Abstract: A base insert, a wireless floating horn switch including an insulated insert, and a steering wheel assembly including the wireless floating horn switch are provided. The wireless floating horn switch is constructed so that it operates in association with an air-bag assembly to actuate a horn circuit including an insulated base insert, a horn circuit connector, an attaching assembly for uniting an air-bag mounting bracket with the insulated base insert, a spring for urging the mounting bracket away from the insulated base insert, a contact and an activator for urging the contact to complete the horn circuit.

Abstract: An automatic fixture loading apparatus which provides for the rapid loading of probes into the bottom plate of a test fixture comprising a replenish station, an elevator storage station having means for storage of at least four (4) cassettes and a fixture loading station having a means for gimballing a mated cassette and fixture. All stations are connected via a trolley which automatically moves cassettes between the stations. The loading station provides for a means for providing a gimbal movement to a fixture having a cassette mated thereon to provide for the loading of probes into fixtures in angles of up to 12.degree. and in a non-grid-dependent manner. The cassette having cavities of at least 0.50 inch by 0.50 inch capable of holding of up to one hundred (100) probes.

Abstract: A disposable electrical connector header includes a base portion having a plurality of pin-receiving passages being open on one side. An external adjacent spring member to the open side of the passages provides an interference fit when a terminal pin is inserted from the bottom of the base portion of the disposable header. A plurality of terminal pins are received in the passages and project from the disposable header for insertion into holes in a printed circuit board and for solder connection to circuit traces on the circuit board. The disposable header is then slid off the terminal pins after soldering to the printed circuit board. A top portion is also provided having pin stops located correspondingly above each of the passages to restrict the movement of the terminal pins once inserted into the passages of the disposable header. A flat top at the upper portion of the disposable header is provided for robotic placement or removal of the disposable header.

Abstract: An interconnector electrically unites a rotatable air bag with a stationary air bag sensor. The interconnector has a hub rotatably associated with a housing to define a radial space including one or more complementary first and second electrically conductive rings. The rings are united with one or more connectors to complete the electrical pathway from the sensor to the air bag.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried 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.

Abstract: A flexible braided cable is provided including studs at each end for attachment to a printed circuit board. The stud includes a ferrule attached at the end of the cable. The stud is attached to the ferrule. The stud includes a cylindrical body having a head and neck. The body is separated into four (4) segments. The head includes a flange which upon frictional engagement with a hole of a printed circuit board causes the four (4) sections of the stud to compress. Upon insertion of the stud through a hole of a printed circuit board and protrusion of the flange through the second side of the printed circuit board, the stud expands back to its first position wherein the neck is flush with the sidewalls of the hole of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A printed circuit connector assembly comprising a printed circuit card, a connector element mounted on the card for providing electrical connection with the circuitry thereon, a housing for the card formed with an opening within the connector element being exposed, and a plug element insertable within the opening into engagement with the connector element for providing external electrical connection, the connector element and the plug element respectively having metal contacts arranged to make resiliently yieldable wiping contact with one another when the plug element is inserted within the opening, and the housing and the plug element having at least one inter-engageable projection and recess for releasably locking the plug element in engagement with the connector element.

Abstract: An optical connector for assembly with a fiber optic cable includes a spring biased holder for an optical fiber having a rear body to prevent leaking of adhesive from the holder. A collar is provided having a multi-faceted periphery to allow insertion into a cavity of a connector body. The collar has a complementary faceted geometry in a multiplicity of orientations with respect to a mating axis to provide for high resolution tuning of the holder.

Abstract: A electronic module socket for interconnecting an electronic module to a circuit board includes an insulative housing having an elongated central cavity having multiple formed tuning fork contacts to provide electrical connection and retain an electronic module within the central cavity. The contacts include a contact end which extends transversely from the socket and engages conductive members of a circuit board for surface mounting of the socket thereon. The socket includes a latch to provide a locking and an ejector mechanism for an electronic module.

