Abstract: An electrical connector suitable for use in an adapter. The connector includes conductive elements that can be routed in three dimensions to facilitate interconnections between connectors used to form an adapter. Simplified construction is achieved through use of connector wafers, each of which route signals in a plane such that when the wafers are organized side-by-side in a connector, signals may be routed through multiple parallel planes. Some of the wafers may include holes through which conductive elements from other wafers may pass, to that signal may be routed in a third dimension, perpendicular to the parallel planes. The adapter may be mounted on a printed circuit board or other substrate with active components. Signals may pass through the adapter in one of the parallel planes or may be routed for conditioning in the active components.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector detachably fitted with each other. The plug connector comprises a plurality of coaxial cables, a flexible printed circuit board and a ground bar. Each of the coaxial cable has a center conductor, an insulator covering the center conductor, a braid as an external conductor covering the insulator, and a sheath covering the braid. The flexible printed circuit board has lands each connected to the center conductor of the coaxial cable and land portions to which the ground bar is connected. The grand bar has a main portion adapted to contact the braids of the coaxial cables, and fixed portions each positioned contiguously with the main portion and connected to the land portion. The electrical connector achieves the low height geometry of the plug connector and hence that of the receptacle connector and precludes any failed connection between the ground bar and the coaxial cables.

Abstract: A return pad cable connector, in accordance with the present disclosure, for use with a disposable return pad, includes a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which conductive wire interconnects the return pad cable connector to an electrosurgical energy source. The return pad further includes a connector operatively coupled to the cord, the connector having a conductive surface which is selectively engageable with a corresponding conductive surface disposed on the return pad, the conductive surface of the connector including a conductive adhesive disposed thereon and a non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the connector for engagement with a corresponding non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the return pad. The connector can include a magnet for magnetically coupling the connector to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a socket connector to couple electrical plugs to sockets mounted on circuit boards or cable ends. The socket connector includes a socket that receives an electrical plug and a socket silo. The silo may contain a beveled outer surface that receives a beveled face on the plug. The plug is held in the socket by latches disposed on the plug. The latches include pawls that fit within pawl receiving chambers in the socket and couple the plug to the socket. The latch and hinged section may rotate into a recessed section on the plug from an extended to a retracted position. A locking portion on the pawl and the receiving chamber may be angled to develop a desired pullout force.

Abstract: A connector 1 according to the invention comprises a main body 10 for receiving the front end of a flat cable 2 being inserted therein, a movable pressurizing member 11 adapted to press and rigidly secure in position the flat cable 2 inserted into the main body 10 and projections 13 arranged either on the main body 10 or on the pressurizing member 11 so as to be engaged respectively with the corresponding holes 23 of the flat cable 2 when the front end of the flat cable is inserted into the connector 1 to take a right position in the connector 1. The flat cable 2 comprises a flexible base member 21 and wires 22 formed in the flexible base member 21, the flexible base member 21 being provided with holes 23 to be engaged respectively with the corresponding projections 13 arranged in the connector 1 when the flexible base member 21 is inserted into the connector 1 to take a right position in the connector 1.

Abstract: The connector and the connecting structure thereof includes an isolation main body having a through hole and an opening. A conducting terminal is disposed in the through hole and protrudes out of the opening. A holding element extends from one end of the conducting terminal. A connecting element has one end connected to the holding element and has the other end connected to a circuit board in an electronic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing (2) and a printed circuit board (3) with two sets of contact elements (7, 8). The first set of contact elements (7) is located on the front face of the printed circuit board (3) and protrudes into an opening in the plug connector housing (2). The second set of contact elements (8) is located on the rear face of the printed circuit board (3). The contact elements of the second set (8) are configured to form insulation-displacement contacts (8). The plug connector (1) also includes a cable manager (5) which has a continuous opening (13) and is configured on the front face (16) with guides (19) for cores or wires which are intended to make contact with the insulation-displacement contacts (8). The guides (19) in the region of the insulation-displacement contacts (8) are configured with recessed receiving elements or holders (20) for the insulation-displacement contacts (8), and the cable manager (5) can be latched to the plug connector housing (2).

