Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule receptacle with a single-molded housing having a base, a cylinder on a first side of the base having a bore for receiving an optic ferrule, a socket on a second side of the base, opposing the first side, for receiving an optical element; and the bore having a first diameter at an outer opening distal to the base, and a second diameter at an inner opening adjacent to the base, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. A second embodiment comprises a single-molded housing having a base, a cylinder on a first side of the base having a bore for receiving an optic ferrule, a socket on a second side of the base, opposing the first side, for receiving an optical element; and a plurality of sloping ridges located on the inner wall of the cylinder, wherein widths of the sloping ridges increase closer to the base.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of using optical sensors with component placement machines for the placement of components onto a circuit board. One of the improved methods involves the placement of a projection or notch at a selected position on the quill. The projection or notch is detected by the light based component sensor system on the placement head to indicate that it is safe to begin moving the placement head. A second improved method uses a constant, high angular velocity to rotate the component when the sensor is using the shadow cast by the body of the component to align the component. The use of a constant angular velocity allows for the correction for the rotation in determining the orientation to give very accurate results even though the velocity is relatively high.

Abstract: A number of improvements relating to methods and apparatuses for kidney dialysis are disclosed.

Abstract: A shielded, molded electrical connector includes a conductive sleeve surrounding an insert body housing the connector elements. A metal coupling member is received on the sleeve and in electrical continuity with the sleeve. An outer sheath formed of moldable thermoplastic material with wire strands embedded throughout forms a conductive shield from the sleeve to a braided shield (in the case of a cord set) or to a conductive shield on an insert body housing complementary connector elements (in the case of a splitter).

Abstract: High speed high precision alignment sensor systems for use on surface mount component placement machines. Light systems are used to correctly align and position component parts. The sensor system consists of a light source and an optical lens system causing more of the light from a light source to pass the component in order to obtain a sharper component image on a sensor array. Due to the optical lens systems disclosed, either low powered lasers, light emitting diodes, or other suitable light sources can be used in the system since optical efficiency is substantially increased over prior systems since more of the radiated light is collected from the light source for measurement at the detector. The sensor system is mounted directly on the carrying mechanism for the surface mount component placement machine.

Abstract: A soil sub-surface trenching apparatus adapted to deliver a ribbon deposit of an aggregate material to form a downwardly extending curtain thereof below the soil surface level and thereby provide a soil conditioning method for accomplishing a wide range of subsoil characteristic modifications, being as varied as surface level drainage enhancement with the use of a porous aggregate material in recreational and agricultural applications and the like to that of soil sub-surface stabilization improvement with the use of a solidifying aggregate material for surface level vehicular parking applications and the like.

Abstract: A number of improvements relating to methods and apparatuses for kidney dialysis are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for connecting a conductor of an electrical wire to a terminal of a mating connector. A dielectric housing has at least one elongated terminal-receiving cavity defining a longitudinal axis. A terminal is received in the cavity and has a mating portion adapted to mate with the terminal of the mating connector, a conductor-terminating portion, and an intermediate portion joining the mating and conductor-terminating portions. The intermediate portion includes a base and a pair of elongated resilient side walls extending from the base. Each side wall has an upper free end portion. A pair of elongated slots are provided within a wall of the cavity receiving the upper free end portions of the side walls of the terminal to prevent movement of the terminal laterally or angularly of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity for insertion thereinto of a terminal in a given insertion direction. The cavity includes a constricted opening leading to a locking shoulder facing in the insertion direction. An elongated terminal is adapted to be inserted into the cavity and has a body portion with a cantilevered locking arm formed out of a side wall of the body portion. The locking arm has a fixed end joined to the side wall and a free end projecting outwardly from the side wall oblique to and opposite the insertion direction. The free end is adapted to engage the locking shoulder. The housing and terminal are constructed such that, upon insertion of the terminal into the cavity, the locking arm is biased laterally inwardly and then resiliently returned to a locking position with the free end thereof engaged with the locking shoulder. The locking arm has a first portion bent inwardly from the fixed end oblique to and opposite the insertion direction.

Abstract: A number of improvements relating to methods and apparatuses for kidney dialysis are disclosed.

Abstract: A number of improvements relating to methods and apparatuses for kidney dialysis are disclosed.

Abstract: A firearm security device, to temporarily disable a firearm. The principal components of the device are an anchor, formed of material which may be stretched, which is slightly oversized in relation to the gun barrel bore and chamber diameter; and an extractor, which may be screwed onto one end of the anchor, and is used both for inserting and removing the anchor from the gun barrel and chamber. The extractor also has an actuating rod passing therethrough, which is used to exert stretching force on a shaft passing through the anchor and secured to the opposite end of the anchor, for stretching the anchor longitudinally so as to reduce its diameter sufficiently to allow insertion of the anchor into the firearm barrel and chamber. After the anchor is inserted, with the stretching force applied, the user ceases applying the stretching force, so that the anchor becomes wedged within the barrel and chamber, as it seeks to return to its normal diameter.

