Abstract: Lamp assembly (10) including an array of lamps (44) connectable to electrical power sources by contacts (40,42), and aligned with lenses (14) of a display panel (12) upon mounting of the lamp assembly to the panel, to illuminate the lenses. Contacts (40,42) terminate the lamp leads (46,48), and common contact (42) commons all the lamps. Housing (30) enables dressing the lamp leads for termination by contacts (40,42) and accommodates resistors (50) on certain lamp leads (46).

Abstract: An adapter provides full single phase electrical service when there is a partial electrical service failure to one of the line contacts of the watt-hour meter socket. The adapter includes a housing, wherein at least two line apertures are formed through the housing. A line electrical conductor is removably inserted through one of the line apertures to correspond to the live line contact of the meter socket. The line electrical conductor has a first end configured for being connected to the line contact of the watt-hour meter socket and a second end configured for being connected of contact of the watt-hour meter. At least two load apertures are formed through the housing. At least two load electrical conductors are each inserted through the load apertures.

Abstract: A Power Distribution Center (PDC) for a motor vehicle distributes power through relays and fuses to connectors for distribution of power throughout the motor vehicle. The PDC includes a housing/connector plate, a printed circuit board, a leadframe assembly, an insulator, a B+ buss bar, an alignment plate and a cover. The PDC utilizes the B+ Buss bar assembly for receiving power into the PDC. The leadframe assembly is utilized to distribute power within the PDC to particular circuits. The printed circuit board is employed to distribute power and signals within the PDC. Terminal clips are used to interconnect between the PDC and associated relays and fuses. The PDC is configured to allow simple addition of electronic modules by providing an interface as part of the PDC, thereby allowing modules to be added to the network without requiring a separate wiring harness for each module.

Abstract: A module interconnection system which minimizes electronic signal propagation delays is disclosed. The module interconnection system includes a backplane, a first plurality of connectors arranged in a side by side generally parallel arrangement, and a second plurality of connectors arranged in a side by side generally parallel arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the second plurality of connectors are mounted on the backplane at right angles to the first plurality of connectors so as provide short routing paths between each of the second plurality of connectors and at least one of the first plurality of connectors. Point-to-point signal interconnections are selectively utilized to provide data paths between selected contacts of at least one of the first plurality of connectors and selected contacts of the second plurality of connectors.

Abstract: A connector is provided to prevent the deformation of base end portions of L-shaped lead terminals. The connector has a restricting projection 13 projects on the rear surface of the connector housing 10 so as to surround substantially the half of a base end portion 24U of each lead terminal 20U near a connector housing 10. Accordingly, even if an external bending force acts on the base end portions 24U, the deformation of the base end portion 24U is prevented by the restricting projection 13.

Abstract: A connection construction is provided to connect electrical connection paths of a battery and an electrical connection box using a connection plate. The connection construction for connects a battery post 11a projecting from the upper surface of a battery 11 and a power input portion of an electrical connection box 12 placed adjacent to the battery. A coupling portion 12c which extends along the upper surface of the battery 11 and projects from a side wall of the electrical connection box 12. A busbar 14 is connected with an internal circuit of electrical connection box 12 and extends into the coupling portion 12c. An end of the busbar 14 and a battery terminal 17 mounted on the battery post 1a are fixedly fastened by bolts via a connection plate 16.

Abstract: An electrical connection unit having a junction block and a plurality of connectors mounted thereon. The junction block carries a plurality of electrical elements, also mounted thereon and in electrical contact with the elements. There is a plurality of wire harnesses extending from the connectors and the side walls of either the junction block or a main box are extended beyond the connectors in a direction away from the elements. The remote edges of the side walls bear against the vehicle body and provide a space between the edges and the connectors. This construction provides a space through which the wire harnesses can be passed and a simple means of waterproofing without the necessity of a bottom cover. In addition, the pull-out section is composed of two semi-cylinders, which are hinged to each other so that the wire harnesses can be placed therein and one of the semi-cylinders rotated about the hinge, closed, and latched.

