Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting a plated or soldered through hole of a printed circuit board to another electrical device includes a plurality of conductors each having a deflection arm for maintaining a contact force on the circuit board and a dimple formed as a continuous surface from the deflection arm. Each dimple is sized and shaped to enter a through hole and to electrically contact the plating or solder material formed in the hole. Contact can be at a point within the hole or along the circumference of the hole. In addition, each dimple is sized and shaped to enter a range of through hole sizes. In a preferred embodiment each dimple is formed in a generally pyramidal shape with creased edges and a smooth apex. The dimple may also be formed in a generally conical shape.

Abstract: A hand-held thermal wire stripper has two arms arranged in a pincer-like configuration, whereby the arms diverge at one end and converge at the other end. The divergent ends of the arms are exposed and a heatable blade is positioned on each divergent end such that the two blades oppose each other across a gap that receives a wire to be stripped. The convergent ends of the arms are housed in a casing that is gripped by the operator of the wire stripper. The casing is formed from an electrostatically dissipative material that conducts electrostatic charges to ground before such charges reach a level sufficient to shock the operator or damage sensitive electrical components coming into contact therewith.

Abstract: A connector assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a base which can be positioned or mounted on a substrate. At least one contact beam is cantilevered on the base and has a deflectable free end which is distanced from the base and a fixed end which is attached to the base. At least one rigid reactive beam extends from the base to counteract the forces which are generated on the base when the free end of the contact beam is deflected to move from a first configuration wherein the beam is unstressed, and into a second configuration wherein the beam is stressed. Further, the connector assembly is positioned on the substrate so that when a printed circuit board is joined with the substrate, the free end of the contact beam is urged against the printed circuit board to move the contact beam from its first configuration into its second configuration to establish electrical contact between the contact beam and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A floating stackable connector for connecting the conductors of stacked substrates such as printed circuit boards is provided. The connector includes an elongated insulator block having a plurality of parallel spaced spring contacts mounted in channels formed on the insulator block. The connector also includes a mounting means for mounting the connector to one of the substrates such that it may move or float between the substrates. In an illustrative embodiment the mounting means includes threaded inserts mounted within counterbored openings on either side of the insulator block adapted to be attached to threaded fasteners placed through one of the substrates.

Abstract: An electrical connector for engaging a plurality of contact beams with an electronic substrate includes an elongated support body on which the contact beams are individually attached as cantilevers. A plurality of mounting points are formed on the support body to separate the contact beams into segments, and are used for holding the electrical connector against the substrate. Importantly, the contact beams are separated into segments which are of either a first length or a second length. Preferably, in order to more effectively balance the distributed load of the electrical connector against the electronic substrate, the first length is approximately one third the second length and the segments of first length are located at the ends of the support body.

Abstract: A portable thermal wire stripper has a pair of heatable stripping blades which are electrically attached to an electrical power and control system. The electrical system converts a direct current output from a battery which is housed in the wire stripper into a variable alternating current power which is used for controlling the surface temperature of the heated blades.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of elongated electrically conductive contacts which are arranged in a side-by-side relationship to establish a first row of end points which is substantially parallel to a second row of end points. A plurality of dielectric insulators are provided and are respectively positioned between the contacts to electrically isolate the individual contacts from each other. Additionally, the contacts are flexible to permit relative movement between end points on the first row and end points on the second row. The combination of stacked contacts and isolating insulators are held on a base to complete a plurality of electrical connections between circuits engaged with end points on the first row and circuits engaged with end points on the second row.

Abstract: A zero insertion force dual in-line LCD connector has a connector body which holds the base ends of a plurality of resilient contacts in electrical engagement with a printed circuit board and holds the end points of these contacts in two substantially parallel rows. An actuator is mountable on the connector body to support a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and is movable thereon between a first position wherein the LCD panel is distanced from the end points of the contacts and a second position wherein electrical pads on the LCD panel are moved into electrical engagement with the end points. The contacts are resilient to permit a wiping movement of the end points against the pads on the LCD panel when the LCD panel is moved into the second position.