Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, telecommunications terminal blocks are provided for making and breaking connections between a first telecommunications conductor, a second telecommunications conductor and a service wire. The terminal block includes a housing having a first connector connected to the first telecommunications conductor and a second connector connected to the second telecommunications conductor mounted therein. A first conductor is provided in the housing, the first conductor being electrically connected to the first connector and having a service wire connector portion configured to receive the service wire. A switch electrically connects the first connector and the second connector, the switch having a first state wherein the first connector is electrically connected to the second connector and a second state wherein the first connector is electrically disconnected from the second connector. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A connection protector kit for use with an electrical stub connection assembly, the stub connection assembly including first and second conductors forming a connection and defining a crotch therebetween, includes an insert assembly. The insert assembly includes an insert member and a sealant pad mounted on the insert member. The insert assembly is adapted to fit within the crotch of the stub connection assembly. The kit may further include a cap defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, wherein the cavity and the opening are adapted to receive the stub connection assembly and the insert assembly is adapted to fit within the crotch of the stub connection assembly when the stub connection assembly is mounted in the cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having a first and a second electrical connector. Each electrical connector includes a housing having electrical contacts therein wherein each contact of the first electrical connector mates or connects with a corresponding contact of the second electrical connector. A keying arrangement is provided having keying walls for inhibiting the mating except for mating a first electrical connector to a designated second electrical connector. Another keying arrangement is provided by two pairs of electrical contact housings fitted within interior cavities of the first and second electrical connectors. Each electrical contact housing includes a key sized to slip fit into an opposing opening of an electrical contact housing fitted within an interior cavity of either the first or second electrical connector. Each key is arranged so that the first and second electrical connector housings will mate only when the four keys are in mating alignment with their respective opening.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are shown for holding a plurality of wires of a cable in fixed positions relative to each other for assisting in the termination of the cable with a connector having plurality of contacts possibly of the insulation displacement type.

Abstract: Mold tooling for molding plastic parts having cavities therethrough includes mold halves together with core pins to define passageways through the molded part. The core pins are locked together to rigidify these connections, and one of the core pins includes a rib to contact an adjacent pair of ribs to rigidify a column of ribs.

Abstract: A memory module electrical connector is comprised of an insulative housing and a plurality of electrical terminals. The terminals are stamped and formed from conductive material to include resilient contact portions for interconnection to the module, and compliant pin portions for interconnection to the printed circuit board. The compliant pin portions of the connector are laterally staggered, with some compliant pin portions being positioned adjacent to a slot in the housing for receiving the memory module, and alternate contacts are positioned distant from the slot, thereby staggering the compliant pin portions. The compliant pin sections include an upstanding, rigidifying section to rigidify the compliant pin portion during the insertion of the electrical connector and the plurality of compliant pin portions into the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mating with a plurality of contacts separated from one another by a nominal pitch value includes an array of contact surfaces having a first dimension measured in a direction perpendicular to a mating direction between the plurality of contacts and the array of contact surfaces. The first dimension is greater than the nominal pitch value, thereby assuring electrical contact between the contacts and the contact surfaces despite an actual deviation from the nominal pitch.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes a housing having a base portion and partition walls extending from the base portion. The partition walls are spaced apart to define a cavity therebetween. The terminal block assembly further includes a terminal connector removably secured in the cavity between the partition walls. The terminal is configured to accept at least one of a bare wire and a contact attached to a wire. At least one of the partition walls includes a latch arm deflectable outward away from the cavity. The latch arm snappably retains the terminal connector within the cavity.

Abstract: A non-halogenated heat-recoverable article which passes the UL Standard for Safety for Extruded Insulating Tubing, UL 224, Fifth Edition, VW-1 flame test is prepared from a composition which contains polyethylene or an ethylene copolymer or a mixture, a hydrated or carbonated inorganic filler, red amorphous phosphorus, and an inorganic filler such as zinc borate. The article has good physical properties as measured by tensile strength and elongation, and good high temperature performance. A particularly useful article is heat-recoverable tubing which has good flame-retardancy as demonstrated by the VW-1 test.

Abstract: An electrical module assembly configured for latching engagement with a receptacle assembly adapted for mounting to a printed circuit board includes a release mechanism having at least one actuator arm adapted to extend longitudinally along a respective one of opposite side walls of the receptacle assembly, and the actuator arm includes an ejector tab extending longitudinally therewith. A pivotally mounted bail is selectively positonable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and the bail engages the actuator arm and longitudinally pulls the actuator arm to release the ejector tab from the receptacle assembly.

