Abstract: A releasable snap connector configured for use with conventional computer interfacing components, the connector comprising an elongate member for attachment to a conventional interface socket and an adapter member for attachment to a conventional interface plug. The elongate member is releasably retained within the adapter member so as to electrically and mechanically connect the plug and socket.

Abstract: An electrical connector (30) comprises a plug housing (20) and a receptacle housing (10) which are mated and secured together. The securing members, latching arm (23) of plug housing (20), and engaging portion (12) of receptacle housing (10) form a portion of an upper surface of each of the housings which allows the overall size of the electrical connector (30) to be reduced.

Abstract: A battery connector for mechanically and electrically connecting an external battery to a piece of equipment has two plates which mate face to face. On each are complementary, elongated mechanical engagement portions. One engaged first, forms a hinge; the other forms a locking device. Electrical connections are made when the two plates are locked together.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing having terminal passages in which electrical terminals are secured. A metal shell is secured onto the housing and ground contact means is provided for achieving electrical contact with the metal shell and a ground plate on a circuit board, the ground contact means including spring means for urging contact members of the ground contact means into electrical engagement with the ground plate.

Abstract: A modified BNC connector for connecting an active probe to an active probe to an electronic instrument includes a female BNC input on the instrument for cooperatively mating with the male BNC output of the probe. The female BNC input includes a flex circuit mounted on a planar surface and disposed about the periphery of its outer coaxial shield. A plastic bezel fits over the flex circuit to permit access to contact points located thereon and to mask the remaining area. The male BNC connector is located in a housing which includes a set of spring loaded telescoping pins which make contact with the flex circuit contact points. The housing includes a rotatable knob that locks the male and female portions together.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a pair of matable connector bodies with a pump handle type of lock is improved by the addition of a CPA that both disables the lock from releasing, and also pushes the connector bodies together to the fully mated position if they are only partially mated. A blocking end of the CPA is sized so as to be pushed beneath and be retained beneath the operating end of the arm of the lock, thereby preventing it from being pressed down. The CPA's sized also causes it to impose a force on one connector body as it is pushed in place to push partially mated connector bodies together.

Abstract: A microminiature, multi-pin electrical connector for high voltage applications. The connector includes a plug portion including a resilient body member having a plurality of cavities therein, and a receptacle portion having a plurality of extended members. When the plug and receptacle portions are connected, the extended members extend into the cavities to mate terminal means within the cavities and extended portions. The receptacle portion includes means for supporting the extended members while permitting them to move independently relative to one another. Radial and axial compression seals, preferably formed integral with the resilient body member, are provided to seal between the peripheral surface of each cavity and the outer peripheral surface of each extended member, and the base surface of each cavity and the extended end surface of each extended member, respectively.

Abstract: A subsea well electrical coupling engagement system allows control modules in a subsea well platform to be remotely and electrically coupled to each other. Each control module has an electrical housing that extends laterally outward, the housing having at least one coupling on its outer end for inductively coupling with an adjacent module. The housing is mounted flexibly to the control module. A guide shoe located on the platform engages the lower side of the electrical housing to orient it. A latch rod located in each module latches the module in its receptacle. The latch rod when moved downwardly moves a linkage assembly to push the electrical housing outward into an engaged position.

Abstract: A backshell sealing arrangement adapted to make an environmental seal with a variety of frontshell configurations is provided. The backshell includes a generally cylindrical rigid outer shell having a coupling portion with internal threads adapted to engage external threads adjacent the cable end of a plug and receptcle-type connector frontshell. A shoulder is provided in the backshell radially inward of the internal threads and adjacent the coupling portion having a surface which faces the frontshell cable end. A recess is provided radially between the shoulder and an external wall of the backshell. A ring-like resilient gasket of rectangular cross-section elongated in a radial direction is disposed in the backshell such that the outer radial portions of the gasket are received in the recess and the inner axial portions of the gasket are supported on the surface of the shoulder.

Abstract: The invention provides a safety electrical connector construction in the form of electrical receptacles carried by a weatherproof housing on a front panel. The receptacles are of insulating material, with attached contactor pins having exposed exterior faces adapted for engagement by cooperable spring-loaded pins of a line plug from a liquid transfer facility that receives electrical information for monitoring tank filling operations. The receptacles have collars which interlock with the line plugs whereby the latter must be manually released prior to the vehicle being driven off after termination of the filling. The mounting of the receptacles includes unique simplified detent means which are arranged to yield under excessive forces experienced thereby, and to release the receptacles from their supporting panels in the case of an emergency, such as if the driver of a vehicle would forget to uncouple the line plug and would drive the vehicle off with the line still connected.

Abstract: A zero insertion force connector for a printed circuit card. The connector has opposed rows of terminals having normally spaced contacts at the ends of outwardly bowed portions. Cams and followers are located beneath the bowed portions in positions where the followers can engage the bowed portions, engage the contacts with an inserted card and then stress the bowed portions, supplying contact normal force and contact wipe.