Abstract: A reconfigurable interactive kiosk for producing a printout of a digital image. The interactive kiosk includes: a processor for processing digital images. The processor includes memory, display screen, user input device, updatable stored scalable digital images and a hard copy medium connected to the processor for transferring the combined digital image to a hard copy medium that can be a composite image on a single size/type of medium, or on multiple size/types of medium. A camera captures a digital image and provides the captured image to the processor. At least one of a CD ROM drive, a floppy disk drive and a photo scanner may be connected for adding digital images to the user input. Input devices may include a roller ball, keypad, microphone and joystick and/or laser gun and display screen icons for selecting a desired function represented by the selected icon.

Abstract: An electrical connector system prevents mismating of male and female connectors which have different numbers of terminals. An illustrative electrical connector assembly (1, 3) of this system includes a male connector (10, 30) and a female connector (20, 40) complementary to the male connector. The male connector includes an insulative housing (12, 32) forming a plurality of silos (14, 34) thereon and a latch (16, 36) on a top side thereof. The female connector (20, 40) includes an insulative housing (22, 42) having a corresponding number of receptacles (24, 44) therethrough for receiving the silos of the male connector, and a latch lug (26, 46) for engaging with the latch of the male connector. The female connector further includes a pair of blocks (21, 41) disposed adjacent to two opposite sides of the latch lug. Electrical connector assemblies having different numbers of terminals have latches, latch lugs and blocks offset from those of other assemblies in the system.

Abstract: A surface mounted electrical connector comprises an insulative housing defining a holding cavity, a slot, and a securing channel. A plurality of terminals are secured in the insulative housing. Each of the pair of solder pads includes a vertical retaining portion for securely engaging with the holding cavity and a horizontal solder portion for soldering to a printed circuit board. The retaining portion further includes a positioning tab extending from the upper front edge of the retaining portion for securely engaging with the slot of the insulative housing, and a securing portion extending from a rear edge of the retaining portion for engagingly securing within the corresponding securing channel.

Abstract: A modular connector includes a housing 1 having at least one plug receiving cavity 2. An edge connector 3 is disposed in the housing 1 and makes electrical connection to a receiving printed circuit board through solder tails 7. A printed circuit board 4 has electrical circuitry 16 and is received by the edge connector 3. Terminals 8 are held in the plug receiving cavity 2 of the housing 1 by a retainer 9. Ends of the terminals 8 distal from a mating side 50 of the connector make resilient contact to area contacts 6 on printed circuit board 4.

Abstract: A top spring of a bush contact encloses a base spring like an enclosing box. The top spring is a stamped and bent part with a production-dictated longitudinal slit in the top wall (extending in a plug-in direction). To form a stable, closed box form of the top spring, the slit top wall parts are provided with a connecting tab, respectively at either end of the longitudinal slit. The connecting tab is joined to the respectively opposite top wall part by form lock and/or by force lock.

Abstract: A network hub having a recessed portion on the front panel thereof, and a L-shaped cable holder pivotably connected to the recessed portion, wherein the L-shaped cable holder can be turned between the operative position in which network cables can be hung on the L-shaped cable holder and fixed thereto by a binding strap, and the non-operative position in which the L-shaped cable holder is closed on the recessed portion.

Abstract: A coaxial connector (50) float-mounted in a panel aperture (58) for mating with a mating coaxial connector (10) fixedly mounted in a second panel (12) and spring biased to adapted to a range of axial positions of the mating coaxial connector upon full mating. A subassembly (60) is movably mounted within an outer shell (56) of connector (50) and contains a contact member (68) within a dielectric sleeve (70) all within an intermediate conductive housing (62). An annular spring (94) of minimal axial dimension is disposed between a rearwardly facing abutment surface (100) of the intermediate housing and a flange of the outer shell (56) rearwardly thereof, biasing the subassembly forwardly. Annular spring (94) permits radial movement of subassembly (60) within outer shell (56) to adjust to an offset mating coaxial connector, and also permits incremental axial movement resulting from mating.

