Abstract: A dielectric support bead for a coaxial connector is provided. The support bead comprises a center support portion and a plurality of spaced apart outer support surfaces disposed concentrically about the inner support portion. The inner support portion includes a central through aperture dimensioned to be pressfit over the center conductor of a coaxial connector. The outer supports define segments of a cylinder and are dimensioned for pressfit engagement with the outer conductor of the coaxial connector. The outer support surfaces are maintained in concentric relationship to the center support portion by a plurality of support legs. Concave generally cylindrical surfaces extend continuously between adjacent support legs and are generated about axes extending parallel to and disposed symmetrically about the central axis of the bead. An annular shroud is disposed adjacent one end of the bead to prevent contaminants from entering the body of the connector.

Abstract: A high frequency coaxial connector capable of operating up to 40 GHz includes inner and outer conductors which are maintained in spaced relationship by an injection molded, dielectric support bead which is cylindrical, is formed of a plastic material, and is of uniform density. The inner contact is press fit into a central hole in the support bead, and the latter is press fit into the outer contact. The support bead further includes an array of apertures concentrically disposed about the central aperture and disposed parallel to said central aperture. The opposed generally parallel faces of the support bead may be provided with an annular undercut portion which intersects the array of parallel apertures. By this construction, the center contact is supported by the injection molded dielectric support bead in a manner to enable the coaxial connector to operate at high frequencies.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for releasably joining a semi-rigid coaxial cable to a coaxial connector. The assembly includes an outer clamping sleeve which slides over and compresses an inner clamping sleeve against the cable. The inner clamping sleeve includes at least one array of internal threads. A coupling nut is threaded onto the coaxial connector and urges the inner and outer clamping sleeves into telescoping relationship, thus compressing the inner clamping sleeve against the cable. The inner clamping sleeve includes slots to facilitate compression and grooves to facilitate clamping of the cable.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for releasably joining a semi-rigid coaxial cable to a coaxial connector. The assembly includes an outer clamping sleeve which slides over and compresses an inner clamping sleeve against the cable. A coupling nut is threaded onto the coaxial connector and urges the inner and outer clamping sleeves into telescoping relationship, thus compressing the inner clamping sleeve against the cable. The inner clamping sleeve includes slots to facilitate compression and grooves to facilitate clamping of the cable.

Abstract: A housing for an electrical connector includes a rectangular outer shell, a rectangular cavity disposed within the outer shell, and a cylindrical hub formed integrally with the upper surface of the outer shell and extending outwardly therefrom. An annular electrical contact is disposed within the cavity, and the cylindrical hub is driven inwardly into the cavity such that the contact surrounds the hub, the hub sheering from the upper surface of the outer shell. The hub fits snuggly into a pair of apertures formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the outer shell.

Abstract: An optical punched badge reader is provided for slidably receiving a data badge, and reading data holes punched therein. The badge reader includes a row of pairs of registered data sensing apertures arranged perpendicular to the axis along which the data badge is received. The slidable movement of the badge into the badge reader actuates the slidable movement of an electro-optical strobe pair along a stationary strobe strip. In operation, the row of data sensing apertures reads the row component of each punched hole on the data badge while the electro-optical strobe pair and the stationary strobe strip read the column component.

Abstract: An optical punched card reading apparatus is disclosed wherein a plurality of air passageways are disposed throughout the apparatus. The various electrical and photo-electric components in the apparatus generate heat and through convection heat the air. The temperature differentials cause pressure differentials which in turn cause air flow in the apparatus. The air passageways channelize the air flow, removing dust and dirt particles that otherwise would accumulate in the photo-electric components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A badge reader which uses infrared light employs circuitry for determining whether portions of the identification badge are relatively opaque or transparent to infrared radiation upon insertion of the badge into the badge reader. The circuitry includes a source of infrared radiation, such as an infrared emitting diode, a detector of infrared radiation such as a phototransistor, an alignment device for detecting the alignment of the opaque or transparent portions of the badge with the source and detector and for producing an alignment signal. The alignment signal is delivered to an infrared emitting diode driver for driving the diode to produce a pulse of infrared radiation in response to the alignment signal. The detector detects a sufficient amount of infrared radiation only when that portion of the card is relatively transparent, and produces an output in response thereto.

Abstract: A new and improved micro card reader includes a unitary molded base member having a planar rectangular slot therein for slidably receiving a punched data card of standard credit card size having a plurality of columns and rows. Along one edge of the base member is a plurality of registering depressions disposed in the outer facing side of the base member which are adapted to receive optical components. The registering depressions also include registering data sensing apertures therethrough, the number and spacing of the apertures correspond to the number and spacing of the data rows in the data card. Adjacent to one face of the base member is a plurality of light sources disposed within the depressions and aligned with the registering apertures therein. Adjacent to the other face of the base member is a plurality of light sensors which are also aligned with the registering apertures of the base member.

Abstract: A matrix programming board is disclosed for selectively connecting pairs of conductive bars. The programming board includes two sets of parallel conductive bars disposed in orthogonal relationship. Each conductive bar includes cylindrical sockets held in position within an insulator block formed with a hole for each socket. Connecting pins, applied through a perforated cover plate, join a conductive bar in one set with a similar bar in the other set. L-shaped termination pins are provided to facilitate mounting of the programming board to a printed circuit board. The board includes a locking recess for engagement with a longitudinal rail to enable adjacent programming boards to be mounted in aligned abutting relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting pins are provided with a detent for maintaining a secure electrical interengagement with the sockets of the conductive bars.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for electrically connecting a pair of spaced apart conductive pin members. More particularly, an electrical connector is disclosed comprising an elongated housing having opposed cover members and further including an elongated actuator member extending therebetween. A continuous, electrically conductive contact member is provided which is resilient and has a dumbbell-shaped configuration. The contact member is disposed about the actuator member in a loose fit relationship. During mounting of the connector, the actuator member effects an elongation of the contact member to reduce mounting forces. The unique configuration of the contact member enables a redundant electrical connection to be established between the pins and the contact member. In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the connector housing is rectangular having opposed pairs of side walls.

