Abstract: A connector includes an insulating connector body having a contact hole formed in the connector body. A metal shell receives the connector body. An adapter in the contact hole supports a fiber optic terminus. A securing member is located on an exterior surface of the connector body and releasably attaches the adapter to the connector body such that the adapter and terminus can be conjointly and nondestructively inserted into the connector body and conjointly and nondestructively removed from the connector body.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a first electrically insulating body having a contact hole and a guide hole both formed in the first insulating body. A first fiber optic adapter is mounted in the contact hole of the first insulating body. A second electrically insulating body has a contact hole and a guide hole both formed in the second insulating body. A second fiber optic adapter is mounted in the contact hole of the second insulating body. A guide bushing is received in the guide hole in the first insulating body. A guide pin is received in the guide hole in the second insulating body. The first insulating body is configured for mating with the second insulating body such that the guide pin is received in the guide bushing in close tolerance to precisely guide the fiber optic termini into engagement with each other.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a first electrically insulating body having a contact hole and a guide hole both formed in the first insulating body. A first fiber optic adapter is mounted in the contact hole of the first insulating body. A second electrically insulating body has a contact hole and a guide hole both formed in the second insulating body. A second fiber optic adapter is mounted in the contact hole of the second insulating body. A guide bushing is received in the guide hole in the first insulating body. A guide pin is received in the guide hole in the second insulating body. The first insulating body is configured for mating with the second insulating body such that the guide pin is received in the guide bushing in close tolerance to precisely guide the fiber optic termini into engagement with each other.

Abstract: An electrical connector for photovoltaic solar panels generally includes a housing with an opening extending through it. Electrical contacts are mounted on the housing and extend into the opening. An attachment mechanism is adapted to connect the electrical connector to a second electrical connector. The ratio of the width to the thickness of the housing is at least about 5:1.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a first connector including at least one female electrical contact having a longitudinal axis, a terminal, and a socket body defining a socket. The socket body has an axial opening and a radial opening. A second connector has at least one male electrical contact having a mating portion with a diameter for engagement with the female contact to produce an electrical connection between the first contact and second contact. A clip is formed separately from the female contact and includes a contact arm. The clip is mounted on the female contact so that the contact arm of the clip projects into the socket through the radial opening in the socket body. The contact arm is positioned for engaging the male contact upon reception in the socket for use in making electrical connection between the female and male contacts.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a shorting member which is capable of electrically connecting or “shorting” certain contacts within a first connector when disconnected from a second connector to avoid an open circuit condition. The shorting member may be configured to short three or more contacts at the same time, and to be disengaged automatically upon connection of the first and second connectors. Moreover, the shorting member may be formed of a single piece of material and have an opposed pair of arms for engaging each contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a shorting member which is capable of electrically connecting or “shorting” certain contacts within a first connector when disconnected from a second connector to avoid an open circuit condition. The shorting member may be configured to short three or more contacts at the same time, and to be disengaged automatically upon connection of the first and second connectors. Moreover, the shorting member may be formed of a single piece of material and have an opposed pair of arms for engaging each contact.

Abstract: A method of forming a solid compliant connector contact which permits the compliant portion to be formed rapidly and inexpensively. Cylindrical bar stock is turned to form the outer contour of the contact, including a contact portion having a diameter larger than an opening into which it will be inserted in use. The contact is made compliant by plunging a cutter having a circular blade rotating about a center of the blade into the contact portion and removing the circular blade from the contact portion to form the slot to have a generally arcuate shape corresponding to the shape of the circular blade. The contact portion is resiliently deformable upon insertion into the opening for exerting a radially outward force within the opening to hold the contact in electrical contact with the opening.

Abstract: A method for turning a concave cut in a workpiece on a screw machine includes the steps of supporting the workpiece for rotation generally about its longitudinal axis and rotating the workpiece generally about an axis corresponding to its longitudinal axis in a first direction. A rotary cutter is turned about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece in a second direction opposite to the first. A tooth on the cutter engages the workpiece for forming a generally concave cut in the workpiece. Apparatus for turning a concave cut in workpiece on a lathe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for turning a concave cut in a workpiece on a screw machine includes the steps of supporting the workpiece for rotation generally about its longitudinal axis and rotating the workpiece generally about an axis corresponding to its longitudinal axis in a first direction. A rotary cutter is turned about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece in a second direction opposite to the first. A tooth on the cutter engages the workpiece for forming a generally concave cut in the workpiece. Apparatus for turning a concave cut in workpiece on a lathe is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector system with a discriminating latching feature comprising a first electrical connector having female contacts and a first latching member, a second electrical connector having male contacts and a second latching member, a third electrical connector having female contacts and a third latching member, and a fourth electrical connector having male contacts and a fourth latching member. The second and fourth connectors may be plugged into either of the first and third connectors so that respective male and female contact make electrical contact with one another. The latching members are cooperable with one another to latch together the first and second connectors to one another when plugged together, to latch the first and fourth connectors to one another when plugged together, to latch the second and third connectors to one another when plugged together, but not to latch the third and fourth connectors to one another when plugged together.

Abstract: A fixed connector for use in making electrical connections from an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors to a printed board having surface-mount type conductive traces, the electrical cable having a free cable connector connected to the plurality of conductors. The fixed connector includes a connector device for holding rows of contact tails spaced with a predetermined center-to-center spacing, each contact tail for electrical conduction with one of the plurality of conductors of the electrical cable, the connector device connectable to the free cable connector.