Abstract: A device for coupling global positioning system (GPS) receivers to computer systems in a way that takes advantage of available power supplies. The device includes an adaptive power base that may be used to replace the standard battery-pack bases of many portable GPS receivers. The adaptive power base is coupled through an interface cabling system to an external power supply. The power supply may be associated with the computer means, such as a mouse or keyboard port, or it may be a completely separate source, such as an automobile's cigarette lighter outlet. The interface cabling system includes couplings for linking the data communications ports of the GPS receiver and the computer system together. Through the design of the present invention, the GPS receiver is more adaptive to available power sources and therefore may be used for longer periods of time and in a variety of locations. The design is simple in that it includes standard connectors.

Abstract: A system for securing a protective boot over a connector assembly is disclosed. The boot is designed to slide over a pair of mated cable connectors, one connector being panel mounted and the other being cable mounted. The protective boot is located axially along the cable and is positioned over the mated connectors until it is flush against the panel, preventing environmental elements from damaging the connectors. The protective boot is held firmly against the panel by a locking element located on the cable connector which engages a concentric groove located inside of the protective boot. The concentric groove is located at an appropriate distance away from the boot opening such that the locking element engages the groove just as the boot opening becomes flush against the mounting panel.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 uses presently existing, conventional extension cord(s) 40 to couple a power tool 20, which normally operates using an internal direct current power source (i.e. battery cartridge), to an external direct current power source 90. The apparatus 10 has a power tool adapter or coupler 30 that couples to the power tool 20 and that further couples to a plug end of the extension cord(s) 40. The apparatus 10 also has an external source adapter or coupler 50 that couples to the other plug end of the extension cord(s) 40 and that further couples to the external direct current power source 90. The power tool adapter or coupler 30 has a tool adapter housing/casing 32 or battery cartridge housing/casing 32 that is conformed to slidingly insert, fit, and couple into a power source receptacle 22 of the power tool 20. A safety trip mechanism or fuse 70 is integrated into the power tool adapter or coupler 30 to prevent damage and injury when a power overload or surge occurs.

Abstract: An electrical terminal is disclosed where the terminal is formed of an electrically-conductive metal substrate such as copper alloys, aluminum alloys or stainless steel with the substrate having a codeposited composite coating of titanium nitride and gold or silver on the surface. The coating provides wear resistance in high temperature and vibration environments while retaining and demonstrating low friction and low contact resistance properties.

Abstract: An in line switch device (1) includes a switch housing (3, 4) providing a switch component chamber. A switch actuator (8, 9) is operable from the exterior of the switch housing (3, 4). At least two sets of switch terminals (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) are accessible from the exterior of the switch component chamber and are covered by a removable closure or respective removable closures (26, 27). The removable closure(s) has two cable apertures (28) for passage of respective power cables to be connected to respective sets of switch terminals (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22). A first sealing device (29, 30) is associated with each cable aperture (28) for sealing around the associated power cable. The removable closure(s) (26, 27) are engaged with the switch housing (3, 4) with one or more second sealing devices (14, 15) provided at the interface between the or each removable closure (26, 27) and the housing (3, 4).

Abstract: Flexible connectors having substantially vertical conductive legs allowing the connectors to accommodate deflection in the lateral directions (x-y directions in the plane of the connectors) induced by CTE mismatches between a chip and a substrate during thermal cycling of the chip. The connectors also accommodate deflections in the vertical direction (z direction--perpendicular to the plane of the connectors) which may be caused by connection to a substrate. Such substantially vertical leg features are formed using projection lithography, such as projected x-ray or ultra-violet ("UV") radiation, to selectively expose a photoresist layer such that the substantially vertical metal features may be formed by plating or etching. The sacrificial layer may be in the form of an array of posts, such that "stool-like" post connectors are created, or may be in the form of an array of apertures, such that "basket-like" receptacles or sockets are created.