Abstract: A connector for electrical, telephonic and/or data transmission for selective engagement with a complementary receptacle, is provided. The connector includes a housing defining a pair of channels extending into slots at a rear surface of the housing and capable of supporting a contact member therein. The connector further includes a lanyard operatively associated with the housing. The lanyard includes locking and releasing arms slidably disposed within each channel of the housing, and an extracting tab selectively engageable with each locking and releasing arm. Additionally, the extracting tab includes a pair of legs insertable into a respective slot at the back of the housing. Each leg includes an engaging member projecting from an inner surface thereof for engaging a respective aperture formed in the slider. Desirably, the extracting tab is snap-fit connected to each locking and releasing arm.

Abstract: A socket is shown having an insulative housing surrounding a metal substrate. The substrate has an array of apertures which are located in spatially arranged order to accommodate the precise pattern desired for the device to be connected. Contact assemblies include stamped and formed contacts having an insulative plastic molded over a central section of the contact. The molded inserts are receivable in the apertures of the substrate and are later swaged to retain them and the contacts to the substrate. The substrates are located relative to a mating device by way of pins attached to the substrate. The pins are locked to the substrate by way of a locking device, whereby the pins are rotated and locked in place.

Abstract: A header assembly includes an insulative contact housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity and an insulative alignment housing having at least one alignment rib extending on an exterior surface thereof. The alignment housing is separately provided and independently mounted to the contact housing. A plurality of contacts are included within the cavity and extend through one of the walls to an exterior of the contact housing wherein the contacts flex against the alignment housing and abut the alignment rib, thereby ensuring coplanarity of the contacts for surface mounting to a circuit board.

Abstract: A header assembly includes an insulative housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity extending along a mating axis, and a plurality of contacts within the cavity and extending through one of the walls to an exterior of the housing for surface mounting to a circuit board. The insulative housing includes at least one alignment rib extending on an exterior surface thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating axis. The contacts are formed against and abutting the alignment rib, thereby ensuring coplanarity of the contacts for surface mounting to a circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a housing with a connector mating side configured to receive a mating connector, a board mating side configured to be mounted to a circuit board and a contact exit side. The housing holds a contact that includes a contact body extending between a connector mating end and a board engaging end of the contact. The connector mating end is configured to join with the mating connector, while the board engaging end is configured to engage the circuit board. The contact body has an enclosed portion passing through the housing and an exposed portion extending from the contact exit side of the housing. A shielding module is provided immediately adjacent to the contact exit side of the housing and fitted around the exposed portion of the contact which extends between the contact exit side of the housing and the board mating end of the contact to shield the exposed portion.

Abstract: A socket connector for an electronic package includes a socket housing and a loading caddy having a forward end and a rearward end. The forward end includes an opening dimensioned to receive the electronic package. The loading caddy is coupled to the housing for linear and rotational movement therewith. The loading caddy rotates through a first range of motion adapted to align the electronic package with respect to the housing, and descends linearly through a second range of motion to load the electronic package into the housing.

Abstract: A machine for terminating wire assemblies comprising: a means for holding a wire assembly; a linear movement means for moving said means for holding between a first area and a second area; an insertion head; and, a means for dislodging; wherein, after a wire assembly is loaded into the means for holding a wire assembly, the means for holding a wire assembly is moved by the linear moving means from the first area to the second area for assembly termination by the insertion head; and, following termination, the assembly is at least partially unseated from the means for holding a wire assembly by the means for dislodging.

Abstract: A method for making an individual PPTC electrical circuit protection device includes steps of inserting two surface-treated conductive electrodes into a mold; injecting plastic-phase PPTC material into a space between the two electrodes; closing the mold and thereby applying pressure to the electrodes and PPTC material to form a completed device; and removing the completed device from the mold. Mold temperature is controlled in a range of between 80 and 125° C.

Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a cap member having a plurality of fixed cap terminal position assurance mechanisms defined thereon, and a plug member having one or more of fixed plug terminal position assurance mechanisms defined thereon, wherein each of the cap terminal position assurance mechanisms fixably mate with each of the plug terminal position assurance mechanisms, wherein each of the cap and plug terminal position assurance mechanisms comprise a post projecting outwardly from each of the cap member and the plug member, and a cutout configured to fixably mate to the post. The cutout maybe configured adjacent the post, wherein the cap/plug terminal position assurance mechanisms are arranged proximate an outer rim of the cap/plug member or the cap/plug terminal assurance mechanism may be located generally in the center of the interface manifold.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device with a first side and a second side, comprising (a) an active region, (b) a P layer, wherein the P layer contains a first contact area, (c) an N layer, wherein said N layer contains a second contact area, wherein the contact area of the first contact area of the P layer and the second contact layer of the N layer reside on the first side of the laser device.