Abstract: A switch assembly for a vehicle includes a stalk and a rotary switch. The stalk is fixed at one end to a steering column. The rotary switch is connected at one end to the other end of the stalk. The rotary switch is rotatable about a pivot axis normal to the other end of the stalk for switching between different rotary switch positions each associated with a respective vehicle control function. A rotatable knob may be connected to the other end of the rotary switch. The rotatable knob is rotatable about a rotational axis normal to the pivot axis of the rotary switch for switching between different rotatable knob positions each associated with a respective vehicle control function. The rotary switch may include control buttons each associated with a respective vehicle control function.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a vehicle includes a stalk and a rotary switch. The stalk is fixed at one end to a steering column. The rotary switch is connected at one end to the other end of the stalk. The rotary switch is rotatable about a pivot axis normal to the other end of the stalk for switching between different rotary switch positions each associated with a respective vehicle control function. A rotatable knob may be connected to the other end of the rotary switch. The rotatable knob is rotatable about a rotational axis normal to the pivot axis of the rotary switch for switching between different rotatable knob positions each associated with a respective vehicle control function. The rotary switch may include control buttons each associated with a respective vehicle control function.

Abstract: A device for retaining an electrical component such as a fuse relative to a circuit includes a retainer body portion that receives and supports the electrical component. A cover maintains the component in position on the retainer body portion. A housing that surrounds the circuit includes a guide member that guides the retainer and maintains it in proper alignment with the housing. The retainer is moveable between a first position where the component engages a connection terminal in the circuit and a second position where the component is disconnected from the circuit. The retainer includes structure that maintains the component in the disconnected position until the retainer is specifically manipulated to allow the component to be reinserted into the connection terminal.

Abstract: An improved wiring system for vehicle doors allows the trim panel to be simply snapped to the metal door frame. Electrical connections are made by floating electrical connectors at the time the two are snapped together. Alignment pins on the floating connector are received within corresponding openings in the second connector to facilitate alignment. In other features, a water barrier may include electric wire holding structure such that the wires may be merely mounted to the water barrier, without the necessity of any complex wire harness. In other aspects of this invention, a plurality of electrical components may be connected through a single electrical connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for ensuring that a first and a second electrical connector are properly connected and locked together. The first electrical connector includes a latching member for latching two together when properly mated. A locking member is secured to the first electrical connector in a space between the first electrical connector and the latching member. The locking member is moveable between an unlocked and locked position and can only be moved to the locked position when the first electrical connector is latched to the second electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a connector having a body, a conductive terminal, a cavity and a pair of flexible walls defining a keyway therebetween. A second electrical connector having a protruding finger with a tab transversely extending therefrom is insertable into the cavity and keyway of the first electrical connector such that the tab is sized to press firmly against the keyway walls so as to flexibly expand them away from each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for providing a visual indication of whether or not a connector is fully seated. The apparatus includes an overhanging lip on one half and a contrasting ring on the other connector half. When the connectors are fully engaged, the overhanging lip occludes view of the contrasting ring.

Abstract: A socket connector having a plurality of socket contacts engagable with pin contacts is disclosed. The socket connector is specifically adapted for mating with an array of pins positioned in a prescribed relationship on the exterior of an electrical component such as a fan motor. Individual sockets are contained within passages extending between the mating end and the rearward end of the housing and at least one of the passages has a constricted pin entry portion adjacent the mating end to align a pin to avoid pin-socket stubbing during mating. A laterally extending opening defined by a side entry mold is used to define this constricted portion and to define an opposed contact retention surface.

Abstract: A socket connector suitable for use in establishing interconnection to a plurality of closely spaced surface pad portions of traces on a circuit panel is disclosed. This socket connector is suitable for use with a high density single in-line memory module. The individual terminals are edge stamped from a spring metal blank and inserted in closely spaced centerlines and cavities in the housing. Insertion of a circuit panel edgewise into the connector biases the terminals outwardly with the stresses primarily confined to the plane of the spring metal blank. The terminals are inserted from above and positively retained within the housing. Low insertion forces, together with a wiping action between the terminals and the surface pad portions of traces on the circuit panel is achieved.

Abstract: Terminals for a socket connector suitable for use in establishing interconnection to a plurality of closely spaced surface pad portions of traces on a circuit panel are disclosed. This socket connector is suitable for use with a high density single in-line memory module. The individual terminals are edge stamped from a spring metal blank and inserted in closely spaced centerlines and cavities in the housing. Insertion of a circuit panel edgewise into the connector biases the terminals outwardly with the stresses primarily confined to the plane of the spring metal blank. The terminals are inserted from above and positively retained within the housing. Low insertion forces, together with a wiping action between the terminals and the surface pad portions of traces on the circuit panel is achieved.