Abstract: A generally elongate female electrical terminal includes an improved torsional mating portion having a terminal-receiving passageway adapted to receive a male terminal. The mating portion includes two longitudinally spaced generally U-shaped cross sectional portions defining the front and rear of the passageway. Each U-shaped cross sectional portion is defined by a pair of legs joined by a bight portion. Two spaced apart side walls extend lengthwise of the passageway and connect the legs of the cross sectional portions. Each side wall has two longitudinally spaced, inwardly projecting dimples for engaging the male terminal received in the passageway. A bottom wall extends generally perpendicular from one of the side walls toward the other side wall. A free end of the bottom wall forms a transverse opening with the other side wall intermediate the U-shaped cross sectional portions. The front and rear of the bottom wall are spaced from the cross sectional portions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for maintaining an electrical connector assembly mounted on a printed circuit board during soldering of the assembly to the board. A housing has a plurality of terminals mounted therein. The terminals include solder tails projecting from the housing for insertion into respective holes in the printed circuit board. Each terminal is stamped in planar form of sheet metal material. The solder tails are arranged in a row of pairs thereof, with the solder tails in each row being in a plane transverse to the row. All of the solder tails are of similar shape with each solder tail including a straight intermediate section projecting from the housing, a straight tip section for insertion into a respective hole in the printed circuit board, and an offset curved section between the intermediate and tip sections. The curved section of one solder tail extends in a direction transverse to the row opposite to the curved section of the other solder tail in each pair thereof.

Abstract: A keying system is provided for a plurality of electrical connectors having different numbers of terminals. The connectors include at least four sets of mating connectors, such as a male and female connector in each set. Each set of connector is adapted for mounting at least one pair of interengaging terminals, with the numbers of pairs of terminals in any given set of connectors being different from that of any other set of connectors, and with the number of mating terminals in the at least four sets of mating connectors increasing in a predetermined progression. The connectors in each respective set thereof have complementary interengaging mating portions. The respective mating portions of the sets of connectors are constructed such that either connector in any given set thereof cannot mate with a connector of any other set thereof.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for interconnecting a modular phone plug with a printed circuit board. The connector assembly includes a housing having a forward mating end and a rearward end. A plug-receiving socket is formed in the forward mating end and is adapted to receive a modular phone plug. The rearward end is configured so that an edge of a printed circuit board can be inserted at a first angular orientation relative to the housing and then rotated to a second angular orientation. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing. Each terminal includes a contact portion at one end, a tail portion at an opposite end and an intermediate portion therebetween. The intermediate portion is anchored in the housing. The contact portion projects into the socket for engaging a contact of the modular phone plug.

Abstract: A retention system is provided for an electrical connector which includes a dielectric housing having at least one terminal-receiving cavity. A terminal is insertable through an insertion face of the housing into the cavity. The terminal is stamped from metal material and includes a generally planar retention body portion press-fit into the terminal-receiving cavity. A groove is provided in the housing communicating with the cavity and the insertion face of the housing. The groove has opposite side walls extending in an insertion direction of the terminal. The terminal includes a retention boss stamped from the body portion and insertable into the groove. The boss has side walls establishing a force-fit with the side walls of the groove. preferably, the boss is generally peanut-shaped in cross-section to define a pair of enlarged lobe portions providing four points of contact with the side walls of the groove.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting on the surface of a printed circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing for mounting a plurality of terminals connectable to appropriate circuit traces on the circuit board. A board mounting clip is mounted on the housing for mounting the connector on the surface of the circuit board. The mounting clip includes a C-shaped portion defining an upper leg and a lower leg respectively insertable into a pair of slots in the housing. At least one of the slots includes a ramped leading edge adapted to engage the free end of a respective one of the legs to bias the board mounting device into firm position on the housing.

Abstract: A number of improvements relating to methods and apparatuses for kidney dialysis are disclosed.

Abstract: A keying system is provided for a plurality of electrical connectors having different numbers of terminals. The connectors include at least four sets of mating connectors, such as a male and female connector in each set. Each set of connector is adapted for mounting at least one pair of interengaging terminals, with the numbers of pairs of terminals in any given set of connectors being different from that of any other set of connectors, and with the number of mating terminals in the at least four sets of mating connectors increasing in a predetermined progression. The connectors in each respective set thereof have complementary interengaging mating portions. The respective mating portions of the sets of connectors are constructed such that either connector in any given set thereof cannot mate with a connector of any other set thereof.