Abstract: A zero insertion force ball grid array socket comprises a base having an array of passages and contacts mounted therein. A carrier for receiving the ball grid array package and slidingly movable from a nonmated position to a mated position. The contacts having surface mount tails exposed in a perpendicular direction above the base and the balls of the ball grid array package being inspectable from the opposite side of the carrier receiving the ball grid array package thereon. The carrier includes carrier arms having cells for receiving balls of the ball grid array package and the cells having an enlarged circumference due to ball support means projecting therefrom.

Abstract: A power stabilizer for maintaining a constant level of output power from a laser transmitter. The laser transmitter has a laser diode which produces a optical output which corresponds to the level of bias current received. In addition, the laser transmitter has a photodiode which produces a feedback signal which corresponds to the optical output power being produced by the laser diode. Furthermore, the power stabilizer consists of a digitally controlled potentiometer for producing a reference input signal and an op-amp for comparing the feedback signal and the reference input signal to produce a control signal to supply bias current.

Abstract: A pluggable male terminator for use with a female ribbon cable connector. The terminator is comprised of three basic parts that can snap together. The three members are a shroud having openings in the top, a PC board with pins extending from opposed surfaces, and a cover with recesses therein. The pins are complementary in shape and size to the openings in the shroud and the recesses in the cover. Further, the pins are aligned with the openings in the shroud and the recesses. For assembly, the pins on the PC board are inserted into the recesses in the cover openings in the shroud and the parts are pushed together. The pins extending from the shroud are adapted to be inserted into recesses in the female ribbon cable connector.

Abstract: A zero insertion force ball grid array socket comprises a base having an array of passages and contacts mounted therein. A carrier for receiving the ball grid array package and slidingly movable from a nonmated position to a mated position. The contacts having surface mount tails exposed in a perpendicular direction above the base and the balls of the ball grid array package being inspectable from the opposite side of the carrier receiving the ball grid array package thereon.

Abstract: A memory card assembly is provided having a one-piece construction including a cardedge receptacle for slidingly receiving the conductive fingers of a printed circuit board and providing for an electrical connection without soldering. The one-piece construction is achieved by the injection molding of an internal frame to capture the protruding edges of the top and bottom metallic covers. Sufficient normal force of the cardedge receptacle is maintained by a brace member.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber which is bonded therein by an anaerobic adhesive and extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting in a smoothly polished end surface.

Abstract: A feed-thru IDC terminator is provided for simultaneously terminating a bus and connecting a bus to a peripheral device. A first end of the feed-thru connector includes IDC contacts and a second end of the feed-thru connector includes feed-thru contacts and a printed circuit board is mounted therebetween having termination circuitry thereon.

Abstract: A clockspring having a device for determining if the clockspring is centered.

Abstract: A conductive component for carrying electrical signals constructed from a molded polymer substrate and a conductive coating adhered to the substrate, the coating defining a continuous electrical pathway between at least two terminals. Preferably, molded plastic such as liquid crystal polymer is formed to make circuits having conductive ink adhered thereto in order to provide inexpensive and versatile printed circuit boards for carrying electrical traces and other components and to provide printed formed contacts. The conductive solderable inks can be adhered to the substrate, for example, via screen printing, brush, spraying, dipping, masking, vacuum plating or vacuum deposition with subsequent oven drying, reflowing in a vapor phase, post curing or plating.

Abstract: A zero insertion force pin grid array socket includes a cover slidably engaged to a base and having an array of holes formed therethrough. The base has an array of corresponding passages, the passages receiving pins of an IC package inserted through corresponding holes of the cover. Contacts are mounted within the passages and are mounted at an angle askew to the sides of the base in order to provide a high density interstitial array. The contacts include torsional beams which deflect upon the engagement of the pin of the IC package which have a surface area of at least thirty percent of the entire surface area of contacts. The contacts include a wiping area which is plated which has a surface area of less than a fortieth of the entire surface area of the contact.

Abstract: A latch connected to a surface mount component for subsequent connection to a printed circuit board is provided as well as a method for mounting a surface mount component to a printed circuit board having a zero mounting force. The surface mount component has a soldering tail extending therefrom and at least one latch or latch contact insertable through an aperture in the printed circuit board, without force, such that the soldering tails extending from the surface mount component rest on corresponding soldering pads of the printed circuit board. As a result, surface mount components are mountable to a printed circuit board using standard, available equipment, such as a vacuum head placed component which allow for placement of the component via gravity, and the components are subsequently soldered to the printed circuit board. The assembly also includes a board latch pin and a weighted cap.