Abstract: A plug assembly comprises a housing member having a cavity at its forward end defined by a peripheral wall and a cavity wall, and a rear wall. The housing further includes contact receiving apertures extending between the cavity wall and the rear wall. An insert is locked in place in the forward cavity, the adjacent wall of the insert having standoff feet to define a gap between the cavity wall and insert wall. The insert has apertures in alignment with the apertures in the housing. The apertures within the insert include a shoulder facing the rear wall of the insert. A contact insertable into the apertures in the housing and insert has a lance which is locatable in the gap between the cavity wall and insert wall to lock the contact in place.

Abstract: A self-locking electrical connector comprises a first connector element having a housing including a radially directed flange formed with radial slots, an internally threaded locking bush rotatably and slidably received on the housing and a stop ring fixed to the bush and formed with ratchet indentations distributed about the connector axis, a second connector element has a threaded body. A spring washer is axially retained between the stop ring and the flange. It has a plurality of keying fingers engaged into the slots for preventing mutual rotation of the housing and spring washer, is axially curved away from the housing between the fingers and is formed with projecting deformations located midway between the fingers for engagement into the ratchet identations by the resiliency of the washer.

Abstract: A two-piece electrical connection assembly comprising a first connector comprising a first insulating housing carrying plural first contacts in close proximity in a row, and a second mating connector for making connection between wires of a multiple conductor cable and said first contacts of said first connector, said second connector comprising a second insulating housing providing means for supporting second contacts aligned with said first contacts for mating with them and providing a spacing member, elongated second contacts having contact portions in position for mating with first contacts, connecting end portions connected to said wires, and spaced portions between said contact portions and said end portions and spaced from adjacent spaced portions by said spacing member, and heat shrunk plastic tubes surrounding the ends of said wires and said connecting end portions up to locations on said second contacts sufficiently close to said spacing member for the contacts to be spaced from each other, said tub

Abstract: An apparatus and method for grounding an electronic module which is electrically interconnected with a terminal connecting block. The electronic module has a pin receiving port for electrically connecting a conductive pin thereto. A clip having a two-pronged clasp and a protruding conductive pin is attached to the electronic module with the protruding pin of the clip placed within the pin receiving port. A flat conductive strip is placed within the two-pronged clasp of the clip, wherein the clip electrically couples the electronic module with the conductive strap. The conductive strap is then electrically coupled to ground.

Abstract: An extension cord connector guard includes a substantially closed housing and reclosable structure for accessing the interior of the housing. A pair of opposed cord access ports are provided in the housing side walls to permit the placement and removal of end portions of extension cords in the housing without interference with the function of the access structure. A child resistant lock structure secures the reclosable structure in the closed position. Cord port size adjustment gates and suitable moisture resistant gaskets are preferably provided to adjust the port dimensions to suit the particular cords which are used and to prevent the entrance of water into the housing interior.

Abstract: A cylindrical rubber or elastomeric gasket which is L-shaped in cross-section having an outwardly extending rim or flange is initially located between a cylindrical backshell and a connector part which the backshell is to be magnetically clamped. The internal diameter of the seal closely approximates the major diameter of the connector part. The backshell end is slid onto the connector part and, more particularly, onto and over the seal with the seal flange extending around the end of the backshell with its outermost surface abutting against a flange on the connector part. The seal in this way accomplishes both aligning of the backshell with the axis of the connector part for the electromagnetic forming step and, as well, effects environmental sealing after the backshell is fully in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably securing mating electrical connectors is presented which employs a bracket having an apertured portion which is sized and shaped to circumscribe the mating portions of the connectors. In a first embodiment, the bracket has a pair of opposed arm portions extending therefrom with at least one slot centrally located on one of the arms and a pair of opposed open ended slots on the other arm. A self-locking strap is secured to the centrally located slot. In use, after the bracket has been placed on the first connector and the mating connector is joined thereto, the self-locking strap will be wound tightly around the mating connector through the two open-ended slots; and locked to itself to thereby retain the connectors in the engaged condition. The connectors may be disengaged merely by applying sufficient force to the strap so as to unlock it from itself.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a housing for a D-shell connector that comprises two housing parts that snap and lock securely together and can later be separated without the use of tools. In addition, the housing has an integral strain relief cable clamp. Internal or external latching arms capable of latching to more than one connector configuration are easily and quickly combined or charged with the basic connector housing, and one latching arm can simultaneously latch a holding to a mating connector housing and to a cutout in a chassis or panel.

Abstract: The invention is a hermaphroditic modular connector. More specifically, the connector comprises a two-part modular housing which snaps together and which upon snapping together, effects connection of a twisted wire pair cable to a pair of insulation displacement contacts held within one part of the housing in a snap engagement by an insulator also in snap engagement held within the one part of the housing. Engaging extensions tabs project from the front of the connector in a manner such that the connector can be connected to a like connector without requiring additional parts or modification.