Abstract: A terminal 20 for use in connecting a battery cable 9 to a rectangular blade 4 on a battery 2 includes a terminal body 22 and a spring member or multiple contact band 70. The spring member 70 is fabricated from a material that is more elastic than the terminal body 22 to reduce mating force, but still generate sufficient normal force to provide a good connection to the rectangular blade 4. The multiple contact spring band 70 has a plurality of spring beams in the form of twisted louvered spring beams 78 or curved spring beams 80. The spring member 70 is positioned within a receptacle section 30 of the terminal body 22 that includes two parallel walls 32, 46. The terminal body 22 also includes a wire termination section for attaching the terminal 20 to a battery cable 8. Inline and right angle versions of the terminals employ similar spring members 70.

Abstract: A member (13) with a shorting contact (14) thereon is disposed in a receptacle housing (11). The shorting contact (14) is in mating electrical contact with an interface (15). When a header (12) is inserted into the receptacle housing (11), an inclined portion (29) of a beam (28) formed on the header (12) deflects the shorting contact (14) and opens the electrical circuit between the shorting contact (14) and the interface (15). Male pin contacts (25) in the header (12) electrically engage female contacts (21) within the receptacle housing (11) before the shorting circuit is broken. When the header (12) is removed from the receptacle housing (11) the shorting circuit is closed before electrical contact is opened between the male pin contacts (25) and the female contacts (21). In this manner, spurious signals are prevented.

Abstract: A connector system (10) for use with magnetic ballast is disclosed. The connector system (10) includes a mag wire carrier (12), attachable to the ballast and having anvils (24) for supporting magnet wires from the ballast coils. The system (10) further includes a connector (150) having terminals (14) with magnet wire terminating slots (56) for terminating wires on the anvils (24), a first terminating section (74) for terminating wires from electronic devices mounted on the ballast and a second terminating section (70) for terminating exit wires.

Abstract: A fluorescent light fixture employing modular prewired endcaps as depicted herein. A one piece insulative body includes both fluorescent lamp supports and a junction block. Jumper assemblies comprising wires having socket terminals and junction interconnect terminals on opposite ends are assembled in cavities in the insulative body on the inner face of the insulative body. The insulative body can then be attached to the hood of the fluorescent lamp assembly and lead wires can be attached between the endcap assembly and other components such as ballasts on the fluorescent lighting fixture.

Abstract: A printed circuit edge connector having a pluraltiy of electrial terminals, each of which has a compliant contact spring opposed to a relatively more rigid support arm is disclosed. The surface of the contact spring is opposed to an edge of the support arm because the contact spring is bent transversely relative to an arm which is coplanar with the support arm. Each of the terminals is received within aligned channels and cavities and an insulative housing, each of which extend parallel to a board receiving slot opening on the upper face of the housing. The base of the terminals are received within the cavities and include terminal retention means engagable with the housing in the cavities to retain the terminals in the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector of the type used with lanceless pin and socket terminals includes both a deflectable primary lock and a hinged secondary lock. The deflectable primary lock is in the form of a plurality of outwardly deflectable arcuate members which protrude into housing cavities to engage a continuous locking surface on either a pin or socket when in the undeflected configuration. The hinged secondary lock can be shifted into flush engagement with the exterior of the primary lock only when the primary lock is in the undeflected configuration. The secondary lock thus provides both terminal position assurance, secondary locking and additional locking strength.