Abstract: An electronic module socket is provided having corresponding pairs of contacts wherein the contacts short out and are self-cleaning. A first contact having a semi-circle terminal end portion and a second contact having a J-shaped terminal end portion. The two terminal portions, upon removal of a module, slide past each other in opposite directions. The contacts having board contact points removed from the short out portions of the contacts. The contacts being fabricated in order to provide for gang loading of the contacts within the electronic module socket insulator.

Abstract: A connector is provided particularly for use as an automobile airbag squib connector wherein locking members are provided in a resting position allowing for a low insertion force of the connector into a receptacle or airbag inflation canister. The locking members are rotated into a mated orientation upon sliding engagement of deflector pins to deflect the locking members into a locked position providing for securement of the connector within a receptacle having a retaining force of greater than thirty pounds.

Abstract: A method of constructing an automotive airbag squib connector housing by injecting plastic into a single mold. The single mold provides for the formation of a bottom section, a top cover section, and a lock section. During the molding process, a pair of molding runners connect the bottom section to the top cover section. Likewise, the top cover section is connected to the lock section and where the two sections connect together a notch is formed. Once the sections are molded, they are used to construct an automotive airbag squib connector housing.

Abstract: An optoelectronic transceiver having a small footprint and including a laser diode package contained within a subassembly mounted within a housing of the transceiver. The housing includes latches for retaining subassemblies therein. Subassemblies include first apertures for receiving mounting pins to lock the subassemblies within the housing. Plug latch members are mounted onto the subassemblies. Optical transmitter and receiver circuits and one row of nine contacts are mounted to a printed circuit board mounted within the housing of the transceiver.

Abstract: An SCSI bus line apparatus including in combination at least two of any of an active deassertion (ADR) circuit, a signal line impedance matching (SLIM) circuit and a signal line increased circuit kicker (SLICK) circuit. In the ADR circuit, if a current sinking circuit senses an increased voltage on the common node of the signal lines of a bus due to active deassertion of a signal line, the current sinking circuit sinks enough current from the signal lines to prevent an over-current condition on asserted signal lines or soon-to-be asserted signal lines. In the SLIM circuit, transient voltages are removed from a signal line by limiting to within a range the voltages that can appear on the signal line.

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.

Abstract: A low profile electrical adaptor having a high density connector press-fit to a first side of a circuit carrying substrate and a low density connector surface mounted to a second side of the circuit carrying substrate providing for a low profile adaptor assembly having the circuit carrying substrate parallel to the base of the adjacent connectors.

Abstract: A memory card comprises a metallic top cover, metallic bottom cover and frame housing a PC board and electrical connector. The top and bottom covers are joined by mechanical attachment to the frame and are grounded together by electro-mechanical connection and provide for grounding between the PC board and the covers. Mechanical latching mechanism provides for easy assembly of frame and covers by all vertical assembly. Integral spring tabs provide grounding of PC board and provide frictional pressure against PC board to provide stability of assembly.

Abstract: A wire-trap connector with a means for protecting the connector's contact from becoming overstressed. The connector housing has a connection passageway for providing access to the contact mounted within the connector. In addition, the connector housing has a release passageway, located separately from the connection passageway, which provides access to the contact. In order to release a wire from the contact, a wire extraction tool is inserted in the release passageway and presses against the contact. During the release of the wire from the connector, the contact has at least one tab projecting from it which will abut against an overstress stop abutment mounted within the connector housing. The restricted travel of the contact during the release of the wire will prevent the contact from becoming permanently deformed.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of vibration dampeners pivotally attached to the clockspring housing which provide multi-directional compression to the flat cable.

Abstract: A molded electrical connector having a grounding and compression ground washer exposed and interposed in the outer surface of the molded body of the connector and having an internal integral tab welded to a ground wire both being surrounded by the molded body of the connector.

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 include a generally tuning fork shaped contact having beams which deflect the insertion forces of the pin of the IC package which have a surface area of at least forty percent of the entire surface area of contacts. The contacts include wiping areas which are plated which have a surface area of less than an eightieth of the entire surface area of the contact. The socket cover includes a means for providing an air-gap between the socket cover and the IC package.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein.

Abstract: A hood, preferably constructed of rigid plastic, which is to be press-fit onto a socket contact. The socket contact is made of resilient conductive material and has fingers at one end for making a connection with a male contact pin. When the hood is pressed onto the socket contact, it covers the fingers of the socket contact along with the slits between the fingers and provides for a non-intermittent electrical connection with a male contact pin.

Abstract: A planar fuse panel is presented. In accordance with the present invention, a section of conductive metal of the desired thickness, temper and shape is stamped out from a sheet of conductive metal. Simultaneously, a fuse holding spring mechanism or bent tabs, or blade terminals are formed in the same stamping operation for frictionally engaging fuses or other electrical connectors. The fuse panel includes a plurality of male blade connectors of a known configuration extending from the edges as well as other locations on the fuse panel to accept a variety of I/O configurations. A multiplicity of circuits may be included in the planar fuse panel (in a multilayer fashion) depending on the number of circuits desired. The circuits may have any suitable planar shape. Also described is a spring clip for use with the various fuseplanes.

Abstract: A memory card comprises a metallic top cover, metallic bottom cover and frame housing a PC board and electrical connector. The top and bottom covers are joined by mechanical attachment to the frame and are grounded together by electro-mechanical connection and provide for grounding between the PC board and the covers. Mechanical latching mechanism provides for easy assembly of frame and covers by all vertical assembly. Integral spring tabs provide grounding of PC board and provide frictional pressure against PC board to provide stability of assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic and electrical hybrid connector is disclosed for providing remote system connectivity management and verification, comprising a first fiber optic connector including a housing. A first electrical connector mounted to the housing of the first fiber optic connector is provided for data identification transmission. The first fiber optic connector is mated to a second fiber optic connector and the first electrical connector simultaneously mating to a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes a transistor having a 64 bit ROM, a 48 bit Serial Number, an 8 bit CRC and an 8 bit family code. The second electrical connector includes data lines connected to a PCB having visual signal illumination connectivity means and remote connectivity management means. The first elecrtrical connector derives power from the data signal lines of the second electrical connector.

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: 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.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carded within the chamber surrounding the rotor cover. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor cover and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing. The rotor cover includes an inner wall defining a central aperture having a top opening and a bottom opening. The inner wall having integral flanges extending from the rotor cover adjacent to the bottom opening. The housing having a center hole having a rim at its external diameter. The rotor cover snap fits to the housing via the flanges having angled surfaces to slide past the rim and a protruding surface to engage the rim of the housing. The first and second end of the flat cable including a backbone to receive the end of the flat cable. A backbone protrudes from the rotor cover at a first connection location and a second connection location.