Abstract: A surface mount wire receptacle or connector includes an elongate flat base for surface mounting on a PCB. A cylindrical enclosure has spaced side wall portions at the upstream end of the base. A pair of resilient spring fingers extend from the side wall portions inwardly towards the axis. An actuating tab is provided on each spring finger to form cantilevers extending across the axis and beyond a cooperating spring finger and having a free end accessible to a user for application of generally opposing inwardly directed forces towards the axis to separate the free ends of the spring fingers when the actuating tabs are squeezed inwardly to release any captured wire.

Abstract: A surface mount connector includes a pair of electrical contacts spaced from each other a predetermined distance. Each contact includes a substantially flat base portion having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being suitable for soldering to a pad or land on a printed circuit board (PCB). Each contact is provided with an integrally-formed conductor-engaging portion extending from a base portion in a direction substantially normal to the base portion. Electrically non-conductive tape is secured to the upper surfaces of the spaced base portions for maintaining the contacts spaced at a set or predetermined distance from each other. The contacts each including member for physically and electrically engaging another insulated conductor so that the connector can physically and electrically engage and secure two separate insulated or clad conductors while maintaining them electrically isolated.

Abstract: A surface mount connector includes one or two spaced conductive contacts. Each conductive contact(s) include a substantially flat base portion suitable for soldering to a pad or land on a printed circuit board (PCB), At least one vertical finger extends substantially normally from each flat base portion and each terminates in a point or hook formed with a piercing tip at the free end thereof remote from the that base portion. The vertical finger(s) and flat base portion(s) define a space for receiving an insulated conductor arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the flat base portion(s). The finger(s) are directed inwardly at their free end(s) proximate to the piercing tip(s) and configured to deflect inwardly in a curling action when forced downwardly and crimped to pierce an associated insulated conductor positioned on the flat base portion(s).

Abstract: An SMT electrical keyhole connector includes a flat mounting portion for surface mounting on a PCB and two spaced contact portions each provided with an aperture in a shape of a keyhole that defines a longitudinal insertion axis and includes an upstream open region dimensioned to receive with clearance an insulated conductor having a metallic conductor generally having a diameter d1 surrounded by an outer insulation coating generally defining a diameter d2 and a downstream elongated slot formed by parallel opposing edges spaced from each other a distance h less than d1. Cutting edges cut or strip insulation off an insulated conductor. A retainer prevents a stripped conductor from moving upstream back into the open region to insure positive contact with the conductive wire or wires after the conductor is urged downstream into and is fully seated within the elongated slot.

Abstract: A through-the-hole (TTH)/surface mount (SMT) insulation piercing connector includes one or two spaced electrical contacts. Each contact has a flat plate portion and integrally-formed legs. An L-shaped hook portion on the flat plate portion has a piercing tip pointed in a direction away from the legs. The piercing tip is spaced from the flat plate portion, the flat plate portion being configured and dimensioned to bend in the direction towards the piercing tip when pressed to urge an insulated wire onto said piercing tip to cause it to penetrate the wire insulation and make electrical contact with the internal conductive wires or strands within the wire. The legs are insertable into mounting holes in a substrate for direct TTH mounting in a PCB or to be secured to a header provided with mounting holes by TTH soldering and surface mounting by a pick-and-place machine acting on the header.

Abstract: An SMT electrical keyhole connector includes a flat mounting portion for surface mounting on a PCB and two spaced contact portions each provided with an aperture in a shape of a keyhole that defines a longitudinal insertion axis and includes an upstream open region dimensioned to receive with clearance an insulated conductor having a metallic conductor generally having a diameter d1 surrounded by an outer insulation coating generally defining a diameter d2 and a downstream elongated slot formed by parallel opposing edges spaced from each other a distance h less than d1. Cutting edges cut or strip insulation off an insulated conductor. A retainer prevents a stripped conductor from moving upstream back into the open region to insure positive contact with the conductive wire or wires after the conductor is urged downstream into and is fully seated within the elongated slot.