Abstract: An FDDI loopback connector or optical network is suitable for testing in fiber-to-fiber applications and designed to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector. The loopback tester is afforded a desired level of attenuation by providing a fiber loop having a controlled air gap. Adjustment of the air gap will afford a desired attenuation level.

Abstract: A duplex optical fiber connector terminates two single or multi-mode optical fibers of a cable and is adapted to be joined to a receptacle being polarized correspondingly to a keying element of the connector. The keying element is slidable into multiple positions so that a recess in the keying element mates with a correspondingly positioned rib of a receptacle. The recess of the keying element is positioned within a channel axially extending on the connector exterior body.

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 extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting is a smoothly polished end surface.

Abstract: A base insert, a wireless floating horn switch including an insulated base insert, and a steering wheel assembly including a wireless floating horn switch, the wireless floating horn switch is constructed so that it can operate in association with an air-bag assembly to actuate a horn circuit when pressure is applied to the air-bag assembly. The wireless floating horn circuit includes an insulated base insert, an horn circuit connector, an attaching assembly for uniting an air-bag mounting bracket with the insulated base insert, and spring for urging the mounting bracket away from the insulated base insert, a contact and an activator for urging the contact to complete the horn circuit.

Abstract: An laminated article heater terminal assembly and connector for electrically uniting a source of electricity with a conductive polymer film laminated between two nonconductive materials. The terminal assembly includes a conductive metal foil tab and a terminal body further including dimples and first and second foldable shoulders which act in unison to mechanically grasp the conductive metal foil tab. A plurality of terminal assemblies are then captivated in a connector.

Abstract: A terminator method and apparatus used with a SCSI bus line for removing noise spikes or transients from data and/or control signals received on the bus line include a voltage regulator, a low voltage regulating circuit, a plurality of pull-up termination resistors, and a suppression network. The voltage regulator is responsive to an input termination power supply voltage for generating a regulated output voltage of a predetermined value. The low voltage regulating circuit is responsive to the regulated output voltage for generating a reference voltage. The plurality of pull-up resistors is interconnected between the regulated output voltage and a plurality of data and/or control signal lines coupled to the bus line for generating termination impedances.

Abstract: An improved connector assembly of the type having a receptacle for receiving a connector body in locking relation therewith, the receptacle having one or more flexible locking tab members which cooperate with corresponding steps or detent members formed on one or more sides of the connector body for positive locking of the connector in the receptacle, and a sliding release member which is carried on the connector body and is manually slidable toward the connector to move one or more tab release members so they engage and deflect the flexible locking tabs to release positions.

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 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 clock spring interconnector for providing an electrical connection between a rotating and stationary electrical circuit. The clock spring interconnector has a rotating hub attached to a housing and containing a coiled conducting means. The clock spring interconnector has one or more spring loaded locking devices which prevent the hub from rotating whenever the clock spring interconnector is divorced from the rotating and stationary devices.

Abstract: A solder button may be attached to an elongated conductor by substantially surrounding a portion of the conductor with a mass of solder. The mass of solder may be crimped or heat welded into fixed position onto the elongated conductor, which is typically in ribbon form, with the solder being cut from a strip of solder by cutting and crimping means, the strip of solder being in transverse relation to the conductor at the crimping means. The elongated conductor, with attached solder buttons, may be attached by automated means in a single step to a plane of glass or the like.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for terminating a length of fiber optic cable having a central fiber optic core covered by cladding. The connector preferably comprises a rigid, one-piece, integrally molded plastic sleeve for fitting over the end of the optic cable with an outermost end of said cable being typically stripped of all material outside of said cladding, and said outermost end projecting in snugly fitting relation through a bore in an outer end of the rigid sleeve. The bore also defines through the sleeve a section spaced from the outer end which is of increased diameter when compared with the bore at the outer end, to snugly receive a portion of the fiber optic cable having unstripped buffer. The rigid sleeve may carry side apertures for receiving a plurality of U-shaped retention members which pass transversely through the side apertures, preferably from a plurality of transverse directions, to grip and retain the fiber optic cable.