Abstract: A float support member that comprises a base for mounting to an object, primary linkages rotatably coupled by a primary pin defining a primary movable pin point that moves both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction, and secondary linkages rotatably coupled to said primary linkages, respectively, by first and second secondary pins, respectively. The first and second secondary pins define first and second secondary movable pin points, respectively, that each move both in a lateral direction and a transverse direction. The first and second secondary linkages being rotatably coupled to the base by first and second stationary pins, respectively, defining first and second stationary pin points, respectively. The position of the primary movable pin point in both the lateral and transverse directions depends on the position of both of the first and second secondary moveable pin points in both the lateral and transverse directions and vice versa.

Abstract: An electrical connector electrically connects a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board, where the electrical connector includes: (a) an insulative housing; (b) a plurality of signal conductors, with at least a portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors disposed within the insulative housing; (c) each of the plurality of signal conductors having a first contact end, a second contact end and an intermediate portion therebetween; and (d) a passive circuit element electrically connected to the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors, where the passive circuit element is housed in an insulative package and includes at least a capacitor or an inductor.

Abstract: An electrical connector with electrically lossy materials bridging ground members. The lossy conductive members may be formed by filling a settable binder with conductive particles, allowing the partially conductive members to be formed through an insert molding process. Connectors assembled from wafers that contain signal conductors held within an insulative housing may incorporate lossy conductive members by having filled thermal plastic molded onto the insulative housing. The lossy conductive members may be used in conjunction with magnetically lossy materials. The lossy conductive members reduce ground system do resonance within the connector, thereby increasing the high frequency performance of the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly that comprises a first connector member supporting a first contact and has a first interface end that defines a first tapered surface, and a second connector member supporting a second contact and has a second interface end that mates with the first interface end. The second interface end has a second tapered surface. The first and second tapered surfaces have substantially the same angle of taper and taper in opposite directions to engage one another to form a friction fit. A coupling member is mounted near one of the interface ends and has an external engagement member that is configured to engage a corresponding external engagement member. A biasing member is disposed in an annular receiving area. The coupling member is movable between an unlocked position when the external engagement members are not engaged and a locked position when the external engagement members are engaged.

Abstract: An optical connector for reducing attenuation in a cable assembly. A support within the connector precludes bending of exposed fiber within the connector that might otherwise occur when the cable assembly is exposed to environmental conditions involving cyclic temperatures. In some embodiments, optical connector assemblies include an optical fiber jacket surrounding a plurality of optical fibers and a support member adjacent to the jacket. The support member includes channels for receiving regions of the optical fibers that are exposed exterior to the optical fiber jacket. The channels of the support member serve to prevent severe bending of the optical fibers which otherwise would give rise to significant signal attenuation. For multi-fiber optical connector assemblies described herein, even during harsh environmental conditions, the signal loss in the optical fibers may be less than about 0.5 dB. The support may be formed as an extension of a ferrule holder.

Abstract: An electrical connector provides shielded signal pathways. The electrical connector includes a shield plate, a first finger that extends from an edge of the shield plate, and a second finger that extends from the edged of the shield and that is adjacent to the first finger. A channel is formed between the first finger and the second finger. A coupling is placed within the channel adjacent the first finger. The coupling includes a contact, a first connecting arm extending from a first end of the contact to a first portion of the first finger, and a second connecting arm extending from a second end of the contact to a second portion of the first finger. The first connecting arm and the second connecting arm provide at least two current paths from the contact to the first finger.