Abstract: A through-the-hole (TTH)/surface mount (SMT) insulation piercing connector includes one or two spaced electrical contacts. Each contact has a flat plate portion and integrally-formed legs. An L-shaped hook portion on the flat plate portion has a piercing tip pointed in a direction away from the legs. The piercing tip is spaced from the flat plate portion, the flat plate portion being configured and dimensioned to bend in the direction towards the piercing tip when pressed to urge an insulated wire onto said piercing tip to cause it to penetrate the wire insulation and make electrical contact with the internal conductive wires or strands within the wire. The legs are insertable into mounting holes in a substrate for direct TTH mounting in a PCB or to be secured to a header provided with mounting holes by TTH soldering and surface mounting by a pick-and-place machine acting on the header.

Abstract: A surface mount connector includes one or two spaced conductive contacts. Each conductive contact(s) include a substantially flat base portion suitable for soldering to a pad or land on a printed circuit board (PCB), At least one vertical finger extends substantially normally from each flat base portion and each terminates in a point or hook formed with a piercing tip at the free end thereof remote from the that base portion. The vertical finger(s) and flat base portion(s) define a space for receiving an insulated conductor arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the flat base portion(s). The finger(s) are directed inwardly at their free end(s) proximate to the piercing tip(s) and configured to deflect inwardly in a curling action when forced downwardly and crimped to pierce an associated insulated conductor positioned on the flat base portion(s).

Abstract: A surface mount connector includes a pair of electrical contacts spaced from each other a predetermined distance. Each contact includes a substantially flat base portion having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being suitable for soldering to a pad or land on a printed circuit board (PCB). Each contact is provided with an integrally-formed conductor-engaging portion extending from a base portion in a direction substantially normal to the base portion. Electrically non-conductive tape is secured to the upper surfaces of the spaced base portions for maintaining the contacts spaced at a set or predetermined distance from each other. The contacts each including member for physically and electrically engaging another insulated conductor so that the connector can physically and electrically engage and secure two separate insulated or clad conductors while maintaining them electrically isolated.

Abstract: A surface mount coaxial cable connector comprising a generally elongate block. A channel extends between the proximate and remote ends for receiving a coaxial cable and includes an upstream larger diameter channel and a downstream, smaller diameter channel for receiving with little clearance the central conductor after the shield and the outer layer have been removed. The lower surface of the block is provided with slots extending from the lower surface to the stepped channel. One slot is arranged along said central plane and aligned with the central conductor within the smaller diameter channel and two slots are offset from the central plane. A plurality of piercing blade contacts within the slot extend beyond said lower surface that have extended piercing contact portions with opposing free edges suitable for surface mounting on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An surface mount technology (“SMT”) crimp terminal for mounting on printed circuit boards is in the form of a seamless circular tube or cylinder. The method of use includes depositing the SMT crimp terminal on a copper pad or land on a printed circuit board (“PCB”) coated with solder paste to render the pad or land tacky. The solder is reflowed by application of heat and the crimp terminal is soldered to the PCB. A bare wire to be retained is inserted through one end of the tube and the tube is subjected to sufficiently high stress, intermediate its axial ends, to induce plastic flow on the surface of the material. The force plastically deforms the central region of the tube as well as the bare wire received therein. Any form of mechanical hydraulic press can be used for this purpose and resulting deformation of the crimp terminal and the wire contained therein provides a retention force on the wire which is greater than wire breaking strength.

Abstract: A surface mount insulation terminal is formed of flat deformable conductive member to provide a substantially uniform U-shaped cross-section to form a wire-receiving channel. One or more piercing spikes are formed on a bottom wall of the channel and point to an opposing open side through which a conductor may be introduced. Ribs inside the channel provide an interference fit with a conductor introduced into the channel. A crimping tool lowered into engagement with the terminal after it has been soldered to a PCB increasingly deforms the side walls of the terminal inwardly towards each other and towards the bottom wall to enhance the electrical and mechanical properties of the resulting termination.

Abstract: There is provided a feeder device for a pick-and-place machine used to surface mount connectors on printed circuit boards. The feeder is designed for use with matrixes of connectors, such as pin headers. The feeders, with the proper conversion kits, can be configured to feed any type and/or size of the connector. Individual connectors are separated from the matrix by the feeder using a rotating clamping device. Preferably, the feeders are microprocessor controlled, use an edge conveyor to transport the strips to the pick point, and pneumatic cylinders to break each pin header from the strip.

