete separation of signals propagated to and from the circuits.

Abstract: A connector for a multiple-pin electrical member includes an insulating body with opposed end faces, a side face and a plurality of holes extending between the ends for receiving pins from the member. Grooves in one face connect with the holes, and a longitudinal slot divides the grooves into two sections. Conductive material exists in each groove section and on the one face for connection to a ground. In constructing the connector conductive copper and solder plating is layered on the insulating body, and is selectively removed by mechanical action, wherein the slot is ground by a diamond clad wheel and the faces are ground with grinding pads.

Abstract: A low light loss expanded beam fiber optic connection is provided comprising lensed optical connector pins. Each connector pin employs a cylindrical housing in which a fiber end is precisely located along a longitudinal axis in precisely spaced relationship with an adjacent ball lens. The center of the ball lens is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber core and is maintained in such precisely spaced relationship by means of a spacer engaging the ball lens and the fiber end on opposed surfaces. As a result of the precise relationship, light emanating from a fiber end is disposed at the focal point of the adjacent ball lens for transmission to an adjacent, axially aligned lensed optical connector pin of similar construction.