Abstract: A female connector to be coupled with a male connector of an electric device and an external circuit board. The female connector is composed of a case member to be inserted into a coupling hole of the circuit board, a pedestal portion extending outward from the case member in a direction perpendicular thereto, a plurality of terminal members disposed in the case member, and at least a pair of projection members extending from opposite sides of the pedestal portion toward the coupling hole of the circuit board. The case members have a plurality of parallel slits, and the pedestal member has a plurality of parallel grooves connected to the slits. The terminal member has a base portion inserted in one of the grooves, a first terminal portion inserted to one of the slits and a second terminal portion extending from the base portion toward the external circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical card for providing a computer system with a signal processing module, includes metallic top and bottom covers, an insulative supporting frame, a circuit board, a first connector, a second connector and a grounding plate. The grounding plate is securely attached to the first connector by engagement between attachment plates of the grounding plate and extension arms of the first connector. The first connector together with the grounding plate are attached to the supporting frame by means of engagement between L-shaped interlocking members of the first connector and L-shaped interlocking recesses of the supporting frame. The supporting bracket is attachably received in the bottom cover, the second connector is mounted to one end of the circuit board, and the circuit board is received within the supporting bracket whereby the grounding plate forms a grounding path from grounding pads of the circuit board to the bottom cover.

Abstract: There is disclosed a socket for use with an electronic part, which is simple in structure and easily fabricated and in which a reliable contact between electrode terminals of the electronic part and those of a socket body is obtained when the electronic part is mounted or detached. Each electrode portion 1b of a socket body 10b has a sliding contact which contacts with an electrode terminal of the electronic part and whose contact point is movable by pushing of the electronic part against the socket body in a direction B perpendicular to the push, and a spring contact which biases with its degree of contact with the sliding contact increasing in proportion to a movable amount of the sliding contact.

Abstract: A mounting structure for an I/O (input/output) connector in a magnetic disk drive comprises a frame of the magnetic disk drive including a side wall, an I/O connector mounted on a printed board, and an engagement piece formed within the side wall that obliquely extends downwards and toward the inside of the side wall. The engagement piece is pushed towards the sidewall by side faces of the I/O connector and the printed board facing the inner face of the side wall when the printed board, on which the I/O connector is mounted, is inserted into the frame of the magnetic disk drive. A tip end of the engagement piece contacts a top face of the I/O connector when the printed board, on which the mounted board is mounted, is completely mounted onto the frame of the magnetic disk drive.

Abstract: A test fixture for integrated circuits, particularly those having large numbers of contacts. The fixture has a socket for receiving the integrated circuit, with conductive wad pins of the socket contacting lands or solderballs of the integrated circuit. Four clamping and alignment studs having peripheral grooves near their upper ends extend upward from the four corners of the socket. A lid is pivoted about a hinge pin which goes through bearing holes in the two studs and the lid. A pressure pad is resiliently suspended from the lid for applying pressure to the upper surface of an integrated circuit disposed in the socket. A slide-lock plate is mounted on the upper surface of the lid. A pressure pad screw extends from a position above the slide-lock plate, through a hole in the slide-lock plate, to engage threads of the central hole of the lid to apply pressure to the pressure pad when the pressure pad screw is rotated.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a faceplate and a cover plate. The faceplate is provided with at least receptacle having two slots. A rectangular recess is provided on the faceplate outside the slots. A tongue of a length corresponding to that of the slots is provided between the slots. Each slot is provided with a slide groove at an outer side thereof. The cover plate is received in the recess and has a length substantially equivalent to the distance from bottom edges of the slots to a bottom edge of the recess. The cover plate includes an indentation at an upper end shaped to receive the tongue, and two side wings each having a hook extending downwardly from outer edges thereof for engaging the slide grooves. When the cover plate is disposed in the recess of the faceplate, the side wings will contact the tongue. When the cover plate is in a use position, the slots are exposed on the faceplate to allow insertion of a plug.

Abstract: An electrical cord protector is designed to keep electric hedge trimmers and electric grass trimmers from cutting or damaging the cord. The principle behind the invention is an enlarged section of the cord so that this part of the cord will not fit between adjacent teeth of an electric hedge trimmer or an electric grass trimmer. Three methods of electrical cord protection can be used to protect the cord. In the first method, an enlarged diameter section of the cord is permanently built into the cord. This cord is then plugged into the trimmer. The second method of cord protection has an enlarged diameter section permanently built into a cord, and this cord is permanently wired into the trimmer. In the third method, a separate enlarged diameter section made from a material such as a plastic can be temporarily fastened around a section of a typical standard diameter electrical cord.