Abstract: A surface mounted connector for surface mounting on a generally flat conductive surface of a printed circuit board includes a base which has a generally flat surface suitable for contact with an attachment to a conductive surface of the printed circuit board. An electrical contact, which may be in the form of a pin, post, IDC, test point, or receptacle, has at least one portion projecting from the base in a direction normal to the base. At least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connects the contact to the base. The contact, base and the bent intermediate connecting portions are all formed from a generally flat sheet of conductive material. A blank for the surface mounted connector, as well as a rolled strip of connectors is disclosed.

Abstract: A surface mounted contact for surface mounting on a generally flat conductive surface of a printed circuit board includes a base which has a generally flat surface suitable for contact with an attachment to a conductive surface of the printed circuit board. An electrical contact, which may be in the form of a pin, post, IDC, test point, receptacle, or jumper has at least one portion projecting from the base in a direction normal to the base. At least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connects the contact to the base. The contact, base and the bent intermediate connecting portions are all formed from a generally flat sheet of conductive material. A blank for the surface mounted connector, as well as a rolled strip of connectors is disclosed.

Abstract: A surface mounted connector for surface mounting on a generally flat conductive surface of a printed circuit board includes a base which has a generally flat surface suitable for contact with an attachment to a conductive surface of the printed circuit board. An electrical contact, which may be in the form of a pin, post, IDC, test point, or receptacle, has at least one portion projecting from the base in a direction normal to the base. At least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connects the contact to the base. The contact, base and the bent intermediate connecting portions are all formed from a generally flat sheet of conductive material. A blank for the surface mounted connector, as well as a rolled strip of connectors is disclosed.

Abstract: A feeder and method are disclosed for individually dispensing surface-mount contacts in a strip of tab-connected contacts on a pick-and-place machine having a pick-up member and pick-up station actuator for actuating the feeder when the pick-and-place machine is ready for pick-up surface-mount contact oriented along a predetermined direction at the pick-up station. The strip of contacts are fed from a roll or spool and the end received within a guide, with the strip being advanced to position the end contact or connector to be mounted suspended beyond the guide. When the component is ready to be mounted, it is sheared or severed at a connecting tab from the strip to free it. The component is temporarily held in place while the freed component is moved towards the vacuum pick-up nozzle of the pick-and-place machine, and released at such time that the pick-up member of vacuum nozzle has sufficiently engaged the contact to enable it to pick up the contact and remove it from the pick-up station.

Abstract: A feeder and method are disclosed for individually dispensing surface-mount contacts in a strip of tab-connected contacts on a pick-and-place machine having a pick-up member and pick-up station actuator for actuating the feeder when the pick-and-place machine is ready for pick-up surface-mount contact oriented along a predetermined direction at the pick-up station. The strip of contacts are fed from a roll or spool and the end received within a guide, with the strip being advanced to position the end contact or connector to be mounted suspended beyond the guide. When the component is ready to be mounted, it is sheared or severed at a connecting tab from the strip to free it. The component is temporarily held in place while the freed component is moved towards the vacuum pick-up nozzle of the pick-and-place machine, and released at such time that the pick-up member of vacuum nozzle has sufficiently engaged the contact to enable it to pick up the contact and remove it from the pick-up station.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for individually inserting successive components of a series of components having mounting legs by movement of the components along an insertion direction to introduce the mounting legs into holes in a substrate at an insertion station. The apparatus includes a guide for guiding a strip of components along a feedpath generally normal to the insertion direction with the mounting legs oriented in the direction of the substrate surface. The strip is advanced stepwise after each insertion operation to position the next successive components of the strip at the insertion station. The carrier web between a components to be inserted and the next successive upstream component is centered relative to a web shearing line, a first cutting element at the insertion station being arranged for abutment against a carrier edge or line proximate to the mounting legs for preventing movement of that portion of the carrier web upstream of the shearing line in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A printed circuit contact system for use in high speed digital applications includes a generally tapered slotted socket made of beryllium copper or other conductive spring material. The socket has a wave-like configuration which forms a series of outer contact portions which alternate with increasingly smaller inner contact portions. Insertion of an appropriately dimensioned pin through the socket causes engagement of the pin with at least one of the inner contact portions to radially expand the socket and force adjoining outer contact portions to abut against a sleeve lining a hole in a printed circuit board into which the socket is inserted. Expansion of the socket provides at least one portion thereof which is always under optimum load, assuring proper retention and physical and electrical contact over extended periods.