Abstract: An interconnected assembly of an array of high frequency coaxial connectors includes a pair of mounting plates having opposed mating coaxial electrical connectors mounted therein. The opposed connectors are configured such that a redundant or dual electrical connection is established when one connector is telescopingly received within the other connector. The redundant connection includes a butted interface, as well as a frictional interfit between the connectors. This arrangement eliminates the need to provide individual coupling nuts for securing the link between mated pairs of connectors which enables the distance between connectors along each plate to be reduced thereby conserving space. Further, due to the redundant electrical connection, should vibration or misalignment cause the mated connectors to separate, thereby breaking the butt interface connection, electrical continuity is still maintained.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for mounting on the mating end of a female slide on type coaxial connector to enable the direct mating between the latter and a male coupling type coaxial connector. More particularly, an adapter is disclosed which when mounted on a female slide on coaxial connector, results in a connector combination having a mating end with a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of a female, coupling type coaxial connector. The subject adapter is of generally elongated, cylindrical configuration having a mating end. The outer surface of the adapter is threaded, with the inner surface thereof including major and minor diameter portions separated by circumferential step. The minor diameter portion, which is disposed adjacent the mating end of the adapter, is configured to receive the mating end of the female, slide on coaxial connector. The major diameter portion of the adapter is threaded and is connectable to a threaded portion on the female slide on coaxial connector.

Abstract: A non-insulated printed circuit board jack includes an outer stepped drawn shell member, and a stamped contact member disposed within the shell for receiving an electrical conductor. The shell member has at one end a minor diameter portion which is freely receivable in an aperture in the printed circuit board. Intermediate its length the shell includes an integral flexible retaining portion which is generally polygonal in cross-section having alternating corner portions and side portions. The corner portions are resistively receivable in the printed circuit board aperture such that when the shell retaining portion is inserted into the aperture the inner circumference of the aperture forces the corner portions of the shell inwardly, and causes the outward expansion of the side portions, whereby the shell retaining portion tends to conform to the configuration of the printed circuit board aperture. By this arrangement, an interference or snug fit is achieved between the connector and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A programmable matrix assembly which includes two flat cables having their longitudinal axis perpendicular to each other. First and second cover plates, one of which has two sets of holes, which are spaced in staggered relationship. Conducting connecting pins insertable into the holes and then through the insulation and the conductors for electrically interconnecting selected conductors of the flat cables.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel, electrically conductive pin members comprises a hollow housing having opposed, spaced apart cover members and a central hub portion disposed between the cover members. The connector further includes a resilient, electrically conductive contact member which is disposed around the hub portion in a loose fit relationship. The contact member has a pair of opposed edges which are disposed parallel to the mounting direction of the connector, the opposed edges being spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between the spaced apart pin members. During mounting and dismounting of the connector from the pins, the housing hub portion effects an elongation of the contact member such that the contact member has a longitudinal axis parallel to that of the pins.

Abstract: An electrical connector for maintaining electrical contact in electronic circuitry comprises a wire formed helix, the wire being substantially square in cross-section. One end of the helix is open for receiving wire leads. The helix tapers from the open end to the opposite end thereof. The edges of the square wire provide the helix with an internal and external thread. In one alternate embodiment the connector includes an integral probe member which extends from the tapered end of the helix. In another embodiment the connector is a continuous helix having two receiving ends, the helix tapering from each receiving end to an intermediate point therebetween. In a further embodiment the connector comprises two oppositely wound helixes each having an open receiving end. Each helix tapers from its receiving end to a tapered end. The connector further includes an extension member which is disposed between the helixes and is integral with the tapered end of each helix.

Abstract: An electrical programming assembly includes two or more printed circuit boards stacked one above another plus contact pins which connect the printed circuit boards at the various levels with one another. Each printed circuit board includes columns and rows of apertures which are disposed at precisely defined locations. Each aperture includes a metallic cladding around its rim. The contact pins connecting the various levels of the printed circuit boards generally include an elongated, nonconductive hollow shell member having a body portion and a probe portion for insertion into an aperture of the printed circuit board. The probe portion includes a plurality of spaced apart through slots. The contact pin further includes a plurality of conductive resilient contacts which are disposed within the probe member. Each contact is substantially diamond shaped in configuration having spaced apart corner members.

Abstract: A punched card reader includes a base member for slidably receiving a punched data card having a plurality of columns and rows. Along one edge of the base member is a row of apertures corresponding in number and spacing to the rows on the data card. The base member further includes a centrally located strobe aperture. A strobe generator is slidably mounted on one face of the base member. The strobe generator includes a central column of slots disposed perpendicular to the row of apertures on the base member and disposed so as to pass over the strobe aperture as the inserted data card displaces the strobe generator away from the row of apertures on the base member. The slots correspond in number and in spacing to the columns on the data card. Adjacent to one face of the base member is a plurality of light sources aligned with the row of apertures and centrally located strobe aperture.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough for connecting electrical components on opposite sides of a bulkhead includes a conductive sleeve, and disposed within the sleeve is a dielectric body carrying an electrical conductor extending longitudinally of the sleeve. The electrical conductor is physically spaced and electrically insulated by the dielectric body from the conductive sleeve, and a part of the dielectric body is physically deformed to effect a hermetic seal with the conductive sleeve and/or electrical conductor. In the method of assembly of the electrical feedthrough of the subject invention, a part of the dielectric body is deformed to effect the hermetic seal.