Abstract: A clockspring assembly having an apparatus for reducing the length of cable used in the clockspring's design. The clockspring has a housing which defines a first aperture. Rotatably mounted within the first aperture is a hub having a second aperture. Between the housing and the hub is a radial space defined within the housing. The radial space contains a ribbon cable which has a first end connected to a first connector and a second end connected to a second connector. Correspondingly, the first connector is attached to the housing and the second connector is attached to the hub. Furthermore, resiliently clamped onto the hub is a carrier apparatus which has a clamping portion for pressing the ribbon cable onto the hub during its rotation. In addition, the carrier apparatus also has a brace for reducing vibration of the portion of the cable portion which is not being pressed against the hub.

Abstract: A test fixture is provided having a registration pattern, including holes and markings corresponding to the registration dimensions embedded in a board plate and a corresponding registration pattern in an intermediate plate wherein insertion of a registration pin through the appropriate registration pattern hole causes the intermediate plate to move accordingly in the direction and distance of the identified registration pattern hole, aligning the test pins of the test fixture to their desired position.

Abstract: A tester contact for providing a reliable test interface between electrical test equipment and a test item. The tester contact consists of two contact beams partially mounted within a contact body. Each of the contact beams has a first end, a second end, and is constructed of a resilient metal material.

Abstract: An electrical switch with pivot point wiping contact assemblies for scrubbing debris from electrical contact mating surfaces. For each electrical contact within the switch there is a battery rivet having a convex mating surface and a contact rivet which also has a convex mating surface. The contact rivet is mounted onto one end of a resilient wiping arm consisting of conductive material. The other end of the wiping arm is pivotally mounted within the slot of a pocket contact consisting of conductive material. Also connected to the wiping arm is a contact driver which abuts a manually moveable pin. Therefore, by moving the pin the resilient wiping arm rubs the contact rivet mating surface onto the battery rivet mating surface while making an electrical connection.

Abstract: An inactive state termination tester for determining the number of terminators connected to a bus when the bus is inactive. The termination tester monitors the bus for determining when it is inactive. During the periods of bus inactivity, the termination tester senses the bus to determine the number of terminators connected to the bus. The termination tester then displays how many terminators were detected and/or generates a signal to either enable or disable, respectively, a controllable bus terminator depending on if there are not enough or too many terminators determined to be connected to the bus. Furthermore, the termination tester maintains the controllable bus terminator in the proper enable or disabled mode whenever bus activity resumes.

Abstract: A molded sealable electrical connector including a shell and an insert having contacts and lead wires overmolded within the insert and engagement means to provide press fit of the insert within a shell providing for a liquid and air-tight receptacle without the use of potting. The engagement means includes projections on the insert. The insert also includes a flange and an end lip for securing the insert within the shell.

Abstract: A wire to board connector is provided having an insulation block including cavities for insulation displacement contact which allow for programmability by insertion of wires in a predetermined orientation in cavities having contacts having contact tails for mounting on a circuit board. A terminating cover may also be provided for receiving wires therein and providing automatic termination when the terminating cover is mated with the insulation block whereby the wires inserted in the terminating cover are terminated in the corresponding cavities of the insulation block.

Abstract: A robust optoelectronic transceiver module which is quick, easy, and inexpensive to manufacture. The transceiver module has a main housing which consists of a potting box with potting material inserted therein. In addition, a circuit board is encased by the potting material. The circuit board has an optical subassembly mounted thereon. The optical subassembly extends outside of the potting box through a recess. Correspondingly, a recess cover is provided for forming a liquid fight seal between the recess cover, the potting box, and the optical subassembly.

Abstract: A flexible current carrying cable is provided comprising a cable and an end portion of the cable being solidified wherein the end portion is compressed into a unitary member having reduced voids and enabling brazing of the end portion to a current carrying apparatus.A method of forming a current carrying cable comprises the steps of inserting an end of a cable into a spot welding machine, solidifying the end of the cable within the spot welding machine at 1100.degree. F.-2000.degree. F. at 10-100 psi. An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes an oxidation bump.