Abstract: A plurality of adapter embodiments connect the electrical system of a first vehicle to the electrical system of a second vehicle, such as a vehicle in tow. The adapters have particular application for mating a four-way-flat harness connector of a trailer at one end, and at other opposite end, for mating a complex round harness connector with numerous terminals. The adapters are solid unitary structures formed with a covering material. Adapter molds are provided for fabricating the adapters. The molds include a series of interchangeable, removable mold inserts received within the mold body. Depressions are formed in the removable mold inserts in a configuration corresponding approximately to the shape of the adapter. The covering material is injected into the mold to thereby form the adapters.

Abstract: A board edge electrical connector 60 includes a housing 12 having a plurality of first and second terminal members 64,74 each having a respective contact section 68,78 extending in a corresponding first or second row 66,76 from the board engaging face 18, the rows 66,76 being opposed to each other and defining a board receiving entrance 84 therebetween. Each first row contact section 68 includes respective contact surface 70 adapted to engage a corresponding circuit board 42 at a first position 43 on a first major board surface 40. Each second row contact section 78 is adapted to engage a second major board surface 46 at both a second position 53 proximate the board edge and a third position 54 farther from the board edge 52 than the first position 43 with each second row contact section 78 to be electrically connected to a corresponding board circuit 48 at at least one of the positions.

Abstract: An improved zero insertion force socket suitable for engaging with terminals of an integrated circuit such as a CPU of a personal computer. The terminals are permitted to be inserted into and withdrawn from the socket with very little or even zero insertion and withdrawal force. The socket includes multiple contacts and multiple insertion holes each of which has a relatively wide first insertion space for receiving the contacts and a relatively narrow second insertion space for receiving the terminals. Two locating walls are formed at an adjoining portion between the first and second insertion spaces and the each contact has an elastic engaging portion formed with two stopping portions, whereby when the contact is inserted into the first insertion space, the two stopping portion abut against the two locating walls to bias and pre-load the elastic engaging portion of the contact and accurately locate the same at its true position.

Abstract: A connector is described, which can be inserted into a hole in a base to securely mount therein while enabling removal and secure reinstallation. The base (14, FIG. 3) has a hole with an undercut groove (30). A connector mount portion (24) has a recess (42) that holds a snap ring (26). The snap ring has a gap that allows the snap ring to contract during insertion, and to then expand to lock into the groove in the base. An elastomeric spring ring (50) lies between the bottom of the recess in the mount portion and the radially inner surface of the snap ring, to prevent the snap ring from falling off prior to installation of the connector. The spring ring is readily compressed (at 50 in FIG. 8) when the snap ring is compressed during installation. A pair of contacts of the connector include vertical and horizontal portions (100, 102, FIG. 3) connected by a middle portion (110) that is bent at a right angle.

Abstract: A backplate for securing low voltage electrical sockets includes a flat plate with tabs formed, and adapted for repositioning, by first, second or third bend lines, and the tabs are adapted for bending to form a support bracket having a rectangular central opening surrounded by sidewalls with the contiguous tabs essentially orthogonal to the plane of the plate. The support bracket is provided with fastener holes positioned to remain in the plane of the plate after bending the tab. The tabs are provided with variously configured bend lines whereby the tabs can be repositioned behind a wall panel with a clasping action for securing the support bracket to the wall panel.

Abstract: A cable reel is disclosed which includes a fixed member having an outer ring wall, a movable member having an inner ring wall and a ring member which couples the fixed member to the movable member in rotatable engagement. A belt-like cable is wound with a plurality of turns between the outer ring wall and the inner ring wall, and a cutter is provided on the fixed member at a position facing a folded portion of the cable, which is formed at an outer circumferential end portion of the cable, wherein when the movable member is rotated in a winding direction of the cable (to wind the cable on the inner ring wall) by a predetermined amount of more, the cable is cut by the cutter. A first connector is provided at the inner circumferential end of the cable for connecting the cable to a harness to permit connection to external equipment, and a first connector box is provided integrally with the movable member for fixedly receiving the first connector.